Path of Totality; A TDS Eclipse Event Story

🌘Chapter 4🌒

      "Scout! Quit it! You're backpack isn't even zipped up!" Commander got on Scout as he pulled him back and stuffed his waterbottle in. "It's my first big mission! I can't stop now!" Scout tried to pull forward so he could get to the military truck taking him and the scouting team. It was mostly soldiers, but Scout was their little guest of honor.

      Besides, this was a great excuse to get Scout out for some important training! Commander didn't want to see the kid grow up so fast, but it would be cruel to hold him back like a helicopter mom. It made him feel uneasy none the less.

      "I know you're excited, but I want you to listen and do as they say, okay? Don't make me have you scare the raccoons out the dumpsters for the next month!" Commander playfully threatened as he zipped up Scout's bag.

      Commander personally had the bag packed himself. He had snacks and drinks for Scout personally (favoritism at its finest), a charged portable charger, a notebook with colorful pencils, some crayons, and some candy he had hidden in. He hoped that Scout would find the sweet surprise later in the trip.

      Scout jumped around, the excitement and energy bouncing off of him, "I'll be good! After my big mission, are you going to throw me a party?" Commander grinned, "I'll see if Chocolatier can bake you a small cake. With sprinkles. Maybe a candle if you behave."

      "I love candles!" Scout bounced. "Yeah, you love eating them. That's something I'm not going to let you do, squirt," Commander wrapped his arm around Scout's shoulder and gave it a pat.

      As he walked Scout over to the military truck, Commander reminded him about what they were going to do. "It's important not to draw attention to yourself. If you see any hostiles, you are to get out of there immediately, don't be a hero," Commander lectured.

      "I know! You wouldn't let me get ready until you told me like five times!" Scout giggled as he broke free and ran up to the soldiers. There was Winter Soldier, Douboy Soldier, and of course the Soldier waiting for him.

      Soldier made his way over and pat Scout's hat, "Did Mama Commander get his last few cuddles in before we went?" Commander grumbled. He wasn't all that happy being called a "mother," but he was coddling Scout a bit. Perhaps a lot over the time he has been here.

      Scout snickered, "Just reminding me what to do in case we run into any enemies!" Winter Soldier snorted, "As much as I would love to shoot some zombies right now after a whole week of nothing, I'd rather not mess with whatever the hell got a hold of the pumpkin man."

      Commander smiled at the joke as the others laughed, then it washed away. Whatever did get Lord Sinister was still out there. Maybe he should pull Scout out, but that would hurt the young tower so much.

      Pushing his worry aside, Commander walked over to Scout and gave him a quick hug. "Be good, don't be a brat," he bid farewell. Scout hugged back, squeezing the air out of Commander. "A brat? Tell that to Douboy here!" Winter Soldier pointed behind him. Douboy Soldier promptly punched the other out of anger.

      "Don't take so long. This isn't a hiking trip!" Commander told Soldier as he and the others climbed into the back of the truck. Scout took off his backpack and threw it on and climbed on, getting some much needed help by Winter Soldier.

      "Bye Commander! I'll draw you a picture of you and give it to you when I come back!" Scout promised as he waved his hand goodbye as the truck picked up speed and left through the front gates of the camp.

      Commander waved back and smiled. He better get that picture, he was going to hang it up no matter how it looked like. He kept on staring, watching the truck turn into nothing but a little dot. It was almost invisible to the human eye, but Commander could still practically see that gleaming smile the brightened his day. Scout was like a son he never had.