Chapter 31
Got another one for all you readers out there be sure to read and drop a review if you want.
For the rest of the week I was feeling nothing but excitement. I did my best to cover it up from the rest of my comrades and friends. Mostly because I really didn't want to get somewhat bombarded by extra chores. I mean when I came back on Tuesday I was supposed to be resting for the next 48 hours since we just got back from a hard-fought mission.
Yet I was just as well rested then as I am now. Which was another thing that I sort of got some stares from everyone I know. I mean I was supposed to be just like everyone around me all tried and going with the flow. So, for the next couple of days I could tell that everyone was doing their own R&R their own way.
I know for a fact that Strike and pretty much everyone else, would sleep in for most of the morning. Usually by midday she would eat some lunch or breakfast. Then watch a little bit of T.V. I for one would stay away from the recreation room, I mean everyone in there always wanted to watch something that was current, like sports, news, or some random information channel.
So, I just went with the flow so to speak. Yet on the eve of when I was supposed to leave for my vacation, I started to pack a bit. I decided to take a midsize duffle bag. I mostly loaded it with some common shirts, shorts, and few pairs of socks. I mean the weather over there was going to be in the mid-eighties. I packed lightly for a couple of reasons. One I did this as the request from the orders that pop's left me. It basically said to take very little clothing, and something that could easily be replaced. My other reason was something rather personal, in that at least I wanted to bring back some souvenirs for my friends here in the pit. Either that being some kind of snacks, or just seashells.
I did most of this early morning on Thursday. Yup in twenty-four hours I'll be on a plane heading to my vacation. As far as money is concern on the trip, it was also suggested by pop's that I should get some money out of an ATM on base at Guam, or the very first chance I get. Nothing much other than a few hundreds. I think it mention close to three to four hundred dollars.
Right after I got done with all this, I started to make my way towards Strike's dorm seeing if she wants to hang out for a few hours. Needless to say, once I got there, Strike didn't seem too happy to see me. I greeted her with a friendly smile, only to be answered with a stern voice of hers almost to the point of angerment.
So, I just started to joke around with her, seeing if she could maybe lighten up. But nope, instead she sort of went like this.
"Look private I can't be bother by your antics, or jokes ok, I got a lot on my plate right now."" So why don't you go bug somebody else." I was really off put to what had just happen. I mean I didn't really know how to respond to her. So, I just stepped aside and let her go off to where ever.
For the most part her roommate Lady Jaye was pretty much silent the entire time, but I could tell from the look on her face that she was giving some sympathy to me on what just happened. I was about to turn around and leave, when instead she called to me.
"Hey Mark, why don't you come on in and we'll watch a movie or something." I was about to say no to her, but I just nodded my head silently and came in. I sat down quietly, while Sergeant Jaye switched on the t.v. to see what's on. But I had more of a burning desire to ask her what's up with Strike.
"Sergeant, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure Mark, what's on your mind?"
"What's wrong with Strike?"
"Um…well, look Strike is just going through some personal problems right now."" She's not mad at you per say, but I don't think you should dwell on it either."
"That's not a really good answer Sergeant, why won't you just tell me what's bugging her?"
"Because it's really none of your business, that's why," Lady Jaye snapped back.
I looked down a bit saying," I'm sorry I asked Sergeant." To which Lady Jaye turned her head thinking that she might have been a bit too harsh.
"Hey look private I'm sorry I didn't mean to snap at you like that."" It's just that, Strike is going through some really difficult family problems."
In a way I sort of got a bit more alert to what Sergeant Jaye had said, especially about Strike's family.
"Sergeant please tell me what's up with Strike."" What happen?" Lady Jaye saw how serious mark was since, after all Strike did told her about how he was over with her family during Christmas time. And that her family absolutely adored him. so, she caved in a bit.
"Oh, all right I'll tell you but promise me that you'll keep this to yourself got it?"
"It's a promise Sergeant."
"Ok, it's about Strikes family farm."" Last year the family had a couple of bad growing seasons with some crops."" Now the bank is wanting the respective loans that her father took out back. "" Not quite in full, but it's still a significant amount. "" They have to come up with the money in three months or they are going to be foreclosed on by the bank and get evicted."
Mark could feel nothing but sorry for Strike and her family. I mean they are really cool and loving people. I have to think of a way to help Strike's family somehow. But god knows I don't even know how much money they owe. What I do know is that I got plenty of cash on hand with pop's that's waiting for me in Guam. So, my first priority when I touch base with him, is to try and figure out a way to save Strikes family farm.
The next day came by quick as the day before. But finally, I was about to leave on my vacation. I of course could hardly contain myself. So, most of that energy went towards morning pt. The only thing different about today, was that I was excused from the rest of my duties. I made extra sure that I got a really good breakfast, with some seconds and possibly thirds. And I only did this because I know for a fact that it's going to be a long trip to Guam, at least a fourteen-hour trip.
By 0900 I was getting my gear ready to go. For the most part Sergeant Jaye decided to come with me since, she really wanted to see me off. I mean I did told her about it last night before lights out. I really wanted to tell Strike about it, but again she was already fast asleep. And two she was really in no mood to talk.
So, I made my way up to the tarmac along with Sergeant Jaye. I was looking for a guy named Ace. I guess he was a pilot, since most of the time whenever I went on liberty, I usually report to Wild Bill. On the one hand I thought I was going to ride on one of those large cargo planes, but nope it was something much different. Apparently, I was going to ride on a personal fighter jet. I think it was called a Sky striker.
Instead, I handed in my liberty request copy to this Ace guy who was standing near tarmac entrance. He was wearing what I assumed was an aviation suit, only it was a bit grey with a black vest. He already had his helmet on. but none the less he greeted me and Sergeant Jaye.
"Hmm so this is the kid with the dead on shot that I've been hearing so much about."" Nice to me you private my name is Ace." I shook his hand greeting him back.
"Nice to meet you to Mr. Ace." He chuckled a bit to me.
"I guess they were right about you calling us Mr. or Ms. "" But it's just Ace private." He then orders me to put on a jump suit much like his which I did as best as I could. In the meantime, he made small talk with Sergeant Jaye.
"Hey Lady Jaye how are you this morning?"
"I'm doing fine, I'm just here to see the Private Mark off as usual."
"Yeah, I got to drop him off at L.A.X. and then guide him to his next stop." Ace then turns his attention to Private Mark. "You almost done private, do you need help with that?" To which Mark responded, with a yes sir to him.
All the while Strike was looking for Lady Jaye seeing if she wanted to get in a good workout, since she was still on some crew rest till Saturday. The weird thing was that, Tunnel Rat told her that she was near the tarmac seeing someone off.
So, she just casually strolled off towards that direction. When she got there, she did notice Lady Jaye but she also noticed Ace as well. So, she gingerly says hello to the both of them. "Good morning Lady Jaye and Ace how are you two this morning."
"Were fine ,"they said in unison. Strike then focused her attention towards Lady Jaye.
"Hey Jaye you want to do a couple reps at the gym with me today?"
"Yeah sure thing Strike, but I got to say goodbye to someone first, but I'll see you there." Strike looked at Lady Jaye with a little bit of suspicion but brushed it aside.
"Who's taking off today?" Before Lady Jaye could answer, Ace spoke up.
"All right private you ready to go?"
"I'm sure am Ace, where do I put my luggage?"
"Oh, not to worry private I got a compartment near the cockpit to store it for you."" Now go ahead and climb aboard in the second seat and strap yourself in."
Strike then looked at mark looking a bit amused seeing him being in some flight gear. So, she joked around a bit to Ace.
"So, Ace is private Mark your helper for today?"
Ace looked towards Striking saying," what, um no I'm just taking him to his destination for today."
"Destination," Strike said confusingly." What where are you going?"
"I'm taking the private to L.A.X."
"No. not you Ace."" Mark where are you going?" I look over to Strike seeing her in a little bit better spirts then yesterday, but I answer none the less.
"Oh, hey good morning Strike, you're still mad at me?"
"No, of course not, that's not what I asked."" Where are you going," Strike said with some concern in her voice.
"Oh well, I going to Guam Strike."
" Guam huh, I didn't know you were going on another mission."
"Oh, it's a mission all right Strike, it's a vacation mission."
"Huh?"" So, you're not going on a mission then?"
"No Strike I'm going on vacation, I'll see in you in the first week of May."
"You're going for four weeks?"
"Well actually three weeks Strike, but don't worry about me ok, I'll get you souvenir from the island."
Soon enough I started to wave good bye to both Sergeant Jaye and Strike, even though Strike was a little more confused about the situation. The glass came down as I hear Ace going on about certain radio protocol with the pit. And soon we were off.
Meanwhile back at the pit Strike started to gun it for Hawk's office as quickly as she could go hoping he would talk to her. She quickly knocks on his door to which he said come in.
Strike came in quickly saluting to hawk an sounding off as normal even though she was short of breath.
"Good morning Strike what can I do for you?"
"Sir it's about private Mark, did he get approval for a liberty pass?"
"Uh yes he did, in fact I approved of it."
"Sir is it true that he's going to Guam?"
"Uh yes I believe so Strike, is there a problem?"
"Well sir, it just that I don't think he's ever been anywhere by himself."" I mean he could get hurt or in some kind of trouble."
Hawk then nodded to Strike saying," that is a possibility Strike."
"Well sir, why don't I go undercover and I'll keep an eye on him."" I promise you it will all be business and no relaxing on my part."
Hawk gave a small smile to Strike, seeing how she cared for him. "It's quite all right Strike, I have confidence in Private Mark to keep himself out of trouble and out of harm's way."" But to reassure you Strike I am sending a couple of tails to keep tabs on him.
"Well that's good news sir, when do I leave?"
"Sorry Strike you're not going on this one."
"Then who are you sending sir."
"I'm sending Scarlett and Cover girl to keep an eye on him. and before you ask, they'll be departing around 14:00 hours."" So, you can see them off before then Strike."" Is that all then?"
"Yes Sir," as Strike saluted to Hawk before she left.
By the time 14:00 hours were coming by Strike was able to catch up to Cover girl and Scarlett, right before they boarded on the cargo plane. Strike stop herself right by the ramp of the plane calling to Cover girl and Scarlett. They both turned around seeing Strike as if she ran a marathon
Cover girl answer firs, "hey Strike you seem a bit out of breath you want um catch your breath first." Strike immediately bends over and starts to huff and puff for some air. When she was able to breath normally she then started.
"Hey guys are you two going to keep tabs on Private Mark?"
Scarlett answered first, "yes we are Strike."
"Anyways I wanted to ask you two something?" The both of them stood there waiting for strike to start up first. "Um I guess this first thing I wanted to say is, when you're out there watching mark just go easy on him." "I mean if he gets into some kind of trouble, just don't go ballistic on him." You know like use a light touch." Both Cover girl and Scarlett looked to each other and smiled a bit.
"Yeah of course Strike we'll go easy on him if ever gets into something," Cover girl added.
"Don't worry we won't jump down his throat if he does something stupid," Scarlett said. Strike stared to give a slight smile to both of them.
In which Cover girl added, "you really care for him don't you Strike."
"Yeah, I know I keep telling myself that I'm not crushing on him but who am I kidding."
Scarlett walked down and put her hand on Strikes shoulder while saying, "hey don't worry Strike your secret is safe with us." Strike looked up a bit smiling to both of them, while nodding in approval.
"We'll be back within a few weeks with private Mark in tow, safe and sound."
Strike looked off in the distance when the cargo plane took off with both Cover girl and Scarlett, she could only hope and wonder that mark will be ok on his vacation. But she slowly walked to the pit thinking that only time will tell.
Meanwhile on a B-52 over the middle of the pacific mark is sitting there thinking about today's events. Awe man what a day. I never flew on a fighter jet before but the way Ace describe it, it was going to one hell of ride. I mean the thrust alone pushed my organs to my back side. Holy crap that was a weird experience. I see now why being a pilot is for a different kind of person. The cool thing about Ace was that who often laughed at my experience on his jet. But he was cool enough to show me were to go to my next destination.
He did advise me to visit the px and get some snacks for myself since my next flight was going to be a lot longer. I mean twelve hours on a plane with nothing to do. So in the px I grab a few of those sudoku puzzle books and cross word puzzle books.
And again, I'm sitting here getting a free ride while munching on some chips. I go over in my head about the plans when I land in the air force base in Guam. The first thing was to get a cab and go to a place called Tamuning city I think. I had the address here in my boots. I was basically going to check in some inn within that area. Then I was going to wait for pops to come and meet me there.
I check my watch only to notice that its two in the afternoon. We only left about ten minutes ago. But I did take a quick peek out the very few windows on this plane only to noticed that we are already over the ocean. I just sigh to myself knowing that this is going to be a long flight. I think the pilots on this plane told me that it was going to be a twelve-hour flight. So, I did my best to keep myself occupied, by doing some puzzles and eating when I needed to eat. But once I got bored I just started to go to sleep.
Twelve hours pass on by for the most part for private Mark as he is still fast asleep, that is until a flight crewman wakes him up. I start to get up a bit slowly and groggily. So, the first thing I said was," are we there yet."
"We are indeed young Joe," as one of the flight crewman informed me.
My eyes slowly start to adjust to the light here in the plane. But I couldn't help but think on what this flight crewmen called me. But then again, I didn't really introduce myself to him. All of these air force guys on this plane only know that I am a part of GI Joe. Even though I'm still a green shirt, it seems that I get some kind of extra respect from these guys. But needless to say, the flight crew were really nice to me.
Once we landed I check my watch again, only to noticed that its now 0200 hours. For the most part I really didn't need to sign in anywhere or report to anyone. But I did show off my respective Identification to some personnel. Once I made it out the main gate, I was about to hail a cab. When instead there were some of them already in area.
Once I got in, I gave the cabby the instructions for the Tamuning inn. The only thing different that I notice was the smell of the salt from the ocean in the air. I guess this is what it feels like to be on an island. The major problem though is that I couldn't really enjoy the scenery. After all it was night time. Though in certain parts of the drive. I could hear the ocean waves going on and about.
It didn't take long for me to reach the inn that I was going. But as soon as I got there I got my luggage and went inside the inn. For the most part, it did look rather plain in here. But as soon as I get to front desk the receptionist opened up. "Why hello there soldier, what can I do you for?"
"Uh yes ma'am, my name is mark, I'm checking in for the night."
"Hmm let me see, Mr. Mark…., ah yes we've been expecting you."" Follow me I will lead you to your room." I was about sign in at the desk, when instead the nice lady told me that it wasn't necessary. So, I just followed her to my respective room, which wasn't that far off.
When I arrived, she did tell me that the morning alarm will be set for five am. I tipped her a couple of dollars, then she left me here. I look over my room only to notice that it was rather bright with the white paint in room. It had a basic television, a small mini frig, a queen size bed, a dresser, and I think what looked like a small window A/C unit. The first thing I did was just turn on the a/c setting it to a brisk 68 degrees. I then turned off the light and plopped on top of the bed. With my all greens still on me. Man, I was so tired so sleep was starting to come to me very easily.
For the next three hours I was getting in some much-needed rest. But, of course some good things must come to an end, especially when my phone by the bed stated to ring off the hook. This thing was so loud, that I literally just pop up from my bed in a real alert manner. I pick up the phone only to hear a dial tone. But then I remember that the nice front desk lady did told me that my phone alarm would go off around 0500 hours.
I tried to just go back to sleep, but it was no use. I was already wide awake. So, I just turn on the light and started to look out the small window that I did have. To my dismay it's still dark outside. Even though I read ahead of time that the sun rises close to 6:30 am. So, I did a little bit of morning pt in my room, mainly some pushups and sit-ups. I did this for a about thirty minutes, till I started to hear a rumble from my tummy.
So, I just stop turn on the t.v. and ate a little bit of chips and drink some bottle water. Well at least t.v. programing here is the same as back home, which is boring as hell. Man, I couldn't wait for the sun to come up. I really wanted to see outside and the ocean. I never really swam much before in my life. Especially not in the ocean. But that doesn't mean that I don't know how to swim. After all learning how to swim was mandatory in my training, well mostly as a part of the survival training.
I just sigh I bit more while getting a bit more jittery. And I don't like to get jittery. So as a last-ditch effort, I decided to get out of my room for a nice walk outside. But before I could get out, I heard a solid knock on my door. That's weird I thought, I don't think I was expecting any visitors for today. Unless it was pops of course. So, I get up and started to look out the peep hole in my door.
Oddly enough I didn't see pop's, but instead I saw two small Asian looking men outside my door. For all I know it could've been the inn staff to say good morning to me. I mean the positive greeting that I got from the nice front desk lady did give me that kind of reassurance. And besides these two dudes look way too small to put up a solid good fight with me.
So, I opened the door about to say hello and good morning, when instead they both greeted me with absolute silence. In fact, one of them held up one finger to his mouth with universal sign langue of telling me to be absolutely quite. The other one then held up a sign saying please read carefully in English.
It basically said that both of these guys were sent by pop's himself. It also said to follow the instructions to a tee. I just nodded back to them as I let them inside my room and closed the door. The first part was rather simple, which was to strip down to my bare-naked ass. While one of them handed me clothing that not only was the right size but was practically identical to what I had on. Boots included of course.
The next part told me to hand over my duffle bag of extra clothes. While at the same time it they gave me an identical bag, with the same amount of clothing in it. Another part of the instructions mentioned that these dudes were going to check my hair, look inside my mouth, and do a visual inspection of me.
While this was going on, I was wondering what the purpose of this was. But I guess I'll have to ask pop's himself, since the final instructions mentioned to follow them quickly to meet up with pops. I was about to ask about my key to my room, but then I saw the nice front desk lady, just motioning for my keys and to keep just as silent. So, I guess she was in on it as well.
Once I start to come outside that's when I notice the light in distance as the sun was ready to start the day at the dawn. As I started to follow these two dudes, one of them puts my old bag into some kind of seal tight plastic container. We walked quickly for about five minutes when I came to a convertible car. That's when I saw a familiar face, as he turned around a bit slower.
It was pop's all right, with his grey milky white hair. He sported a goatee on his chin. To me he looked a bit skinnier then the last time we met. He had on one of those Hawaiian type button shirts with the sleeves cut off, with some cargo shorts on. When he saw me, he gave me a nice smile while he came close and gave me a nice patted hug.
He then gave the warmest of greetings that one could give you when you hadn't seen friends in such a long while. Of course, he spoke to me in his signature gravelly voice that he had. "Awe Mark it's been far too long, how have you been?" I sort of froze there wondering if I should speak so I looked at him if it was right for me to do so. He looked at me again wondering what I was getting at when instead, he knew exactly what I was getting at.
"Oh, sorry about that Mark, yeah its ok for you to speak." I sigh a bit in relief, but I answer none the less.
"Hey nice seeing you again pop's, yeah I've been better than most days but none the less its great seeing you again." "Anyways you're looking good, have you lost weight?"
"Actually kid, it's the diet I've been on, mostly a fish and fruit diet."" But yeah thanks for noticing." "Anyways kid we got to get going now."
"Where to pop's?"
"Off this island kid, you're being tracked."
"Wait what?"
"No time kid, I got get you on a plane to our final destination."" I'll explain it to you once we are on board and heading over."