Unintentional Hero
Author: Nightstar Fury of Nightstar Productions
Rated: M for a variety of things that will happen
Pairing: Hiccup/Astrid
Disclaimer: I do not own HTTYD
6; Enemy Territory
The plane hovered loudly over the camp and got as low as possible over the base. It wasn't a large plane but enough to carry them and other higher ranking officers to the location. The back hatch of the plane opened wide as Hayden looked down, already he knew this was going to be hell. "The plane can't land here, it's too big. You're gonna have to jump boys!" Yelled the officer to Hayden's right.
"Company, fall in two by two!" Hayden ordered firmly, his men did so. "On the double now! Jump!" Two by two the boys jumped out and landed safely all standing together as Hayden jumped last, landing in a crouch before standing. The four officers had gone before him, the back hatch of the plane closed and flew off to find a better place to land. A taller man with blond hair and brown eyes approached the company with his arms behind his back.
"Welcome to hell boys! I apologize for the noise, you get used to it after a week. All Alpha Armourwing Company from the 2nd Berk Infantry yes?" He asked.
"Fresh off graduation, sir." One of the officers replied.
"Excellent, lets move inside!" Said the man who greeted them. Without more interruption, the company followed towards a a large metal barrack and entered it then the door were closed.
"Company, aten-SHUN!" Hayden ordered. He and the others stood at attention, offering a hand salute to the man before them.
"Lieutenants Flysen and Gomez, return to posts!" The two officers nodded, saluting then leaving the barrack. "Welcome to Afghanistan. This here is the 33rd Fury Fighters Divison as a whole. Troops from Visithugs, Berserkers, Berkians, and Outcasts are stationed here. Others are in Iraq. Over 15,000 soldiers are deployed here in Afghanistan right now, about another 15,000 in Iraq. Now..." He said firmly with his hands on the table before them. "I am Colonel Mark Jacobson in charge of the 26th Riddari Brigade, the one who sent for you to come. Lieutenant General; Michael Andrews is the Division leader. I apologize for taking time away from you and your families, I realize today was a momentous day where you graduated. I am in charge of the entire Fury Fighters Brigade. There are fifteen Battalions present stationed all around right now, and you will be pleased to know that you will be groups according to your home islands. Beserk Isle and Berk. Makes it easier to keep track of ya." Colonel Jacobson stated.
"Orders, Colonel?" Hayden asked.
"For now we're going to get you grouped with your new company who will split you up into platoons and squads. They will also give you your barrack location. Any questions?" Colonel Jacobson asked.
"No sir." The company replied.
"Good, lets get you set up in your new temporary homes." The Colonel stood up to lead them out, once out they could see people lined up, higher ranking officers by the looks of it. "This here is Colonel James Mooreson, in charge of the 15th Sharpshot Regiment. I'll be quick about this, I'll let your CO take over. Turn your attention to you Battalion leader, Lieutenant Colonel, Ashton Grayson." With that, Colonel Jacobson turned heel and left.
-Hayden's POV-
Everything had happened so fast, I listened as Lt. Col. Grayson began to assign us to our new company's. I didn't want to be separated from my friends but they were cycling us in where we were needed to fill holes for others who had to leave or were injured. The original Alpha Armourwing Company had one hundred and fifty members including myself and now we were being split up by the platoon size among the whole of the Battalion. Oivind and about fifteen others were moved to the Sharp Company stationed a good five miles from where we were now, almost the complete opposite side of the base. Theo and I for now were still together and hoped it stayed that way because I didn't want to have to deal with people I couldn't work with. My company...had it perfect. Took some time and a lot of mixed jealousy by they eventually followed orders. Now after twenty minutes of name callings, there were only about six of us left.
"Privates Holgerson, Sanchez, Shaw, Matthews, Palmer, and...Had—Wait...This says you're a Sergeant? How is that even possible, it takes some serious time to reach that level from only BCT." Said Lt. Col. Grayson.
"For excelling in all areas of training, bonding, training, and riding a dragon, becoming a member of the dragon aerial guard, outstanding leadership, and having the highest marks making me top graduate of Basic Combat Training, I was promoted by the SMA to Sergeant Hayden Haddock, sir." I told him while standing at attention.
"Interesting. Very well, you six will be in the Wing Defenders Company led by Major Frank White. He'll assign you your platoon and squad." Without much else said, Lt. Col. Grayson left and the Major stepped forward now. The major was standing about 5'9'', pretty built with of course shaved head and he had blue eyes.
"Alright Privates and...Sergeant Haddock...You will be in the A barrack with the other fourteen soldiers of the Dragonfire Platoon, led by First Lieutenant Hector Vazquez who will be in that barrack as well. A barrack is just this way, come along." Major White commanded, moving in quick march the six of us reached A barrack where we were met inside by 1st Lt. Vazquez. "Here you are Lieutenant, your six new troops for Dragonfire."
"Thank you, Major White. Why six privates? I told you I needed a Sergeant for to lead one of the units. We can't be down another team. Nicholson barely got his unit out with having to double patrol." Lt. Vazquez remarked firmly.
"Your lucky day, Lieutenant. Turns out that one of these new BCT graduates was promoted directly to Sergeant by the SMA." Major White grinned, Lt. Vazquez arched a brow looking over us until his honey brown eyes fell on me and my SGT badge on my sleeve.
"What's your name kid?" Asked another voice coming up behind Lieutenant Vazquez.
Offering a salute I replied with, "Sergeant Hayden Haddock, sir."
"Heh, I like him already How old are ya, gotta be sixteen or so?" The male asked.
"Sixteen, sir. I realized I'm young, in all fairness I wasn't exactly expecting to be promoted four ranks on graduation day..." I answered now.
"Age don't matter when ya got the skill to prove your rank, lad. I'm Sergeant Harry Anderson, leader of the Alpha Fire Squadron. And you my young friend just became the leader of the Strike-1 unit. We'll cover more on that after you get settled." Sgt. Anderson smiled shaking my hand. Thank Thor I didn't have to explain how I got to Sergeant so fast...Again. It was getting really old.
"Well seems everything is set here, I'm off." Major White said leaving the barrack now.
"Shit, Sergeant at sixteen and promoted at BCT graduation. That's pretty impressive, Haddock." Said one of the soldiers coming over to shake my hand. "Corporal Daryl Lennox." He greeted as I shook his in return. "What the hell did ya do to earn that?"
"According to SMA its because I excelled in all areas of training, bonding, training, and riding a dragon, becoming a member of the dragon aerial guard, outstanding leadership, and having the highest marks making me top graduate of Basic Combat Training." I repeated, for maybe the fourth time since arriving here.
"Alright, ya can all bond with one another later. I think these boys have had a long day and should get settled. Its about 2100 right now. So grab whatever bunks are left and unpack, the other platoons B and D are on patrol tonight." Sgt. Anderson smiled. I nodded as Theo and I grabbed a bunk near the middle of the room on the right side. Shaw took a top on the right, Matthews a bottom on the left far wall from the door, Sanchez took a bottom on the front left. Like the first day in BCT we made our beds and unpacked in record time.
"So you mentioned dragon training and riding before, makes sense why ya got put here then." Said another voice.
"Yeah Sarge Haddock over here trained a..." I quickly glared at him.
"How about we just keep that on the down low for now?..." I asked, he nodded and then Colonel James Mooreson entered the barrack looking around.
"Sergeant Haddock?" I stood before him with a salute from attention.
"Package from Fort Dreki arrived for you. Drill Sergeant Ramirez said he's sorry that it didn't make the first plane." Col. Mooreson stated. I arched a brow.
"I didn't...have a package sent..." I said unsure of what he meant, why would DS Ramirez send me a package, I just left twelve hours ago? Sighing I made my way outside as Theo and the others watched from outside the barrack as I moved under the plane while the back hatch opened and I grinned like an idiot.
"Hey Haddock, left this at camp. Though you might need 'im!" DS Ramirez chuckled.
"You son of a bitch!" I laughed seeing my dragon and Drill Sergeant there. "TOOTHLESS! Come on down bud, careful on the landing!" I called to my Night Fury. He screeched and jumped down flapping a few times to slow his descent to the ground and finally landed as I hugged him tightly and he licked my face. DS Ramirez jumped down next laughing at me.
"It was a little hectic when ya left, lad. And he wouldn't of fit with you and the other soldiers so I arranged a second plane to bring him to ya, it has been right behind by an hour. Thought I'd come too since he was a little antsy on the ride." DS Ramirez smiled.
"I appreciate, no way I could be without him for this..." I sighed in relief.
"How were our families?" Theo asked coming up now.
"None to happy about the abrupt departure but told them you'd get in contact soon." DS Ramirez stated.
"I'll get you the information before you head back tomorrow morning to e-mail to parents." Col. Mooreson led DS Ramirez away with him.
"What the shit, Haddock...You trained a Night Fury? The most elusive, secretive, near extinct dragon known to man! No wonder you hit Sergeant so fast." Lennox patted me on the back laughing.
"Guess the secrets out now. This is Toothless, also known as Strike Air-1 the Fort Dreki dragon aerial guard." I introduced Toothless to them. I was unbelievably happy, DS Ramirez got Toothless to me and now I was feeling a lot better about being over in this war zone now. After about thirty minutes of explaining to several different officers about Toothless, given the law he was allowed to stay with me near Barrack A. Like at Fort Dreki, Toothless stayed in a tent like stable beside it and hidden well. Given the situations, I obviously wouldn't be flying him unless I was doing a sky patrol of enemy areas with a group of others. After all that was said and done, I finally climbed into bed and knocked out around 2300(11pm) with high promises from Sgt. Anderson that we'd be getting to start the hard stuff.
(Four Months Later-Berk)
-Regular POV-
It was now March in Berk, colder months. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years were over now and Camille hadn't gotten to see Hayden at all for any of the major holidays that a family should spend together. School was back in session until April break. Hayden did get to call in for Christmas Eve for a brief five to ten minute calls and the reception was terrible. She'd tried Skype too but nothing, it was grainy and froze a lot and the background noise was horrid. What was worse was that the time difference was Hayden being 4 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Berk time. For Camille it was about 10am meaning in Afghanistan it was 2:30pm and she was stuck in school. She'd downloaded Skype on her phone, and main computer at home. Hayden of course had all his friend's Skype names too so they did more instant message than anything else.
Camille hated school without Hayden there, it was boring and irritating. She even missed his birthday, he was seventeen now and still Sergeant as far as she knew. They really only got to talk once every two weeks, sometimes longer than that in between calls. As of today, she hadn't talked to Hayden in close to a month because he'd been so busy with his paroles and what not. She understood but still, he couldn't find time to call his only sister for just two minutes so she'd know he was alright and doing well. Even their dad was worried, had been since the day Hayden left for Afghanistan. Bringing her from her thoughts, her phone rang and it wasn't just the phone. It was Skype!
"Miss. Haddock, no phones in class. I will take it." Camille heard her teacher say, she checked the ID and sure enough it was Hayden calling. Tears filled her eyes, if she missed this who knew when he'd be able to call again.
"I'm sorry Ms. Marlov...But...It's my brother calling me...He's...deployed overseas right now and I haven't...talked to him in a month...Please just give me five minutes to talk to him...Please?" Camille pleaded. The teacher sighed and nodded, Camille quickly answered it and turned the camera on so he could see her, she wiped her eyes to make it look like she was alright. Finally it connected, as usual grainy and a little laggy but she didn't care.
"Hey sis! Long time no talk." Hayden greeted with a smile. Camille smiled wider, she could see him with his helmet on, still in uniform.
"Where the heck have you been jerk...I've been so worried!" Camille said softly to him.
"Sorry, been really busy lately. Can't go into to much detail about it for obvious reasons but just know I'm okay and really tired."Hayden answered.
"Its okay, as long as you're okay then I'm okay. Why are you tired? Haven't been sleepin?" Cami asked.
"Just got off a twelve hour guard shift...Haven't slept yet. Wanted to call you first, is that TJ and Avery next to you. Hey guys!" Hayden greeted.
"That your girl, Sergeant?" His men teased.
"Shudup you pricks. It's my sister..." Hayden rolled his eyes shaking his head. "Get some sleep men, that's an order."
"Sir, yes sir!" The room replied to Hayden as he turned his attention back to the phone.
"We miss you, Hayden!" Avery waved to him.
"Miss you guys too, when I get home I'm taking ya all out to eat. Sorry if I called while you were in class, I always forget we aren't on the same time anymore." Hayden chuckled.
"It's alright. Ms. Marlov is giving me five minutes with you..." Cami said.
"Thanks Ms. M!" Hayden called out.
"It's fine, Hayden. Glad you're safe over there, heard terrible things on the news about an ambush near your area."
"Yeah, I was in that...Few scrapes and bruises, otherwise fine. No one was seriously injured."Hayden replied. In the background there was an explosion. "HADDOCK! We're under heavy fire, need you and your dragon on the double. Over!"Was heard on Hayden's radio beside him. followed by gunfire. His head faced the camera again,"Gotta go sis, love ya." Hayden said as they saw him duck down to avoid being shot. "SHOTS FIRED, close range. Hit the deck!" When it stopped after a few seconds, Hayden lifted his head up with his eyes narrows. "Everyone alright?" After getting his response of "All clear, Sergeant. No injuries!", he grumbled. "Mother fuckers! Move over boys coming in with Strike Air-1!" Hayden called out. "On it. ETA ten seconds, Lieutenant Vazquez. Over!" They heard him reply just as the call ended.
"Be...careful..." Cami whispered as she put the phone down sadly. Avery put her hand on Camille's shoulder and offered a smile.
(Deployment Base)
Hayden used Toothless to push back the enemies, as well he was commanding the Nadder and Nightmares teams alongside him. Ground cover stayed concealed and fired their guns or threw grenades, they did a great job according to their Company leader, Major White. Hayden landed on Toothless while the troops cheered for their temporary victory, it was a good feeling too. Hayden's unit which consisted of him and five others patted his back and then another private rushed over panting. "Hey, easy there Private Kiggerns. What's the rush?" Hayden asked.
"Radio...call for you. Urgent response requested..." Private Kiggerns said handing over the radio to him.
"Sergeant Haddock here. Who is asking for me? Over." Hayden said the released the button waiting through the static.
"This is Major Joseph Stilwater from Sharp Company. One of your buddies from Basic got hit, he's asking for you before he gets flown out for medical Can you come? Over." Hayden's eyes widened, one of his...friends had gotten hit?
"Who got hit! Over." Hayden asked. Theo and Eli Matthews came over with worry now.
"Private Flinvor. Over."
"Tell him I'm on my way in two minutes! Over and out." Hayden tossed the radio and jumped on Toothless then shot up and headed towards the location of the H Company. Oivind had been hit and was being flown out for treatment? Landing on Toothless, Hayden jumped off and rushed over to where they were. Oivind was laying on a flat medical bed, the ones with two poles and a thick sheet to hold the wounded soldier. Hayden saw the injury, two shots: one in to the upper right shoulder and the other to the right hip.
"Hayden...You made it. I couldn't...leave without out saying goodbye to you..." Oivind coughed a bit. Hayden took his good hand and looked at him firmly.
"Don't talk like that, Flinvor...You're going to be fine, you hear me. They'll fix you up and you'll be back here with us before you know it." Hayden told him now.
"Always so positive, Haddock...Didn't think this would...be how we saw each other again. Was hoping I'd make it long enough to make it home and we could all hang out again." Oivind said weakly.
"You will, Oivind. You will, we all will! Just...keep fighting. We never quit, we never surrender...We're soldiers. Come on...Stay strong my friend. It's gonna be alright...We'll all get home together. Save your strength for the flight back...You'll be fine, you hear me. That's an order, private. Understand...Answer me!" Hayden told him.
"Sir...Yes sir..." Oivind gave a smile and small salute to him. The chopper landed as the Hayden walked alongside while they carried it and hoisted him in flat and Hayden had to let go of his hand.
"You'll be fine buddy...You'll be alright, just hang in there." Hayden told him again Oivind managed a nod and small smile.
"It's been...a pleasure and honor working with you, Sergeant Haddock...So long my friend." He whispered but Hayden heard, before he could respond the chopper began to lift after the doors were shut. Hayden backed up slowly as it headed off towards the nearest location with a hospital. Hayden just stared at the sky as the chopper was disappearing father and farther away.
"I'll radio as soon as we hear something, Sergeant Haddock..." Major Stilwater told him. Hayden nodded then got on Toothless and headed back to his own barrack. Toothless returned to his stable, warbling sadly for his rider. Hayden entered the barrack quietly. The six from his former company rushed up to him worried.
"Oivind was air lifted to the nearest hospital for two bullet wound treatments. I don't know anything more than that right now..." Hayden said, he reached his bed and climbed up then laid down. All he could worry about was Oivind and wait for a report on his condition. But at some point even though it was 4:45 in the afternoon, Hayden managed to fall asleep waiting on that update on his friend.
