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Marine: Part One
Date: 20 September 2005, 9:44 pm
John Bade led a simple life. He would wake up in the morning, eat a quick breakfast, realize that he was late and rush to work. But a couple months ago, his company had closed down and he had been left without a job. He figured he had a year before they kicked him out of his cozy little apartment building in Manhattan. John switched off the news. All the news said was that some "Spartan", went missing in action. Why do they say they're missing, he thought. Just say they croaked for god sake.
John didn't think that much of war. If he was drafted, he would go. He wouldn't defy the American laws. Good thing they weren't drafting for this Covenant war. But he thought lots about being a Marine and doing all their drills with a staff sergeant yelling at you. He'd be roughing it, but it wasn't fun sitting at home all day. He only went out to get food and avoided using his car.
Finally John decided. He was going to live up to his dream. The Marine Corps would be fun and he'll get a bit of cash for it. It was perfect until he found another job.
John sat in the little chair waiting for the recruiter to show up. He never really expected to go into war. He just needed some action to lighten up his day. The office was pretty cool. There were lots of medals, insignias and posters. He was about to touch one when the recruiter came in.
"Hi", John said.
"Hi, what's your name?", said the recruiter.
"John Bade".
The recruiter rolled with his chair to a silver file cabinet, opened the top drawer, looked around for a couple of seconds. He took out a piece of paper and took it back to the desk. He took out another sheet of paper, scribbled some words onto it, and handed John the paper. "Take this paper to New York Harbor tomorrow", said the Marine. "You're going to take a ferry boat to New Jersey and then you're going to take a twenty-five hour train ride to Charleston Illinois, where you'll begin your training. You may leave".
"Wait. That's all?".
"You registered with you Marines in 2538. It's mandatory for every US citizen to register when you're eighteen".
"Ok. Thanks." John quickly accepted the paper and dashed out the door.
This is great, thought John. I'll learn how to shoot a gun, what to do during combat and just have fun.
The next day, John grabbed a bag and stuffed it with personal belongings and his pajamas. He didn't bother packing clothes. He would be wearing a uniform all day.
He went to the boiling subway station and caught a train to New York harbor. There was a huge crowd near a large ferry that said United States Marines Corpson the side. John slowly walked near the ferry. He looked around for a while until he found the entrance. There was a Marine Sergeant Major standing there in a frilly uniform. John slowly walked up to him.
"Excuse me, sir.", John spoke. "Is this where I go to New Jersey?".
"Can I see your Marine permit?"
John handed him the paper that the recruiter gave him.
"Ok, go on in. You're a Marine now, soldier. You won't be calling me "sir" anymore". The Sergeant saluted.
John quickly put his hand to his head and dashed on board.
The ferry was big, but could use a bit of work inside. Well, I'll only be going to New Jersey, John thought. He found a seat on top and sat down. He pulled is light jacket to avoid the crisp fall winds. Sitting beside him was a red haired man who looked nervous.
"So, quite a war is going on.", John broke the silence.
"Oh yeah", said the man. "Lots of Marines are being killed every day. The majority of the military is there. But I don't expect to be sent in. They have millions of Marines there. I'm going into the Marines, because I need to get in shape and do all the Marine drills. Of course, I'll retire as soon as I can. Why did you join?".
"I joined because I need a bit of extra money because my company shut down and I want to do something while thinking about what I should do for a job. I heard that the Marines Corps is very tough to go through, that's why I going. Hi, I'm John", John reached out his hand.
"Simon", Simon shook John's hand.
The sound of a horn echoed through the harbor and the ferry started moving. New Jersey wasn't very far away. They could have easily taken a bus. People were still crowding on the ferry docks. There were easily more Marines.
It was about a ten minute ride to New Jersey. John and Simon talked the whole way there. The ferry sounded the horn again for the arrival into New Jersey.
"Simon", said John. "I'm in car five. What car are you in?"
"How can I tell?", replied Simon.
"Check your ticket. Here, I'll show you. Right…….there. Car five! We're in the same car! I think on the train we'll find out what platoon we're in.
"Actually, there are ten cars. I read that if there are ten platoons. So if there are ten cars, that means we'll be in the same platoon. We'll meet the other Marines in our platoon on the car".
"Well, let's get on the train".
The inside of the train was very nice. John looked in every room. In each room there were two cotton chairs facing each other. John looked at his train ticket to figure out which room was his. B 26. John found B 26 and put his suitcase in it. He walked into the small room and shut the door. The door had a window on it, but thankfully John had a curtain. He reclined the chair and kicked off his shoes. Better rest while I have the chance.
Dinner was great. John noticed that all the seats were booths near the window. He saw the whole world zoom by. One day, I'm going to go across the whole Amtrak
John looked down the aisle. His head almost got hit by a running Simon. Simon quickly turned and sat down.
"Sorry I'm late. I lost track of time".
Simon booted up the electronic menu and looked over it quickly.
"Wow. Everything looks so good here. I guess I'm getting a Bloody Mary and a Chicago stake". Simon punched in his order. John ordered a rack of ribs and a beer.
"Think about this", said Simon. "This is our last meal before we become Earth's sworn protectors. We'll eat Meals ready to eat and learn what to do in times of battle".
"Simon", replied John. "We're just going to the Marine Corps. There are millions of platoons. Odds are against us of being chosen for the Covenant war".
"I read that the Army and the Air Force aren't included. We would be able to turn the tide of war if they came".
A rack of ribs and a steak were set down onto the table. Simon drank some of his Bloody Mary and took a huge bite. John lifted up a rib to his mouth and chewed.
That night, John bent both backrests of the chairs to make a bed. As he climbed into the blankets, thoughts raced his mind. What if I do get selected for the war? What if I get shot? John shook off these thoughts and went to sleep.
The next morning, John met Simon and they ate a quick breakfast. John looked out the window. He could see the train approaching Charleston. He quickly grabbed his stuff and got out of the train door. A bunch of Staff Sergeants were there to great them. They pointed towards a building. John walked inside and took a seat. Around there were people talking to each other. John saw Simon run into the room and sat down beside him.
A few minutes later, a man with a Staff Sergeant insignia walked in. He wore a green uniform and had a stern look on his face.
"Hi my name is Joseph Abner. But from now on, you'll be calling me Sergeant Abner. Ok? Well, you have to get used acknowledging me. Does 'Yes Sergeant' ring a bell?
"YES SERGEANT!", came the scream from the PFC's in the room.
"Good! Very good! Alright, during your stay here, you'll learn everything a young Private First Class should know. Yep, that's right. When you join the Marine Corps, you automatically start as a PFC! That's what separates us from the Army. Ok, well that's enough. You'll be seeing me every day so I don't want you to hate me right now!".
A couple of laughs came from the crowd.
"Ok! Follow Sergeant Jack to the barber Marines!".
After getting his head shaved, John quickly slipped his hat on. He looked kind of weird without his hair. After his hair was cut, a quiet bugle noise could be heard. John looked in the direction it was being played.
"That's taps Marines", said Sergeant Abner. "Time to go to sleep. Soldiers need to get up early to get lots of training".
John looked at Simon. Simon smiled. "Dibs on the top bunk".
John climbed into the bottom bunk while Simon double-timed it up onto the top.
Tomorrow is going to be a bit different.
John's sleep suddenly startled by the sound of reveille. Simon suddenly got up above John and bumped his head.
"Jesus Christ! Stupid bugle player! I want to put a clog in his trumpet.
"Get up Marines!", yelled Sergeant Abner. "Come on lets move!. Come on! Get to the bathroom! Brush with a circular motion! Come on Private Bade! Get up!".
John quickly stumbled with his uniform and went to go brush his teeth. While he was brushing he smiled.
This is exactly what I need.
Marine: Part 2
Date: 20 March 2006, 1:50 am
John Bade thought that the Marine Corps was rough. Sergeant Abner yelled throughout the morning. John hoped that the Sergeant's vocal cords would snap. He pushed them on, making them brush their teeth like some mad dentist. After they brushed their teeth, they were forced out into the light dawn air. The cool breeze swept across the young Marines' faces, but they didn't get to enjoy it long. Those days were over.
"Alright men! Since this is your first day, I'm going to go easy on you! Down on you stomachs! Fifty pushups!" the Sergeant hollered.
John got down on dew-covered grass. One, two three, He counted as he started the morning exercises. He began to feel tired at twenty. He pushed on the damp grass, his triceps felt as if they were going to explode. After the pushups, John lay on his back and just stared and the black-blue sky.
"Is that all you have woman?! If you don't get up right now, you'll do 100 pushups after breakfast!"
After a very brief break and a little encouragement from his jolly Sergeant, he stood up. Perspiration was already dripping off his face. Abner gave a little chuckle.
"Heh. You think you're tired now, just wait for the rest of the morning. At the end, you'll be begging me to shoot you".
"Bring it on," retorted John.
The Sergeant glared at John. John glared back.
"I'm not afraid of you".
"Well we can't have that can we?"
Abner returned to the Privates. After fifty sit-ups, John just wanted to die. Or lay on the ground for a month or two. The Sergeant wasn't finished. After every drill, he always said that pain was weakness leaving the body. After a two mile run, it was time for breakfast
John found Simon and they sat down to have a nice portion of slop. Or as the smiling corporals like to call: "The best military food ever." The Sergeant said that it was good for every young Marine to have meals high in protein and carbohydrates.
Beggars can't be choosers. John took a generous spoonful and shoved the fat spoon in his mouth. It wasn't bad, he thought as he chewed a bit and swallowed. I could eat this when I'm in the Marines
Simon ate silently next to John taking small bites at a time.
"This food isn't bad", John said to Simon.
"I beg to differ. However, it is good after a morning at boot camp".
The afternoon followed. There was more exercising with the quiet Sergeant. John was so grateful during knee bends by hearing taps, he wanted to go hug that bugle player and tell him not to play in the morning. The Sergeant led them into their sleeping room and told them to go to sleep. John quickly climbed into his bunk and fell asleep to the quiet breathing of Simon.
As the months went by, Simon and John underwent a lot of changes. They both were used to having dirt on their faces and they're there hands stained with blood. When the Sergeant asked them to do hard tasks, they did it without a problem. They did all kinds of drills like how to quickly slip out of their gear if they fell into water. The straps of John's flak jacket were twisted and he passed out in the water. If it wasn't for Simon who pulled him out, he would have died. He got to know his people in his platoon and that Abner wasn't as mean as his first impression. One day, the Sergeant made an announcement at breakfast. He looked at Simon and John who were happily chewing on their food.
"Well, we've had a good time together Privates! I got orders from the General that this platoon is going to go into the Marine reserve. You'll be sent back to New York after breakfast. But be ready to pick up the phone if we ever need you".
John was glad to be back in New York. The three months in Marine training made him very tough. He liked the Marine Corps. Not at first, but after the first month, it wasn't hard. He caught a subway train home.
When he got home, he decided to sit back and relax. John slowly walked to his couch and put up his feet on the cushion. This was the longest R&R after three months.
He occasionally talked to Simon, but during the day, Simon had to go to work. Simon had recently invited John his Chanukah party that he was hosting for his return from the Marine Corps. John accepted. After all, he didn't really have anything to do.
He found Simon's house and rang the door bell. The faint patter of feet could be heard as Simon walked towards the door.
"Hey John! Just the man I wanted to see! Hey everybody! This is the guy I was telling you about!
It turned out that Simon didn't have a family of his own either. John looked around the house. Punch and crackers were set out on the table. He poured some of the red punch into a plastic cup and took a sip. Nobody seemed to noticed the phone ring.
"Hello?", Simon's face turned from a happy smile to a
"Sure. I'll be there as soon as I can tomorrow".
Simon gently put the phone back on the base. He sat down and stared into space.
"Something troubling you Simon?," asked John
"No".
"Who was that call from".
"The Marine Corps'.
John's heart sped up. "And?"
Simon didn't say anything.
"Looks like we're going to see the platoon guys again."
John threw up in the trash can. This was his first space travel and the takeoff going ten miles a second made him queasy. He wiped his mouth and threw on his flak jacket. The Sergeant slammed a clip into his battle rifle and looked into the scope. Simon was shoving lots of grenades into his belt until the Sergeant told him that he could only bring four. Dallas hooked a sub machine gun onto his back and slipped on a helmet. Riley was doing chin ups on a bar. Sam slipped a knife into her knife holster. Caleb hefted a titanic rocket launcher on to his shoulder and put a new rocket into it.
John didn't know what to do. He picked up a battle rifle and studied it. He looked back at Caleb with the rocket launcher. Caleb was a Lance Corporal. If the Sergeant got injured or killed, Caleb would take charge. He was recently promoted to a Lance Corporal, so he still was very friendly and didn't act like a person in charge.
John threw on his flak jacket and slung the battle rifle over his shoulder.
John stood up and tried to walk around. He was so bulky, it took several tries to pick up a Sub Machine Gun.
"All right men!", shouted Abner. Sam glared at him.
"And one women, haul your asses into the pelican!" Left, Right, Left!".
The dark hatch added to the even sickening amount of claustrophobia inside the pelican. There were no windows in the soldier bay which made John feel even more uncomfortable. The dropship shaked as the intense heat of re-entry hammered them. At last the wheels of the pelican gently touched down as the bay doors opened the Marines were welcomed with the cool blast of air. As John bolted for the hatchway and looked up in the sky.
Instead of seeing the soft light blue sky as he saw back home, a near blood red heavens stretched above him. What is this place, the devil's hell?
Sergeant Abner took a big deep breath and exhaled through his mouth.
"Welcome grunts, to the planet Reach".
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