"We have a pretty amazing plan," Rebecca says, looking up at Monica. "We're utilizing everybody's talents. I don't think we should hold back. We need to train as if we are going to war against our enemy. Let's get that flag and claim our victory today! I will make sure to say a prayer for our victory today before we march."
"Thank you," Monica says as she drew an arrow on the chalkboard, writing the names of everybody in the squad. "I forgot one little thing," she pauses, cutting a smirk. "The two-star general is going to be here from central command watching us."
Luna smacked her hands on the table, her glasses almost falling off and her goober rolling off the side on the floor beside her. "Are you talking about two-star general Jonathan Stoudamire?"
"What's got you so riled up?" Abby inquired.
Before Luna could respond, Monica nodded. "I don't have intel on what he's here for, but depending on how we perform today, who knows where some of you might go. He may pull some of you based off your performance today, but I don't want to lose anybody in the squad. I want to go to war with you guys. I want to be your leader," Monica states, her hand to her chest.
"I'll tell you later," Luna states, whispering in Abby's ear.
Abby nodded. She took a sip of her coffee, looking up at her squad leader who was the sincerest she seemed since the funeral.
"I'll die with you," Marcus says, pulling his toothpick out and blowing into the air as if smoking a cigarette.
Monica let go of a slight giggle as she nodded at everybody. "Alright everybody, let's get geared up. We've got a 20-minute walk over to the training area in the countryside. Everybody already has their guns with them, so we need to get suited up with ammunition." Reaching underneath the desk next to the chalkboard, she pulled out three large boxes. Grunting, she separated them as she pointed to the first one.
"That's a lot of bullets ," Cody voices as he let go a smile. "I will put in some lead downfield even if it's only paint. It's gonna hurt like hell if we get shot."
"Does everybody have gloves?" Rebecca inquired, letting go of a sincere smile to her friends in the room. "It would hurt really badly to get shot in the hand two or three times and be taken out of the exercise."
Everyone in the room nodded, as gloves were on the list of items that should've been brought before the morning's events.
"Everyone suit up," Monica bellowed as she opened the boxes with her knife, reviewing all the ammo for the paint grenades, rifle, handgun.
Over the next few minutes, the eight squad members put on their green camo fatigues, knee pads, and elbow pads as they loaded up their magazines with all the ammo they needed.
Thirty minutes later
In the afternoon, the countryside appeared to pulse with vitality, its undulating hills and swaying grasses harmonizing in a melodious dance.
"I am going to turn a different shade of black if this sun gets any hotter," Marcus says, wiping his forehead.
"Honestly, my concept of time is way off." Abby glared up at the sun, it seemed a little bit to the left before heading straight above them, perpendicular to the way they were walking.
"Almost everybody getting a good sweat in. Sweat is good for the bones," Rosemary says, smacking her abs as she pulled out her pistol from her holster, counting the magazine that held 12 bullets.
"Hello everyone," Matthew says sternly as he strolls up, observing the group of eight soaked in sweat. "I'm expecting great things from all of you today," he says as he put up his hand, awaiting a salute from Monica.
"Thank you, sir," Monica states and put her hand perpendicular to 45° angle to her head. She dropped her salute. "We're ready to rock 'n' roll." She put her hand out behind her squad. "They have been briefed and are trained up."
"Good to hear," Matthew says as he looks back at Abby, casting her a smile and winking. "Good to see all of you are in the same uniform today."
Luna took her elbow and nudged Abby slightly. "A bit of a dig, don't you think? It's like he singled you out without really saying anything."
"Yeah! I'm trying to blend in a little bit," Abby whispered as she caught a glance over at Luna, trying not to smile too wide.
"As many of you know, the general is in today to observe the flag training exercise. I do not want to disappoint him as I am over Monica as her direct supervisor. They brought in another Lieutenant Colonel from a different installation about 200 miles north of us with another squad. That squad will be going to the border of Midgand."
"Does that mean that we're going to be heading towards Tribien instead?" Monica inquired, putting her hand on the top of her hip and swaying it to the left and the right, as if anxious like a little child.
"Yes Monica, those are my current plans. You and your squad are going to the east to push back the opposition to stealth operations. As you know, based on what the general says today after he observes both teams, everything is subject to change depending on who is performing at maximum efficiency. Show him who you are!" Matthew bellowed, as he put his fist into the air.
The whole squad yelled "yes sir!" in response to Matthew's show of admiration for them.
Matthew turned around and heard a whistle out the corner of his ear. "Sounds like the rest of the squad on every side is briefed up and ready to go. Remember you are to be operating within a 5-square-mile radius. There will be other things working out there, so be ready."