The first month went by like a snail on a plane. Every day seemed to move so slowly that a minute seemed to take hours. But conversely the days themselves flew by so fast that a month flew by in a blink.
The days had been classes ranging from formations and strategies to first aid and gear maintenance. In-between the classes (or during them if someone decided to act out, or worse fall asleep) the drill sergeants brought them outside and made them work out.
After the day ended they got to rest and relax in the barracks for an hour before lights out. Although their showers couldn't be considered either. Every man in the platoon was filed into the bathroom, where they had to undress as fast as possible before jumping into the shower for a very brief 30 seconds.
Travis woke in his bunk on the first morning of the second month. For the first time since he'd arrived at basic training he didn't wake up to drill sergeants screaming and storming through the bay.
Instead there was just an announcement over the intercom that they had 1 hour to do their morning hygiene before chow. Travis grabbed his hygiene bag and headed into the bathroom, where he found Justin shaving his face.
"Why aren't the drill sergeants in here raising hell? It feels wierd."
Travis you cant seriously expect me to believe youre this brain dead. We start phase 2 of training today man! They're giving us more freedom cause we're closer to being soldiers now!"
"We're already starting phase 2? I thought we still had a couple more weeks?" Travis asked as he begun to shave his own face.
"I guess I can understand where you're coming from, the days definitely blend together here. But no, we start our weapons training today."
They finished shaving and brushing their teeth when an announcement came through the intercom.
"Trainees Travis Miller, Justin Turner, Kiara Campbell, and Victor Gonzales, report to the first platoon office immediately."
Travis turned towards Justin. "Gonzales is the one from 3rd platoon right?"
"Yeah, but I don't think we've ever spoken to him, much less done something with him that would get us in trouble."
○○○
As they walked into the office, they saw Kiara and Victor, a 26 year old man with tan skin and jet black hair cut short, standing at 6'5", standing at parade rest in the platoon office.
Travis stepped in and announced their arrival. "Drill sergeant, Privates Miller and Turner reporting as ordered."
Drill sergeant Fields looked at them for a second before addressing them. "Good, youre all here, have a seat we have some things to talk about."
All four of them grabbed a seat and sat, clearly confused as to why they were summoned. The drill sergeant waited a moment before continuing.
"You all have been selected for a top secret program. Before you ask, I don't know what it is, nor do I have any information outside of your new training regimens. After chow report to me. You won't be going to the range today. Dismissed."
As they walked away, Justin stopped Victor before he could go join his platoon for the morning physical training(PT).
"Hey man, Victor right? The three of us already know each other but what about you? Where are you from, what are you about, whats your family like?"
Victor was clearly agitated. "Turner, its 4 o'clock in the fucking morning. I don't have the energy for this right now. Miller, Campbell, I admire you for being able to tolerate him before having coffee."
And with that he turned and went to join his platoon. Justin turned to his friends.
"I don't talk that much."
Travis scoffed. "Yeah man, you absolutely do."
Kiara looked at him with pity. "Justin you talk so much, I could write the longest book ever written with just what youve said this month."
"Oh fuck both of you. You guys can go to hell."
All three stared each other down in silence for a moment, then busted up laughing before heading to join their platoon.
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After chow, the trio met up with Victor before reporting to drill sergeant Fields.
"Good, you're all here," He pointed towards a TTT315, a large truck with a flat bed surrounded by a fence to keep things from falling out. "Jump in the truck, I'll be back in a minute."
They all jumped into the bed and sat down.
"So? Have you had your coffee yet?" Justin asked, turning to Victor.
"Yeah... I'm an only child, and I'm from San Diego."
"Thats on the west coast right?" Travis asked
"Yeah its a city with about 60 million people."
Kiara was stunned. "You grew up in a big city?"
"Yes, I'm an urbanite. I grew up in a little 200 square foot apartment with my mom and dad."
Justin restarted his interrogation. "So you got a girlfriend?"
Victor's face visibly darkened. "I did, she died during the battle of Sao Paulo. That's why I'm here, to avenge her and the life we should've had."
Travis put a hand on Victor's shoulder. "I get it man, those bastards are stealing our families from us. We will succeed. You'll get your revenge."
"Yes, I will. Maybe then she'll be able to rest in peace, and ill be able to live in peace."
As he said that, the truck started and pulled away from the DFAC, speeding off towards a new era of warfare.
○○○
The truck pulled up to a large, gymnasium like building. Drill sergeant Fields shut off the truck, and walked to the gate at the back of the bed, lowering it to let them out.
When they walked into the building, the sight that greeted them was confusing. Inside the building was a basketball court, and there were several large mats set up on the court. On the mats, four soldiers waited. As they approached, one of them spoke.
"Welcome trainees. I am Sergeant Moreno, welcome to hand-to-hand combat class."