The Fox, Red

077 - First Deployment

Here I am again, leaving that woman with no real warning. But she knows. She'll wake up in the morning, read the note I left, and hopefully, continue about her life until we cross again. My taxi takes me to the airport where I show my new, shiny military ID. It was probably the quickest security check I've ever had. Mind you, I've only flown twice and they only needed to check me once.

I find my gate and wait until they board. I shove my green bag into the overhead taking my seat below it. I'm glad I decided to travel in casual clothes. I have a feeling that traveling in uniform would draw more attention. I've already given up on trying to hide my tails. I caught a few people starting but once they noticed that I'd noticed, they went about their way. It's just something strange. As long as I keep moving, it doesn't cause an issue. As long as I stay seated, it won't be an issue.

My plane takes off as I take one last look at the city that was my life for this short time. My eyes close and what feels like seconds pass before I hear the announcement that we are preparing to land. I slept the whole flight but I'm not surprised. It was my plan to begin with but I didn't expect to be this tired. I planned on a nap beforehand that didn't pan out.

With only my one bag, I am on the street of a city in Florida. I know where I need to go. I have the address. I grab a cab to take me to the gate of the military base. He can't go on so he stops where he can turn around. I walk up, present my ID, and they let me pass. I have to report to the commanding General, General Parson. After asking a few folks I found the building I need. I'm directed to his office but it's still early. That gives me time to change. I find a bathroom where I can slip out of my civilian clothes and into a regular uniform. It held up pretty well for how rolled up and crammed into that bag it was.

I sit and wait. As is usual, the "hurry up and wait" lifestyle that the military has taught me. If you are early, you are on time. The old-looking pelican comes into the hallway giving me an odd look as I stand and salute. He checks my name and just shrugs, "Right, you. Come in."

I follow him into his office where I go to open my mouth but he stops me, "Don't shout this early in the morning. I'm not in the mood for this. You are to report to your building with your assigned room. You'll meet your squad today and you're going to have to play catch up. You've got a deployment already and you only have a week to prepare for it."

I was expecting an education before I was sent somewhere. I just give him my "Yes, sir" before he takes my orders and hands me a folder with a map of the base with a red circle of where my building is going to be. "Dismissed." Inside includes a key with a room number on it. At least I'll have a roof over my head.

It's a short trip. I deal with the uneasy feeling of a lot of enlisted stopping and saluting me. I'm not used to this. I don't want to be used to this. I just salute and keep going. No need for a response. I'm busy and I'm sure they have their own thing to do.

The building smells odd. Not bad, just odd. It's a new place where all kinds of people come in bringing all kinds of odd things with them. I'm on the second floor near the end of a hallway. I step into the empty room. It kind of reminds me of the apartment I was staying in at the university. Only smaller. No real furniture except a desk and a small bed. If I want anything else I would have to provide it for myself. I was told that I would be leaving in a week so I don't think I'll get too settled in.

And as I was told, I was grabbed by my squad leader who wasted no time in being a hard-ass. "Get moving! We have a lot of catching up to do!" The others were waiting in front of the building. Looks like my new squad is a menagerie once again.

Sergeant Blatz! An eagle who clearly shows his patriotism on his chest and our squad leader. His first real sentence to me was "Just because you're brass doesn't mean shit! I'm in charge of keeping your ass alive so you better listen!" and that set the tone of what this was going to be.