Kate and the team arrived back to Legion HQ with no further issues. It was a smooth ride, with no turbulence even. Killifish and Catfish rounded up the supplies they managed to fit into the Iroquois onto a passing jeep and the driver sped off to the base's armory to unload the gear. It would help supply the new recruits, however, they had also been the team to procure them. Due to Legion rules, that entitled them to anything they wanted before the supplies were distributed to the troops.
Kate had grabbed three items, two new knives. Theywere long and slim, with a red katana style handle and guard. They both had a red scabbard, with a dragon etched onto both sides. Killifish had told her it was called a Tanto. She had also found an old Vietnam war M16A1 as well, with all original parts. It looked like someone had been taking care of this weapon...
Kate inhaled the oceanic air and let out a sigh. She packed her loot into a duffel bag that Sheppard had thrown at her, she slung the bag over her shoulder, her hand resting on the strap. "Goodnight boys, see you around. Rest up."
"Thank you ma'am." Killifish responded before walking away. He had snagged a shotgun that was cut down for CQC, he was inspecting the pump action weapon.
"Sub-C?" The voice of Caracal stayed behind. She let out a barely audible sigh before she turned to face him.
"Caracal, I was not a fan of your behavior on our mission. In a mission like tha' there is no time for squabble or shenanigans. Take this as your first warning. If you become a hindrance to me or yer team again, ye consider yerself discharged, aye?" Kate sternly told him, her accent coming out due to stress.
"Yes ma'am." Caracal frowned at the punishment, expecting a reprimanding.
Kate shook her arms at her sides before walking to her living quarters. She didn't get too far before she overheard a conversation. "Did you hear that Commander Draco convinced Scotty to put a goddamn sauna on the base?"
"Seriously? That honestly sounds like a hassle. More stuff to clean. I mean…we just finished scarping off bird shit, too!"
"Yeah you're right about that. But it's gotta be good for the soul tho, right?"
"Have you seen any of the new girls?! Natasha, that russian broad? How about Cécile? I heard she's a French Spec Ops. GIGN, by the looks of her uniform. Oh, and there's a few other Legionnaires like us. Let me think...hmm...Swan, Robin, Elf, and a few more, too!"
"I'm starting to like all these girls getting recruited! The Captain has the right thing in mind!" Kate rolled her eyes at the small-talk and continued on her journey to her bed. She unlocked her room and waltzed in, surprisingly finding an empty bed.
She hummed a tune to herself and undressed. After getting ready for the night, shower and all, Kate collapsed her back on the bed. Her eyes stared up at the dark ceiling. She closed her eyes and saw the large cannon barrel of the tank in front of her. In a panic, she opened her eyes and looked around the room. "Jeez." She groaned. I coulda died back there. Kate frowned. She almost felt…regret. Or was it sadness? Emptiness? There was no fulfillment that the mission was complete. Sure, it was a relief…but she walked away with something else. She could have died. Kate folded her forearms over her eyes. I could have died…and he wouldn't have known that I love him...
November 12, [REDACTED] - 07:00
Percy Cameron opened his eyes that automatically fell on the clock sitting adjacent to his bed. Ugh, I slept in. I'm surprised no one woke me up. Percy swung his legs over the side of the bed. He rubbed his dry eyes and raised his half-naked body from the bed, as he got ready for the day, the radio finally blared. He picked it up from the small bed-side table and turned it to receive. "This is Scotty."
"Good Morning Captain." It was Delacroix. "I heard through the grapevine that you were back. When you have to opportunity, can you come to the Command tower? Draco wishes to speak with you."
"Yeah, I'll be there in a flash. Just waking up."
"Alright. See you soon. Over and out."
"Over and out." Percy stretched his arms out to her sides. He threw on some khaki pants with a black long-sleeved shirt. He pulled up the sleeves just under his elbows. After stuffing the radio into one of the pant pockets, he was out. Once descending to deck Percy made his way to the mess hall. At one of the tables, he spotted a Legionnaire named Swan sitting with a girl and Cécile. The French woman had long, straight blonde hair that was held away from her face with a large bandana. No doubt she was beautiful if he were to get a good look at her face. Percy's eyes floated to the girl who was sporting a cast on her broken leg…a little surprised she could actually get up and move even after two days of bed-rest. Rosal couldn't keep her down for long!
"Oh! Hey Captain!" Swan spotted him. She held up her arm and waved for Percy to come over to the table.
"Let me grab some food, I'll be right over." Percy waved with his response. He walked over to one of the cooks.
"What can I get for ya Captain?" He greeted.
"Just a Dagwood."
"Coming right up." The chef made the glorious sandwich and handed it to him on a plastic tray. His next stop was the coffee machine that looked like it had just been brewed.
"Score." He grabbed a mug and filled it with the delicious dark liquid. With no hesitation after the mug was filled, he made his way to the table of females. "Good morning." Percy placed down his food and mug next to Swan and across from the two girls.
"A good morning it is." The girl said, taking a sip of some coffee. She spoke with a heavy Russian accent.
"Good to see you up and out of bed, Miss. You sure do heal fast."
"You're…Scotty, right? The Captain of this unit?" She brushed her brown hair back with her right hand.
"I am." He nodded then looked over to the new blonde. Her eyes were a beautiful sky-blue that only framed her perfectly proportioned face. She had high cheekbones with slender features. If there was a word that described her beauty…breathtaking would sum it up. "And you must be Cécile. Hard to see your beautiful face when it's covered by a helmet and that bandanna...you meet Draco yet?"
"Oui!" She confirmed with a smile. "Ze Commander is quite ze…" She paused, almost like she couldn't think of a word.
"I could only imagine the word you're going to say." Percy chuckled to himself. "How are the three of you enjoying our Headquarters so far?"
"Ah, out here is heaven compared to living in the mountains constantly being on the run from the Sang mercenaries. That medic, Rosal, has taken such good care of me since you saved me from the battle. I will be assigned to the combat unit soon; pull my own weight and return the favor." She started. "I'm starting to enjoy life here, too." Percy took a bite out of his sandwich, slowly savoring the taste.
"I think it is wonderful!" Cécile clapped her hands together with a smile. "There are so many birds that fly overhead and come to visit! Albatross, terns, tropicbirds…all the seabirds I'd never have a chance to see in France!"
Percy nodded and took another bite out of his sandwich. "I am enjoying myself as well." Swan added, cheerfully. "Thanks for assigning me to the mess hall. I added some Costa Rican recipes to the menu!" She smiled sweetly.
"Mmmm, that sounds delicious. I can't wait to try some." Percy added, taking the final bite of his sandwich, finishing it off.
"In any case, I've got to go catch up with Draco and Kate. It was nice meeting you Cécile and officially meeting you, Miss?"
"Natasha." She responded with a nod of her head. Percy picked up his mug and plastic tray. Before leaving the area, he placed the plastic tray where a small collection had started and carried his mug outside. Once outside, he saw a black and white creature sitting on the edge of the platform. It was stationed between two men that had been fishing.
"What is that?" Percy asked to no one in particular. He walked up to the two men, announcing his presence, making sure not to scare them.
"Oh Captain! Good morning! We're just fishing!" Upon approaching the men closer, the creature turned out to be a cat!
"We have a cat on base?" Percy asked, afraid to touch it just in case if the cat accidentally fell off the ledge of the sea platform, it was an easy 100 feet down.
"Yeah! The name's Nuke."
"Nuke? Haha. Hilarious." Percy took another sip of his coffee before walking away, trying everything in his power to not touch the adorable feline. He turned on his radio and called Jimmy.
"Draco, this is Scotty. Do you read me?"
"This is Draco."
"Good Morning, old pal. What's your location?" Percy inquired.
"The Command tower. Third floor, main room."
"Got it. I'll be right up." Percy made his way to the command room to meet Jimmy.
"Good morning." He said to the two guards, both saluting and allowing their leader to enter the tower. He decided to take the stairs, there were a lot more renovations to the whole place. Data displays, radar readings, good old fashion maps with battle lines drawn…it almost reminded him of the command room in the Sicily. "Wow, quite the upgrade." Percy looked around at all the fancy technology. He entered the main room on the third floor, after looking around the new and improved tower.
"Just who I needed to see." Draco spoke up, getting up from a chair. "Welcome back. I have someone I want you to meet, he's in the room across the hall."
"Is this the 'Special Case' you were talking about?" Percy asked as he guided him out into the hall.
"Mhmm." Once outside, Draco opened the door leading into the office across the hall. "I brought someone you might wanna meet." He announced, guiding Percy into the room. A lot of expensive renovations done to this one as well. A lot more gadgets and gear…looked like the perfect place to work on small scale R&D projects.
"Wow." Percy looked around, taking in his surroundings. Across the room he saw a man sitting in a chair. His Blonde hair was thick and feathery, it's length was running to his shoulders. Wait… Percy squinted at him, it looked like he was doing the same. That shaggy beard, those facial features… "Chris Davens?"
"Percival Cameron?"
"Wow! It really is you!" Percy smiled. The two of them worked their way to the middle of the room. Percy extended his hand for a shake which was happily received by his old acquaintance.
"Damned be me, it's a small world after all." Percy said.
"Damned be Ye." Chris smiled. "Damn Good to see you again, Been too long."
"Am I…missing something?" Draco butted in, walking beside the reunion.
"Oh!" Percy retracted his hand. "Chris and I attended MIT together back in the States. Granted, my major was History and his was completely different. I think he was already working on his PHD at that time. I would always see him during my lunch break between two of my classes."
"Yeah. The last time I saw you, I had just accepted that job for NASA." Chris spoke with a smile for the second time, he was happy to see an old friend.
"And now you're here...Wow." Percy nodded and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Well at least you two are already acquainted." Draco added.
"I've been providing ARTEMIS with some intel in regards to the Sangvis and Mercenaries. I called in some business and military connections I aquired over the past years, you are about to be swamped with men, materials, and equipment. We need to go over some-"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. I've been gone for like…two days. I have no idea what you're talking about." Percy's brain couldn't keep up with the rapid fire speech.
"It's a lot to explain. I'll leave you two so you can get caught up." Draco waved, leaving to go find Delacroix, who was waiting for him in the Mess Hall...
A few hours later...
"A physical, why?"
"Well, everyone needs one. Just to make sure you're still in good shape." Rosal explained.
"Ok?" Kate crossed her arms, feeling a little defensive. "Out of nowhere?"
"Oh, don't worry about it Sub-C. The Captain is wanting a physical done for everyone. You were just the next on my list."
"Jesus." Kate sighed with relief. "Alright, where do you want me to go?" Rosal flipped through a few more papers on his desk, humming.
"Well, let's see…room 128."
"On my way, doc."
"Oh Sub-C." He called out stopping her from exiting the office. He tossed her a plastic cup with a lid. "Pee in that."
"So demanding." She joked. She caught the small container in her hand and walked to the nearest bathroom. After collecting her sample, she walked into her assigned room and sat on the medical bed to await further attention. Once Rosal arrived, about an hour passed until she was done with her physical.
"Well everything looks good. Just remember not to push yourself too hard..."
"Thanks, Doc, good to get that out the way." Kate slid off the medical tray.
Upon walking out of the facility, Kate began to walk back to the command platform. "Wait!" Someone called out to her. "Sub-C! Wait!"
Kate stopped on the bridge and turned around, Orca was running up to her. "Orca? Hey! I haven't seen you in ages!"
He stopped a few feet shy of her and steadied his breathing. "Yes ma'am! I actually just got back from a reconnaissance mission in Asia."
"Look at you!" She smiled and punched his arm, making his cheeks flush red.
"Well I got something for you while I was over there." He was digging in one of his vest pockets. "A birdie told me that you like Elton John and I was able to get…this!" He pulled out a disc from his breast pocket. "It's a mixtape of some of his songs."
"You did, huh?" Kate's face lit up as she took the cassette from his hand. "Thank you, Orca. This is one thoughtful gift. I haven't heard Elton John in a long time."
"Heh, I kinda thought so." He scratched the back of his head. "I'm glad you like it."
"I don't just like it, I love it. Thank you." Kate hugged him and then held out her hand for him to shake. He smiled in return and firmly took a hold of her hand. "I'm gonna go to the kill room, you're welcome to join me."
"Nah, I've got a mission report to type up and deliver to Commander Draco." He saluted. "I'll see you around, Sub-C." Just like that he jogged off in the opposite direction. Kate smiled and looked down to the disc. This is awesome. I've got to get my music player.
After retrieving her Sony Walkman-D from her quarters, she found her way to the kill room. She stuck the headphones on her ears and waltzed to the tactical training area. It was an intricate maze, very well-made. She pressed 'play' on the Walkman. The phones blared a song she hadn't heard before. It instantly displayed a classic, catchy piano riff. Kate grabbed an AR15 hanging on the wall for training use. She loaded it and prepared herself for the timed relay. It was programmed to last five minutes. Each section had it's own booth of targets the challenger had to shoot before moving onto the next area. Kate made her way to the starting zone and pressed a big red START button for the training to commence.
Bringing her AR to a ready position, Kate made her way around the training area with the music of Elton John alive in her ears. Shot after shot his name swirled in her mind. Percy. What would happen if we fail? Percy. What if she were to stare into the barrel of another tank? Percy. What about a gun? Percy. What if the sun were to rise without him? Percy. She lost her balance and her left leg buckled out from beneath her. "Augh!" Her left knee hit the concrete hard as the gun fell from her hands. She caught herself with her right hand. "Ugh." Kate sat on her butt as the timer ran out.
Percy ran through every corner of her mind. "How wonderful life is now you're in the world…" Elton John echoed in her mind. Percy. She shut her eyes and rested her forehead on her left knee. If we can't bring this war to an end, than everything we've worked for will mean nothing. Everything that we've been through...gone. She placed both her hands on the ground and sat herself up, moving her weight to her right leg. She picked up the AR15 and proceeded to limp to the end of the trial. She took off her headphones and hung them around her neck. A few gunshots rang through the Kill Room. As Kate found her way back to the entrance, a squad was practicing their shooting with a multitude of weapons.
She chose to ignore them for her own sake, her mood was thin from collapsing. She positioned the gun back onto its position on the wall before exiting out. The sky had grown dark, clouds littered the atmosphere to block out natural light. Kate limped to the edge of the command platform and sat, her legs hanging off the edge. The sun was just about to finish setting. The dark purple and maroon reflected off the water with golden trim. "I love you…" She whispered to herself, keeping her eye on the horizon. If don't tell him now, I might never get the chance again.
Kate reached in her left pant pocket and pulled out her radio. "Draco. Draco, do you read me?" Silence. "Draco?"
"Hey, hey, why am I the bad guy? Come on, Cécile, wait! Cécile!" She heard his familiar voice she was calling for…but not the name she wanted to hear in return. Lydia's torso turned toward the commotion. Cécile was storming off toward the living quarters from the mess hall. She was red in the face...he probably said something insensitive or offensive accidentally. Draco, on the other-hand, had not given up his pursuit of the beautiful Parisian, trying to chase her down. Kate tucked in her lips and returned her eyes to the ocean.
"Kate? What are you doing out here?" The voice of Natasha rang out behind her. "It's getting late, you should go get some rest."
Kate sized up the russian as she got closer. She walked with one crutch while her leg was still in a cast.
"It looks like something is on your mind. No one stares out like that unless they're thinking about something…or someone." Kate scoffed and shook her head at Natasha's words.
"Got that right." Kate said, catching Natasha's figure in the corner of her eye.
"Do you mind if I join you, then?"
"Not at all."
"You see, I was the same as you earlier this afternoon. There was a lot on my mind as well…hell there still is." Her voice became somber. She used her crutch to lower her self to the ground and sit next to Kate. "There was a question that kept circling in my head…how do we win? What means do we have?" Natasha chuckled, regaining some life in her voice. "And then Scotty told me to stop feeling sorry for myself. He said 'Natasha, a soldier has to stand tall. Even when times get tough. When it feels like the fear and uncertainty could crush you…you're the one your comrades look to for reassurance. Don't forget it. That's what a soldier is..."
"Heh, wise words." Kate responded, feeling a little lighter. "He would probably tell me to pull myself together."
"Then that's what you should do." Natasha patted Lydia on the back with a light slap. "You need to tackle what is bringing you down. Conquer it." Kate looked into Natasha's beautiful forest-green eyes.
"You're right."
"Go tell him you love him. Don't think about the response he will have or you might not get another chance."
"Wait…what?"
"I've seen the way you were looking at Scotty." Natasha nudged her arm. "He is a little part of what makes you strong. No matter how distant he may seem."
"I can't believe you noticed."
"Woman's intuition." Natasha winked. "Maybe if you tell him, he will stop distancing himself from romance. I'm no expert, but he's probably missing something...He is missing you..."
"Heh. Good grief, Natasha." Kate laughed to herself. "Thanks for the pep talk. I'll get to it."
"You better, Comrade." Kate adjusted herself so she could stand up. She held out her hand to help the russian off the ground. Natasha took a hold and stood up with ease, remembering to bring her crutch with her. "Come on. Davai. We've got another day ahead of us." Natasha and Kate walked together back to their living areas. Natasha was located on the bottom floor for easy access while Kate traveled up.
She walked down the long hall and passed her own room before stopping in front of Percy's room. She closed her right fist and brought it up to knock on the door. When her knuckles were about to hit the door, she heard groaning. Kate's hand began to shake the more she held it up. She gently rested her knuckles on the door - no noise. Kate inhaled through her nose and softly exhaled. Knock. Her knuckles hit the door. Knock. Again. Knock. And again.
She could hear the rustling from beyond the door. Kate dropped her hand to her side, wanting to turn away. Why the hell did she just knock?! No. I have to go through with this. If he's with another woman, so be it. He has to know... The door slid open, Percy was in a white cotton shirt with a pair of Legionnaire basketball shorts.
"K-Kate?" He was out of breath, sweating.
"Percy…I need to tell you something." He looked around, as if someone was watching. He opened his mouth to say something, but she instantly cut him off. "Don't talk. Just listen." She inhaled, looking at him in his beautiful blue eyes. "I had a realization while I was out on the field. I almost…died. I was staring down death's long dark barrel. I faced it head on, I knew I was going to be risking my life."
"K-Kate, I don't know if now's-"
"Percy." Kate interrupted him. "Just listen to me." She narrowed her eyes. "You're all I can think about day and night, dammit. I wasn't going to face death again without letting you know that I…" Kate paused. She could feel fear creep into her heart. She wanted to vomit her own heart out. "…that I love you." She choked out. "You don't have to say anything."
"Kate…" He sounded solemn…almost guilty. "Kate I-"
"Please." She cut him off for the last time. "Please don't say anything if you don't know what to say. Goodnight Percy." Kate left him in the doorway. The closer she got to her room she felt lighter. A weight had finally been lifted from her shoulders. Kate faced her door about to enter until she heard something.
Laughter.
Laughter?
Kate turned her head to face Percy's room. He was leaning in his door way laughing to himself, crossing his arms over his perfectly-proportioned chest. "What's…so…funny?" Kate narrowed her eyes.
"Are you serious?" Percy calmed down a little bit but still had laughter hitched in his voice.
"What, you don't think I am?"
"Kate, we're not…"
"Together? Yeah." She looked down to the ground after finishing Percy's sentence. "I know..."
That's when something she didn't expect happened. In a flash, Percy had crossed the distance between them. He grabbed her by the shoulders as he bent down to look into her eyes. Kate tried to shake him off, but he wouldn't let go, that's when the shield over her heart broke and tears started to roll down her face.
"Listen to me..." Percy said.
"Just leave me alone!" Kate cried.
"No, I'm not-" Percy said, his voice raising to talk over her.
"GO AWAY!" She cried again, trying to push him away.
"LISTEN TO ME!"
The next thing she knew, a sharp pain had struck her in the cheek. She looked up at him, her hand moving to her face. Percy's hand was already there, rubbing the red area with his thumb. Kate looked into his face as she kept crying, he brought his other hand up to her face, both of them looking straight into the other's eyes.
"Listen to me." Percy said, his voice starting to break. "It has been a whole year since I met you. You saved my ass and my old unit from an ambush. You fought alongside me at Camp Bastion and the Sicily Offensive. We have seen both our highs and lows, the good and the bad. We're not at the point of words, we are beyond that..."
"What does that mean?" Kate sniffled, confused at his words.
"Kate? Are you ready to answer the most important question of my life?" Percy asked, bending down even further, he was now looking up at her.
"What?" She asked again, still confused.
"Will you marry me?"