Chapter 4 Orders

Jason couldn't relate really well to his excitement because all he saw in his father was someone who abandoned him when he really needed him the most. He sighed, downing the rest of his soda as he relaxed more on the couch.

Just then, there was a loud commotion outside as the duo sprang up to find out what was really going on.

"What could that be?", David asked.

They got outside soon and discovered that two Marines were in the heat of a fight with their hands fisted and ready to exchange blows.

"Hey, hey. Stop that", Jason barked.

He stood in between them, separating them before they could cause some damages. He knew that if this got to Sgt O'Neal, the senior marine officer wouldn't take it lightly.

And just as he feared, Sgt O'Neal walked in at that moment with a stern look on his face.

"What's going on here?",he asked.

The rest of the marine officers stood at attention as he walked in. Jason walked towards him, saluting before explaining what transpired.

"I take the blame Sir, I should have conducted them in a proper manner", Jason said.

He was fond of taking the heat for his fellow marines, something David wasn't comfortable with.

"See that this never happens again", Sgt O'Neal snapped.

"Yes Sir", Jason said.

"Good. See me outside for a minute", Sgt O'Neal said before walking out.

Soon, the area was bursting with activities as the two marines involved in the altercation reported to the office for questioning.

"Taking the blame again", David said.

"You know I had to. I'll be back, O'Neal needs me outside", Jason said.

He made his way outside, and soon found the senior marine officer standing under the shades of a tree.

"Sir, I'm here", Jason said.

"Good. Remember what I told you earlier about the news I heard?",he asked.

"Oh yes sir, I do", Jason said.

"We've just confirmed that it was fake news after all. There's nothing like that", he said.

Jason heaved a huge sigh of relief. He didn't know what he'd have done if they were made to fight against each other.

"That's good news Sir", Jason said.

"Yes, good news. Anyway, that's all I wanted to tell you", he said.

"Thank you sir".

"Prepare for your field day tomorrow, see you", Sgt O'Neal said before walking away.

Jason groaned as he went back to his room. Field day was the day assigned for the marines to clean the barracks and Jason was sure not looking forward to it.

He got back into the room and told David everything Sgt O'Neal had said. They weren't looking forward to the field day tomorrow but there was nothing they could do because it was part of their work in the barracks.

"But I'm just glad that the news was fake", David said.

"Me too. Lord knows what would have happened if it wasn't", Jason said.

The duo talked some more before calling it a night because they had a big day the following day.

The next day, they woke up bright and early, ready to begin their normal duties before the commencement of the field day later in the evening.

"SSgt Rodriguez might make an appearance today", David said.

"I really don't wish and especially not with what's lined up for us already", Jason said.

Later that evening, true to David's words, the most senior Marine corps officer and their superior, SSgt Rodriguez walked in with a bulging stomach and a buzz army cut.

The Marine corps officers all stood at attention as he carried out a routine check on them before ordering them to clean the barracks.

Two hours later, they were still at it and Jason was already getting frustrated because it was already late into the night.

"Can we just get back to our rooms, it's late", Jason groaned.

"I wish", David sighed.

They were in their rooms, cleaning the whole place when the subject of their conversation walked in, holding a white glove.

They stood at attention as he went round the room, inspecting everything they had done using the white glove he brought along.

Jason stood there, watching his Sgt wipe his hand across his windowsill, feeling a familiar sensation creep across his face. He was nervous, he was always nervous when Sgt Rodriquez inspected his room.

Sgt Rodriquez never came to the Barracks on field night, and when he did it was normally because his old lady had kicked him out, which really meant Sgt Rodriquez was looking for any reason he could find to mess with his Marines.

"Lance Corporal, is this what you consider clean", said Sgt Rodriquez as he turned around, showing the slightest of darkening on the white glove on his hand to Lance Cpl Smith. Lance Corporal Smith was one of Sgt Rodriquez's Marines, and normally Smith held Sgt Rodriquez in high esteem, but right now Smith just wishes he could crawl into a hole and hide.

"No sir." Came his reply, but he immediately knew he'd made a mistake.

"Oh, so you think I don't do shit."

"No Sgt, that's not what I meant."

"So, you see me doing paperwork, and you just assume that's what I do all day. Do you see brass on my chest?"

"No Sgt!"

"When I come back in here Lance Corporal, this room better be clean, or you better be cleaning." Sgt Rodriquez turned on his heel and walked out of Smith's room to go to the next one.

There was so much for him to do and he hadn't even begun with half of it. Jason knew that if he was to complete his tasks on time he had to begin as early as possible but at that moment, he couldn't quite understand why he was so lazy. He woke up that morning filled with strength but at that moment, all he wanted to do was just to sleep.

He knew his fellow marines would laugh at him if he told them about his dilemma and so, he decided to keep it to himself and face whatever task he had to do.