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Ever since Seattle became New Seattle, the zombie city, Major had dreaded his patrols. None of the citizens were happy to see Fillmore Graves soldiers—not even the zombies, many of whom blamed them for the city's current predicament. Fairly, granted, but still, Major and his squad were all that stood between them and the humans who wanted them dead. He would have liked to see a bit more mutual trust.
He looked forward to today's patrol even less than usual, as it was the first time Jordan and Captain Seattle would be suiting up. He was nervous that they weren't ready, he was nervous they would do something stupid, he was nervous that they'd freeze up—he was terrified that they were going to get themselves killed. Or someone else.
But he hid it, because that was what a leader did. He pretended everything was okay so his squad would think everything was okay.
It helped that both kids were genuinely enthusiastic and eager to get started. Major tried to remember the last time he'd felt that level of excitement about … anything, really, and failed to come up with a time in recent memory.
He also didn't remember having this much trouble getting all the gear on. Captain Seattle needed to be walked through every step. The kid was super nervous, anxious to get everything just right. Which was good, up until it caused him to hesitate at the wrong moment and get himself killed.
But Major couldn't afford to think that way, because if he was too afraid for them, that would be bad, too. So he forced himself to remain calm and patient, to take everything one step at a time. Jordan was less willing to accept help, but eventually she let him walk her through all the steps and make sure all her buckles and clips were fastened.
"See? Now you got it."
"Wow. I managed to get dressed. Watch out, human terrorists!"
Major grinned, reaching into his locker for his helmet.
"Major. When do we get rifles?" Captain Seattle asked.
The last thing he wanted was to see these kids with rifles in their hands—for their safety and everyone else's. But he kept that thought off his face, too, as he turned to them. "Week two. As long as you make us proud this week." They accepted that in silence, but it was clear they were either not happy or so anxious and keyed up they were about to vomit. "Look," he said more softly, trying to calm them, "I know you're a little nervous, and that's natural before your first patrol."
Jordan, of course, was having none of that. "Who's nervous?" she demanded. "I'm tired. They got me rooming with a bitch that smells like a zoo animal. I can't get any sleep. Plus, I'm talking to this guy. The boy is dull." She pointed at Captain Seattle, who admittedly did not look all that scintillating at the moment. "Try talking to him. You'll see."
"You can run your mouth all you want," he said to her, "as long as you don't run when we're out in the streets."
She wasn't about to take that from him, and Major wasn't sure he liked how quick she was to step up to her fellow soldier in challenge. "You got something you want to say to me?" she demanded.
"Yeah. I just said it." Captain Seattle turned to Major. "You heard me say it, right? That thing about don't run?"
The soldiers around them were ignoring the back-and-forth between the two teenagers, but Major could see some covert smiles being passed between his comrades. They were all very happy he was the one babysitting and not them—and he didn't blame them.
"Guys! No one's running. All right? Remember that you're stronger than the humans. You have guns. What's the only thing that can hurt you?"
"Duh! Head shot, General," Jordan replied, knocking her fist against her helmet. She was going to have to learn some respect for the chain of command, or things were going to go badly. She was also going to have to learn to fasten on all her equipment.
Major made both points by gently knocking the helmet off her head, letting it clatter to the floor. "Then maybe you should secure that. Rook."
She glared at him, but she kept her mouth shut this time as she bent to retrieve her helmet. Captain Seattle started to rag her about it, but a look from Major shut him up. He wasn't going to have as much trouble taking orders, it was clear to see, which Major was grateful for. One insubordinate subordinate was going to be more than enough.
"Let's move out!" he called, heading for the door. He didn't bother to look back to see if they were both following. Today they would be. How things went out there—well, that would help determine whether tomorrow would be the same story. He had chosen correctly when Chase Graves had come to group looking for recruits. Both of these kids had the makings of good soldiers. But both of them had their issues, as well, and those issues were going to have to be trained out of them. By him, a challenge that Major both looked forward to and dreaded, in about equal measure.