I have decided, for sanity's sake, to give up the idea of fitting each chapter into only one post. I'm keeping it under 8K, but I'll be posting it in two parts. Besides, when the matches start, more action will occur, so I might need to break the 8K rule. I'll feel it out. Anyway, here we go:
The Barracks Under Fire
by EagleRock
Chapter 3 - Trials and Trust
Private DaRk was coughing from the bite of bread he took. Everyone shouted in terror and tried to help him. He then spoke, "Oh my GOD! That bread has GARLIC on it!!!"
Everyone stopped. Phantom then slapped him hard in the face and yelled, "You sonofabitch!! What the hell is the matter with you? This is a serious fucking matter. You fucking do that again and I'll have your neck!"
DaRk felt his cheek and looked up at Phantom, seething. He didn't respond.
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DaRk always seemed to rub against the higher-ups, even when he was in the Police Department. However, he was learning quickly that the Elite Guard was different than the NGPD, in that they didn't take anything. No one seemed to object to him getting slapped, even EagleRock. He often wondered if this stuff happened in all of the Elite Guard, or just EagleRock's Barrack. Either way, he was stuck here, like it or not.
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"Well," said Phantom, "he's not dead yet. Still, I don't know if I trust this food."
"This might be true," said EagleRock, "but let's face facts. If they want to kill us, they can do it easily, either by food or by some other means. We're fucking trapped! I say we just eat the food. If they poison us, at least it'll get it over with."
Somehow, this made sense, thought Sentio. All of this doubt and fear was starting to unnerve him, but he knew that he had to stay strong. Losing it wasn't an option, as he was an officer. He thought about this as he slowly ate his food and quelled his hunger.
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He was pretty much rushed into his Relation Officer position, due to the lack of EagleRock's presence and Phantom being run ragged. Phantom had passed on his Relations Officer role to Sentio. Since he joined, he was well respected by the Barracks and was a good role model as a commissioned officer. Then, Phantom started disappearing as well. The exodus of the two top leaders of the Barracks left Sentio as the officer in charge, almost unexpectedly. Here he was, a recent transfer to this Barrack, and how he's in charge. No room to falter, no room to fail, no room for weakness.
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The group finished their meal and deposited their used utensils and dishes in a receptacle next to the food line. Nobody complained of pain from the food, indicating no sign of poison yet. Police Captain TheThing deposited his tray into the receptacle as he followed the rest back to the lounge area.
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TheThing was subject to the same pain Andrea364 was during the renovations, his whole life crippled in one shot. He was lucky to have been in EagleRock's Barrack, as most others that were kicked out had backs turned to them by their fellow soldiers. When he was demoted, he didn't go easy. Instead, he fought it. All that fighting did was get him jailed by the Newgrounds Moderation Staff and charged with insubordination. Luckily, it was Sentio, his Relations Officer, who spoke on his behalf and got him cleared. He had no choice but to leave quietly. The only reason he got his job back was due to Peregrinus, his NGPD Laison. It hurt him to know how thin of a line he had walked on, and half expected this situation to occur. He just didn't expect it to happen to anyone else. He couldn't help but blame himself for all that happened to the Barracks.
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The group got themselves down to the lounge and found seating. Before everyone could get comfortable, the intercom beeped again and the speaker crackled.
"Hello, soldiers. Now that you're fed, I think it's time for you to get acquainted with the arenas. We want to make sure that you know them well before the fights begin."
EagleRock stood up from his lounge chair and approached the computers. "Oh? What is this, bringing the fatted calves to slaughter?"
"Absolutely not. Like I said, we're on the level. I've opened up two teleportation pods for you to travel to the most popular map, de_dust. Just to show you we aren't trying to trick you, I am opening up your weapons cache as well. You'll be armed to the teeth. There won't be anyone there. Feel free to investigate."
EagleRock stared ahead with no expression. Slash approached him and whispered in his ear. "Do you think it's a good idea? Or is it a trap?"
EagleRock turned and looked at Slash. "Like I said before, we are at their disposal. They could kill us at any second if they chose. I say we take a look. At most, two of us die."
