The Haddock's must have waited about six days for that DVD to arrive and when it did-they brought it to the school for the class to watch since Hector said he really didn't care if they saw it. It was an all day event too-watching that DVD of Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training, and shockingly enough-it even showed right up to when they got the deployment orders. The class was shocked to see everything that happened when Hector was training. They even saw that he got promoted not once by twice. They got a kick out of watching the soldiers on personal time in the barracks playing pranks on one another-Hector being the main prankster. They noticed though how happy he looked to be there-nothing like when he was in school. It was a like a whole new Hector: a happier, more confident, cooler Hector though. They watched him ace his marksmanship qualifier and make level expert shooter, they saw him leading missions, team builders, and more. It was incredible to see Hector like this-nothing like how he was.

It was shocking see the friendships there-Hector being best buds with Tallon, Evan, Thaxter, Ryan, and Viktor out of all the guys in the barrack. They realized Tallon was Hector's battle buddy and had been since Reception Week-the two were basically inseparable. They even got to see Hector leading the bag exercise first day-they never expected him to be a take charge kind of guy. In school he was pretty quiet and kept to himself but during all this and what they saw from the day on Skype-he was nothing like that with his friends around. It made sense to them now why he was called Sergeant-because he was a Staff Sergeant and in charge of the Dragon platoon that made up the A and C barracks during training and it seemed from Cody Greysen's words that day on TV that Hector was still leading the Dragon platoon for missions in Iraq. He was actually a really good leader-he always followed orders and rarely got yelled at. It was interesting to watch him having to do his Physical Training every single day-he never faltered on it. Thirty push ups, thirty sit ups, and a two mile run every day on top of other exercises, they never knew he had it in him because he was such a twig.

They hadn't seen Hector on Skype since that day though-the day he said he'd send the DVD to them-it just showed he was offline and wouldn't answer messages. It had been four months since that day-it was now February, a couple of days before Hector's eighteenth birthday and things couldn't of been worse with a major blizzard that hit Berk. In the state of emergency-the students were locked down in the school being it was safe zone. Spencer, Val, and a few other parents were there too to help out the school staff. They were locked down in the cafeteria and trying to keep warm but the temperature was close to below freezing and they'd been there about four days-snowed in with the doors frozen shut. For lack of a better word-they were trapped there and emergency services couldn't get to them right away because of the thick snow and the fact for about three days it had been zero visibility. All they could do was sit tight and pray that help would come soon.

(Elsewhere)

Hector finally got leave! His whole platoon did-seven months in Iraq and he was back in Berk. He got two weeks off and the first place he was going was to see his family-knowing they would want to see him and he'd have to face whatever they were going to give him for what he chose to do. But upon arriving in Berk, he noticed there had been a blizzard. Facing Cody-who was with them too he looked nervous almost, he had a bad feeling. "No wonder our flight in was delayed for a day...updates on this?" Hector asked. They had landed at Fort Striker by two helicopters which were still behind them.

"Ain't got much for ya lad. Mayor called state of emergency four days ago-emergency services shut down due to lack of visibility and a lot of people were evacuated to safer locations like shelters, schools, stable buildings," Cody explained.

"When did it hit?" Tallon asked.

"No clue," Cody shrugged. Hector pulled out his cell phone and dialed the police to get information.

"Yeah, hi. When state of emergency was called-where did the Mayor's family go for safe location?" Hector asked, then a pause, "Don't start with me, I'm Hector Haddock. Mayor's son, tell me where my family is!" his group watched his face to try and figure out what was going on, "Thanks," he said then hung up. "My family and all the students of Berkian Academy with some of their parents and staff are locked down at the school. Emergency teams are trying to break through the thick ice and snow-I'm going to help out." Hector said.

"We'll come as well-our families are good, we checked in when we landed and some of them are actually at the school." Tallon stated. Hector nodded as they got on the two choppers that had dropped them off at Fort Striker and took off towards inner Berk-heading right for the school after getting some emergency gear like blankets and first aid just in case it was needed.

(Berkian Academy)

The choppers landed in a spot that had been cleared for them-the officer in charge rushed over to him. "Update," Hector asked.

"Still can't break through-and we don't know where they are being held." the officer said.

"You try the vents on the roof yet?" Hector asked-the man shook his head. "Well then we know where to start. Doors frozen shut?" the man nodded again. "Alright, I'm taking two teams up on the roof. Stand by-Cody, I'll keep ya posted via the two way?"

"Got it, lad." Cody nodded as Hector grabbed four large bags and tossed them two to a team. "Inferno and Blaster-lets move," as they raced to the side of the building and found the ladder but it was covered about half way. "Oh that's not gonna work,"

"Chopper can get us up there. We're gonna need shovels though to dig through the snow," Viktor said.

"Or a flame-thrower," Tallon rolled his eyes. Hector looked at him, "You're not seriously considering-" he started but saw Hector go back to the chopper and grab the box.

"Everyone get one. We're gonna need to break through somehow," Hector ordered, they did so without an argument as the one of the choppers started up again and hovered over the roof-Hector and his team jumped down on to the roof. "Alright, half power and just enough to get through the ice sheet-the rest we should be able to shovel out of the way," they nodded and stood safe distances away from one another while keeping the guns pointed down and firing them up. The ice slowly melted away-and then even some of the snow. They stopped after about fifteen minutes then moved on to shoveling for another fifteen-twenty minutes. Finally they could feel the roof and Hector dropped his shovel as he stepped a bit more and heard clanging, "Found the vent!"

"That's gonna be a tight squeeze. We can't all get in there-maybe half of us," Ryan said.

"Fine by me. Blaster-get down there and help open the main entrance. We'll take the bags and go vent entrance," Hector commanded.

"Sir, yes sir!" they said heading off to get back to the main level. Hector opened the vent and eased himself in. After him was Tallon, Evan, and Viktor. The bags were passed down as Ryan and Thaxter came down last.

"Listen up-move slow. If I remember right, these vents are right over the main office. We go about ten minutes this way-we'll be over the cafeteria. That's likely where they are being held because of the kitchen," Hector said.

"Your lead, Hector," Thaxter nodded. Four of them were not only crawling but pushing the bags too-after ten minutes, Hector stopped them as he listened closely.

"I can hear them-right under us. We gotta get outta the vent and enter from the ceiling-there will beams to balance on. Tal, you got your Bayonet on ya?" Hector asked, Tallon grinned and passed it up as Hector rolled onto his back and started cutting through the thin metal of the vent shaft-he made it big enough they could get themselves out one by one. Hector lifted up not and crawled out then stood up on the top of the shaft while the other five came out and the bags too. Hector moved towards a beam and crouched on it he used the knife to lift two of the tiles and looked down. "Hey! Look like you could use a little help down there," Hector grinned as he looked down at them.

"Hector! What the hell are you doing here?!" Gobber asked.

"Saving your asses. Make a clearing-would ya?" they nodded and made a space as Hector tossed the bags down. "Alright boys-nice and easy now. One at time-I'll come down last." his team nodded to him as Viktor and Ryan went down first with Tallon and Hector holding their lines so they wouldn't drop. After them hitting the ground it was Thax and Evan. "Head down, Tal," Hector told him as Tallon started getting the harness on.

"Wait-who will spot..." he didn't get to finish as he slipped and started falling but Hector grabbed his wrist after holding the beam-now both of them dangling there. "Don't you dare drop me, asshole" Tallon grunted.

"Wouldn't dream of it bud. Trust fall formation Alpha One boys!" Hector called down-still holding with the one hand. Instantly the four already down there formed a tight circle under Tallon. "Ready?" Hector asked Tallon who nodded and Hector leg go of his wrist as he fell and landed back first into the security circle of his friends.

"And uh-what about you?" Viktor asked. Hector pulled himself back up into the ceiling as he tied the rope to the metal beam and tossed the line down the hole in the ceiling before slipping on his gloves and harness while he propelled himself down and then towards the bottom he unclipped himself and just dropped landing in a crouch.

"Well that was fun," Hector smiled as his guys connected wrists with him or fist-bumped.

"You're home," Val said quickly as she rushed over and hugged him tightly-trying to control her tears.

"Yeah huh-now can you let go so I can get everyone out safely?" Hector asked as she nodded and stepped back wiping her eyes. "How many of you are there?" he asked.

"About two hundred, son. I take it we aren't all goin out the way you came in?" Spencer asked.

"No chance-we came in through roof vent. You tried the doors?" Hector asked.

"Been frozen shut for two days-won't even budge lad," Gobber walked up to him now.

"Hector! You still got your flame thrower," Tallon pointed out as Hector reached behind him and pulled it off with a grin almost. "And I suddenly don't like that look,"

"Keep them back," Hector said as his friends moved the others away from the doors, "Principal Santiago, I got permission to use it?" he asked.

"Permission granted, Hector," came her reply as Hector took his position and aimed the nozzle at the door and pressed the trigger as the flame burst forward at the door and the ice began to melt and drip down-after about a minute he shut it off and took it off his back as he tried to open the door. "I should have mentioned that...the doors lock automatically from the outside when the school goes into lockdown-in case of shooters. Every door does this-it keeps them out." she added as Hector face palmed.

"So even with the ice melted-we're stuck in here. Where's the lock down keypad?" Hector asked.

"On the...outside of the door-locked in a plastic case that can only be opened by my key..." Miss. Santiago said slowly.

"Not the best idea for situations like these," Hector mentioned as he pulled his radio from his pocket. {Haddock to Greysen. You read me?}

{Loud and clear, Haddock. Update for me?}

{Yep, inside and still trapped because of the lock down system. Keypad is right outside the cafeteria doors.}

{That poses a problem-we got the doors opened. I can see ya actually,} Hector looked through the window and saw Greysen giving him a wave.

{I got an idea.} Hector put the radio away now as he looked around for a minute and saw the window on the right side. "Gimme the key and code," The principal handed him the key and whispered the code to him as he tucked the key away in his pocket. "Get me up there boys,"

"Yes sir!" they replied as Hector took off his ACU coat and and handed it to Tallon while looking up again-it was just like one of their confidence course walls from Basic. There was a ledge just enough to sit or stand on if someone could get up there.

"Over the wall exercise," Hector commanded firmly as Viktor and Ryan took their place against the wall-backs to it while looking like they were sitting there. Thaxter and Evan climbed onto their legs using the wall to balance themselves while using Viktor and Ryan's shoulders to reach the ledge and plant themselves on it with one leg on each side. Viktor and Ryan turned themselves and positioned their hands for Hector to step in as they lifted him up towards Thax and Evan who grabbed his arms and pulled him up with them. "Toss me my coat, Tal!" Hector called to him. Tallon rolled it into a ball and threw it towards him overhand style. Hector grabbed it and looked to Thaxter and Evan with a nod as the stood up slow still using the wall to balance against as they let Hector step into their hands and lifted him to the height of the window as he wrapped his coat around his elbow and brought it back-then hit the glass hard as it shattered and he and the others shielded their eyes. Hector dropped his coat and grabbed the ledge pulling himself through.

Thaxter and Evan jumped down carefully as not more than five minutes later-there was a loud buzzer heard and the doors to the cafeteria opened. "Yes! Nice thinkin, Hector!" Tallon said as the two connected their hands tightly. With the doors opened now, Hector handed the key back to the principal and sighed heavily-the rest of his platoon were checking on others and helping them get warm and out back to their homes. Hector's unit sat with him now as the cafeteria emptied out leaving just them and few others. Mainly his parents, siblings, cousin, principal, Gobber, and the friends of his siblings and cousins who he really didn't want to deal with right now. "Hector..." Spencer said as Hector lifted his head seeing them all there.

"I think you owe us some explanations bro," Darius added. Hector sighed as he stood up now.

"I don't owe nobody nothing, alright? I made a choice, I signed a contract, and I'm gonna see this through no matter how much you all may or may not like it. I told you everything you needed to know. I joined the military without telling anyone because no one would approve of it," Hector said.

"But why son-you...never had an interest in the military before, what changed? What contract?" Val asked softly.

"Six years. That's the contract I signed. Six years of full time, active duty, military service. And how would any of you know my interests?" his question took them back a bit, "How would any of you know me at all? You didn't know what I wanted in life. To you, I was just the kid who made straight A's, held a job, and kept the house clean when you weren't home because of your jobs. Look how little you knew about my joining. None of what I did those few weeks before I left seemed off to you?" he said now.

"Well you've never...lied to us before, Hector. We had no reason to think you weren't telling the truth," Spencer said.

"Shows how little you know about your own son," Hector remarked coldly. "I'm not going to stand here and listen to you scold or lecture me. If that's how it's gonna be-believe me, I ain't staying at home-I got five others right here who already said I can stay with them until we go back,"

"Wait...back where?" Heather asked.

"To Iraq-where else? This is just some leave time, two weeks then we go back until the end of our tour." Tallon stated.

"How long...is your tour?" came the voice of Astrid Hofferson-the guys knew who she was, the one who hurt Hector.

"As far as we know right now-it will end in September. Those orders might still change, but for now that's all we got." Thaxter replied.

"But-" Spencer started but Val stopped him as she hugged Hector tightly.

"It's okay son. We're just...glad you're home safely-even if it is for only two weeks. We can...celebrate your birthday since you missing Thanksgiving and Christmas with us," Val smiled as she kissed his forehead.

"Thanks, Mom. You guys head home-I gotta get all this stuff back to Fort Striker before I relax. I'll...meet you at home?" Hector asked.

"Of course." Darius nodded to him. Spencer didn't understand why they were suddenly...okay with all this. Hector just said he was going back to Iraq in fourteen days? This was okay by them-after seeing him get shot four months ago?!

"Dragon platoon-to the choppers! Round up the gear too!" Hector commanded firmly.

"Aye aye sir!" they saluted him and rushed off getting the gear and what not as Hector only chuckled and shook his head as he fixed his hat on his head and headed out after them. The group followed as the choppers were preparing to take off, the soldiers were loading it up and getting inside as Hector jumped in last.

"Be back in about three or so hours!" he called over the loud sounds-his mother, brother, and sister nodded their heads as he then shut the chopper doors and gave the signal to take off by whirling his finger in a circle. Both lifted and were headed off towards Fort Striker.

"Can I just ask why all of you are okay with this?" Spencer finally asked.

"You heard him, Spencer." Val sighed softly. "We aren't okay with it but it's easier to just agree with him than argue. We haven't seen him in a thirteen months. He left...last March and it's now it's February, and he still has to return to finish his tour. I think...he'd feel better if he had our support."

"He said we didn't know anything about him because we're always so busy or at least you two are with your jobs. He's right-all his being sick, and lies...he didn't tell us what was going on because he thought we wouldn't care since we didn't care what he did when he was home. We talked to him once four months ago when we found out where he was and obviously he didn't call back for his own reasons. He'll be leaving again in two weeks, Dad...and maybe if we show him we support him-he'll stay in contact with us," Darius said calmer.

"He said he'd stay with his friends for two weeks if we fought him so just agree and play nice because if you fight him-we probably won't see him again until the tour is over, which can still be extended if you recall. Yer wife and kids are right, Spencer. Support the boy-he obviously felt like he had to do this-that's what he said in his letter. He's got his reasons and if he sees you're on his side with understanding then maybe we can find out why he did it," Gobber said with a hand on his friend's shoulder.

Spencer sighed nodding, they were right. If he fought Hector, then they wouldn't see him until after the tour ended and clearly there was no talking Hector out of the military-not that he could since Hector signed a contract but regardless, they had to support him or they might lose him. He already took off without a word and found ways to stop them from finding out information for close to seven months since he left and when they found him by accident-it was because of a news broadcast where the reporter pulled a daring move that Hector gave her hell for. And to top it off, they didn't just find out he was in the military-he was in Iraq. The last four months for them since making contact had been hell and worry filled, they didn't want that again. Slowly they all began making their way to their vehicles to go home. Thankfully the roads were cleared enough to drive on and their cars dug out from the storm-now they just had to wait for Hector to return home too.