The month was now August; Audrey, Caitlyn, and the friends would be returning to school for their Senior year starting on the 27th of this month. Hunter was super proud of his sister and girlfriend for how far they'd come even with him joining the army in 2016 and being deployed for eighteen months. Hunter's homecoming went fantastic, except for when Audrey's parents showed up to his house at 11:30 pm demanding to know where Audrey was and learned that their daughter and Hunter were sexually active due to the torn condom wrapper on the floor. Such was an interesting argument, but overall, her parents accepted there wasn't anything they could do to stop them.
The rest of that week had been spent preparing for the dignified transfers of three members from Delta Nightmare platoon when everyone including Harry returned to Archi Island. The following week were the funerals, not so easy for the company soldiers who did come. However, there was a fourth burial; it was from Hooligan; one of the males couldn't take everything he saw, and how many losses occurred on tour, so he committed suicide. That one hit Hunter hard, and when everything was over, he needed a couple of days to himself and even took grief counseling with a few others. After that, Hunter was coming around to being okay again.
In total from Hooligan, five were gone after the evaluations and physicals. One dead and the rest medically discharged; Amanda and Danielle were two who left on account of mental status and currently getting help to cope with everything. Audrey and Hunter continued to do our thing which as going on dates to dinner, the beach, the movies, festivals, and fairs. Also, they had sex just like before; it was easier to do with everyone aware that they did it. Now they were in the month of August, on the 27th would start school up again. The time was 7:30 pm when Hunter pulled into the driveway as spotted by Caitlyn who sat nearest the window.
"I wonder why he's been home so late the last few days, aren't his hours 6 am to 6 pm?" Viola mentioned. Tonight, they were all supposed to go to the end of summer firework show at the park, but it started in an hour, and Hunter was just now getting home.
"Hunter's been leaving earlier in the morning too. He was out by 4:30 am today," Sal added. The door opened as Hunter walked in slowly, basically dragging his feet. All the friends were over, so was Audrey, Shane, and Gregory since the fireworks display was planned to be a group activity.
"Hi, baby. How was work?" Audrey greeted first.
"Busy, long, and tiring," Hunter replied as he went straight to his room after kissing his girlfriend's forehead. Not long after Hunter came in, Treyden, Andrew, and Theo were right behind while taking their hats off and closing the door behind them.
"Bad day?" Caitlyn asked softly.
"Eh, just for him. Hunter's hours got adjusted to where he has to be in at 4 am, and he'll finish his day at 7 pm. No idea why, though, he wasn't given a reason, but he's been pissed off about it all day. We only found out at lunch when we asked why he was already there when we came in at 6 am," Theo mentioned.
"Guy hasn't even been doing the same work as us. Hunter has been moving cargo, doing inventory, and mission scenarios since he got there, so it's a high chance he's sore as shit and tired," Andrew added in. After fifteen minutes, Hunter came out wearing black sweat pants, a pair of white socks, and then a gray shirt that read; Archi Island Army, and also his dog tags hanging from around his neck. Hunter sat down on the couch and relaxed with his eyes closed.
"What are you guys doing here?" Hunter asked finally.
"Firework show," Treyden stated.
"Have fun," Hunter replied.
"Aren't you coming with us, son?" Salvatore asked lightly, and Hunter shook his head.
"Sorry, I'm just too tired. You all go and have fun," Hunter said calmly, then his phone rang as he groaned and shifted to get it out of his pocket to press 'answer.' "Yes?" he began. "I swear to Thor if you tell me I have to come back in tonight then I'm taking my frustration out on the shooting range," Hunter warned. It was quiet a moment or two while Hunter listened. "If you didn't want me thinking that you're calling me back to work then don't start a conversation with what you did," he retorted. A minute later, "Understood, sir. Have a good night now. Bye," Hunter responded before ending the call.
Hunter pressed the side button until it beeped and lit up red. A few moments later, it beeped twice and turned green. =Attention all Alpha Hooligan Platoon members. Report to Archian Hall at 1430 hours in your Class A attire. Family can come, keep it under twelve and the dress is semi-formal. Everyone copy that?= After eleven responses of their last name and that they understood, Hunter put his phone back in his pocket. Trey, Theo, and Andrew didn't need to reply since they were standing right there.
After that it was quiet, and Hunter ended up falling asleep on the couch, so the three friends left and then the others went to watch the firework show and leave afterward. So to say, the night was quiet after that.
(Sunday; Archian Hall)
Now it was Sunday, the day the soldiers of Hooligan were ordered to report to Archian Hall for something they didn't know about. Hunter's guest list included Sal, Viola, Caitlyn, Audrey, Shane, Travis, Renee, Heather, Fisher, Eddie, Drew, and Gregory. Treyden and Theo only had their fathers, and Andrew had his parents.
All platoon members in their Class A uniforms and lined up at attention when ordered to by Harry. It was finally 3 pm and whatever this event could be was starting. "Welcome family and friend. Now, I'm sure you're all wondering what this is about. Well, we announce any promotions or earned pins for their service. So that's what we're going to do today. These fifteen soldiers are part of the Plasma Fire Company. This is the Alpha Hooligan Platoon, commanded by First Sergeant Hunter Haddock. With a moment more to wait as we have a few to get through, we're gonna get started. Please hold applause until the end," Harry added, and then it began.
It took almost an hour to get through ten of them as each soldier down the line was given a promotion if they made one, and then they received their earned pins any, but all of them got an Iraqi Campaign badge for serving the eighteen-month tour. If anyone got promoted, it wasn't higher than Specialist except for Theo and Andrew who both made Sergeant while Treyden made Master Sergeant. The only soldier who had not gotten anything was Hunter.
"Lastly, we've come to our platoon leader. Hunter Haddock joined the Archi Island Army at sixteen-years-old and made the rank of Sergeant by the end of his Basic Combat Training. At the end of AIT, he reached Sergeant First Class for all his achievements through training and excellent leadership skills," Harry began. "Ten months into the tour, Hunter was promoted to First Sergeant. Mr. Haddock will be receiving the Iraq Campaign, Legion of Merit, Defense Superior Service, Soldier's Medal, Green Star, Red Heart, Overseas, Commendation, Noncommissioned Officer Development, Army Service, and Good Conduct medals." Harry paused a moment.
"The last medal is the Distinguished Service Cross." Harry started once again as it stayed quiet. "The DSC is awarded for heroism not justifying the Medal of Honor, and the act or acts of heroism must have been notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from his or her comrades. Now, the law states I have to explain why the soldier earns this medal." Harry took a deep breath. "This young man was held hostage for half an hour and held at gunpoint, but he is responsible for saving the lives of three hundred and eight soldiers,"
At that moment, another man walked up. "We can show them; there's nothing gruesome from the body cameras. At their consent and of course, Mr. Haddock's," the person said.
"Very well then. Hunter, do you mind?" Harry asked him.
"Your call. I know what happened, sir," Hunter replied respectfully and tried to process the medal he just earned.
"I've just been informed that I can either tell you or show you that day. It's up to you," Harry looked to the guests. After a group nod, Harry nodded to the man from before as the lights flipped off and the projector screen came down while two people worked on the projector to get it set up. After five minutes it was ready, and the picture showed where Hunter was being held by an enemy, and then the talking began. It was easy to hear when Hunter told Harry to take the others and run on his signal but not come back for him if he wasn't out in five minutes. The video cut right before Hunter got shot, no one needed to see that.
"To wrap this up as you've seen why we chose to bestow Hunter with the second highest honor a soldier can receive, in addition to his decorations for acts of heroism, there is also a promotion. Now, this soldier and youngest to make it in just two years of service in over fifty years. I'm pleased to give you, First Lieutenant Hunter Haddock!" Harry announced proudly. At that moment, the guests rose to their feet and began clapping and cheering. Not just for Hunter but the other soldiers too. Hunter was beside himself; he had not been expecting to receive the Distinguished Service Cross nor be promoted into the officer ranks!
"Hand salute," the man ordered as the eleven soldiers brought up their hands and returned them to their sides quickly. "Dismissed!" Finally, they could relax after standing in one position for so long. Hunter rotated his neck to crack it, then did the same with his shoulders and back before moving to the table where his guests sat. As expected, Salvatore was first up to hug him tightly.
"Oh, son! I'm so proud of you! You're a First Lieutenant, you made a rank higher than mine in two years when it took me thirty!" Salvatore exclaimed as Hunter felt the air escape his lungs, but he managed to hug his father back.
Thanks, Dad...and I'll die at this rank if you keep cutting off my air supply!" Hunter wheezed out as Salvatore let him go and he managed to catch his breath.
"Sorry. I'm just so happy for you," Sal smiled.
"Congratulations, lad. You've done yer family and home proud," Gregory patted Hunter's back. For the next ten minutes it was congratulations and good job from the others, then they got into asking about the video they saw, but Harry came over and mentioned that Hunter was still not permitted to discuss matters about what happened while he was taken, hostage. Harry only said that it was a pretty severe beating and that's all he could reveal. The rest of this event was a party to celebrate them coming home and their achievements. The projector was still up and showing slides of Alpha Hooligan from their BCT, AIT, and deployment days. Random shots that got taken when they had least expected it, and there were even some videos too.
Every time a video would come up, the music would fade out, and everyone could see or hear what was going on. Theo, Andrew and his parents, Trey, the two fathers, and Amber, Conner with his parents, then Nikolas with no one since he didn't feel his parents could get along for an afternoon all sat at one table. Striker Two had their table not far though. This room in Archian Hall was small with Harry and a few of the officers from headquarters there, there was a small dance floor area too not that anyone was using it. A table sat against the wall with snack foods and drinks in coolers; the bar was open to anyone who was of age to consume alcohol. Thus far, it was an enjoyable party, and everyone seemed to be having a good time.
"So all these pictures and videos are since Hooligan became a platoon in Basic?" Heather asked curiously.
"Yep, just a massive slideshow of them and a few videos when we were being recorded and didn't realize it or sometimes didn't care because we were having way too much fun," Conner chuckled with the others.
"It looks like a lot of random dancing or lip syncing," Audrey pointed out.
"Basically," Hunter shrugged. People walked around the room, they looked like workers handing out beers and then shots, one for each member of Hooligan. "Uh, what are these for?" he asked after one got placed down in front of him.
"They're from me boys and girls. Come now, Alpha Hooligans! On your feet, it's time for a toast," Harry announced. "Grab your shot and meet me on the dance floor," he added.
"Is that an order?" Theo blinked.
"Hells yes!" Harry demanded, the soldiers grabbed their shots and moved to the middle of the floor while ignoring the disapproving looks from family or friends about Harry buying them all drinks. When all fifteen were assembled around their company leader, the man held his shot. "Well, ya know. It occurred to me that this ain't my platoon, so the honor of the toast goes to you, Mr. Haddock,"
Hunter's eyes widened a bit. "Oh no, no. This was your idea, Major and our platoons make up part of your company. So, I insist that you give it," Hunter informed.
"Hunt, I'm wasted. I don't think that's a good idea cuz I'll embarrass the shit outta all you," Harry mentioned.
"How in the name of Thor are you drunk already? Party only started an hour ago," Nikolas arched a brow.
"Hey, even I like to sit back and relax now and then. Now shush, Lieutenant Haddock has the floor," Harry wobbled a bit. Hunter rolled his eyes as he took Harry's shot from him and made him sit down at the table where his guests were. "My shot..." Harry tried to protest.
"Yeah, no. If you're this drunk, then you aren't having more. You're cut off, Major Andersen," Hunter told him.
"I don't want the shot to go to waste..." Harry frowned.
"It won't. I'll drink it for you when I make the toast okay?" Hunter said as Harry beamed happily and Hunter stepped back with his platoon, then it got quiet. "We might not be able to see you, but we feel when you walk beside us wherever we go, and we know we're not alone. The bonds we have made can never be broken by time, distance, or even death. This one is for all of you. To our fallen friends!" Hunter raised his glass up.
"Well said! Here's to you assholes, you know who you are," Conner nodded raising his, and the soldiers of Hooligan lifted their glasses up next.
"To our fallen friends!" they all cheered before tapping the shots together then sucking them back, swallowing, and finally just laughing then finally went back to their tables to sit down and relax.
"Hunter, don't forget mine! You promised me!" Harry told Hunter while holding up the second shot. Hunter took it from him and slammed it back quick then put the glass down. "Atta boy. Didn't think a kid like you could handle four shots rapid fire," he chuckled patting Hunter's back.
"F-Four?" Audrey asked, "He only had two,"
"Nope, Hunter's shots were doubles. That's what I do for the platoon leaders when I buy drinks, so he had two doubles, that makes four," Harry giggled. "Man, you took 'em like a champ too. I'll have to take you drinking with Asher, Caleb, Brady, and me some time," he added.
"You alright, son?" Salvatore inquired.
"I'm good, Dad," Hunter stated while sitting down to relax. Yeah, four shots might not have been settling with him so well. That was okay; he could just sit still for a bit and let it rest. Of course, that didn't last when the other guys got up and changed the projector to show one of the times they were dancing to "Sexy & I Know It."
"Oh, my Gods. You guys didn't..." Renee laughed.
"Sadly, we did," Treyden sighed as Hunter facepalmed hard as everyone watched them sing and act out the entire music video, right down to them removing most of their clothes except a pair camo shorts.
"Were you guys drunk?" Eddie questioned.
"Forbidden on deployment so no. We were just fucking bored and decided to see what random shit we could come up with," Theo mentioned. When the video ended, it went back to showing photos and music playing from the DJ booth that only had an iPod playing on random. For the next hour, everyone was just talking and relaxing with some dinner. Hunter ended up finishing the beer Harry bought for him but after that, he wasn't drinking anymore because it wasn't resting well in his stomach, likely due to the fact he'd never had any hard liquor before and should have paced himself with some food in between. Honestly, he was getting pretty tired. Four shots and beer was taking its toll; matters did not improve when the music changed to something else; the Macarena and Striker Two was up right away to start dancing to it.
"You guys have no flare. If you're gonna do the Macarena, add some real dance to it!" Conner yelled to them.
"You think you can do it so much better, then get up here and do it!" replied one of the girls.
"Let's move, Striker One. We'll show them how you do it," Theo said as they all got up to start, but Hunter stayed in his seat and watched them all fail miserably.
"Come on, Hunt!" Amber invited.
"Hah, no way. You have fun,"
"We can't do this without you. Please?" Treyden pleaded. Hunter rolled his eyes and got up then removed his hate, outer belt, and formal coat. Hunter placed all those items on his chair before going over to the booth and restarting the song, while that opened he put Striker One in place before taking his spot at the front. Finally, the eight began and took everyone by surprise. The song was a remixed version, so the boys and one girl had their dance for it while still doing the original. There was a lot of hips rocking and rear end shaking, but damn did they do an excellent job because Striker Two ended up sitting back down while huffing and pouting that they were basically out-danced by the others.
As it ended the eight of them connected hands laughing before returning to their seats. "I didn't know you could move like that, Hunter," Heather stated.
"Audrey could have told you; she knows all too well," Hunter chuckled.
"Hunter!" Audrey blushed embarrassed knowing what Hunter was talking about and then she punched him in the side which didn't make his stomach feel too good.
"Ow! Hey, let me remind you that if you crack or break one of my ribs these days with those punches, then it's you who loses out on the sex until I heal," Hunter grunted a bit. "That's six to eight weeks in case you were curious," he added. Audrey bit her bottom lip and snuggled against his shoulder. "Uh huh. That's what I thought," he added then kissed her forehead.
"And I didn't know you could move like that. Like wow, babe," Audrey giggled.
"You knew I could move my hips; you didn't know I could dance," Hunter informed.
"All of you did an excellent job," Viola mentioned. Hunter smiled, she was trying, so he wouldn't knock it. The party continued while everyone was having fun. Striker One ended up doing a single shot together, then getting back on the dance floor with a beer in hand while singing and dancing to boy bands such as Nsync, Backstreet Boys, Dreamstreet, 98 Degrees, Savage Garden, O-Town, Yellowcard, so on and so forth. As the celebration was coming to an end, Hunter had Audrey in his lap with arms locked around her.
"I can't believe summer is almost over," Audrey frowned.
"Only a year left of school, Milady," Hunter chuckled, "Oh, that does remind me though. Over the course of this week, start packing your camping things and clothes,"
"We're going camping?!" Audrey exclaimed happily.
"Didn't I promise we would? Yes, we're going camping for a week at Thor's Edge. We leave next Monday, come home Sunday. I got us a site along the river, perfect view of the mountains, sunrise, and sunset. The bathrooms, showers, store, and pool are all within a six-minute walk. Tent to sleep in as requested with an air mattress, pillows, and blankets. I've got everything else we need; you just have to pack your clothes, bathing suits, some towels, sandals, sneakers, the stuff you want with you," Hunter enlightened.
"Will we get to see you at all?" Caitlyn inquired.
"Of course, you guys are welcome to come up for the day if you want. We can do a couple of days with family and friends, but you're in charge of bringing food for yourselves. I got what Audrey and I need, or better yet, warn me the days you come, and we can plan for it. We might not always be available," Hunter said.
"Fair enough, son," Salvatore nodded as he understood what Hunter meant by that, for some days the two of them were going to want to be alone. "We should be getting home, it's been a long day, and I know you're tired, Hunter. You aren't used to drinking. Five shots and two beers, I'm surprised you haven't shown signs of being drunk yet,"
"That's because I was eating before I started drinking and have thus since been munching on the bread because it soaks up the alcohol. However, I won't say no to getting home as I'm tired and have work tomorrow at 4 am," Hunter agreed with the idea. Without much more being said, Hunter and his guests packed up to leave. Hunter said goodbye to his friends, then got in his father's car with Caitlyn, Audrey, Shane, and his parents as they returned to the Haddock House. Shane went home, but Audrey was spending the night with Hunter as expected. Hunter and Audrey couldn't wait for this week to be over; they were going camping next week!
