Something Different

Part 1

I was in the military. Boot camp, to be exact. I was training to be a foot soldier on a Destroyer-class ship. Boot camp was hell, but I made it through and were transported along with the rest of my crew to the designated ship. Everybody boarded, and began chatting. Then, the intercom came on to call all units to the top deck. We rushed to the deck, and lined up. A Blackhawk landed upon the bow, and three people got out, two of which were carrying a body bag. The third man and the ship's general chatted for a bit, as the two carrying the body bag began to leave.

I approach the general. "Sir, what's the situation? Why are all units up here for the transportation of a body?"

"Cadet, those four who came in that helicopter are the best of the best. They're a special-ops strike team, so they always need four people for the fighting. That's where you newbies come in," the general explained, as the last man who was from the helicopter began inspecting the recruits. He had spiky red hair, and a scar that cut through his right eye. His eyes were a strange golden color that were cold and cut through each of the cadets, including me.

"Thank you, sir." I salute the general before returning to my post.

As far as I could see everyone else was a man. I was the only woman, it seemed like. I glanced at the red-haired man before looking away, tall and at ease. I didn't make eye contact with anyone, nor did I move. The man didn't seem content with any of us, so he turned around and sat on the helicopter, watching silently. I look at the man, my head tilted. I couldn't blame that he wasn't impressed; the men were rowdy and careless. Its a miracle the general didn't beat them on the spot. I look away again and stare out at the ocean, seemingly the only mature cadet.

The man glanced over at me from time to time. Then he spoke with a Russian accent. "You are all cadets, yes...but if you are picked, you will have to go through another boot camp that I designed. It will be pure hell. So if any of you are too scared to be shot at with live ammunition, you are free to leave the deck now."

I was utterly shocked that they would actually try to shoot us, but I stayed where I was. I wanted to prove that a woman was just as strong or even stronger than a man. I saw quite a few men leave out of the corner of my eyes, and the rest that stayed seemed just as mature as me. I smiled slightly at this, glad that others weren't so immature, but it quickly faded. I hadn't truly smiled since boot camp. I was rock solid, like a statue. The man smirked, then whipped out a pistol and shot before each standing cadet's feet in under five seconds. I stood standing, but my eyes slightly widened before returning to normal. A couple cadets either yelled or stepped back. Being an idiot, I spoke up.

"Forgive me sir, but what reasons do you have for near friendly-fire?"

The general snapped at me and yelled in my face. "Quiet, cadet!"

"No. Let them ask as they please. The reason for this is to test both reaction timing, the reactions, and the intelligence of these newbies."

I stood my ground, refusing to make eye contact. I was surprised that the strange red-haired man actually spoke, but I wanted an answer. "Sir, may I have an answer to my question.?"

"I gave you the answer. To check how you recruits react to getting fired at," he said, reloading his pistol.

"I suggest you don't reload that gun, sir, unless you actually mean to shoot us." I stand with my hands behind my back and at attention. I wasn't afraid of some man with a gun. I doubt he was going to shoot one of us as to put our lives in danger.

"'Listen, I have a reason for my methods. My strike team had been through twenty six different training courses every day before they were allowed to step foot in their cabins. Getting shot is the least of your problems on this deck," he said, eyeing the M60 that was attached to the Blackhawk.

I flash a glare in the man's direction and suddenly cross my arms, careless. "Don't you try with that M60. That's just plain stupid. Sorry if I'm hurting your ego, sir, but I doubt anyone would stay if you shoot that like the madman you are."

More cadets leave until it is only me and one other cadet, a young man. I stood at attention again, determined to beat the men here and to show that women were equal to men in everything.

"Madman is correct. Ever tried rushing into the most guarded command centre in history? Its a miracle we only lost one man. Now, I like to get to know my potential crew better. Why are you two still up here?" he asked, examining the M60 and then changing the ammo in it.

I huff quietly, slightly annoyed at how calm and collected the man was. "I simply stayed here because I am not fazed by your little toy guns, sir. You see, women can be as tough or even tougher than men. Am I not proof of that?" I smirk slightly.

"I don't know, but that isn't what I'm looking for," he said, cocking the large machine gun and smirking.

"Well, try me, sir. I'm not easily broken." I notice the other cadet shifting nervously, and I smirk victoriously. "I seem to be perfect for your little club. "

"As I said, we aren't looking for people who seek to prove something. That means you try to be a hero," he said, aiming the gun at you and placing his finger on the trigger. The two other people who arrived with the man went and got into the helicopter.

I blink slowly and roll my eyes. "You don't think I could be a hero? I very well could be. In fact, I would love to."

"That gets you killed. If you become part of this strike team you take orders from me. If I'm not available, you take orders from my next in command, Arthur. Then its Drew. You disobey any orders, and I'll put a bullet through your head."

"Yes sir." I bow my head slightly. "I'm ready for anything you can throw at me."

One of the people in the helicopter hands the red-haired man something green, and he quickly throws in between the the other cadet and I. I jump back and pull the other cadet back, cautious.

The man begins to laugh, smiling brightly. "Its a lime! I wouldn't throw a live grenade at you until training!"

I glare before laughing. I couldn't help it. Me, of all cadets, thinking they would actually chucking a grenade at us. "You crazy bastard." I cross my arms, unable to stop myself from smiling. "I think we'd get along just fine."

"Yeah," he said, swiveling the M60 toward you and the cadet then opening fire.

The other cadet yelled and pulled himself back, but I simply sat down and pulled out a notepad and wrote something down. The bullets were blanks. They stung, but didn't injure.

The man smiled and watched me. "I guess we have a recruit. You wanna join us?"

I look up and raise an eyebrow. "Hm? Oh, yeah, sure. Sounds awesome." I smile and get up, walking over calmly. I hand over the note which reads, 'Thanks little man.' I turn and flash a soft smile before sitting in the helicopter. He sits in the helicopter, as the pilot takes off.

I lean back with a sigh. "My name's Taylor Grace. May I know yours, sir?"

"Sylov," he said, changing the magazine on the M60. The two others exchanged curious glances with each other.

"Sylov...nice to meet you sir." I close my eyes and cross my arms. "Do you mind if I rest, or should we talk?"

"Rest while you can. You're spending the rest of the day going through training courses for a week. You can't go into your bedroom until you complete every course flawlessly."

"Yes sir." I lean my head against the window and open my eyes tiredly to look at Sylov. I salute him before closing my eyes and easily drifting off into a light sleep.