TFA3 5.2 – Easy Day
15:20, 6 Nov 2025
Due to the limited space, in Sommer Island, armory was also use to store sport equipment, and like any other days, Sergeant McDobber faithfully operated this section. After checking his watch and found out it’s about the time for afternoon sport, he immediately prepared two mesh bags of volleyball.
A moment later eight children entered the armory’s front door and went straight to his section. The oldest kid was 10-year-old, while the youngest was 7-year-old. These children were former slave children who had to stay in Sommer Island for the time being.
It was only three days since their arrival, but they adjusting themselves with the strict rule in Sommer Island pretty well. Now, they also wore normal clothes like children in Lagra City, so in a glance they looked like normal children.
However, if you look deeper, you would realize that those kids were anything but normal. They were not fussy and too disciplined for a child at their age. When walking in a group they would walk in neat two or three lines. Their awareness to the situation around them was also far higher than the most reserve adult.
Most of all, other than for the mandatory study that was being prepared for them, they would spend their time helping the former slave women doing daily task. Even when their improvised playground was ready to be used, they didn’t dare to use it without mandatory playing time from MPU officer who was responsible to manage them.
‘If they wear mini military uniform and I don’t know their story, I will definitely think they are mini Nazi,’ Sergeant McDobber muttered as the children arrived before him. Then, he casually asked, “Kids, do you want to borrow the ball again?”
“Yes, Ser McDobber,” The oldest kid replied respectfully.
“You can borrow the ball,” Sergeant McDobber casually said. “But don’t call me Ser McDobber. I ain’t a noble or such. Just call me Sergeant McDobber.”
“Understood, Ser Sergeant McDobber.”
‘Stubborn kid,’ Sergeant McDobber complained inwardly, but he didn’t press the matter further and handed over the volleyball. “Two bag of volleyball, six balls each, precisely like the ones you borrowed yesterday.”
“Thank you, Ser Sergeant McDobber,” The oldest kid said before helping the other kids receiving the mesh bags.
“Your name is Karuk, right?”
“Yes, Ser Sergeant McDobber.”
Sergeant McDobber then wrote Karuk’s names on the logbook, and then put it forward to him, “Leave your thumb print next to your name.”
This was the second time Karuk went through the procedure, so without further ado he lightly pressed the ink pad using his right thumb, and then left his print thumb on the empty spot next to his name.
“Kid,” Sergeant McDobber casually said. “You should be able to write your own name. It’s not my job to write your name every time you borrow something from my section.”
“Ser Sergeant McDobber, please forgive my incompetence,” Karuk’s genuinely said, while wariness was clearly visible in his eyes. “I will study harder and master the basic writing skill as soon as possible.”
Seeing that Karuk and the other kids suddenly became afraid of him and misunderstood his intention, Sergeant McDobber immediately said, “It’s fine as long as you don’t slack off with your study.”
“We will do our best with our study,” Karuk firmly said. “Actually, when we heard some Buriek Guards have additional night class, we immediately ask Teacher Arnold if we can have additional night class too.
But he said we should take our study at casual pace for the time being.”
After tilting his head to the side Sergeant McDobber asked, “Did Engineer Arnold really said you should take your study at casual pace?”
Karuk nodded and replied, “He did.”
After a moment of ponder Sergeant McDobber said, “In that case, you should take your study in casual pace as Engineer Arnold said.”
“But if we study at casual pace, it will take some time before we can write our name every time we borrow something from your section.”
“It’s fine. I can write your name for you as long as needed.”
“But we will still study as hard as we can.” Karuk said in a drop dead serious tone. “Mother, aunts, and big sis always remind us that we have to master the skill we have to master as fast as we can if we want to survive.”
“Kids,” Sergeant McDobber let out a deep sigh before continuing, “You all are just children right now, not slave children anymore, just take thing at a pace of normal children.”
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Big question mark instantly appeared in Karuk’s forehead. “Ser Sergeant McDobber, how do we take thing at a pace of normal children?”
“Enjoy your time and don’t be too hard on yourself,” Sergeant McDobber casually said.
“We really enjoy our time here,” Karuk happily said. “The food, clothes, bed, and everything else in this place are super nice. The people are also super nice. No one yell on us, or using stick to punish us even though we break no rules and already obeys the instruction as best as we can.
We also can play at afternoon here. This place is like a heaven.”
“I’m glad you like this place so much,” After a moment of pause Sergeant McDobber continued, “Just forget what I said about your study, and follow your teacher instruction for this matter.”
“Understood, Ser Sergeant McDobber,” Karuk happily said, “and thank you for letting us borrow the balls and help me writing my name.”
“It’s not a big deal, and enjoys your playing time to the fullest.”
“We will.”
Karuk and the other kids then leaved in a neat line while carrying the mesh bags full of volleyball. Four kids for each bag, and they held it as if it was the most precious treasure in the world.
At the same time, Captain Kasino and Lieutenant Kidd entered the armory. When Karuk and the other kids saw the two, they immediately saluted them. No one knew who taught the kids to do the salute, and Captain Kasino and Lieutenant Kidd had no interest to find the culprit. The two just returned the salute solemnly and it made Karuk and the other kids had a big smile in their face.
Then, Captain Kasino and Lieutenant Kidd continued their walk and went straight to Sergeant McDobber’s section.
“I hear the former slave women and slave children treat the frogman platoon as their messiah. It seems it’s true,” Sergeant McDobber said as soon as Captain Kasino and Lieutenant Kidd arrived before him.
“Honestly, we really don’t know how it ends up that way,” Captain Kasino casually said. “All we know is that the last time we didn’t return their salute, the kids cried sobbed in front of us.”
After giving Captain Kasino a slight nod Sergeant McDobber asked another question, “I hear you also help the MPU build a dozen beach volleyball fields for the kids.”
“Well, Bartender Bronson threatens us. He will ban us from the bar if we don’t help the MPU,” Lieutenant Kidd casually replied, “even though we will gladly help even without the threat actually. The frogman platoon is full of physical labor junkie.”
“I see.” After a light smile Sergeant McDobber continued, “Well then, what can I do for you?”
“I hear I can borrow some rods and reel from your section.” Captain Kasino casually said.
Sergeant McDobber replied, “Yes Captain, you can. I have a few types here, which one do you want to borrow?”
“Admiral Norrak told me that right now, massive school of skipjack tuna is shoaling in the eastern side of this island. Give me something I can use to harvest those fat tuna,” Captain Kasino explained. “It will be a good workout before dinner.”
“Right away, Sir.”
Without further ado, Sergeant McDobber took a fishing bag and handed it over to Captain Kasino, “Three rods, three reels, two sets of bait, and other things you need to reel some skipjack tuna.”
“Nice.”
Wasting no time, Captain Kasino checked the fishing gear in the bag. At the same time, Sergeant McDobber turned his gaze to Lieutenant Kidd.
“What about you, LT? Do you want to reel in some tuna too?”
“Nope, fishing is not my thing.” Lieutenant Kidd turned his gaze to the bag in his shoulder as he added, “And I already borrow a good fishing crossbow from Admiral Norrak.”
“I see.” After a moment of silence Sergeant McDobber asked another question, “LT, may I know, what is the story behind your decision to join TF Amethyst?”
“That’s just boring story,” Lieutenant Kidd casually replied.
“I still want to hear it,” Sergeant McDobber insisted.
“Well,” Lieutenant Kidd took a deep breath before starting his story. “When I received the invitation from TF Amethyst, I was part of GWOT under the Activities, running riverine ops in South Acia.
I refused the offer by telling TF Amethyst’s representative that I wanted to stick with my team for the time being, and they responded it by recruiting the rest of my team. So, I had no choice other than came along with the flow.”
Sergeant McDobber gave a slight nod before turning his gaze to Captain Kasino. “And what about you, Captain, what is your story?”
Without turning his head from the reel he checked Captain Kasino replied, “I was Kidd’s second-in-command when he ran the riverine ops under GWOT.”
“Wait, you were his second-in-command?” Sergeant McDobber asked in disbelief.
“Yupe.”
“So, how did you ended up as the CO of frogman platoon?”
“Seven frogmen, including me, went through the assessment to become squad leader, with exception one candidate will became platoon leader, and everyone passed with good score.” Captain Kasino casually replied, still without turning his gaze from the reel in his hand. “It’s just that I’m the only Froggy who never bragged that the frogman unit from my country is the best of the best of the best of the best maritime commando in the universe, so I never fought with other frogman.
And it made Harley Quinn put me in charge of frogman platoon. They said I’m a perfect officer to lead the seasoned frogmen who despite their valuable skill and experience, deep down in their heart they are just restless toddler who loved to throw bar party whenever they can’t contain their restlessness.”
“I see. You have it though, Captain,” Sergeant McDobber genuinely said as he recalled that the frogman platoon was very famous for its record in throwing bar fight.
“Yeah, all I wanted was becoming a peaceful squad leader, but it sent me straight into a bigger headache instead.” After letting out a deep sigh full of regret Captain Kasino added, “If I knew it can save me from the job to babysit those restless frogmen, I would happily brag about my old unit as if there was no tomorrow, and fight the other frogman right and left.”
“Dude, just accept it already,” Lieutenant Kidd happily said. “Everyone is comfortable with your leadership, and Harley Quinn is also very happy with it.”
“That’s because I never lecture them every time they throw a bar party, while officer who his men got beaten black and blue can lecture me all they want because they knew I won’t make things messier by beating the shit out of them.” After another deep sigh Captain Kasino weakly added, “This shit will kill me one day.”
“Well, sooner or later, Harley Quinn will expand the platoon into a detachment and put an officer with higher-rank to lead it,” Lieutenant Kidd calmly said. “Just be patience until then.”
“Yeah,” Captain Kasino helplessly replied while putting back the fishing gear he just checked to the bag. Then, he turned his gaze to Sergeant McDobber, “It is better than the one I have in Bluefin. I will borrow it.”
“In that case, please write the number of the fishing bag, along with your name and signature in the logbook.”
Without further ado Captain Kasino completed the procedure. A moment later, he and Lieutenant Kidd was already riding a Humvee and went straight to the eastern side of Sommer Island.
*****