Five Days Later
I took a good, long look at Lucy, my pistol, inspecting every millimeter of her steel frame. After taking the magazine out of the pistol, I packed it neatly away in my backpack. I then took out my olive-green uniform, and set it neatly on the hotel bed, along with the black leather gloves and boots.
I took off my jeans and t-shirt, throwing them to the side, and picked up my SAU Bottoms, or Standard Army Uniform. After a slow and tedious process of putting on the Army pants, I put on a black undershirt made of a special, stretchy fiber.
The hardest and slowest part of putting on the entire outfit was putting the boots on correctly. First, you had to get the blousers on, then you slowly put on each boot, and then you carefully tie the laces. So I did just that.
Then came the SAU Jacket, which was a jacket only worn during Autumn, Winter, and sometimes in Spring. On the right sleeve of my jacket were my Sergeant chevrons, while the DAF flag, which was a Rectangle with a yellow background and blue diagonal stripe in the foreground, was shown proudly on the left sleeve. I slipped the jacket on and buttoned the buttons into place. The jacket made me look a bit thicker without the SAU belt, thanks to the insulation inside of it.
I decided against wearing the heavy helmet, just because it could be really uncomfortable at times. The helmet design was either based on the American M1 helmet, or it was the M1. I honestly don't know for sure, but it's one of both, I know that much.
I picked up my civvies and packed them neatly inside my backpack. I stuck my left arm through the left strap and swung the heavy backpack onto my back, right where it should be.
I walked over to the mirror in the bathroom and inspected my SAU, top to bottom. When I finished the inspection, I almost stepped out the bathroom door, but I turned around and looked at myself through the mirror one last time.
"I already miss Antonia." I sighed.
I left the bathroom soon after and looked around the clean hotel room around me, making sure I didn't leave anything unpacked. I checked under the bed, in the closet, the bathroom, and the desk next to my bed. When I was satisfied with my search, I grabbed my key and headed to the room door.
I raised my wrist and looked at my watch.
3:24.
Okay, the ship leaves at four, so that leaves me with plenty of time.
I grabbed the door knob and turned it slightly, opening the door. I walked out through the ajar door and closed it behind me, then I began to walk down the hallway towards the lobby.
When I arrived, the lobby was just full of people, most of which were soldiers. Jonathan told me he would either be waiting in the lobby or just outside of it, so I began to wander through the crowded lobby in search of him. I looked everywhere, occasionally asking someone I thought was Jonathan, but turned out to be someone else.
After about two or three minutes of searching, I gave up on the lobby and headed towards the front door. Then I remembered I was holding the room keys I needed to return, so I turned around and headed towards the front desk. I went up to the desk and dropped the keys in the bin that read 'return keys here', then I walked back to the front door.
I walk through the front door and see the somewhat large buildings on the other side of the street. I start to walk around the front of the hotel and immediately notice Jonathan leaning on the wall next to the front door, and leaning on the wall next to him is Joe and Thomas. I walk over to them, Jonathan being the first one to notice me approach.
"Hey Mat." He said casually.
"Took you long enough. You got everything?" Joe asked.
"Yep, got it all here." I replied, patting the backpack.
"Well, who isn't ready to leave?" Thomas asked.
"Me." Me, Jonathan, and Joe said in unison.
"... Besides not wanting to leave." Thomas added.
We stood there in silence for a moment.
"Alright, I'll take that as a 'we are ready to leave'." Thomas said, pushing himself off the wall.
"Well, I think we better get a seat before the boat takes off without us." Joe said.
"Sounds good." I replied, starting to walk down the sidewalk towards Eagle Harbor.
Everyone else followed behind me, eventually walking together side-by-side, chatting happily away.
Because it may be our last chance to ever talk to each other again.
"Well Mat, it was nice knowing you." Joe said, gripping my hand firmly.
"And you." I said, gripping his hand as well, while giving a small smile.
"And Thomas, it was nice knowing you too." I said, turning to face him and extending my hand towards him.
"Thanks Mat. You think we could meet up some time? After the war?" Thomas asked, grabbing my hand.
"Maybe. Joe?" I asked, seeing if Joe had anything to say.
"When this war's done, I'm going to have a few meals at Boyd's." Joe replied. "His burgers... Oh my God, they were good."
"It helped explain the pricing some." I said.
"Yeah." Thomas said. "Well... Back to hell, right?"
"Man... You couldn't be more correct." I said.
"Hey! Come on! Get aboard!" One of the officers on the ramp leading to the boat called out to us.
"Yes Sir!" I responded.
"Well... Hope I see you guys soon." I said.
"Don't hope, you will see us again, I promise that." Joe replied.
I smiled and proceeded to walk up the ramp, grabbing onto the railing. Jonathan soon followed me.
"Come along, sergeant. We have some seats in the bow." The officer on the ramp said to me.
"Alright. Thank you, sir." I responded, walking through the small hatch on the side of the ship's hull.
When I got on board, I could instantly smell the stench of the sweaty crew working on and in the ship. After being gone from such a smell for almost six days, it would unfortunately take some getting used to. I saw some of the crew maintaining the boiler room as I walked through the long corridor leading to the bow.
I found my seat right before the captain announced we were leaving the harbor. I looked out the window and sighed as Antonia got farther away.
At least I'll see the dog again, that'll help me some. I think it's name was Frankfurt.
...
I guess I'll take a nap for the long journey.
"Hey man, wake up."
I slowly opened my eyes and saw one of the crew standing over me.
"Ugh... What... Are we there yet?" I drowsily asked.
"Yeah, man. Everyone else just left." He replied.
"What..." I said before realizing what he was saying.
Oh crap.
A surge of adrenaline and panic went through my body as I shot up out of my seat and hastily gathered my items. Did no one really bother to wake me up until now?! I almost ran down the corridor to the ramp, trying to get off the ship before it departed. If it was going to depart.
I found the door and slung my backpack onto my back and quickly walked down the ramp, temporarily being blinded by the immediate light coming from the sun. Thank god there was a ramp to walk on.
After my eyes adjusted, I could see various military vehicles driving around the harbor base, while several soldiers and workers walked around the main buildings.
"Mathew? Sergeant Mathew?" An officer called out from his post.
"Yes sir?" I called back.
"Come over here! I need your number!" He called.
"Okay sir!" I yelled back.
I stepped off the ramp connected to the ship and walked over to the officer.
"Wait, no, I don't need your number. Nevermind sergeant, you're covered." The officer said. "The truck is just over there."
"Where's it headed, sir?" I asked.
"The Mild West, sergeant." The officer replied.
"The Mild West? Where the hell is that?" I asked.
"It's west of San Franciscolt. Just outside Equestria." The officer replied.
"Its out of the country?" I asked in partial disbelief.
"Yep. I think they want us to defend an airbase they're constructing up there." He replied. "If I remember correctly. I'll go check soon."
"Alright then... I guess I'll go now." I said.
"Sounds like a plan." The officer responded.
I gave a salute and waited for him to return it. When he did, I turned to walk over to the infantry truck waiting on me. When I arrived at the truck, I climbed up into the back of it and found my seat right next to the door.
"Hey, you know what we're doing after this?" The guy to my left asked me. "All I know is that we're headed to an Air base in the Mild West, where ever that is." He replied.
"I was told it was west of San Fransiscolt. Outside of Equestrian borders." I said.
"San Fransiscolt? Huh." He said rhetorically.
I looked out the door of the truck (since the truck tarp blocked most of my view) and saw the officer walk over to the truck. He walked past the back and disappeared from my sight. I heard the driver's door open and close, followed by the sound of the engine turning on. I guess the officer was the driver.
I saw rocks and pebbles zoom under the truck as we drove faster and faster. The harbor got smaller the farther out we drove, and eventually disappeared. The terrain around us changed into rolling hills and beautiful mountain ranges, and even a vast Forrest. But after an hour of gorgeous scenery, it changed into a seemingly endless desert.
We knew we had left Equestria and entered a strange yet familiar land, mainly because there was a sign before that, which had said we were leaving Equestria.
"Damn, it feels like the Zebrican desert." One sergeant said aloud.
"Yeah, it does." I responded.
"You were there?" The Sergeant asked.
"For half of it." I replied.
"What rank did you start out with?" The sergeant asked.
"Corporal. You?" I asked.
"Same." He replied. "You in the same squad now?"
"No, I transferred to lead another squad at the beginning of the Griffin Campaign." I replied.
"I transferred near the middle of the Saddle Arabian Campaign." He said.
"What's your name?" I asked.
"Arthur. What's yours?" He asked.
"Mathew." I replied.
"What platoon are you in?"
"Fifth." I replied.
"I'm in the Third." He said. "Hey... Wasn't part of Fifth platoon trapped in a subway in San Fransiscolt?"
"Yeah, my squad was in that mess." I replied.
"Damn... How'd you get out?" He asked.
"We found another stairwell leading to the surface." I replied. "It was a heck of a walk, though."
"Well, that explains-"
"Alright everyone, we're coming up on the gate, so take out any weapons you have on you." The officer in the compartment up front told us.
I picked up my backpack that I had set down before, and looked around for Lucy. I pulled her out when I found her, and waited patiently for the gate guards.
"Afternoon, gentlemen." One of the guards said. "You got all your gear?"
"Yes, sir." We all replied in unison.
"Alright then." The guard said, hopping onto the truck. "Let's have a look.
The guards went around and began to inspect everyone's luggage, mine being the last one inspected.
"Okay, your all good to go." One of the guards said. "Welcome to the Langston Air Base."
The guards leapt out of the truck and headed back to the front of the truck. A few moments later, the truck started up and began to move forward again. We passed the gate and entered onto the base, going under a sign that read 'To the Skies Above'.
I stuffed Lucy back into my backpack and took a glance at Arthur, then looked out the back once again. At first, there was only road, then buildings began to appear everywhere, then they began to cluster closer together the farther we drove. Most of the buildings I saw were being constructed, or were already complete. What was shocking is that it has probably been only a week or two when they started construction. I don't know for sure when they started building, but we weren't informed of any base construction before.
Then I saw the airstrip, it was probably half a mile long or longer, and it seemed to span across most of the base. It was huge!
We turned left and soon stopped at a huge complex, which I assumed to be the Command Center. Moments later, the officer appeared from the front when he came to the back of the truck and pulled the tailgate off, signaling us it was okay to get out. I was the first to hop out of the truck, grabbing my backpack along the way.
"Barracks is just over there." The officer said to us, pointing to one of the barracks, which was just a few buildings away from the Command Center.
"Thank you, sir." I replied, giving another salute.
He returned it and I headed out to find the correct barracks, which hopefully housed my squad. I walked along the gravel road, looking at the long line of buildings, trying to determine who's was who's. Then I finally found Fifth Platoon's Barracks, and I walked up to it, grabbing the handle of door.
I opened the door and walked up a hallway towards the Sixth room, which was the farthest room from the door. That's where my squad was.
I walked up and took a small peek through the door window, making sure it was my squad. When I was absolutely sure it was my squad, I grabbed the knob and opened the door.
"Hey boys, Daddy's home!" I said loudly.
Everyone in the room turned to look at the door, and what stood in between it. Anthony was the first to register my arrival, as well as Frankfurt, who ran up to lick me.
"Hey there, boy." I said to Frankfurt, crouching to his level and petting him softly.
"Mat!" Anthony exclaimed as he walked up to greet me. "Man, most of us were missing you!"
"Nah, Antonia can keep you." Dylan said jokingly.
Nearly everyone in the room got up to greet me, it almost felt like a celebration for coming back alive. A crazy celebration, might I add.
"How was your trip?"
"What's Antonia like?"
"You get anything from there?"
"Did you get me a sandwich?"
"Hey, easy on the questions!" I said, trying to take back some lost control. "I'll tell you all that and more if you'll let me get settled in. Sound good?"
"Yes sir." Most of them said in unison.
"Alright." I said, walking over to the only empty bunk in the room.
I took off my backpack and set it down next to my bunk bed. I unzipped my backpack and pulled out Lucy, laying her on the bed.
"Whoa! Is that an OHG?" Private Bill asked in astonishment.
"Yeah, I bought it in Danesville." I replied, picking up the pistol.
"Sweet!" Bill said. "Can I hold it?"
"Sure, but don't steal it." I replied, half joking.
I handed the pistol to Bill, and he took it eagerly, inspecting it. Bill was the kind of guy who just loved guns, be it little, or ridiculously large.
"It's a 50. Caliber, right?" Bill asked.
"Yep. Helluva gun, isn't it?" I said.
"Yeah! I wish it had one." Bill said
"Don't worry, you'll get one in due time." I said, giving a small grin.
Then there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." I said.
The door opened wide and revealed a lonesome corporal standing in the doorway.
"Uh... Is there a Mathew here? Sergeant Mathew?" The corporal asked, looking around the room.
"That's me. What do you need?" I asked.
"The platoon leader is wanting to see you outside the Command Center." He replied.
"What for?" I asked.
"He never told me, sir." He replied. "He just said he needed to see you, and told me where to find you."
"Alright, tell him I'll be there in a few minutes, I have to unpack a few things." I responded, gesturing towards my backpack.
"Yes sir." He said before walking back to the main entrance.
I pulled mostly everything out of my backpack and laid it onto the bed. It took just a few minutes for me to sort my things and put them in their respective places, whether it was in the locker next to my bunk, or the large wooden trunk in front of my bed.
Soon, I was out the door and headed towards the main entrance on the barracks. I pushed on the door, which forced it open and allowed me to walk through to the grand outdoors. Though, the first thing I noticed wasn't nature, rather it was a group of seemingly misplaced scientists gathered around a truck, talking to a bunch of people who were wearing uniforms I didn't recognize. I had absolutely no idea why guys from the science division were here, or what they're here for.
I soon convinced myself that I probably wasn't going to figure it out then and there, so I dismissed the odd group and continued my trek towards the Command Center, but I occasionally glanced back at them, still curious.
"Mathew."
I looked over and saw Johnny standing no more than a few meters from me. I must've been so enthralled in the scientist mystery that I didn't notice him, even when I was inadvertently walking towards him.
"Oh, Good evening, sir. I didn't see you there." I said quickly.
"What had your attention, Mathew?" He asked.
"Do you see those guys over by that truck over there?" I asked, pointing towards the science group.
"Yeah. What about them?" Johnny asked.
"Well, they just seem... out of place." I said, giving a confused look.
"Well, they've been there for a while. I don't really know what they're doing, but we've been given strict orders not to interfere with them at all." Johnny responded. "That's all I know."
"Okay." I said, still looking over at them.
"So, how was your trip?" Johnny asked, shifting the subject.
"It was great overall. It wasn't Disneyland, but it's was as close as I could get to it." I said.
"That's good to hear. It's good to get a break once in a while, isn't it?" He said.
"Damn right, sir." I said. "Now... what did you need me for?"
"Well, I may need your guys, specifically you and your guys, to do something for me." Johnny said. "It won't be easy."
"What is it, sir?" I asked curiously.
"I need you..." He said, adding some drama. "To do some patrol duties for the next week or two."
Well, that was a little anticlimactic.
"Okay." I said. "When are the shifts?"
"From around eight to twelve." He replied. "It's just your squad and two others."
"Okay." I said. "Anything else, sir?"
"Nope. That's all I got." Johnny replied.
"So, should I go back to the barracks now?" I asked.
"Yes, definitely." He replied. "It was nice getting to talk to you again, Mathew."
"Yeah, you too!" I said. "You know... we should have a kind of NCO and Officer meet up. It could help us get to know each other better!"
"Well, it's certainly an idea. We might be able to do-" He said before being interrupted by a deafening siren.
"What the hell?!" I yelled over the blaring sirens.
"Red Alert! Repeat, Red Alert! ERA forces are headed this way in Attack formation! Everyone get to your designated positions and prepare for combat! This is not a drill!" A loud voice roared over the entire base.
"We're under attack?! Here?!" I yelled to Johnny.
"Mathew, get your men to the armory and load up now!" Johnny yelled to me.
"Where the hell is the armory?!" I yelled.
"It's next to the last barracks! Hurry!" Johnny yelled.
"Alright!" I yelled before running towards my barracks.
Geez, what a way to start off the first day back.