Krieger Platoon Page 5

  Valor didn’t have to heart to yell at this kid. He just smiled and shook his head, then spoke in a much more upbeat and friendly tone. “Then move! We don’t have all day, damn!”

  Second Lieutenant Matt Durant strode into the tent and stopped right next to Alighten and Valor, who began to laugh at a trainee that was putting his boots on backwards. Alighten shook his head and smiled, adding almost sentimentally, “I remember this night only too well. It really does feel like yesterday when we all got here… Krieger platoon…I was the only one who could say the name right. Everyone else called it Kruger.”

  Matt looked around the tent and grinned at the sight. Forming night…it was a little rough but well worth it. These trainees had it easy compared to the veterans…but of course all veterans say that. “You know technically we did all just get here yesterday.”

  “You know what I mean, Matt.” Alighten laughed and then returned to watching the trainees.

  Valor hooted out in excitement. “Hell yeah, the night we joined up boys! This is bringing me back! It wasn’t fun then but its fun now, you know?”

  Alighten nudged Valor on the shoulder. “Yeah, like that game of pool last night.”

  Valor glowered at Alighten. “Yo…shut up Mr. Pool shark! Over here hitting two balls in at once and saying, ‘oh I don’t know how I did that!’”

  Matt snorted a laugh. “Yeah, that was pretty impressive, Alighten.”

  Alighten shrugged helplessly and spoke with as genuine a tone as Matt ever heard. Valor still didn’t believe it though. “I still don’t know how I did that. Don’t worry, I will never drop the fact that I beat you…ever.”

  Valor gave Alighten the stink eye. Not too convinced Alighten hadn’t pulled a fast one on him. “Yo, I’m watching you! When we get back…we doing a rematch!”

  Matt stared off toward the trainees as the first dozen or so sprinted out of the tent, carrying all their combat gear, and leaving only a few stragglers still trying to finish getting dressed. Matt shouted out to them in a stern voice, before marching out of the tent himself. “You all need to hurry! We only have 5 minutes before muster!”

  The platoon had formed up into four squads on the far side of the football arena sized parade field, between the hangar and artificial lake. Mars’ two moons were still visible in the sky, and a vast number of beautiful shining stars were discernable even with the light pollution from the rest of the base. It was a brisk, clear night with no inclement weather reported for the next few days. It was perfect for training.

  The new trainees stood anxiously in front of the rest of Krieger Platoon as the last few of them made a dead sprint across the field to the formation. Valor, Alighten, and Matt strolled in casually and did a quick head count of the platoon. Matt then turned to James and the rest of the Officers and NCOs, and rendered an unenthusiastic salute. He knew James LOVED to be saluted, especially by him. It just made doing it that much worse… “All present and accounted for…”

  James smirked and returned the gesture. Both Matt and he had been friends in the enlisted ranks long before James outranked him, though James liked to poke fun at him for it. Hey, he did tell Matt it was going to happen sooner or later. Hah! He loved being right. James turned toward Bag and Cholius, and rendered a crisp salute. “Everyone’s here and ready, Bag.”

  Bag returned the salute, as professional as ever. “Thanks James. Have them form a school circle around me, please.”

  James nodded and pivoted toward the platoon, shouting out loud and clear. “Bring it in and form a school circle!”

  The platoon rushed in just as one of the trainees tripped over his own boots and knocked over a fellow team member, rousing the platoon into a bit mocking laughter. Bag and Cholius sighed to each other; the trainees were way too anxious and both of them knew they’d have to dispel that if they were to train safely. Much too often, drills could be just as fatal as the real thing… for the instructors and for the students.

  Bag moved directly into the circle and raised his voice to a loud but friendly tone. “I hope you all had fun at the Enlisted Club…or wherever you were last night, because now it’s time for business. My name is Colonel Jordan Kirovich, but the platoon calls me Bag. If you can guess why, I’ll buy you a pizza or something next time we have a platoon morale night.”

  Bag bowed his head respectfully toward the veteran members. “These veterans here have gone through some of the most hostile environments imaginable, and lived to talk about it.” The veterans all straightened their posture and stood proudly in front of their new team members as Bag continued. “They’re the best soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen this country has to offer, and now they’re your instructors and your team mates. Follow their lead and learn from them, and likewise I’m sure they’ll learn from you... You can all sit down now too.”

  The platoon spread out and sat down in the dirt as Bag took in a long breath and continued. “Krieger is a specialized group drawn from all the branches, and likewise our missions are typically hazardous and unique to us...that shouldn’t be a surprise at this point. If we’re to survive in combat, you must trust each other above all else. Trust the person next to you and know that they have your back at all times. All of us share that confidence in one another, and that was formed by a lot of time in combat…and some here would say a lot of drinking…”

  James nudged Matt at the comment, who nodded his head and smiled deviously in return. Bag smirked at the gesture. No doubt their all-encompassing drinking and everything in life competition had already started the night prior. He had a feeling it was going to turn a little serious as time went on. It usually did, not that it was a bad thing. Hah!

  Bag continued. “You’ll come to see all of us here are very down to Earth…uh well…’down to Mars’ now I guess. If you ever need something, please don’t hesitate to ask. My door is always open, and the same goes for the Officers and NCO’s. I’m serious, if you don’t ask for help when you need it then how will anything get solved?”

  The platoon mumbled a few incoherent words to each other; to which Bag waited patiently to cease. He knew they were already getting bored with the typical military ‘Here to help you’ stuff that’s crammed down everyone’s throat. He had to say it though, just for his job’s sake… “With that said, I have three words for you to memorize. These are the three core values of this platoon and you WILL take them to heart. They are Honor, Respect, and Devotion… Honor means you will do the right thing, even when no one is looking. You will not lie, cheat, or steal nor tolerate anyone who does. Respect means you will treat EVERYONE you encounter with respect and dignity at all times. Devotion means you will never quit, never stop fighting, and never leave a team mate behind. Do you understand?”

  The platoon all screamed in unison. “Yes Colonel!”

  Bag straightened his posture and made his voice more direct in an effort to drive the seriousness of the point home. “Following the core values on and off duty is not an option, period… Now, we’re going to do a muster and an introdu-”

  “You aren’t doing ANYTHING!” A loud voice with a Texan accent rang out from behind the platoon and interrupted Bag mid-sentence. The veterans glanced too each other, having instantly recognized the voice… Though Alighten and several others didn’t appear too thrilled by it. Bag turned to see Colonel Jon Reverent strutting through the parade field already dressed out in full combat gear. “Just couldn’t wait for me could you, asshole?”

  No doubt that was directed at Bag, who just grunted a laugh and waited for Jon to get closer, then very obviously checked the time on his wrist coms. “Well, you did take your sweet time getting here.”

  Jon dropped his sea bag almost on Bag’s foot and then stretched and faced the platoon. “Shut up, Bag.”

  Bag snorted. He was actually surprised Jon had showed up, though now he was going to have to get use to Jon being a dick to him again, as he always was. When Jon had taken over as Executive Officer, after the previous one had gone AWOL, he to
ld Bag it was his duty as an XO to question and frustrate him at every opportunity. Bag knew it was Jon’s way of being sociable, and despite the obvious disrespect of it, it was meant as a joke. It typically didn’t bother him.

  Bag glanced down at the heavy sea bag, and then smirked back at him. “Yeah, welcome back jackass.” Then turned back to platoon himself. “Like I was saying, we’re going to do a muster. When I call on you, I want you to stand up and tell the platoon who you are and where you’re from.” Bag looked around at the new faces, then pointed to the very young and nervous looking trainee who had tripped earlier. “We’ll start with you. What’s your name?”

  The Private stood up and snapped to attention. “Sir! Private Markus Kazowski, Sir!”

  “Relax, this isn’t boot camp. Stand easy.”

  “Yes sir!” Kazowski switched to parade rest like a robot, crossing his hands behind his lower back, and sparking laughter from the rest of the platoon.

  Bag smiled and shook his head. He might have to make it a standing order to relax, this was starting to be annoying. “So where are you from Kazowski? Why do you want to be in Krieger?”

  “I’m from Carl Sagan and I heard that Krieger was tough and I wanted to push myself, Sir!”

  Cholius spoke slightly under his breath, just loud enough for the veterans to hear. “This isn’t normally so easy to get into…” Bag nodded over in agreement, and then replied to Kazowski. “Carl Sagan? Are you Martian born?”

  “Yes Sir, Martian all my life.”

  Now that he said that, Bag could just barely hear the articulate Canadian English and Mediterranean twang of the Martian accent. Hopefully that doesn’t cause problems with the rest of the platoon. A lot of Earth-born’s don’t like Martians for some reason…

  “That’s good man, you can sit down now.” Bag then pointed to the trainee off to the far side. “We’ll go down the line, left to right. Stand up and state your name and where you’re from.”

  The first trainee somewhat hesitantly stood up and dusted himself off. “Colonel, I’m Private Second Class Charlie Wallace… No relation to the former President before any of you ask… I’m from Chicago. I joined because…I frankly just want to kill those asshole marauders.”

  James laughed and nodded toward him. “Honesty AND he has his priorities in order. I like it.”

  Another trainee stood up. “Sir! Private Bruce Stevens from Toronto…”

  Jon cut in loudly. “You’re from Canada?”

  “Yes Sir.”

  Jon raised an eyebrow toward him. Vaguely suspicious. “Why’re you in the US Military and not the Canadian?”

  Stevens shrugged, and he had absolutely no accent at all. “That would mean joining the EU, and I have a problem with the fact that they forcibly incorporated my country.”

  Jon crossed his arms and grunted. “Fair enough…and don’t call me Sir.”

  Bag pointed to the next trainee in line. “Ok soldier... Tells us about yourself.”

  “Colonel, I’m Private Jorge Ramirez. I’m From Los Angeles. I joined because I wanted to blow shit up!”

  The platoon grunted a few laughs but then went silent as the smartly gentle voice of the next soldier called out. “I’m Petty Officer Third Cass Anna Willits. I’m from El Paso, Texas. I’m here to show you boys how to really fight, and to patch you up a little if you get hit.”

  Specialist Sarah let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. “Finally another Texas girl! Are you a Medic?”

  Willits smiled and nodded. “Yes Ma’am, certified combat Corpsman. I’m a hell of a lot better than your average field medic too, you can bet your life on that.”

  Matt laughed and glanced over to Sarah sarcastically. “Sarah, you aren’t a girl! You’re just a really cool dude with long hair!”

  Sarah jokingly scowled and rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Matt… And I’m not a Ma’am, Willits. I’m enlisted like you.”

  The next trainee had stood up, and waited for Sarah to finish speaking, before he began himself. That was very polite of him. “Sir, my name is Private Second Class Ryan Lee. I’m from Wichita, Kansas. My whole family all the way back to my great grandfather has been Navy, but I don’t like the idea of being on a ship out in space for months at a time. I figured I’d give the Army a go, so here I am.”

  Lee was followed by a trainee with a heavy Russian accent. “I am Lance Corporal Nicolai Baranov. I was from Volgograd in Russia.”

  Alighten held up a hand and spoke in genuine interest. “Whoa, you’re Russian? Like actual Russian?”

  The Russian thought for a moment, then proceeded slowly. “I was in America…on Earth…before bombs drop. I try to start business but planet go to shit. Americans save me and bring me here, so I repay debt only way I think I can. Marauders a threat to Russia just the same as US.”

  Someone who speaks Russian may turn out to be very handy in the future. Especially with world tensions the way they are. Bag thought to himself, and nodded to Baranov with acceptance. “Very well then.”

  The next soldier stood. “Sir, Senior Airman Dennis Kabir, I’m from New Prim. I joined because I saw you guys in action when I was a younger. I want to help people like you helped my family…we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the Army.”

  The veterans quietly nodded to each other in approval at the comment. It was nice to see that the hell they called the Battle of New Prim was worth something… Then again it’s the reason they needed so many replacements on the team now…

  James clapped his hands together loudly and smiled with excitement. “Senior Airman? It’s good to see more Air Force here! We’re usually few and far between. What was your job before you transferred?”

  Kabir nodded respectfully to James. “I was training to be Para-Rescue before my command told me about this job. It sounded interesting so I figured I would put in for it… I was actually surprised when I got orders. I was about to turn them down until para-rescue pushed my class date back.”

  James nodded respectfully in return. “Air Force soldiers are a cut above the rest, that’s why! You were meant to be here with the elite.”

  Matt laughed and crossed his arms. James and his Air Force fanaticism... “Yeah, coming from the man who thinks a personal trainer is a ‘tactical’ job.”

  James laughed in response. He knew Matt was just trying to start something. Hah, the argument battle begins! “Pff…do you even know how many guns I work with in that gym?”

  Matt laughed and did the two finger quotation gesture. “Yeah…’guns’.”

  The next trainee did some sort of ninja front roll and landed on his feet in front of the platoon, the trainees snickered slightly but the veterans just stared on unimpressed. His Martian accent was also thick as could be. “Colonel Sir, names Alex Harrison, Private. I’m from New Prim too but I wasn’t there when it was attacked. I just want to help protect people…and maybe finish college and have a decent job when I’m out. I don’t consider myself a military lifer or anything.”

  Cholius glanced at him suspiciously, and his tone had subtle hints of concern. “Normally you don’t sign up for special operations when you plan on leaving the military… This is a full time commitment.”

  The next trainee stood up, and stood out for being a little older and much more mature than the rest. “Private Trevor Hawkins from Boise, Idaho… Sir… I was drafted but I decided that the military is a pretty good thing once I got here, so like you said Sergeant Major…I’m staying in for the long term.”

  Another Martian born trainee stood up. Bag had read up on this particular soldier; he was prior service and according to his file, he had already seen some combat near Shady Sands on the Western Frontier. That could be good for Valor’s Armor team, experience was always a plus.

  The trainee spoke. “Corporal Martin Conrad. Tundra City, Orion Territory. I didn’t want to go to law school, and I’ve always liked the idea of tanks blasting through groups of bad guys so…yeah.”

  Valor hooted toward him with enthusia
sm. “Yeah boy, tanks are where it’s at! Yo, you’re gonna fit in just fine with us!”

  And yet another Martian born stood up. “Lance Corporal Danny Wolfe, New Denver. I always liked working on engines when I was a kid and I did a little of that in the Marine Corps before I transferred over to actually driving the things. Long story short… I had a chance to do more of that here, so here I am.”

  The last trainee was definitely on the body building side of things, she was actually bigger than some of the men. “Corporal Stephany Gaillard, I’m from New Austin but lived in New Denver most of my life. I joined because everyone told me women aren’t strong enough to make it through warfare training and all that crap. Joined the Marine Corps, got bored, and figured this would be more of a challenge.”

  And she was also another Martian born… Not that there was a problem with that. The Army had been strictly Earth born for most of Bag’s career, since the Earth governments didn’t trust their own colonials… It was nice seeing that segregation finally starting to dissipate, though it was most likely because there was no one else for the military to recruit…or draft. Either way, it was a step in the right direction.

  There was a long pause as the trainees began to talk amongst themselves. That was A LOT of new faces and Cholius couldn’t even begin to remember all their names. He’d have to make an effort to get to know them over the next few months on a more personal level. It was going to be a process though. Hopefully they’d all make it through…

  Cholius nodded over toward Matt and the rest of the veterans, signaling them to begin. “My name is Lieutenant Matt Durant, I’m originally from Southern California. I’m also the Training Officer…but the good news is all the Officers in Krieger are prior enlisted. Even James over here...”

  James smiled deviously at him. “Lieutenant James Horace… From the great state of New York and was previously stationed in England with the Air Force before the world went full dumbass. I’m the overall Platoon Commander. You better believe we’re gonna PT every day!”