The ride to Iraq was worse than Hector expected it to be. They left Fort Striker at 2pm. Flew to Germany-their usual layover spot which took three hours and forty minutes to arrive at. They had a two hour layover bringing the time to 7:40pm on the Germany time zone which was two hours ahead of Berk when they landed there and it was 9:40pm by the time they got back on the newly refueled plane to continue another four hours and thirty minutes to Iraq. As it neared Midnight or a little after when they were just over Iraq, the pilot came over the speaker to get their attention, "Attention soldiers, we are ten minutes from the Baghdad Airfield. At this time we ask you to stay seated as we commence blackout until landing and thank you for flying Night Fury Air,"

"What's...blackout?" asked Skylar.

"Whole plane is about to get dark to reduce the risk of being attacked while we fly in. Just stay quiet," Thaxter stated as suddenly all the lights turned off and a few people get nervous and start breathing heavily.

"Hey, it's all okay. Deep breaths now. We're right over Iraq now, we're going to slowly descend and land. Likely there will be a flatbed there to take us to the barracks where you'll be meeting the Battalion leader, Lieutenant Colonel Drake Bludvist and Nightwave Company leader Major Alexander Holgerson. Really, he's a cool guy-so just relax. Nothing to be afraid of, you were all trained for this place. This was all AIT training, remember that and your BCT-you'll be just fine if you follow orders," Hector assured the worried soldiers.

He knew it was nerve wracking to come here for the first time, he was nervous too but he knew he was trained for this-this was all the AIT training had prepared him for. Hector took a deep breath as for the next eight minutes the plane descended slow and landed finally.

"Attention soldiers. It's wheels down in Baghdad Airfield, welcome to Iraq." the pilot announced to them as the engines began to slow and come to a halt while the back hatch began to opened slowly and Hector stood up with his guys.

"Alright, boys and girls. This is the real deal-this is Iraq one of the heaviest war zones around the world right now. Stay quiet, cell phone ringers off, keep your guns ready but do not fire without my command. Don't take any of this lightly and be on alert always, have each others backs. Let's move, by the time we reach the Dreki base it'll be around 2430. You'll be briefed more when we get there," Hector informed them calmly as he made sure his gun was ready. "Viktor, Ryan-bring up the rear. Thaxter, Evan take the middle. Tallon and I will lead," his men nodded to his orders and got in position. Hector and Tallon headed off first and the other forty-three soldiers filed off in smaller groups while Hector's men did what they were told as they reached the flatbed and everyone climbed on and took a seat. "Take us in," Hector commanded the driver who nodded with a salute, he started the truck and they were on their way towards the Dreki base.

(Twenty Minutes Later)

The flatbed reached Dreki base in normal time and came to a stop just a five minute walk towards the Nightwave barracks. The ride had been silent-even Skylar didn't test him. Hector was right-this wasn't Basic anymore, this was the real deal. Baghdad, Iraq: war zone hot spot.

"Haddock! You're back!" came Cody's happy voice and Hector smiled a bit.

"Indeed I am. Where's Bludvist and Holgerson?" Hector asked as he shook hands with Cody now.

"Handling something on the other side of camp-should be back in about thirty minutes or so. Why not get these guys and girls settled in their barracks while ya wait, lad?" Cody offered.

"Got it, Cody. I got my ten-I'll separate the rest. How many did you need for Wolf platoon again?" Hector asked him.

"Five males, seven females to even out the barracks," Cody stated.

"Alright-let's do it this way. Garcia, Andersen, Jorgenson, Thorston, Burgston, Michaels, Marx, White, Christians, and Andrews. Step back with my guys since you're staying in with me in Dragon platoon," Hector instructed as the ten of those named off soldiers moved to stand with Thaxter, Tallon, Evan, Viktor, and Ryan off to the side. "I need five females and seven males to join up with Wolf platoon. Commanding officer, Captain Cody Greysen here. Good guy-big ass teddy bear," Hector chuckled.

"Fuck you, Haddock." Cody grumbled.

"Ya know you are, Cody. Big ole softy," Hector snickered, Cody was about to protest but he just ended nodding in agreement, "Rest my case, so volunteers?" he asked now. Slowly five males and seven female raised their hands.

"Excellent! Come along with me and we'll get ya settled in to your new home," Cody waved for them to follow him to barracks B and D. The soldiers broke from the group now and Hector saw Peyton and Vasquez walked up towards him him.

"Welcome back, Captain Haddock. Brought the new soldiers, have ya?" Raymond Vasquez asked firmly.

"That I did. Bear and Lion needed how many each?" he asked quickly.

"Bear needs eight males and four females," Asher Peyton replied.

"Volunteers to join Lieutenant Peyton's command?" Hector asked looking to the soldiers as twelve stepped forward and Peyton just nodded and led them to barracks E and G. "And I suppose the rest of of you going with Lieutenant Vasquez over here to the Lion platoon. So hop to it boys and girls," he motioned for them to go with Raymond.

"So we're staying with you?" Darius asked.

"That you are," Hector nodded to the ten standing with Inferno. "Alright-let's move. Guys, get the boys settled in Barrack A. I'll take the girls to C and introduce them," he ordered.

"Yes, Captain Haddock," the boys of Inferno replied leading the seven males into Barrack A.

"Ladies, if you'll follow me please," Hector motioned with his finger for them to follow him as they moved to the C barrack with him. Hector knocked on the door as he waited for the all clear to come in and hoping they weren't all asleep it was pretty early in the morning. The door opened revealing a very tired looking one of the girls who was rubbing her eyes but upon seeing Hector-her eyes lit up.

"HECTOR! You're back!" she said happily and then the entire barrack was awake and sitting up or on their feet looking over to the door.

"Did everyone think I wasn't or something? I only went to Fort Striker to train the new soldiers the last three months-I could never abandon ya. Anyway, can I come in?" Hector asked as she nodded and let him in and the three girls behind him followed nervously. "Now-I know we lost June, Jackie, and Sarah...but you such is the life of a soldier where we risk our hides for the greater good and sometimes we give our lives for the very same. With me, I have: Vicky Andrews, Bella White, and Amanda Christians to join and complete the girls of Dragon platoon once more. Vicky and Amanda are battle buddies, due to the uneven number of soldiers I trained-a few did get to pick one or get paired up...will any of you girls buddy up with Bella?"

"I will, Captain Haddock." came Stacy Wilde's voice as she smiled walking over, "Hi, I'm Stacy Wilde," she greeted with a hand out.

"Bella...White," Bella replied softly with a smile now.

"Thank you, Stacy," Hector smiled to both of them, "Now, it's late and I will be back soon after I get the guys settled in my barrack. Then there will be some slight unit modifications to go over after I speak with Bludvist and Holgerson. So settle in, keep it down and I'll be back to check on things in a few minutes," he added as the girls nodded to him and he exited the barrack moving just over one more to the right which was A barrack where his the males were put.

"Girls settling okay?" Tallon asked him as he entered.

"Yep. Wilde partnered up with White-helping her settle in now. Christians and Andrews are as well. How are things going on this side?" Hector inquired.

"Well, Jessie and Drew are set on their bunk. Trent and Skylar on theirs. Still three without battle buddies-weren't sure how you wanted to handle that, Cap?" Ryan asked curiously.

"Cortez, Pearson, Reeves, front and center if your wouldn't mind," Hector asked as the three names he asked for came over to him and saluted respectfully. "These three here don't have a battle buddy. I'll assign if necessary but I'll give you the choice to choose who you want to buddy up with. Private First Class Darius Burgston-Haddock, he is my older brother. Also there is Private Jayson Michaels and Private Cameron Marx. Boys before you is Sergeant First Class Andrew Cortez, Sergeant Kurt Reeves, and Specialist Cliff Pearson," he introduced calmly.

"I call your brother, Captain," Andrew smiled.

"I'll take Marx," Kurt replied with a nod as he offered his hand to Cameron-who smiled and shook Kurt's in return.

"That leaves you with me, Michaels," Cliff smiled brightly.

"That's my guys-always stepping to the plate. Also, Reeves...due to...Ellis's passing, I'm naming you leader of Blade unit." Hector informed.

"Yes sir, thank you. I hope I can do it as well as he did and not let ya down," Kurt offered a firm salute as Hector nodded returning it. With that settled, the new battle buddies headed to their bunks to get settled in. All that time brought them to 1am or so. Most of which-Hector spent on his bed trying to relax and figure out final unit modifications when Drake and Holgerson knocked on the door to talk to him. Hector held his head and closed his eyes with a sigh as he sat up.

"Come in," Hector called to them, not more than two seconds later they were inside as Hector stood up and faced them.

"Glad to have you back, Captain Haddock. Everyone in here and C barrack have been miserable without their leader," Alex chuckled a bit.

"That's generally how it goes. In all fairness-I'm not the one who sent me back to Berk to train people," Hector replied with a shrug.

"But you were the man for the job so we sent you to do it," Drake added in now.

"Either way. I'm back now. Orders?" Hector asked them both.

"For tonight-get some rest. You personally look like you need it, it's been a long day for you and anyone else on that plane with you. We can talk more at 0800 for breakfast," Drake replied.

"Understood, Lieutenant Colonel and very much appreciated. See you at 0800," Hector nodded with a salute. Alex and Drake returned it as they left the barrack. Hector sighed heavily now-honestly he was starting to feel like shit and hopefully a good night's rest would remedy that shitty feeling. Hector stuck his head out the barrack door. "Lights out, girls!"

"Yes, Captain!" they replied as the lights went off a minute later and remained quiet.

"Same for in here. Lights out," Hector yawned as everyone got into bed then he flipped the lights off and made it to his bunk and flopped there. Yes, he was very ready for bed. It didn't take him more than ten minutes to sleep overtake him and he was out like the lights of the barrack were.

(Next Morning)

Sleep had been very much needed indeed, Hector did wake up feeling a lot better but still had a headache-he'd go see Bell, the medic on his way to breakfast though so he could wait a while longer. Hector was awake bright and early at 7:15am-but only because he heard one of the guys yell out. Hector sat up quickly and looked around as he saw Trent and Drew trying to stay far away from their own beds. "For the love of Odin-it's 0715, what the hell is the problem you two?" Hector grumbled as he got to his feet and walked over to see one of the camel spiders crawling onto Drew's bed. Hector did a hard facepalm with a sigh before moving towards the bed and putting his hand down so it would walk on him-when it got all the way on he just walked it outside and let it move under the barrack where it was shadier for it. Hector walked back in with his arms crossed over his chest, "Are we done being afraid of a harmless spider?"

"That thing was huge man. How the fuck are you not afraid of it?!" Trent asked quickly.

"I don't really fear anything. You get over the fear pretty fast when you wake up with one on your chest-just chilling there too. It wasn't gonna hurt ya, it was trying to find shade because of the sun coming into the barrack windows is all," Hector remarked.

"Does that happen a lot?" Darius asked curiously.

"Sometimes, doesn't bother me any. Breakfast is being served in forty-five minutes so start getting ready. ACU's, hats, guns. They go with you everywhere on base just in case of attack, always be ready-that's what I taught you. I'll give you a rundown of the rest in the chow tent as well as your units-some have changed," Hector informed sternly as they nodded to him and started getting ready. Thirty minutes later they were ready and so were the girls thankfully when they all met outside to await orders. "Alright Dragon goers, we're moving to the chow tent. Stay together because I got announcement to make so I want you all close when I do it-don't make me have to yell,"

"Yes, Captain!" they replied to him. Hector nodded as his platoon moved to the chow tent and got inside, they were given their food and sat down at their tables-two of them since one alone couldn't fit forty-eight people. When everyone was sitting down-Hector went to check in with Drake and Alex and then returned fifteen minutes later with a sigh.

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

"We already got guard tonight at 2000 hours-ten hour shift," Hector told his guys.

"Could be worse," Viktor chuckled.

"True. It's not us I'm worried about," Hector glanced towards the newer recruits.

"It'll be fine. Little field time should show him how real this is," Thaxter smiled at him.

"Or scare them and fuck something up," Tallon added.

"Trying to be positive here, Tal," Hector grumbled with his arms over his chest now.

"Sorry," Tallon chuckled a bit.

"Alright girls and boys of Dragon platoon-your attention on me for a few minutes!" Hector ordered in a louder voice as his platoon began to quiet down and look up towards him as he stood between the two tables so they'd all be able to see and hear him clearly. "First off: it's good to be back with you all. The last three months away have sucked so it's good to be home with what I consider, my second family," Hector began with a smile.

"We missed you too!" a few of the girls called back.

"Secondly: To those of you who haven't been here before, as I said last night, this is the real deal. This isn't training, these aren't exercises. This is a war zone and I expect you ten that I brought in last night to take it very seriously. We do still have fun, joke around, and have a good time when we're in the barracks or here eating. It's not all boring and fighting 24/7. I've already been informed that Dragon platoon has guard tonight at 2000 hours-I'll touch base on that in a few seconds. First I'd like to introduce the ten new soldiers to the platoon so when I call your name-stand up," Hector said. "Privates Bella White, Amanda Christians, Vicky Andrews, Jayson Michaels, Cameron Marx, and Skylar Jorgenson. Private First Class Trent Thorston and Darius Burgston-Haddock. Specialist Drew Andersen. Corporal Jessie Garcia. And just so it's clear, yes, Darius is my older brother-uses his former last name to cut down on the confusion of he and I both being Haddocks." he added.

"What about...units? You said last night they were changing?" asked Trish Patterson.

"That's correct and also getting to that. Pay attention because there were slight changes-to the newer soldiers, don't forget your unit and know your unit leader, understand?" Hector stated as they nodded to him after sitting down. "My unit hasn't changed. Inferno consists of Tallon, Evan, Thaxter, Viktor, Ryan, and myself. Howler unit: Amber, Stella, Iris, Elizabeth, Darius, and unit leader, Sergeant First Class Andrew Cortez. Spike Unit: Amy, Emily, Darren, Cooper, Vicky, and unit leader, Sergeant Harmony Ramirez. Sharp Unit: Carly, Rose, Stacy, Bella, Jayson, and unit leader, Specialist Cliff Pearson. Blade unit: Melanie, Suzie, Cameron, Jessie, Drew, and unit leader, Sergeant Kurt Reeves. Wing Unit: Ashley, Langston, Taylor, Trent, Skylar, and unit leader, Corporal Star Halloway. Blaster unit: Brady, James, Clay, Amanda, Lulu, and unit leader, Specialist Marcus Knight. Last unit, Claw: Olivia, Casey, Stephanie, Nathan, Troy, and unit leader, Corporal Trish Patterson. Everyone got that?"

"But you changed some of our battle buddies," Harmony asked now.

"I can't have the new privates on a unit of their own ladies. Sorry, they gotta be with someone who knows what they are doing out there, at least for a little while until they get the hang of it. It's not permanent but missions and guards-I prefer them with people who have been doing this longer," Hector sighed-he knew they weren't gonna be happy about it but this is what he had to do, the new soldiers wouldn't survive on a team of their own so he paired them up with experienced soldiers, "You can still share a bunk with your battle buddy, eat together, or whatever. But missions and guards are going to be done this way. That is final,"

"Yes, Captain. We understand," they nodded to him understandingly. Hector sighed with some relief-it's not like they'd fight his decisions. He was leader of their platoon so he had to do what he feel would ensure everyone's safety.

"The guard detail?" Thaxter reminded seeing that Hector looked like he forgot something.

"Right, yes. Thank you. Guard tonight at 2000 hours and the shift is ten hours in length. We're gonna split up along the third perimeter. Eight units, two per position along the perimeter for the North side of the base. Contact is to be made every hour by radio and I will update Major Holgerson and Lieutenant Colonel Bludvist once I get my check-ins. Use your call signs and stay alert," Hector told them.

"Ten hours? That's like...til 6am," Skylar groaned.

"I swear to Odin, one more remark out of you and I'm gonna kick your ass, little cousin. I told you when you started Basic, this ain't no game. You joined so you wouldn't be separated from your friends and now you're here due to that choice so you will shut your mouth, follow orders, and do your duty to the Archipelago and home island of Berk. This is the outcome of your bad choices, Private Jorgenson. I've about had it with your comments-this is the job you signed up for, now you're going to do it. There's no getting out of this now unless you get discharged for breaking military laws, discharged for injury that would prevent you from continuing your time on active duty, or killed. You do anything tonight to fuck up the guard and you and I will have a serious problem. Am I understood, soldier?" Hector said in a cold but stern voice.

"Yes, Captain Haddock," Skylar responded to him slowly and refusing to make eye contact from Hector's glare.

"Good. Glad we understand one another," Hector before heading to the the exit.

"Wait, aren't you gonna eat?" Tallon asked, Hector glanced back slightly.

"I'm actually not all that hungry. Got a headache and wasn't feeling well last night so I'm just gonna go lay down a while longer. Return to the barracks when you've all finished," Hector stated then moved the flap out of his way and he walked out. Inferno and the other members of Dragon platoon who had been there a while glared at Skylar.

"You just have to keep opening your mouth and challenging him, don't you?" Ryan huffed crossing his arms over his chest.

"I didn't...mean to make him mad that time. I just didn't know we'd be doing such a long shift is all," Skylar said.

"Well the way you worded it sounded like you were questioning him. The guard shifts on base last anywhere from minimum six hour to maximum twenty hours. Every time you open your mouth to him-he thinks it's to complain about the order, insult him, question him, or challenge his command. And thus far, he hasn't been wrong to assume that. When you're given an order, don't question. Just reply like the rest do and then carry out orders as told. You need to remember that Hector is gonna have personal feelings regarding you for a while because of all the bullying you put him through over the years-but out here when it's military, he is commanding officer and you show him respect as well as do as you're told," Tallon stated firmly now. Skylar nodded silently and looked back to his food eating quietly. Inferno was going to go check on him but Cody and the other two said to leave him be a while since he said he wasn't feeling well.

(A Barrack)

Hector made it back and laid down on his bed sighing heavily. He honestly felt like he should send Skylar into someone else's platoon because he didn't know if he could deal with this shit every single day that they were there. Hector had a headache and he was starting to feel shitty again-he really didn't have an appetite right now but he wanted to be alright for the guard shift tonight so he'd just lay down and hope he felt better. He did what he had to do this morning: got his order, and gave everyone the run down. Now he just wanted sleep-sure enough within fifteen minutes laying there in silence, he was fast asleep indeed.