The Devil Inside Ch.8

[Shinobi]

Notes: I got some good news. I'm finished the last chapter yesterday! Whee! I'm very proud of myself. Anyway for those interested the story is 25 chapters long.
And my proff-readers moving pretty fast. He's up to twenty or so,

So to celebrate her's the next chapter!

And stuff.



The Devil Inside
Chapter 8

?Hello.? Kaname answered the ringing phone later that night in her apartment.

?Kaname.? A quiet voice whispered.

?Kyouko.? Kaname exclaimed, always happy to talk to her friend. ?How?re you feeling?? She asked in concern.

?Okay, I guess.?

?You don?t sound okay.? Kaname said gently.

?Can?is it all right if I come over?? Kyouko asked hesitantly.

?Of course it?s alright! But what about-?

?My parents said it?s alright. I told them we needed to study.?

?Okay. I?ll cook dinner. We?ll make a party of it!?

?Thanks, Kaname!? Kyouko exclaimed. She was never one to stay upset for long. ?I?ll see you soon!?


**

?Hey, Sis! Guess who?s back!? Crispin called out happily as he opened the door to the house he shared with his younger sister. The house was empty as he tossed his duffel bag on the overstuffed couch. ?Guess, Allie?s still at school.? He muttered when no one answered.

He was startled by the ringing of the telephone. He stared as the phone as it continued to ring. Fighting down a sense of growing dread Crispin finally picked it up.
?Hello.?

?Mr. Daniels?? An official sounding voice asked.

?Yes,? Crispin?s breath froze as he answered.

?I?m sorry, but I have some bad news. Can you come down to the station? It concerns your sister?.?

**

?AH!? Crispin woke with a yell. He panted as he stared wildly around. The darkness disoriented him until he realized he was in his apartment. He felt nauseous and the sheets of his futon were soaked with sweat.

?Oh god,? he moaned and rolled to the floor. He crawled to the bathroom and emptied his stomach into the toilet. Once finished he collapsed. ?Allie,? he sobbed. ?I?m sorry! I?m so fucking sorry!? He curled into a ball and remained that way the rest of the night.

**

Early the next morning, Crispin made his way to Jindai High. It was obvious he hadn?t slept. His face was blotchy and he had dark bags under his eyes. His clothes were rumpled and his hair was in disarray. Yet, not once did he consider not going to school. It wasn?t for duty or some altruistic desire to save the world.

One reason kept the lance corporal going: the past would NOT repeat itself. He forced himself forward step by step on that one principal. What happened to those other girls would NOT happen to Kaname Chidori!

?After you?ve read the file, I think you?ll agree with my assessment.? Kalinin?s departing words in the brig came back to Crispin. ?Yeah, Old Man. On that we can fucking agree.? He murmured as he stepped off the train and turned toward school. He blinked when he saw the object of his musings up ahead chatting happily with her best friend.

?Hey Guys!? He called and hurried to catch up with the girls. ?Wait up.?

Kaname and Kyouko looked back and saw Crispin walking toward them. Since the bespectacled girl had spent the night, they were walking to school together. And they already decided how to deal with Crispin Daniels. Kaname turned back around and grabbed her friend?s hand. ?Come on Kyouko!?

?Okay!? Kyouko readily agreed.

?Hey!? Crispin finally caught up. ?What?re you two in such a hurry for??

?Kyouko, our school trip to Okinawa?s next week isn?t it??

?Yeah, I?m really excited! I?ve never been to Okinawa!? Kyouko exclaimed happily.

?Hey, let?s go out this Sunday.? Kaname smiled at her friend. ?We?ll need new swim-suits and maybe we?ll catch some sales!?

?That?s a great idea Kaname!?

?Hey?? Crispin tried to get their attention. ?What?s the matter with you?? At their silence he blinked and remembered. ?Oh that!? He grinned sheepishly. ?I know I was supposed to help you guys study, but I got kinda tied up. You know how it is?? He laughed.

?And whose fault it that?? Kaname whirled on the laughing teen. At his shocked looked she answered for him ?Yours, that?s who!?

?I-I had detention! What was I supposed to do?? Crispin retorted back.

?Crispin.? Kyouko sighed in disappointment.

?Detention!? Kaname?s eyes flashed in anger. ?This isn?t about Detention, y-you JERK!? She leaned forward and poked the young man in the chest. ?What you did was inexcusable. Uncalled for, and down right disgusting!? At each word she continued to poke Crispin in the chest. He was forced to lean back until he finally fell on his backside. ?Detention is the least you deserve!? Kaname fumed over the stammering boy.

?Sagara? This is about Sagara?? Crispin gaped at the two girls. ?You?re the one who?s always bitching about him. And he started it!?

?Started it!? Kaname shrieked. ?Who was the one shoving him around and calling him names? Sousuke didn?t deserve that! Especially from the likes of you!? She balled her hands on her hips and continued to glare.

?Your defending him?? Crispin was incredulous. ?That toy-soldier??

?Don?t call him that!? Kaname slapped Crispin across the face. ?You don?t have any right to call him anything! Do you hear me?? At Crispin?s dumbfounded look she continued. ?At least he faces up to his screw-ups! And if you ever bother him again, I-I?ll kick your ass myself!?

Crispin?s jaw-dropped. ?What?? He was in total shock and couldn?t think of anything to say. He watched as Kaname straightened out her hair and smoothed her uniform and turned to her friend.

?Let?s go Kyouko.? At the brown-haired girl?s nod, the two continued on their way to Jindai High.

Crispin watched the two walk away and was seized by panic. ?Wait!? he called desperately. ?Please, WAIT!?

At his panicked shout Kaname stopped and shared a look with Kyouko. They both nodded and turned to glare at the AS engineer with a folded arms.

?I?m sorry!? Crispin panted. ?I?m-?

?That was really mean!? Kyouko interrupted him. ?What did Sousuke ever do to you??

?We?re not the ones you should be apologizing too!? Kaname added.

?Apologize? To Sagara?? Crispin laughed. ?You?re joking right?? At their somber faces he scowled. ?No way! It?ll be a cold day in hell before that happens!?

?Then I guess there?s nothing more to talk about.? Kaname simply said. She and Kyouko turned and continued toward the school.

?Wait!? Crispin called. The girls paused and glanced at him. ?If I-? he swallowed. ?Apologize? Do you think you can forgive me?? He was surprised at the desperation in his voice.

?If you don?t mean it, then no we won?t!? Kaname all but yelled.

?If you don?t mean it then you shouldn?t bother, Crispin.? Kyouko said quietly.

?Aw come on.? Crispin pleaded. ?I?ll apologize okay? I mean it. I was a jerk and I admit it, even to Sagara.? He was ready to get on his knees.

?It?s a start.? Kaname finally said.

?But you can?t keep doing this Crispin.? Kyouko added. ?I thought you were better than that.? Slowly she held out her hand. In it was the digital camera Crispin had built. ?And I don?t want a present like this from someone who isn?t what he claims to be.?

Crispin winced and looked away. ?I never claimed to be a saint.? He muttered.

?That?s no excuse!? Kaname said. ?And we?re tired of putting up with it!? Kaname indicated herself and Kyouko, who nodded in agreement.

?I?m not a nice guy.? Crispin confessed. ?And people like Sagara piss me off, but if you want me to apologize.? He sighed. ?Then I?ll do it.? He looked back at the girls and smiled slightly. ?I?ll even try to keep my moth shut, but I can?t promise anything.?

The girls glared at him and then shared a long look. ?Alright.? Kaname finally sighed. ?But I don?t want to hear about anything like this again! Got it?? She shoved her finger in Crispin?s face to accentuate the point.

?Yeah, I got it! I got it.? Crispin back peddled. ?Just get outta my face!? The relief he felt was tremendous. He looked at Kyouko and asked hesitantly. ?I hope you?ll still keep the camera.? He sighed at her happy nod.

?Yay Cris!? Kyouko gleefully exclaimed. She threw her arms around the teen?s right arm and hugged him. ?I?ll be happy to keep it!?

?Argh!? Crispin gasped as pain shot through his right hand. ?My hand!? He pulled himself free and cradled his hand. ?And stop calling me that!?

Kyouko giggled and Kaname smiled. Their mirth faded as they took in the boy?s tired and rumpled appearance. With a shared look they faced the boy once again.

?Are you feeling alright Cris?? Kyouko asked in concern.

?Yeah, I feel fine.? Crispin waved their concern away. ?Now let?s get to class.?

?Nope,? Kaname shook her head. ?You?re anything but fine. Have you looked in
a mirror. You look horrible!?

?Why thank you.? Crispin drawled. ?You always know how to make a guy feel loved Chidori.? He flinched when a flash went off in his face. ?What was that for?? he rounded on Kyouko.

?Your face looks just like a zombie?s.? Kyouko said gravelly as she lowered her camera. ?You really should be at home resting Cris.?

?Your not helping ya know.? Crispin complained at Kyouko. He looked back and forth between the two girls and saw that neither intended to give up. ?Fine, whatever.? He sighed in defeat. ?I?ll go. Sheesh!? he hunched his shoulders and muttered. ?You?re like a couple of mother hens.?

Kaname scowled and smacked him across the head with her book bag. Kyouko giggled at the sight and took another picture.

?Ow! What was that for?? Crispin restrained the urge to curse.

?We are not barnyard animals! Got it!? Kaname fumed. ?Now get going and don?t worry about Detention. I?ll talk to your homeroom teacher.? The last she said gently.

?Okay. I?m going.? Crispin rolled his eyes and turned to go back home. He glanced back and saw the two watching to make sure he really did go. ?Ah well,? he thought, ?at least Sagara will be around to watch after her.? Crispin scowled at the thought of the sergeant. ?I can?t believe I agreed to apologize to that bastard!?

?Well that was unexpected.? A female voice drawled when Crispin rounded a corner and passed from the girl?s sight. He whirled to see Sgt. Major Melissa Mao leaning against the corner he had just passed. She regarded Crispin with hooded eyes. ?Here I was ready to dress you down only to find out Angel?s already done it for me.? She smirked and tilted her head. ?And probably did a better job too. She should join up. She?d make a good DI.?

?What?s up Sgt. Major?? Crispin narrowed his eyes. ?Here to keep that promise of yours?? He challenged. ?Go right ahead. We both know no one will give a shit if you do.?

?I?m not here for that Daniels.? Melissa sighed and stepped from the wall. ?But I did come to pull you from the assignment.?

?What? No, you can?t!? Crispin cried out desperately. He reached to grab Melissa shoulder?s in desperation when she cut him off.

?I can and I will, Daniels!? Melissa grinned fiercely at the lance corporal?s shock. ?I say the word and you?ll be back in the de Danaan?s stockade in less than six hours.?

?You better make sure Weber?s here in that AS of his.? Crispin growled and clenched his fist. ?I won?t go quietly!? To his surprise Melissa laughed.

?Yeah, that?s what the Old Man told me you?d say!? Melissa chuckled at the stunned look on the corporal?s face.

?You?re shitting me!? Crispin protested. ?When did he say that??

?When I asked him to scratch you from this mission.? Melissa regarded the AS mechanic thoughtfully. ?He asked me to reconsider. Said your insight would be essential.? She frowned, ?Mind telling me why??

?That Russky asked you to reconsider?? Crispin asked. ?I don?t get it. Why would he do that?? He scratched his head in puzzlement.

?I was hoping you could tell me.? Melissa muttered darkly. At his shrug she continued, ?It?s doesn?t matter. The commander left it to my discretion.? She smirked at Crispin, ?So what?s it going to be Daniels? You going to straighten out or do you I send you back to the de Danaan.?

?The only way I?m going back is in a body bag, Sgt. Major.? Crispin said in a low voice.

?Oh, I doubt that, Daniels.? Melissa laughed. ?But that does tell me what I needed to know.? She regarded him coolly. ?If you want to stay I think an apology is a good start.? She said sweetly to the glowering teen.

?I already said I?d apologize to Sagara.? Crispin ground out.

?Oh, I?m not talking about Sousuke.? Melissa smiled and Crispin repressed a shudder.

**

Kaname gave a start when she saw Sousuke Sagara walk into the classroom. He had an obviously swollen lip bruised jaw and everyone in the class turned to stare as he moved to the rear of the classroom. The boy was unfazed by all the attention as he took his seat in the back. All eyes turned to the front when Kagurazaka-Sensei entered and started taking roll.

All during class the blue-haired girl found herself sneaking looks at Sousuke. She thought what to do about the boy and hoped he wasn?t hurt too badly. She scowled as she remembered the way Crispin had taunted him yesterday. That jerk! Her hands clenched in fury. He is sooo not living this down!

When the bell for lunch rang, Kaname got up and headed to the back of the class. Sousuke looked up in surprise as she approached.

?Can I help you Ms. Chidori?? He asked

?Umm, how are you feeling?? Kaname asked. She couldn?t face the boy so she looked out the window.

?I?m perfectly fine and fit for today?s duties.? He was puzzled at her question.

?No, I?m not talking about that,? Kaname resisted the urge to yell. Talking to this boy was irritating. She looked back at him. ?I mean, what I?m trying to ask is how?s ?? She trailed off and gestured to her own lip.

Sousuke?s eyes lit in understanding. ?I?m doing quite well. The pain doesn?t bother me and the swelling should be gone in a day or so.?

?Umm, it still hurts?? She clasped her hands together and looked away again. ?Did you try putting ice on it??

?Yes, I applied an ice compress for fifteen minutes when I arrived at the LP, er? my apartment last night.? At Kaname?s puzzled look he explained. ?Any longer would?ve risked tissue damage.?

Kaname was about to ask another question when the flash of a digital camera cut her off. ?Kyouko!? She whirled on her friend and was mortified to see half the class watching them. ?Wha-what are you all doing??

?Don?t mind us?? Kyouko said happily. ?Just pretend like we?re not here.? Several of her classmates nodded in agreement.

?I told you it?s not like that!? She yelled. With fire in her eyes she turned back to Sousuke and grabbed his hand. ?Come on!? She stormed out of the classroom with the Mithril sergeant in tow.

She dragged him up to the roof of the school. Once up there, she leaned against the door leading to the roof exhausted. ?Honestly, the things you have to do to have a private conversation around here!? She was irritated at her classmates.

?What was it you wanted to ask Ms. Chidori?? Sousuke regarded the blue-haired girl curiously. Her behavior seemed quite erratic. Not all like Daniels had reported.

?I, uh, wanted to make sure you were alright?? Kaname couldn?t bring herself to look the boy in the face. ?And to tell you I don?t blame you for what happened yesterday.?

?No, I threw the first punch.? Sousuke disagreed. ?I appreciate your concern Ms. Chidori, but the fault is mine.?

?No it isn?t!? Kaname exclaimed. ?Don?t you get it?? She frowned at the boy. ?That jerk was pushing you around the classroom like some kind of personal chew toy and called you names!?

?That is no excuse, I let my emotions get the better of me and acted hastily. Regardless of the provocation, I?m still the one at fault.?

?I would?ve kicked his ass!? Kaname said.

?What?? Sousuke regarded her wide-eyed, surprised at her use of language.

?I,? Kaname blushed as she stared at the boy. ?I wouldn?t have taken that from anyone.? At his confused frown she sighed, ?Look Sousuke, you were wrong to fight, but you admit that and have been punished for it.? She lowered her eyes, ?I think that?s very admirable.?

?You do?? Sousuke was confused again.

?Yes, I do.? She looked back up. ?And I want you to understand that, okay?? At his nod she let out the breath she?d been holding. ?I also,? she stepped toward him and raised her hand to his injured face,? wanted to make sure you were alright. Those bruises look painful.? She stared into his eyes as she spoke.

The door to the roof swung open and a student stared at the two. ?Opps, didn?t mean to interrupt.? The student smiled embarrassedly and quickly retreated.

?I, it?s not like that!? Kaname protested but the door had already swung shut. ?I don?t believe this! Ugh.? She turned back to Sousuke, who regarded her curiously, and smiled, ?I?m glad your okay.? She opened the door and quickly exited the roof.

Sousuke starred at the door several moments and wondered, ?What was that all about?? He shook off his confusion and followed Kaname. He had a mission to complete.

**

After school, Sousuke stood in the empty classroom. He?d been assigned sole cleanup duty for the rest of the week for fighting in school. He was speaking to Kurz through the radio set he had in his ear.

?I?m concerned about Chidori.? He explained. ?She brushed off my request to stay after class.?

?Hey, don?t sweat it.? Kurz?s voice echoed in his ear. ?I?ll keep an eye on our Angel. You do what you got to do, and don?t worry. At least you don?t have to put up with Daniels today.?

?Yes, that has me the most worried.? He frowned at the thought of the stocky AS engineer.

?Forget about him! Melissa?s got that asshole under control.? Kurz laughed.

?I suppose.? Sousuke sighed. This assignment was much more difficult than he expected.

?Don?t worry! I?ll keep you posted.?

**

Sousuke ran through the streets of Tokyo. He?d finished his cleanup duties as quickly as possible and the sensei had dismissed him. Now he was desperately trying to catch up to Kaname Chidori. Despite his teammate?s reassurance he couldn?t shake the feeling of dread that formed a knot in his stomach.

**

Four girls sat at a table in hamburger shop near Jindai High.

?Did you see the look on his face?? The dark-haired Mayuko laughed.

?That was so funny how you made Sousuke trash bitch!? Maya added.

?But the really surprising part was Ms. Perfect here feeding him that line about the new guy.? Mayuko observed. Both girls turned to regard Kaname who choked on her soda.

?Especially after that touching scene they had at lunch.? Maya agreed.

?What are you talking about?? Kaname sputtered. ?There was no scene!? She waved away their dubious looks, ?And it?s not like he objected to the job, much, so there?s not a problem.? She laughed nervously and noticed Kyouko staring at her fries. ?What are you doing??

Kyouko made a box with her hands and stared at Kaname basket of fries. ?Shh,? she whispered ?The grease stain from your fries looks like Godzilla.? She said gravely and raised her camera.

The three girls rolled their eyes.

?That reminds me,? Maya asked after Kyouko had her picture. ?What happened to your camera? I thought it was bigger than that??

?And black.? Mayuko added.

?Ah.? Kyouko froze and Kaname grinned.

?Yes, Kyouko,? She drawled. ?Do tell.? After the girl?s insinuations about her and Sousuke, Kaname enjoyed turning the tables on her friend.

?Um, it was a gift.? Kyouko finally answered. She lowered her eyes at her two friends incredulous stares.

?That?s some gift. Was it a birthday present??

?Wait, I thought your birthday was in August? Was it from a boy??

?It is.? Kyouko stuttered. ?My birthday.? She added hastily.

?Then its from a boy?? Maya pressed. ?Come on! You?ve been holding out on us.?

?It was from Daniels in 3-5.? Kaname finally took pity on her friend and answered. ?I was there.?

?Wow! That?s a serious gift. He must really like you!? Mayuko smiled at her friend. Kyouko blushed and shook her head no.

?Daniels, that American?? Maya asked. At Kaname?s and Kyouko?s nod, she frowned. ?I don?t think it?s a good idea to go out with him. He tried to pick a fight with Toshi and Nokigawa. And wasn?t he the guy who gave Sousuke that fat lip??

?He?s not like? that.? Kyouko trailed off. Crispin HAD injured Sousuke yesterday.

?Wait,? Kaname asked confused, ?When?d he pick a fight with Toshi and Nokigawa??

?Uh, I don?t know.? Maya shrugged. ?Last week maybe?? She took a sip from her soda.

?He didn?t!? Kyouko protested. ?They?re the ones who beat Crispin up!?

?Crispin?? Mayuko asked, ?You call him by his first name? Wow, you two are serious.?

?Hey, don?t get mad at me!? Maya said at the same time. ?All I know is what Natsuko told me!? She glanced at Kyouko as Mayuko?s words sank in, ?He still sounds like trouble to me.?

?What did Natsuko tell you?? Kaname asked over her best friend?s sputtering.

?Well, she was watching her boyfriend?s club practice on the bleachers overlooking the athletic fields. Daniels was there. A short while later Toshi and Nokigawa came to talk to him. Anyway, she said he suddenly grabbed them and told everybody to leave if they knew what?s good for them.? Maya shrugged and finished off her soda. ?Natsuko said he looked serious and took off.?

?He wouldn?t!? Kyouko cried. ?He-? She turned away unable to finish.

?That?s weird.? Kaname looked at her friend in concern while she talked to Maya. ?We saw him after that and he look messed up. I mean really bad. And we both saw Toshi and Nokigawa run away from there just a little earlier.? She trailed off as she noticed a guy walk quickly out of the shop without his briefcase.

?Oh no.?

**

?Man, what a drag.? Kurz fought back a yawn as he monitored the conversation Angel and her friends were having. His trained eye lazily dragged over the various instruments and gauges in his M9. According to the transponder, Sousuke was only about two blocks away now. ?Take a right up ahead and you should be able to see the place.?

?Roger. I?m on my way.?

?Take it easy. There?s nothing to worry about. Nobody would be stupid enough to grab her here.? Kurz shook his head. Sousuke?s commitment and energy always amazed him, but the youngest member of Team-Urzu was trying too hard, at least in his opinion.

?Oh no!?

Kurz glanced up at his external monitor at Angel?s cry. He frowned as she ran out with a metal suitcase in her hand. ?What the?? The girl was looking around frantically. A quick glance at his gauges told him Sousuke was less than a minute away, so Kurz wasn?t too worried.

?Oh shit!?

**

?Sir!? Kaname called and grabbed the briefcase of the gentleman she saw rush out. She followed him. ?Sir, you forgot your briefcase!? She looked around and saw the man walking rapidly away on the other side of the road. ?Sir!? She called out again and raced across the road.

?Kaname!? Kyouko?s worried shout and the squeal of tires made the blue-haired girl look up. She gasped as she saw a delivery truck barreling down on her.

**

?Chidori!? Sousuke looked in horror as he saw a delivery truck zoom past heading right for Kaname. He would never reach her in time, so he did the only thing he could think of.

Sousuke jumped onto the driver?s door. He clung to the window frame, which was thankfully rolled down. He reached into the cabin, past the startled driver, and yanked the steering wheel all the way to the right.

The truck swerved and swung just past Kaname, who was thrown down by the near miss. Sousuke tumbled from the vehicle as it hurtled past the girl and crashed into a bicycle rack. The truck tipped over but was suddenly stopped in its fall. Only the briefest flicker of Kurz?s M9 could be seen as it set the truck back on its wheels and then it was gone.

?Kaname!?

End chapter 8.





The Devil Inside- Glossary of Terms


MCMJ -Mithril Code of Military Justice. Basically the legal code and rules of conduct all Mithril personal are subject to.

CO - Commanding Officer (This is actually used by the US military)

MCF- Mithril Correctional Facility. Most ships and bases have their own brigs or jails, but those are only designed to keep a prisoner for a short period of time. The MCF serves as Mithril?s more permanent jail. It?s used to hold those who are awaiting their hearing or trail, and for those who?ve been sentenced for longer than a month, to a maximum sentence of a year or two.

MDC- Mithril Detention Center - basically prison. This is where Mithril throw's their hard-cases and long terms sentences. It's a great place where you get to spend twelve hours a day making little rocks out of big rocks. Sounds fun doesn't it?
Basically, think of it as Mithril's equivalent to Ft. Lebonworth.

Old Man - just an affectionate way the soldiers of Mithril have of referring to Kalinin. Of course, they'd never address him like that!

LP/OP ?Listing Post and Observation Post.

FARP ?Fuel And Rearming Point. It?s a forward staging area combat-vehicles (such as an Arm-Slave) can use without having to leave the combat zone.

Mikes ?short-hand for minutes.

ETA ?Estimated Time of Arrival

Hawkeye ?Refers to a US radar plane. The Hawkeye usually flies ahead of a US naval task force (among other things) and gathers useful information about the area and reports it back.

AS- Arm Slave. Ya know, those big freaking robots Sousuke and the others pilot.

SRT- Special Response Team. Sousuke, Melissa, and Kurz are member of Mithril?s SRTs. The way I look at it, the Special Response Teams are Mithril?s equivalent of Special Forces. They do many of the same tasks as special forces: Recon. Infiltration. Sabotage. Lightning raids, Hostage rescue, and assorted other tasks.

MOTC ? Mithril?s Officer Training Course. Most military organizations have additional requirements for their officers besides just time in service and demonstrated ability. Most officers under go specific and grueling training and are usually required to have a four year college degree of some kind.

M9- Called the ?Gernsback? it?s the AS used by Mithril. Considered the next generation of AS.

M6- the AS used by the US Military.

RK-92- Soviet era Arm Slave. To quote Sousuke. ?Move you Soviet-made piece of Junk!?

Ninety-six- refers to the ASG 96-B manufactured by Bofors. It?s a 57 mm smooth-bore rifle and part of the M9?s standard armament. It?s the rifle Kurz used in episode five during his duel with Gauron.

NCOIC- Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge. It refers to the highest ranking enlisted person within a unit. In the case of Crispin?s orders it refers to Melissa.

DI ?Drill Instructor. Another way of referring to a Drill Sergeant.

SitRep- Situation Report. Basically a quick run down of what your situation in a field (or combat) environment.

WA2000- very high-quality German sniper rifle. Considered by some to be one of the best in the world. It?s only down side is its weight. (16 lbs) and cost. It?s highly customizable and sleek in design. It seemed appropriate for Kurz to use. Though I?m think the one he?s shown actually using is a PGS-1(another German rifle). I?m not certain.

Tac-Net- Tactical Network. A radio network set up and used by members of the same unit during tactical (i.e. combat) situations.

HE- High Explosive.

Fifty Cal ? short hand for fifty caliber. Which is the size of a heavy machine gun. A machine gun this large must be mounted on a tripod or vehicle in order to fire it. A fifty caliber round is about six inches long and can tear a man in half, and it can also destroy trucks, light armored vehicles and buildings.

NVGs -- Night Vision Goggles

EOD ? Explosive Ordinance Disposal

FTX ?Field Training Exercise.

Gunny- Short for Gunnery Sergeant. It?s an advanced NCO rank in the Marine Corps

Shiwa Statue ?those Lion statues you?ll see in front of temples and important buildings. There supposed to be guardian spirits and they are very prominent in Okinawa.

[pilot03]

Yes!!!! I need more...bring on the chapters. I can't wait to find out what is happening next and all you have to do for me to do that is to post the next chapters quickly!! Good story.