Through Thick or Thin (Book Two)

Prologue

Mark's point of view

"Momma and Papa were laying in bed!" I sang as I ran along with the men.

"Momma and Papa were laying in bed!" They answered shouting at the top of their lungs.

"Momma rolled over this is what she said!" We had been at it for four hours now but it was a simple routine.

"Momma rolled over this is what she said!" Most of them looked dog tired but I wouldn't stop. This was needed for them to able to run and walk long distances if it ever is needed in times of war.

Fort Bragg was the largest army base in the United States of America. It occupies over one hundred and twenty-four acres and this was our fourth lap around the base.

"Now gimme some!"

"Now gimme some!" They shouted even louder knowing that we were almost done.

"PT!"

"PT!"

"Good for you-"

"Commander!" I stopped running and looked towards the entrance of the base.

"Lieutenant Charles?"

He saluted and I did the same as he jumped out of his jeep. My platoon began running on the spot. "Your being called for back at Headquarters by Commander Piers."

Looking at them. I sought out a private named Stewart who had been showing great promise since the day he got here. "Private Stewart!"

"Sir yes sir Commander?" He ran from the back of the platoon to the front of the group and saluted.

"I'm leaving you in charge to make sure that these maggots finish the lap into the base," I looked at each of them in the eye. "And if anyone slacks off I'll make them do two thousand push-ups, five laps around the base and they'll go without dinner, do I make myself clear?"

"Sir yes, sir Commander Piers!" They answered.

"Lieutenant shall we go." I walked over to the jeep with Charlie. He started the engine and began to speed back to headquarters.

"Why so hard on the kids Mark?" He laughed. "I swear I saw them shitting themselves when you mentioned the laps."

I smiled. "It's for their own good plus they all show great promise."

"Funny ain't it?"

"Funny?" I asked.

"Yeah, only five years ago that was us."

"Your completely right my friend." Charlie and I had been in the same platoon back in those days. David had been here longer than me and was one rank over me making him the Seargent major of the army and also the head of the entire base. The fact that he was the head didn't cut me any slack when I first came here at eighteen years old. It actually did the opposite of what it was supposed to, my brother being head of the army only made it worst for me. All my superiors thought I should have already known the basics to being a private but boy were they wrong.

I had to make David give me an entire rundown of the army for hours the first time I was allowed back home. He began training me from then after making me dedicate my blood, sweat, and tears into everything I did.

I had told him to piss off at every chance I got behind his back during my training. But I am now grateful for everything he did for me, I soared through each test that I had to take and also for proving my bravery in times of war I got an increase in my rank.

I was now the youngest Command Sargent Major in all of the thirty-eight bases in the United States. Charlie enjoyed his role as Lieutenant too much to actually want to move up with me. I had expected him to move faster than me taking into consideration he was a nerd at the time but I guess brains alone cannot get you through the army nor can muscle, you had to have a perfect combination of both.

We were both so puny when we got here but now we were full of muscles. Charlie had ditched his glasses and was now a lady killer. I, on the other hand, was a Piers man, charms and all ran through my veins. So it came naturally.

Pulling up in front of headquarters I hoped out the jeep and thanked Charlie before I made my way towards my brother's office. Soldiers of different rank were all around. The one thing about the army that got tiring is the saluting. Spotting David's door I knocked and waited for the words come in before I shoved it open.

My eyes met his. "He just got here Mom." Walking over I sat on the chair in front of his desk and took the phone from his hand.

"Mama?"

"My baby I missed you so much," She cried into the phone. "You don't care for me anymore."

"Mom I'll come visit you as soon as I get a break plus I saw you a month ago in Italy when we went and visited Christopher."

"Yes but it's not the same," She began to ramble in Italian about how old she's getting and her wanting me to be happy. "When will you be getting married and giving me grandchildren?"

"Mom I'm not ready-"

"Mark Leon Piers you shut your mouth right now, Alexander has given me three, not one not two but three beautiful grandchildren and I want some from you too!" She yelled in my ear. "And if I don't hear about you settling down soon I will hang you the next time I see you if you aren't making any form of progress. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Mama."

"Good, You know I only do this for your sake more than mine. I'm trying to see all of you boys settled before your dear old dad and I leave this world. Don't you want to see us happy?" She pulled this card so many times and yet we fall for it every time.

"I understand mama."

She squealed because knew she just got her own way. "Good now mommy loves you honey."

"I love you too mama." After hearing about how happy I made her and a brief update on my brothers. I hung up the phone a slouched into the chair.

"That's not all little brother," I looked at David and groaned.

"I can never get a break with you people."

David chuckled. "This has nothing to do with home. The president of the United States just sent a mission for you personally in which you have to be deployed. Your goal simple, protect the King's daughter of Saudi Arabia Farrah."

What did the USA want with Saudi Arabia and why me?

"How long do I have until I leave and whats the timeline for the completion of it?"

"You leave in three days and you have nine months maximum to complete it." Running my hand through my hair I looked at my brother.

"Why me?"

"That little brother I do not know," He sighed. "As you know I only glanced over the page and it didn't specify as to why he chose you."

I nodded my head in understanding. "How important is it?"

"Very, its to form a treaty between our countries." He handed me a file with the word classified stamped on it.

I skipped through the pages inside and closed it back. "Okay, I'll do it." I got up and began to leave.

"You didn't have a choice baby brother."

Scoffing I turned around to face him and flipped him the bird. "I always have a choice."

Laughing I knew he shook his head. "Arrogant Piers bastard."

I smiled. "It runs in your veins as well as mine brother." Sighing I knew it was the truth. Sometimes being a Peirs man can prove to be troublesome.

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