"What is that?" David asked as he rounded the corner into the dining room in the team's house. He could hear beeps, whistles, clangs, and explosions coming from the living room.
Steve and Joe were in the kitchen making dinner and talking quietly while mark was at the table processing some paperwork from a recent mission. Mark looked up quickly, "cartoons, Sir," he said, "Bugs Bunny cartoons," at his commanders confused look.
"Why are there cartoons on and why is it so loud?" he asked. He could hear Bryan's laughter coming from the couch in front of the small television set that they seldom used.
"Bryan's been in a pretty rotten mood all day and cartoons are one of the few ways to snap him out of it fairly quickly. It's been that way ever since we were young; when he has a problem he can't or wont deal with or he is in a foul mood, the slapstick comedy of cartoons always helps," Mark explained, "And judging from the laughter, he seems to be almost normal again." Mark paused and grinned, "well, at least as normal as any of us ever get."
Showing posts with label Team. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Team. Show all posts
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Again and Again
The four men in Commander Cole's unit were huffing for air when they came staggering into the open compound yard after a twenty mile run; Joe immediately collapsed to the ground, heaving for breath.
"On your feet soldier," David barked as he stepped out of the command post.
Joe immediately rolled to his knees and struggled to stand again without blacking out, Bryan and Mark were both doubled over with their hands on their thighs, and Steve was leaning against the wall, swallowing convulsively, as he tried to regain his balance.
"Line up!" David commanded, and watched as they shuffled into a staggered line.
"Not good enough men," David said, looking them up and down, "Dress those lines and come to attention.
It took the four subordinate officers a few seconds to straiten themselves out. They were still breathing hard and sweat was pouring off of their faces in the hot Nevada sun.
"That run took you almost three hours gentlemen," David said disparagingly as he paced back and forth in front of them. "It should have taken you no more than two," he said, and looked each of them in the eye until they looked down. "I will not tolerate such poor standards in my command. You will do it again tomorrow, and it had better be within the time limits. As for right now, you will each give me one hundred push-ups, and then you will run the obstacle course. You will finish in under two minutes. Now Move!" David barked.
The four men dropped to the ground and began the rigorous number of push-ups that came on top of the run; none of them looked forward to the obstacle course. None of them had ever finished in under two minutes.
David watched in silence as his men struggled to make the repetitions that he had required, watched them stagger to their feet again and run to the obstacle course, and watched every one of them fail to make the two minute mark.
"Not good men," David said as he shook his head, "not good at all. Tomorrow will be more of the same, and the next day, and the next. Everyday until you can do it right. Now, dismissed to eat and wash," David said.
The four men said nothing as they turned from their leader and headed towards the barracks, complete exhaustion the only emotion in their faces.
"Just a little harsh don't you think?" Commander Hayes asked as he stepped out of the command post where he had been watching David drill his men.
"Were you any easier on me?" David asked without turning, "If I'm harsh now, they will become better soldiers; quick, agile, disciplined, strong, and resilient. They will live longer, and be prouder of themselves."
"Well, they're your men, I won't interfere, but do remember that they are also pretty young," Hayes said as he turned to leave.
"So was I," David said to no one in particular.
"On your feet soldier," David barked as he stepped out of the command post.
Joe immediately rolled to his knees and struggled to stand again without blacking out, Bryan and Mark were both doubled over with their hands on their thighs, and Steve was leaning against the wall, swallowing convulsively, as he tried to regain his balance.
"Line up!" David commanded, and watched as they shuffled into a staggered line.
"Not good enough men," David said, looking them up and down, "Dress those lines and come to attention.
It took the four subordinate officers a few seconds to straiten themselves out. They were still breathing hard and sweat was pouring off of their faces in the hot Nevada sun.
"That run took you almost three hours gentlemen," David said disparagingly as he paced back and forth in front of them. "It should have taken you no more than two," he said, and looked each of them in the eye until they looked down. "I will not tolerate such poor standards in my command. You will do it again tomorrow, and it had better be within the time limits. As for right now, you will each give me one hundred push-ups, and then you will run the obstacle course. You will finish in under two minutes. Now Move!" David barked.
The four men dropped to the ground and began the rigorous number of push-ups that came on top of the run; none of them looked forward to the obstacle course. None of them had ever finished in under two minutes.
David watched in silence as his men struggled to make the repetitions that he had required, watched them stagger to their feet again and run to the obstacle course, and watched every one of them fail to make the two minute mark.
"Not good men," David said as he shook his head, "not good at all. Tomorrow will be more of the same, and the next day, and the next. Everyday until you can do it right. Now, dismissed to eat and wash," David said.
The four men said nothing as they turned from their leader and headed towards the barracks, complete exhaustion the only emotion in their faces.
"Just a little harsh don't you think?" Commander Hayes asked as he stepped out of the command post where he had been watching David drill his men.
"Were you any easier on me?" David asked without turning, "If I'm harsh now, they will become better soldiers; quick, agile, disciplined, strong, and resilient. They will live longer, and be prouder of themselves."
"Well, they're your men, I won't interfere, but do remember that they are also pretty young," Hayes said as he turned to leave.
"So was I," David said to no one in particular.
Tickets
"Has anyone else noticed how strange the commander has been acting this week?" Steve asked the other three as they sat in the dining room. None of them knew where David was; he hadn't left any note.
"Yeah," the other three answered. "I don't know what is going on, but it feels weird. First the picture, and the dinner," Bryan said.
"I heard him singing one night," Mark said quietly.
"And he invited me to watch the meteor shower with him," Joe added.
Steve was pondering over these thoughts when his phone went off. Seconds later the other three phones in the room went off also.
Flipping open the phone, they could see that it was a text message from David. All it said was an address and a time, ten hundred.
Steve looked at his watch and nodded. "Let's go men,"
>>>>>>>>>>>>
The four men were extremely puzzled as they stepped out of the car. Rising before them was a massive carnival. They could see David waiting at the front gate.
"What's up Boss?" Steve asked as they approached.
David shrugged, "Let's go have some fun," he said as he turned to buy tickets.
"Yeah," the other three answered. "I don't know what is going on, but it feels weird. First the picture, and the dinner," Bryan said.
"I heard him singing one night," Mark said quietly.
"And he invited me to watch the meteor shower with him," Joe added.
Steve was pondering over these thoughts when his phone went off. Seconds later the other three phones in the room went off also.
Flipping open the phone, they could see that it was a text message from David. All it said was an address and a time, ten hundred.
Steve looked at his watch and nodded. "Let's go men,"
>>>>>>>>>>>>
The four men were extremely puzzled as they stepped out of the car. Rising before them was a massive carnival. They could see David waiting at the front gate.
"What's up Boss?" Steve asked as they approached.
David shrugged, "Let's go have some fun," he said as he turned to buy tickets.
Dinner
"Oh, what smells so good?" Bryan asked as he came in the front door, followed by the other three.
Both Mark and Steve inhaled the scents of roasting meat that were coming from the kitchen.
"Whatever it is, is sure smells good," Mark said and he inhaled again, internalizing the scents.
Steve poked his head around the doorway and into the kitchen. He was rewarded by a powerful gust of scents as David opened the oven door. "Cooking Boss?" Steve asked in surprise.
David looked up from where he was placing the food on the counter, "Yes," he said simply.
"What are you making?" Steve asked as he stepped fully into the kitchen.
"Seared duck with a raspberry chipolte demi glace sauce, Garlic whipped potatoes, a harvest vegetable medley, a butternut squash soup, a spring mix salad with almonds, feta cheese, and dried cranberries, and a passion fruit mousse for dessert," David said, though he sounded distracted. "Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes. Go get cleaned up."
"Yes Boss," Steve said as he ushered the others out of the kitchen and towards the back of the house.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The team sat around, groaning in pleasure at the delicious food that they had been treated to. Finally, Mark said, "I didn't know you could cook Boss."
David looked up at him from the small coffee gup he was contemplating, "A good friend taught me a long time ago. It has been a long time though since I have cooked."
"Well, it was the best I have ever eaten," Bryan piped up and the others agreed.
"Thank you," David said simply.
Both Mark and Steve inhaled the scents of roasting meat that were coming from the kitchen.
"Whatever it is, is sure smells good," Mark said and he inhaled again, internalizing the scents.
Steve poked his head around the doorway and into the kitchen. He was rewarded by a powerful gust of scents as David opened the oven door. "Cooking Boss?" Steve asked in surprise.
David looked up from where he was placing the food on the counter, "Yes," he said simply.
"What are you making?" Steve asked as he stepped fully into the kitchen.
"Seared duck with a raspberry chipolte demi glace sauce, Garlic whipped potatoes, a harvest vegetable medley, a butternut squash soup, a spring mix salad with almonds, feta cheese, and dried cranberries, and a passion fruit mousse for dessert," David said, though he sounded distracted. "Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes. Go get cleaned up."
"Yes Boss," Steve said as he ushered the others out of the kitchen and towards the back of the house.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The team sat around, groaning in pleasure at the delicious food that they had been treated to. Finally, Mark said, "I didn't know you could cook Boss."
David looked up at him from the small coffee gup he was contemplating, "A good friend taught me a long time ago. It has been a long time though since I have cooked."
"Well, it was the best I have ever eaten," Bryan piped up and the others agreed.
"Thank you," David said simply.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Picture Out of Place
Steve, Mark, Bryan and Joe entered the house quietly after their night at the club. None were staggering, but they were all very light hearted at the moment. Steve, being the designated driver, herded the others through the house and towards the kitchen to get some aspirin. He was sure that they would need it in the morning.
As they walked quietly through the dining room, snickering and laughing quietly, a flash of color out of place caught Mark's notice. He turned to look at David's desk.
Their commanders desk was always scrupulously neat and exact in its order; and nothing was different now except for a single photograph lying in the precise center of the clear space. Mark fell behind as the others continued on to the kitchen; he picked up the picture and examined it closely. A very pretty young woman that he would judge to be about eighteen or nineteen was smiling, but that was not the odd part of the picture. The woman was curled around a young David, their arms would around each other, with one of David's arms going out of the frame, clearly he was taking the picture.
Mark had never seen that expression on his commanders face; happy, carefree, full of life and excitement, and love.
"What do you have Mark?" Steve asked coming up behind him with the others following.
Mark turned and showed them the picture.
"Who's that?" Joe asked, pointing at the woman, "how old do you think he is there?" as he took the photo and looking at it closely.
"Why would he leave it lying out like this?" Bryan asked, "he's in no way careless, so it was on purpose."
"I don't know," Mark said, "But I think the more important question would be, why did he stop looking like that?"
"It's Ariana," Steve said after a moment.
As they walked quietly through the dining room, snickering and laughing quietly, a flash of color out of place caught Mark's notice. He turned to look at David's desk.
Their commanders desk was always scrupulously neat and exact in its order; and nothing was different now except for a single photograph lying in the precise center of the clear space. Mark fell behind as the others continued on to the kitchen; he picked up the picture and examined it closely. A very pretty young woman that he would judge to be about eighteen or nineteen was smiling, but that was not the odd part of the picture. The woman was curled around a young David, their arms would around each other, with one of David's arms going out of the frame, clearly he was taking the picture.
Mark had never seen that expression on his commanders face; happy, carefree, full of life and excitement, and love.
"What do you have Mark?" Steve asked coming up behind him with the others following.
Mark turned and showed them the picture.
"Who's that?" Joe asked, pointing at the woman, "how old do you think he is there?" as he took the photo and looking at it closely.
"Why would he leave it lying out like this?" Bryan asked, "he's in no way careless, so it was on purpose."
"I don't know," Mark said, "But I think the more important question would be, why did he stop looking like that?"
"It's Ariana," Steve said after a moment.
Got You Good
David grinned devilishly as he placed the pie on the table, the common area for all free food in the bunk house. It was after midnight and the others had long retired to bed. He snickered to himself as he walked away, waiting for the first victim.
Mark and Bryan stumbled out of bed the following morning followed closely by Joe as they groped for the coffee pot that Steve traditionally started in the morning. After the first few sips they were able to pry open their eyes a fraction, blinking at the bright morning light.
"So, breakfast?" Joe asked hopefully.
"I don't even want to think, let alone cook this morning," Bryan grumbled before taking another sip of the strong brew.
"How about pie?" Mark asked, gesturing towards the dessert in the middle of the table.
"Pie works for me," Joe said as he reached for plates and forks. Bryan cut the pie and dished out generous servings for the three of them, pushing the other two plates towards the others.
"Smells like banana pie," Bryan said as they all dug in.
Steve walked in just as the three younger men did a spit-take, gagging as they reached for glasses of water. Steve raised an eyebrow at their expressions, "That's what you get for having pie for breakfast," he said as he passed into the other room. He could still hear them gagging behind him and he cracked a faint grin.
"Where did that come from? It's disgusting!" Bryan asked loudly, still trying to get the taste out of his mouth.
"It tastes like someone mixed up salt with sugar in the recipe," Mark added, spitting again into the sink.
"Good morning everyone," David said as he came into the room, his face passive as he looked at the three youngest members of his team; they all still wore expressions of disgust.
"Do you know where this pie came from Sir?" Joe asked as he scraped the remainder of his pie into the trash.
"I made it. Don't you like it?" David asked innocently.
"Er," Joe hesitated, not wanting to embarrass David.
"Did you read the recipe right?" Mark finally asked after another long pause.
David's eyes sparkled with merriment as he looked at his men. "I just thought we should celebrate," he said, trying to contain his laughter.
"Celebrate what Boss?" Joe asked, clearly confused.
"Happy April Fools Day," David said and burst out laughing at the dumbfounded expressions on his men's faces.
Mark and Bryan stumbled out of bed the following morning followed closely by Joe as they groped for the coffee pot that Steve traditionally started in the morning. After the first few sips they were able to pry open their eyes a fraction, blinking at the bright morning light.
"So, breakfast?" Joe asked hopefully.
"I don't even want to think, let alone cook this morning," Bryan grumbled before taking another sip of the strong brew.
"How about pie?" Mark asked, gesturing towards the dessert in the middle of the table.
"Pie works for me," Joe said as he reached for plates and forks. Bryan cut the pie and dished out generous servings for the three of them, pushing the other two plates towards the others.
"Smells like banana pie," Bryan said as they all dug in.
Steve walked in just as the three younger men did a spit-take, gagging as they reached for glasses of water. Steve raised an eyebrow at their expressions, "That's what you get for having pie for breakfast," he said as he passed into the other room. He could still hear them gagging behind him and he cracked a faint grin.
"Where did that come from? It's disgusting!" Bryan asked loudly, still trying to get the taste out of his mouth.
"It tastes like someone mixed up salt with sugar in the recipe," Mark added, spitting again into the sink.
"Good morning everyone," David said as he came into the room, his face passive as he looked at the three youngest members of his team; they all still wore expressions of disgust.
"Do you know where this pie came from Sir?" Joe asked as he scraped the remainder of his pie into the trash.
"I made it. Don't you like it?" David asked innocently.
"Er," Joe hesitated, not wanting to embarrass David.
"Did you read the recipe right?" Mark finally asked after another long pause.
David's eyes sparkled with merriment as he looked at his men. "I just thought we should celebrate," he said, trying to contain his laughter.
"Celebrate what Boss?" Joe asked, clearly confused.
"Happy April Fools Day," David said and burst out laughing at the dumbfounded expressions on his men's faces.
Making a Mess
David looked around the kitchen, surveying the disaster from the door. Every surface was covered in a fine white powder, egg dripped from one counter and there were pots and pans everywhere. Standing in the middle of a pile of flour, David saw Mark and Bryan holding spatulas. Joe was hiding off to one side covered in flour, and Steve stood looking guiltier than the other three put together, smears of chocolate stained his otherwise spotless white t-shirt.
"What's going on in here?" David asked.
All three of the younger agents started to talk at once, trying to explain, trying to diffuse their commanders ire. Steve motioned them to silence, and like the good soldiers that they were, fell silent at the command.
"We got the munchies sir," Steve said, "and then we got a little silly," he finished, looking down.
David stepped into the room, looking around. He ran one hand over a counter, his palm coming away coated in flour. "And what did you make?" David asked.
"Brownies!" Joe piped up. Realizing he had drawn attention to himself as David glanced his way, he clamped one hand over his mouth and backed up a step.
"David stepped over to the oven and opened the door. The scent of warm chocolate drifted out of the opening. David grabbed an oven mitt and pulled out the tray of brownies that were just done.
Holding it, he turned to his men, "clean this place up. I want it spotless in thirty minutes. Report when you are finished."
"Yes Sir!" his men snapped off a smart salute and began to clean.
David turned and carried the brownies away.
Joe and the twins whimpered as they watched it go. Steve called them back to work as he started to wipe down the counters.
Within 25 minutes they were finished and cleaned up, and they presented themselves outside of their commanders office. Steve raised his hand and knocked.
"Enter," David called.
Steve opened the door and stepped inside, followed by the younger men. "Finished Sir," Steve reported, saluting.
"Good. Now, come and eat this," David said, gesturing at the pan of brownies and a container of vanilla ice cream.
Joe and the Twins cheered and hurried over, Steve following them. They all sat at the table as David dished up the treat. They all dug in, grinning at the wonderful sensation of the icy treat and the warm chocolate.
"Just remember men," David said, "Next time, let's not make a mess."
"Yes Sir!" they chorused.
"What's going on in here?" David asked.
All three of the younger agents started to talk at once, trying to explain, trying to diffuse their commanders ire. Steve motioned them to silence, and like the good soldiers that they were, fell silent at the command.
"We got the munchies sir," Steve said, "and then we got a little silly," he finished, looking down.
David stepped into the room, looking around. He ran one hand over a counter, his palm coming away coated in flour. "And what did you make?" David asked.
"Brownies!" Joe piped up. Realizing he had drawn attention to himself as David glanced his way, he clamped one hand over his mouth and backed up a step.
"David stepped over to the oven and opened the door. The scent of warm chocolate drifted out of the opening. David grabbed an oven mitt and pulled out the tray of brownies that were just done.
Holding it, he turned to his men, "clean this place up. I want it spotless in thirty minutes. Report when you are finished."
"Yes Sir!" his men snapped off a smart salute and began to clean.
David turned and carried the brownies away.
Joe and the twins whimpered as they watched it go. Steve called them back to work as he started to wipe down the counters.
Within 25 minutes they were finished and cleaned up, and they presented themselves outside of their commanders office. Steve raised his hand and knocked.
"Enter," David called.
Steve opened the door and stepped inside, followed by the younger men. "Finished Sir," Steve reported, saluting.
"Good. Now, come and eat this," David said, gesturing at the pan of brownies and a container of vanilla ice cream.
Joe and the Twins cheered and hurried over, Steve following them. They all sat at the table as David dished up the treat. They all dug in, grinning at the wonderful sensation of the icy treat and the warm chocolate.
"Just remember men," David said, "Next time, let's not make a mess."
"Yes Sir!" they chorused.
Friday, April 1, 2011
The Trenches
David and Joe huddled in a fox hole; a few feet away, Mark, Bryan, and Steve were crouched in another. The steep earthen walls crumbled and dirt slithered to the ground as another mortar shell landed nearby.
"Join the Army, they said. See the world they said," Joe grumbled, shifting as more dirt found it's way down his shirt. He felt like it was caked on an inch thick by now.
David's smile was crooked, "this isn't the Army, we are a branch of the Marines. We go where they tell us, do what they tell us, no questions."
David stood up and fired a few rounds at the enemy. The screams of pain reported a direct hit. "I feel a bit like that game Whack-a-Mole. We pop up and pop down. And if we're lucky, we don't get hit back," David said as he crouched back beside Joe.
"At least can we have a war where it's cooler?" Joe asked, mopping the sweat out of his eyes and taking a long pull from his canteen.
"Can't help that the hot spots in the world right now are in the Middle East," David said, shrugging, and taking a swallow of his own warm water. He took in one more mouthful, swishing it around, and standing, spit it out quickly to get the grit out of his mouth. "Just imagine being in Alaska, salmon fishing in the rivers," David said, sitting back down, "at least trench warfare is nothing like it was in the other wars. Here it's relatively clean and sanitary."
"Hey Boss!" Steve hollered from the other hole.
"Yeah?"
"What is the deepest part of the ocean?"
"Challenger Deep," David hollered back.
David could hear a scuffle from the next hole over, and a faint, "ha, I told you so. Pay up."
David rolled his eyes. His team could be immature, but he wouldn't trust his life to any other group of men.
"Hey boss!" It was Bryan this time.
"What?"
"When can we go home?"
"We go home when we've won," David said.
"When we've won," He whispered to himself.
"Join the Army, they said. See the world they said," Joe grumbled, shifting as more dirt found it's way down his shirt. He felt like it was caked on an inch thick by now.
David's smile was crooked, "this isn't the Army, we are a branch of the Marines. We go where they tell us, do what they tell us, no questions."
David stood up and fired a few rounds at the enemy. The screams of pain reported a direct hit. "I feel a bit like that game Whack-a-Mole. We pop up and pop down. And if we're lucky, we don't get hit back," David said as he crouched back beside Joe.
"At least can we have a war where it's cooler?" Joe asked, mopping the sweat out of his eyes and taking a long pull from his canteen.
"Can't help that the hot spots in the world right now are in the Middle East," David said, shrugging, and taking a swallow of his own warm water. He took in one more mouthful, swishing it around, and standing, spit it out quickly to get the grit out of his mouth. "Just imagine being in Alaska, salmon fishing in the rivers," David said, sitting back down, "at least trench warfare is nothing like it was in the other wars. Here it's relatively clean and sanitary."
"Hey Boss!" Steve hollered from the other hole.
"Yeah?"
"What is the deepest part of the ocean?"
"Challenger Deep," David hollered back.
David could hear a scuffle from the next hole over, and a faint, "ha, I told you so. Pay up."
David rolled his eyes. His team could be immature, but he wouldn't trust his life to any other group of men.
"Hey boss!" It was Bryan this time.
"What?"
"When can we go home?"
"We go home when we've won," David said.
"When we've won," He whispered to himself.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Stake-Out
"I'm bored."
"To bad. The major says to stay, we stay."
"He's been gone over an hour."
"Shut up Joe."
"Bite me."
"Knock it off you two."
"How much longer do you think he'll be?"
"As long as he needs to be."
Sigh, "I'm hungry."
"Check your pack for a power bar."
"How about a game?"
"How about not."
"Hey Brian, I spy with my little eye something that begins with D."
"Dust. Achoo!"
"Bless you."
"Hurry up David."
"To bad. The major says to stay, we stay."
"He's been gone over an hour."
"Shut up Joe."
"Bite me."
"Knock it off you two."
"How much longer do you think he'll be?"
"As long as he needs to be."
Sigh, "I'm hungry."
"Check your pack for a power bar."
"How about a game?"
"How about not."
"Hey Brian, I spy with my little eye something that begins with D."
"Dust. Achoo!"
"Bless you."
"Hurry up David."
Swelter
It was sweltering outside, absolutely unbearable. The desert flowed on in every direction as far as they could see without any break. David and men lounged under the shade of the lean-to clad in loose trousers and long sleeved shirts. They had been assigned to keep an eye on a particular group of people. They had placed their surveillance and had retreated to a safe distance. Joe was on look out, the others were taking quietly or playing cards. Mark and Brian arguing over the relative value of different hands.
It was a quiet day in the desert.
It was a quiet day in the desert.
Fool
David realized his mistake to late. If he was lucky he would be able to get his men out alive. He had been a fool to think it was going to be easier than they had told him it would be, and now they might all die because of him.
"FALL BACK!" David shouted. "Regroup and rendezvous. Steve go with Joe, Mark and Brian you're with me. Move!" The five man team broke in two, shooting off in separate directions. David wound through the underbrush, keeping low and leading the two Second Lieutenants through the jungle. He knew that Steve would keep Joe safe.
Their mission had been a dangerous one to begin with, and now it was worse, they had been compromised and had not achieved their objective. David kept up a zigzagging path through the jungle , making sure that Mark and Brian were with him.
David and his men finally broke through the brush and ducked into a blind, waiting for Steve and Joe. The twins sat down heavily, trying to catch their breath. David paced back and forth in the small space, his face a thundercloud.
Ten minutes passes, twenty, and then thirty. David had just decided to go and look for his men when they came stumbling into the blind, Steve leaning heavily on Joe.
Joe eased Steve to the ground. There was a tourniquet at Steve's knee and another lower on his calf that was soaked in blood.
David crouched next to Steve and unwrapped the bandage. "Shot?"
"Yeah, they pegged me as we were hopping over a log." Steve winced as David started to clean the wound. "It's a damn good thing that they can't shoot," Steve joked. He sucked in a sharp breath as David pulled the slug from the wound.
"I'm sorry Lieutenant. This is my fault." David said, wrapping his man's leg again.
"Just get me back to base and we'll call it square."
"FALL BACK!" David shouted. "Regroup and rendezvous. Steve go with Joe, Mark and Brian you're with me. Move!" The five man team broke in two, shooting off in separate directions. David wound through the underbrush, keeping low and leading the two Second Lieutenants through the jungle. He knew that Steve would keep Joe safe.
Their mission had been a dangerous one to begin with, and now it was worse, they had been compromised and had not achieved their objective. David kept up a zigzagging path through the jungle , making sure that Mark and Brian were with him.
David and his men finally broke through the brush and ducked into a blind, waiting for Steve and Joe. The twins sat down heavily, trying to catch their breath. David paced back and forth in the small space, his face a thundercloud.
Ten minutes passes, twenty, and then thirty. David had just decided to go and look for his men when they came stumbling into the blind, Steve leaning heavily on Joe.
Joe eased Steve to the ground. There was a tourniquet at Steve's knee and another lower on his calf that was soaked in blood.
David crouched next to Steve and unwrapped the bandage. "Shot?"
"Yeah, they pegged me as we were hopping over a log." Steve winced as David started to clean the wound. "It's a damn good thing that they can't shoot," Steve joked. He sucked in a sharp breath as David pulled the slug from the wound.
"I'm sorry Lieutenant. This is my fault." David said, wrapping his man's leg again.
"Just get me back to base and we'll call it square."
The End
"Major! Come on, we have to go!" Steven laid down suppression fire, trying to give his commander a chance to fall back.
"I said get them out!" David squeezed off a few rounds, making each bullet count. Brian was down but alive.
"But David..."
"I said NOW!"
Steve hesitated a fraction of a second more and then ran to the others, helping Mark to carry Brian out of the engagement zone.
David gritted his teeth in pain as one bullet ripped through his shoulder, and another took him in the thigh. He knew that he would not be getting out. David limped backwards, firing off rounds behind him, setting blocks of C-4 as he went.
David felt fire in his lower back and them nothing, he collapsed in the corridor, holding the detonator in his hand. His vision was getting fuzzy, his breathing labored as his life flowed out of the hole in his back.
He blinked, trying to clear his field of vision, his grip tightening on the mechanism that would complete his mission. David heard pounding feet coming and readied himself.
Arianna, I'm coming. he pushed the switch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steve was at a loss for what to do. David was dead, Brian was in critical condition and Joe was presently AWOL. David would know what to do.
Steve sat down on his commander and friends bunk, and heard a crackle of paper. He reached under the covers and pulled out a sheet of paper, it was covered in Davids careful script.
'Steve, I'm sorry to leave you like that, but I knew it would happen eventually. Don't worry, you will know what you need to do...'
"I said get them out!" David squeezed off a few rounds, making each bullet count. Brian was down but alive.
"But David..."
"I said NOW!"
Steve hesitated a fraction of a second more and then ran to the others, helping Mark to carry Brian out of the engagement zone.
David gritted his teeth in pain as one bullet ripped through his shoulder, and another took him in the thigh. He knew that he would not be getting out. David limped backwards, firing off rounds behind him, setting blocks of C-4 as he went.
David felt fire in his lower back and them nothing, he collapsed in the corridor, holding the detonator in his hand. His vision was getting fuzzy, his breathing labored as his life flowed out of the hole in his back.
He blinked, trying to clear his field of vision, his grip tightening on the mechanism that would complete his mission. David heard pounding feet coming and readied himself.
Arianna, I'm coming. he pushed the switch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steve was at a loss for what to do. David was dead, Brian was in critical condition and Joe was presently AWOL. David would know what to do.
Steve sat down on his commander and friends bunk, and heard a crackle of paper. He reached under the covers and pulled out a sheet of paper, it was covered in Davids careful script.
'Steve, I'm sorry to leave you like that, but I knew it would happen eventually. Don't worry, you will know what you need to do...'
Promotion
It had been seven years since Arianna's death.
David strode through the compound beside his commander. It was one of many bases that he had become intimately acquainted with since the night that he had gone seeking revenge. Seven years of training and missions.
"What is the job Sir?" David directed the question to the man beside him.
"No job son, this time it's different." Commander Hayes mouth twitched in a brief smile.
"Then what Sir?"
"You will see."
Hayes lead David down a side passage towards the barracks, stopping beside a door.
"Captain, you have acquitted yourself remarkably well these last seven years. It is my pleasure to introduce you to your men as their commander."
David's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "My men?"
"Yes." Hayes opened the door to the barracks and barked, "Attention!"
Four young men scrambled out of their bunks and snapped to attention, saluting smartly.
David looked them over. They all looked very young. David briefly wondered if he had ever looked that young to his Commander. "At ease men."
The men fell into perfect parade rest, their eyes trained on the man before them.
Hayes pointed them each out in turn, "First Lieutenant Steven Blackwood, Second Lieutenants Brian and Mark Allard, and Second Lieutenant Joseph Kendrick." Each of the men saluted again as they were named off.
"Men," Hayes continued, "This is your new Commander Major David Cole."
David's head whipped around to look at his commander. Hayes threw him a wink and then faced the men again. "Major Cole will see to your specialized training."
Hayes turned to David, "Carry on Major."
David snapped off a sharp salute and watched his commander walk out the door. He turned to look at his men. "Lets get to know each other. Let's start with you." He nodded to Steven.
David strode through the compound beside his commander. It was one of many bases that he had become intimately acquainted with since the night that he had gone seeking revenge. Seven years of training and missions.
"What is the job Sir?" David directed the question to the man beside him.
"No job son, this time it's different." Commander Hayes mouth twitched in a brief smile.
"Then what Sir?"
"You will see."
Hayes lead David down a side passage towards the barracks, stopping beside a door.
"Captain, you have acquitted yourself remarkably well these last seven years. It is my pleasure to introduce you to your men as their commander."
David's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "My men?"
"Yes." Hayes opened the door to the barracks and barked, "Attention!"
Four young men scrambled out of their bunks and snapped to attention, saluting smartly.
David looked them over. They all looked very young. David briefly wondered if he had ever looked that young to his Commander. "At ease men."
The men fell into perfect parade rest, their eyes trained on the man before them.
Hayes pointed them each out in turn, "First Lieutenant Steven Blackwood, Second Lieutenants Brian and Mark Allard, and Second Lieutenant Joseph Kendrick." Each of the men saluted again as they were named off.
"Men," Hayes continued, "This is your new Commander Major David Cole."
David's head whipped around to look at his commander. Hayes threw him a wink and then faced the men again. "Major Cole will see to your specialized training."
Hayes turned to David, "Carry on Major."
David snapped off a sharp salute and watched his commander walk out the door. He turned to look at his men. "Lets get to know each other. Let's start with you." He nodded to Steven.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
FIrst Person: Joe
"You take point Joe," Steve ordered me as we laid out our plans to surprise David. This was going to be fun. I don't think that David even knows that we know it is his birthday.
"Why me?" I asked petulantly, I had certain rolls to fulfill. They expected me to complain about it, and I would not disappoint them.
"Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to." Steve replied, staring me down. I smiled internally, but I pouted for good measure. The other two were trying not to laugh.
Steve gave the twins their assignment, motioning to the schematic that was stretched out on the table. One that we had memorized in the first few minutes.
The twins were smiling at each other. They would be getting the party supplies.
(574)
"What will you be doing?" I asked.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." Steve rolled up the plans as he spoke. "Alright men," Steve continued in an official voice, Mark and Brian rolling their eyes behind him. "We have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
"Yes sir!" I snapped off a sharp salute and left the table. I walked down the hall and took my position as the twins left the safe house. I ran through various excuses and scenarios in my mind, different ways to distract David if we needed more time.
It seemed like it was no more than ten minutes before the twins were back, though I knew it had been at least an hour. We did not know when David would be back, but we would be ready.
I could hear the twins reporting to Steve and the ensuing ruckus of the preparations.
A short while later I could hear David's car coming. It was not hard to miss it. I clicked the walkie-talkie in my pocket to give them some warning.
David walked in the door. He seemed a little surprise to see me in the hallway.
"What is going on Joe? Why are you not in your bunk?" David asked. He sounded almost to tired to care why.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." I said.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!"
"Happy Birthday!"
Happy Birthday!" I yelled, slapping him on the back.
David stared in surprise at the sight before him. The room was strung with streamers and balloons. There was a large cake in the middle of the table that had a picture of his Camero in black icing. Twenty-seven candles glowed along the perimeter of the cake.
I watched David swallow back emotion. "Thank you guys."
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles."
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
I slipped past our leader and palmed a can of silly string. I could hear David and Steve talking behind me.
"Stealth Attack!" I yelled and hosed down the twins with the slightly sticky stuff. They quickly grabbed cans of their own, and the party was under way.
"Why me?" I asked petulantly, I had certain rolls to fulfill. They expected me to complain about it, and I would not disappoint them.
"Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to." Steve replied, staring me down. I smiled internally, but I pouted for good measure. The other two were trying not to laugh.
Steve gave the twins their assignment, motioning to the schematic that was stretched out on the table. One that we had memorized in the first few minutes.
The twins were smiling at each other. They would be getting the party supplies.
(574)
"What will you be doing?" I asked.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." Steve rolled up the plans as he spoke. "Alright men," Steve continued in an official voice, Mark and Brian rolling their eyes behind him. "We have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
"Yes sir!" I snapped off a sharp salute and left the table. I walked down the hall and took my position as the twins left the safe house. I ran through various excuses and scenarios in my mind, different ways to distract David if we needed more time.
It seemed like it was no more than ten minutes before the twins were back, though I knew it had been at least an hour. We did not know when David would be back, but we would be ready.
I could hear the twins reporting to Steve and the ensuing ruckus of the preparations.
A short while later I could hear David's car coming. It was not hard to miss it. I clicked the walkie-talkie in my pocket to give them some warning.
David walked in the door. He seemed a little surprise to see me in the hallway.
"What is going on Joe? Why are you not in your bunk?" David asked. He sounded almost to tired to care why.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." I said.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!"
"Happy Birthday!"
Happy Birthday!" I yelled, slapping him on the back.
David stared in surprise at the sight before him. The room was strung with streamers and balloons. There was a large cake in the middle of the table that had a picture of his Camero in black icing. Twenty-seven candles glowed along the perimeter of the cake.
I watched David swallow back emotion. "Thank you guys."
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles."
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
I slipped past our leader and palmed a can of silly string. I could hear David and Steve talking behind me.
"Stealth Attack!" I yelled and hosed down the twins with the slightly sticky stuff. They quickly grabbed cans of their own, and the party was under way.
Third Person Limited: David
David stared out the rain streaked windshield of his old Camero, lost in thought. He was another year older today. Not that anyone would know it.
He was parked near a cemetery, nobody was around. He was almost tempted to just go to sleep here, just to avoid thinking about what his life had lead him to. He was not usually so morose. This was his life, it was what he was, and who he was, but at times he grew tired of it. He grew tired at times of the lies, of the deaths, of starting again and again, of everything. Then he would remember why he was doing this. A face would float into his minds eye. A sweet little girl, just a child, cold and lifeless in his arms.
He knew that Steve would look after the others, he was dependable. David almost cracked a smile at the thought of Steve looking after the twins and young Joe, almost.
Sighing, David turned the ignition and the car roared to life. David liked the sound of his car, it was throaty and deep, a reassuring rumble. He pulled away from the curb, leaving the dead behind him, like he so often did. "At least none of these were by my hand." He thought as he drove a winding path back to the safe house.
Pulling up the the house, all was dark. David assumed that his men were asleep as they should be. He climbed out of his car and walked up the short path to the door and unlocked it. He was almost startled to see Joe standing in the hallway.
"What is going on Joe? Why are you not in your bunk?" David asked. He was almost to tired to care why.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!, Happy Birthday!, Happy Birthday!" His men shouted at him.
David's felt his eyes widen in surprise. He didn't know how they knew. He was almost speechless. David blinked, suppressing any visible emotion.
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles." Steve said from beside his commander.
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve." David said to his second
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
Behind them Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
He was parked near a cemetery, nobody was around. He was almost tempted to just go to sleep here, just to avoid thinking about what his life had lead him to. He was not usually so morose. This was his life, it was what he was, and who he was, but at times he grew tired of it. He grew tired at times of the lies, of the deaths, of starting again and again, of everything. Then he would remember why he was doing this. A face would float into his minds eye. A sweet little girl, just a child, cold and lifeless in his arms.
He knew that Steve would look after the others, he was dependable. David almost cracked a smile at the thought of Steve looking after the twins and young Joe, almost.
Sighing, David turned the ignition and the car roared to life. David liked the sound of his car, it was throaty and deep, a reassuring rumble. He pulled away from the curb, leaving the dead behind him, like he so often did. "At least none of these were by my hand." He thought as he drove a winding path back to the safe house.
Pulling up the the house, all was dark. David assumed that his men were asleep as they should be. He climbed out of his car and walked up the short path to the door and unlocked it. He was almost startled to see Joe standing in the hallway.
"What is going on Joe? Why are you not in your bunk?" David asked. He was almost to tired to care why.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!, Happy Birthday!, Happy Birthday!" His men shouted at him.
David's felt his eyes widen in surprise. He didn't know how they knew. He was almost speechless. David blinked, suppressing any visible emotion.
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles." Steve said from beside his commander.
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve." David said to his second
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
Behind them Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
Second Person: Steve
"You take point Joe," you order as we laid out our plans, you look pointedly at Joe, almost daring him to argue.
"Why me?" Joe asked petulantly. He dared, and you had to fight back your frustration.
"Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to," you replied, staring down the younger man. Joe could get whiny. Being the youngest on the team, You rolled your eyes at his antics. But you know that Joe is a good man, a great soldier, and an even better friend.
Joe was sullen and the twins were not helping, you want to head slap them, but you know it wouldn't do any good. You turn to look at the others.
"Brian and Mark, you two are responsible for acquisition and deployment." you said made motions to the schematic that was stretched out on the table.
You can almost see the thoughts darting through their minds.
"What will you be doing?" Joe asked, resigned to his position.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." You rolled up the plans as you spoke. "Alright men," you continued in an official voice, "We have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
You sit back as the others darted off to accomplish their tasks. Good men, you mused.
You thought back to your beginnings, the training, the long hours, the forced trust that springs up between men who watch your back.
You shook your head, standing up. You are glad that you had a domestic motheras you move to fulfill your roll in the op. Grabbing the blank cake you set to decorating it as the others periodically checked in with you. You were just putting the candles on the cake after decorating it with a picture of the Camero when Brian and mark returned.
You look up and see them carrying a black duffel bag between them that bulged with items. They looked extremely pleased. "We've got it!" Mark said. "Yeah, everything," Brian added.
"Excellent. You know what to do."
You only pay passing attention to what Brian and Mark are doing. You can hear them tousling in the background. After they are finished you reach over and flicked off the light, throwing the room into darkness. You can hear Joe faintly in the hallway.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it. You flinched slightly at the tone in your commanders voice as he drew near.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!" You yelled.
"Happy Birthday!" the rest of the team chorused.
You watch as David's eyes widened in surprise and see the slight emotion in his otherwise still face. You can see what it means to him.
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles." you said from beside your commander.
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve."
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
Behind them Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
"Why me?" Joe asked petulantly. He dared, and you had to fight back your frustration.
"Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to," you replied, staring down the younger man. Joe could get whiny. Being the youngest on the team, You rolled your eyes at his antics. But you know that Joe is a good man, a great soldier, and an even better friend.
Joe was sullen and the twins were not helping, you want to head slap them, but you know it wouldn't do any good. You turn to look at the others.
"Brian and Mark, you two are responsible for acquisition and deployment." you said made motions to the schematic that was stretched out on the table.
You can almost see the thoughts darting through their minds.
"What will you be doing?" Joe asked, resigned to his position.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." You rolled up the plans as you spoke. "Alright men," you continued in an official voice, "We have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
You sit back as the others darted off to accomplish their tasks. Good men, you mused.
You thought back to your beginnings, the training, the long hours, the forced trust that springs up between men who watch your back.
You shook your head, standing up. You are glad that you had a domestic motheras you move to fulfill your roll in the op. Grabbing the blank cake you set to decorating it as the others periodically checked in with you. You were just putting the candles on the cake after decorating it with a picture of the Camero when Brian and mark returned.
You look up and see them carrying a black duffel bag between them that bulged with items. They looked extremely pleased. "We've got it!" Mark said. "Yeah, everything," Brian added.
"Excellent. You know what to do."
You only pay passing attention to what Brian and Mark are doing. You can hear them tousling in the background. After they are finished you reach over and flicked off the light, throwing the room into darkness. You can hear Joe faintly in the hallway.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it. You flinched slightly at the tone in your commanders voice as he drew near.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!" You yelled.
"Happy Birthday!" the rest of the team chorused.
You watch as David's eyes widened in surprise and see the slight emotion in his otherwise still face. You can see what it means to him.
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles." you said from beside your commander.
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve."
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
Behind them Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
First Person: Steve
"You take point Joe," I ordered as we laid out our plans, I looked pointedly at Joe, almost daring him to argue. Joe was a good man, he would do as he was told, even if he didn't like it.
"Why me?" Joe asked petulantly. I knew it would come, and so I suppressed a growl of frustration. I looked up at Joe again. "Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to." I stared Joe down. I knew that Joe could get whiny; I was almost sure at times that he felt it was a duty to act like a child. I know Joe is a good man, a great soldier, and an even better friend.
I looked away from Joe who still looked sullen. My gaze fell on the other two members of the team. Mark and Brian were trying not to laugh. I rolled my eyes and fought back an urge to head slap them. I knew it wouldn't do any good; it would only relieve a little irritation.
"Brian and Mark, you two are responsible for acquisition and deployment." I motioned to the schematic making sure that they understood. It was important that every op go off without a hitch; and to do that I knew it was essential that everyone knew their parts.
I could almost see the thoughts darting through Mark and Brian's minds. I could definitely see the sparkle of merriment and mischief in their eyes.
"What will you be doing?" Joe asked me; he finally sounded resigned to his position in the op.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." I rolled up the plans as I spoke, I knew that they would have committed it to memory by now, it was what they train to do. "Alright men," I said looking at my watch, "we have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
I sat back and watched as the others darted off to accomplish their tasks. Good men. I mused. I have never worked with better.
I thought back to how I got started, the training, the long hours, the forced trust that springs up between men who watch your back. It was a brutal life, but one that made a difference in the world. I was proud of who I was, and of what I had become.
My musing did not last long, I had work to do. I shook my head and stood up.
I am glad that I had a domestic mother, I thought to myself. I grabbed the blank cake from the counter and set to work. I stopped occasionally as the others radioed in SIT-REP. I took special care with the Camero, making sure that I matched the color and the tiny imperfections in the body of the car. It would not just be A Camero, it would be David's Camero. I was just putting the candles on the cake after finishing the car when Brian and mark returned.
I looked up from the counter where I was working and saw them carrying in a black duffel bag between them that bulged with items. They looked extremely pleased. "We've got it!" Mark said. "Yeah, everything," Brian added.
"Excellent. You know what to do." I said. I didn't bother to pay attention to what they were doing. I knew that I could count on them to do it right, even if it took them a while. I could hear them tousling in the background. I nodded when the others reported that their preparation were complete. I reached over and flicked off the lights, throwing the room into darkness. I could faintly hear Joe in the hallway, his voice muffled by the door.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!" I shouted.
"Happy Birthday!" The twins and Joe chorused
I watched as David's eyes widened in surprise. I knew that anyone who knew him less than his team would not see the slight emotion in his otherwise still face. The deeper breaths; the blink that meant that he was touched. I could see what it meant to him.
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles." I said from beside my commander.
I watched David lean in and draw in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve."
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
I smiled. Behind us, Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
"Why me?" Joe asked petulantly. I knew it would come, and so I suppressed a growl of frustration. I looked up at Joe again. "Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to." I stared Joe down. I knew that Joe could get whiny; I was almost sure at times that he felt it was a duty to act like a child. I know Joe is a good man, a great soldier, and an even better friend.
I looked away from Joe who still looked sullen. My gaze fell on the other two members of the team. Mark and Brian were trying not to laugh. I rolled my eyes and fought back an urge to head slap them. I knew it wouldn't do any good; it would only relieve a little irritation.
"Brian and Mark, you two are responsible for acquisition and deployment." I motioned to the schematic making sure that they understood. It was important that every op go off without a hitch; and to do that I knew it was essential that everyone knew their parts.
I could almost see the thoughts darting through Mark and Brian's minds. I could definitely see the sparkle of merriment and mischief in their eyes.
"What will you be doing?" Joe asked me; he finally sounded resigned to his position in the op.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." I rolled up the plans as I spoke, I knew that they would have committed it to memory by now, it was what they train to do. "Alright men," I said looking at my watch, "we have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
I sat back and watched as the others darted off to accomplish their tasks. Good men. I mused. I have never worked with better.
I thought back to how I got started, the training, the long hours, the forced trust that springs up between men who watch your back. It was a brutal life, but one that made a difference in the world. I was proud of who I was, and of what I had become.
My musing did not last long, I had work to do. I shook my head and stood up.
I am glad that I had a domestic mother, I thought to myself. I grabbed the blank cake from the counter and set to work. I stopped occasionally as the others radioed in SIT-REP. I took special care with the Camero, making sure that I matched the color and the tiny imperfections in the body of the car. It would not just be A Camero, it would be David's Camero. I was just putting the candles on the cake after finishing the car when Brian and mark returned.
I looked up from the counter where I was working and saw them carrying in a black duffel bag between them that bulged with items. They looked extremely pleased. "We've got it!" Mark said. "Yeah, everything," Brian added.
"Excellent. You know what to do." I said. I didn't bother to pay attention to what they were doing. I knew that I could count on them to do it right, even if it took them a while. I could hear them tousling in the background. I nodded when the others reported that their preparation were complete. I reached over and flicked off the lights, throwing the room into darkness. I could faintly hear Joe in the hallway, his voice muffled by the door.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!" I shouted.
"Happy Birthday!" The twins and Joe chorused
I watched as David's eyes widened in surprise. I knew that anyone who knew him less than his team would not see the slight emotion in his otherwise still face. The deeper breaths; the blink that meant that he was touched. I could see what it meant to him.
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles." I said from beside my commander.
I watched David lean in and draw in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve."
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
I smiled. Behind us, Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
Third Person Limited: Steve
"You take point Joe," Steve ordered as they laid out their plans, HE looked pointedly at Joe, almost daring him to argue.
"Why me?" Joe asked petulantly. He dared, and Steve suppressed a growl of frustration.
"Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to." Steve replied, staring down the younger man. Joe could get whiny. Being the youngest on the team, Steve was sure he almost felt it was a duty to act like a child at times. But he knew that Joe was a good man, a great soldier, and an even better friend.
Joe still looked sullen. The other two were trying not to laugh. Steve wanted to head slap them, but he knew it wouldn't do any good. He turned to look at the twins.
"Brian and Mark, you two are responsible for acquisition and deployment." Steve made motions to the schematic that was stretched out on the table, pointing out spots of particular interest.
Steve could almost see the thoughts darting through their minds. He could definitely see the sparkle of merriment in their eyes.
"What will you be doing?" Joe asked, resigned to his position.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." Steve rolled up the plans as he spoke. "Alright men," Steve continued in an official voice, "We have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
Steve sat back as the others darted off to accomplish their tasks. Good men. he mused to himself. He had never worked with better.
Steve thought back to his beginnings, the training, the long hours, the forced trust that springs up between men who watch your back.
Steve shook his head and stood up. He was so glad that he had a domestic mother, one that taught him many things. Grabbing the blank cake he set to decorating it as the others periodically checked in with him. He was just putting the candles on the cake after decorating it with a picture of the Camero when Brian and mark returned.
Steve looked up and saw them carrying a black duffel bag between them that bulged with items. They looked extremely pleased. "We've got it!" Mark said. "Yeah, everything," Brian added.
"Excellent. You know what to do."
Steve only paid passing attention to what Brian and Mark were doing. He could hear them tousling in the background. Steve reached over and flicked off the light, throwing the room into darkness, and grinned in anticipation. They could hear Joe in the hallway; Steve could hear him faintly.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!"
"Happy Birthday!"
Happy Birthday!"
Steve watched as David's eyes widened in surprise and saw the slight emotion in his otherwise still face. He could see what it meant to him.
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles." Steve said from beside his commander.
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve."
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
Behind them Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
"Why me?" Joe asked petulantly. He dared, and Steve suppressed a growl of frustration.
"Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to." Steve replied, staring down the younger man. Joe could get whiny. Being the youngest on the team, Steve was sure he almost felt it was a duty to act like a child at times. But he knew that Joe was a good man, a great soldier, and an even better friend.
Joe still looked sullen. The other two were trying not to laugh. Steve wanted to head slap them, but he knew it wouldn't do any good. He turned to look at the twins.
"Brian and Mark, you two are responsible for acquisition and deployment." Steve made motions to the schematic that was stretched out on the table, pointing out spots of particular interest.
Steve could almost see the thoughts darting through their minds. He could definitely see the sparkle of merriment in their eyes.
"What will you be doing?" Joe asked, resigned to his position.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." Steve rolled up the plans as he spoke. "Alright men," Steve continued in an official voice, "We have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
Steve sat back as the others darted off to accomplish their tasks. Good men. he mused to himself. He had never worked with better.
Steve thought back to his beginnings, the training, the long hours, the forced trust that springs up between men who watch your back.
Steve shook his head and stood up. He was so glad that he had a domestic mother, one that taught him many things. Grabbing the blank cake he set to decorating it as the others periodically checked in with him. He was just putting the candles on the cake after decorating it with a picture of the Camero when Brian and mark returned.
Steve looked up and saw them carrying a black duffel bag between them that bulged with items. They looked extremely pleased. "We've got it!" Mark said. "Yeah, everything," Brian added.
"Excellent. You know what to do."
Steve only paid passing attention to what Brian and Mark were doing. He could hear them tousling in the background. Steve reached over and flicked off the light, throwing the room into darkness, and grinned in anticipation. They could hear Joe in the hallway; Steve could hear him faintly.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!"
"Happy Birthday!"
Happy Birthday!"
Steve watched as David's eyes widened in surprise and saw the slight emotion in his otherwise still face. He could see what it meant to him.
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles." Steve said from beside his commander.
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve."
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
Behind them Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
Third person omniscient distant
"You take point Joe," Steve ordered as they laid out their plans
"Why me?" Joe asked petulantly.
"Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to." Steve replied, staring down the younger man.
Joe still looked sullen. The other two were trying not to laugh.
"Brian and Mark, you two are responsible for acquisition and deployment." Steve made motions to the schematic that was stretched out on the table, pointing out spots of particular interest.
The twins grinned at each other, each thinking the same thing.
"What will you be doing?" Joe asked, resigned to his position.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." Steve rolled up the plans as he spoke. "Alright men," Steve continued in an official voice, Mark and Brian rolling their eyes behind him. "We have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
"Yes sir!" The three other men slipped away from the table, each intent on his task.
~~~~~~~~~~
Brian and Mark returned an hour later, carrying a black duffel bag between them that bulged with items. They looked extremely pleased. "We've got it!" Mark said. "Yeah, everything," Brian added.
"Excellent. You know what to do."
Mark and Brian grinned and moved about the room, placing items everywhere. Some were tossed with little regard to where they landed. Others were placed very carefully. They were finished in a short time.
Steve and the twins turned out the light just before the deadline. They could hear Joe in the hallway.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!"
"Happy Birthday!"
Happy Birthday!"
David stared in surprise at the sight before him. The room was strung with streamers and balloons. There was a large cake in the middle of the table that had a picture of his Camero in black icing. Twenty-seven candles glowed along the perimeter of the cake.
David swallowed back emotion. It had been a long time since anyone had acknowledged his birthday. "Thank you guys."
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles."
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve."
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
Behind them Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
"Why me?" Joe asked petulantly.
"Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to." Steve replied, staring down the younger man.
Joe still looked sullen. The other two were trying not to laugh.
"Brian and Mark, you two are responsible for acquisition and deployment." Steve made motions to the schematic that was stretched out on the table, pointing out spots of particular interest.
The twins grinned at each other, each thinking the same thing.
"What will you be doing?" Joe asked, resigned to his position.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." Steve rolled up the plans as he spoke. "Alright men," Steve continued in an official voice, Mark and Brian rolling their eyes behind him. "We have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
"Yes sir!" The three other men slipped away from the table, each intent on his task.
~~~~~~~~~~
Brian and Mark returned an hour later, carrying a black duffel bag between them that bulged with items. They looked extremely pleased. "We've got it!" Mark said. "Yeah, everything," Brian added.
"Excellent. You know what to do."
Mark and Brian grinned and moved about the room, placing items everywhere. Some were tossed with little regard to where they landed. Others were placed very carefully. They were finished in a short time.
Steve and the twins turned out the light just before the deadline. They could hear Joe in the hallway.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!"
"Happy Birthday!"
Happy Birthday!"
David stared in surprise at the sight before him. The room was strung with streamers and balloons. There was a large cake in the middle of the table that had a picture of his Camero in black icing. Twenty-seven candles glowed along the perimeter of the cake.
David swallowed back emotion. It had been a long time since anyone had acknowledged his birthday. "Thank you guys."
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles."
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve."
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
Behind them Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
What Did you Do?
David stared in shock at what he saw. He was not sure if sleep deprivation was causing him to hallucinate, or what he was seeing was real. He closed and slowly opened his eyes again, the sight did not change.
"What did you do?" David advanced on his men, the three of them backing away from their leader.
Joe, Brian and Mark backed up until they were against the wall.
David was tired, he was sore, he had been pushed about as far as he could go. And now, he was angry.
Joe was edging away from his angry commander, but froze when David barked "Attention!" They all jerked to a halt and felt themselves snap to attention, years of training betraying their desire to run from the ire of their commander.
"I asked you a question." David's voice was deadly quiet.
David sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose as Joe broke into a rambling story.
Steve, who was standing to the side rolled his eyes at Joe's story.
"And that's what happened." Joe finally seemed to take a breath, the others nodding.
"Just fix it." David said in exasperation. He turned to Steve, his second in command and walked away with him, conversing quietly.
"Yes sir." they chorused meekly and moved away from their commander, gathering tools.
David turned to look at the damage. The drivers side mirror had been sheered off of the car body.
Brian shot a look at Mark. "What if...?"
"Shut it. What he doesn't know won't kill us."
"You and your stupid ideas Joe." Mark growled at him.
"Hey, I kept him from killing us, and if we play it smart, he'll never know what really happened." Joe shot back.
The others grumbled as they set to repairing their leaders car.
"What did you do?" David advanced on his men, the three of them backing away from their leader.
Joe, Brian and Mark backed up until they were against the wall.
David was tired, he was sore, he had been pushed about as far as he could go. And now, he was angry.
Joe was edging away from his angry commander, but froze when David barked "Attention!" They all jerked to a halt and felt themselves snap to attention, years of training betraying their desire to run from the ire of their commander.
"I asked you a question." David's voice was deadly quiet.
David sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose as Joe broke into a rambling story.
Steve, who was standing to the side rolled his eyes at Joe's story.
"And that's what happened." Joe finally seemed to take a breath, the others nodding.
"Just fix it." David said in exasperation. He turned to Steve, his second in command and walked away with him, conversing quietly.
"Yes sir." they chorused meekly and moved away from their commander, gathering tools.
David turned to look at the damage. The drivers side mirror had been sheered off of the car body.
Brian shot a look at Mark. "What if...?"
"Shut it. What he doesn't know won't kill us."
"You and your stupid ideas Joe." Mark growled at him.
"Hey, I kept him from killing us, and if we play it smart, he'll never know what really happened." Joe shot back.
The others grumbled as they set to repairing their leaders car.
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