Sergeant Parker (Lucas Parker)
6/6/2031,
(Location Unavailable),
(Location Unavailable)
The rain continued to pour, mingling with the blood-stained ground, adding to the grim atmosphere that surrounded them.
Parker's gaze was drawn to a group unlike any he had ever encountered. They were unmistakably human in form, yet adorned with animalistic ears atop their heads. with tails that swayed behind them. And some show more of the said features in question. Most have Smaller Animalistic ears in front and the bigger ones on the head. While others had extra tails behind them. It was odd as if they were and weren't the same species at the same time. They reminded Parker of the coyotes he used to hunt back on the farm he grew up in.
“They kinda remind me of finishing an assignment at the last second. ” James whispered to Parker.
Caught off guard, Parker looked at James dumbfounded. “What does that mean.” he stated with obvious confusion in his tone.
“Look at them. It looks like they were created in a hurry. Like whatever divine being, used a human as a template then just started adding stuff to them then BAM!! You got a new species.”
“...hmm I never really thought it that way…damn James, you might actually have a brain.” Parker stated as they stared at the Emotionally disconnected people. Well No longer Emotionally disconnected as it seems life started to breathe back into these people's sense combat has ended. All except for one. A young girl who looked like she was in her late twenties. She looked more clean and less starved compared to the others. So she must have been picked up not too long ago.
Parker reached out his hand only to see the younger members of the group flinch back. Sighing Parker retracted his hand from the group.
“Ay, Sir what you doing.” Thomas said as he approached the two huddled on the back of the wagon.
“Making myself less scary.” Parker satiated plainly as he fiddled with his Mask. Finally, he took it off, revealing his face to the Group. He tried to have the most friendly Smile possible as they stared at him with mixed emotions though Fear dominated their faces. Pulling out a Snickers Parker partially unwrapped it. Looking at one of the youngest kids in the group of refugees. He made an eating gesture before he offered up the Snickers to the little girl. Though only seconds passed it felt like minutes before the little girl Grabbed it. Inspecting it a bit before she took a bite. The switch in the behavior of the little girl was night and day. As if she was experiencing Sweets for the first time. which might actually be the case. It felt nice to make another person smile again, Especially a kid. This seemed to win over the trust of the adults that have been staring daggers at Parker as he interacted with the kid.
Well shit, they were in no shape to look after themselves. he should have thought this through. Yet he didn't. Where do they take them? Back to the boat? Or maybe take them back to a nearby village. Yeah, that is what they will do. If he can make relations with a faction within this world. Then he won't get reamed. Parker put his Gasmask back on his face as he looked over his plan again.
“Landon I need you!” Parker said into his headset. Which prompted his Corpsman to come up next to Parker as he served the people in the wagon.
“You still got that tarp.”
“Yes sir, why do you need it.”
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“Let's get these people out of the rain alright, try and get the tarp over the back of the wagon,” Parker said before following up with. “Once that was done, examine them. let's not have anyone die from something easily treatable.”
“Roger,” Landon said though just like the rest of us he hesitated as he looked at them. Though he did not say anything, unlike the others. picking up on Landon's hesitation he looked to the quite shaken up people in front of them again. “Oh and take Maria with you. The ladies would most likely not be comfortable with a male examining them.”
“Marinara, get up here and assist Landon with the civilians.” Parker stated into the Headset once more.
A “Yes sir” was heard through the comms as he looked back to the wagon. The Latino should be able to bridge the gap between his squad and the now-liberated refugees. Her motherly charm should do the trick. Parker thought as a smirk crept on his face.
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Corporal James (James Madison)
6/6/2031,
(Location Unavailable),
(some Road)
This is stupid. Sure it was nice to be the hero and save some civvies but we have no idea what's going on. These people could be on the wrong side of history, they could be aiding bloodthirsty barbarians…or something. This was reckless, So reckless. And Parker knows this. So why? WHY DID HE NOT PUT MORE THOUGHT INTO THIS?
After a ton of gesturing, Parker was finally able to tell the refugees to drive the wagon to the nearest village they knew of. Well, at least that's what they hope was communicated. And now he and his fire team are on Escort duty, or convoy security, Whatever you call it. The fact is they are now walking alongside this wagon for the foreseeable future.
“Sir, may I have a moment of your time?” James said as he approached Parker who was supervising the whole situation. Like a Boss who's constantly Looking over your shoulder at work.
“Uh yeah, You are usually not this formal, what's up James?”
After a bit of deliberation, James decided to just get to the point of what he was trying to say. “Well, it's about this whole situation. This was Careless, Rash, it was just…just, Impulsive sir.” It felt nice to get that off his chest as if he was absolving himself of his sins. “You've changed Parker I can't tell when, but you've changed since we arrived.”
Oscar's emotionless Mask shows, nothing, no hint of emotion could escape its dominant feature as it obscured Parker's face. Leaving James’s imagination to do the heavy lifting as the black mask beared down at him. Luckily the same could be said for him.
“If you do not like how I'm handling this squad have a complaint you can fill out an Article 138 against me later.” His tone sounded slightly could yet cautious. plus like they would do anything. We are in the middle of a crisis for everyone on the boat right now.
“Look sir, you are endangering us. sure it was nice to rescue people but we should have at least taken more time to look over the situation in front of us Before we took action.”
“We will talk about this later,” Parker said dismissing James at that moment. He never really fought against Parker before, so this was the first time he tested the waters. But screw it this isn't something that could be held off for later.
“Is this about Helen and the kids?” Parker stopped in his tracks upon hearing that, though he did not turn around to face James. “The reason you were Careless is because you sympathize with their families right? Because you know how it feels…to lose someone.”
“Corporal if you say My wife's name one more time. I will kill you…you got that.” Parker said, turning to face James again. His tone was the coldest he had ever heard from Parker. He fucked up. he pushed too far and Struck a Strong Nerve. Before James could respond Parker was already walking off to the back of the formation.
“Fuck” James said under his breath, Now he will most definitely not listen to him. This is bad real bad. He gives it a week before the squad completes fractures due to a difference in opinion. He's already seeing it with his own Fireteam, With Mark who fully supports Parker's quick reaction to this whole situation.
Only Time will tell.