Through The Ups & Downs
Couple; HarrisonXAddilyn
Rating; Mature
Disclaimer: I do not own HTTYD or any songs I might use! Also, from this point in the story and in future chapters, I do not own the character; Ella(Eira) Solveig. She belongs to my good friend, ShadowSpirit020.
13) Life At Arifjan
{Harrison's POV}
[Saturday, April 11, 2015-Arc Isle Airport; 1:20 pm]
The day had come for myself and the members of Wind Rider Platoon to leave our peaceful island and start the six-month tour in Kuwait. Currently, we were set to board the aircraft to take us to Copenhagen in about twenty-five minutes and then leave the airport at 2 pm as planned. This last week had been great at home; I needed that time with family and friends before this deployment started. Of course, Addilyn's words about liking me more than a friend was still ringing in my head, I was surprised to learn such a fact. I had no clue if I felt the same for her and I was too stressed to figure it out right now. I'd have six months in Kuwait plus the time we'd be in the US afterward; I'm sure I could come up with an answer by then.
I had my bags packs. I had one below the plane in cargo and would be carrying my backpack with me. My shoulder bag held my electronics and a spare set of clothes and personal hygiene items since we would be spending the night in Copenhagen and leaving for Vienna from there tomorrow morning at 6 am. After getting through airport security, we got taken outside to catch our plane. It would be a small one, enough to hold up to forty people plus the pilots and two flight attendants. All families were allowed down with us but had to stay at a certain point. The whole gang was here to see us off. My parents and brother, Addilyn, Regina, TJ and Frankie too. Syrus was here, but of course, he'd be leaving with us.
"You best call and write, Harrison," Viviana reminded.
I chuckled a little, "Mom, I'll do my best okay? I'm pretty sure we're not just going to be sitting around with nothing to do for the next six months," I told her.
"Viv, leave the boy be. He'll keep in contact as much as he can," Spencer sighed. "Do be safe, son," he added.
"Again, I'll do my best. It is one of the heavier war zones," I informed. At the moment, I was eating a granola bar since I wouldn't get to eat again until we landed at the next airport. From what I understood by Lieutenant Belmore since it was an overnight layover in Copenhagen, we would be spending the night in a hotel that was already reserved for us to stay. The only thing that sucked was that we were sleeping four to a room and had to share a bed with our battle buddy. Didn't seem like such a bad thing but while girls didn't mind sleeping with their friends, males did. Oh well, I could deal with it for one night.
"Alright soldiers, we're gonna start boar-" Glenn began, but everyone was still talking and not paying attention to him. The male huffed as he walked over to me now. "Lad, would you do the thing for me please, the one that makes them be quiet?" he asked.
"If I get a sore throat out of this, I'm blaming you," I replied as I faced the others, then cupped my hands over my mouth and let out a loud roar that sounded like Toothless's. After I had done it, the area fell quiet except for the engines of the planes around us.
"Thank you," Glenn smiled as I coughed twice then got a drink from my water bottle. It was the call of a Night Fury, something I learned outside of training for if Toothless and I ever got separated and needed to find one another. "Now, as I was saying. We are going to start boarding early, time to start your goodbyes," he added.
A profound sadness fell over the group of families and friends who had come to see their soldiers off. There were hugs, kisses, and prayers for a safe flight there and coming home soon. I hugged my mother first, and as I expected, she began crying too. After her, it was my dad, and then Nathaniel. I moved to my friends, shaking hands with Frankie and TJ, then hugs for Regina and Addilyn.
"See you soon for your leave time?" Addy asked after I pulled out of the hug with her, she had kissed my cheek again.
"Yeah, I'll let you know when I'm getting it. Won't be for at least three months, though," I replied.
"That's fine; we'll still have Skype and phone calls until then," Nate smiled broadly. I nodded to him and then stepped back with Dexter who just finished his goodbye to Hailey, the poor thing was trying not to cry. I could see that Addy was holding firm, for now.
"Let's get going," Dexter said to me.
"If we're lucky, we'll find seats together. Trev, Sy, come on!" I called to Trevor and Syrus. "GIRLS!" I yelled when I didn't see Olivia or Chelsea in line with us. A minute later, the two of them rushed to stand with us. I looked back at my family and friends, I smiled and gave a wave of my hand before climbing the stairs of the aircraft and disappearing from their view past the door. The seats on the plane were three on each side all the way back. I grabbed a window spot on the left and was able to see my group and Hailey again, I smiled to them and sat back after putting my bag between my legs on the floor.
It was 1:50 pm when everyone was on the plane and seated with their friends. I had just Trevor in my row, then behind us was Syrus and Dexter. Across us on the right side was Olivia and Chelsea, then in front of them, Samantha and Ella. By 2 pm as planned, the aircraft was moving down the runway and took to the air. I closed my eyes now and relaxed. Two hours and ten minutes of this before we landed in Copenhagen. As soon as the pilots said we could turn on electronics, I got out my phone and switched it to airplane mode before popping in my headphones and listening to my music. I might as well try and get some sleep as I didn't get much last night.
[Copenhagen, Denmark-CPH Airport-4:15 pm]
We arrived just a bit behind schedule into CPH, and I only woke up because Trevor shook me awake so I could put my seatbelt back on for landing. I paused my music and turned the phone off as I relaxed and we landed safely.
"Alright soldiers, listen up!" Glenn called for our attention, and we looked at him. "Grab yer carry-ons and file off in an orderly fashion! We gotta get through the airport; then there will be a shuttle to take us to the hotel for the night," he informed.
"What happens when we get to the hotel?" someone asked tiredly with a yawn.
"Don't you worry, I took care of everything. I'll explain more when we get there," Glenn assured, and everyone nodded beginning to stand up and move off the plane. I was ready to get a bite to eat, then a hot shower, and some sleep for the night. Trying to stay together while we struggled through the masses of people was not an easy task, but we managed. As Glenn had stated, there was a small shuttle bus to take us to the hotel nearest the airport since we had to leave early tomorrow morning.
[Draco Grand Hotel; 4:45 pm]
Reaching our destination, Glenn checked us in for four to a room, and we'd be sharing beds with our battle buddy. After all that got settled, Glenn led us to the hallway with the chambers we'd be staying in, thankfully, he got us on the main level so it would be easier to leave in the morning for the flight at 6 am. According to Glenn, we would be leaving the hotel at 5 am to get to the airport for 5:10, then get squared away for the trip which was to Vienna.
"Alright. Girls on the right, boys on the left. I'll be staying here in room 104 with Darrel and Jaylen if anyone needs me. Get yourselves settled in and you can order one meal each off the dinner menu and charge it to the room. The military is paying for it since they couldn't get us a better flight," Glenn enlightened.
"Thanks, Lieutenant," we replied. Glenn nodded as he walked away with Darrel and Jaylen, two of the males from our platoon. See, since we had twenty-eight of us; two from the girls and boys were only two to a room. Since Gobber was male, it was easier for him to bunk with them for the night. I moved with Trevor, Syrus, and Dexter to our room; 110 and entered it. It was a decent place too. Two queen-sized beds, three nightstands, one dresser with a large flat screen television, and even a desk by the sliding doors that led out to the main area where the pool and hot tub was. Oh! And there was a bathroom with a toilet, shower/tub combination, and sink to use.
"Alright, Harrison and I call bed by the window!" Trevor announced first as he tossed his bag onto the bed with a laugh.
"Jerk!" Syrus called back as he and Dexter got their bags off their shoulders and put them on their bed now. I moved towards the window and looked out; it was such a beautiful sight even though it was all artificial plants and lighting.
"Don't bother unpacking, guys. There's no point," I told Dexter and Trevor. "Just grab your sleepwear,"
"He's got a point," Syrus added in. Why bother with it? This was only for the night, and we were going to be too rushed tomorrow morning to check and make sure we didn't forget anything.
"Well, let's all take a look at the menu, order our food, then while we wait for that we can use the bathroom and get in quick showers," Dexter suggested. All in agreement about Dexter's idea, they grabbed the menu off the dresser where the TV guide was and began looking over it.
"I think we should just do grinders or wraps," Trevor mentioned. "They got a bunch to choose from,"
"Well, order me a turkey with provolone grinder on Italian herb and cheese bread. No mayo or tomato. Uh, Sunkist for the drink," Syrus said as he was first to grab his sleep pants and rush into the bathroom for his shower.
"I'll do pepperoni, ham, and salami grinder, swiss cheese, on white with Bargs Rootbeer," Trevor stated.
"Roast beef wrap with swiss. No mustard with Coke," Dexter informed.
I was the unfortunate soul writing it all down because I'd get stuck placing the order. For me, I was getting a steak and cheese grinder with American cheese on wheat bread. Lettuce and cucumbers for the vegetables, then ranch and sweet onion sauce. Yeah, it was a weird combination, but I loved how the flavors mixed. Also, I was getting a Gingerale for my drink. Trevor and Dexter were flipping through the channels as I called room service and placed the food order. Syrus came out of the bathroom ten minutes after he entered, Trevor went next, then Dexter. By then, our food had arrived, so I decided to hit the shower after eating.
The time reached 9:30 pm, and we decided to get some sleep as we had to be up at 4:30 am to leave for 5, to reach the airport for 5:30 then catch the 6:15 am plane to Vienna. I had called home after my shower; everyone was glad I was safe and going okay so far. The four of us got into our beds after plugging in phones or other electronic devices we'd want for the flights tomorrow. I was knocked out by 9:45 pm, I suspected that tomorrow's traveling would take a lot out of us.
[Camp Arifjan, Kuwait-7:15 pm]
What a friggin day! I couldn't believe how ready I was just to lay down and go to sleep. So, we've finally reached Kuwait and were inside the Camp Arifjan base. It was 5:15 pm back in Berkville, I would call my family or at least text them once I got settled. As tired as I was, I wouldn't go to sleep yet, so I didn't wake up at 4 am and lie awake for hours. Getting off the bus from the airport, all of us were on guard for anything to happened. Why? Because this was a whole new experience for us to get used to.
"Hey there! Welcome to Arifjan. I'm Colonel Thomas Dunbar," the man greeted with a smile.
Glenn stepped forward, shaking the man's hand. "Glenn Belmore, leader of this platoon," Glenn introduced.
"Wind Rider right?" Thomas asked, and Glenn nodded to him.
"Major Hagebak said you'd be coming in tonight; he's here too. Flew ahead on a connector flight out of Vienna while you were in Cairo," Thomas informed as Glenn, and the rest of us blinked. Was Aaron here too? "Said something about wanting to be with his dragons pals?"
"Ah, makes sense. Wind Rider Platoon is the only group that has so many dragons in it. Twelve of the soldiers have bonded dragons; Aaron and I do too so fourteen total," Glenn stated understanding now.
"Yes, he mentioned that. Well, I'm sure you'd all like to settle into your new homes for the next six months. This here is Zone Two-Housing," Thomas motioned with his hand. "We've got you set up in the barracks with who'll you be working with," he smiled and led them to the building. "Here it is. You get the second level and can use the stairs here, on the left side to gain access. Your dragons will remain down on the ground floor and in their makeshift stables. It's the best we could do on short notice," the man admitted.
"It's fine, Colonel Dunbar," came Aaron's voice as he was coming down the stairs.
"I'll leave you to brief them, Major Hagebak," Thomas said as he walked away with a smile.
"Your orders, for now, are just to grab a room with your battle buddy and get unpacked. I'll give you more over a late dinner," Aaron informed.
"Yes, Major Hagebak," we replied to him.
"Belmore, you're rooming with me," Aaron told Glenn, who nodded understandingly. Without much argument, we all made our way to the second floor and into the hallway where our rooms would be. Aaron came up behind us. "I don't care who sleeps where as long as it's not co-ed," he enlightened.
"Well, might as well stick to what we had in the US. Sy, Dex, take next to Trev and I. Liv and Chels take next to or across from. Your call," I stated. Everyone made their choice quickly. Trever and I took the right side of the barrack chambers. Our window lets us see our dragons, and that's why I wanted us where I picked. Trevor and I entered our new room and looked around. It needed some work, but we could handle it. I could worry about it later, right now, we just had to unpack as Major Hagebak told us to.
Unpacking took all of twenty minutes to do, then we made our beds and sat down to relax. I laid on my bed staring up at the ceiling. The time was 7:45 pm, and I assumed the night wasn't even half over for us yet. It didn't matter; this is where we'd be for the next six months. A new life at Arifjan.