{Hayden's POV}
(Sunday, August 1, 2021-1:15 pm)
[Isle of Berk; Thor's Beach]
It's been about two weeks, and I still can't believe that Troy and I engaged! It was something that I couldn't have ever predicted he would do, but I'm glad Troy did. I learned later on that Troy planned everything for that night with having everyone over so he could propose with them there. I guess I kind'a messed things up by taking off because I believed Troy wanted to break up with me. I should have known better; Troy and I are in love, and we were best friends. Nothing could tear us apart, and I've thoroughly accepted that information. I went through my evaluation with Donovan and the doctor from the first time, so everything has been updated in my file, and the person who handled the exam apologized for losing the first one. I've forgiven Avery, but I know Troy still doesn't like or trust her. I guess I can't blame him for that either, but he tolerates her for my sake. Cole and Rosanna are doing well, and she's due to give birth to their daughter at the end of this month or early in September. The doctors try to provide a time frame of two weeks before or after the due date of birth. If Rosanna goes over her due date, they will schedule an induction. Yeah, things are going fantastic for everyone.
Hailey and Fisher are still dating. Shane, Rylee, Tyler, and Avery remain single. Gabriel is doing a lot better from his accident in February; he's fully healed now and given a clean bill of health. Troy's parents and mine continue to work their jobs. And yet, all I could be thankful for is that everyone was getting along! Troy and I have talked about minimal plans regarding the wedding; we were going to shoot for something small with only family and friends. Troy and I have picked our date, but nobody else knows yet; we would tell them today when everyone met up to hang out. When I said everyone, I mean friends, parents, and my uncle. We were all going to the beach, a change up from the park. The weather was warm, so why not? Everyone was in charge of bringing whatever they wanted for the day. Troy and I stopped a grinder shop for our lunch; sandwiches, soda, and chips. Also, we had a double-seater camping chair with add-on tables. It was going to be a good day, or at least I hoped so. I was feeling a bit tired with a headache, likely because I didn't manage to fall asleep until 2 am, then Troy woke up at 4:30 am to use the bathroom. His shifting got me to wake up, then we had sex when he came back. It was a long night, to say the least. Right now; Troy and I were just reaching the beach after sitting in traffic for fifteen minutes. Luckily, we found a place to park, then grab our gear and head onto the beach to meet up with the others.
"Found them!" Troy announced with a smile as he pointed to the place we were heading.
"Well, let's get going then," I smiled. Troy and I walked through the sand to join the rest of the group.
"Hey, there you two are," Hailey giggled.
"Stuck in traffic," Troy mumbled as we set down the blanket first, then our chair to sit in. After that, we grabbed our towels and laid them on the back of the seat before relaxing. "Finally,"
"Right?" I chuckled while looking around. I don't think I've been to the beach since the Summer before Senior Year started. It's definitely been a few years, and I love the feeling of being here with friends and family. "This was a great idea,"
We haven't done this since we were teenagers," Tyler stated.
"Nice to kick back now and then," Rylee agreed with her brother.
"The one thing I don't get is why the military is here," Shane mentioned as I blinked. What? Even Troy sat up. Shane pointed as I turned my head to see a group working in the water. Or maybe they were training? I reached into my gray bag and pulled out a pair of binoculars.
"It's a platoon of Marines and…Hah, I don't believe it. Babe, check it out," I smiled handing him the binoculars as Troy stood up to look through them, then he laughed.
"What in the name of-Is that the Grimborn brothers?" Troy asked as I nodded. "Huh, weird. It does raise the question of why they are here, though,"
"Should I go ask them or call Bludvist?" I wondered.
"Babe, you're my boss, so you make the decision," Troy reminded.
"Oh, yeah. I keep forgetting I'm a Second Lieutenant with Hunters gone…" I mumbled. "But you're my second in command, and I rely on you for suggestions,"
"Huh, can't argue that. I would just ask Vincent or Ryan," Troy offered. I grabbed my phone and called Vincent.
"Hey, it's Lieutenant Haddock. What are you and your brother doing at Thor's Beach?" I asked. Silence a moment. "Well, I know you're at the beach because I'm standing about the length of two football fields away and can see you. Look to your right," I remarked with a hand up and waving. "Isn't all training supposed to be done at Fort Archian?" I questioned. "Ah, that makes sense then. What are you working on?" A pause. "Oh, come on. It can't be that bad; you two managed Inferno, and we were a difficult group to train," I sighed. "Oh, really? Bring them over," Pause. "I did not ask for an excuse Sergeant Major Grimborn," I hung up a moment later.
"Should I even ask?" Troy wondered.
"I guess these recruits are giving Vin and Ryan a hard time, and something is happening at the base, so the groups spread out over the islands for training this weekend," I explained.
"You're going to scare them, aren't you?" Troy arched a brow. I didn't answer as Vincent and Ryan approached with a group of twelve men behind them. I crossed my arms over my chest and heard Troy chuckle a bit. "Yeah; he's gonna scare the shit out of them,"
"I'm confused," Cole said.
"Just watch; you know this Hayden Haddock, but you haven't met Lieutenant Hayden Haddock yet," Troy emphasized.
"Sir," Ryan and Vincent brought their hands up for a salute. I returned it, then motioned my hand to the side as they stepped off.
{Normal POV}
Hayden remained calm, and Troy grinned a little. "You're all so screwed," he crossed his arms over his chest.
"We aren't of afraid of him," one remarked.
"No, but you will be," Ryan remarked.
"You don't know who you're dealing with," Vincent added. "Haddock might be young, but he's a higher rank than me,"
"Oh, come on. You're a Master Sergeant, there's no way he can be higher than you," another said.
"You're only training us to be put into another platoon, which seems kind of stupid. We did all our training," someone stated.
"Your situation is different, you are being trained in the ways of the platoon you're joining. Your platoon leader runs things a specific way, and he doesn't take to disobedience or disrespect," Ryan informed.
"Yeah, well, it's been like two weeks, and we still haven't met this guy yet," one huffed.
"Who is he? We haven't been told anything about where we're going or who is supposed to be a fearless leader," a man scoffed.
"You're joining Inferno Platoon, and Haddock is your commanding officer," Vincent sighed.
"Come on, the guy is grinning. How serious can he be?" one of them motioned to Troy.
"Oh, I'm afraid you've got it wrong. I'm not Haddock," Troy responded. "This is Haddock," Troy tilted his head towards a very unamused looking Hayden.
"Are you serious?" a few laughed.
"There's no way this kid is a commanding officer," someone said.
"Is this some kind of joke?" another inquired.
"It's sad that you were able to complete training with that manner of thinking. However, definitely something I can remedy. So, you don't want to listen to the two Drill Sergeants trying to teach you how I run things and you choose to fuck around because you think this is some kind of a game? That's unfortunate and a disgrace to not just the Marines but to all of the branches in the Barbaric Archipelago Military. You don't want to hear the warnings, then you get nothing. Fall in," Hayden ordered. None of them moved, seemingly unphased by the calm demeanor. Hayden's eyes narrowed. "Still want to disobey? Or perhaps you didn't hear me; it is a bit noisy," Hayden stated.
"Ut-oh," Troy said.
"Oh, boy," Vincent and Ryan sighed. Troy, Vincent, and Ryan took a few steps back, gulping as the Warriors got a little nervous.
Hayden cracked his neck, giving a hard glare now as the three males who moved away winced for the impending outburst. "I said…FALL THE FUCK IN NOW!" Hayden yelled. The men quickly moved into position. "Attention!" he demanded next. The Warriors stood with their feet together and hands at their sides. "Present Arms!" the males brought their hands up to salute. "Order Arms," they returned them to their sides instantly. "Parade Rest!" Hayden commanded as the men spread their legs shoulder-width apart, hands being their backs. The friends and family could believe it; Hayden spoke with such a thick, forceful, tone and these guys didn't want to test him at all anymore. "At Ease!" the males relaxed but did not talk or move.
"Let me make one thing quite clear; I might only be twenty-one-years-old, but I'm an Expert Level Shooter with various types of guns and Master in Swordplay. I'm a Special Operations Warrior and Infantry Marine in the Alpha Company, and I'm the leader of the Inferno Platoon at the rank of Second Lieutenant. You're in my platoon, boys and I don't tolerate disrespect or disobedience. We listen in my platoon, and if you don't; I make you. To put it just; you do as your fucking told or have a bad time. Is that understood, Warriors?!" Hayden demanded.
"Yes, Second Lieutenant Haddock!" they men replied together.
"That not listening shit doesn't fly in my platoon, got it? I'm all for having fun, and I'm a pretty laid back guy, but there is a time and a place for everything. Training for combat situations where you need to LISTEN to your COMMANDING OFFICER is NOT ONE OF THEM! We don't fuck around when there is work to be done! You screw around like that while deployed and someone will get hurt or killed. Believe me; it can happen in the blink of an eye. You don't think it can happen to you until you're watching a fellow warrior, comrade, teammate…A friend gets killed on the battlefield. No matter how much you want to think it can't; it can, and I have seen it first hand," Hayden informed. The Warriors looked down.
"And from this moment forward I expect you to be the Marines you were trained to be who defend the Barbaric Archipelago. You represent a proud force in the military that fights in the air, on land, and sea. At the end of the day; we are all the same. So how about we not let height, weight, color, heritage, ethnicity, or even age get in the way of the one thing we all have in common; we're a team of fearless warriors who fight to protect our way of life, our home, and our freedom," Hayden reminded.
"Sir, yes sir!" the group of males shouted.
"Good. Rest, and you are dismissed," Hayden remarked. The males relaxed fully, smiling and nodding to him.
"The Dragon born to pledge their lives and sacred honor. Was smiled upon and freed from chains and iron collar," Gabriel started.
"He is held aloft on unity and by history revered, for preserving peace through strength; his wings now reach across hundreds of years," Hayden began to say with his uncle. Troy smiled as he stood next to Hayden.
"But for each of those and one year more, Odin has smiled upon the Corps. From the Barbary Coast to the Eastern Sand…" Troy, Hayden, and Gabriel said. Vincent and Ryan stepped up next, putting their arms around one another's shoulders.
"By sword, by gun, or by bare hand. And so its said and shall be weighed; though many are born, few are made," the five smiled.
"Faithful always they shall remain; dogs to loose when war is waged!" the twelve warriors said with the others.
"Perhaps you should show them the Inferno Platoon theme song?" Troy offered.
"Oh, come on. I'm not doing that; they'll learn with time," Hayden chuckled.
"The platoon has a theme song?" one of the males blinked.
"And Hayden came up with it too, based on another song but more centered for Marines. He did it while we were deployed," Troy beamed.
"Can we please hear it?!" the group of Marines asked.
"Perhaps next Drill Weekend; I'm with family and friends right now," Hayden mentioned.
"And what if we wanted to hear it too, son?" Vivian inquired.
"I know I'm curious," Gabriel chuckled.
Hayden mumbled. "Fine; I'll play it one time," he sighed afterward. Hayden grabbed his phone from his bag, then a portable speaker which he plugged in. "Alright; it's called The Warrior Song. The initial version talks about Soldiers, but as Troy pointed out; mine is redone to capture the Marine way. And since we do everything hardcore and we're the only force that refers to ourselves as Devil Dog Warriors; I decided to call it The Warrior Song, Hard Corps Version,"
The music started with just a guitar and drum entrance that gradually picked up faster. "I am a Marine on the beach; I'm a killing machine with the need to bleed you when the light goes green. Best believe I'm in the zone to be from my Yin to my Yang to my Yang TZ. Put a grin on my chin, come to me 'cause I'll win. I'm one of a kind, and I'll bring death to the place you're about to be. Another river of blood running under my feet." Hayden started.
The others were a bit shocked to hear the song, but it was good, and the Warriors were getting all hyped up and excited about it. Even Gabriel was enjoying it. Troy came next to Hayden now, holding his hand. "Forged in a fire lit long ago. Stand next to me; you'll never stand alone. I'm last to leave, but the first to go. Hardcore is the only way I know. I feed on the fear of the Devil inside of the enemy faces in my sight. Aim with the hand, shoot with the mind, kill with a heart like arctic ice." Troy and Hayden sang together.
"I am a Devil-Dog; I'm marching on!" Hayden called.
"I am a Devil-Dog; I'm marching on!" Vincent, Troy, and Ryan replied back.
"I am a Warrior, and this is my song!" Hayden said.
"I am a Warrior, and this is my song!" the three responded. Hayden chuckled a little and shook his head.
"I bask in the glow of the rising war. Lay waste to the ground of an enemy shore. Wade through the blood spilled on the floor, and if another one stands; I'll kill some more. Bullet in the breach and a fire in me, like a cigarette thrown to gasoline. If death don't bring you fear, then death ain't brought by no Marine. Come to the nightmare, come to me. Deep down in the dark where the Devil be with the maw, the jaws and the razor teeth where the brimstone burns and the angel weeps. Call to the Gods if I cross your path and my silhouette hangs like a body bag. Hope is a moment now long past; the shadow of death is the one I cast!" Hayden and Troy continued together.
"I am a Devil-Dog; I'm marching on. I am a Warrior, and this is my song! Hell has no demon I won't overcome; I am a Warrior, and this is my song!" Hayden, Troy, Vincent, and Ryan sang together now. There was a brief pause, and the music picked up once more.
"Finish it, babe," Troy urged as Hayden nodded.
"Now I live lean, and I mean to inflict the grief. And the least of me is still out of your reach. The killing machine's gonna do the deed until the river runs dry, and my last breath leaves. Chin in the air with a head held high; I'll stand in the path of the enemy line. Feel no fear. Know my pride. For Odin and island; I'll end your life!" Hayden smiled while using a shallow tone, and it was pretty cool.
"I am Devil-Dog; I'm marching on. I am a Warrior, and this is my song. Hell has no demon I won't overcome. I am a Warrior, and this is my song. I make the Devil himself turn and run! I am Warrior, and this is my song. Into the fire; I will keep marching on! Ooh-Rah, Marine Corps; get some!" Troy, Hayden, Ryan, and Vincent finished while connecting hands. Of course, Hayden got a hug and kiss on top of the other thing. The song ended as people started clapping, and not just the group or the platoon, others around them as well. Hayden disconnected his phone and offered a slight bow.
"That was incredible! You are officially the coolest CO ever!" one of the younger members. Hayden shrugged his shoulders.
"As I said; we all know how to have a good time as long as everyone knows when the fun stops and work begins," Hayden said.
"Aye, sir!" they all replied.
"Alright, now beat it. I'm with my fiance, family, and friends for the remainder of the day. I will see the lot of you for Drill Weekend," Hayden dismissed. Vincent, Ryan, and the twelve Warriors walked off.
"Well, that was entertaining!" Gabriel chuckled.
"Yeah, yeah. Now, that I'm done working as it were; let's get back to hanging out," Hayden stated as the group nodded and broke out their food for lunch, then continued to enjoy their day, and time together. Hayden just hoped he might start feeling better soon because his appetite wasn't there and all that yelling and singing made his throat hurt on top of a headache and exhaustion.