Juggernauts

CHAPTER 16: Young Blood

The team arrived back to their base with no further complications. They deposited their guns and spare equipment at the armory and made their way to the common area.

Waiting for them there was a wide eyed young man with a ruck sack on his shoulders and a sharp salute pointed at Tom.

Tom set his helmet on a table near him and approached the kid. "Who the hell are you?"

The young soldier clicked his heals and spoke and a voice that was obviously nervous. "Corporal Shawn Thompson, sir!" 

Tom looked Shawn up and down. His short black hair beginning to fall from its combed place. "What are you doing here kid?"

"I have been assigned to your unit sir. Orders came from Commander Oswald. Seems to think I'd be a good addition sir."

"At ease kid." Tom said as Shawn handed him a folded envelope.

Tom read it partially out-loud. "Under the direct orders of ... Corporal Shawn Thomps ... accepted into the PANZER program ..." Tom looked up at Shawn and then folded the letter back up. " Well I guess that you're a PANZER now. Ella, get him check out and find him a place to bunk."

"Will do Tom." Ella replied as she lead Shawn out of the room.

Alex came up behind Tom "Fresh meat sir?"

"Just some young blood probably got placed in here from some brass Uncle or something, like Benson."

Several hours later, the team met back up for dinner. "So Shawn, how are you adjusting to the place?" Ella asked.

"Loving it ma'am. Been hoping to join this Spec-Ops unit for a while." He happily replied.

Alex gave a short laugh. "We're Black-Ops kid. Not Spec."

"What's the difference sir?"

"We only exist on paper and to the people that have seen us or are trying to kill us." Tom cut in as he sat down across from Shawn.

"And there's more paperwork for us!" Johnson yelled from across the room.

"How did you know we exist kid? Outside of the German army and a few brass, no one has heard of us." Tom sipped his coffee.

"Heard rumors throughout my old units and then from some officers talking about how you guys are unstoppable." 

Tom chuckled. "Well just look at me. Took a mortar to the back and I'm still kicking Kraut ass."

"I am aware of that sir. I have read your file and prepped myself to meet you. I know about your hundreds of successful missions and impressive kill count."

Tom looked up from his cup and then set it down. "So you're a fan huh?"

"You could say that sir. Just impressed is all."

"How'd you end up here anyways?" Tom questioned.

"Well after I heard about the kinds of operations you guys do and all that, I decided to ask my superiors if a transfer was possible."

"Uh huh, and what kind of skills can you bring to the team?"

"Cyber warfare. Things like hacking and such."

Tom sipped his coffee again. "Well that may come in use pretty soon kid." He stood up and announced to the room. "We just got new orders. It's the big one guys. We're going to Germany!"

Everyone stopped and looked at Tom. "You serious boss?" asked Johnson.

"Very. Got the orders about an hour ago. Marines and Army are making a push into Berlin in hopes of wrapping this war up soon. We leave tomorrow at 0700 hours."

The team began talking among themselves as Tom sat down and sipped his coffee again. He looked up to see Shawn wide eyed and mouth hanging open.

"What's wrong kid? Didn't think the war would end so soon after joining us?"