Through The Ups & Downs
Couple; HarrisonXAddilyn
Rating; Mature
Disclaimer: I do not own HTTYD or any songs I might use!
5) To Tell Or Not To Tell
It was quiet at the Haddock House; no one knew what to say honestly. The day started fine with Harrison working at 4 am, everyone doing their own thing and then going the Berkys for dinner when Harrison didn't come home at 2:30 pm like usual. Oddly enough, they found out that Harrison hadn't taken a break or eaten since 6:30 am so it ended up making him sick, and he was overworked on top of that. When everyone got back to the house, Harrison was feeling better after eating and taking a shower, then being able to relax. However, it didn't last.
A call came in from Lieutenant Glenn Belmore, informing of the stationing orders that everyone in the Wind Rider Platoon had been waiting to find out about since their training graduation. Harrison made sure to listen carefully to the instructions, so nothing got missed when he informed anyone else he needed to tell. Right now, they were all just standing there, wanting to know more but according to Harrison, they were just supposed to report to Fort Fury next week for more information.
"I don't understand why we would have to go to the states," Olivia mentioned.
"Yeah, don't they have their own military?" Trevor inquired.
"That they do. I believe it's similar to ours as far as branches go too. They are the United States Armed Forces, holding the Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force. We only have Army, Navy, and Air Force," Syrus replied to them.
"Yeah, but they don't use dragons, I think Archipelago are the only ones that have integrated them into our lives. However, other places are coming on board with it seeing how well we're doing," Dexter informed.
"True. So what did Lieutenant Belmore say exactly, Harrison?" Chelsea questioned now.
"Nothing much. Just to report to Fort Fury next week on Friday at 6 am for a briefing about our station orders. All he said so far was that we were going to the USA and it's only our platoon too, the rest of the company is staying behind," Harrison stated.
"What does that mean? Doesn't the company station together?" Olivia wondered.
"Typically, yes, we do, but there are some instances where not many are needed to carry out the job duties. That's what I think is going on now. For whatever reason, we're being transferred to the states, and they only need our twenty-eight soldier platoon because Belmore didn't say anything about others going with us. Said it was just Wind Rider," Harrison enlightened.
"So what, they don't need a lot of people to do this job? Is that what you're saying?" Syrus questioned.
"It's the best theory I've got based on what I know right now. In either case, we have our orders, so I expect all five of you at Fort Fury next Friday for 6 am," Harrison ordered.
"Sir, yes sir!" the five soldiers replied with a salute.
"Good. You should head on home too, let your families know. I've got this weird feeling that it won't be long until we leave," Harrison told them. The five nodded, said their goodbyes, and left the Haddock House, Hailey going with Dexter.
"You'll let us know, right big brother?" Nate asked sitting next to Harrison.
"Of course, kiddo. As soon as I know more, I'll tell everyone. For now, I'm just tired from work," Harrison rubbed the top of his brother's head.
"We'll go home so you can rest, Harrison. Sleep well and have a good night," Addilyn smiled.
"You as well," Harrison replied. After the four friends had left the house, it left only the Haddock family members present. "I think I'm gonna get some sleep, it's been a long day," he mumbled.
"Go rest, son," Spencer urged. Harrison hugged his parents and little brother; then he used the restroom before ending up in his bedroom on lying down comfortably. Next week he would know more and only hoped that the time they had to be in the US wouldn't be long. Sleep took him within fifteen minutes of laying down.
(Sunday, December 14th, 2014 at 8:45 pm)
Harrison got the news on December 5th about the stationing to the United States, and as per the orders, all soldiers for the Wind Rider Platoon were at Fort Fury on Friday, December 12th, 2014 at 6 am. However, no one expected to be there all weekend learning about the assignment, but also preparing for it. Harrison knew one thing was for sure; his family was not going to approve of the fact the platoon was leaving the Monday following Snoggletog. Currently, Harrison just arrived home after leaving Fort Fury an hour ago.
As he had promised, he had the friends get over to his parent's place so he could tell everyone at once what was going on. Harrison sat in the driveway a moment, the got out of the truck and entered the house through the garage/kitchen door, then walking into the living room through the hall where laundry, half bathroom, and basement stairs were.
"Harrison, you're home. Thank the Gods, we thought you had left already," Vivian whimpered as she was up first to hug Harrison, following her was Nate and his father.
"No, it's just been a long weekend of preparation to leave. Everyone take a seat, I'll tell you what's going on," Harrison informed as the small group found seats in chairs or on couches while Harrison removed his outer uniform coat and hat while walking to a spot they would all be able to see him from.
"We're ready, son," Spencer invited for Harrison to start.
"You can ask questions if you have them. Alright, so the call I got last week was for stationing orders. The definition of that is if us soldiers are not deploying to one of the war zones, then we get sent to other locations to carry out our MOS or Military Occupational Specialty. My platoon specializes in Infantry as the first, but since that is mainly used for deployment, then secondary is Dragon Training," Harrison started.
"So, you do jobs for the dragon related things since you're not deployed?" Frankie asked.
"Correct. We use the drill weekends to keep up on the Infantry work, but our stationing orders are for both things. We'll work in Infantry and with Dragons. Our assignment for this station assignment is to help the Americans integrate with dragon life as we do. They're coming on board to having a Dragon Force in their military for now. The rest will get worked on when it gets decided how that goes. Baby steps if you would," Harrison continued to explain.
"You're being sent to the states to train them about dragons?" Addilyn wondered.
"Short version, yes. But there's a lot more to it too," Harrison sighed with closed eyes. "We're not training them; we're training trainers to train the soldiers. We can't do everything except cover the basics and let them learn first hand. So it's classroom teaching about the different classes and species, then their food source, habitats, personalities, all that. After all that we'll be helping them bond, teaching them dragon care, training, and flying," he went on.
"So you're starting from scratch with them then?" Nate stated.
"That's right. And it's different classes too; they want to train enough people to handle it. As it turns out, we're not the only group going. Our entire company will eventually show up but to begin it all, they need the lead dragon trainers of our team, and that happens to be my platoon. Once we cover the classroom studies, the rest will come with the dragons to start the second portion," Harrison informed.
"Why is it just your platoon?" Travis wondered.
"Because my platoon has an interesting mix of dragons, two of which are Strike Class and harder to train. Well, Toothless didn't give me any trouble but, Strikebolt and Dexter on the other hand. That was hilarious, so was Hookfang and Syrus," Harrison chucked a bit. "The point is that they want the soldiers who trained an elite class of dragons teaching the Americans what they need to know about life with dragons,"
"I suppose that makes sense. So, what happens from here?" Viviana questioned.
"Well, I have our stationing information of where will be and when we're leaving. It looks like we're going to Fort Benning which is based in Columbus, Georgia on the East Coast. It's an OSUT or One Station Unit Training base, meaning that when the soldiers finish Basic, they stay there for AIT too and it offers a variety of other courses that can be taken," Harrison explained.
"Alright. What are we looking at for how long you're there?" Addilyn asked boldly.
Harrison sighed. "That's...the only thing we weren't told, so I'm assuming that it's until the job is done or we get moved somewhere else,"
"Wait, so you might not come back?" Nate panicked from his seat.
"I'll be able to come home on leave and stuff but yeah, for right now it looks like we're moving there. And no, I don't know when the time off is nor do they always get approved. I'll do my best, though. I'll still be able to call everyone; I think the USA is five hours behind Arc Isle," Harrison informed.
"When do you have to go there?" Spencer asked.
"We are set to catch a flight to Georgia on Monday, the 29th of December, this year," Harrison stated as they gasped.
"Harrison! That's only three weeks away!" Addilyn protested.
"I know, but I have to go, Addy. I don't have a choice; I do what I'm told to do and where to go. And in three weeks, I'm going to Fort Benning to do Dragon Training," Harrison told her as she looked down.
"What is your flight looking like, son?" Viviana asked softly, trying not to get emotional.
"Right now, it appears we're flying out of Arc Isle Airport at 12:40 pm for a two hour and fifteen-minute flight to Copenhagen, we'll layover there for four hours and ten minutes, then catch an overnight at 7:15 pm to 5:35 am into Newark, New Jersey. Another layover there for two hours and sixteen minutes, then we fly on to Atlanta, Georgia for two hours and nineteen minutes. I assume when we hit Newark, that time change kicks in so instead of it being 1 pm; it will be 8 am on the East Coast. Plus, I think we're taking a smaller plane into Columbus, that's another forty-five minutes so...1:45 pm for you, 8:45 am for the team and me," Harrison explained.
"This is going to suck," Regina frowned.
"I know, but as I said, I'll do my best to stay in contact and come home as often as I'm able. Speaking of which; Mom, Dad. Dexter asked me if I'd ask you for a favor," Harrison started.
"Go on then," Spencer urged.
"Would you be willing to take Hailey in while we're away. Dexter doesn't want to bring her to the states and have to change her school again. We don't think this will take long. I was able to learn about dragons and train Toothless in a month, so maybe a year or less we'll be gone. Dexter said he'll sign over guardianship temporarily and send whatever money you need for her," Harrison asked.
"Give your mother and I some time to talk, Harrison. That's a bit of a tall order for last minute," Spencer informed.
"I know, but we weren't expecting to be leaving last minute either. The guys and I are probably gonna get an apartment together for our time there, easier than living on the base," Harrison replied.
"We'll let you know at the end of the week," Viviana said.
"Thank you," Harrison sighed. "Now, if no one minds, I need a shower and a nap. The last three days have been hell," he added.
"We'll be here, processing this," Spencer said. Harrison felt bad, but what could he do? This was his job, and he couldn't stop just because of a temporary move or the extreme disapproval from his family and friends. Harrison sighed as he moved to his room to get a change of clothes and towel, then he walked to the bathroom for his shower, when it started up, he stepped in and tried to relax his sore body.
Outside with the others, they could only sit in the silence of the information. Harrison was going to be moving to the USA for a what would hopefully be a short time to train others in training dragons, and he was leaving in three weeks. Addilyn knew one thing, this might be her last chance to tell Harrison how she felt about him. There was no guarantee he would like her back, so the question she was faced with was to tell or not to tell?