Getting out of school for a week with his parents hadn't been as easy as he previously planned it to be. He managed to get away with being sick for three days before they started throwing around doctors office visit because they were worried about him-in that it meant he had to go to school and thankfully after speaking to the principal on Wednesday: she allowed Hector to stay in class even though he was technically a drop out-Hector explained that he joined the military and was leaving for Basic on Monday but wasn't telling anyone, of course the principal was sworn to secrecy and couldn't discuss that information with anyone without his consent. In the Archipelago-if someone had their GED or were eighteen-then that person was an adult and confidentially mattered like a law almost. Since he was considered an adult now-then the principal wasn't allowed to disclose anything regarding his whereabouts or what he'd done. School was over for the day now so Hector just had to survive the weekend and up until Monday night when Cody would park about four houses away to pick him up to take him to the Berk bus depot.

Hector had his bag packed-there wasn't much to bring except more paperwork to make the reception week go faster, Cody had told him that if he had everything in order than it would go smoother for him also that reception week could last anywhere from three days to a full week-it was considered Week Zero of Basic. Friday night now-he was just quiet and in his room, acting as if was feeling better but still needed his rest. When he arrived at Reception Battalion-he was getting rid of his phone or changing his number so his family couldn't harass him. He paid his own bill anyway so he wasn't worried about it then trying to use the phone as a way to find him. He would be writing a note and leaving it on his bed that he was sure would be found bright and early Tuesday morning when he didn't come upstairs for breakfast and his shower. It didn't say what he was doing-just for them not to worry about him. The course of the weekend was pretty quiet for him, he mainly stayed in his room though Saturday he went to work-told Anthony about the fact he was quitting and leaving town for a while. Anthony was sad to see him leaving but wished him well and said if he needed a job when he got back then he was always welcome back at the shop.

It was the beginning on June now-first week of actually. There was only three weeks of the Sophomore year left meaning that all of Hector's BCT and AIT would be done through the summer. Monday morning-Hector drove his brother and sister to school and he was going just to say goodbye to Gobber mainly, he wasn't going to tell him about the military just that he had his GED and wouldn't be returning to school in the Fall with the others. Hector was doing this at lunch time-he found Gobber in the classroom eating and going over some papers. "Hector, there ya are-wanted to talk to you," Gobber greeted while Hector walked in after knocking.

"What's up, Gobber?" Hector asked.

"I couldn't help but notice in class now you seem to be spacin off and not interested-anything goin' on you wanna talk about?" Gobber asked him.

"Just got a lot going on is all. I wanted to talk to you too...I'm...not going to be coming to class tomorrow or...for the rest of the year," Gobber arched a brow now, "Okay, I'm not coming...back at all. I got my GED two weeks ago-the principal has just kind'a been letting me hang out here to avoid the parents." Hector stated to him.

"Gonna tell me what possessed ya to get your GED?" Gobber asked curiously.

"Just...sick of high school-I decided to just take a chance and see if I could pass and I did with all B's or A's..." Hector admitted.

"You're takin off, arent' ya-like out of Berk?" Gobber sighed softly.

"I am and...I can't tell ya because you'll tell the others and I just don't want them knowing what's going on." Hector told him.

"I can keep a secret lad but your choice-hope ya find whatever it is you're looking for out there. I won't tell the others, stay safe and come back to visit?" Gobber asked as he got up and gave Hector a hug, "You're like a nephew to me, Hector, I wish you'd tell me what was going on,"

Hector knew he should tell him-Gobber could keep a secret, he always had in the past but he didn't want anyone knowing about this so he wasn't saying anything to anyone, "Sorry Gobber, this is just something I have to do and I need you to trust me," Hector offered a smile.

"I trust ya," Gobber ruffled his hair a bit.

"I'll visit when I can," Hector said lightly as Gobber nodded and two ate their lunches right there in the room. When the bell rang-they acted like nothing was different, Hector knew Gobber was upset he was leaving but he'd hold firm in front of the others. As the day came to a close-Hector double checked to make sure everything was ready-including the note to his family. Later that night around 9:20pm-everyone was doing their own thing: Darius was talking to his girlfriend and listening to music, Heather was relaxing, and his parents were either sitting on the couch or working on files for their jobs. Hector however had placed his note down on his bed after making sure the room was clean before heading out the basement door with his backpack-now filled with about two pairs of clothes, documents, his cell phone, and one family photograph of all of them together, just the Haddocks right after Heather and Darius joined the family a year after losing their father.

Hector made sure to have his personal care items-after double checking it all he checked the time and headed out the basement door quietly then down the street where Cody was waiting for him. Hector got in the truck and put his bag between his legs with a sigh, "Ready for this?" Cody asked.

"As I'll ever be," Hector replied, Cody started the truck and they were headed towards the bus depot where sure enough there were a lot of other recruits they're all heading the same place as he was. Cody dropped him off and helped him check in-he said he'd stay until the bus left the station too, he gave Hector his cell phone number so they could keep in contact. It was about 10:05pm when the bus began loading men and women heading to Reception Week. Hector got on and sat down quietly-the bus pulled away from the station after a head count and roll call. This is where it started-this two hour bus ride to the Reception Battalion would change his life.

(Two Hours Later)

Arriving at the location-things changed instantly. Ordered off the bus, then grabbing bags and tossing them in a pile in order to be sorted out later to have them go to their rightful owner. Right away they were sent for briefing about how the next week would go for them and would last about four to five days if nothing held up their paperwork, Hector knew his was good-Cody helped him get it all organized before hand in one big folder that was separated into sectioned folders inside the main older. First thing they were told to do was enter the Amnesty room and get rid of anything that wasn't allowed-Hector didn't have anything he needed to get rid of thankfully so that saved time. After that was record keeping where they set up their medical files, financial, and personal records. By the time this was done, it was closer to 3am-they all got to eat in the chow hall for about twenty minutes before being issued pillow, sheets, and blanket for their barracks. One of the first things they were assigned to do were pick their bunk and battle buddy-this person would be with them as a partner for the rest of BCT.

This made Hector nervous-he'd never had a buddy before. Hector saw another person standing by himself-a taller guy with black hair and green eyes, taking a deep breath he walked over towards him. "H-Hey...want to...buddy up?" Hector asked.

"Sure. I'm Tallon Furysen," the male greeted with a hand out. Hector almost breathed a sigh of relief as he shook Tallon's hand now.

"Hector Haddock," Hector introduced. Now these buddy ups were meant to promote the fact of having each other to keep the other person in line at all times. Rules so far were: showering every morning, having to be clean shaven, and dressed properly for the day ahead of them. This was also the person you bunked with-it was highly advised to pick someone who was essentially becoming your new best friend for the rest of your military days while in training at least.

"Haddock! Furysen! Pick your bunk!" they were ordered by the Drill Sergeant there. This wasn't their permanent commanding officer but for the next few days he was so they still had to listen. They quickly picked their bunk and stood beside it.

"You want top or bottom?" Tallon asked now.

"I prefer low ground so I'll take bottom if it's okay with you," Hector asked, Tallon nodded to him as they stood by their bunk.

"Since you two are done-I'll use your bunk as an example for how your barrack bunk should always look. Squad, fall in!" the man commanded loudly as a circle formed around Hector and Tallon's bunk now. "Beds are to be kept neat and flat-no wrinkles or bumps, also tucked in perfectly. I'll show you how this is done," from there the Drill Sergeant showed everyone how to make the beds perfect, "You keep all your belongings in these closets, that being said you know have seven minutes to make your beds-put away your shit, and stand at attention for inspection." he said as the others rushed to get their things down and Hector helped Tallon with his bed. They put their things away and then stood by their beds for inspection. The Drill Sergeant checked over it all and nodded to them.

At the end of seven minutes-those who didn't finish were doing push ups on the ground, when they finished those, everyone was ordered to their bunk and lights out to prepare for a long day of more getting ready for Basic in a few days.

(The Next Morning-Berk; Haddock Household)

Darius had been sent to find out why Hector wasn't upstairs when called for his shower-sure enough he found the folded note on the bed and read it over as his eyes widened before rushing upstairs at 7am, "He's gone!"

"What do you mean 'he's gone', Darius?" Spencer Haddock-their father asked quickly, Darius handed over the note as Spencer began to read it over, his eyes widened with each line.

"What does it say, Spencer?" Val asked now walking over to her husband.

"Hector left, Val. He said he didn't run away but he's leaving to take care of something he has to do-not to worry about him because he's safe but will be unreachable for a while," Spencer stated.

"Why...would he just leave like that? He still has...school, doesn't he. He can't drop out without parental consent being only seventeen years old," Heather insisted quickly.

"He took care of that too-this is what he said," Spencer cleared his throat after slowly lowering the newspaper down, "Dear family. Please don't try and find me-you won't. I didn't run away but I got things to do-and I can't do them here. Don't worry about me and school-I took the GED two weeks ago and passed with A's and B's-if you need proof of that I got it, you can check my left side, second from the top desk drawer. I'll be continuing to take care of my insurance and car payments-it's through another source now. Also, I quit my job at the auto shop. I ask that you don't worry about me because I'm safe, just know this was something I had to do. I'm unreachable for a while. See you when I see you. -Love always, your son/brother, Hector."

Val and Heather were actually almost in tears hearing that Hector had left without a word to anyone-and they didn't know where he was. Darius checked the driveway, "His car is still here-someone must of picked up up last night. He was here up until 9pm-I heard him in his room moving around," Darius informed slowly.

"Call him! He's...seventeen years old, what could he possible have to do that required him leaving so late at night and not tell us," Val ordered, Heather pulled her cell phone and called Hector's phone-she put it on speakerphone and set it on the table.

"I'm sorry-the number you are trying to reach is no longer in service. Good bye." came the automated female's voice from the phone.

"He...shut his phone off?" Spencer asked a little surprised.

"My baby boy..." Val cried, Spencer hugged her tightly-then Heather too.

"We'll find him-he couldn't of gone far. I'll get the police on right straight away love, don't worry. He said he's safe so wherever he is-we know that much. Hector never says something that isn't true," Spencer assured her. They would find him, they had to know what drove him to do whatever it was he was doing.

(Fort Hellion; 4:45am)

It began bright and early at 5am even though they'd gone to sleep only about two and half hours before hand. They were given an hour to get showered, changed, and outside to await their next orders. Tallon and Hector got done pretty quick-as well made their beds how they were supposed to be made. They were wearing gray gray sweat suits with sneakers and black socks-apparently that was required to be worn for the rest of Reception Week. They got breakfast first at 7am in the chow hall, then in was on to the pay station to get their Smart Cards-which was a $250.00 advance from their paychecks that month to use while during Basic if they needed anything at all that they could buy from the PX or Post Exchange. They also received the ID cards that had to be carried everywhere with them. After they did that then they had to move on to getting their uniforms, boots, hats, and new running sneakers, belts, canteens, helmet, etc, from the CIF or Central Issuing Facility.

Next following that was medical exams, again. There was more briefing on benefits, insurance, and tying up loose ends if anything happened to them. There was orientation next, then finally they got to go to the PX to get anything they hadn't remembered to grab from home. At some point there was lunch given too around noon time. All that managed to complete day one. Day two started with everyone's favorite: vaccinations for measles, mumps, diphtheria, smallpox, rubella, and flubicillian. After all that was done-it moved on to dental and vision exams-Hector passed both of his without a problem-but did receive a fitted mouth guard that would be used in some of the BCT training exercises. They also had to pass another PT test consisting of push ups, sit ups, and two mile run: each section having a certain amount of time to complete. After this was done-they moved on to reviewing personal affairs. Meals were the same-breakfast, lunch, and dinner were provided and they had to do a bag check to make sure they hadn't forgotten anything they'd need for Basic. Day three wasn't all that exciting, for some it was just when they got eyeglasses if they'd been needed. Also they could order their yearbook and graduation ring-and they got their graduation photo taken.

Turned out Hector paid the extra to get the ring, the yearbook, and even the BCT and AIT video that was apparently going to be taken while training was going on-he wanted the memory of all he'd gone through and prove to anyone that he actually made it with no help from them. Day four was the easiest day-since all of Hector's things were finished, he received his ID tags that now read out on the silver tags in five line going down:

Haddock, Hector
010-017-2015
O Pos.
A.I.M-B.A
Neo Pagan

There were two of them hanging from around his neck now as he was awaiting with his group of people who were apparently all going to be going to the same area for BCT-then some to follow along to AIT with him, others going into training for Infantryman. They were awaiting their shipping orders-and their backpacks from home they would be getting after BCT was over evidently. Hector was fine with this-he didn't mind not having it with him. "Alright E group, you will be going to Fort Striker for your Basic Combat Training-anyone going out for Infantryman will remain there for Advanced Individual Training. Your bus is running behind so you will be leaving tomorrow morning at 0600-that's 6am in case you're weren't aware. Be up for 5am with your green bags-your backpacks from home will be transported later on. Fort Striker is approximately forty-five minutes from here towards outer Berk," the Drill Sergeant announced.

"Yes, Drill Sergeant!" the group replied together.

"Good. You will be sitting with your battle buddy on the bus-that's how they keep ya organized. You'll get your new Company assignment there and be separated according to barrack just as you were here-males and females kept separate. For the remaining time here, you're free to relax a bit. Call home-talk to your families, and let them know you're about to start your journey from civilian to soldier," the man said, "Dis-missed!" after given the order-they all broke off to return to the barrack to relax a little. Hector relaxed on his bed to text Cody-let him know where he was headed.

[Hey Sgt. Jut got shippin' orders-headed forty-five mins to Fort Striker tomorrow at 0600. ~Hector]

[Glad everythin' is going well-you likely won't get to use your cell a lot during BCT. It goes on the DS's command by privilege. ~Cody]

[That's fine with me. Fam doesn't know where I am anyway-changed my number. Ur the only one with it besides my army files now. ~Hector]

[Stay safe-I'll make the trip out there to see ya for your graduation. Stay safe my friend. G2G for now. If ya can txt me tomorrow before you leave on the bus. ~Cody]

[Will do, sir. Thanks for everything-last four days went super easy for me bcuz of all the organizing you helped me with. Ttyl! ~Hector]

After that he put his phone down and closed his eyes, "So, you're heading for Infantryman too, are ya Haddock?" came Thaxter Solborg's voice-another friend Hector had made since Reception Week started and was battle buddy paired with Evan Larsden. Turned out all of us were from Berk and going out for Infantryman too so we'd be together through BCT and AIT.

"Yeah-nothing else really caught my interest," Hector replied.

"What did you score of the ASVAB?" Tallon questioned now.

"Ninety-six," Hector answered as the three other guys widened their eyes at what he said. "What?"

"Dude-you could have had any other job, why pick Infantryman?" Evan blinked curiously.

"Felt like it-I enjoy what it entails. I like being hands on if ya know what I mean-not a paperwork kind of guy,"

"Suppose so," Thaxter-or as he preferred to be called, Thax, said now with a shrug. "What does your family think about it all?"

"They don't know, I never told them I was joining up. I just bailed five days ago at 9:20pm through the basement door-left a note saying not to worry about me me," Hector stated.

"My family didn't care so much-I've always been kind of a rebel and different," Tallon chuckled.

"Mine were pissed-told me I was gonna get myself killed," Evan laughed a little.

"Yeah, my Dad was cool with it-told me to do him proud. Mom and younger siblings-not so happy about it." Thax sighed out now. Their bunks were right next to one another so they got pretty close as far as friendship went-Hector loved it actually, he'd always wondered what it'd be like to have friends and these guys were pretty awesome, they had a decent amount in common with one another-all joining the military for hope of a better life than the one they had before. It was about 4:30pm when they headed to chow hall for an early dinner-then back to the barrack to relax for the night. Hector managed to fall asleep around 6:15pm, he didn't want to be tired tomorrow morning when they boarded a bus to Fort Striker for BCT and AIT.

(Next Morning)

The alarm sounded at 5am as told it would-Hector had already been up, showered, and ready to go when the Drill Sergeant marched in-flipping on lights and yelling orders for them to get up, get to the bus five minutes of 6am. Hector was ready so he really just lounged about. When 6am hit-they filed on the bus and sat with their battle buddy-did a head count and roll call before the bus doors closed and they were on their way to Fort Striker and would be there in forty-five minutes to begin BCT for the next nine weeks and then AIT for another four following that before getting their stationing assignments. Hector couldn't wait, it was finally time to go from civilian to soldier.