Arctic Force

Introduction.

"SQUAD, TEN HUT!"

The gutteral scream from the Colonel in front of me used to send a shiver down my spine. But now, there's no more fear.

I'm quite used to the military environment through years of training, and the screaming no longer has an effect on me.

I stand straight-forward, alongside a small number of soldiers called into the Colonel's office. We stand in an orchestrated fashion, I cannot see their faces.

He delivers some important information. I stood there, thinking what mission we were about to embark on. Soldiers knew if we were called to the office, we were about to embark on a calculated mission.

"There is urgent need for the best of our tactical and operational privates on a highly confidential mission. You will have a specialised leader for this mission at your base, she is a mastermind and she demands my squadron's elite. Do not let me down fellas, now off you go. Transport to base arrives in 00:15. Assort your personal belongings. Go now."

With that, the 5 of us rushed down to our bunks, and collected our already-limited supplies and were now launched on this mission. I took a quick moment in the bathroom to look at myself in the small, scratched mirror. My dark brunette hair was slicked back to a low bun, and my military camo looks buff and tactical in the low light. I adjusted my glasses and applied my lip balm to brighten up my lips.

As quick as we were told of this mission, we were on board a small confined bus to the base. I recognised one of my acquaintance in the seat in front of me. I remember we both went through the first days as a junior soldier in initial training.

"Stefan" I tapped his shoulder and whispered, he turned and peeked over the bus seat.

--"Bonnie!" His voice was excited, and he clutched my hand.

--"So good to see you, I've heard of your success in your squad."

I smile, honoured to hear of my hard work being chatted about through the squadron. I had earned my way to the leading operations private in my squad. In other words, the brains behind the tactical movements.

"Thankyou, and same to you Hulk." I ended my comment with a smile, knowing how much he'd buffed up since we'd last seen each other. He had excelled in the physicality of his squandron, being the strongest and most undefeated hand fighter, with a strong presence with any team.

It's hard to explain, but there was no feelings of romance with Stefan. It was pure, genuine connection yet we both knew we would have each other's backs, and care for one another. Being in the military, you for a unique connection with teammates, and in this instance, Stefan was a trusted soldier that I would work to protect at all costs. I knew he would do the same for myself too.

"You know anything about this mission?" I query.

--"Nope, I just know we are heading toward the direction of the mountains. That's what I'm assuming."

"What about the other soldiers here?" I wedge my face in the gap of Stefan's chair in front of mine.

He speaks quietly, and points at each person.

--"Redhead, Victoria is a super skilled snipe I've heard. Then over there, Scott is one of the best endurance soldiers in his squad. And lastly, that guy over that side, Four is the best climber in the whole battalion."

I smile, "Guess we've got a hell of a team, then."

He nods, "Looks like it. One hell of a fight too, whatever we're up against."

I reply, using my intuition, "Yeah, but something tells me we are going to be alright." I end in a comforting smile, reassurance in the Army is a untold virtue of hope.