Post by heartshot on Oct 19, 2019 14:48:07 GMT -5
Ward Slater sat at the end of the bar noting the bathrooms and rear exit, most of the seating viewable in the reflection of the large bar back mirror. "What ya having hon?" the woman behind the bar asked. She was attractive, late 30's raven hair and nice curves with a pleasant smile. She looked like she had done this for a long time. "whiskey and a beer, thanks".
"New in town? I don't think i've seen you around before" as she poured his drinks. "Been gone over twenty years but back now" he said. She raised an eyebrow "military huh? My dad was in the Army and some of you guys always pick certain areas of the place to hang" she said as she gave him the drinks and grinned. "I'm Renee and the first round's on me...for your service". He laughed warmly "thanks nice to meet you Renee, i'm Ward" as they shook hands.
He noticed in the mirror the group of men playing pool had taken a sudden interest in him. Just then a dozen college aged boys came into the bar and Renee excused her self to wait on them. From their conversation they had just come from a game and were almost as loud as the pool players.
As he sat there he became lost in memories...
He had just arrived in the fleet after training and was glad to be with Marsoc Delta company. As he unloaded his gear into the locker the Marine beside him introduced himself "Name's Damien, Damien Sands" he said shaking Ward's hand. "Ward Slater" he responded. "Yeah the boys and i have already read your file. Gotta tell ya they can't figure out why a man of God would leave his flock for this shit" he laughed. "Just felt The Lord steered me here" Ward said. Damien looked at Ward's locker to see a picture of Sandy, his wife. "Jesus! You left her to come here? What the fuck is wrong with you?! Oh i am gonna tease the shit outta you, this has so much mileage!" Ward rolled his eyes "Yeah well she's already pissed at me for doing this, but i felt the call". Damien responded "Okay, Preacher". "Ex-preacher!" Ward said.
The unit had assembled in the briefing room waiting for the new Intel Officer. As Ward sat beside Damien the marine on the other side said "Lt. Montgomery's supposed to be a real hard ass". "Great" Damien sighed. Just then a female officer approached the podium and you could have heard a pin drop. She was gorgeous! There was something to the way she moved and her face was captivating. The men were transfixed. "Holy fuck!" whispered the Marine beside Damien. " NOW LISTEN UP!" she said in a commanding voice, "Let's get something out of the way right now ...I'm HOT!" she laughed causing a combination of laughter and clapping among the crowd. As the noise died down she began "We're going to go over the Sitrep and the unit will be Delta, Captain Sands to the podium please." Damien looked pale and stunned. "Fuck me" he whispered " I'll be damned". Ward whispered back "Most likely, I am so going to enjoy this, it has so much mileage!" Damien gave him the finger as he walked to the podium.
He and Damien became blood brothers in an environment where the Marine next to you is closer than family. "Gryphon" and "Preacher" were their call-signs(with Ward often responding Ex-Preacher!) soon to be joined by Lt. Montgomery or "Heart" as the men named her, because they were sure she didn't have one. But Ward was the first one to see that Damien and Gwen had a magnetism that couldn't be denied forever, and eventually they had given in to their passion. He warned them the brass would go ape-shit if they knew, but he eventually had to admit they must be turning a blind eye due to the units effectiveness.
Six years later Damien came to him. "Ward i think i'm done, It's time to re-up in two months but i'm not doing it i am out". Ward just stared at him. "Gwen and i got married on our leave in Scotland and i want to build a different life with her. This life's too hard on relationships, i mean Sandy left you and i know how hard that was." They sat for a moment and ward put a hand on his shoulder. "Your doing the right thing buddy".
One week later came the Operation that would change their lives. Gwen had confided the intel seemed off and she had recommended canceling it but command green lit it anyway. The ambush was severe, and everyone was wounded but Gwen somehow. Damien covered the withdrawal running from position to position in the dark, returning fire but giving the illusion of a larger force, while Gwen repeatedly drove the wounded through enemy fire to the LZ. Ward had lost his leg below the knee and as Gwen helped him to one of the choppers, he saw Damien on the other. She and Damien almost always rode together but she was adamant about helping him. They were airborne only for a minute when a rocket struck the trailing Chinook in the cockpit and Gwen screamed in panicked agony as they watched it roll over, bursting in flames on the mountain side. He remembered laying on her to keep her in the bird but she finally passed out.
She would never be the same and was discharged for mental distress some months later. He followed her healing process and watched as she rebuilt her life. He received a top of the line cybernetic leg which was better than the original. Damien would be awarded the Medal of Honor, and Gwen the Silver Star for that action. They stayed in periodic touch and she had told him of her new life with The Dawn Patrol. She seemed happy with her girlfriend, but now that he was out of the Corps he felt a responsibility to look after her for Damien. He had to admit there was more than one reason he had returned to Paragon, but he would definately be here for her.
As he finished his drink he watched the Television which showed an old cartoon 'Speed Racer' and the secretive protector 'Racer X'. It made him think of how to go about looking after Gwen, she had a new life and he didn't want to be around her too much, it would be a stress and reminder that she didn't need. Seeing her occasionally would comfort her, but working from the shadows was his strength. He had planned on registering as Gwen had done for official hero status. Perhaps 'Ex-Preacher' should become 'Trooper X'? "Renee i've gotta run, it was nice meeting you" he said. "Just make sure you come back now" she winked, causing him to laugh. He exited and gave the Skulls who had been playing pool the slip as they tried to follow him.
It was closing time as Renee exited work and began to head home, unaware of the skull gang emerging from the ally and following her. Ward exited the nearby cemetery where he had been sitting in the dark. He stopped briefly at some trash cans, picking up a crow-bar before following them. "Trooper X, it will do". He looked forward to the action.