The Long Road To Home

Chapter 9: General Mackenzie

Kathleen: Come on, let me see it.

Bogdan: It still hurts , goddamnint , no.

Kathleen: If you won't show me , how are we supposed to know what's the problem ?

Bogdan: The problem is that dad punched me in the skull while missing the cheek , that bastard.

Kathleen: Trust me , it will be fine.

Bogdan: *sigh* ok... do it.

Kathleen: *rips of the bandage*

Bogdan: That didn't hurt.

Kathleen: For this are you complaining ? Is just a scratch !

Bogdan: Yeah yeah whatever, we have to go, how was at the interrogation ?

Kathleen: They just looked at me and saw if I am alright or not , that's all, stop getting scared of everything.

Bogdan: It's just... I don't want them to do anything to you.

Kathleen: You... don't ?

Bogdan: Believe it or not... if they would have taken you... I wouldn't feel good.

Kathleen: Yeah, that night when you left the bed I... had that nightmare.

Bogdan: Yeah, look, Istrati said if I present formidable to McKenzie , we can get some free time for ourselves.

Kathleen: But we just had enough in Bucharest, wasn't he supposed to be more sever ?

Bogdan : He is, but he gives me freedom since ... Before I met you... Hard times in fact , I lost a friend . Me and that friend used to fight the entire  month defending the ruins from bandits, he didn't made it to the end of the month.

Kathleen: So, he's trying to help you with that ?

Bogdan: He's trying his best.

Istrati: ALRIGHT EVERYONE , RALLY UP !!!

Everyone lined up to the a truck.

Istrati: FOR THIS MISSION I WILL TAKE ONLY BOGDAN AND ALEXEI, REST OF YOU HELP BAKER AND HARTSOCK SCOUT AND GUARD THE AREA. UNDERSTOOD ?!

Everyone in choir: YES , SIR !

Istrati: Good , good, that's what I like to hear. Now, Bogdan , Alexei, I want you to be ready for everything. I met McKenzie and he is full of surprises , don't let him trick you. You might even lose your spot in the Order.

Bogdan: What should we expect.

Istrati: Are you deaf ?

Bogdan: No, dad... sir!

Istrati: Perfect, in the truck.

They shortly arrived at the Pentagon , it wasn't much left of it after the Great Artillery Strike . A couple of soldiers leaded them to his office. Before they entered Istrati breathed in and said " Be ready".

Istrati:*knocks at the door*

McKenzie: Who is it ?

Istrati: It's me...

McKenzie:  What the hell are you waiting for ? Come in.

They entered the room and took a seat.

Istrati: We have the engineers... old friend.

McKenzie: Did they forced you to put them into the Corps ?

Istrati: There was nothing else for them to do. Perfect for their job and , I had to make 'em ready .

McKenzie (raises from his chair): So, you , young man, found a living being from a past generation , huh ?

Bogdan:  Sir , yes sir .

McKenzie: And you leaded her here without any problem.

Bogdan: Sir, I can only say I found her and she followed me , sir.

McKenzie: Heh, did you two got in chemistry ?

Bogdan: Sir , I'm afraid I can't answer that question, sir.

McKenzie (laughter): I like you , I heard many about you since I needed to call your father with his amazing engineers .

Bogdan: Sir , it was on my du...

McKenzie: Kid , stop acting like a soldier , I hate this concept of you kids entering army , but we have no other choice. About Alexei, heh, looks like someone you could trust.

Alexei: Sir thank you, sir.

McKenzie: Look at me, look at the scar on my face , I'm still able to shoot, but too old to run. That's why we need you.

Istrati : Don't you dare pull out some of your bullshit, they are just kids.

McKenzie: Kids. What times for my old tricks, I'm getting older Istrati. I can't pull any of my old shit. That will only bring me nostalgia. *Looks at Bogdan*

Bogdan (whispers) : I'm a little bit scared and confused.

McKenzie: Perform a 360 degree spin and attack with the bayonet.

Bogdan: *Performs move*

McKenzie: Enemies coming from 12 o' clock . You are on a lonely street between two sides of cover , what will you command?

Bogdan: ALEXEI , POP A FLARE . ISTRATI, SUPPRESSING FIRE , 12 O' CLOCK . ALEXEI, GO BEHIND ENEMY LINES . I WILL PROVIDE COVERING FIRE !!!

McKenzie: PERFORM DRILL TEAM WITH RIFLE PASSING AT THE END.

Bogdan (dismantleing bayonet): SIR YES, SIR

Bogdan: *performs drill team*

McKenzie (catches rifle): Very good, you impressed me , Pleasant. *throws rifle to Bogdan* . ALEXEI , ISTRATI HAS BEEN SHOT IN STOMACH , ANKEL AND SHOULDER BULLET GONE THRU THE ENTIRE FLESH. WHAT WILL YOU DO !!!

Istrati: *lays on the ground*

Alexei: ADMINISTRATING MORPHINE AROUND WOUND LOCATIONS . USING BANDAGES .

McKenzie (pulls out pistol): You know there is no better training.

Istrati: DO IT !

McKenzie: *shoots Istrati in the shoulder* REPEAT.

Alexei: HEALING, REQUESTING COVERING FIRE.

Bogdan: GOT YOUR SIX .

Alexei (patches Istrati up): Are you ok , sir ?

Istrati (raising up): I've gone through worse.

McKenzie: Boys , I'm beyond impressed. Bogdan you achieved most  knowledge you know to lead the team as your father did.

Bogdan: That means...

McKenzie (pulling out from his desk a red painted butterfly knife): That's right. The Wise-man's knife, you deserve it.

Istrati: I could have taken a shot to the head only for this to happen. Bogdan , I'm proud of you .

McKenzie: Alexei, you healed him faster than I ever could , enjoy the Corpseman's knife .

Alexei (amazed): REALLY !!!

McKenzie (pulls out a blue karambit): You deserve it.

Istrati: How did you guys got so lucky, how did I got so lucky to have you both.

McKenzie: You have 3 nights of freedom from your current placements. Enjoy.

Istrati: Heh, I'm surprised.

McKenzie: You will not receive a knife , lieutenant Istrati.

Istrati: I didn't saw that coming.

McKenzie: Boys, what else can I say. God be with you. Monday , present here for a mission brief . Dismiss.

They left the office and the Pentagon heading to the truck.

                         To be continued...