Summoning the Countries

Chapter 1

The year is 2023. We open up to see Parris Island, Virginia at the United States Marine Corps Recruit Depot to see a 19 year old Anthony Towson and Jacob Rawlins standing side by side with other Recruits as their Senior Drill Instructor paces around the 42 Marine Recruits introducing himself as well.

As the Senior Drill Instructor paces around the 42 Marine recruits, he introduces himself as Master Sergeant Johnson and begins to lay down the foundation for what will be the toughest weeks of their lives.

"Good morning, recruits. My name is Master Sergeant Johnson, and for the next several weeks, I will be your Senior Drill Instructor. I expect nothing but the best from each and every one of you. You are now part of the most elite fighting force in the world, the United States Marine Corps. You will be held to the highest standards of discipline, physical fitness, and mental toughness. I will push you to your limits, but in doing so, I will mold you into a Marine. Is that understood?"

The recruits respond in unison, "Yes, Master Sergeant!"

Master Sergeant Johnson continues, "I am not your friend. I am not here to coddle you or hold your hand. I am here to train you to become warriors. You will obey my every command without question, hesitation, or complaint. Do you understand?"

Again, the recruits respond, "Yes, Master Sergeant!"

"Good," Master Sergeant Johnson says, nodding in approval. "Now, I want you to take a good look around you. These are the men and women who will have your back in the coming weeks. You will learn to work together, to trust each other, and to rely on each other. You will become a team. You will become Marines. Dismissed!"

The recruits quickly snap to attention, and Master Sergeant Johnson marches off, leaving the recruits standing at attention in front of their barracks. Anthony Towson and Jacob Rawlins exchange nervous glances, knowing that their journey to becoming Marines has just begun.

Later on we see a Recruit who drew a mockup of a footlocker. The drawing was terrible. And Master Sergeant Johnson saw this.

Master Sergeant Johnson spots the recruit's drawing of a footlocker and marches over to him, his expression stern. He takes a long, hard look at the chalk drawing, and then turns his gaze back to the recruit.

"Recruit, is this the best you can do?" he asks, his voice full of disappointment.

The recruit, clearly taken aback by Master Sergeant Johnson's sudden appearance, stammers out a response. "I'm sorry, Master Sergeant. I'm not very good at drawing."

Master Sergeant Johnson's eyes narrow. "You're not very good at drawing, huh? Well, let me tell you something, recruit. Being good at drawing has nothing to do with it. This isn't about being an artist. This is about attention to detail. This is about taking pride in your work. This is about doing everything to the best of your ability, no matter how small the task. Do you understand me?"

The recruit nods, his eyes fixed on the ground. "Yes, Master Sergeant."

"Good," Master Sergeant Johnson says, his voice softening slightly. "Now, I want you to take this drawing and redo it. And when you're done, I want you to show it to me so I can inspect it. And I want it to be perfect. Is that clear?"

The recruit nods again, and Master Sergeant Johnson turns on his heel and marches away. The recruit stares down at the erased drawing on the board, feeling a sense of frustration and humiliation. But as he looks around at the other recruits, all working diligently on their own tasks, he realizes that he's not alone. They're all in this together, pushing each other to be better, stronger, more disciplined Marines. And with a newfound sense of determination, the recruit sets to work on his drawing, determined to make it the best it can be.