Two chapters in a day? HOLY SHIT. More internal dialogue, YAY! Next chapter there will be even more!

OK, EXPERIMENT TIME, the internal monologue will be separated with lines from the rest of the story. and the inner voice will be in bold. please comment on how you like these changes.

God it's really dark out. Ant preferred the blinding light of the day. This recon mission at midnight was a stupid idea; they didn't give him any night vision equipment, or anyone who could see well in the dark. He had no clue where he was because he didn't have a map. Their position was ideal, a large field of view, and not much chance of detection.

I'll check on the men. Luckily they hadn't sent him out alone. He was able to select a few men, and by select, they meant take the men you were assigned. His squad was nothing but greenhorns and somebody who he really did not want there. It was comprised of a young mongoose, with yellow fur and jet black hair, who seemed nervous about everything. A pair of brown dogs, seemingly twins. There was a medic, on a RECON mission; he was a small green duck, almost like Horatio Quack, but this duck was much younger. To finish it off, He was accompanied by Ssg. Laplace, who supposedly volunteered.

Antoine checked up on the Brothers first. They were sitting back to back, talking about tis and that.

"Hey." They looked up and quickly saluted.

"Lieutenant D'Coolette!" The larger of the two said. "What is it?"

"I thought that since we were here, I could use some time to get to know the men, starting with you two."

They were taken aback, they didn't expect this. The smaller one spoke up. "We're the Forrest Brothers, we're both PFCs." He pointed to himself. "I'm Alex, I'm 23." He pointed to his brother. "And that's my older brother, Neal, he's got a year on me." His brother elbowed him. "Uh, sir."

Antoine extended an arm, and gave each of them a handshake. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Can I ask something?" The younger brother spoke again.

"Sure."

"Why are you out here?" The older sibling turned to scorn him.

"Um…" Antoine knew why he was out here, punishment for the speech, but he couldn't explain it to them. "Somebody has to do recon, and I guess they chose me. But I won't worry, once I get it over with, I'll be done with it."

"Oh, ok. I thought that it had something to do with that speech." Antoine cringed.

Nice lie, what would it matter if you told him the truth?

Meh, better safe than sorry. Was the quick response.

"Nah, it was just bad luck." Antoine disregarded the comment, and headed to the other troops.

"See ya, Lieutenant." Alex called after him.

Nice kids, hope they make it.

Whatever, that young kid'll get himself killed, just you wait. Kids who can't shut up, get shot.

You're quite the optimist.

It's what I do. Ant simply closed his mind; he recently learned to just not think. It was safer that way. He went to meet with the other squad members.

The Mongoose was pacing back and forth in the dark anxiously. Mumbling to himself.

"Umm. Hi" Antoine came from behind.

"Ah!" The young Pvt. jumped a little. "Oh, sorry Lieutenant." He saluted. 'Twan returned it.

"My fault." Ant walked up to him. "I'd like to know the men better." A pause. "So what's your name?"

"Xander, Madsen." He calmed down. Antoine reached for a handshake, Xander hesitantly obliged.

"You seem young. How old are you?"

"I'm a week from 19." Ant was completely shocked.

"Wow. That's pretty gutsy."

"What?"

"When I was 18, I don't think I would have volunteered."

Oh definitely not.
Shut it.

"Volunteer?"

"Yeah. You know, you joined at a really young age."

"I got Drafted."

A really long pause.

Wait what?

Wow. Didn't see that coming.

"WE HAVE A DRAFT?" Antoine was stupefied.

Xander backed away, frightened by the sudden outburst. "Well, yeah. Pretty much everyone was drafted."

"Oh god." Ant looked at the Mongoose. "Pretty much everyone?"

"Yeah."

"Fuck me. I had no clue." His mind started racing. 'Twan looked pleadingly at the young man in front of him. "go."

"Wha-"

"GO! That's a goddamn order! Go to the Forrest twins!" Xander booked it. He got out of there as soon as he could.

Ant put his hands on his head, he just couldn't believe it.

What the fuck. What the fuck! WHAT THE FUCK! That bastard crossed the line!

Which bastard, or are their multiple? In the darkness, it actually felt like he was talking to someone.

You know what I mean! The fucking King and his idiot son! How could they do this? Did they really have to draft all those people? They're sending kids off to war to satisfy their own blood thirst!

So what your saying is, The royal family is doing bad things.

Yeah… He tried to see where he was being led.

And you said yourself, fight for what is right, not for the King.

And…

Look, the King is becoming Evil! It's your DUTY to stop him!

What?

Honor, Duty, you care about these stupid things, so you might as well apply them. You disgusting pussy.

But my honor and my duty revolve around serving the king!

His inner voice got pissed. Are you stupid? What has the royal family done to deserve your respect? They destroyed your family, they've caused you suffering, and for what? What makes them who they are? The trinket on top of their heads? Their stupid last names? The fact that they happen to be the children of other people with dumb last names? NO, it's the idiots like you who keep them in power. You served them loyally; your father served them loyally, and it didn't take long for the house of Acorn to forget it. Your duty is to your people, you HAVE to do this. You know I'm right. The truth was staring him in the face, but he didn't want to see it.

I… I see what you mean. Antoine cursed himself out of habit, tears formed in his eyes. His whole life, everything he worked for, was crumbling around him. Ant fell to his knees, the darkness within him only amplified by the darkness around him. Was I really so foolish? What have I done? What can I do?

You can listen to me, I can help us. His ego/id almost sounded, sympathetic.

But why? I thought I disgusted you.If he was talking, it would be in distressed tone.

Because, you fucker, I'm you. And if you become Angsty McEmoface, I'm gunna suffer too. And besides, I knew this would happen. I told you that you'd come crying back. I was right, as usual.

For a rare moment, everything was clear. The thoughts aligned. Fuck it. I don't care anymore, what's to lose?

Only your weakness.

was in shambles, his outside appearance thinly veiling his inner turmoil. He didn't care where the strength came from, only that SOMETHING kept him going. He rubbed his eyes.

Just fuck everything. The king can go straight to hell.

That's the plan. êtes-vous prêt, mon ami ?

Ouas, je devine. Antoine adjusted his uniform, tightened his belt, checked his sabre, and got ready to rock and roll.

RANDOM FOOTNOTE