Welcome to the Suck

Downtime...?

Authors Note!: So the reason it took me a while to write this chapter. Is I had come to a cross roads in this story. A big one! And I had to decide how I wanted this whole thing to end. Tragic, or Happy. Angsty or Epic. A character change or stay the same. Both of the endings are great, in my honest opinion. But you I had to choose. And it sucked! Hopefully though I'll be able to adapt one of them for my old story "Cleansed with Blood" Which isn't discontinued. It's just not nearly as good as this one. Although I like the personality's more. Hopefully I'll end it before shipping out XD. California is sooooooooooo not the place to be if your joining the military... Anyways I'm writing a story here! No personal info needed . This is unfortunately gonna be short. But I know a few of you guys are begging me for an update. Soooooo. You get a filler! But it does set the mood for the story.

Oh and if you havent already! Go back and re read the first chapter. I rewrote it sooo much. I didnt change any of the original text I dont think. But it gives Link some back story. It felt rushed before. Which is how the military works, if the media is to be believed. But still. I hope its good! Give me some thoughts!

The air smelled of stale tobacco and fresh sweat. A figure stood with a fake guitar in his hands. His fingers flying masterfully between the blue, red, yellow, green and orange buttons. His left hand picking the strum bar in perfect synchronization. The man watched the television closely for the exact sequence of the the notes. His strums were accompanied by the steady taps of drumsticks hitting plastic and rubber. The simulated crowd exploded in cheers as the temporarily famous guitarist, masterfully nailed the solo of "Indestructible". Before the moment could be fully savored, it ended. And the famous rockers were forced back into the heated sands of the Middle East. More specifically, the tent of a certain Alpha Squad.

"Thank you! Thank you very much! I will be here till I die!" The guitarist shouted at the screen. Pretending that it was real. The crowd cheered all the same.

The man acting as a drummer spoke up.

"Shit son!, that chorus is fucking hard! You saved my ass back there two times!" The muscular "Drummer" spoke up.

"I know, I know, I'm amazing!" The guitarist bowed in his arrogant humility. His dark blue eyes flashing with the pride of accomplishment.

The drummer laughed. Calling him a dick under his breath. But his face changed to one thought. He spoke up again. "Yo Link, this is our last week here..." A smile dawned on his face.

Link looked back at him, apparently thinking about it for the first time. His features lit up with happiness. His semi-deep voice speaking up.

"Well shit bro, I didn't think about it. I didn't want to wait for it like Christmas ya know?" He paused for a moment as he reminisced. His smile soaking through to his voice.

"When I was little kid I would count down the days. And they would just go on forever. And ever. But now that I'm thinking about it... I'm probably gonna try and form a band again. I wrote hella war songs while I was here, so shit, I have the material. And I only have a year left on my contract. If I don't get deployed in the next six months, then I should be good... I dunno what about you Darunia? You have a Mrs at home waiting for that story book ending?"

Darunia got up from his drum seat. laughing as he did so. A faint smile formed on his face. "I'm a Marine bro, I have a woman in every port fool." His strong features remaining the same.

I laughed aloud at his mean, but most likely very true statement. My mouth opened to speak once again, But the resounding sound of Sgt. Dragmire voice broke through the silence as his head popped into our tent. The sunlight turning his usual orange hair into a golden display. He looked to me first since I was under his direct command.

"CPL. Forester!"

I snapped to attention. My hand flying up into a salute. "Yes Sergeant!"

His silhouette expressed his impatience. But he followed along with the tradition.

"At ease soldier!" His eyes conveying the need for speed.

My figure snapped back down. But he wasn't finished.

"Gear up CPL, On the double! Charlie has been ambushed at the water tower. You know the drill now get a move on!" He glanced toward Darunia at my right "You too private!" His last sentence directed at Darunia. Darunia wasn't directly under Gannon's control. But he controlled Sgt. Nohansen as he was Fire team Bravo leaders. So on and so forth. Our Squad consisted of three Fire Teams. With Gannondorf at the head of all three being as his official rank was Staff Sergeant. The whole Squad together is considered Bravo Squad. And since I was under Gannon's direct control. And I was a Cpl. Sp My position in the Squad would be second in command. If I were to call in to command over the radio. I would Identify my self as "Bravo Alpha two"

But I had no time to rehearse my military knowledge. Squad Charlie had been ambushed on patrol. From what I picked up on at least.

I knelt down beneath my cot to bring my military gear from its rightful spot. Slipping the solid tan vest over my BDU's. I couldn't help but hate whoever designed it for what must have been the millionth time. Kneeling down again, I picked my helmet off the ground with my left hand, as my right gripped the handle to my M249. I spied Darunia doing the same in the opposite corner. I broke into a run toward the exit. Observing my surroundings so I wouldn't hit anything, the evenly spaced bunks running down the length of the tent. The couch in front of the TV to my right. My boots carried me out the door. Transitioning from the cool inside sand, to the blinding and scalding desert sand.

My eyes traced a slim figure carrying a standard issue M4 with his sling. His windswept blonde hair gave his identity away. Seeing my best friend Sheik, I sprinted across the street. I approached him as he slammed his helmet down upon his helmet and buckled it tight. Sheik turned his head slightly as I came up behind him. His face broke into a grin.

"Shit man, thought you'd be to busy imagining you were David Draimen to join us." His voice conveyed the apparent sarcasm. And his grin was testament to it.

"Shut it bitch! I sung that shit on expert, AND I scored a 98 as well! Thats like a fucking A+ Bro!" I started to smile as well, neither one of us was serious. We often indulged in verbal fights that would take every curse word and name we had in our vocabulary. But thats just how we showed affection. We approached a cross roads. But we were on auto pilot. Our Squads would meet up at the Trucks. Our feet automatically turned left as we kept talking.

"Yeah yeah, shut it" Sheik reached into his top pocket and produced a pack of camels. Flipping the flap open, he once again flicked his thumb up so that two cigarettes popped up. I immediately grabbed one and brought it to my lips. Digging in my own pocket for a lighter. I produced the desired item of flame after a few seconds of rustling. I brought the flame up to my dangling stoge. I breathed in that first puff of nicotine, savoring the burn it created in my throat. I handed the lighter to Sheik. He reciprocated the actions and blew out the smoke as a result. I looked at him to my right. We didn't talk as we kept walking. Contemplating the mission ahead. Our cigarettes kept us occupied. Flicking the ash off. I finally broke the silence.

"So you think this it?"

He glanced back at me. His grin accented by the almost-past-reg stubble he had been growing. The surfer in him begging to be let loose. His attention turned to me as he exhaled a plume of smoke once more.

"Yeah, I've got a good feeling about this. This should be our last fight." His mood slightly shifted to a happier place before he spoke again. "Were going home in four days Bro! This ones for real too! I dunno about you, I cant wait to hold Din again!" His expression lit up even more so at the name of his Fiancée. A bounce sprung into his step.

Subconsciously, my thoughts turned to Malon. I really wasn't sad anymore. All the guys in my unit really helped me through it. Besides, after the letter had been sent, She had tried to contact me a good many times. But I really hadn't felt like talking to her. Still don't. I'd bet my next paycheck she only called to say she was sleeping with someone else anyways. Most likely Shad. But I wouldn't hold it against him. Shes a hotty. And I cant imagine he'd get many people interested. Although if he was just a bit more outgoing he'd probably be fine.

My mind was shaken out of my thoughts as we approached the rumbling transport trucks. I could clearly see Gannondorf, managing the squads with ease. It might help that this whole unit has already been here for almost eight months. We most definitely know the drill.

The Ranks filed in shortly after. Sheik and I had come early. People are dieing out there. I am not letting my conscience do the "what ifs" that haunt oh so many of us. Nobody was eager here, and you couldn't blame them. This was our last fight. Even if Charlie was out there. We are very nice people...

As everyone filed in, Gannondorf began our briefing. Our masses huddled around our respective fire team leaders. My eyes glazed over as I realized there would be no special tactics involved. It was a flank and shoot mission. Charlie had been ambushed going through a ravine, or canyon if you would. And we were going to encircle their position. The Insurgents were getting smarter though. Normally we would call in an air strike. But they were just to close to risk it.

My eyes snapped up to the Sgt. His voice catching my attention.

"Hooah men?" The old Marine cheer inciting us to respond in kind. And we did.

"HOOAH!" our voices resounded as fifteen men shouted.

"Then lets go ladies! This is it! Let's Get in and get out!"

We needed no further motivation as our Fire Teams piled into our respective transports.

Sheik flashed me a trademarked grin as he sat down. His rifle between his legs, resting the barrel against his thigh. His bright red eyes, filled with excitement and hope bounced up to me before speaking. His carefree attitude infecting the truck with happiness.

"This should be easy!" His smile soaking through his voice.