The Devil Inside Ch. 9

[Shinobi]

Notes: Here's more for you. Enjoy!



The Devil Inside
Chapter 9

?Kaname!? Kyouko watched in horror as the delivery van bore down on her best friend. Suddenly the van swerved to the side and barely passed the blue-haired girl. The out of control vehicle knocked Kaname down and tipped over.

Everyone?s attention was focused on the girl sprawled on the street and missed the vehicle suddenly stop and right itself. Kyouko and the other two girls ran to Kaname, who lay prone in the middle of the street.

?Kaname, are you alright?? Kyouko reached out and hesitated. She didn?t want to aggravate any possible injuries. Maya and Mayuko run up behind her breathless.

?How is she?? Mayuko asked worriedly. Maya waved a hand in front of Kaname?s face and received no reaction.

?Kaname!? Kyouko cried. ?Please be okay!? Tears were running down her face as she hesitantly placed a hand on Kaname?s shoulder.

?Oh, wha-what happened?? Kaname blinked. She felt adrift as if in a haze. She slowly sat up and became aware of the crying Kyouko. ?Why are you crying Kyouko??

?Kaname!? Kyouko threw her arms around her friend. ?You?re alright!? She cried happily.

?Don?t scare us like that.? Mayuko chided in relief. Maya nodded.

Kaname hugged Kyouko and looked around slowly. People were starting to gather. ?What happened?? She asked again.

?You were nearly run over by that truck.? Mayuko indicated the delivery vehicle. ?But it swerved to the side at the last second.?

?I was?? Kaname blinked, ?Yeah, I was.? She shuddered and hugged Kyouko tighter.

?Uh-huh, good thing Sousuke was here.? Maya said.

?Sousuke?? Kaname asked. Kyouko and Mayuko looked at the long-haired girl questioningly. ?What do you mean??

?Sousuke jumped out of nowhere and yanked the truck?s steering wheel to the side.? The long-haired girl pointed at a figure pulling itself from a bike rack across the street. The other girl?s looked and saw Sousuke slowly stand up. Bicycles were scattered all around him.

?I don?t?.? Kaname trailed off and pulled herself up. As she gained her feet she felt a sharp pain in her right arm. She rolled up her sleeve and grimaced. A large bruise was already forming on her upper arm and elbow.

?Kaname,? Kyouko breathed, ?your arm.? She quickly pulled out her camera. ?It looks like your alarm clock!? She chirped happily.

Kaname smiled at her friend. Kyouko was obviously feeling better. Taking a steadying breath she walked over to the still dazed Sousuke.

?Ms. Chidori,? Sousuke stiffly placed his hands at the small of his back. The right sleeve of his uniform jacket was torn. ?Are you alright?? He peered intently at the blue-haired girl, visually assessing her for damage.

?I?m fine.? She smiled. ?Thanks to you.? She bowed but not too deeply. She still felt a little wobbly.

?That was so cool!? Maya exclaimed. ?You just jumped out and risked your life to save Kaname!?

?You?re a real hero!? Mayuko agreed.

?Sousuke!? Kyouko gushed. ?You?re amazing!? She took another picture.

?I only did what I had to.? Sousuke said. He stared Kaname in the eyes. ?Are you sure you?re not hurt, Kaname? Perhaps you should go to the infirmary.?

Kaname?s eyes widened at his use of her first name. ?I-I?m fine. You shouldn?t-? She lowered her eyes unable to meet his and noticed the torn sleeve. ?You?re hurt!? She cried out. His arm was bright red from scrapping along the asphalt. She reached out and hesitated. ?You?re the one who needs a doctor.? She whispered. The other three girls nodded.

?There?s no need for a doctor.? Sousuke didn?t even look at his arm. ?A thorough cleansing of the wound and a simple field-dressing will suffice.? He blinked at the incredulous stares he received. ?Did I say something wrong??

?How can you stand there and be so-? Kaname struggled for the word, ?nonchalant!? The boy was incredibly dense. ?What if something?s broken?? She yelled.

?I?ve already checked for breaks and lacerations.? He held out the arm to the blue-haired girl. ?But you?re right. A second evaluation is a good precaution.?

?Wha? What do you mean?? Kaname backed away from the boy?s injured arm. ?Second evaluation??

?Didn?t you wish to probe for breaks or tears?? Sousuke asked simply. ?I thought you were concerned about a possible fracture??

?EEWW!? All four girls recoiled.

?I don?t want to touch it you freak!? Kaname yelled.

?Then why did you insist?? Sousuke began.

?A doctor you moron! A doctor should look at it!? Kaname huffed. ?I don?t believe you! Argh!? She turned away in disgust.

Maya and Mayuko smirked. Kaname was obviously alright. Kyouko leaned close and took a picture of Sousuke?s injury.

?But I don?t require a doctor.? Sousuke was confused at the girl?s anger.

?Shut up! I?m not talking to you! ? Kaname stormed away.

**

Two hours later Kaname sighed as she slid into the seat on the train. It was twilight and the train was nearly deserted. Her arm had been looked over by a paramedic who?d pronounced it fine. He gave her an ice pack to put on it and returned to the ambulance.

Of Sousuke Sagara she saw no sign.

Finally, after talking to the police for hours she was released and allowed to go home. Her friends, especially Kyouko, had had to go home earlier so she was now alone. ?Oh.? She moaned. ?This sucks.? She leaned her head against the window and watched the cityscape flash past.

A silhouette in the window made Kaname turn around. Across the train car, one section down someone was reading a newspaper. She frowned. She was certain no one had been there at the last stop. Kaname jolted as realization struck and she shot to her feet.

She marched over to the reading passenger and growled. When she got no response she snatched the paper away to reveal one Sousuke Sagara. ?Stop following me!?

?Ms. Chidori?? Sousuke blinked. ?What a coincidence-?

?Don?t give me that!? Kaname snapped. ?This paper is four years old!? She shook the paper in question. She shifted slightly as the train slowed for a stop.

?I hardly see how my selection of reading material should concern you.? Sousuke starred up at the girl. ?Are you a self-conscious person??

?Self-conscious?? Kaname sputtered. ?No, I?m not.? She whacked the young sergeant in the head with his paper. ?I just want you to stop following me!?

?I don?t know where you get these ideas from Ms. Chidori?? Sousuke shook his head. ?I?m not following you.?

?Is that so?? Kaname smirked as a idea occurred to her. ?Fine then.? She dashed off the train just as it?s doors closed for this stop. She smiled as Sousuke jumped up and ran after her but was stopped by the closing door. ?Bye you crazy military freak!? She waved as the train began to pull away.

Kaname gasped as Sousuke wrenched open one of the passenger windows and threw himself out of the moving train. The teen landed on the platform hard and crashed into a bench.

?Sousuke! Sousuke Sagara!? Kaname run up to the boy and kneeled next to him. ?Are you alright??

?I?m okay.? Sousuke said slowly. He sat up and looked around.

?Are you crazy? What possessed you to do something so stupid?? Kaname snapped. ?Are you trying to kill yourself??

?No, I just felt like getting off at this station.? Sousuke stood up.

Kaname groaned and stood as well. ?I don?t believe this.? She fell into the bench Sousuke had crashed into. ?What are you trying to do to me?? She glanced sideways as Sousuke sat down next to her. ?Let me guess. You deciding to sit here-?

?It?s just a coincidence.? Sousuke deadpanned.

Kaname buried her face in her hands and muttered. ?Of all the stalkers, I get this weirdo.? Receiving no response, she peeked at Sousuke?s profile as he starred straight ahead. Her eyes fell to his arm, which had a bandage wrapped around it. It looked like it had started to bleed again.

?Are you sure you?re alright?? Kaname asked. She looked away when Sousuke turned toward her.

?Yes, I?m fine.? He answered. ?Thank you for your concern.? He turned back to watching the area for trouble.

Kaname regarded the boy next to her. He was unlike any other boy, or person for that matter, she knew. Even though he followed her everywhere, he didn?t try to peek up her skirt or hit on her, or anything else. And he did save her life. She blinked as she noticed his eyes slowly glancing over the area around them.

?Is he looking for something?? She wondered. ?Hey Sousuke, tell me why you keep following me around. I promise I won?t get mad.? She turned to face the teen boy earnestly. ?Don?t I at least deserve that??

?I?m sorry.? Sousuke looked at Kaname apologetically. ?I don?t know what you?re talking about.?

?Don?t give me that!? Kaname yelled. At the Mithril?s sergeant blank stare she sighed. She was about to smack him when a thought trickled into her mind. ?Sousuke, what?s the story between you and Crispin?? She asked with a smile.

?Daniels?? Sousuke scowled at the mechanic?s name. ?What do you mean?? He turned away and tried to look unaffected. This conversation had taken he didn?t like.

?Oh, you know what I mean?? She said sweetly and leaned forward. She put a hand on his shoulder. ?You two obviously don?t get along. I want to know why?? She drew the last out as a purr.

?I-? Sousuke swallowed. His hands fisted on his knees and he felt sweat run down his back. His mind screamed at him to retreat, but he was unable to act ?I don?t know.? He finally answered.

?That?s it.? Kaname?s eyes narrowed and her hand dug into his shoulder. ?That?s the best you can do??

?Back at the Tua?? Sousuke coughed. ?I mean the restaurant we worked at Daniels was always belligerent.? Sousuke shrugged. ?I don?t know what he has against me, but we?ve ?never gotten along.? He bowed his head.

Kaname starred at him a long time. ?No, it?s okay.? Kaname sighed and released his shoulder. ?I think I understand now. You?re so straight-laced and,? she struggled for the word, ?accommodating. And he?s? well not.? She shook her head and laughed. ?It?s amazing you didn?t kill each other yesterday, or at that job of yours.?

?Well, it was a big? restaurant.? Sousuke explained.

?Then it?s a good thing you?re in different classes!? Kaname laughed in return.

?Yes, it is.? Sousuke agreed gravelly. ?Otherwise, we?d never leave the detention hall.? He smiled slightly at the last.

?Oh my god!? Kaname gaped. ?Was that a joke? Sousuke Sagara, telling jokes? Are you sure you didn?t hit your head?? She placed her hand on Sousuke?s forehead. ?You don?t seem to have a fever.?

?I fine.? Sousuke pushed her hand away. ?I do have a sense of humor you know.?

?You wish!? Kaname jumped up with a laugh. ?You?ve got a long ways to go before you can call that a sense of humor.? She snickered at the pole-axed expression on his face.

?I?ll keep that under advisement.? Sousuke nodded.

?Sousuke, do you have a girl?? Kaname suddenly asked. At his confused look, she elaborated. ?You know, a lover or some such??

?No, I have no acquaintance of that nature.? Sousuke answered and then frowned. ?It?s strange but my team?er a colleague of mine once said that even if she was from the remotest reaches of the tundra, no girl would ever want to be my girlfriend.? He was startled by Kaname?s laughing. ?Do you know what he means??

Kaname held her side as she laughed. ?You?re friend?sure has you pegged!? At Sousuke?s puzzled features she laughed harder. ?Don?t worry about it.? She finally said after the laughter stopped. ?Maybe someday you?ll find a nice girl who?ll understand you.? She smiled.

?You seem like a nice girl, Ms. Chidori.? Sousuke pointed out innocently.

?No no, I wasn?t talking about me!? Kaname protested and whirled away. ?No way!? She shuddered at the thought. The only person she could think of that would be worse was Crispin Daniels.

?Very well.? Sousuke nodded. He ignored the hollow feeling in his stomach at the blue-haired girl?s words. ?I?ll disregard what you said.?

?You?re a strange one. You know that?? Kaname giggled. She turned back to the Mithril sergeant.

?Strange what?? Sousuke frowned.

Kaname just laughed.

**

The ring of the phone reached Kaname?s ears as she pulled out the keys for her apartment. She quickly unlocked the door and grabbed the phone. ?Hello.? She said as she shut and locked her door. ?Hello?? She frowned when she heard a click and then the dial tone. ?Stupid prank calls.?

**

?Hello??

At a phone booth two blocks away, Gauron smirked. He hung up and casually walked down the street away from Kaname?s apartment. He had learned everything he needed to know when the girl answered her phone. It was almost imperceptible, but it was there.

Mithril.

The mercenary smirked as he turned the corner and left Kaname?s neighborhood.

**

The phone rang again and Kaname snatched it up. ?Look, I?m sick of your games!?

?Uh, Kaname?? Kyouko?s voice sounded unsure.

?Oh, Kyouko.? Kaname flushed in embarrassment. ?I didn?t mean to snap at you. I thought you were a prank caller.?

?That?s okay.? Kyouko chirped. After a pause she apologized. ?Sorry, I had to leave like that.?

?Don?t worry about it.? Kaname reassured her friend. ?Nothing changed after you left, in case you were wondering. I had to answer the same stupid questions they asked the three times before you left.?

?Oh, what about your arm??

?It?s fine. Just a bad bruise they said.? Kaname explained airily. ?Of course, I?ll have to wear long sleeves until it heals. Oh no!? She wailed and fell on her couch in despair.

?What is it??

?The school trip. We?re going to Okinawa next week and I got this big ugly blotch on arm.? Kaname complained. ?Why me?? She stared up at the ceiling in despair. ?And I was going to get a new swim suit too!?

?There, there.? Kyouko reassured her friend. ?Maybe no one will notice.? She added helpfully.

?No one notice?? Kaname sat up. ?They?d have to be blind not to notice! Oh.? She cradled her head in her hand. ?Can we please not talk about this?? She asked miserably.

?Sure.? Kyouko quickly agreed. ?So did anything good happen on the way home tonight?? She teased.

**

Melissa Mao frowned at the prank call Kaname received. According to the tap it came from a phone booth just two blocks away. She keyed the mike on her headset and called Kurz. ?Urzu-6 this Urzu-2. Over?? She frowned when she got no answer. ?Urzu-6 to Urzu-2. Do you copy? Over.?

?Six here. Over.?

?Where the hell were you?? Melissa snapped. ?When I call you better respond immediately!?

?Hey calm down, babe! I was just cleaning the M9 and it took me a little longer to answer.?

?Cleaning the M9? Why?? Melissa asked. Something wasn?t right.

?Oh, some guy tossed a wad of gum on it. I?m trying to scrape it off before it hardens.?

?Some guy?? Melissa exclaimed. ?You were compromised?? She stood up in alarm.

?Take it easy! Sheesh, I didn?t say that. It was just some guy littering. Tossed his gum right on the ground, or he would?ve if the M9 hadn?t been there.?

?Understood.? Melissa remained standing. ?But never mind that now. Urzu-6, I want you to check out a phone booth on block-2 north east corner. Somebody just made a prank call to Angel. Over.?

?Urzu-2.I copy. Give me five mikes. Six Out.?

Melissa sighed and made note of the time on her watch. ?Something isn?t right.? She waited patiently as the seconds ticked by for Kurz to check back in. She chambered a round in her weapon while she waited. Just to be sure.

?Urzu-2 this is Urzu-6. Over.? Kurz?s voice crackled over the radio three and a half minutes later.

?Urzu-6 this is Urzu-2. What?s the SitRep? Over.? She resisted the urge to sigh as she sat her weapon down on the table.

?Urzu-2 the booth was clean. No prints or sign of tampering. I placed an CD/AS in case our friend comes back. Over.?

?Urzu-6. Good work. Get the M9 stowed and return to base. Over.?

?Roger Urzu-2. Anything else I should bring on the way home? Over.?

?Negative Urzu-6.? She chuckled at Kurz?s antics. ?Just get back to base. Two Out.?

**

Kurz spotted Sousuke as he walked up the stairs to the safe house. ?Hey, wait up!? He called to his teammate. ?Man, what a day eh?? He nudged the young sergeant in the ribs. ?You get to be our Angel?s hero and I get the best seat in town.?

?Best seat in town?? Sousuke looked at Kurz in confusion.

?Yep! Best seat in town for spotting the ladies.? Kurz chortled at his good fortune.

?I can spot females just fine from my position on the ground.? Sousuke frowned at the blonde sergeant.

?Well, if your satisfied with whatever?s available.? Kurz scoffed. ?But up there.? He slowly swept his hand before him. ?You got the pick of the litter.? He winked at Sousuke.

They reached the floor of the safe house and walked down the hall when Sousuke frowned again. ?I doubt they are anymore appealing than Ms. Chidori.? He reached to unlock the door.

?Wait a minute!? Kurz jaw was wide-open. ?Did you just admit that you found Chidori attractive?? He couldn?t believe it. Sousuke Sagara checking out women? Kurz was sure hell was freezing over at that moment.

?Isn?t that what we were discussing?? Sousuke asked. He was confused about his teammate?s reaction. When he got no answer he opened the door and stepped into their safe house that doubled as LP/OP.

?I don?t believe it!? Kurz laughed and slapped Sousuke on the back. ?I guess there?s hope for you after all!?

?Hope for what?? Sousuke staggered from Kurz?s blow. He was even more confused now.

?Forget it!? Kurz snickered. ?I?ll tell you when your older.?

Knowing he?d receive no more answers, Sousuke nodded and continued into the safe house. However, he stopped in surprise as he reached the main living area.

?What the hell?? Kurz stopped as well and gazed around in shock. The entire apartment was glistening. The floors were freshly scrubbed and waxed and every vertical surface shinned.

?Oh, do you like what I?ve done with the place?? Melissa laughed from her seat by the monitoring and communication equipment.

?Since when did you become domestic?? Kurz asked in disbelief.

?Who said anything about me?? Melissa grinned. Kurz was about to ask what she meant when Crispin Daniels suddenly came out of the hall leading to the bathroom.

?I got the last of the fucking mildew in the grout!? Crispin cursed. He was wearing a rubber apron and cleaning gloves. In his hand was a very worn toothbrush. ?So much for goddamn Japanese cleanliness!? He pasued when he noticed the two male sergeants gaping at him. ?What?s your problem?? He tossed the toothbrush in a nearby trashcan in disgust.

?Daniels! You did this?? Kurz exclaimed. He looked back and forth between the smirking Melissa and the fuming Lance Corporal. ?Priceless! Oh god, I wish I had a camera right now!? He roared with laughter. ?What brought this on?? He finally asked.

?I thought the place could use a little sprucing up.? Melissa said still smiling. ?And Cpl. Daniels here was kind enough to volunteer since the two of you were on duty.? She turned her attention to the scowling Crispin and her smile widened. ?Isn?t that right Daniels??

?Yes, Sgt. Major.? Crispin?s jaw tightened. He yanked the gloves off his hands and cursed again.

Kurz and Sousuke exchanged glances. They knew the AS mechanic would never volunteer for clean-up duty. Kurz stepped forward to slap a hand on Crispin?s shoulder. ?That?s real great of YOU-!? He cried out as he slipped on the waxed surface and had to catch himself on the corner of the entryway. ?What the hell? How many coats of wax did you put on here?? He scrambled to get his feet back underneath him.

?Just four,? Crispin glared at the blonde AS pilot. ?You got a problem with that??

?Yeah I do. I can?t even walk on the floor because it so damn slippery!? Kurz finally righted himself and sighed. To his annoyance Sousuke walked across the floor with ease and took a seat at the table by Melissa.

Crispin tracked Sousuke?s path before he answered Kurz, ?That?s your problem Weber, not mine.? He had hoped Sagara would slip too. He turned to Melissa. ?Is everything to your satisfaction, Sgt. Major?? He grated out.

?Oh, it?s adequate.? Melissa waved airily. She opened her mouth to dismiss the corporal when a thought occurred to her. ?Don?t you have something to do now, hmm?? She asked innocently. ?Something about Angels?? She grinned at the last.

Crispin looked between the Sgt. Major and Sousuke and back. ?No way. You can forget it! I?d rather take the bullet!? He crossed his arms in defiance. With an apron on the pose looked ridiculous. Kurz laughed at the sight. Sousuke watched impassively and Melissa?s grin widened.

?Don?t be like that.? Melissa cooed. ?You were going to do it anyway. Why not just get it out of the way?? She battered her eyes for effect. Crispin stood there with clenched fist, and the three Mithril soldiers swore they could hear the sound of teeth grinding.

?Fine.? He bit out. ?I?ll do it now.? Crispin stomped up to Sousuke, drew a deep breath, and? did nothing. He swallowed and tired to speak but the words refused to come out. At Melissa?s smirk and Sousuke?s confused stare he finally spoke.

?I?m sorry!? Crispin said. ?What I did yesterday was uncalled for and endangered the mission.? He bowed deeply before the stunned sergeant. ?I?m very sorry, and it?ll never happen again.? He paused and grimaced. ?I have no right to ask, but I hope you can forgive me.? He?d never felt so humiliated in his life. After a long pause he finally rose.

Melissa and Kurz both snickered at the sight, but Sousuke had a serious look on his face. ?Very well. I accept your apology.? Sousuke finally said. He stood and gave Crispin a very shallow bow in return.

?What?? Kurz blurted. ?You?re going to let him off the hook that easy?? He starred in amazement as Sousuke nodded.

?He apologized and has been punished.? He indicated the clean safe house. ?And he?s said it won?t happen again.? He regarded Crispin. ?I see no reason to dwell on it any further.?

Kurz just groaned in disappointment and Melissa nodded in approval.

?So can I go now Sgt. Major?? Crispin asked. ?Unlike you SRT jocks, I don?t have the luxury of sitting around all day.?

?Sure, you?re dismissed.? Melissa frowned at the corporal?s words but decided to let them slide.

Crispin wasted no time stripping the apron off and walking out the door.

?What? You going to let him go after talking like that?? Kurz demanded as Crispin walked out the door. He wasn?t so willing to let the slight pass.

?I said yes. So, drop it!? Melissa snapped as the front door to the safe house closed shut.


End Chapter 9




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]

Great chapter!! I can't wait til the next post. I can't see Crispin cleaning all day,... that's funny. Keep up the good work.

[ethereale]

Well today was my last day of summer vacation (urgh) so I decided to top it off with some good fanfiction. Your story was layin around the ole FMP! forum so i decided to read it, seeing as I read all the other stories in the block anyway. Boy what a choice to pick! Good stuff! Even put off the entire mathpacket and 3 books I had to read just to go through all the chapters you put up! No worries though I still finished all my summer work....easy stuff. Well what can I say except keep it up!

[Shinobi]

Great chapter!! I can't wait til the next post. I can't see Crispin cleaning all day,... that's funny. Keep up the good work.

Thanks! Yeah it is funny! And what better way for Melissa to teach the little jerk a lesson?

Well today was my last day of summer vacation (urgh) so I decided to top it off with some good fanfiction. Your story was layin around the ole FMP! forum so i decided to read it, seeing as I read all the other stories in the block anyway. Boy what a choice to pick! Good stuff! Even put off the entire mathpacket and 3 books I had to read just to go through all the chapters you put up! No worries though I still finished all my summer work....easy stuff. Well what can I say except keep it up!

Glad you liked it!