He felt good-he could admit that. His first tour over after a very long fourteen months that had started back in July 2016 and now here he was, September 2017 with it over. Also he got to surprise his family with him being home-that felt awesome to do and now he had Astrid as his girlfriend. Great day to be alive in his eyes and it wasn't even over yet. It was only about noon time-still at the school with his parents, siblings, and now girlfriend. He knew he couldn't stay there, it was still a school day and couldn't interrupt that so he would have to leave in a few minutes with his parents who he drove to the school in his car. Hector had to take them back to their jobs to get their cars then they'd all meet at home. This was the life for him-nothing could make this moment better except if maybe he had a beer in his hand-he felt like he deserved it after all the shit he had to deal with since getting called back to Iraq early from his two week leave. That actually still made him mad. Three days home and they got called back-it had been utter bullshit but what could he do. Orders were orders no matter how much they liked or disliked them.

On top of all that having to go back early-Hector and the others of Nightwave lost a total of thirty-three people-one being Sean Svendson, the Dragon platoon's original Drill Sergeant. Only six people were lost from Dragon platoon total-the other platoons lost different amounts but all together for losses in the course of fourteen months in Iraq, the number was thirty-three. Others were lost from other company's too but Hector didn't really know them-it was still sad to hear about though. In war, there was a lot of things he wished he hadn't and a good amount of it-he couldn't unsee. After hard missions where some were killed in action, the soldiers who were close to whoever died were sent to evaluations. Others who weren't close had the option to speak to counselors if they needed someone to talk to. Hector had done it a few times-like with the story he told Inferno when they were there for his birthday on leave. That affected Hector a lot-first time he'd ever shot someone and had to see it first hand. In firefights-he assumed those he killed but this one kill, he saw it up close and it was hard after that so he talked to people he trusted about the situation and it helped to talk about too.

Out of nowhere he felt someone shake him, "Hector?" came Astrid's voice to bring him from his thoughts-he blinked once and looked at her with a soft smile.

"Yeah?" Hector replied.

"Are you okay? You zoned out for a second there," she asked him while holding his hand.

"Yeah I'm good. Tired. Long flight home-left Iraq at one in the morning. Two hour layover in Germany, got to Striker had to be debriefed on orders like the drill every second weekend thing, then a three hour drive with Cody to the house so I could get my car," Hector informed lightly as he kissed her forehead and she blushed a bit.

"We were asking if you'd like to stay for lunch since it starts in about five minutes. You can all eat in here with me-I don't mind," Gobber offered.

"We don't mind staying-we took half day when Hector surprised us at our jobs," Spencer smiled.

"And we have our lunches with us-Hector do you have anything with you to eat?" Val asked lightly.

"I got an MRE in my bag-it's enough for me. I don't mind staying," Hector shrugged going over to his bag and digging through a few things before pulling out a gray package from his bag and looked over it.

"What does MRE stand for?" Astrid asked curiously.

"Meals Ready To Eat. Intended for situations where we can't get food on a mission or something. It a single serve portion for soldiers. Required to carry at least three during missions in case we get stranded, stuck there, or pinned. Something for us to eat-it can hold someone for at least a day. Bout a three year shelf life, can survive a parachute drop." Hector explained.

"So what is in that one right there?" Skylar asked, Hector turned it slightly.

"Beef Ravioli for main course, then side course, dessert. It's got a bunch of other stuff too but don't feel like listing it off," Hector shrugged.

"No offense-that looks nasty as hell," Jessie remarked.

"It is. It's vacuumed sealed food. But it's what we eat when food isn't available to eat," Hector stated.

"That's stupid," Skylar huffed.

"No, it's survival you idiot. On missions we can't bring food with them because our focus is the mission-not eating. MRE's are an emergency source of food if we can't get back to base for an extended period of time in which we might not be able to eat for said amount of time," Hector rolled his eyes. The bell rang out and Hector froze a moment-it sounded like a horn which was something he should've known since he used to attend that school but it felt odd to hear after being at war, the two sounded alike but Hector could make out the differences. Hector pushed it back, it didn't matter. He was out of war now so he could just enjoy being a civilian for a while. Like now: staying at the school to eat lunch with his family and Gobber. The principal had left now-returning to her officer and to check halls to make sure everyone was going where they were supposed to. A lot of the students in the class left and went to the cafeteria but others stayed such as Drew, Mandy, Danielle, Trent, Reina, Freddie, Carmen, Astrid then obviously Darius and Heather. Jessie and Skylar bailed out after Hector pretty much called them idiots and the fact he assumed Jessie didn't want to be anywhere near him since Astrid was now dating Hector.

"Well now, lets sit down and enjoy lunch shall we?" Val smiled gently. Everyone found a spot around the room-they tried to sit in a circle formation but it didn't work out like they had hoped. Hector was sitting beside Astrid as expected and they all ate peacefully while engaging in light conversation about changes in lives and what not. Like before-Hector couldn't talk a lot about things in Iraq and he definitely didn't bring up anyone else who had passed away, it was not his favorite subject and hoped no one asked about it. He hoped all his friends were alright too-he hadn't gotten any messages from them so they had to be okay right now. Turned out that a lot of things changed between the group of friends at school: Danielle and Trent were dating. Mandy and Drew were a thing too. Heather and Freddie were getting closer but nothing was official. Darius and his former girlfriend broke up for a reason Hector still didn't understand nor want to for that matter and he was getting closer to Carmen but still nothing official-they'd only been on a few small dates. Skylar and Reina had been together about a year and Jessie of course was single since Astrid was now with Hector.

"So are you happy to be home again?" Gobber asked.

"Of course. Anything though, is better than a war zone and that ungodly heat..." Hector chuckled some.

"So what is this...drill thing you were talking about before?" Astrid questioned.

"Second weekend of every month, me and the rest of Nightwave have to go back to Fort Striker and train. That's all. Right now-we're members of the Archipelago Army but since we passed Basic and Advanced Individual Training, and have been to war already-right now we're just civilians in normal life. But to keep us fit mentally, emotionally, and physically, we train in our MOS or Military Occupational Specialty. Most of Nightwave are medics, or like me: infantryman. Front line soldiers-we train to be ready for war," Hector explained.

"So you go for Saturday and Sunday?" Carmen questioned.

"Nope. Friday morning at 5am-get there for 8am. Stay until Monday when we leave at 5am-get back around 8am. It's a two hour and forty-five minute drive to Fort Striker-give or take three hours with traffic. Thaxter and the Grimborn brothers live the closer though." Hector stated.

"And it's...the second weekend of every month for three days?" Drew asked to confirm.

"That's right," Hector nodded.

"So you just train? Like pushups and stuff?" Trent inquired.

"Push ups, sit ups, running, jogging, walking, gun care, shooting ranges, sparring, mission scenarios, extensive first aid, small chopper and plane flight, and my personal favorite-parachuting," Hector smiled.

"Parachuting?" Spencer asked.

"Jumping out of choppers and planes from a very high altitude. I believe we jump from eighteen thousand feet and Gods help you if you don't run when landing," Hector chuckled.

"So you mean like start running before you hit the ground?" Freddie questioned.

"Yep. If you don't-you're likely to break your legs from force alone. Saw it happen on one of the videos they showed us before we jumped ourselves. Comforting thought right-but it's so much fun, like flying without wings," Hector smiled.

"So like Skydiving in a way?" Mandy asked.

"You could call it that. It's to prepare us if a chopper can't get us on the ground during a mission-it'll hover and we have to jump anywhere from a couple feet to a couple thousand," Hector nodded.

"You can fly a plane or chopper?" Darius asked.

"If I absolutely had no choice, yes. I can also drive most of the military vehicles we use," Hector replied.

"That's awesome. You get to do so much in the military. Couple of us thought about joining," Drew stated.

"If you can't follow orders, you won't survive Basic. You can't handle seeing other guys in their boxers, you won't even make it out out MEPS. It's serious shit and if you don't take it serious-you're gonna have a really bad time," Hector stated.

"How hard was it for you?" Astrid asked.

"Me? That depends on how much of what was hard for me?" Hector replied.

"Everything? Like you're entire process of joining up until you got deployed?" Danielle stated.

"Initial paperwork wasn't difficult at all-that was done at the recruiter officer. Because I was seventeen when I joined-I had to get my GED first. Honestly didn't know how I'd do on that since I was taking it without having the teachings to all of tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade. But I guess I passed with A's and B's on it so go me knowing more than I thought I did. After that-it was all paperwork with Cody. Mainly medical history, basic information, small PT test like: ten push ups, ten sit ups, and half a mile run out back of the building. When that was set, Cody took me to MEPS-that was the day I said I was staying over Freddie's. On arriving there-we stayed in a hotel and started the next morning at 6am. Long ass day of tests, more paperwork, exams. Dear God, I'd never been happier to sleep after that was over," Hector leaned back a little with his arms behind his head.

"So at MEPS, what did you have to do specifically?" Trent asked.

"There are four basic areas of MEPS but it takes forever because of the number of people there at once. It goes ASVAB testing, physicals, job selection, and finally-swearing in. Now you haven't joined the military until after swearing in, and MEPS is like your last chance to back out before you sign your service contract," Hector continued.

"Like if you had second thoughts at MEPS, you could back out before swearing in?" Freddie asked.

"Yeah, MEPS gives you a lot of time to think it over. Now for testing-you take the ASVAB which is a test that measures aptitude in a broad range of career fields. Each service combines the test section results to produce its own unique scores for various career fields. Cody told me the most active job is Infantryman but in order to get that you had to score pretty damn high on your line scores-these are ASVAB subtests in groups. General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Numerical Operations, Coding Speed, Auto Shop Information, Mathematics Knowledge, Mechanical Comprehension, Electronics Information, and finally Sum of Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension," Hector listed off.

"So you had to score good on all that to be infantryman?" Spencer asked.

"Not necessarily. Infantryman alone requires a high score because of the job itself. Line scores are measured in certain areas: Clerical, Combat, Electronics, Mechanical Maintenance, Surveillance and Communications, Skilled Technician, Field Artillery, General Maintenance, General Technical, Operations of Food. In order to make Infantryman you had to pass the overall ASVAB with a score higher than thirty-one. But to be eligible for Infantryman, your line score in Combat had to be ninety or higher," Hector stated.

"What did you score overall?" Astrid asked.

"On the entire ASVAB?" she nodded to him, "Ninety-six. I was eligible for any job but I like Infantryman-it's hands on if you know what I mean," Hector answered.

"What did you have to do for the next section?" Gobber asked.

"Physicals and they take the longest. Most of MEPS is standing around and waiting in line. Physicals include stripping down to boxers to be checked, then behind the screen completely nude to be checked again, height, weight, urine and blood tests, drug tests, muscle group and joint movements, proper range of motion, so on and so forth. After all that, ASVAB scores were in so we'd be told what we scored and what jobs available to us-I picked Infantryman. When all that was done, we move on to swearing in then got our ship date to Basic. Some people got one location for Basic and another for AIT. Or some get a OSUT or One Station Unit Training which means you stay in the same place for Basic and AIT. Fourteen weeks for Infantryman." Hector chuckled.

"So...Basic was nine and AIT was four, right?" Reina asked.

"Yep. One week in between BCT and AIT. Then of course Reception Week was getting things in orders before we started Basic. Reception Battalion-known as Week Zero is BCT preview and where we get all our stuff. We set up pay options, and anything pertaining to us. It can take anywhere from two to five days, mine took four but we left on day five for Basic. In short the days went like this; Amnesty Brief: when you arrive, you'll be told what you can and cannot have at Reception Battalion; this will be the last chance to get rid of any prohibited items without being penalized. Military Record Keeping: with the paperwork you brought with you, you'll set up the medical, financial and personnel records that will last for your entire military career," Hector said now.

"Wow. That's only day zero?" Drew blinked.

"Yes it is. By the time we actually got to go to sleep-it was about 3am and had to get up at 5am to start day two. Also, day one is where we picked out battle buddies right before going to sleep and learning how to make a bed military style, meaning no wrinkles or flaps hanging out. Had to be perfect for lack of a better word. Day one was adventurous for sure. Pay Station: After getting up at 0530 and eating breakfast in the chow hall, you'll go to the Pay Station to receive your ID card. Smart Cards: You'll also be issued a Smart Card for BCT expenses, which is deducted from your first month's pay $250 for males, $350 for females. CIF or Central Issuing Facility: here you'll get your uniforms and your TA-50 or field gear-your web belt, alice pack, canteen, helmet and vest. Your civilian clothes will be returned to you when you ship to AIT or return home. Medical Exams: You'll take a general medical exam, including a blood test. Females will have a blood test for pregnancy, and then a regular blood test on the next day two." he paused to take a sip of his drink.

"Briefings: You'll be briefed on everything you'll go through. You'll also have a "Moment of Truth" briefing, in which you need to disclose any obligations you haven't dealt with. General Orientation: This station will introduce you to some Army basics, such as the chaplain's role; the Red Cross; the UCMJ or Uniform Code of Military Justice; company policies; and managing your personal affairs. PX or Post Exchange: If you don't have items you need for BCT, you'll be able to buy them here. During in processing, your feet will be evaluated for the proper type of running shoe. If you are told to purchase new running shoes, you will buy them at the PX," Hector finished.

"Good grief," Val blinked a few times.

"I'm afraid to know day two," Freddie started now.

"Also fun. Vaccinations: You get six vaccination shots: measles, mumps, diphtheria, flubicillin, rubella and smallpox. Vision and Dental Exam: You have a general vision checkup, along with a dental exam-including X-ray. At the dental exam you get issued a protective mouthguard, which is used during certain BCT training exercises. Personal Affairs Division: Here you review your personal affairs, and verify that everything is complete. Day three is where you get glasses-if you needed them. You get two pairs, regular to wear then an insert for the protective mask. On this day you also get your military picture taken for your ID or license and the BCT yearbook, can order your graduation ring and BCT DVD. Day four wasn't as hard-really just wrapping things up. You get assigned to your new unit that you'll be with in Basic and before you ship, you'll clean the barracks, get your ID tags and stencil your name on your bags. Then you're off to Basic," Hector finished.

"So that ring you wear-it's your BCT graduation ring?" Astrid asked as he nodded. "And your tags are?"

"Under the coat," he stated pulling them out so she could see them.

"So what are they for, they know who you are don't they?" Carmen asked.

"It's for identification purposes if I get KIA or killed in action. Like...big explosion-lots of bodies type deal. Has my name, blood type, social, military branch, and religion," Hector stated.

"I'm curious son, how come no one was able to find you when you left?" Spencer asked.

"When I joined-I was protected by the military confidentiality. The only people who knew were the principal because she got the notification I got my GED and I asked her if I could chill at school until I shipped out. Gobber knew I was leaving-he just didn't know where," Hector shrugged and suddenly all eyes were on Gobber.

"You knew he dropped out and left?" Val asked.

"Thanks lad, get me in trouble..." Gobber sighed.

"Don't blame him. My choice to tell him I was leaving-I just didn't say where because I know Gobber can't keep a secret to save his life. I told him I already had my GED and was leaving for a while and didn't know when I'd be back. After AIT the company could have been stationed anywhere-just so happened we got deployed instead. I called Gobber from a private number before deployment to let him know I was safe and would explain everything when I got back but then you saw me on TV and found out anyway," Hector started now.

"That was scary for us...sitting right here in this classroom watching it, we didn't even know it was you until the camera zoomed in on you when one of your guys stated the reporter and camera guy were there. Then heard your friends call out the name Haddock-followed by Hector later on before you got away," Heather said softly.

"Yeah she wasn't supposed to be there and it still pisses me off. A lot more of my team could've gotten hurt or possibly killed because of that," he sighed before getting up and moving to the door in the classroom that led outside-he knew about them. They were meant for emergencies but wouldn't sound an alarm if opened for fresh air. Hector pulled out his pack of cigarettes and pulled one out of the package, he placed one between his lips before lighting it and relaxing against the frame of the doorway. "Lost enough people in the last fourteen months to last me a lifetime," he took a drag and blew out the smoke. He didn't like to think or talk about it and they remembered that from what Tallon told them, they knew when it came to the subject of death to just let him be with his cigarette. When he finished it-he put it out in the dirt and then tossed the butt of it away with his MRE wrappers. "Well, I don't know about any of you but I'm ready to go home and sleep a few hours and I'd very much like to get out of this uniform. You two ready?" Hector asked motioning to his parents.

"Yes son," Val nodded to him as he grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder before approaching Astrid and kissed her lightly.

"See you later?" he asked.

"I'll come over if you want me too, I don't mind. I've missed you," Astrid smiled now.

"Come over around 5:30, I'll be up by then for sure." Hector told her as she nodded to him. "Enjoy the rest of your day," he added before heading out the door with Val and Spencer following him. They reached the car after signing out and headed to the Haddock house. Hector right away grabbed a shower then knocked out on the couch due to exhaustion. It had been a good homecoming: no fighting, no drama, and it was nice to be able to hang out with everyone and catch up on what he'd missed while in Iraq. With deployment over and being home now-he was actually looking forward to seeing where his life took him next since now he actually had a life to enjoy for once.