Together

Chapter 2★Amy

I unbuckle and line up with the others to get off the launch.

"Hold up, Thompson."

I stop at the sound of my name.

"Step aside and wait here," my commander says.

"Yes sir," I reply.

I wait for nearly 10 minutes while the launch is unloaded. I don't see the commander anywhere, so I assume he's giving a pep talk to the rest of my launch group. Five minutes later, another commander walks up to me. No. Wait. Colonel. Graff, I think his name tag says.

"Thompson?

"Yes sir."

"I'm Colonel Graff, director of training. This is Major Anderson." He gestures to the woman standing behind him. She gives me a curt nod, which I return.

"You will not train with the rest of your launch," Graff says. "You are to report straight to Salamander army, code green green brown. Commander Bonzo Madrid. Understood, Thompson?"

"Yes sir!"

"It's almost lights out, Thompson. Get a good night's sleep."

"Yes sir." I turn and walk off, following my code.

★★★

I arrive at the bunk room and find a large group of people playing baseball, or something similar. Most of them don't look very friendly, so I approach a young girl standing directly across from the doorway.

"Hi." I say cautiously. She gives me a curt nod, which I take as a sign to continue. "I'm looking for commander Bonzo Madrid. I just came from launch and am supposed to report straight to him."

"So you're the replacement?" She asks.

"Apparently so," I reply.

"Petra Arkanian. I usually say that I'm the only girl in this bunkroom, but I guess that's not true anymore, huh?" She sticks out her hand and I shake it enthusiastically. Out of the corner of my eye I see a ball coming straight at my new friend's head, so I reach out and grab it just before it hits her.

"Woah, launchy. Some reflexes huh? You lost?" A tall, dark skinned boy asks me.

Before I can reply, Petra says, "No, she's the replacement. Get Bon-"

Before she can finish her sentence a short, blondish boy walks around the corner.

"Where's the ball?" I hold it up. "What.... Are you the replacement, launchy?" He asks.

"Yes sir. You are Commander Madrid?"

"That's me. Name, soldier?"

"I'm Amy Thompson, Commander."

"Well, Amy Thompson, I like you. I'm sorry to say this, but you bunk in the back. For the next couple of battles you are to stay out of the way. Train extra hard in practice. Learn quickly. See you tomorrow."

"Yes sir." I turn and walk to the back and find a vacated bunk. I code in my name and hand print when I hear someone clear their throat. I turn around. Petra.

"You've done well so far. It's important to make a good first impression with Bonzo, which you have."

"Thanks, Petra. It's good to know I have at least one friend here."

"Darn. I was really hoping to not give that impression this time." I snicker. "Keep close eyes on me and the other toon leaders in battle. We have more skills than most, and you look like a quick study. Good at anything yet?"

"I'm a pretty good shot. But according to the commanders, I'm strongest in aviation."

"Well then you're pretty much good to go. Don't expect to sit out in battle for to long."

"I won't. Sleep well, Petra."

"Ditto, launchy."

I change into my sleep uniform and climb into bed. I'm out almost instantly.