another week another chappy, anyways be sure to read and write a review if you want.
Chapter 8
Cover girl finally makes it to Hawks office. She just ignored the secretary and immediately knocked on hawk's door. "Come in", Hawk said plainly. Cover girl enters hawks office and gives a short salute, in which hawk returned promptly.
"Ah Cover girl what can I do for you today?" "Well sir it seems that I've been assigned a green shirt to be my new assistant mechanic and driver."" I see, shouldn't you be back at machine shop by the way."" Well sir my point is that this green shirt doesn't know anything, much less has even been given the proper training."
"Well I do see your concerns on this Cover girl; however the orders have been cut."" You're stuck with the kid."" Wait a minute sir did you say he was a kid?"" Yup he's the kid all right."" That same kid that hangs out with Strike."" That would be him Cover girl, do you have problem with him?"
Cover girl was just at a loss for words, when she tries to rebuttal and protest about the kids knowledge. "Look Cover girl, I have the up most confidence that you would teach him the very best in mechanical repair as well as a tank driver like yourself."" Now if you please return to your machine shop and continue with that kid's new job skill."
She gave hawk a quick salute before she headed back to her beloved machine shop. Cover girl was just slump in defeat hearing that she now had to teach her new assist everything. Crap I don't even know where to begin with him. I'm going to have to figure this one out, as Cover girl thought to herself heading back to the machine shop.
Well thirty more minutes until Strike comes and gets me to go off on our next adventure. So far it's been an easy day here in the machine shop, I got to know a few new green shirts like me and I didn't have to do too much.
Oh great I spoke too soon as Ms. Cover girl just came walking in. I started to sit up from the crate that I was sitting on as I waited to see what she wanted. She actually walked past me as if I wasn't there until she snapped her fingers to me asking me to come along.
As we walked to the other side of the large machine shop, she got me into area where she could have a private conversation with me with no prying ears and eyes around.
"Ok kid looks like I'm stuck with you."" Um, I'm going to have to give it couple of days before I can figure out on how I can teach about the world of finer mechanics and driving."" Till then here's a broom and just do some sweeping till then."" Uh ok Ms., but at 3:00 p.m. Strike is going to come and get me."" Yeah just sweep until that time."" All right no problem Ms."
"Its Specialist or just Cover girl to you kid ok no Ms. all right.""Yes Specialist."
I continue to sweep the ground till 3:00 p.m. rolled on thru when Strike as promised came by. I bide farewell with Specialist and both Phillips and foster.
"So kid what did you learn today with Cover girl?" Strike quipped in. "Uh I learned how to sweep the floor I suppose; I mean I mostly just sat there while Specialist just went on a errand or something."" Really that's all you did, just sweep and sat around for almost two hours."
"Yeah Strike I sure did, I mean I must be a complete burden to her, I could see it on her face." Within a couple of seconds Strike stops and faces the kid. "Hey don't say that you're not a burden on anyone ok." "If anything you're here to learn and we're here to teach you right."" If anything it may take Cover girl a little bit of time to adjust that's all."
"Well Strike thanks for having a little faith in me then."" Hey no worries kid, just take it with a grain per day I would say."
"So where to next Strike?"" To your second to last training stop, I think you're going to like this one."
And boy was Strike right. It turned out to be my primary job or military occupation specialty, which happens to be scout sniper training with none other than Mr. Low-Light himself.
Of course Strike did told me that she would be back in around 1700 hours or 5:00 pm.
"So kid it looks like it's my turn in your training," Low-Light explained." My job is to train you into becoming the best scout sniper here at the pit."" I'm going to teach you how to hide yourself in broad day light as well in the dead of night."" Of course sense your shooting ability is superb, you will be required under my guidance to practice your marksmanship skills."" I'm also going to teach on the use of short range weapons as well, especially in assault fire fights."
"So you're going to teach me all this stuff?"" For sure kid, now let's get started, I only got a couple of hours to get you acquainted with some of the basics."" I know it's going to be a lot to grasp on to, but I'm also a patient instructor."
I have to say to myself that this was by far the best class other than Lifelines class. Low-Light was knowledgeable as well as patient with me all the time. The only problem was that this was a lot of information and training to grasp in. Yet Mr. Low-Light was kind enough to tell me that he would often go over anything that I might have a problem with.
My first lesson with Low-Light was to pick a suitable assault rifle for me to personally use. All in all Mr. Low-Light had about ten different rifles on displayed for me to see as he explained each one to me in intricate detail. Ultimately it was my decision in the end on which I should choose.
"So any of these rifles?"" Anyone of them kid, they are all good reliable rifles with various strengths and weaknesses."" If I was you I would just go with your gut instincts." I pick up each one to get my own feel for it; however I let my hidden instinct decide for me.
When the right one felt right, my instinct had chosen the ACR or the Adaptive combat rifle. "Ah I see you have chosen the ACR, not a bad choice kid."" Personally I would have thought you would choose the M4 or FN-SCAR."" Yet that is still a good choice."
"Also one more thing kid you're going to need a side arm as well." "You mean a pistol?"" In a way yeah, unfortunately we don't carry too much of a different stock here, so your choices are limited."
Once again Low-Light showed me about three different pistols as well. "So what does everyone else around here carry or usually use?"" Between the three of them kid, the M1911 or the Beretta."" All right I guess I'll be different then and choose the SIG P226."
"Interesting choice I suppose, but none the less still a good choice kid."
"What about the long range rifles uh Mr. Low-Light?"" Kid what have I told you about calling me Mr., it's just Low-Light or if you want to feel a little more polite you can call me Staff Sergeant."
"Yes Staff Sergeant, I'm sorry Staff Sergeant." Hey don't dwell on it too much kid, I'm not crazy like Beach head about names here."" Well I feel that in the next few weeks, I'm going to let you sample each long range rifle I have here in stock."" With that being said, I want you to choose a few rifles about maybe three or so."
"Each one is going to shoot about the standard .360 to a 7.62, while your third choice must be a 50 caliber round rifle."" I understand Staff Sergeant."
"Good now first things first, I'm going to teach you how to break down your weapons, clean them, and take care of them."
Sure enough Staff Sergeant showed me only once how to break down these weapons. Once he put them back together he then motioned to me to give a shot. Of course when I did it myself the internal instinct took over and in a flash I broken down the weapons apart and put them back together quick and with much ease.
"Well the one thing I can say about you is that you're a quick learner."" Thank you Staff Sergeant that's the nicest thing anyone has said to me so far."" Hey don't let that get to you about everyone else giving you a hard time, soon enough you'll fall into place with everyone else here."
"Well Staff sergeant it's getting close to five o'clock, and I think Strike is coming to get me so I'll be heading off."" Huh where do you think you're going kid?"" I'm getting ready to leave with Strike Staff sergeant."
"Not without your weapons." I stood there a bit taken aback at the rifle range looking at Low-Light with an odd look. "Come again Staff Sergeant."" You're not leaving here without your sidearm and assault rifle kid."
"Wait a minute Staff Sergeant can I do that, I mean can I carry these weapons around with me?"" I don't want to get myself much less you in trouble."" Which is why Hawk decided to give you a special security clearance for you to carry your prospective weapons around at all times."
"A security clearance, "I said confusingly? "That's right kid, now let me see your ID badge and dog tags." Mr. Low-Light marked my ID card and well as my dog tags with some red symbol along with some numbers and letters.
"Well I guess that's ok Staff Sergeant since, it's not like you're going to give me any live rounds to go with it." For a minute there Mr. Low-Light started to give a huge grin on his face towards me. When I saw his face I could only image what it could mean.
"I guess me or Strike are going to have to teach you about the various security clearances we have here at the pit, but to put it in simple terms kid you're going to carry live ammunition around with you at all times."
"Awe man Staff Sergeant I don't know if that's such a good idea, again I don't want to cause any trouble."" None sense kid Hawk knows of the security clearance that you have."" Also no one is going to give you any lip once you show them your ID and dog tags ok."" The main reason why he even gave you such a high clearance level is because of how good you are with a rifle."" I could only image how good you are with an assault rifle, much less a side arm."" To my knowledge your skill is that high."" I would even think that you are the best marksmen here at the pit, but don't let Sergeant Scarlett know about that."
"Huh how come?"" Well it just that for a good long time she and a few of the female Joes are the current leaders in marksmanship here at the pit."" She usually wins the annual shooting contest that we do here in the pit."
"Any ways the best advice I could give you so far is just carry your weapons around all the time, especially when you come to my class ok."" Just in case you still feel worry about carrying them out throughout your day."" The clearance I gave you is actually good for you even if you have to carry your weapons in mess hall."" Besides I trust you well and good not to misuse my trust or Hawks right kid?"
"Yes Staff Sergeant, I won't ever misuse your trust."" Good then kid your dismissed now for the rest of the day with me."
I said my goodbyes to Low-Light, while I waited outside by the entrance to the rifle range waiting for Strike. Sure enough close to the five o'clock mark Strike arrives to meet me.
"Hey Kid how was your time with Low-Light?" I was leaning against the door the entrance of the firing range when Strike spoke to me as I looked up to her smiling. I started to walk towards her direction when her mood started to change to a more serious look.
"Whoa, Whoa there kid, where did you get those weapons?"" Well Low-Light issued them to me."" They aren't loaded are they?"" They sure are Strike."" Jesus kid you don't have that kind of clearance to be carrying around a locked and loaded weapon."" Give me those right now and wait here while I'll sort this out with Low-Light."
Shit I never seen Strike with a serious look on her face, yet I didn't want to piss her off so I handed her my weapons. Strike took my weapons and secured them by taking the clips out and cocking them to see if any rounds are chamber in.
I could see a bit of relief on her face knowing that no rounds where chamber in. she then started to head into rifle range, while I waited here for a few minutes. In a couple of minutes Strike came back out to see me.
"Kid let me see your ID card and dog tags ok," Strike said rather plainly. I did as she said no questions asked. "Hmm well I'll be I guess you do have clearance after all." Strike started to hand me back my weapons and magazines.
"I'm sorry if I was rather blunt with you kid, it's just I never ever seen a year one green shirt get that kind of clearance before ever."
"Well Strike I'm sorry if I caused any trouble with you." "Hey you don't have apologize to me about it." "However I do suggest that in the future at least for a good couple of weeks you should wear your ID card or dog tags on the outside of your shirt while you carry your weapons around."" That way you won't get interrogated by every Joe in the pit.""That's a good idea Strike; I think I will just do that." So I pulled out my tags to outside of my shirt.
"Well kid it about ten past 1700 hours and dinner is being served, so how about we head over to mess hall."" Well Strike can we instead just go back to my bunk house so I can put these weapons up?"" You know that doesn't sound like such bad idea after all ok, so let go and hurry back to your place."
On the way back to my dorm I did get a couple of stares but no one asked any questions about it. Soon enough back in my dorm I did put away my ACR underneath my bed. I was about to put away my side arm in my trunk till I heard something from Strike, but I didn't really hear what she said.
"What was that Strike?"" Your sidearm kid."" What about it Strike?"" You really need to wear it."" I really don't want to Strike; I mean I got all those looks from the other green shirts."" Image what the other Joes would do to me."
"I know it seems scary to you kid, however since you do have special security clearance you are required to have at least a side arm on you at all times if not your secondary weapon."" If you walk around with your red emblem dog tags like that and a superior officer or Joe stops you, they're going to ask where your weapon is."" And if you don't have it on you, you will get in trouble."
"All right since you put it that way I'll go ahead put on the holster and lock and load my SIG P226." As soon as I did that I also untucked my green shirt to cover up my holster, clips and pistol as best as I can. When I came back outside my dorm to meet up with Strike she had somewhat of a skeptical look on her face.
"Ok you are really pushing it here kid, but I think I would let it slide this one time."" Also I'll stand to your left side since your side arm is on that side to hide it as best as I can."" I find that kind of weird kid since most people shoot with their right hand."
"Anyways let's go kid." Within a span of ten minutes we made it to the mess hall inside the pit with no incidents. We got in line got our steak and potatoes and preceded to sit down near the corner most table next to a wall. I chose the take the far corner seat near the wall to hide myself and my side arm.
I was in such a nervous wreck, while Strike was as cool as can be. None the less I think I made it without any incidents as I sighed in relief.
Once again we were met up with by none other than Mr. Tunnel Rat and Dusty who chose to sit at our table. I guess it's' because they are good friends with Strike. When both of them come by I just nod my head at their acknowledgement.
Of course Tunnel Rat chose to sit across from me. "Hey kid how was your first day so far?"" Ok I suppose I mean there were some up and downs."" That good, anyways I want to apologize if I caused you to feel uncomfortable earlier today."" That's ok Mr. Tunnel Rat I don't hold any grudges."
"Humph it's just Tunnel Rat kid no mister ok." I just continue to eat really without paying any attention to Tunnel Rat focusing on me.
I did notice in a minute or two that he was looking at something." Uh Tunnel Rat is there something that I can help you with?"" Oh nothing really kid I'm just looking at your dog tags."" You know you usually wear those underneath your shirt, but anyways can I see them up close."
I was about to take them off my neck to show them, when instead Tunnel Rat just told me to lean forward just a bit.
He actually takes a good gander while handling them a bit. "Huh so your name is Mark."" AB negative on the blood type, wait what's this?"" What no way they gave you a red security clearance," Tunnel Rat said calmly but skeptical.
Dusty who was eating away was pretty much laughing and said," that's bullshit Tunnel Rat you yanking our chains like that." "You know very well they never give that type of security clearances to new green shirt recruits like that."
Tunnel Rat then focus his attention to me motioning me to take my tags off promising me that he'll give them back. "Dusty if you think that I'm joking with you then take a look at the kids tags."
For moment Dusty just scoffed at looking at the kids tags when they were handed to him, till he started to focus at them with the expression of his eyes looking somewhat alert.
He then looked at me while I was eating not paying any attention to him. "Hmm now I've seen everything." Just then Strike spoke up." Hey you two, it would be cool if you guys keep this under wraps ok the kid here is already nervous enough about this as is."
Both Dusty and Tunnel Rat just nodded to Strike while Tunnel Rat handed back the kids tags." Say kid you're not packing right now are you," Tunnel Rat asked curiously. I just sat there saying uh out loud with uncertainty while at the same time my eyes betrayed me in unintentionally pointing to my left waist side next to Strike.
"Ok kid you don't have answer that to me." I sighed in such huge relief when Tunnel Rat told me that. "Because your eyes totally gave it away to me kid, since you are defiantly packing some heat right now." "Which is cool kid since you are required to have some kind of armament on you at all times."
"I even put you at ease kid, if you haven't noticed yet practically all of the Joes in the mess hall right now are packing heat even Strike."" The only difference kid is that they hide it better than you do."" So as a way of atoning to my insensitivity towards you I'll help you out of here in mess along with Dusty." "That way no one will ever notice you on your first day."
"However you will have to face this sort of demon soon enough kid, but the best advice I can give you on that is just keep a cool head and tags out for the next few weeks."" Thanks Tunnel Rat that's very kind of you and some good advice."" Hey kid you called me by name without calling me mister, now that good sign on its own."
We all continue to eat our dinners, till it came time for us to leave. As promise both Tunnel Rat and Dusty helped me out along with Strike. It was kind of ingenious to see them positioning themselves along my sides and front of me to hide myself from the crowd of Joes who on the other hand didn't seem mind us at all.
When the coast was clear I gave my thanks to Dusty and Tunnel Rat as they went on with the rest of their day.
At first I thought Strike was going to take me back to my quarters, but I could tell that she other plans in mind since she was taking me more inside through the pit.
"So where are we off to next Strike?"" To your final class of the day," Strike said with some relief." Oh how long is it this time."" About a couple hours that's all." So I'll be out about eight or nine in the evening. That sounds cool since I'll have like maybe an hour of free time with myself before lights out.
We continue on deep into the complex of the pit. I think we were like maybe several levels down. All I saw ahead of us was basically a long hallway with lots of doors about every ten feet part on both sides.
When we got to our destination Strike basically told me to wait outside by the door for about five minutes. Of course what came next I really didn't expect it all.
"All right kid come on in and take a seat next to table." I come in expecting really another class of some sort with some of my green shirt peers, but instead I enter into a dorm with a couple of beds, some foot lockers, closet spaces, and I think a TV.
"Uh is this your dorm Strike?"" Yeah now come along and sit ok we got a lot to cover tonight."" Cover what Strike?" Strike let out a little of a sigh, but answer none the less. "Well kid if you haven't noticed yet I'm your reading and writing teacher and before you ask yes I'm qualified."
"I do have a college degree in English for composition and reading, well maybe an associates but that's still a college degree."" Hey Strike I'm not doubting you; at least you got an education unlike me." I sort of said that in sadness as I looked down.
"Hey kid chin up ok, don't worry I'll get you up to speed on your reading and writing ok now let's get started."
Well pretty much two hours just pasted on by with Strike, at least she was actually good teacher to say least. It turns outs that I'm not really reading at a 3rd grade level like I thought, but more at a 6th grade level which Strike saw as an improvement.
Basically when I read I sort of have to sound out some words, as for my penmanship I just have to keep practicing writing out my name and such on a daily basis.
"Well kid it's about ten minutes till 20:00 hours, which is 8:00 pm to you kid."" If you don't mind just continue to do a little bit of practice writing."" Nature is starting to call to me so I'll be in the bathroom and when I come out I'll take you back to your quarters and call it a night." I just nodded to Strike while she did her business.
In a span of five minutes I continued on with my studies, I was so concentrated that I didn't even noticed that the front door was opening. In fact the door didn't really make any squeaking noises when it open and closes.
As I continue to read on I did notice that some was passing right behind me, so naturally I thought it was Strike getting ready to call it night and take me back. "Ok Strike I'm almost done here just give me a couple minutes ok."
I continue on studying as I saw a pair of arms and hands touching on the table that came in from behind me. I guess Strike wanted to see where I was at on my writing. I also took noticed of the pair of black finger less tip gloves on that where next to me.
"Hey Strike I didn't know you had gloves on are you preparing to do some extra exercises or something?" Huh no answer from Strike. I turned my head slightly to my left also to notice that Strike wore a different shirt as well. It looks like some green brown camo shirt.
"Huh you also put on a different shirt." Again no answer. So I got one of those weird feelings that maybe that wasn't Strike who was standing behind me.
So out of those many cliche movies where you look behind you only to realize that something is off putting, I decided to take a peek by looking up.
When I looked up I saw another chick staring at me with a rather large grin on her face. I really didn't get a good look since it happen so fast, that I reacted by jumping up to my feet.
Yet whoever this chick was she had already beat me to the punch by restraining me in one of those many locks that sergeant Scarlett show me in self defense class. Something called a nelson lock I think. Such a pity sergeant Scarlett didn't show us how to get out of it today. So I was pretty much helpless here.
Of course whoever it was at least this chick was having fun at my expense as she kept laughing at me while I struggled.
"Well greenie I would ask you what you are doing in my quarters, but I see that you are in fact getting an English lesson from Strike."
"Yet that is not why I have in a full nelson lock."" Uh is it because uh you're just getting in some practice Ms.?"" I must say greenie you are polite with such good manners."" However I don't think I've seen you here before either."
"Well if you let me go Ms., I'll be more than happy to introduce myself to you."" Now that I would like to hear from you greenie, however you are armed." I could feel her hand reach down to take my pistol out of its holster while she kept me in the hold.
"Hmm nice piece you got here greenie."" You know I should take you to the brig while we sort this mess out since clearly you don't have the clearance to carry this around."" Brig, what the heck is that?"" Playing dumb with me greenie won't give you any mercy from me."
"Wait Ms. I have the clearance if you let me show you my ID card." I could hear her laughing at me when I said that. "Yeah right whatever greenie, now shall we go?" Now I'm getting really nervous since this chick is hell bent on taking me away.
I pleaded with her one last time. "Look Ms. just get Strike and she'll let you know who I am, I think she's in the bathroom taking a leak."" Taking a leak really greenie, were not dudes ok"". Besides she can verify who you are in the brig."
Crap I had to try and latch myself to something to slow this chick down, while I yell out to Strike. So at a moment's notice I grab on to the bottom leg of the table with my legs trying to lock them in.
As she kept pulling on me trying to pry me off of the table leg, I could tell that she was probably just as strong as Strike. Mainly because she was dragging the table along with me." That's quick thinking greenie, but it won't save you."
Just in the nick of time I could see Strike's bathroom door opening as I started to yell to her for some much needed attention.
Strike came out of her own bath room rubbing the back of her neck while her head was down trying to get the kinks out. The yelling of the kid really didn't help the situation with her minor pain either.
"Geez kid calm down ok, I'll see what's giving you some trouble." Strike's mood changed in that moment when she saw her pupil was getting dragged away by none other than her roommate Lady J.
"Whoa there Lady J, where are taking my student to?" I interjected quickly saying, "She said she was taking me to the brig."" You hush up kid," Strike said instantly.
"Like he said Strike I'm taking him to the brig."" You of all people should have known that this greenie was packing some heat; I don't how oblivious you can possibly be."
Strike then focuses some of her angry gaze towards me as she went on, "Kid why you didn't show her your Id or tags like I said before."" How could I Strike, she came from behind me and did this lock on me."
Strike then annoying looked at Lady J with an accusing eye," really Lady J."" You know me Strike I got to practice on my covert skills." "Well then Lady J stand fast, while I'll get this kids ID out and tags for you to see that in fact he has clearance."
"Wow Strike your yanking my chain as well as this greenie, this I got to see."" Ok kid where do you keep your ID at?"" Just check my front pockets." Sure enough I feel Strikes fingers in my pockets as she pulled out my ID card to show to Ms. J.
I could tell that Ms. J's breathing started to get a bit heavy as more deep breaths were taken. At same time Strike took my tags and flips them around to show to Ms. J. Finally this chick starts to ease her grip off of me completely.
"Sorry about that greenie, I'm pretty sure I didn't hurt you."" That's ok Ms.", as I was stretching out arms and back. I turned around not really looking at her in her apologetic eyes. "Uh here's your sidearm greenie." I finally look up at her looking at her eyes as she did the same.
To me she had somewhat of light tan on her skin, so also had dark brown hair that was short and cropped up barely touching her shoulders. She did look much older than me and maybe Strike. I could guess her age, I would she would have been maybe like 26 to 30.
At the same time I could tell she was studying me as well. "Huh your kind of young to be a green shirt recruit, how old are you by the way if you don't mind me asking."" I'm 18 Ms." I could tell she wasn't really expecting that from me at all as her stance change and even mood.
"What, your only 18 and you already have special security clearance as well, but you're just a kid."" Yeah I get that a lot Ms., any ways can we go now Strike?"" Yeah let's get going."" Well then see you around Ms. Lady J." I just waved at her while heading out as fast as I could with Strike
In just about fifteen minutes I finally reached to my small piece of heaven which was my makeshift dorm.
I got inside about to plop down into my bed. Man I had such a long day today; as I look to strike I could tell that she wanted just to hit sack on early tonight. Yet I just had one burning question to ask her before she left.
"Hey Strike can I ask you something?"" Yeah what's on your mind kid?"" Well can you come on in it only take a few minutes of your time."" Ok but make quick kid, I'm getting tired myself."
I sat down on my bed while Strike pulled up a chair to face me while slouching a bit.
"You know Strike I'm starting to have some second thoughts here."" I really didn't ask to be Mr. popular here ok." Of course when strike heard my first statement she actually popped up and straightens herself up. "What is it kid?"" Don't tell me that you are thinking of quitting," Strike said in very concern tone.
"What no it's not like that at all Strike."" Then what is it kid?"" Well I'm thinking about seeing Hawk tomorrow and ask him to remove these red tags on my ID card and dog tags, it's just that seem more trouble than they are worth."" I mean I saw how you reacted to me, as well as your friends, and roommate today."
"I could only imagine how everyone else who's a higher than me will react since you said it's mandatory that carry a fire arm at all times." I sat there looking down at myself.
Strike sat there see how the kid is getting depressed, so in a way she wanted to add a little bit of encouragement to him on subject at hand.
"Mark look at me ok, come on lift that chin up." Mark started to look at Strike thinking, wow I think this is the first time that she actually called me my actual name other than kid.
"You may think that having these weapons on you is a curse, but it's actually a sign of respect amongst us Joes. ""It tells us that you are in fact very responsible and that you know what the heck you are doing and that in a fire fight we can actually rely on you."
"The only reason the rest of us is giving you some kind of grief to you is because, this kind of thing has never happen before."" I mean the fact that you're so young and have this kind of security clearance is unheard of."
"To put it in perspective kid, the fact that you never even been enlisted before, but somehow you can handle a rifle like a pro is also unheard of."
"Well since you kind of put it that way, I guess my only option is to just get it over with."" What do you mean kid?"" Well I was thinking that after PT tomorrow morning," I'll come back shower up get dress, pull out my tags and ID and wear this side arm loud and proud at breakfast and whatever happens well it happens."
" Well I think that's a great idea kid, but don't worry I'll be next to you in case anything happens."" Wow thanks Strike for cheering me up and all."" Not a problem kid that's what I'm here for, now if you don't mind I feel like hitting the hay tonight."" So good night kid."" Good night Strike."