"Are you sure my new squad will even like me, Sir?" I asked the black man dressed in camoflauge.

"Of course, Abira. My platoon welcomes anyone! We've had people coming in and out of it. It's a regluar thing to them." Sergeant Jerri Herring got out his comb and started doing what he alwayds did; grooming himself. I sighed and swallowed a large pocket of air lodged in my throat.

"Sir, with all due respect, I've spent over a year more than I should've. I am supposed to be kic-" The Sergeant interuppted me.

"Soldier, I became your leader months ago and I've trained you longer than any other committed sergeant has. I could've easily talked with the other officers and all of us would;ve agreeed that you were to be sent back home; without any honor. However, I sensed something in you, and I still do. Now, I WILL not except defeat from ANY of my pupils." His voice rose higher. "Is that clear?"

"Yes Sir." My body shook with anticipation.

"With projection, young lady!"

"SIR, YES SIR!" My throat hurts when I do that, I had to overcome my discomfort, in order to be what I've always wanted to be; a warrior.

"Alright, now. I'll introduce you to my platoon. They quite the variety of individuals. Especially Hayden, he makes everything a joke and he's quite cowardly under his exterior. He's a good soldier though.

He led me to dorm 7. This was the only platoon I've heard of where everyone knowes everyone and are entrusted to sleep in the same dorm. He opened the door and there were four other people playing cards. They looked towards the opening door. There were two of each gender in the room. Their eyes just stared at me. One of the guys, the one with a short messy brown hair and brown eyes, seemed to gaze at me. The other guy, Hayden I assumed, had longer hair then the other guy and it was blonde; his eyes were bluish-gray. One of the girls had hardly hair with green-blue eyes and the other black hair with amber eyes. They all reacted differently to my entrance. I believed Sergeant Herring when he said they were diverse.

"So, we FINALLY have something new going on around here, eh, Sarge?" The one who I assumed Hayden said.

"Shut your mouth, Hayden!" Sgt. Herring yelled. I chuckled at this.

"I was right on Hayden." I thought.

"Ok, listen up team! We have a new addition to our platoon. Meet Abira Teuma. She was the trainee I told you guys about when I left for that long period of time if you babies remember. Now that we've established that, let's get out the Welcome Wagon!"

Within a split second, I swore I only blinked before the entire platoon was in a straight line facing me; giving me, a private, the utmost respect. It seemed that they moved to fast for my own eyes to track. I stood in front of them and waited for what this Welcome Wagon thing was about.

"Alright, begin introduction, starting with-"

"Private Gabriel Brennan!"

"Private Pamela Fredrick!"

"Private Hayden Henson!"

"Corporal Kelsey Gray!"

I couldn't help but notice that Gabriel's eyes blinked more than the others. I could tell his thoughts of me differed from the other's opinions. Sgt. Herring's voice broke me out of my thought process.

"Good. Now, while I pee, you guys show her the dorm."

"Sir, yes, Sir!" Everyone replied.

I looked around the room. Posters were everywhere! They depicted every war I could think of. Reach, Harvest, and even the wars after those. It even showed the Legendary Master Chief and the Arbiter. That was all I wanted to see. But, luckily, I knew where the bathroom, kitchen,and even where my room was. I peeked inside my new room. It was empty and dark. Reminds me of home. The window on the other wall opposite of the entry way was closed and the blinds shut. The bed to the left was oddly enough neatly made; as if the platoon knew I was coming. The closet on the right was wide open and empty. I think this room was of the Sgt.'s doing. I looked to the "living room" and the group and Sgt. were talking amongst themselves. I didn't really care what or who they were discussing. all I wanted to do was sleep. I shut the door and put my backpack on the floor next to the bed. When I plopped on the bed belly first, I had realized there was a nightstand there. It had a clock without an alarm. It was quite obvious why, since the Sarge is a human alarm clock. But it also had a lamp. Okay, nothing really interesting there. But then in front of the clock was a note folded in the middle standing like a tent. It had my name on it. I sat up with my leg folded in and the other dangling off the bed. The paper stated: Make yourself at home, Abira =). I chuckled once more realizing the sgt. was being incredibly nice. I put the note back on the nightstand and laid on the bed. I had my hands on my stomach. I began to ponder. I pondered what would lay ahead for me and how the group would treat me. I slowly fell asleep, leaving conciousness with one last thought: Am I really worthy of being called a marine?

The others were discussing my arrival in the living room.

"Dude! I can't believe after these few months and finally a new member! A GIRL member!" Hayden looked overly-happy...

"Henson, you really need to work on who talks first in this platoon...I am the Sergeant, not you. Now, I do want to discuss her. Other than Henson, who we already know his response of her," Henson struggled to keep his laughter in. "What do the rest of you think of her?" Herring was eager to know; maybe to eager.

"I think she's a little bit shy, but other than that, she seems fine." Pamela commented.

"Yeah, she is a little on the shy side. Anyone else?" Sgt. Herring commented back.

"I agree with Pam on what she said, however, I think with some encouragement and more training, she'll be a great addition to the team." Kelsey Gray added; which Herring liked alot.

"Great, thanks for the comment, Kelsey. What about you, Brennan?"

Gabriel was in some sort of trance. "Huh? Oh, uh...I agree with everyone." He seemed to be hiding something but the others knew what it was. The Sarge just smiled. Alright, glad we had this discussion, let's let her sleep a while. She's had a VERY long day. In fact, EVERYONE IN THEIR BEDS, ASAP! Tomorrow, early morning, Commander will visit to debrief on our first mission."

"Our first mission?" Hayden spoke up before entering his room.

"Yes, Henson. Now MOVE IT! AND STOP repeating me!" So he went in and all the lights were out. "Heh," Herring chuckled. "This will be an interesting group." He went to the couch with his blanket, turned on the fireplace and doze off.