I thought this thread was taken down. Long time no see hear

Hi guys, it's been a long time. Sorry fir the delay... Too many things taking me away from updating. Well let me throw in a few updates today.
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Just them the 155mm gun opened up. The marine Corporal watched in amazement as the boulder that served as cover for a marine fire team got chewed into pieces by the heavy duty gun fire. And before they could react another burst of fire scythe through them. Three marines where cut to ribbons as if put through a meat grinder.


Chris wailed loudly and was shocked as he saw Mark stood from hiding, his M203 already loaded and ready to fire. Before he could say no, Mark fired. But his shot was jerky and the 40mm shell fell short of the target and exploded harmlessly before the APC. That was when Chris saw that Mark was hit by gun fire from and AK 47 trotting rebel before he took the failed shot. As he was seeking for the shooter, Lance Corporal Jay already has his rifle up firing. Chris saw two rebels collapse under the impact of his attack . Jay jumped away from his hiding place seeking another one as a rocket from them blew his former hiding place to a pieces of fiery explosion and rocks.


The Corporal was glad that his friend took the quick decision to move. At the moment Harry is the only one that has what it takes to stop that APC. Chris looked around, saw that Harry has moved away from his former handing place. A quick search shows that he was now at the same cover as his friend. A quick look at him showed Harry what the Corporal wanted from him. Chris spoke into the throat mic again.

. “Everyone still with a grenade, arm them and get ready to throw. “ Chris brought out his grenade, primed it and threw it. “ Grenade. “ he said in a loud voice which was echoed by several others. Just then several explosions sounded. Some of the grenades taking out rebels still standing in the open. Others exploding around the APC, doing some damages but not much. The APC 155mm gun turned around with a mechanical whir seeking targets firing short burst to flush out hiding marines. Just then Harry adjusted the target of the mortar, firing it and jumping down to hide. A short burst of fire took him off his feet to drop him carelessly with several huge holes appearing on him bleeding his life away in a crimson flow. But the mortar shell was on target as it hit the APC and exploded. It tore open the armored shell apart like a cheap tin in a blowout of flame taking all within it to the world of the dead.

Jay was up, with his rifle, as soon as the APC was taken out, firing at human targets. The rebels were taking hits from him and other marines and going down. Chris heard that rough voice he has heard before. That seem to be the rebels’ leader. He said something loudly which caused Chris to look up. He saw a rebel carrying an RPG tube on his shoulder targeting the general area where Jay his friend was.
Chris screamed and was on his feet racing towards his friend. He heard low puff sound behind him but didn’t care. He pushed his friend away and just them there was a blast that took them both off their feet.


Jay had turned briefly to see what the problem was as Chris screamed his name. There was no time to explain before pushing him out of the way of the coming rocket. Shrapnel and pieces of sharp rocks hammered their body as they fell. The new ballistic vest added to their body armor protected them from most of the damaged only their exposed skin got tiny cuts. Chris eardrum was blanketed by a huge hum sound. He saw Jay running to him and holding him, saying something. His friend’s lips were moving as if he was screaming but Chris was hearing no sound. As he tried to move that was when he noticed his left leg was feeling numb.


A quick look showed the knee guard had been ripped apart, slashes had torn his camo off that area and blood was pouring from his knee. He couldn’t feel pain yet, just the numb. Then two rebels took that very time to come over the lip of the rise they were in. One of them is the harsh voice speaker, the other was the one who fired the RPG. He had exchanged the tube for an AK 47. Both rebels had their guns pointed down, not really expecting to see anyone surviving the explosion. Before they could remedy that, Chris hand was up and it was holding his M16.


While the explosion had knocked him down, his hand has held on to his gun. His finger squeezing the trigger, he emptied the magazine on the coming rebels, cutting them both down with a blistering rain of 5.56mm bullets. Both dropped down weltering in pains before finally laying still.
Slowly the whining humming sounds in his ears began to dwindle and sounds around him started to filter in as if from a great distance. All he could hear from Jay was “You saved my life, you are a hero. “ However it was mixed up with a confusion of other sounds. He saw the marines that survived coming around him, forming a perimeter with guns pointing outwards.


Just then sounds of vehicles arriving could be heard by him dimly. Turning, he saw Humvees and APCs with marine troop carrier trucks coming along the road, surrounding them. They have won. That was when Chris brain started to register the pain. Jay tore the uniform away from his shredded knee, applying field dressing. Few minutes after that, the medics came in with the red cross patch on the arms, they put him on a stretcher and air lifted him. Jay stayed with him all through. The last thing in his mind before he passed out due to the sedative given to him was that they won.

3.14pm EST

Erica sat down on the sofa in the living room feeling restless. Her heart rate was beating very fast and her mind was filled with too many conflicting things to settle on any one of them. Her hand moved unconsciously to the rise of her swollen tummy. Her baby bump that had given her both joy and a certain kind of sadness. She was putting on a free flowing gown with flowery designs on it. Turning her head, she looked at the little girl of three who was sitting down on the floor of the living room playing with some toys oblivious to anything else. Her world was perfect. She is not old enough yet to start to concern herself with the problems that troubled adults.


It’s been hard raising up Lisa alone most of the time not that there was much job to it but just that she misses him and wished he was always around. Especially now. There are days she had cried alone and other times with Sena who was also in a similar fix as she is, both married to marine soldiers. Today tears seem far away from her eyes as they wouldn’t have given any kind of release to the pend up feelings churning in her heart.


The door bell rang pulling her off her deep thoughts. At first she wasn’t sure she heard correctly, as her heart raced faster than it ever had in all her life. Then the bell rang again, a little longer than at first. She struggled to her feet, sniff as her mind weighed down with likely possibilities. The sight before her as the door opened shocked her for some few seconds.
“Chris? Chris? “ She asked suddenly when her mouth got unfrozen from its paralysis.
“Hi hon, “ Chris said slowly as he stood at the door on his marine uniform. Both his hands holding on the crutches on which he was resting his armpits.

A single drop of tear fell from Erica’s eye unbidden and without thinking she grabbed Chris in an embrace, crushing his body to hers fiercely, holding on strongly as if by letting go she will be loosing him forever. Then the tears had run freely from her eyes and she had sobbed into her husband’s ears. Chris has held on to her too, though the crutches under his armpits made it awkward. He staggered a bit trying to maintain his balance on his one steady leg which Erica didn’t seem to notice or mind. After like forever, Erica broke away from the embrace when a tiny voice called from the living room.


“Daddy? Daddy! “ the little girl screamed running to the door. Chris moved away a bit from his wife as he scoop up the girl and held her to himself. “Daddy you are back. I and mommy have been waiting for you to come back. “
“Lisa don’t worry daddy is back now. “Chris said, his mind over flowing with joy.
“Daddy did you buy me a doll? Daddy they said you will come in a plane. Where’s the plane? “ Lisa stretched her neck trying to see the parking lot if a plane was there. Then she noticed the crutches on her father’s armpits. “ Daddy why are you holding a stick? Daddy what happened to your leg? “


“Honey allow your daddy to rest for now, he is tired, ok? “
“Ok mommy, “ Lisa said as she ran back into the living room and continued playing with her toys.
Chris hobbled into the living room leaning on the crutches for support followed by his wife as she closed the door.
Sitting together on the sofa, it was hard for Chris to read the emotions on his wife’s face. She was still sniffing, though the tears had stopped dropping after wiping them away severally with here hands.


“I didn’t know what to expect after I got a call and visit from the marine. “ She said finally.
“Visit? “ Chris chuckled.
“I will tell you about it later. So tell me, what happened?”
.”Nothing much, we were just on a support mission. It was something minor. A group of marines escorting a drug supply convoy had been ambushed and surrounded by Islamic rebel militia. We were to go rescue them. While we engaged the enemy, a rocket grenade exploded close by, some shrapnel cut through my knee guard and burst my knee cap. “
She took a look at her husband’s swollen knee covered by his trousers and the pad that holds it together, she grimaced. “At least it wasn’t totally chopped off.

Halelujah. Apollux Update las las. Thanks bro.

Good. Keep it coming.

Hala Apollux.
Keep it coming my Oga

“Yeah, I’d have had to bring the severed stump and offered it as a welcome present to you.“
“And I’d have made you eat it whole. “
The couples burst out laughing loudly.
“Laughter? Now when was the last time I heard that in this house? “ An elderly woman, with rounded face, a curly hair in silver and a thick rimmed glasses covering her eyes walked down from the stairs leading down to the living room. “That was months ago if my memory still serves me right. “
“Ah Mrs. Harvey, I didn’t know you were in. “ Chris turned his head backwards to face the new comer. “Wasn’t expecting such an August visitor. “


“You call me ‘Mrs. Harvey' one more time and I’d turn your flat head to a chicken paste. “ The elderly woman growled.
Chris got up on his fit, hobbled to her, relying on just one of the crutches and held her in a strong hug. “I miss you ma, thanks for always being there for my family. “
Mrs. Susan Harvey struggled and succeeded in clamping down on the soft emotional outburst that threatened to shatter her cold impassive face. “I didn’t do that for you soldier boy, just looking out for my babies. You are lucky you got married to my daughter. “


“Love you too ma, you’re the best mother-in-law in the whole world. “ Chris said after breaking the embrace, holding her two hands and smiling at her face.
Grunting, Mrs. Harvey wrinkled her nose. “Flattery won’t get you on my good side today. And you boy smell of mud, oil and gun powder. “
“That’s the smell every battle hardened marines carry with them. No amount of washing can wipe that away. “
“Give me just a week in your marine camp and I will show you boys a thing or two about proper hygiene. “ She walked past Chris heading for the door. “And don’t let me catch you kissing my daughter until you have washed all that from your skin. “ She warned.

“Yes ma’am, I will get on with it right away. “ Chris made an awkward salute causing her cold face to broke into a broad smile which she quickly dispersed by clamping her lips tight.
“I’m out for my Yoga class ‘Rica, will be going home from there. “ Turning to Chris with another stern look. “No mushy stuff with my baby, soldier boy. “
“C’mon mum you are embarrassing the gentleman. “ Erica told her mother laughing.
“Nothing gentle about this soldier here. “ her mother replied her, giving Chris another look then smiled again opening the door after taking her coat.


“Bye ma, “ Chris said as his mother in law stepped outside.
He joined his wife on the sofa and they watched their daughter silently for a while. Chris bent his face and his lips sought that of his wife’s, found them and held them.
“Hmmmmmmm, hey time to hit the showers and scrub that battle field smell from your body. “ Erica said as they broke from the kiss.
Light laugh responded and Chris said. “I left battlefield weeks ago hon, I have taken several baths after that. I’m sure no smell of gun powder or oil still remains on me. “


“Well if my mum says you smell of battlefield, that means you smell of it. To the showers with you soldier boy. “ She did the best mimicking of her mum’s voice.
Chris got to his feet, heading for the stairs and slowly climbed them awkwardly. “Will the pretty lady mind escorting a weary soldier? “
Erica giggled with a glint in her eyes. “Not at all, if the soldier boy will learn to behave himself in the bathroom. “
“Oh no lady, I intend to misbehave. “
“In that case I believe we can work something out. “ Erica said coming to her husband’s side as he climbed the stairs. She called out to her daughter. “Lisa come with us upstairs.”


Erica and Chris were back on the sofa in the living room about an hour later when the bell rang again.
“Any three guesses on who that will be? “ Chris asked as his wife got up to see who was at the door.
“I think you will be right from the very first guess. “ Erica opened the door and in stepped a pretty looking dark skinned woman, with an oval shaped face, sharp chin, kite shaped eyes and well carved big lips. A shoulder length dark silky wedge hair style covered her head. A gray Tuttle necked woolen long sleeve sweatshirt was worn over a tight fitting light blue jean pants. Behind her walked in Jay, dressed in a stripped short-sleeved polo t-shirt over a brown colored chinos trousers.

“Hi Sena, glad you are here. “ Erica hugged her friend.
“Wouldn’t miss it for anything. “Sena replied looking past her to Chris who stood up and was hopping towards the door. “And who do we have here? A living breathing marine monolith. “
Chris threw his arms round the black woman placing soft kiss on her cheek. “Good to see you again Sena, it’s been too long. “
“Yes it is. “ She whispered into Chris ears. “Please don’t scare us again like you did this last time. Erica couldn’t deal with it when the news of your near death experience came . It wasn’t a good mood for her to be in her present condition. “


“I know. Will never do that to her again. “ Chris said.
“And how is our next newest family member doing today? “ Sena said looking at Erica’s protruding tummy. “Any hard kicking yet ? “
“No, he is been quiet most of today as if he knew his father is around. “
“Aunty Sena, “ Lisa squealed in glee as she ran to Sena and jumped on her.
Sena caught her, held her to her chest as the little girl threw her hands round her neck.
“So how have my little princess been doing? “
“I have been a good girl Aunty Sena. Done my homework on time and didn’t cry. Ask mummy. “ the excited girl said.


“Now that’s how a princess should behave. “
“Jacen, Chris, “ Lisa screamed as she saw two young negro boys of the ages of six and four came in behind Jay. She jumped down from Sena’s arms and ran to them. “My dad bought me some new stuff, come let me show you. “
“Cool, “ the boys said together as they ran with her upstairs.
“How’s the leg, Chris? “ Jay asked as they sat down on the sofa together, while Sena took a single chair by the left and Erica was standing behind her husband, her arms thrown over his shoulders.


“Well it’s mended. They had to use wires to stitch the pieces of my knee cap together. “ Chris replied looking at the affected limb. “Healed badly even after several attempts at corrective surgery. The tendons there almost got chewed away by the shrapnel, so no hope of complete cure. But there is hope that I can do a limited unaided walk with it in the future but don’t expect me to run or jump with it. “
Taking a look up suddenly, Chris noticed his wife and Sena were discussing in low whispers. Curiosity held his attention bound on them as his wife never turned about to look at him. Sena however looked up and gave him a wink followed by a conspiratory smile.
“Hey did I just catch you now giving my woman the eye? “

“I didn’t give her the eye, Jay, she was the one who gave me the eye. “ Chris replied his friend with a smug upper twist of both ends of his lips. “And she did that because she loves me better than she does you. “
“That ain’t true flat head. “
“You don’t believe me, ask her yourself. “
“Hey babe, “Jay called out loudly to his wife, circling his hands around his mouth. “ Is it true you love this whity flat head better than I? “
“Sure thing babe, I love him better than I love my turkey face. “ Sena’s reply caused every other person to laugh except for Jay who has an odd look on his face.


“Now how the hell did you get to know about turkey face? “Jay said in a voice the sounded like a high pitched whine.
“Women don’t keep secrets from each other, especially not these two. “ Chris nods towards the two women who has resumed their low voices discussion.
Jay been called a turkey face goes back to his early days as a recruit in the military. That was where he and Chris had met for the first time and heated each other on sight. That led to a brutal fisticuff which had Jay smash a wooden chair on Chris’ head, which elicited the nickname ‘Igbo’ that became what he was popularly known as in the marine.



But Chris had flatten Jay in the flight, bursting his lips and given him swollen eyes which the other recruits had swore made Jay’s face look like a turkey. Hence that has turned out to be Jay’s nickname. Jay still carriers a scar on his jaw below his lips as a reminder of that fight. They had been punished for that scuffle and made to do shit duties for weeks. Both of them had been forced to spend more time together than they wanted. With time they had grown to like each other. They came out of shit duties the best of friends.
“What’s up with Sena, she seems unusually excited. “ Chris asked his friend as he watched their wives still conversing lowly.



“Your quick eyes and wits never disappoints.” Jay chuckled as he continued to look at the women conversing . “We have decided to have another baby, hopefully a girl this time. “
“Nice one though. “
“It was all her idea. Guess what happened in A’stan scared her. “ Turning away a bit, his face took on a pensive look. “She said, with a girl around, she won’t feel intimidated again with her being the only woman among three men. “
The screaming of children caught everyone’s eyes, as Lisa was chasing both Jacen and Chris down the stairs. Sena called out to them to play carefully. They stopped and chased themselves back to the room upstairs.

Incredible. Another Update? Are you back fully now, Apollux?

Pheezie:
Incredible.
Another Update?
Are you back fully now, Apollux?

Lol can't say but updates will be coming in daily from now on...hopefully.

Apollux:


Lol can't say but updates will be coming in daily from now on...hopefully.

Amen to that.
I go happy if update dey drop daily.

“This is all I want. A happy family with lovely friends around. This is why I fought in the marine to give other people a chance to have this. “
“Makes all the shits we took worth it. “ Jay added.
“ Yeah but I’m out of it now. “ Chris touched his injured knee unconsciously. “No regret whatever on both sides. I love the marine but I also love my family. I’m happy I didn’t loose both. Though been out of the marine, I got my family to fall back to. Erica has been a wonderful partner, I can’t ask for a better wife. She kept the home together while I was away. You know I always feel I don’t deserve her. “


“Hey I heard that man. Good you confessed because now I get to ask for a raise. “ Erica said from the other side which got them all laughing.
“I got to say this man, “ Jay stood pointing at his friend getting the attention of both women. “This man here is my savior, my personal Jesus Christ. It’s because of him I'm still sucking breath. He made sure my beautiful wife didn’t become a widow and almost died in the attempt. Can’t thank you enough for that bro. “
Chris didn’t like the sensitive mood that speech was bringing into their midst. “It was nothing man. The marine already thanked me for it by giving me a trinket medal and kicking me out. “


That cracked everyone up. Jay sat back down close to his friend. “So what will you be doing now? “
“I haven’t thought about that yet. Me and Erica haven’t had time to piece things together. There are still opportunities for a semi crippled man to get something doing. For the moment though, we have enough saved that cash won’t be our immediate problem. “
Jay was silent, a far away look on his eyes.
“And what about you, when is your leave ending? “
“No leave for me bro, “ Jay said. “I was given an option to remain or withdraw from the service. I went through a psychological evaluation after the whole episode. The psychologist concluded that my chance of been an effective marine is now just 50%. That it will depend on whether I won’t to continue or not. “


After a short pause he continued. “The truth is after my close encounter with death, things changed for me. I stopped thinking about myself but more of Sena and the kids. Besides with you off the marine, it was never going to be the same again. So I opted for a discharge. Presently I’m a civilian. “
“So what are you going to be doing from now on? “
“Well I’m going to reopen my late father’s auto shop. I still know my way around car engines and hardware. “

“That dump? “ Chris snorted. “It will take a miracle to get that place working again. “
“Yes it will and the miracle could be us. Come join me and let’s put that place up together and give it the miracle it needs. “
“With my limping self? “
“I’ve seen a cripple who does good work fixing truck engines. You can do better than that. At least you did few grunt work in the marine on vehicle engine maintenance. “
Chris was quite, taking his time to think about the offer.



2.09am EST

Multiple thoughts blasting through his mind had kept Chris awake several hours after his wife had kissed him good night. He didn’t know the time had really gone that far until when he turn his eyes towards the LED digits on the electronic clock on the side table beside the bed. Though his mind had been in deep thoughts, his body had remained still, something that has been part of his hard military training in the marine. Even unconsciously, his body has adapt to no movement until actively urged to do so.


He turned to his right, looking at the face of his sleeping wife by his side on the bed. The room was semi dark, even with the overhead light switched off, some light was spilling in through the window from the street lights. With the poor light he looked at her face. Little had changed about that over the years though now he can detect the subtle changes that the lines of age and worries has wrought on her face. But still the most beautiful woman Chris has ever known. Even with weeks and months away from her, it has never crossed his mind once to try another woman, despite his stations in oversea countries demanding it and which was a norm among his fellow marines to sample the flesh on foreign soil.


It just can’t work, no other woman can hold his fancy like his wife does. He enjoyed rather staying alone with the perfect image of his wife in his mind. Some had called him childish or being delusional over a perfect image of a person he carried with him to his place of assignment. The wife won’t look that perfect when you get back to her they had said . But that had been proven wrong time and time again. Each time he had come back to his wife, she had fitted perfectly with the image he had of her in his mind. This is the best decision he has ever made, to marry the perfect wife. And leave the marine, he chuckle inwardly as he thought about that, though his career change was forced on him.

Erica stirred slightly beside him, turning her body under the covers as she mumbled some words incoherently. Chris raised his hand and brushed it lightly across her cheek. Which made her settle down quietly again. A quick look further, showed the huge baby bump that had increased tremendously since he returned back. She is due any day now. The doctor had given them any time between a week and two weeks. She is carrying another bundle of joy for him that he will be the luckiest man alive to witness when it happens. Throwing the covers slowly and carefully from his body, so as not to wake his wife, he stood from the bed. Watching her briefly as she lay back, he walked to the other end, bent and kissed her forehead lightly.


He was on his stripped pajamas as he stepped out of the bedroom then headed for Lisa’s room. She was sleeping too but her covers had been thrown off her and on a tangled lump on the floor as she turned during her sleep. Chris came in, picked the thick cloth up and covered her again. He smiled when he saw what was held tightly by her arms before her chest. The story book he had been reading from for her earlier in the night. A story about a medieval soldier all complete with dragons, knights, witches , kings, queens, princes and princesses. After the reading, she had refused to let the book go claiming that he might be called to go for war before the night was over and take the book with him. Then she will never read about the story again. Chris had laughed then and assured her that his days of fighting wars were over, still she didn’t let the book go. As stubborn and strong willed as he is but as beautiful as her mother.


Closing his daughter’s bedroom door as quietly as possible, he limped slightly, refusing to use his crutches within the passage of the bedrooms area so they don’t create loud thuds. He walked down the stairs with little difficulty to the living room. Over the months, walking has become easier still there is the little limp when he walks and the doctor had maintained he continues to use the crutches a little more. Getting to the porch at the entrance of his house he closed the door and sat on a wooden bench kept there. He looked at the well kept lawn before his house.


A Honda Odyssey mini van was parked at the side curb in front of his house. His wife had driven it out the previous day, then complained of feeling nauseous when she got back and couldn’t drive the car into the small garage. Chris had promised to help her do the parking but had forgotten. The road on their street is small, so some other drivers would have complained about the minivan occupying a part of the road. Chris determined to move it first thing once the day breaks. The stars above where winking in and out of slowly moving clouds and the air has started to take on the cold character that warns of the approaching Autumn.


Chris lay the crutches aside trying severally to pinpoint a particular thing bothering him but failed repeatedly. He just felt restless almost confined. He doesn’t want to blame his knee injury for this nor his present lack of job, but it was hard not to. He would have yelled at the universe and cursed severally why life is so unfair if not for his wife, daughter and oncoming son. With these life has been good. His restlessness isn’t all that his life has to be.

He couldn’t tell how long he sat brooding when the front door opened suddenly and Erica stepped out of it, yawning covering the open mouth with her hand.
“Hi hon, you tired of sleeping in a warm house and preferring the muddy tents and open air of the battle field? “ She teased, coming to join her husband on the bench, who made a room for her and crossed his hand over her shoulder causing Erica to rest her head on him.
“Well being a marine is more than just joining a group. To some it has became the definition of who they are or will become. To others , it’s like their family. “ Chris spoke without holding back a beat as if it’s a speech he is being programmed to give. “Most marines find it difficult to adjust to life outside the fold. “


“That serious? “
“Yeah, it is. There have been several cases of suicide and attempted ones by those who has been out of the corps for one reason or the other. “
“What do you think could be the cause for that? “
“Personally I feel there’s a flaw in the combat training of the marine. Don’t get me wrong, they have one of the best military combat training in the world. The problem is they train the marines to be good soldiers and fighters or killers-Espirit de corps and all that but nothing else. While in the corps under going training, you are made to believe, unconsciously that it’s all about war. But war can’t last forever. How do the soldiers fit back in to civilian lives after all the fighting is done? “


“Ain’t we all moody and mushy this morning. “
“I’m sorry hon, “ Chris kissed her cheek. “Just that too many things on my mind today.
Erica took some seconds to look at her husband before speaking. “Something is wrong. What’s the problem? “
Shaking his head after a few seconds silence, Chris answered. “I had a visitor today, actually two visitors. “
“Hmmmm that’s interesting. “
“Yes hon, it is. “

Apollux:
“This is all I want. A happy family with lovely friends around. This is why I fought in the marine to give other people a chance to have this. “

Is this the way these war mongers think. What about the so called rebels they killed on their home soil?
I never been this annoyed by a fictional story.

Evold:

Is this the way these war mongers think. What about the so called rebels they killed on their home soil?
I never been this annoyed by a fictional story.

Well Chris is not a war monger, just a simple soldier who love being a marine. He was referring to his motivation for fighting for his country. This is the justification be gives to himself. Now we see most men on uniforms with guns fighting and we tend to forget they are humans too with human problems. Chris may be a marine but he is also human with a love life, a wife and daughter. He loves peace and not war. I don't think he has done anything worth condemning in this story so far. Even the fighting at Ghor, he went there on a rescue mission to save his fellow marines . Like he said being in the marine is just a regular job for him.
BTW wonder why you should be angry this is just a fiction story.

Why am I having this feeling that something bad is going to happen to Chris' or Jay's family?
war has its ups and downs, someone must die, enemy or the good soldier

It was late morning of the previous day and Chris was alone in the house. Erica had left much earlier taking Lisa to school. She had said she will be going to see her mom and they both will be going to the hospital for Erica’s appointment. The lawn had been mown by him though at a difficulty with some neighbors watching while he wrestled with the lawnmower. Though he just ignored them. Having taken his bath and reclining on the sofa in the living room, the ringing bell had broken his reverie. At the door were two men, one of them was familiar to him. The familiar one was a marine officer on a green and khaki service uniform. The other person was unknown to him but was putting on a crisp ash colored plain business suit with a white starched shirt and gold colored silk tie.


The suit couldn’t hide the military like stance of the stranger. He may be presenting himself as a business type person but Chris could see that he has a military background.
After the greeting, the one in the uniform asked. “Please may we come in? “
Allowing them in and offering them a seat , he brought out three chilled can beer, which the marine officer declined but the man on suit accepted with a silent thanks.
“To what do I owe this pleasure, Captain Brant Rolland. “ Chris joked as he took a long sip from his beer, addressing the uniformed marine who was sitting beside the business suit on the sofa. “I thought the marine was through with me. “


“The marine was never through with you. You were a fine soldier, you distinguished yourself in your service record and was dully recognized. Your injuries made it inevitable that you will be honorably discharged. “ the marine captain said fixedly as if on a remote control. He had removed his hat and his hair was military regulation cut. Squared jaws, blue eyes, tight lips and blonde hairs and eyebrows. A typical picture of a marine commissioned officer.
“That was a joke sir, I’m sorry it wasn’t funny. “ Chris couldn’t help going back into his role as a marine. His injured leg probably stopped him from standing at attention. “All I’m just asking is why you are here. “

“This is Hank Jerrold, he represents an organization that has a very good proposition for you. “ Captain Rolland said. “I’m just here to make you know that the organization he represents is legit and what ever he is proposing is real. “
After some seconds with Chris saying nothing but looking at the man in business suit, Hank coughed briefly before speaking. “Like he said I’m Hank Jerrold but please call me Hank . I’m here on behalf of D.R.I.V.E, that is an acronym for Directorate of Research Initiative and Virtual Enterprise. It is a private military contractor to the US government, one of them that is. “


“So what does such a high value organization need from a crippled ex-marine? “ Chris didn’t try in anyway to hide the edge on his voice. He had never liked captain Rolland anyway. He had unfortunately been Chris drill instructor back during his days as a raw recruit. That had soured his mind towards the captain. But he found out he likes the accompanying civilian even less. Chris hated the man on sight without a discernable reason.
“We want to offer you a job. “
“Did I hear you well? Did you just say a job? “
“Yes we want to offer you a job. “
“Seems like a good idea, “ Chris scoffs. “I’m sure it will have to be a desk job, right? “


“No, Chris, hope I can call you Chris? “ Hank went on without waiting for a response. “We are offering you a job as a security personnel in one of our facilities. “
The ex-marine controlled the sudden urge to laugh hysterically but smiled darkly instead. “I’m sure you are mistaking. If you didn’t know full well about me before coming here, I think by now you must have seen that I’m crippled. I guess that shows I’m not your man. “
“I’d beg to disagree Chris. I have read your files and my director is convinced you are the one for the job. We are more attracted to your inner motivation, your level of self control and coordination in combat and quick wits with reflexes in sudden change environments. “


“Very flattering of you Mr. Jerrold. “
“I deal in proven and tested facts and not flattery, Hank. I’m convinced you are the right subject for what we need. “
The last sentence caused a spike in Chris mind’s level of caution. Something sounded awfully off about Hank’s particular use of words. He distrusted the sweet talking business suit all the more. If not for the accompanied marine captain, which he hated also, this was the right time to tell the suit to shove his job and trash up his ass. Still he was curious. Something tells him that there are lots that have been left unsaid or are yet to be spoken.

“I know you may have genuine reasons to be concerned, that was why I’m here. “ Captain Rolland spoke for the first time after Hank had picked up the thread of the conversation. “I accompanied him to show that the marine has confidence in the organization Mr. Jerrold here represents. They have had dealings with the marine corps for years and has always been dependable and reliable. “
“So what’s the catch? “ Chris finally asked after taking more time to think what’s been said. He has no way of verifying what the captain just uttered . Still Chris wanted to know more though he has little interest in the proposition, just curiosity. “Don’t tell me there’s none. I know there is. So just spill it out to me as it is. “


“Just this, for you to perform well in the job we are offering, your knee has to be totally cured and fully functional. “
“And that is why I told you before now that you must be mistaken thinking I’m the best for a security job. “ Chris pointed out to Hank.
“We know and that’s where ‘the catch’ as you so dramatically put it comes in. We intend to help you by offering a possible cure for your knee. “
This gave the ex-marine pause. If there was any possible way to return his damaged knee to full restoration, the marine corps would have found it and used that on him. Or is this the marine’s way for providing a cure for him?


Unlikely. This so called private military contractor is a private business organization with their only connections to the military is the services and goods they offer. Something definitely feels odd about this. As much as the presence of captain Rolland has accompanied this man here to help smoothen things out to give it a marine official/unofficial kind of cover, this is not how the marine operates. But the possibility of getting cured dampened the danger signals already mounting up in his mind.

“Tell me about this cure. “
“Basically the procedure for the cure is still experimental at this stage. “ Hank’s speech came in one after the other like a monotone of pre-recorded message. “It is a new breakthrough on accelerated tissue repair. The procedure is to repair and hopefully recover heavily damaged body parts in a way that modern medical methods have not been able to. It was a research project financed by… well you don’t have the security clearance yet to know who financed it. But the goal was to give much better aids to soldiers who got their limbs or body parts damaged during combat. “
“Hearing you using the words ‘hopefully ‘ ‘experimental ‘ tells me this is not a fully proven method yet, am I correct Hank? “


Chris asked taking his time to go through everything the biz suit man just said. Shifting through the words to detect the lies and half truths. Then try and figure out what he is not been told. Already the part about him not having a security clearance to know certain details about what he was being offered irked him but he let that slide. Chris saw Hank as he is speaking as nothing more than a salesman trying to convince him to buy what he absolutely does not need.
“Experimental is just a choice of words . The procedure has been tested enough and came out with possible results. But this is the first time we want to use human test subjects. Especially, soldiers who had battlefield injuries. “ Hank shifted his weight on the sofa as he changed his approach. “See it's like this, we are so certain of how successful the procedure will work on you that we are already offering you the job that for you to successfully carry out your duties, your knee must be properly healed. That is the degree of confidence we have. “


“Putting it that way makes it really convincing. “ Chris agreed. "Like you know I’m still recuperating. I’m still taking time adjusting to my new life and building up my family cohesion that my regular absence because of marine duties have caused to whittle down. So you will give me some time to think about your offer. “
“No problem Chris, “ Hank stood and handed him a business card. “Here’s my card, call me when you are ready. “
“You seem so certain I will accept you offer. “ Chris quipped as he took the card.
“I think this is the best thing for you right now because you get to benefit two ways, a cure and a job. I bet it beats just staying idle and doing nothing really significant for the rest of your life is not a way you would like to check out. “

connecting the dots in progress.ride on boss

“ That’s what happened to me today. “ Chris added as he finished narrating to his wife.
“I believe you must have thought about it, “ Erica said quietly after allowing the enormity of her husband’s narrative sink in. “So what have you decided? “
“Nothing. Waiting to hear your opinion on it. Remember you will be speaking for both Lisa and our oncoming man. So you got three votes to my one. “
“The offer seem too good to be true. But with the credible position of that organization, I don’t think they would want to get involved in shady stuff. It will cost them their military contracts. And a marine captain accompanying the representative shows it’s not a clandestine deal, the brass at the marine corps might be aware of it. “


“I have thought about all that hon, those are the strong arguments for them. “ Chris turned his face away from his wife, his gaze fixed on the moving clouds. “What I’m worried about are the things they are not telling me. “
“What if the things they are not telling you are not necessary for you to know? “ Erica asked slowly bringing his face to her and looking at his eyes. “You really have nothing to loose here. If the procedure doesn’t work, well you are back to where you are before, with a busted knee. But if it works, you not only have your knee fixed, you get a job in a private military contractor organization. “


“Joining the marine cost me lots of valuable time I should have spent with you and Lisa as she started growing up. This I want to make up for. I don’t know the level of security job they would want from me. It could be something serious and may take away more time I’m supposed to spend with my family . Besides I’m tired of actions, I have had enough excitement to last me a whole life time. “
The woman stopped suddenly as if she was struck with a shock, then broke down into an uncontrollable laughter that got her husband put on a worried face.


“Now what’s that all about? Was there something funny in what I said? “
“No hon, just that the ‘I’ve had enough excitement to last me a lifetime ‘ is funny coming from you. “
“How’s is that? “ Chris asked his wife.

Erica stopped laughing as he saw the look on her husband’s face that he is not buying into her jokes. “I’ve watched you for the months you came back. I can see you are happy with us but you are not contented. There is always this eagerness in you to want to do something. As much as you are limited by your injuries, I see it on your eyes every time, you crave action, whether you want to openly admit it or not. At first, going out to join Jay in setting up the automobile repair shop has been exciting for you but I have seen the excitement wane as you either aren’t getting enough kick out of it or the limits set by your injured leg doesn’t allow you to. “


Chris turned away sadly from his wife. “Hon I have seen you try to hide that from me, doing you best to show me you are happy, but the lack of activities is weighing on you heavily. If I’m to have my way, I’d have kept you locked by my side forever. But that will be stupid, selfish and unreasonable. I love you with all my heart but that doesn’t mean I have to cage you. You heart craves for action. So I think taking this offer might just be what you need. “
Crossing his hand over her shoulders he drew her close. “I’m sorry babe, never wanted you to feel I wasn’t happy to come back. I’m not being a very good husband, am I?”


“You are the best husband in the world, you ain’t perfect but you do alright. “ Chuckling she wiggled her index finger before his eyes. “ Now don’t let that get into your head Sir, ‘cause you ain’t as hot as you think you are. “
“Oh yes I am my lady, I’m way hotter than that. Let me show you. “ He drew her face to him and planted his lips on hers. The kiss went on for some minutes, the tension within him draining.

“My problem with this offer is it appears too good to be true. “ Chris continued after they broke up from the kiss. “When things appears that way it doesn’t always end well. “
“Just because it seems too good to be true doesn’t mean it’s all bad. Like I said you have nothing to loose by accepting it. “
“My fear is the parts they are not telling me, it has me worried.”
“It doesn’t have to be. It’s not a contract you have to sign that is binding. If you get in and don’t like what you see, you can easy pull out. “


“It might not be as simple as that hon, these guys are big companies with lots of resources. Their reach is very long. “
“And you, my husband are an unstoppable marine. Don’t worry, it won’t be as bad as you fear, I’m sure. Fret not my lord, I’ve always got your back. “
“Thanks milady, now I can go face the fire breathing dragon with nothing but my toothbrush. “
They laughed soon after that, held on to each other, they snuggled, enjoying each others company in the silence that followed. Later Erica stood up and was heading for the door.


“Hey hon you have one more chance. “
“For what? “
“To get me laid. “ An impish look took over Erica’s face. “The baby might come anytime now and you will have no more access. “
“Yes ma’am I’d get right on to it. “ Chris jumped up with a mock salute.
“Oh boy you don’t know what you are getting into. “ She wiggled her index finger at her husband signaling him to come closer. “Have I got new moves to show you. Just because I got a baby bump don’t mean I’m out. Come closer this old bitch has learnt some new tricks to show you. “

End of chapter 3...i can feel the heat from here (like Firestorm usually say in Justice League Action cartoon... THE HEAT IS ON)

Hmmm. Weldone Apollux. Update ooooooooooo abeg.