Slavic Huter [OC PJO Crossover]

Chapter 10 - Welcome aboard, you will be paid with death

16th December 2007

     - I'm sorry sir, but I don't understand. – surprised answered Nowakowski - You do not have a first citizenship written in the files, only second citizenships ... and here are entered as many as 4. Could you explain that to me, private?
A relief of understanding spilled over the young man's face, quickly replaced by a stony face.
- In the Corps's administration they did not know what to type.
- How did they "not know"? After all, "The Corps always knows best": that's what you are taught in Parris Island, isn't it? - Ryan joined the conversation.
- They asked me what nationality I chose. I told them that what I had in my passport, Lieutenant. – answered Nowakowski, taking his passport from his chest pocket and handing it to us. I opened it and I saw it: next to the "nationality" option there was a list of nations. It turned out that there was a Scottish-Polish-Italian-American standing in front of me. If it was still written that Romani-Japanese-Egyptian origin... That wouldn't surprise me.

     -So you feel Scottish, Polish, Italian and a citizen of the USA at the sametime? - I asked him, wanting to make sure.
- Yes sir. - he answered. I took a deep breath.
- Do you know what type of unit you are applying to? - I asked him.
- Special Forces.
- In a way, you are right. Just remember that we are neither DELTA Forces norGreen Berets - although we have onething in common with the latter.
- What thing, sir? - asked the private reflexively.
- Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we fear noevil, because we are the biggest motherfuckers in this valley. - Ryan finishedmy thought, keeping a serious face. But my eyes laughed my eyes off.
- I understand, ma'am - repliedNowakowski, trying to keep a serious face (which he succeeded halfway).
- Do you realize, private, - I continued my "interrogation" - that weare like the mafia: we are bound by a conspiracy of silence about what we aredoing here?
- Yes, sir!
- And if we hear even a whisper about the fact that you mentioned something -even a little - to anyone: a friend, a lover, a wife, a girlfriend, a fiancée,or even a priest in the confessional, about what are you going to do here, afiring squad awaits you? No trial, no witnesses or a jury: only you will haveto prove your innocence?
- Y...yes sir!

     Here for the first time he hesitated. And I wasn't surprise to his reaction: this sword of Damocles hung over each one of us. Even above me. We sat in silence for a while so that the private would understand the seriousness of the situation.
- You can march away. Think about your decision and make sure you want it for sure. Tomorrow at 0630 I see you here in the office with your answer whether you want to join or quit: then I can get you assigned to any Marine squad – even Raiders. - I said to him, holding out my hand at the same time.
- Yes, sir. Goodbye, sir, ma'am. – barked the young man, then shook his hand, stretched to attention and marched away.

     We waited for him to close the door of the secretariat.
- What do you think, Ryan? - I asked.
- He'll have to train a lot: he should salute us. - she replied with a sneer.
- It's a marine - they don't salute in closed rooms. Poles do not either. And apart from the endless war between "doggies" and "devil dogs", what is your opinion?
Ryan gathered her thoughts.
- He's young, not yet destroyed by the military way of life... He just hesitated a little at the news of the firing squad... but it may be suitable. By the way – were you kidding with that bullet in the head?
I sighed.
- No, I wasn't kidding. You saw yourself today this important man with paper from the CoS: if the truth about what we really do comes out, then even small thing as damn French Revolution will only be a birthday party of a 5-year-old.
- That's why you also gave him time to think?
- Mhm. Every man should get a chance to choose – even an apparent one.
- And how do you know if by chance through these... 12 hours doesn't blow our cover to someone?
- And do you think I shook his hand? Just out of politeness? – I replied, smiling half-heartedly.
- Bug?
- Something like that.