BRIAN
The ride is quiet to Beagle Air Force Base. This will be my home for the next few months maybe even years. I do not know what my future is holding for me at this base but I have missed it. Just as we entered the base the Admiral turns to me and says.
"You will report directly to me but you are going to have to go through training again"
I cough and then say.
"I am sorry what?"
"You refuse to do psych evaluations so we have to see whether you are still up to par. Do you have a problem with that?"
I can not believe that a Captain of the Navy has to go through training again but I guess it is also unorthodox for a mentally unstable soldier to come back, Captain or not. I do not really know what the protocol is but it is strange how I really crave to be here. It is almost like I would do anything.
"I don't know, Admiral. I would be the only Captain in the rookie camp"
"Yes, and you will also be the only mentally unstable soldier that came back. We have to get the higher-ups to believe that you will do what is necessary. I believe that you can lead us into victory but you are going to have to prove it to the rest of the authorities"
I know that I have done a lot of things in the past that is probably questionable but it is only because they want me to do unreasonable things. I know that I am not mentally unstable. I just prefer to do things my way and like the Admiral said the authority above me does not agree with my actions.
"Okay, but I have my own room. There is no way that I am sharing"
"Yes, of course. You are a Captain after all. It is only protocol that you need to go through the training again"
I do not answer him. I just stare out of the window watching as the soldiers run in formation and doing their daily exercises. I listen to the sounds of the base and I know this is where I want to be. Then we stop at what looks like a dorm of sorts. I know that this is probably where I will be staying then, we get out of the car.
"I am going to drop you here. You have the afternoon to get settled in. We expect you to report for training at 06:00 tomorrow morning"
He looks at me in anticipation as if I am supposed to answer him. These expectations that authority wants from me really drive me insane. I look around me and I see a few soldiers looking at me. So, I do the thing that I am supposed to. I salute him and say.
"Yes, sir!"
"Good. As soon as your training is over and you have passed all the tests. We will inform you about the mission we need you to do for us. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir!"
I try to put as much sarcasm as I can in my voice but I know, now, that I am back on base and I carry the rank of a Captain, I should at least try and follow the code. Then he nods his head and turns around getting back into the car.
I only have a bag in my hand because the Admiral told me that they will send someone to get my clothes from my house. I am sure that my mother will be happy that I am back but I guess she will be worried too. She will be worried that I will be kicked out again.
I watch the car driving away and then I turn around looking at the building in front of me. Home sweet home, I guess. But then something else attracts my attention. The beautiful sound of an engine roaring in the sky. I can not stop smiling as I spot the jet flying past us. I know that soon I will be back in control of that beast.
"Reporting for duty, Captain!"
I turn around and I can not believe my eyes.
"Jim! I never thought I will see you again, buddy!"
I pull him in for a hug as he has been my closest friend in the time that I spend here on this base.
"How are you doing?"
"I thought it was a hoax when you sent me a text that you are coming back. I was sure they will never let you put a foot in this base again"
"You and me both, buddy"
"I am very glad you are back because the other guys on this base are following every rule"
I laugh as I put my arm around his neck.
"Why don't you stop talking nonsense and show me where my damn room is?"
We walk into the building and then we find my assigned room. It is good to see that the soldiers still know how to salute me. Some of them know me very well and others will know me soon enough. I open the door to my room and it is as basic as I thought it would be.
But the best part about this is that it is my room and I do not have to share it with anyone. I put my bag on the bed and then I turn to Jim.
"So, tell me, is that pub still down the road as lively as I remember?"
"If you mean filled with so many girls? Then yes"
"Then why are you still standing around soldier? Why don't you make me feel welcome?"
He laughs and then we leave my room to make our way to the pub. I remember how we had many nights that we sneaked off the base to spend some time with the girls. Back then, I was not allowed to leave the base and I did not have the rank of a Captain. But now, I can walk off the base proudly because I have permission from the Admiral.
But just as we are about to leave the base, Admiral Miller comes driving along in his Jeep. I keep my head low and just keep walking but soon he turns around and pulls up next to us.
"Ah...Captain Smith..."
I have to control everything within myself not to lash out like I did last time. I have to keep control and follow the rules this time. So, I stop and salute him as he turns off his engine.
"Yes, sir!"
He keeps sitting in his Jeep as he berates me.
"I want you to know that I will keep a close eye on you. I did not agree that they must bring you back. I told them that you will not submit under authority and that you will make a mockery of the system than anything else"
I stand at attention and do not look at him at all.
"Yes, sir!"
"I know your kind. I know that you will mess up sooner or later and then I will be there. I will show them that I was right and they were wrong"
"Yes, sir!"
Then he turns on the engine and drives away. I make sure he is long gone and then I mumble.
"Fuck..."