A Message from the Author: Another new chapter I just finished. For anyone who is reading, I know the terminology used throughout may include words and acronyms unfamiliar to most civilians, an example being the title of this chapter. Class I is a supply designation for rations and other issued food items. I use this terminology because it adds immersion to the story, being based around the adventure of a soldier. If you don't understand a word, acronym, or phrase, I encourage you to look it up if you are curious. Anyways, thanks for reading my story, I hope you are enjoying it.
Class I
"Damn." 2LT Joseph said, poking the contents of his canteen with the sawblade on his Gerber multi-tool. "It's frozen solid."
"Yeah, things tend to do that in weather like this." CPL Ku commented, with a hint of sarcasm. The lieutenant gave him an annoyed look, but the corporal's face already showed displeasure with the current situation. The lieutenant recalled the events of the morning.
"We are going to get to the enemy base. From there, we might just be able to get back to the real world."
"Sir, you realize the enemy outnumbers us, and has the advantage of understanding the area they're operating in better than us."
"Yes, I do."
"Then trying to get to their base is suicide, we'll probably be killed before we get near it."
"I am fully aware of the risk and our chances."
"So then why are you rearing to go? Do you want to die?"
"Corporal, we're not getting anywhere by freezing our asses off while we jerk off around a damn campfire. If you haven't noticed, we're cut off. Cut off and with no chance of outside rescue. The outside world thinks we're dead and doesn't even know this place exists. We have to rescue ourselves. We can't stay here forever, enemy patrols will eventually find this place, and food is not easy to come by here. I'd rather die making progress than die here, cold and hungry."
"Sir…"
"Damnit, we're going! That's an order! Pack your things, we move out within the hour."
The corporal's displeasure was understandable. The lieutenant didn't like the situation much, either, but 'you have to make do' as the old phrase goes. They had been handrailing the gravel road for a few hours now. The lieutenant decided a break would be a good way to boost morale.
"Alright, let's take a break and grab some chow."
"Does that mean we get to eat?" Veemon asked.
"Yeah, little guy, it does." The lieutenant smiled as he replied.
"YEAH! I'm super hungry." Veemon seemed very excited to eat, they had not eaten much before they left the camp. The two soldiers dropped their respective packs.
"This gives me a chance to heat this damn thing up." The lieutenant said to nobody in particular, speaking about his frozen canteen. He unzipped the main pouch of his assault pack and pulled a large piece of meat out and handed it to his partner.
"Is this all you eat?" He asked, concerned about such a narrow diet.
"Often times in the winter, this is all that is available." Renamon stated.
"Well then, I've got a treat for you." He pulled a thick brown plastic bag from the pack.
"What is that?"
"It's an M-R-E. A meal ready-to-eat. It has a variety food inside, and most importantly, a heater. Mexican Style Chicken Stew." The lieutenant read off the package. He then ripped the bag open and pulled the MRE heater our first. He took a handful of snow and stuffed it in the bag. Rubbing the bag between his hands, he got the snow to melt, and the heater started to work. He placed his canteen next to it. Renamon observed this with great curiosity, not understanding but hoping to learn.
"Hopefully…" 2LT Joseph whispered to himself as he dug around in the bag a little, "Ja-la-pano cheese!" He excitedly pulled the item from the bag, placing it in one of his pockets. "That's for later." He pulled another item from the bag. "Toffee Rolls." He handed the bag to Renamon.
"What is this?" She asked, curiously inspecting the package.
"It's a Tootsie Roll. Have you ever had chocolate before?"
"No, I don't believe so."
"Well, go ahead and try it. I'm sure you'll like it." He said with a smile. "What do you got over there, Corporal?"
"Asian Style Beef Strips."
"Right down your alley, then." The lieutenant chuckled.
"Fuck you, sir." The corporal said, chuckling in response.
"Could you help me open this?" Renamon asked. She had gotten the MRE packaging off, but the Tootsie Roll wrapper was giving her a hard time.
"Your fingers are a little bit too big, huh?" The lieutenant observed. Renamon's hands were larger than his own, even though she was smaller than him overall. And her fingers were also much larger than his own, her only having three to his five. She noticed this and played with her hands nervously. He took the candy and tore at the wrapper end, ripping the plastic sheeting off, exposing the Tootsie Roll inside a small piece of cardboard. Discarding that, he handed the unpackaged candy back to Renamon. She eyed it curiously and sniffed it. Satisfied that it wasn't bad, she took a bite.
"MMMmmmmmhhh." Her eyes widened at the taste of the Tootsie Roll. Her first taste of candy. "It's absolutely delicious." She said, smiling. The lieutenant smiled back, pleased that he could bring a smile to her face. She finished the rest of the roll, savoring every sweet bite of the candy.
The lieutenant checked his canteen, finding it sufficiently warm. He took the heater and placed it into the entree sleeve to warm it. He then took the canteen and poured some water into another item from the MRE.
"Chocolate Beverage Powder." The lieutenant stated to Renamon as he shook the pouch. "It would be decent hot chocolate if the water was hot, but I guess we'll settle for lukewarm chocolate." He jested. Renamon gave him a confused look. "I guess you wouldn't know anything about that, so let me explain. A very common beverage back home for cold weather like this is hot chocolate. It helps warm you up in the cold and tastes great." He smiled, thinking about the warmth of such a beverage. "Unfortunately, the water from the canteen isn't hot enough, so it won't be as good."
"That's okay, you don't have to share your food with me. I am quite content with eating what I have." She looked down at the chunk of meat she was holding. Remembering that she hadn't thanked him yet, she looked back up quickly. "Of course, I do appreciate the Tootsie Roll you gave me. I found it to be quite delicious."
"Well, I'm not content with having you constantly eat the same thing, it's not healthy."
"Well," she looked down again nervously, "If you insist."
"I insist."
The pair shared the MRE together. Renamon tasted flavors she never had before, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
If she finds this stuff so amazing, she'll love real food back home. He thought. He began to ponder more. I wonder if I'll ever get back home. What happens then? Will she come to the real world with me, or stay here? She seemed very adamant about going with me wherever I went, and not going back to her 'normal' life. If she came to the real world with me, what would happen? How could I explain her to anyone? How would she be treated?
The lieutenant observed Renamon, still deep in thought. She was trying to suck the last juices out of the now depleted beverage pouch. He smiled, finding it both silly and cute.
I have to do my best to protect her. He concluded.
