Chapter 2
Some time passed and the sun goes down with the passing hours, my book going to an end as I silently plead for it to not stop. I mark my page, stretch my arms and get up. My stomach starts groaning in hunger. I put a hand on it and pause my music, hanging my headphones around my neck and slipping my Walkman on my belt again. "Not leaving without it, just like always." I mumble as I check if it really is secure. Then I walk out of my tent with the idea of getting some food. That is abruptly stopped by me bumping into something hard. I fall down and instantly make a roll to stand up again. My hands fly to my Walkman, still secure. I shake my head in confusion before looking at what I bumped against. "Jones?" I ask in confusion.
"Mary, general wants to see you." He says as he salutes mockingly. I grin and do the same. We walk together towards the generals tent. "So, heard anything more from the rumour?" I can't help but laugh. "Jones, you know my initials are M. triple A N. right?" Jones eyes widen as he stutters something not understandable. "You are… my gosh and I didn't notice, damn I'm a bad soldier." He mutters. I pat him on the back as we arrive. "Duty calls, see you later Jones!" I smile as I wave. He waves back, still stunned. I snort and fix my posture. I knock on the tent and general Morisson calls me in. I breathe in and open the flap of the tent, going in.
"When is the sniper coming Morisson, we don't have all day. Besides, I think you'll agree if I say that we're hungry." A man with grey hair and a cigar in his mouth complains. I clear my throat and salute for the general. Then I turn towards the man and salute for him, not knowing his position. "You asked for me general?" Morisson stands up and puts himself next to me. "Lieutenant, this is colonel John 'Hannibal' Smith, leader of the A-team." He introduces the colonel. I salute again. The colonel crosses his arms. "Hannibal, this is Lieutenant Mary triple A Nemo, your new sniper and team-member." He introduces me. The colonel eyes me up and down before holding out his hand. "Pardon my manners Lieutenant, it is a pleasure to meet you." He curtly says. I nod and shake his hand. "The pleasure is all mine colonel." I smile politely.
A few moments later, I'm following the colonel for what he said was an introduction with the team. A moment to eat, he told me as we left the tent of the general. "So, I read your file. 5 years of snipers?" He opens the conversation. "Yes sir, 7 years over all but those 5 were the key to my position." I answer. The smell of meat enters my nose and I feel the hunger luring in my inner self. "Murdock's at it again." The colonel mumbles. I wonder who's Murdock but I'll see later on. We have been walking towards another part of the camp, a part where I haven't been before. Once the known has been replaced by the unknown, I see 3 men in front of a complex of tents.
Once they hear us, they look up to see us. They are watching us like hawks. A man with blond hair, one with a blue cap behind a barbecue and a darker coloured man with a mohawk working on a motor. The looks make me feel threatened, so I cross my arms in defence. "Hannibal, who's the girl?" The blond man asks as he gives me a big grin, which looks nice. "Boys, this is Lieutenant Mary triple A Nemo, the sniper and our newest member." The colonel introduces me. The man seems taken back by that and quickly recomposes himself. The man with mohawk gives me a onceover and the man with cap gives a grin.
"Lieutenant, these are my men." He points towards the blond man. "This is Lieutenant Templeton Peck." Peck gives me another smile and I give him a nod. He looks visibly surprised. Then the colonel points towards the man with mohawk. "This is sergeant Bosco Baracus, our mechanic." The man nods and I give a nod back. "Nice motor." I comment. Baracus continues working on his machine. Then the colonel points towards the man with cap. "And this is Captain James Murdock, our pilot." The captain salutes and flips something on his barbecue. "Hope you're hungry, cause this meat isn't going to eat itself! No Billy, it's not for you!" He smiles and then frowns at the ground. I arch an eyebrow but let it be as the colonel offers me a seat. I thank him and sit down.
After eating, I get into a conversation with the group of men. They all seem to be very different from each other. After another quick reminder of names, I got to know their nicknames or code names. The Colonel is always referred to as Hannibal. Reminds me of making a poem about the conqueror with the elephants. Lieutenant Peck is called Faceman, or Face for short. Seargent Baracus had gained the nickname B.A. which stand for Bad Attitude. Lastly the Captain has his last name as a nickname, so Murdock. He insists that H.M. is also ok but after getting the meaning I insisted on his last name as H.M. stand for Howling Mad. "So Lieutenant, do you have a code name?" Face leans back as he speaks. "Naturally," I smile. "Most use my first name on regular base, but triple A has always been something that sticks. Then of course there are some who use my middle names when they see a use for it, but that doesn't happen often." I shrug. "Middle names?" I look at Murdock. "Triple A stands for my middle names." I declare with another shrug.
"What are they then?" B.A asks, which shocks me honestly. The man doesn't speak much and minds his own business. "That's for me to know and for you to find out." I quip. Hannibal smiles at my comment and blows some smoke from his cigar. "Anyone wants another piece? This time I added my special sauce." Murdock grins as he returns to his barbecue. "No, you fool! We don't need to be paralysed by your anti-freeze." B.A. shouts. Murdock's grin changed to something sheepishly and he grabs a piece for himself. I turn in my seat and my Walkman loosens on my belt.
I grab it off, look at the hook that holds it in place and put it back. "What are you holding?" I secure it tightly before returning to the conversation. "My Walkman, I never go anywhere without it, except for missions." I tell them. Then I take it out again and show them. The night goes further with lots of conversations, laughing and grinning. When the men go back to their tent, I stand up and thank them for the evening. I salute and turn around, going back to my own tent. After a little walking, I see my cozy home for the moment and go in. "What a night." I mutter as I make myself ready for the night. "That team is going to be the end of me." I whisper as I lay down in my bed and close my eyes.