Operation: Blacksand

Chapter 3: Back to basics

Location: Small Island (exact location unknown)

Time: 12:00 hours

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"New orders, sir, there's an island with a base on it not far from here, and a rookie on it that no one wants to train and no one can, the major wants you to try," the pilot radioed over to me

"Ok, I'll see what I can do" I told him,

He acknowledged and the chopper started changing direction.

Within a few hours we were at the island, it was only just big enough for a barracks, airfield and training grounds. The beach stretched along the perimeter of the island keeping out the pale blue water. When we got closer, I could see some marines on the beach playing volleyball, waste of time in my books, I would be down the range practising or in the combat area trying to perfect my hand to hand combat.

When we did finally land there was the major and two soldiers to greet us. I saluted and the major did the same back.

"Captain Pickett,requested for training of a rookie, sir," I told him

"I know who you are Captain after all I'm the one who requested you, you'll find whatever you need here Captain, we were going to send this one back and still will if you can't train him" he said in a much softer voice.

We walked past the airfields and training areas, the men were all lazy and untrained, just sitting, smoking or playing cards while drinking, it was appalling. No one even stood up let alone saluted when the major walked past.

We walked on a little further till we got to the barracks. Not much of an improvement to the rest of the island. A small tin shack with a door and some cracked windows.

Stepping inside I could see a row of bunks on my left and right going for about a good 20 meters. There were a few men inside the barracks, most huddled round the first lower bunk on my left and the others doing whatever, playing cards, reading magazines or just sleeping. The beds were all unmade and there was food and clothing littering the floor.

We walked down the barracks till we got to the end upper bunk at my right, there was a man lying there on his back reading, he knew we were there but didn't react.

"So you're not even going to salute a pair of outranking officers?" I said angrily

"Nope" he stated, still looking at his book.

"Wrong answer soldier, I'm going to train you up and change you completely," I said now getting even more frustrated

"Good luck, all the rest failed, what makes you different?" he asked and now looking at me

"What's your name, rookie?" I asked now calming down slightly

"Names Smith" he responded, the major just stood there and watched.

"Smith, hopefully he will make a man of you, like I did your brother" said the major.

Then my mind flashed back to when they took him, my brother. I came out of my short memory due to the door slamming shut as the major left and as he did some of the others started to crowd round me. One walked up to smith and started kick he bunk and nudge him

"Hey smithy another high ranking solider to train you up again, but oh wait you'll just screw up again" the man said in a deep voice.

"Just leave him alone" I warned them

"Or what, you gunna hurt me old man" he said insultingly

"Yea, I could do that" I told them

"I'm scared" he said sarcastically, all the others had gathered round and were laughing in amusement.