=Normal POV=

(Monday, August 5, 2019-4:05 pm)

[Berk Police Department]

Three days ago, Spencer learned that his only son, Hayden, had joined the Marines, and was now getting deployed to Syria for an eighteen-month tour of duty. The information was revealed by Spencer's long-time friend from Middle School, Gabriel Forger, who happens to be Hayden's legal Godfather, and unofficial uncle. The forty-nine-year-old man sighed slowly with a hand on his forehead while his eyes were closed and thinking back to three days ago.

/Flashback; August 2, 2019-6:35 pm/

Spencer and Vivian Haddock sat in silence and utter shock after Gabriel said what he had about Hayden being an Archipelago Islands Marine. Not more than a few moments before that, Hayden had called to tell Gabriel that he was going overseas for eighteen months, then hung up to avoid the confrontation with his parents about the information.

"Hayden is-," Spencer began.

"MY BABY BOY IS IN THE MARINES?!" Vivian screeched.

"And getting deployed for eighteen months," Gabriel added with a nod.

"Explain, now!" Spencer demanded.

"I won't say nothing unless the lad says I can," Gabriel retorted while sending a message to Hayden.

Can I tell ur folks everything? {Sent/Delivered; 6:37 pm}

"You just said you guessed he doesn't care," Vivian reminded. The message turned to Read at 6:38 pm.

"About you knowing him being in the Marines, but that doesn't cover all the other information you want," Gabriel rolled his eyes. There was a ding as Gabriel checked his phone.

Only regarding the Marines. No # or address. Deploying 2 Syria 4 18 mts & leavin 8/16/19 at 0500 from Ft. Archian. Tell u rest l8er. {Received; 6:39 pm}

"Well?" Spencer and Vivian urged for an answer knowing that Hayden must have just replied.

"No wonder he's all stressed out," Gabriel sighed after learning his Godson/Nephew was leaving in two weeks for a long deployment. Gabriel sighed while replying.

I'm comin 2 see u in a few. {Sent/Delivered; 6:41 pm} The text turned to Read, but no reply. Gabriel could tell Hayden had to be freaking out, so Gabriel would go see him after he dealt with Spencer and Vivian.

"Sit down and I'll tell you, but only about Hayden's involvement in the Marines. He's not ready for you to know the rest and it's likely because of what happened in April," Gabriel muttered as Spencer and Vivian took a seat on the couch beside one another, and waited for Gabriel to start.

/End Flashback/

Spencer raked his hand through his hair as there was a knock on the door. "Come in," Spencer lifted his head as the door opened to reveal Avery Hofferson, one of Spencer's best officers.

"Here's that report you asked me to type up, Chief Haddock," Avery handed him the folder.

Spencer took it with a nod. "Thank you, Officer Hofferson,"

"Am I all set for the day?" Avery inquired.

"You are," Spencer replied while setting the folder down after peeking through it, then putting it in a basket on his desk with some others.

"Is everything okay, Chief Haddock? You look stressed out, perhaps an early day for you as well?" Avery offered.

"Unfortunately, Avery; I'm not alright. Vivian and I found out where Hayden has been all this time, and we're worried about where he's going next. Close the door, I'll tell you," Spencer invited. Avery closed to door and sat down in the chair across from Spencer. "Hayden called Gabriel a couple night ago, and informed him that he was deploying for eighteen months,"

Avery gasped, eyes widening in shock. "De-Deploying?! B-But that would mean he's in the military," Avery stated quickly.

Spencer nodded to her. "The Marines to be precise," Avery couldn't believe it. "According to Gabriel, Hayden joined a month after moving out of the house to Archia Isle, and now he's being deployed for eighteen months to Syria,"

"I-Is he going to come back here to say goodbye to anyone? Have you spoken to him?" Avery asked.

"I don't think so. Hayden told Gabriel over voice chat on Friday night and knew right away that Gabriel was over mine and Vivian's house. Hayden informed Gabriel, then hung up saying he didn't want to deal with the argument. I assume this was a reference to Vivian and me not understanding anything," Spencer enlightened.

"When does he leave? Maybe we can find him?" Avery suggested. Spencer shook his head.

"Hayden is at Fort Archian, and will staying through till August 16th," Spencer said. "Tell your friends, but I don't believe we'll be seeing Hayden at all until the eighteen months is up," Avery nodded as she got up and exited the office while pulling out her phone and sending a group text to Drew, Hailey, Rylee, Tyler, Fisher, and Shane.

Found Hayden is & ur not going to believe it. Meet me RPP -AH. {Sent/Delivered; 4:12 pm}

No way! Ty & I be there in 10. -RT {Received; 4:13 pm}

Just got off. Comin in 5. -SJ {Received; 4:15 pm}

Already here by the fountain. -FI {Received; 4:16 pm}

Hailey & I on way. 7 away -DB {Received; 4:18 pm}

Avery set her phone down in the cupholder of her car, then started it up and headed right for Raven Point Park to meet the others.

. . .

[Raven Point Park; Fountain]

(4:30 pm)

Rylee and Tyler were last to arrive, but they came running up, panting. "We're here, sorry," Tyler tried to catch his breath.

"Where is Hayden? Is he here?" Hailey asked quickly.

Avery shook her head. "Hayden's on the main island until the 16th of this month," she informed.

"Alright, start talking," Drew told her.

"You're not going to believe this, but Hayden is in the Barbaric Archipelago Islands Armed Forces," Avery stated as their eyes widened, and mouths dropped open. "Yeah, I gave that reaction too," she said.

"How do you know this?" Fisher asked.

"Spencer told me as I was leaving the station today," Avery enlightened.

"Which branch?" Shane inquired.

"Marines," Avery told them.

"How much of this do you know about?" Rylee wondered.

"As much as Spencer does," Avery remarked. "Hayden joined the Marines back in November and got sworn in sometime in December, then shipped off to Boot Camp in January. Which is why Gabriel said that day that Hayden has been on Archia Isle since then,"

"So, is he still training or whatever?" Tyler questioned.

Avery shook her head. "Hayden finished Boot Camp and School of Infantry in June. I guess Hayden is an Infantry Warrior, and Spencer only found all this out last Friday when Hayden called Gabriel to tell him that Hayden's Company is deploying for eighteen months,"

"You mean duty station, don't you?" Hailey asked as Avery frowned, shaking her head once more.

"No, Hayden is DEPLOYING overseas to Syria for eighteen months to fight in the war. Hayden leaves on the 16th from Fort Archian at 5 am," Avery stared at them as their faces fell in disbelief, and worry. "Hayden is on the main island right now, preparing to go,"

"Wait, if Hayden has been on Archia Isle since January, then doesn't that mean after he moved out last October; he was still on Berk?" Drew looked at his sister and friends.

"My Gods, you're right. So where was he staying?" Hailey realized.

Avery shrugged her shoulders. "Spencer didn't get that information. Gabriel only told him and Vivian about the Marines stuff,"

"Gabriel has to know everything," Shane pointed out.

"Yeah, but he's not gonna say. So what do we do about this?" Fisher rolled his eyes.

"We can't do anything. Hayden is on a military base, and we can't go there. Spencer can't either because him being Chief of Berk Police does not supersede the Armed Forces, and since it's Archia Isle; Spencer doesn't have jurisdiction there. Unfortunately, I don't think we're gonna get any chance to see Hayden until he comes back from his tour," Avery sighed.

"You mean IF Hayden returns," Drew reminded them. The friends looked at one another worried. "It's a war, guys. We can't deny the possibility that Hayden could come home in a flag-draped casket, or not at all. All we can do is wait, and pray for the best," The group of seven glanced down and closed their eyes with a sigh from each.

. . .

[Main Island; Fort Archian]

=Hayden's POV=

(Friday, August 16, 2019-4:45 am)

Well, today is the day; Alpha Company is leaving for Aleppo, Syria in fifteen minutes. Every one of us was dressed in our brown, tan, black, and green patterned ACU's with a long brown bag on one shoulder and a green backpack on our back. We would receive our guns and swords when we arrived at the Archian Military Outpost in Syria; this was a primary operating station in the heaviest of the fighting areas.

"Staff Sergeant Haddock!" Kristopher yelled as I looked over and moved away from Troy's side. Yes, I was promoted four ranks from Private to Staff Sergeant; this is what took place in Commander Bludvist's office on the 2nd of August. The Drill Sergeants we all had have to stay behind for training new recruits, so Donovan decided to promote ten people to fill in as Squad Leaders. Seymour and I were chosen from Inferno Platoon. Seymour made Lance Corporal, and I somehow hit Staff Sergeant. I didn't understand why, but it didn't matter. I spent six hours in the Commander's office with the other nine promoted Warriors for a meeting on everything regarding the tour. The worst part, I think I got made Staff Sergeant for an entirely different reason than I'd been given.

"Yes, Lieutenant Hunters?" I saluted him.

"Do you remember everything you were told in Commander Bludvist's office two weeks ago?" Kristopher asked.

"I do," I nodded.

"Good. Do you know why you were made a Staff Sergeant?" Kristopher wondered. I shook my head this time. "It's because you're in control of the Platoon in the field or when I can't be," my eyes widened a bit. "Every Platoon has been assigned one Staff Sergeant to act as Squad Leader. Staff Sergeant is the lowest rank in the Staff Non-Commissioned Officers level. It means that you're my second in command, and if anything happens to me; you immediately move into my position and take control of the Platoon. You understand, right?"

"I lead Inferno Platoon in your absence," I replied. I didn't like this; why was I chosen to be in charge? So on top of already stressing about leading the Viking Squad since Seymour had the Dragon one, I have to worry about commanding the entire Platoon if Kristopher wasn't present on missions, or ended up passing away? This wasn't fair; I'm only nineteen-years-old. This is what had me all messed up after learning about the deployment that I needed time to settle with before telling Troy, and now this when we're about to depart? I hoped the five hour and forty-one-minute flight would be enough for me to deal with this.

"Back to your Platoon, Sergeant," Kristopher dismissed as I moved back next to Troy and sighed.

"Everything okay?" Troy inquired.

"I'm Lieutenant Hunters's second in command. When he's not around, or if he passes away; I lead the entire Inferno Platoon. That's why I was made a Staff Sergeant," I revealed.

"Time to load up, Warriors!" Kristopher yelled to Inferno. Group by group, we made our way to the back of the plane, then took our seats. This didn't take a long time, but it was a pain to do roll call all over again. The Platoon Leaders had their second in commands do it, and report to them. After checking the twenty-four people of Inferno were all here, I looked at Kristopher with a salute.

"All Inferno Platoon present, sir!" I reported. Kristopher nodded, then took his seat as I sat down with a sigh. It's 5 am, and I'm exhausted. With any luck, we'll be landing right around lunchtime in Syria since it's two hours ahead of the Archipelago. Moments later, the plane began to move down the runway; picking up speed and finally, lifting off the ground and into the air as we headed Southeast towards Aleppo, Syria to begin our eighteen-month tour of tour of duty.