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Chapter 9

Well it's the next day of my new life here at the pit. I still don't have an alarm clock to wake me up, yet Strike has no problems being my alarm clock to me. Mostly by forcibly wakening me up either with cold water or shaking my ass up.

I guess I'm going to have to get use to waking up at five in morning. Note to self to try hitting the sack early like eight or nine. The only problem is that doesn't really give me much time to myself. Yet Strike did tell me that in time my body will get use to this type of routine.

Any ways we made it to PT on time. We all got started with our usual routine of sergeant major beach head yelling and wiping us into shape. Though he always seemed to focus his yelling to me more directly.

When it came time for our warm up three or five mile run I forget which, I actually was able to keep up with the group, but mostly in the back. As for the cold air I did my best to control by breathing by using a part of my shirt to filter some of the cold air entering my lungs.

In a way it sort of worked, it did help keep the cool dry air from hurting my lungs, yet the only problem was it did restrict my air flow. By the end of the run I came in dead last, but at least I wasn't like two miles behind from yesterday, so I guess that's an improvement.

Of course all the energy got sucked out of me when I was doing pull ups and pushups. Man the other Joes and season green shirts can do like a hundred of theses without breaking a sweat. I on the other hand could barely do like fifty of them.

Shit by the time the obstacle course came by I was already dead tired. Man how is it that everyone else still has the energy to do this course. Whenever I slowed down to the point where I was about to stop sergeant major beach head just kept grilling at me.

I kind of felt like that he have some kind of an ax to grind with me or something, I would just ignore the pain and try my best to keep going. At least the one positive thing about him, other than his motivational skills was that at least he did his very best to make sure I didn't get myself hurt in the process.

By the time the sun rolled thru in the morning we were done with Pt at last. Very often Strike would help me get back on my feet as she led me back to my dorm so I could shower up get dressed and do my moment of truth that I spoke of last night with her.

All in all it only took me about ten minutes of shower time and getting dressed up in my all greens. I was about the head out of my place heading in the direction to morning mess, till Strike came by to stop me.

"Change of plans kid, I got to take you to Hawk's office."" Hawk's office how come?"" I don't ask questions kid I just follow orders ok." I sighed a bit out loud, "oh all right let's get going ok you lead the way."

A few minutes later we reached to outside of the office where the secretary met us." Oh good you two are here, Hawk is waiting for you so go right in."

We both walk in and instantaneously Strike announces herself to Hawk." Sir Corporal Strike reporting as order along with Private Mark."

I didn't really do as strike did since I'm kind of new to this, so I just waved hello to Hawk. "Good morning sir." Of course Hawk returned his salute to Strike. "At ease you two."" Uh I am at ease sir," I said confusingly.

"Uh good morning to you mark."" I guess Strike here is going have to teach you some proper etiquette when addressing to superior officers like myself."

"Why don't you two take seat?"" Don't worry private I'll keep this brief since it is breakfast time."

"So Mark how's was your first day so far?"" Well sir it was knowledgeable and a bit hectic, but all in all I do enjoy learning some new things."" Well kid the learning part I could see that you are very interested in."" The only problem I see with you is that side arm you carry."

"Yeah speaking on that sir, I was hoping maybe you take this red security mark off of my tags and id."" I would ask why, but seeing you on some of the security tapes from yesterday, seeing how in some ways you got kind of hassled for it I would grant such a request."

"But I'm not going to kid."" In fact I did see at first you were trying to hide from the other Joes and as well you got some other friendly Joes to help you out."" Yet what really changed my mind was that in way I could see that you where preparing yourself to head into morning mess with side arm on and tags out holding and your head held up high."

"In a way I admire your courage, but I could see that it would cause even more problems with the rest of the Joes most likely to hassle you like some of them did yesterday."" In some small way I was hoping that the Joes at pit would be a bit more mature about handling this, but not what after I saw what Lady J did to you."

"So private give me you tags and Id if you please." I did just as he said to me no questions ask." Good now I got a new set tags for you to wear outside and id." I took the new set of tags and ID inspecting them with much curiosity.

They both sported the same red markings, but now it also sported some blue markings as well." Ok private these new tags and ID have my personal markings on them."" Red as usual is your Clarence to carry your weapons, while the blue will keep you from getting any more hassles from anyone else other than me."

"So what does the blue one mean then sir?"" It means that anyone who hassles you has answer to me." "Look sir why am I getting special treatment here?"" Well private I wouldn't think you wouldn't handle it unless I think you could."" And I know your responsible enough not piss off otherwise."

I looked at hawk when he spoke to me in more serious tone at that last statement as I just nodded in agreement. "Ok with that settle you two are dismissed. "I got up about to head out, till hawk spoke up again.

"Oh by the way private be sure to wear your tags on the outside when you head into morning mess." "What about my id sir?"" You won't need it, but just keep with you at all times."

Of course strike held out a salute to hawk, while I waved at him and we head on out. As we continued to walk towards mess with much haste since we were both hungry as hell.

I ask strike a question about these blue markings. "So Strike is that true on what hawk said about these blue markings on my tags?" "Uh sort of kid, I'll tell you about them later maybe around my tutoring session."

We finally make it the mess entrance as I saw rather big hunker black dude near the front greeting everyone in. judging from the looks of this guy I had to say that he was at least six feet tall, probably even taller.

Man this dude sported some large ass muscles. As we got closer we started to form somewhat of a line heading into morning mess. At first it felt slow that we were moving in line, but then it started to move rather more efficiently.

As we got closer and closer that same black dude just kept bigger and bigger to me. Heck even compared to Strike this guy easily towers over her. Strike open up a small conversation with this guy. "Hey Road block how are you doing?"" Doing fine Strike, oh by the way be sure to try the French toast." "Oh did you make it?"" I sure did Strike."

Strike then continued on inside near the entrance door and waited up a bit as she looked over her shoulder to the kid. I was about to head in myself, until I got stopped by none other than this hulk of a man.

He held out his massive arm to block path in. "Whoa there little green man, you can't come in."" What why the hell not man I'm hungry?"" Not as long you are wearing that piece inside."" Unless you got clearance which you most certainly don't have I suggest you go back and put it up."

"I got the clearance man….., uh what's your name by the way?"" The name's Road Block to you little greenie and don't make me laugh you clearly don't have it." I could see that I was giving this guy a good chuckle, till I'm showed him my photo ID card with the color clearances.

Then his mood and facial expressions change in an instance. He took my ID and examined it thoroughly while he also looked at my dog tags as well.

Of course Strike spoke up, "hey kid what's the hold up?"" Well I'm just waiting for Mr. Road Block here to let be on my way."" Road Block, is there a problem here," Strike asked." No, no problem here go on greenie," Road block said rather plainly. "Thanks Mr. Road block, I'll be sure to try the French toast myself whatever that is."

Of course once I got inside along with Strike, we go our trays and headed down the chow line. I could tell that the bustling room of Joes and greenies conversations started to wand a bit almost to the point of dead silence.

Since my back was turned I was facing the many cooks and kitchen staff that they themselves looked at me with some awe and shock their faces as I just ask for some of that French toast that I heard so much about. "Gee Strike it sure got a bit quite in here."" Yeah it kind of did."

As look up to the bacon man asking for some bacon I could see his eyes starting to motion to me that someone was coming up from behind me. As always Strike did warn me in advance that someone was coming nearby me. I couldn't really make out who she said it was since it was in a very low whisper.

All I heard next was a man in a calming voice asking me to turn around." Greenie can you turn around for a second?""So in an instance I could rule out that it wasn't sergeant major beach head since that guy likes to yell a lot. So before I turned around I flipped my dog tags so that the color coded red and blue marks could be seen very clearly.

Of course the cook in front of me eyes started to widen in shock a bit. So I turned around a bit slowly so my tags wouldn't turn. As I face the man before me, I knew in a small way that I somehow know this person yet I couldn't remember his name.

"Yes mister…., wait I remember you."" Dame I forgot what your name was, but I do remember you from the infirmary a while back." He had very young look to himself, and I do remember his buzz cut light brown hair.

I could tell that he was looking me over and that some of facial features did change when he saw my tags. He also asked if I had my ID card with me, which I promptly pull out to show him. He went over them very quickly before handing them back to me and told me to carry on.

"Hey wait what's your name so I don't forget?"" It's Duke KID," duke said loud enough for everyone to hear my name as he went back to his seat. As soon as I got my chow I started to follow Strike to find a table.

I did my very best to ignore the constant stares that I've been getting from everyone else as I made my way. I just tuned it out even the constant whispers I would get from god knows who as I ate silently. At first I thought that Dusty and Tunnel Rat were going to join us as usual, but then again I thought that they must have come by much earlier since me and Strike were preoccupied.

Once we were done Strike as always a good friend led me to my first class with Lifeline. I actually got to learn how to do CPR how cool was that. After that class it was now on to self defense 101 with Sergeant Scarlett.

Of course before I could go into the training room along with the other green shirts in my class, sergeant Scarlett was waiting for me just a couple of feet inside by the entrance." Kid come with me for a few minutes ok." I did what she asked of me as I followed Sergeant Scarlett.

It wasn't really very far from the entrance, as we both stood close to a couple of lockers. "Ok kid since now you are being allowed to carry a weapon at all times, before you get started in my class your going have to check in your side arm in here."

"Now let me see your thumb." She took my thumb and pressed it firmly to some electrical box near her hand. I think it was scanning my thumb print." Ok kid so this is your locker here to store your side arm, it operates with your thumb print activation."

"Wow that's actually kind of cool; by the way sergeant can I ask you a question?"" As long as I get to ask you one kid."" Ok sounds fair enough." We sort of waited for a few seconds awkwardly to see who was going to start first.

So sergeant Scarlett actually got annoyed and asks her question first. "So kid are you any good with that?"" You mean side arm, well according to Low-Light l am."" Huh well what is it you wanted to ask me?"" Yeah I was wondering if you had like any extra studies I could do on my own?"

"At the moment, no since you are new to this however when you start to advance in level or two then maybe I might have something. "

Well self defense class went ok with no incidents, so I just went out throughout my whole day with strike getting some extra exercise in then lunch.

When I finally got to my mechanics class, specialist Cover girl still didn't really had anything lined up for me as to learn anything new. Yet I did met with foster and Phillips who are more than ecstatic to meet up with me as they heard about new acquisitions.

They too couldn't really believe it either, until I've showed them my ID card sporting some new color coded marks.

"Hey guys so what's up with my mechanics teacher?"" Ah don't take it too personally kid, it's just that Cover girl is going thru a little bit of some personal problems," foster said to me." Any ways just give a couple of days if nothing happens then we'll see if Cover girl will let us teach you some basic stuff."" Till then kid just keep busy by either sweeping or cleaning up some diesel barrels."

As always I got to do the meager task at hand till it came time to Low-Lights class. Of course before I could go to his class I ran back to my dorm to retrieve my ACR for just in case moments. As always Strike dropped me off to my class as I went inside waiting for sergeant Low-Light.

"On time as always kid, that's good because we a lot to cover today."" Now I know for a fact that you can shoot down targets at a standstill kid."" What I want to see from you, is how you fair with moving targets."

"You want me to shoot at something moving, like bird or something?"" Well not at anything living kid, but I do have something that would suffice as a moving target for you."" The rifle you are going to practice with today kid is your AS50."

I remembering practicing with this rifle, it packs a huge punch. Even with it unloaded as I use the shoulder strap this rifle got some weight to it. I started to walk with Low-Light down the range, until we came up on this tractor looking thing in front of me.

"Uh what's this Low-Light?" "This my friend is a standard cobra HISS tank."" That's a tank, are you sure?"" It's a tank kid trust me."" Anyways I'm going to show you that normally three people occupied this tank."

"Two in the cockpit and one behind the dual 30mm cannons."" Now these things are made for speed primarily, but don't let that fool you they do also pack a huge punch."" Some people would classify this as a light tank, but it's actually a medium tank."

"So as for your exercise today kid, I'm going to have a pair dummies put inside the tank that has sensors in the vital areas."" As well as one on the rear mounted gun."

"Now here's the tricky part kid, even thought the front covering looks like tinted glass, it's actually a metal polymer designed to take some fair heavy shell hits."" Yet it does have a fatal flaw of just about a couple of inches in the dead center where the drivers are sitting even on the side as well."" Just to let you know kid, I will mark it with a red x."

"I have about three of these tanks kid so that's a total of nine targets."" Your ammunition will we be armor piercing rounds."" You will have ten them in total in a ten round magazine."" So why don't we get started then kid."

We walk back and set up at about 1000 yards away hidden behind a small ditch. "Oh by the way kid if the targets reach within 800 yards then the task is over."" So just do your best ok, that's all I ask for." With that in mind Low-Light had his lab top with him that has the sensors hook to it, while his other controller controlled the tanks.

He had a perch set up just a few feet, and as always he had a camera to record the event at hand for future study.

"Ok kid we start,…..NOW. "

As always my shooting instincts took over in that instant. I could see all nine targets. As my mind survey the targets at hand, it chose the most quickest and accurate route. While this was going on my breathing started to slow down with large breaths. Within a minute I could feel my heart beat slowing down.

My mind chose the first tank that was heading towards the west as its side view was exposed. Even through my scope I could see clearly both drivers as my cross hairs came in line with both drivers. I popped off my first round.

I knew in an instant that both targets where down, as the tank stopped dead in its tracks. While in a split second I readjusted my sights and took out the top gunner.

Three kills with two shots. Eight rounds left. Though Low-Light confirmed to me that the first tank was down with all occupants killed, I already knew it, so I just prepped for my next target. The other two tanks took noticed and started to speed up to my position.

Just like clockwork I took out all three targets with absolute ease. Three shots three kills. Five rounds left. The last tank knew it was on its own as it started to speed up but at the same time started to swerve in all sorts of directions to throw off my aiming.

My mind compensated as it started to take noticed of the pattern at hand. And soon enough it took out the top gunner. Six shots fired four rounds left. Then tank started to speed up even more on this time it was in reverse knowing it was not going to win this fight.

Again my mind read the patterns at hand, till it was about to fire, the tank was about to make a 90 degree turn to bug out. It wasn't even going to stop as I saw it kicking in gear to leave. When the time was right my mind took the shot and took out the last two drivers with one shot.

"All nine targets are down Sergeant, seven rounds expended out of ten." I could feel a pat on my shoulder with much approval from my instructor. "Good job kid, that's some very impressive shooting."

"Sorry about the mess sergeant." Low-Light gave a rather large grin as he laughed the kid's comment.

"Don't worry about kid, it's there just for practice, besides the techs will go out there to retrieve them and fix them up for next time."" Till then lets head back get some more practice in." Once we got back to the main range I stowed away the AS50, while getting out my side arm and my secondary weapon the ACR.

Even though Low-Light did tell me that I could use my ACR in a burst fire, I still prefer to use it in a semi firing action. In a way I felt more comfortable. At first Low-Light was disagreeing with me on this procedure, but soon realized that if I were to remain as accurate with my shots, then having this option was right for me after all. While the first half of class was me practicing on my firing capabilities, Low-Light would often teach me the ability of being invisible. Usually by means of camouflage with my surroundings as well the use of camouflage make up. All in all it was very informative class. Dinner rolled by rather quickly as I hoped with no incidents. Soon enough it was my reading and writing lesson with Strike.

She would often pick books, mostly children's books for me to read out loud just to see where I might need improvement. She was very encouraging to me to strive to do my best.

When the time came for me to head on in for the night, Strike would escort me back to my dorm. We were silent for most of the way until I asked Strike to stay for a couple of minutes.

"All right what's on your mind this time?"" Oh it nothing really much Strike, just I wanted to know what this blue mark means on my tags and ID."" To put it in a nut shell kid, it just means that you're up and coming."

"Basically you'll be one of us in the near future."" How long will it be, well that's up to you kid."" As far as everyone else here, yeah it's rather surprising to see such a young kid get this kind thing going on." "Yet I have seen the way handle yourself with a weapon, and I would rather have you on our side than the other." "Thanks Strike that's really nice of you, well have good night then."

"You too kid, just give me a couple of days to see I can get you an alarm clock."