JACKAL

The Old Grind

Orville had woken up at 0530 hours like he always did. Upon waking up he had noticed Sakhari was gone and his field jacket on the ground. The tanker casually got out of bed wondering where the yautja may have been. Maybe she took a powder. Orville thought to himself. If that is what happened, what would I tell the others?

Orville slipped out of bed not bothering to don his boots. He picked up his field jacket off the ground and put his arms through the sleeves. Exiting the tent, Orville had looked around for Sakhari. "Sakhari?" Orville called out as he looked around the tent. He found Sakhari staring out at the horizon. She had her mask back on somewhat to Orville's relief. She had been sitting on her knees in a meditative position, still towering over the tanker. Upon sensing Orville's presence, Sakhari calmly looked over her shoulder, the two eyes on the side of her mask glaring at Orville. "Yes Orville?" She asked.

"Thought you might have taken a powder." Orville said. Sakhari looked at Orville confused, unfamiliar with his slang terms. "I thought you may have left." Orville clarified. "What reason would I have to leave?" Sakhari asked. "I have not sensed any betrayal from you, and I am yet to meet your piers." Now knowing Sakhari hadn't left, Orville returned to his tent to don his boots, leggings, and get the day started.

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It had to be the hottest day of the month. Soldiers had tied their jackets around their helmets and their shirts around their waists, their trousers soaked in sweat. Orville had his jacket tied around his head like a madman and his sleeves rolled up to his shoulders. It was days like this when Orville would travel to the beach with his parents. The cold water easing his mind... His only way of cooling off now was to roll around in the mud like a pig, a low he wouldn't dare stoop to.

Simmons had been called by a soldier to see the captain. The former hadn't worn his jacket,  the first three buttons of his shirt were undone and his sleeves were rolled up past his elbows. Upon entering the commander's tent, Simmons was greeted by his commanding officer, Captain Johnathan Myers. Myers had silver hair and wrinkels all over his face, about mid to late sixties. He wore a brown overseas cap, an infantry field jacket, a shoulder holster different from the one Simmons wore. "I can see you're handling this heat just dandy, lieutenant." Myers spoke in a raspy voice. "Regardless of the weather, there's krauts that need pounding. If we're not pounding the krauts, the krauts are pounding us." Myers would begin to brief Simmons on his mission.

"Reconaissance has pinpointed a kraut artillery position outside of Barenton raining onto our troops. Our boys haven't been able to move supplies. You and first platoon will tackle the artillery head on, south while second platoon will engage the lines east. Expect kraut armor. There is an intelligence officer within the city. Kill him if necessary but find out what he knows. Third platoon has already taken the 17th Engineers to dig up landmines so you should be able to use the roads. Is that clear?"

"Yes sir!" Simmons saluted. "Dismissed." Myers responded and with that Simmons had left the tent.

Sakhari had been looking over JACKAL in curiosity. She climbed onto the back, wanting to know how the metal monster worked. Upon hearing a voice, she had leapt off of the tank and onto the ground. "Mount up!" It was Simmons's voice. Orville, Ross, Morales, and Low had climbed into the tank, shutting the hatches behind them. Simmons had climbed onto the engine deck when he remembered Sakhari. Her appearance hadn't bothered him but he didn't know what to do with her. "You. Just, stay on the back, and don't let anyone see you." Simmons had said as he entered the tank. Sakhari obliged and turned invisible like before. Everyone was already wearing their helmets and settled in. "Steady as we go, Low." Simmons ordered. "Jawohl." Low responded. Same as before, he switched the ignition switch on and like before the mighty engine of JACKAL roared to life. The tank began moving.