Friendly Fire

(2) The Preparation

My alarm went off at 0300. Two hours before we were supposed to leave for the village, allowing me to enter the mess hall for a quick breakfast. I couldn't help but see Lieutenant Davis and Lieutenant Willow sharing a small round table. I roll my eyes when they wave me over, I'm still clearly upset about the risen tension between myself and Colonel Hitchen and simply keep to myself just for this moment. At least, that's what I thought before Private Riley joined me.

"Morning Private Bane" He chirps, full of energy and excitement from being selected to be on this mission.

"MoRNinG PrIvATe BaNE," I say mockingly back, trying not to let him get to me but it is far too late for that.

"Look... Private Riley, I just need a minute alone to recollect myself before I have to put up with Colonel Hitchen alright.. so please.. with all due respect.. Fuck. Off."

I give him the finger and watch him get up silently to join the Lieutenants at their table while I eat in peace. I noticed the others around me also looked in my direction confused. Only Private Riley seemed to have noticed what was on my mind and didn't show any signs of remorse. I rolled my eyes and finished eating my light and crisp salad before walking away with a huff and leaving them wondering where the Hell I was running off to. Private Riley followed behind me like always and tried to catch up with me. I realized that I would never hear the end of it from him. So I paused, turned around, and yelled.

"What do you want?! Aren't you going to fucking let me breathe for 5 minutes?!"

"You.. you've been in the military for years... yet... you're still scared of the idea of getting killed on this mission. What is it about the plan that scares you so much?"

Private Riley argued back with an angry tone in his voice. A lot of people were staring now, but we both ignored their watch and stared intensely into each other's eyes instead. I was the first to look away.

"It isn't fear. I'm tired. Tired of being controlled by someone I lost respect for years ago. Tired of being disrespected in return. I don't understand how you're okay with the way that they treat us. Even as Cadets they pushed us past our limits and ordered us to basically break our bodies through dumb training exercises."

spoke calmly and ran my hands through my dusty blonde locks in frustration.

"Point made. But this isn't okay. We have a job to do. Let's save those hostages and bring down The Resistance as a team."

"Yeah... but not this way. Not in a losing battle. It doesn't matter who you are, or who you fight. What's important is that we all make it out in one piece. That's what my father promised me all those years ago yet he was the only one in his platoon who never made it back all because he lagged behind to protect each and every one of his men... I swear Colonel Hitchen wants us dead by sending us on this suicide mission."

Private Riley sighed and looked down at his feet. "We will be careful. But don't let Colonel Hitchen get to you, you can tell him to fuck himself" I let out a soft chuckle at the thought. Then gestured with my head to his quarters where he and I would spend a hot minute smoking and getting high. I could definitely use a buzz to help me get through the rest of the day or at least sleep through the flight that lies ahead of us. He seemed to catch on to what I meant and together we smoked a cigarette each. No one seemed to notice we were gone, even if they did they'd just assume that we're still getting our things together.

"So.. back to our conversation- you think this is a suicide mission? Why?" He asked.

"Think about it... this resistance has a whole village under their control... they must be a big organization to pull that off... not to mention, they were able to raid our supply chains and you know how tough our delivery and scout units are. If we go in there, there is a fair chance we will have to retreat and fail the mission or die trying to succeed. Plus, what more do we know about them? All we know is why they're doing whatever it is they are doing but even then that is based on Colonel Hitchen's and Sergeant Collins' hunches."

I explained while he looked at me wide-eyed as he saw that I had a fair point.

"No. No, no, no. They wouldn't send us out there if they thought it was that dangerous. W-would they?"

"I'm not sure.."

I took a long draw from my cigarette and watched Private Riley do the same. He probably did it as an attempt to calm his nerves. I have no idea how long we were in his barrack talking about the mission and filling our system with substances before Colonel Hitchen caught us.

"There you two are! Where the fuck have you been?! Wait-" He sniffs the air around us. "Have you two been smoking again?!"

"No, Sir. I'd rather keep my mouth shut. I mean... it is what you asked me to do after our 'discussion' in the debriefing room about how you intend to abandon your men if it comes to it"

I've never seen Colonel Hitchen's face turn as red from pure anger as it did now. "Private Bane, Private Riley. I think you owe me some laps."

I roll my eyes and give Private Riley a pat on the back before doing a slow jog around the perimeter of the base itself. It's only a mile lap. It isn't too bad until you have to run 'some' over and over again. Luckily Colonel Hitchen never specified a number, I took 'some' as three. One is a single, Two is a couple, three is some. I can't question that logic. We ran three laps each, I could feel my legs ache yet there was still so much stuff to do to ensure we were prepared for the mission. Not to mention our stamina has been used up.

"Guess it is a good thing that the mission is a long flight huh?"

Private Riley spoke between pants. I could only nod softly, while I caught my breath. But those laps were so worth running if it meant I was able to test the boundaries with Colonel Hitchen. My eyes then fixed on Lieutenant Davis and Willow who were helping each other with some simple shooting practice and combat techniques knowing that they'll most likely be needed. I watched closely, hoping to learn something new. That's how I developed my skills, through observation and practice. Not like I have much time to practice what they're doing. Lieutenant Willow moves so swiftly and effortlessly with her combat knives and hand-to-hand combat while Lieutenant Davis defends himself from her quick moves. Before I could process a thing, Lieutenant Davis had his back on the floor while Lieutenant Willow placed a foot on his stomach, claiming her victory.

"Nice try Davis. But not this time"

She said with a slight snicker in her voice.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll get you one of these days you know. Now c'mon. Help me load up the transport before we are accused of fucking around."

I heard Lieutenant Davis reply. Lieutenant Willow helped him get back onto his feet.

"Awe, but I like fucking around. It's my specialty."

She said jokingly and they continued with the preparations while myself and Private Riley took our sweet time to recover from our 3-mile run. Before I could join them, Sergeant Collins stopped me in my tracks.

"Listen, kid, I know this isn't your first rodeo. But you need to listen and respect Colonel Hitchen. He's well above your ranks and knows what he's doing. If I hear either of you disrespect him again, major consequences will be laid on you."

Oh great. Colonel Hitchen tattle-tailed on us about what both myself and Private Riley said about him. And if we get caught doing it again we will have Hell to pay. Yeah. No thanks. I force myself not to roll my eyes and snap back at him. So I grit my teeth.

"Yes. Sir. May we continue helping the others prepare the transport?"

The minute he gave us a nod and dismissed us to continue our duties. I quickly gear up, a simple rifle placed into a sheath strapped onto my back and shoulders while I had a baldric full of loaded magazines. I kept a pistol at my waistband too, just in case I needed to make a quick simple attack. Lastly, I have a combat knife concealed in my boots if I ever need to make silent attacks or run out of ammo.

I was on the tools quickly and again I read over the mission reports to make sure I had taken in every detail possible but there is so little that we know about The Resistance and their plans despite what Colonel Hitchen said about their intentions and how they have a whole village under their control. They're clearly powerful, the six of us will not be enough to put an end to their madness but what other option do we have? I refuse to let those poor villagers suffer. Not a chance.