The Fall Of The Cards



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Chapter 02: Anton



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Apparently, Grimes didn't think my comment was all that funny. Perhaps the guy needed a few lessons in humor, though I'd never volunteer to teach him. On the way out to the shooting range I tried to strike up some conversation with the man, but I ended up failing miserably. I hoped that the other soldiers had better personalities than this guy.

As I said, we were heading toward the shooting range, which was not too far from the main hanger. From the direction our jeep was heading, I assumed that Grimes was going to drop me off there. He'll probably be happy to get rid of me. As we neared the range, the snaps of bullets whizzing through the air reached my ears.

We pulled up near the closest tarp, both Grimes and myself exiting the jeep.

"Sergeant Eversmann." Grimes called, watching as a tall thin soldier made his way over to the jeep. "Serge."

"Yeah." the man replied, looking from myself to the clerk and back again.

"Private First Class Blackburn." I answered, knowing he was waiting for my name and rank.

Eversmann cocked his head to the side slightly, "Yeah?"

I nodded, "Reporting for duty." Oh great, this sure made me sound intelligent.

The Sergeant shook his head, "Not to me, you're not. You're reporting to Lt. Beales. He should be here somewhere." the man looked around, not quite sure where the other had disappeared too.

"Can I leave him with you?" Grimes voiced.

I knew that the guy was ready to get rid of me, but he was making it sound like a chore just having me around. Was I that odd? Probably just because I looked so young, not to mention I was the new guy on base.

"Yeah, go ahead." Eversmann replied.

Grimes nodded, turning around and hoping back into the jeep. Within seconds he had sped away, back down the road we hade come.

"You brought your weapon."

I knew the question was directed at me, "Yes, sir. Want me to shoot? I'm rested." I replied, knowing how idiotic I was sounding, even in my own ears.

"When did you get in?" Eversmann asked, looking at me quizzically.

With a slight smile I replied, "Just now, Sergeant."

Eversmann frowned with a look that stated he was not quite sure that I was ready or rested enough. After all, I had just gotten in. I hadn't even settled into the base yet.

"You sure?" he asked me, glancing behind him at the men already shooting in the background.

Once again I nodded, "Yes, sir."

With a sigh the Sergeant smiled, "Alright then." he turned slightly, signaling one of the men behind him. "Berendsen!"

The man set down his rifle, quickly rushing over to the edge of the tarp and nodding. "Sir?" he asked.

"Berendsen. Blackburn. Let him shoot with you, this'll be his first time out here." Eversmann said before turning back to the rest of the men.

I looked at the man before me. He was about the same height, though with a bit stronger of a build. His eyes were dark and what little of the man's hair which had grown back was dark as well. Eventually, I knew, Berendsen would have to shave it off again.

"New here?" he asked, turning and walking back to his spot on the range.

With a nod I stood beside him, checking and loading my gun. "Yeah, just got in."

"Much of a change?" Berendsen asked, picking up his rifle.

"A little. I'm from Florida, so the water reminds me of home."

The soldier laughed slightly, "Well, welcome to The Mog, Blackburn."

"Just call me Todd." I replied, taking aim at the target before me and shooting off a couple of rounds.

Amazingly, they hit the center nearly every time. Berendsen whistled, looking from the target to me before smiling.

"Call me Anton."



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Disclaimer: I do not own "Black Hawk Down" nor the characters mentioned within. Actually, the are real people (most of them anyway) and certain friendships and happenings come from the "Black Hawk Down" novel written by Mark Bowden. I take no credit for anything in this story. It's just what I thought Todd might have gone through throughout his entire stay in Mogadishu.



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Reviews:

Lour: Thanks. I've researched the subject of this strike quite a lot.

RainyDayz: Thanks!

Legolas19: Thank you. I changed it because I heard it different on the film. I had written this in the car on a trip, so that and the serial number were wrong I believe, to begin with.

Beth: Sorry to have kept you waiting. Inspiration struck me like lightning... seriously... j/k.

Lucki Me: There are so few BHD stories out there. Most of them are about Grimes, who technically is a mixture of a lot of people. There are a couple good ones involving Todd and Matt (and there's a slash one out there... the thought making me physically ill). But, like I said, inspiration struck and I needed to work on this story.

MistressHolbytla: Thank you. I hoped people would like those scenes, as well as the ones I write on my own.



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Author's Note:

I read an interview in which Anton Berendsen said he was good friends with Todd. So, I'm establishing their friendship here and now.

I found a real picture of Todd Blackburn today, and on it the date is 09/93 so I am having Todd's arrival in The Mog happen about mid September. He wasn't the newest guy there, as the book says at one point.



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Preview of the Coming Chapter:

Todd and Anton strike up a good friendship. Life in The Mog is quite different, as Blackburn seems to be finding out. Things are a bit more laid back, unless Captain Steele is around that is. Some down time finds the two talking about all sorts of things within the base hanger, and having a good time overall.