Disclaimer: I really don't own anything but a stereo and a few CDs… so unless you want crappy music (actually, I DID have someone steal my Gladiator CD that skipped… what an idiot!) don't sue me, because I own nothing of value.
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The sun beat down hard upon their backs. Curry, Schofield and Gant were the only ones left working outside. Hare and Hawk were dismissed to rest half an hour earlier and Mother, Rebound, Princeton and Lowe were still in La Serena.
Curry and Schofield had taken off their stifling wool fatigue shirts so that Curry was in an army green wifebeater and Schofield was shirtless. Gant swiped at the rivulets of sweat on her forehead. She knelt down over a pair of scuba tanks and took in a sharp breath, wincing, visibly in pain.
Schofield noticed and caught her attention. "Hey, you okay?"
She nodded weakly, then after the pain had passed, she smiled. "Yeah. Just the damn bullet wound again."
"Hola señors y señora!" A voice rang out. "Did you miss us?"
The three marines turned and saw the truck that had been lent to them bounding up the dirt road. Mother was leaning out the window.
"It's actually señorita, Mother. I'm not married." Gant said as Mother, Rebound, Princeton and Lowe climbed out of the truck.
Mother eyed Schofield and Gant, then chuckled. "We'll see, Fox, we'll see." She picked some paper bags out of the seat beside her and went into the building.
Rebound and Princeton gathered the rest of the bags from the back of the truck.
"We picked up some groceries. I'm assuming we have a refrigerator, sir?" Rebound asked as he pulled a large cooler out of the truck.
"That's correct. We've been ordered to move in two days from now at 0800 hours, so I hope you bought enough food to last us." Schofield replied as he helped unload the shopping bags.
"I dunno. Rebound here might eat it all before we leave." Mother grinned and poked Rebound in the ribs.
He playfully slapped her hand away and rolled his eyes, smiling. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Poke fun, whatever. You're the one who eats everything, you pig."
Mother's jaw dropped and she started laughing. "You little-"
"Alright guys, break it up. There's enough food to feed both of you and the rest of us, so no worries." Schofield headed back outside.
"Aw, it's damn fucking scorching out here." Princeton replied as they picked up the weapons to be taken back inside.
"Well, get used to it. We're going to be here for another two days at least." Schofield remarked before wiping his forehead and calling everyone outside. "I'm putting everyone here on a strict training schedule. It's getting late, so I say we all head to our bunks." With that, Schofield sent everyone into the small brown building. He then bent down and began collecting all of the weapons. He reasoned that, even though they were pretty much alone, he didn't want some terrorist group finding a bunch of free guns at their disposal. He almost jumped when a hand came in front of his face. He straightened and frowned when he saw Libby Gant. "Fox, you should be in there, getting some sleep."
She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "I got enough sleep during my coma, sir. And on the plane trip out here. Let me give you a hand."
"No, Fox, as your commanding officer, I order you to - "
He was cut off as Gant thrust the oxygen tanks into his arms.
"Don't want anybody taking these." She smiled, then bent down again to pick up the remaining weapons. "Let's get these inside, shall we?" She walked past a stunned Schofield into the small storage room/kitchen in their 'accommodations'.
Schofield shook his head, then followed her in. Dumping the oxygen tanks on the floor, he turned towards Gant. "Listen, Fox, if your wound still acts up, don't feel you have to do the workout. I don't expect you to."
She smiled. "Oh, I'll do it and I'll kick everyone's ass at it… sir." She added quickly, slightly embarrassed at how she was talking to her senior officer. "Speaking of my wound, sir…" She began, but stopped when she realized he wasn't listening.
He was at the doorway of the small compound, looking at the sunset.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" She said, approaching from behind him. He spun around, then cleared his throat, as if nervous.
"Yeah. We should both really get some rest. Breakfast is at 0700, that is providing Rebound actually bought food we can eat." Schofield laughed, heading towards his bunk. "Good night, Fox."
"Good night, sir." Gant turned, heading towards her own bunk.
BRRING
"What is that ungodly noise?" Someone cried out.
The overhead light was switched on, and the response was groans and people covering their eyes.
"Everyone up! We have a packed day and you need energy!" Schofield ordered.
"If we need energy, then why can't we sleep for another two hours?" Mother said, rubbing her eyes as she sat up.
"Because I said so. I will not have another Wilkes, Mother. Now everyone up NOW!" He left the room and the rest of the marines went back to sleep.
A few minutes later there were thundering footsteps in the hallway and gunfire.
"Holy shit! Everyone up NOW! Christ Almighty, someone knows we're here and they don't like it! We're being attacked!" Schofield yelled as he began dragging the Marines out of their beds. Everyone scrambled for their uniforms, but Schofield stopped them.
"There's no time! Fight in what you're wearing!" He raced out of the door to the bunks.
The rest of the Marines tore after him and, readying themselves for battle, they reached the door to the building.
There was no one out there, but Schofield laughing so hard his face was red.
"Why you sick son of a-" Mother started.
"Hey, I am your commanding officer and when I tell you do something, you do it. None of you did, so I used the means necessary to get you to obey me." He fought to hide his smile and failed. "It worked didn't it?"
"You are the devil, Scarecrow." Rebound gasped as Schofield counted out Rebound 231st chin-up.
"Only 69 to go, Rebound." Schofield walked around to the exterior of the building and began doing push-ups on the scorched ground. He decided that if he was putting his team through this hell, then he might as well go through it too.
He reached 300 in no time and got up on his feet to blow a whistle that was hanging around his neck.
"Marines to the front of the building!" He called out sharply.
As they regrouped, Schofield looked closely at each one.
Princeton looked tired and sweaty, but she still had a smile on her face.
Hare, surprisingly, looked just as he did when he woke up.
Rebound and Curry looked thoroughly beaten, but kept reassuring him that they were all right to keep going.
Mother just looked pissed. She was still ticked at Schofield for the morning's 'wake-up call'.
He was mostly worried about Gant. She was pale and looked ready to pass out. He decided to advise her to have some rest.
"Alright everyone, see that tree over there?" They nodded. "And the small boulder about 200 yards to the right?" Again, they nodded affirmative. "Okay then. I want you all to run from the tree to the boulder to the car. Keep running that circuit until I tell you to stop." Schofield nodded towards the track and the marines, save for two, jogged around the course. Schofield stopped Gant as she went to follow the others.
"Sir?"
"Fox, you're sitting out on this one." He said sternly.
"May I inquire why, sir?" She huffed, angry that he thought she couldn't do it.
"Let's see… well, for the most part, you look like you're going to faint. Go get some rest."
"Sir, I'm fine." She went to join the others, but again, he stopped her.
"You have no say in this, Fox. I'm concerned for your wellbeing, alright?"
She turned to face him. "I can handle it, sir. You of all people should know what the human body can withstand." She immediately regretted her words when she saw him wince.
"I'm sorry, Fox, but I'm not taking that risk. Go get some rest." He saw Gant's jaw clench. "That's an order."
