That day, Lisa's unit was getting introduced with Chemical Radioactive Biological and Nuclear (CBRN) readiness, which included the proper usage of breathing masks.
They began with the theoretical instruction where they were taught about the equipment they would be using, how to protect themselves against a chemical/biological hazard.
Recruits were taught how to put on gas masks, how to clean their skin and masks after exposure, how to test unknown substances with a paper that turns different colors, and how to deal with casualties.
They had a break for lunch, then lined up in front of a chamber.
"This is the gas chamber. It goes by many names - house of horror, confidence chamber, chamber of horror - but no matter what the soldiers call it, they all must pass through its walls during Basic Training." Lieutenant Jang started his introduction.
"Here, you will learn how to recognize and properly react to dangers of chemical biological, radiological and nuclear attacks," said Sergeant Cole.
Then he looked at General Lim and said, "It's better you stay out, General. Sergeant Park and I can manage everything."
Jungkook's eyebrow arched and he replied, "It's been a while, Sergeant since I have last observed how you do this training. I'm sure Lieutenant Jang by my side has been missing the gas chamber by now too. You can make him inspire the recruits and show them how Lieutenant Jang has mastered the gas chamber."
Torin gulped upon hearing Jungkook and he looked at him with wide eyes, as his nostrils flared in bewilderment.
This was the worst part of the training that he hated the most during their times.
He couldn't forget how he threw up several times back then. He could still smell something horribly pungent when he was near the gas chamber.
"Am I right, Lieutenant Jang? Show the soldiers how tough you can be by reciting the Soldier's Creed," added Jungkook and Torin almost wanted to run away.
"Alright, soldiers! Get ready and wear your protective masks and special chemical-protective gear. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1..." shouted Sergeant Park.
They had already been instructed how to dawn, clear and seal the mass in a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear environment.
Lisa was a bit nervous because she had seen in the videos before how terrible the experience could be.
Jungkook checked Lisa's line to see if the masks were properly sealed.
He instructed the Sergeants and Torin to do the same to other lines.
Sergeant Park looked at Torin with questioning eyes because they had never checked the masks before.
It's the consequences the recruits must face if they didn't listen well during the instructions.
Torin answered Lieutenant Park by shrugging his shoulders.
'More suspicious moves and soon, you'll be digging your own grave, Bro!' Torin wanted to shout to Jungkook who was now busy on making sure Lisa's mask had no leaks.
"What the hell is wrong with your mask?" Trish asked with a concerned voice because she noticed that General Lim took time on inspecting Lisa's while hers and the others' didn't take that long.
"Hmm, I'm not sure but I feel like he wanted to glue this mask to me. It's freakin' tight, Trish!" Lisa complained as her heart was still thumping fast because of Jungkook's gentle hands on her face as he adjusted the mask.
Lieutenant Jang had already informed them that they would do some talking, facial expressions, and light exercises to increase their heart rate and breathing inside the gas chamber.
"Look to your left and right now, left and right, look up and down now, up and down..." instructed Sergeant Cole.
"Now run at your place, knees high. Now!" Added Sergeant Cole.
"Aye, Sergeant!" Answered the soldiers as they followed his commands.
Then they marched one group at a time to the building where capsules of orange powder (the color of turmeric) were burned to release their toxic fumes.
They lined up toe to heel outside, and Sergeant Cole asked one recruit if she'd ever been close to death before.
The recruit nodded and said, "Yes, Sergeant."
"Well, you're going to have that sensation again," he said with just a hint of glee.
After a pause, he walked down the line. "Breathe normal, trainees. Breathe normal, and you'll be just fine," he said.
"Until the mask comes off, then take real, real deep breaths."
"Let me check your mask," Torin said as he stood in front of Lana and checked it.
"There's no need, Lieutenant, as Sergeant Cole has already double checked it!" Lana replied, feeling uncomfortable.
"Shut up! Because if you guys don't make sure it's sealed, trust me you won't like it there. It must be sealed properly and clearly. If you haven't, then any little hole that might be in the mask will let the gas inside, so we have to make sure and watch out for that. There's a lot of gasses out there that other countries could use against us that you really can't smell or you won't even know that it's there, so that's why it's important that you always have your mask sealed properly," Torin explained and grinned when Lana stopped mumbling.
'Why are you always showing off?' Lana wanted to voice out but rolled her eyes instead.
Torin saw that and he sighed. It seemed that he would have a hard time getting the interest of this aloof soldier.
*****
They soon entered the 'cold' room where a vague cloud of gas gave them a chance to test their masks to be sure that they were sealed properly.
Then they moved into the 'hot' room where they would remove their masks and would be exposed to the full effects of the gas.
"Alright, listen up. Lieutenant Jang will do a demo for you guys, as he will take off the mask, raise his arm and recite the soldier's creed and go out. Watch carefully how it's properly done," said Jungkook and his words made Torin's face to crumple.
Jungkook added, "Remember that you must put your left hand on the shoulder of the soldier in front of you. You have to hold onto your comrade in front of you. It's your comrade who's going to guide you out and once you are out, raise your arms and flap it like a bird! Do not touch your face or eyes. Understand?"
"Aye, General!" Answered the soldiers.
"Lieutenant Jang, on my mark, remove the mask. Ready, remove!" Instructed Jungkook.
Torin did the demo as he recited the Soldier's Creed coughing.
'Darn, Bro, I will kill you for this!' He cursed, as tears started welling his eyes and he began to cough.
As soon as he finished the Soldier's Creed he ran outside as fast as he could.
"Alright, Soldiers, you see how confident Lieutenant Jang was. If he can do it, you can too. You recite the alphabet instead of the Soldier's Creed," said Jungkook.
The two Sergeants looked at each other confusedly.
This was the first time that they used the alphabet that was too short instead of the Soldier's Creed.
But then, General Lim was their Superior, so they did what he instructed.
As soon as the soldiers removed their masks, they recited the alphabet.
Lisa could feel a little bit of the gas in her mouth and lungs, and her reflex was to cough, then she winded up inhaling more of the gas, which made her want to cough even more.
But now, she was afraid to breathe in because her whole respiratory system felt like it was on fire, as well as her eyeballs.
When Jungkook noticed that Lisa was already drooling, crying, and her nose was starting to leak thin snot, even though they were not finished reciting the alphabet, he shouted, "Out, now! Move fast! Run, Soldiers. Go outside and raise your arms and flap it. Don't touch your face!"
After what seemed like the longest minute in Lisa's life the doors opened up and they got outside.
Jungkook followed outside and saw that Lisa closed her eyes so he shouted, "Open your eyes! OPEN YOUR EYES! Flap your arms!"
Then Sergeant Cole shouted, "This exercise is meant to give you confidence in your protective equipment, and to let you know what tear gas feels like. The agony will last just a few minutes, then you can laugh about it, Soldiers. A shared experience of survival is building a team and a strong Army! Hoo-aah?!"
"Hoo-aah!" Answered the soldiers stuttering and coughing.
Jungkook watched Lisa closely to get sure she was breathing OK and she would not faint.
Lisa and the others continued to flap their arms and marched down the trail to air out their clothes and faces before sitting on the bleachers again.
Lisa kept on coughing while May and other recruits threw up and kept on spitting their saliva.
Some of them kept on coughing, gasping, dripping mucus and saliva, spitting, groaning with eyes red with tears.
A few even threw up, though it was not known if it was due to milk for breakfast or the gas.
May cursed. That was why Sergeant Cole asked them who had milk that morning and she was among the people who raised their hands.
She could still recall how Sergeant Cole laughed hard and said that they were going to regret it.
'Dammit, they could have at least told us in advance!' She complained inwardly as she wiped her mouth, feeling the sourness of the milk she just vomited.
Torin, on the other hand, creased his forehead and walked towards Sergeant Park and Sergeant Cole.
"Why is it this fast?" He asked the Sergeants because they were already all out while he was still trying to compose himself.
Sergeant Park grinned and with a teasing tone answered, "I thought General Lim likes you the most but I guess you are not the favorite now errr?"
"What?" Asked Torin who did not get Sergeant Park's meaning.
"He had them recite the alphabet and I think they did not even reach to letter J when he shouted at them to get out and move fast," replied Sergeant Park with a grin because he was sure Torin would blow up.
"What the heckkkkkkk!" Torin shouted as he glared at Jungkook who was focused only on watching how Lisa was doing.
'This is soooo not fair!' He mused as he still felt the pungent odor in his nostrils. His nose was burning hot as he inwardly declared war against Jungkook.
He would definitely bug and tease Jungkook about Lisa Chan as soon and long as he had the opportunity.