Variant: The Inception

Pack

His room is large and well furnished, also recently painted. There is a large monitor resting on the wall facing the large Kings size bed. There's a black duffel bag on it, with a note that reads; 

Told you I'd come through didn't I? Hope it's as you imagined it.

P.S.- I thought you'd look cool in the coat. ;-)

There is a reading table by the right side of the bed with a computer and a printer on it. It is on the opposite side of the door into the room. The floor is tiled white with the walls painted grey matching the ash colored drapes. He opens the closet which contains the clothing Jenny was on about. The bathroom is considerably large, with a shower, bathtub, toilet and a sink. He decides to wash himself, with him being in a coma for eleven days, his body needs it. He takes his time soaking in the bathtub and then finally the shower. He chooses from among the uniforms, which consists of a pair of white ceremonial attires, a grey pair, which is the normal wear, and a black combat/assault gear for when they go out of the base. He wears the grey uniform, adjusts the cap on his head as he unconsciously admires himself in the mirror.

As he walks out of his room to the living room, he is met by all ten members of his squad. He is surprised as not too long ago there was only six. They jump down from the couches where they were sitting and rush towards him, assembling in front of him on an impeccably straight line. 

They salute him simultaneously as the Oberleutnant walks two paces ahead of the rest of them towards  Mark and yells out "The first squad, under the command of Major Mark Thalbot". Mark salutes them. The Oberleutnant walks two more paces towards him and introduces himself. He is a black Englishman which Mark already discerned from his accent. He is the same height as Mark, but slightly broader on the shoulders. 

He speaks "Lieutenant Jamal Krash, first squad Oberleutnant reporting for duty." He has a shaved head and full beards. He is nineteen years old. Mark offers him his hand and they shake. "Glad to have you," says Mark to him.

"Likewise, sir," he replies with a soft smile.
He retakes his position in line. Next the Kornet walks up. She is Pakistani, and has her long black hair tied in a bun at the back of her head and under her cap. She salutes and says to him "Lieutenant Reina Hosseini reporting for duty." 

He salutes, "Glad to have you lieutenant" he says to her.

"I'm really glad to be serving under you sir," she says trying unsuccessfully to be devoid of any girlish emotions -attraction towards him. 

A short Asian boy nudges the girl standing beside him as they chuckle at her timidness because it is quite obvious that she fancies him.

"As you were," he says to them and heads out to the cafeteria for a long deserved meal.

The following day, at 0800 hours, as he is returning from his usual morning training, right at the entrance to their quarters, he meets a messenger who informs him of the summons from the commander at 1200 that same day. He is to come with his entire battalion to their first debriefing. Inside his squad quarters, all the members are present in the living room, some are playing cards, and some are sleeping, while some are conversing. A particularly large boy is eating snacks. 

"Sir," "Sir," "Sir," they say to him as a form of greeting. He simply smiles and nods to them multiple times.

"Krash," he calls out.

"Sir," says Krash rushing towards him.

"We have been summoned for a debriefing by the commander at 1200. Inform the other squads, we head out by 1130 hours."

"Yes sir," responds Krash as Mark heads into his room to freshen up.

At 1130 hours sharp, all the squads that make up the battalion begin to assemble outside their quarters, led by their respective Oberleutnants as the captains walk behind them alongside Mark. It is a silent walk to the commander's office for the captains, unlike the squad members ahead whom are confabulating vigorously and quite freely. They are escorted into a large conference room by the Commander's secretary where they await his entrance.