Admire (DJ x Commander)

Chapter 9 : DJ

DJ propped his crutches against his chair as flames licked up the oil drum that contained it. Paintballer had left to grab something earlier, but he returned from the darkness in only a few minutes.

"I assume you guys are hungry? Am I right?" Paintballer questioned. He was carrying a pot with what looked like packets of MRE's, and a water bottle in another hand.

"Jeez, you don't even have to ask, man." Soldier said. "MRE's, huh?"

"Yeah," Paintballer sat the pot on the ground and filled it with water. "This place must have been some navy base or something, I don't know. There's tons of these." 

Steadying the pot on the lip of the oil drum, the water boiled. 

"Anyway, that's besides the point. I want to know more about you guys." Paintballer brushed the dirt off his pants. 

"Well, there's LOTS to that story." DJ laughed. "What do you want to know?" 

"Anything, really. I met scout in the academy, but I don't know what really happened after that. He said something about you quitting?" Paintballer pointed at Commander.

"Uh-" Commander hesitated. "You could say that." 

Everyone looked at Commander in silence as if saying, "Go on". 

He cleared his throat. "Frankly, the General kept trying to send us on- missions that would break code, I guess. I don't know why. He wouldn't stop-" Commander sighed. "I tried to get us under a different General. It's like my requests never got anywhere. We were the best troop out there. Our talents were wasted."

"I've- never heard this before." DJ placed a hand on Commanders shoulder. "What happened after you quit?"

They exchanged gazes for a second. DJ tried to reassure Commander that it was okay to talk.

"He was furious. Said I couldn't just 'quit'. I said I could. I had performed better than- anyone. I argued that I was eligible for honorable discharge. He said he would 'talk it over with the admiral'. I knew he wouldn't." 

Commander was silent for a moment. 

"I knew I couldn't bring you guys with me. So- I had to- find a way." 

Then, everyone was quiet. Paintballer looked around confused.

"We didn't just 'get lost' did we?" Freezer looked at Commander in slight disbelief. 

DJ knew what he was talking about. Years ago, we were sent out on a expedition to the mountains for a hike that would last days. We were supposed to arrive a military base to do who-knows-what. It wasn't important anymore. They had all the necessary supplies to survive for well over a year. Just in case.

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry." Commander stared at the ground. "I'm- a good man. I followed orders- but commanding my troop to-"

"So, you're saying we could have been in a bed and have meals every day?" Scout questioned.

"I-" Commander stuttered.

"You've got to be kidding me. We were loyal- WE-" Scout raised his voice.

"SCOUT. CHILL." DJ raised his hands in front of him to gesture him to calm down. "You know what, no. I'm talking to everyone now. It wasn't a great thing to just- leave without telling us where we were going, but haven't these last years been unforgettable? It's not like we had much family at home anymore, right?" 

DJ paused. 

"And, personally, I think Commander has taught us a lot. Seriously! I couldn't handle a gun for the life of me, but he managed to find me something to do that helps the team. I think that's enough."