Episode 11: The Show Goes On

February 13th


There always seem to be a strange hush before the beginning of something. Or even before a major event. It really felt that way before Valentine's Day this year. Not that I celebrate, I'll probably hang out with my squad and have an anti-Valentine's Day thing. Just it feels like something is about to change.

Have you even experienced that eerie silence, or a feeling of a change? Please comment below on that.

RavenHussar


Chapter 421: Europe

Monday, February 13th, Morning (European Standard Time)

(Song Lyrics in Italics)

The day started early for them, as they got an early breakfast after they woke up. They drank coffee to wake up and get ready for another long day. Slowly, they finished and collected for the morning mission briefing. After the briefing, they broke up and headed to where they needed to be.

Staff Sergeant Keith "Tarheel" Scott walked over to where his tank was parked. He looked over the tank, bumper number D13, and the 120mm main gun has stenciled the name Damageplanon it. Keith looked over his crew with measured glances, Letty, his gunner, Derby, the crew's newest member, and the driver. Palmer the loader, who also stood head out with Keith.

"QRF today, as we all know," Keith said.

"Just another long boring day," Palmer said, then added, "Sergeant."

"It's better to be safe than dead, Sergeant," Letty said.

"True, Letty," Keith said, "Any comments, Derby?"

"No, Sergeant," Derby said.

"Good," Keith replied, "Let's get the beast operational."

"So we can sit and wait," Palmer said.

"Palmer!" Letty said.

"Yes, Letty," Palmer replied.

"Shut up," Letty said, giving a little authority in her voice.

The crew started working on their pre-trip maintenance and checklist. Everything was gone over, and once the machine was ready to go, Derby started the tank and moved it to an ammo point. The crew dismounted and started to load up the ammunition for the mission. Once they finished, they cleared out of the area and moved to their staging area.

Once the entire platoon was assembled in the staging area, Lieutenant Weller went around and organized the platoon how he wanted them. Once Damageplan was settled in, Derby started the auxiliary power unit and shut down the engine.

The crew climbed out of their positions and got comfortable. Keith took the first radio watch on the tank. While most of the crew spread out on the tank to relax. Keith pulled out an MP3 player and started playing music.

Iron birds of fortune
Adrift above the skies
Cloudy revelations
Unseen by naked eyes
Flying tools of torment
Will penetrate the sphere
Erupt the rock of ages
Bringing final fear

"So, Derby, what made you sign up?" Letty asked.

"But I don't think that's why Sergeant Scott joined," Derby said.

Palmer sighed and shook his head. "Sergeant Scott is something special," he said.

"Oh! Yes, he is," Letty said.

"What does that mean?" Derby asked.

"Sergeant Scott was in the conversation for being a first-round NBA draft pick. But here he is," Palmer said.

"Also, he refused to go to OCS twice," Letty said.

"He was also offered a tank before we deployed but turned it down to remain the gunner," Palmer said.

"Wow, why would he do that?" Derby asked.

"Some people are, well, just like that," Letty said.

"Oh, I see," Derby said.

"Well, I guess you haven't heard who his wife is," Palmer said.

Derby shook her head, "No," she said.

"Representative Isabella Scott," Palmer said, "The Model Congresswoman."

"So, why would someone with what seems like a dream life be here as a simple sergeant?" Derby asked.

"That's the mystery," Letty said.

"Sergeant Garrison knew," Palmer said.

Instruments of destruction
Tools of foul play
It's a violent eruption
Existence drifts away

"A lot of good that'll do us, what are we going to do? I'm not searching out Ouija board to contact him," Letty said.

"Palmer," Derby said.

"Yes," Palmer said.

"Is Palmer your first name?" Derby asked.

"No, they nicknamed me Palmer," Palmer said.

"Why?" Derby asked.

"I don't know," Letty said, "He had it when I joined the crew."

"Why are you called Palmer?" Derby asked.

"'Cause someone said I looked like Brian Dietzen," Palmer said.

"Who?" Derby asked.

"An actor," Palmer said.

"Okay," Derby said.

"That's why they call you Palmer?" Letty asked.

"That's what they told me," Palmer said.

"Okay, Letty, why do you let them call you Letty?" Derby asked.

"It's better than being called Gem," Letty said.

"Gem?" Derby asked.

"Yeah, my name is Gemma," Letty said.

"Where do you get Letty from Gemma?" Derby asked.

Palmer laughs, "She drives," he said.

Letty nodded, "That's what I've been told, too," she said.

Palmer checked his watch. "Who has the next radio watch?" he asked.

"I do," Letty said.

"It's almost time," Palmer said.

Letty checked her watch, "Shit!" she said, got up, and climbed onto the turret. After a few moments, Keith came sliding down the turret and joined the crew. He got comfortable and pulled his hat over his eyes.

What's it really matter
When nothing really counts
Grave eternal darkness
When drained of every ounce
And when the nightmare's over
The final from the storm
Dust of all creation
To ashes we transform

"Sergeant," Derby asked.

"Yes, Derby," Keith said.

"Do you mind if I ask a personal question?" Derby asked.

"Is it why I'm serving?" Keith asked.

"Yes, Sergeant," Derby said.

"To serve my country, Derby," Keith said, "Isn't that the reason you serve?"

"I told you Sergeant Scott always gives that answer," Palmer said.

"Because it's the truth, Palmer, why change the truth? Lies only change," Keith said.

Instruments of destruction
Tools of foul play
It's a violent eruption
Existence drifts away

"That's the reason?" Palmer said.

"Yes, that's the reason I joined up," Keith said.

"I still can't believe it," Palmer said.

"I can't make you believe it, but that's the truth," Keith said.

"Still, Sergeant," Palmer said.

Instruments of destruction
Tools of foul play
It's a violent eruption
Existence drifts away

"How did you know it was the national guard?" Derby asked.

"It's a boring story," Keith said.

"What about your wife?" Palmer asked, almost ranting.

"We seem to have plenty, Sergeant," Derby said.

"Palmer, my wife, wanted to work in politics; she just happened to end up running for congress," Keith said.

"No way," Palmer said.

"How did you get recruited, Sergeant?" Derby asked.

"That story?" Keith asked.

"Yes, that one, Sergeant," Derby said.

"Well, my senior year at UNC, a recruiter came to campus. I talked to him, and after I graduated, I signed up," Keith said.

Instruments of destruction
Tools of foul play
It's a violent eruption
Existence drifts away

"That's it?" Derby asked.

Keith nodded, "That's it, it's really that simple," he said.

"I find that hard to believe," Derby said.

"I didn't say things didn't get complex, just it was simple for me to join," Keith said.

"So, Sergeant, what do we do for chow?" Derby asked.

"They'll supply it to us, bring it out here," Keith said.

"Okay," Derby said, "I'm bored."

Keith kept silent. Palmer looked at Derby.

"Better to be bored than the other option," Palmer said, to which Keith nodded to Derby's shock.

Instruments of destruction
Tools of foul play
It's a violent eruption
Existence drifts away