Chapter 25

Rod's POV

The hot water felt like heaven, running down my back. I smiled leaning on the wall, my head hanging under the faucet. How long has it been sense I took a shower? I thought, turning up the temperature. A week? Huh, good thing my parents don't know. I continued relaxing, until I heard an unexpected door open. It sounded as if a herd of elephants came in contact with a mouse.

The whole camp came thundering in with their towels and waltzed right into the showers. Men of every shape size and color shoved their way inside, eager to use what was left of the hot water. I could feel my face burning red, hoping that the water would cover it up. I stared straight forward, avoiding all eye contact. And then I suddenly felt someone grab me from behind. I was abruptly twisted around. I stared into the eyes of a hugely muscular naked man.

"Get lost punk, this is my tap!" The soldier barked. At that moment I completely agreed with him. Not to seconds later, I was out the door, dressed, and running back to my dorm. Seriously! How can they stand showering RIGHT next to each other? Goodness!

"Man there's absolutely nothing to do," I complained, not noticing I was talking out loud.

"Pff, enjoy it while it lasts recruit," a voice said, coming from behind. I jumped in fright and swung around. "It's not often you have a hole day to yourself. I suggest ya crack a beer, lie down and relax. Cause who knows, you may not live to see the next day."

"Huh yeah okay," I said, hurriedly walking passed the large man. What is with people? Why can't they keep to themselves? I don't even drink beer. I continued downstairs, toward the cafeteria. Hmm, perhaps I'll be able to find someone like me? Dragged away from their home, abruptly shoved into military training. Beaten! Smitten! SPIT UPON! I suddenly realized the anger I had built up. Walking over to a table I tried to relax. It's fine, everything's fine. I'll be home before I know it.

I took a seat, rubbing my temples. I looked around the room, hoping to see Nicky somewhere. Dag nabbed I should never have gone without him. Now he's going to ignore me and I'm going to be stuck in this pit hole by myself. I ran my fingers through my hair, frustrated. Looking up I saw a man approaching me. Oh what now? Can I not have five minutes to myself?
 Before he could even mutter a word, I glared up at him and mumbled:

"What do you want?"

"Hmph, relax soldier. I have a message for you," The guy said, handing me a holographic clipboard looking device. I took it from him and stared down at the screen. A ghost that appeared to be Tenny began to speak.

"Hey Rod, I hope this transmission gets to you. Huh, ya never know if these things get delivered or not. Everyone usually has their own transmitter. But sense you don't I am sending this through an old fashion messaging system," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "But anyhow, I just want you to know that everything'll work out alright. Get through training and I'll see what I can do about getting' us in the same squad. So to update ya on our positions and everything; me, Mark, and Leary are on Jinxsole. I'd specify where, but knowing that you wouldn't have the slightest idea where it is, I'll save you the time. Unfortunately I haven't been able to contact Crip at all, and the last I heard of Derk was that he was tied down in a mental hospital.

"Huh… I worry for him Rod. In fact I worry for all of us…. But don't let that discourage you. I'll do everything I can to get our squad back together. I haven't got much more time, sense we're being sent out again, but I just want you to know that no matter what, keep pushing on. Don't try to cut corners or find short cuts. It'll only dig you into a hole.

I am going to try and keep sending you updates, incase anything happens. Orange Terran Seargents don't have the time, and really don't care, to keep each individual unit informed. So I'll do my best to keep us together. And as my last words I simply shout, press on! And we'll get through this as a team. Hope to see you soon. Your encouraging best friend, Tenny."

The transmission ended, and I continued to stare at the screen. Feeling a bit emotional I quickly handed the device back to the man. Aw great, now I can't go home. My friends need me. I can't just bail on them…. Ugh Nicky was right. Guess we're staying. He's going to be thrilled. I nodded a thank you to the soldier as he walked away. I shook my head and stood up to go get some lunch. I approached a girl standing at the counter. Still pondering what Tenny had said.

"Excuse me could I get—" I started.

"Look pal, this isn't Fast Food. Sit down and wait for the bell. You can eat at the same time everyone else does," the lady said. I huffed in frustration, turning and marching back to my table. Seriously! What kind of lunchroom is this? I angrily threw myself onto a stool, and rested my head on my hands. Ugh, this place is atrocious. I just wanna go—.

"Hey, Rod!" I heard someone yell. Not wanting to get up I ssimply mumbled back.

"What?" I groaned, recognizing Nicky's voice.

"Oh, we were just wondering if you wanted to go and grab some vultures to ride around. You know like race and stuff?" he asked.

"What do you mean we?"

"Just me and some friends,"

"Friends?" I asked, lifting my head up to see a couple of girls in tight, orange shorts and tank tops. I felt my face go hot red. I tried to hide it by rubbing my eyes and turning away. The girls giggled to themselves. "Oh… uh, I'm not too sure bro."

"Aw you are too. It's okay girls, he's just shy," Nicky said, grabbing my arm and lifting me off my seat. I felt extremely embarrassed. Smiling awkwardly I followed them out of the cafeteria and outside. "Okay so we may have to sneak a couple out, cause you and me aren't supposed to use 'em without training; but I think we'll be alright."

"Look man, if we shouldn't drive them then I think tha—"

"Oh Rod, we both know that you're bored as heck so let's just go okay?" Nicky replied, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

"Alright, if your positive," I said, worried.

"Bro, ease up a little," Nicky responded, laughing. "Let loose and have fun. We're just goin' for a drive."

We approached the factory, in hopes of finding some bikes to ride. I felt unnerved by it all and dragged my feet as we neared our destination. I stepped to the side, while I waited for them to retrieve the vehicles. I looked awkwardly over at Nicky, who was talking to a man in a black jacket and shades.

Nicky handed the guy a small brown bag. He looked inside, smiled, and shook my friend's hand. Motioning toward a couple bikes, the soldier walked away, satisfied. Nicky gestured toward me. I rolled my eyes and made my way over to him followed by both girls.

"Okay, I'm not even going to ask what you gave him, but sadly it was all for nothing. I have no idea how to drive this thing. And plus, there's only two of them."

"Ha I know right?" Nicky replied, all too enthusiastic. "That will make it fun! But you won't have to worry, Charlotte'll teach ya how to role."

I turned to look uneasily at the girl standing next to me. I smiled uncomfortably, and muttered a hello.

"Hi!" she said back, excitedly. "Hope your ready bud! It's going to be a bouncy ride!"

"Heh, I bet," I mumbled.

"Okay then, great!" Charlotte said, grabbing my arm and throwing me onto the vulture. "Hang on okay?"

I nodded in reply and wrapped my arms around her waist. I could feel my cheeks going red again. Ugh, this is going to end terribly. The load motor ripped through the air and I could feel us rise upward. Charlotte turned the vehicle to face the exit of the factory. Switching peddles, she brought us slowly out of the building. Eh, this might not be too bad. I told myself, until I was abruptly sprung forward, almost giving me whiplash.

Not waiting a moment sooner, Charlotte flew down the pavement and passed the bunkers guarding the base. The motion of air rushing passed was almost exhilarating, except for the fact that I was about to lose my breakfast. We rode on and on, down a street, across a fence, up the wall of a house, freaking everywhere.

I could feel a head ache coming on. Letting go with one hand I rubbed my temples. I barely had time to look around at the scenery, we were moving so fast. It felt as if my eardrums would burst; from the sound of the engine or the air passing by so quickly I wasn't sure. All I know was that I was going to lose my sanity if we didn't stop soon.

I tapped on the girl's shoulder, trying to get her attention. She turned her head toward me and I swiped my hand in a back and forth motion across my neck. Trying to tell her that I was about to lose it. She, in reply, gave me a "what the crap" look and drove on. I groaned and rested my head on her back.

After flying around for what seemed like hours, we finally stopped. I basically fell off the bike desperately reaching for the ground. Letting out another long extended moan, Nicky approached me with a big grin on his face.

"Now wasn't that fun?!" he asked lifting me off the ground. I gave him a dull look.

"Well… defiantly not what I expected," I replied holding my stomach. "Can we leave now?"

"Oh come on now, you haven't even drove yet."

"That's because I don't want to," I said, hunched over.

"Well I suppose I can let Charlotte give you a ride back," Nicky responded. I looked over at her. She gave me a nasty grin and winked at me.

"On the other hand, I think I'll give it a try."

Nicky laughed and slapped my back. Ugh, well at least he's back to his normal self. I jumped onto the vehicle and grabbed the handles.

Mimicking Charlotte's movements I started up the bike. She jumped on the back and wrapped her arms around my waist. I tensed, but averted my attention back to the vulture.

"Alright, let's go!" the girl said excitedly. I looked blankly at all the buttons and levers. Glancing back at Charlotte, I gave a weak smile and asked for help. She rolled her eyes and complied. After taking a minute to understand what she had just showed me, I did as she said and rolled the handles forward. The vulture jerked aggressively headfirst. Letting off the accelerator, we came to a cramming halt.

I took a deep breath and tried again, slower. It took a minute or two for me to get the hang of it, but eventually we got back on the road. Not long after, did we get back to camp. Aside from several close calls, I thought I had done pretty well. Slightly embarrassed I parked the bike in the factory and dismounted.

"Well not bad," Charlotte said, resting her hands on her hips. I sheepishly smiled back, turning red. She laughed and lightly punched my arm. "Heh, it was a lot of fun."

"Well, at least someone enjoyed themself," I mumbled, rubbing my arm, awkwardly. Nicky appeared suddenly, saving me.

"So Rod, wasn't that a blast!" he said, excitedly.

"Exhilarating," I responded, dully.

"Oh come on, it wasn't that bad."

"Eh, I guess not," I replied, shrugging. Suddenly I heard loud, raging shout from behind.

"Hey, you two C4-duds! What is going on here? Don't tell me those are yours?" Seargent Baker asked, scarring the crap out of me. I slowly turned around to face my fate.

"Uh, no," I said, in return.

"Then who was it that came roaring into camp! Because it looked to me like it was you!" Baker yelled, enraged. "Do you know what happens if I allow an untrained, inexperienced private to drive a vulture! Well, let me explain it to you. I am court marshaled. In words simple enough for you to understand, I basically get fired!"

...No I am not dead... And yes, I know how long that took...sorry...