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“Again.”
“Again.”
“Again.”
Miles Socorro groaned in annoyance. This was probably the 9th time he was doing the same exercise again . His instructor Master Chief Jake Sully was hard. No exceptions for Miles Socorro, son of Captain Miles Quaritch.
Many said Miles Jr., or as he was called Spider, only got into BUD/S and Green Team because of his father. Spider knew that wasn’t true. If it were after his father he would’ve gone to college to get a nice degree and a less risky job than being a Navy SEAL.
But Spider enjoyed the drill. He enjoyed the uncertainty this life held. Most of the people didn’t understand that. Two of the only people who understood were his good friend and comrade Lo’ak, son of Master Chief Jake Sully, and Tarsem, another member of Green Team.
One thing Spider didn’t think of was to find so many siblings in the Navy, especially at DEVGRU. There were Lo’ak with his older brother Petty Officer First Class Neteyam, Charlie 4, and Tarsem with his older brother Senior Chief Tsu’tey, Alpha 2.
Master Chief Sully was part of the Bravo Team. He was Bravo One, the leader. Spider’s goal was Bravo. Bravo was the best.
Spider wanted to be the best .
“Socorro! If you continue like that I will have you kicked out before you can even blink!” Master Chief Sully’s voice was stern and threatening. Spider needed to resist the urge to roll his eyes. No matter what he did his CO always found something he did wrong.
“Yes Sir,” Spider simply replied. He was so done already and the day had only started. How was he supposed to survive the rest?
-
“Man, that was a shitshow,” Lo’ak complained, almost dropping his tray on the table. Spider only nodded.
“Y’know, I’m starting to believe your dad has something against me. Does he hate me or sum?”
“Nah.” Lo’ak shook his head. “He just has a stick up his ass. You’re probably outdoing him in most of the drills. He always had a big ego.”
Spider shrugged. How was he supposed to end up in one of the teams when the leader of Bravo hated him?
“Hey guys.” Tarsem joined the table.
“Hey man,” Lo’ak and Spider replied, glancing at their comrade.
“How’s it going?” Spider poked at his food. He didn’t feel hungry.
“As good as it can be. They’re sending me on a mission with Alpha.” Tarsem sounded so… unbothered .
“With ya brother? Damn” Lo’ak clasped his friends shoulder. “Good luck man. Hopefully you’ll end up with ‘em in the future.”
“Yea… I’m hoping that too.” A little smile played around Tarsem’s lips.
He was a shy guy. Never talked much, always listened but he, by far, was one of the most dangerous. You did not want to end up one-on-one against him. You would lose. No matter who you were.
“And you guys? Got a mission assigned already?” Tarsem raised his eyebrow.
“My dad wants to put me with Teyam in Charlie but well…” Lo’ak sighed. “I don’t really want that. Shows me that he still doesn’t trust me to look after myself.”
“Don’t take it too personal man. He just wants you save.” Spider explained, a certain tenderness in his voice. He wished he had an older brother, or any sibling at that point…
“And you Spider? Anything yet?”
“Nah, I don’t think there will be anything soon. Master Chief Sully was very pissed. Made me do the same exercise around 16 times today.”
Lo’ak barked out a laugh.
“Omg, I’m so sorry,” he continued laughing. “I don't know why I’m laughing but this is kinda funny. My dad is always pissed.”
“He like that at home too?” Spider raised his eyebrow in a questioning matter.
“Nah. At home he’s the loving, caring and amazing husband MaJake .” Lo’ak still hasn’t stopped laughing. He never was good in being serious, when it was demanded.
“Do any of you know where Aonung and Rotxo are? Haven’t seen them today,” Tarsem then changed the topic.
“I think they’re on a supporting mission somewhere in Europe. Master Chief Tonowari took ‘em. They won’t be back until tuesday I think,” Lo’ak answered, shoveling a spoon of rice into his mouth.
-
„Hey dad, I‘m home!“ Spider closed the door and tossed his keys onto the dresser in the hallway.
„In the kitchen!“, was everything Spider received back.
When he stepped in he already saw his father standing at the stove, stirring something.
„What are you doing?“
„This uh lady at the doctors recommended some kind of soup for my shoulder problems and I thought, why not give it a shot. I really don‘t wanna undergo surgery.“
„You‘re taking someone at the doctor’s seriously? Damn, didn‘t think I would ever experience that day.“
Spider‘s dad simply flipped him off, Spider laughed. „Yea, love you too.“
„So, how was today?“, Captain Quaritch then asked, turning his head to look at his son. Spider sighed.
„As always. Sully was pissed and let me redo one drill countless times.“ Spider sat down, pouring himself a glass of coke. „I really don‘t know what I did to piss him off that much , but apparently he‘s still thinking about it.“
„I could always get him sacked, y‘know…“
Quaritch could get Jake sacked, no questions asked, but Spider wasn‘t the person to run to his daddy whenever he had a problem. He solved stuff like that on his own.
„Thanks dad, but I can do this on my own. As much as I appreciate your help I don‘t think that that will get me into the teams.“
„Mhh.“ Quaritch took the pot off the stove. „Whatever you say. Just let me know, if you need help.“
-
“Socorro!”
“Yes Sir?” Spider turned around to see Master Chief Sully walk towards him.
“Tomorrow, 0800, the roll field. Be prepared.” Before Spider could say anything Sully turned around and left. He left Spider with a hanging mouth.
When Spider was sure he was alone, he started his little victory dance. He would go on a mission. With Bravo. That’s the best that could happen.
“You good man?” a voice suddenly asked and Spider froze. That was Lo’ak. That was definitely Lo’ak.
“Yea, sure,” Spider fake smiled. “I just- your dad just told me I’ll go on a mission.”
“No way! For real? Damn bro!” Lo’ak hugged Spider, clapping his shoulder. “You’ll finally get to show your potential. Amazing!”
Spider nodded. “Hopefully. I hope they’ll let me do anything, besides just spotting , y’know…”
Lo’ak and Spider started walking. “You’re on your way to become a Tier One operator man. They’ll let you do some more than spotting. You’ve got skill bro.”
“Thanks man,” Spider smiled at Lo’ak. They walked a bit in silence before Spider spoke up again. “Have you seen Tarsem today? Or did he already leave?”
“Haven’t seen him. Must be gone already.”
“His third mission with Alpha already… They sure will choose him.” Lo’ak shook his head in disbelief. He would go on his 2nd mission with Charlie and his brother Neteyam. At first he wasn’t as happy but now he enjoyed getting that ‘extra time’ with his brother. It was special to him.
“Yea they’re like chalk and cheese,” Lo’ak laughed. “He sure doesn’t want to go back to Green Team, when they return.”
“As if you weren’t the same.”
“Touché,” Lo’ak laughed, then hesitated a moment before he spoke up again. “Will you tell Kiri goodbye?”
Spider and Kiri we’re inseparable, always were. It started when Lo’ak and Spider met on base somewhere in Germany. Lo’ak then dragged Kiri with him and a couple weeks later Neteyam followed.
Back then Spider was still good with Master Chief Sully, now Spider thought the Chief wanted to head but him any time he saw him.
Maybe it was because he thought Kiri was in love with him but Kiri wasn’t . She was head over heels for Rotxo. She could barely talk when she even thought about him. For Spider it was better entertainment than going to the movie’s.
Kiri was like a sister for Spider. There was no way that he could ever develop romantic feelings for her.
„I think, yes,“ Spider answered. „She probably already knows tho. I bet your dad told your whole family.“ He smiled. „But I will call her. I’ll tell her personally.“
„Good.“ Lo‘ak clasped his friends brother. „I would’ve accepted nothing else.“
-
„So you’re really going?“ Kiri tried to force a smile. She failed.
„Yea… Your dad told me today. We‘ll be gone tomorrow.“ Spider took a look at her. She did not dignify him with a glance. She still couldn’t believe that he would go on his first real mission.
„I know you don’t support my decision to join the SEAls-“
„ The hell I don‘t! Do you have a death wish or what?“ Kiri threw her hands up. „What is it with every male in my family risking their life over some stupid shit! “
„It‘s not some stupid shit!“ Spider argued, turning to fully look at Kiri. „I‘m securing this country‘s freedom!“
„Yes, by causing more war! This is what you do Spider. You‘re going to kill innocent people just because they could’ve been terrorists.“
Spider took a deep breath. He doesn’t want to leave Kiri with a fight between them. „One day you will understand what I‘m fighting, what your dad and your brothers are fighting for Kiri. But for now I just wanted to say goodbye , cause you know the risk...”
Spider glanced at Kiri. She was crying.
„It already broke me when my dad came back wounded and couldn’t walk for months. Then Neteyam and Lo‘ak enlisted and now you’re going on a mission… I don‘t know how much I can take Spider. “ Her voice was trembling and Spider couldn’t resist pulling her close to him. „I can‘t lose you, dad, or Lo‘ak or Neteyam. I couldn‘t- I couldn‘t live with that… “
„I know Kiri, I know,“ Spider whispered. „I will return. I promise. “
„You can‘t promise that, you dipshit .“ She tried to hit him, tears still streaming down her face.
„But I can try.“
-
„It‘s easy. We get in, secure the hostage and get out. Brown and Z go through the back door, Fike and Mansk secure the outside and me and Lyle go through the front,“ Master Chief Sully explained. Spider listened quietly. He didn’t want to fuck up this mission. If he did he could die, or even worse one of the Bravo team operators .
„And what is it with green head here?“ Z-Dog then asked, pointing at Spider.
„He will be with me and Lyle. It‘s his first Tier One operation, so I will have an eye on him.“ Spider nodded. Of course he would be with Jake. What else?
„Now y‘all better get a good round of sleep. Tomorrow will be exhausting.“
„Yes Sir,“ the squad mocked, turning to their hammocks.
„You good?“ Lyle asked Spider, raising his eyebrow. He knew the kid, he was good with his dad, but he didn‘t expect to see him at BUD/S some day.
„Yea, am fine. I just think a certain Master Chief hates me…“ Spider sighed, rolling his eyes.
„Don‘t think too much of it kid. He needs to warm up to everyone. It was the same with Brown and Fike and god forgive me Mansk.“
Spider sighed. „He used to like me, y‘know, but I think he thinks that I and Kiri are a couple…“ He shook his head with a laugh.
„Well, are you?“
„Nah. Kiri‘s head over heels for Rotxo.“
„That little Hawaii dude? No way!“ Lyle was blinking rapidly. „She could do better, not gonna lie,“ he paused. „What does she like about him?“
„I don‘t know man… She thinks he‘s cute. And he‘s good with Tuk.“ Spider needed to suppress a laugh while he looked at Lyle. The SEAL looked beyond shocked. It was funny.
„Maybe you should tell Jake you and Kiri aren’t…a thing?“ Lyle then suggested, glancing at his Master Chief.
„Nah. Kiri should do that herself. I don‘t want her to wake up to a strangled Rotxo .“
-
„HAVOC, here Bravo One. We passed Apollo,“ Master Chief Sully mumbled into his radio, his eyes scanning his surroundings.
„Bravo One, here HAVOC copy. Any problems so far?“
„Negative.“
„Copy. Charlie Mike.“
„Roger that. One out.“
Jake turned around and raised his hand. The squad came to a hold. „Come here,“ he ordered. „So, the target is about two and a half klicks away. You know the plan. I want this to go as smoothly as always. No interruptions. Am I clear?“ Jake let his eyes wander around. Everyone nodded.
Without a second word the squad continued walking. About two kilometers away was their target. An easy walk Spider thought. It's nothing he hasn’t done before.
Half an hour later Spider saw the target. It was a typical farm house. Not very big, not very pretty.
„HAVOC, here Bravo One.“
„Bravo One, here HAVOC, copy.“
„We‘ve reached Blackburn.“
„Copy that. UAV is not showing anything.“
„Roger that. Instructions?“
„Charlie Mike.“
„Roger that. Bravo One out.“
Jake took a deep breath. „Okay guys. You know the drill. Let‘s go.“
The squad nodded.
Now, or never. Let‘s go, Spider thought.
-
„Bravo One, Bravo Three. We got the hostage,“ Z-Dog informed the team, glancing at Dr. Grace Augustine. The Doctor was being checked by Brown, making sure that she was strong and healthy enough to make the way towards the bird.
„Bravo Three, Bravo Two. Your position?“ Lyle‘s voice was heard.
„Second floor. We found her in a closet,“ Z replied. „She‘s okay so far, but we need to get her out of here.“
„Copy that.“ Lyle looked out of the window. „The sun will be up soon. More tango‘s will be here in no time.“ His voice was concerned as he turned his head to hear what Jake had to say.
„I agree. We need to get outta here. We got the Doctor. Let‘s go .“ Jake grabbed his radio. They were done here and they definitely wouldn‘t walk almost 6 kilometers with a wounded Doctor.
„HAVOC, Bravo One. Mission accomplished. Hostage is safe.“
„Copy that. Bird inbound in 10 mikes. Will be there in 30.“
„Roger that. Bravo One out.“
„So half an hour?“ Mansk asked, looking bored. „I thought this would be a bit more thrilling.“
„Don‘t say that too soon man,“ Fike replied, clasping his comrades shoulder. „Those tangos are unpredictable.“
„As we speak…“ Lyle mumbled. „HAVOC, Bravo Two.“
„Copy.“
„We‘ve got two technicals inbound.“
„Roger that. Stand fast. Bird inbound.“
„What is going on?“ Captain Quartich wanted to know, looking around in the HQ. „Are they being attacked?“
„Not so far Sir,“ Ensign Parker Selfridge answered, his body upright. „We’re waiting for more intel about the situation.“
Quaritch slowly nodded, fixing his eyes on one of the many monitors. „If something happens to my son, because of your incompetence you’ll be dropped faster than you can blink,“ he then calmly said, crossing his hands behind his back. „I want him back in one piece.“
„Of course Sir,“ Selfridge replied, keeping his cool. He got the boys out of more complicated situations than this one. There was nothing to fear.
“What are we gonna do?” Spider wanted to know.
“We’re gonna stand fast and defend position in case they attack,” Jake answered seriously. “I want two on the top, Lyle you take the green head, two with the Doctor and one’s gonna stay with me here.”
“Z and I will stay with Augustine,” Brown immediately said, raising his hand. “She knows us already.”
Jake nodded and send Z and Brown off.
“Mansk is gonna stay with me. Lyle and Spider-“ Jake looked at the young man. “-you go onto the roof. I heard you’re a sniper. That right?”
“Yes Sir,” Spider confidently replied, straightening his back. “I am.”
“Good.”
-
“You good kid?” Lyle asked as he and Spider laid flat on the roof. “You not much of a talker, or what?”
“I am a talker Lyle. I’m just concentrating. I don’t want to fuck this up, ” Spider replied, his eyes fixed on the two vehicles, still approaching.
“Mhh.” Lyle nodded. “I understand. Well, then I’m going to help you to not fuck this up , bud.”
“Bravo Two, Bravo One. What’s the situation?”
“Bravo One, Bravo Two. Vehicles are still approaching. Ready to engage.”
“Roger that. Stand fast and only respond. Do not open fire.”
“Copy. Do not open fire. Two out.”
Lyle glanced at Spider. The boy didn’t move. “The shit’s about to go down,” the experienced SEAL then mumbled, his finger hovering over the trigger.
“Is everything alright?” Dr. Grace Augustine questioned, looking at the two SEALs in front of her.
“Don’t worry Doc,” Brown replied. “The bird will be here soon.”
The Doctor did, in fact, worry. If everything was okay, why were they staring out of the windows, ready to shoot, if something were to happen?
“That didn’t really answer my question, Petty Officer 3rd class Brown ,” Dr. Augustine raised her eyebrow. “I didn’t ask when our way out would arrive, I asked if everything was alright.”
Z-Dog couldn’t bite back her grin, as Brown stared at the Doctor, a quite shocked expression on his face.
“You can tell her Brown. She’s been here a couple weeks. I don’t think anything will shock her now,” Z then nodded, glancing out of the window.
“Well, we’ve got two vehicles approaching and we don’t know if they’ll come here or not and the bird will still take a while.”
“That was what I’ve been asking for. Thank you.”
“Of course Ma’am.”
“You think they’ll stop here?” Mansk asked, glancing at Jake. The Master Chief nodded.
“We’ve eliminated everyone here. They haven’t heard from them for about one hour. They have to be suspicious.”
“HAVOC, Bravo One. How long for the bird?”
“Here HAVOC. About 15 mikes. UAV is showing four technicals total approaching.”
“Copy that. Instructions?”
“Defend position and secure the hostage. We’ll send air support.”
“Copy that. One out.”
Jake’ grip around his rifle fastened. “Get ready Mansk.”
“Here’s One. Get ready to defend position. They’ll understand that no one’s here.”
“Copy that,” came the fast response. This would get funny .
-
“Fucking hell!” Lyle swore, responding to yet another salvo of bullets. These Tangos didn’t play.
“HAVOC, here Bravo Two. How long does the bird take? It’s getting a bit uncomfortable.”
“Bravo Two, here HAVOC. About 5 mikes. Stand fast.”
“Yea, Roger that. Two out.”
Besides Lyle Spider laid flat on the roof, striking down one Tango after another. His breath was even and his gaze cold.
He felt nothing.
The air smelled of smoke and gunpowder. Spider felt satisfied.
“Here Bravo One. Retreat. I repeat: Retreat. Air support will be here any minute,” came Jake’s voice through the radio. Lyle glanced at Spider.
“Come on bud. Let’s go,” he said, pulling the young man’s arm. “We’re done here.”
Without turning their back Spider and Lyle left the roof, joining the rest of Bravo inside the house.
“Okay, HAVOC said air support is almost here. We’re gonna remain, until they take care of the situation outside. That clear?” Jake asked and the squad nodded.
“Crystal.”
-
Spider sat in the plane, staring at the opposite wall.
He’d just completed his first mission…
And it was a success.
He was so deep in his thoughts that he barely noticed Jake, who sat down beside him.
“I underestimated you,” he spoke all of a sudden, glancing at the young man, who sat to the left of him.
“A lot of people tend to do that,” Spider simply replied, turning his head. “I don’t know what exactly I did to drive you towards anger Master Chief Sully but I’d like to know, so that I can stop doing whatever I do that annoys you.”
Jake sighed. “That one’s on me Spider. I…had no real reason to despise you.”
“I don’t expect you to apologise.”
“I know, cause I won’t.”
“Yea…” Spider suppressed a chuckle. “I’m familiar with that. Lo’ak’s the same…”
Jake looked more surprised than Spider would’ve thought. “He is?”
“Yes Sir. Sometimes I think he’s a copy of you.” Spider laughed. “But in a good way of course.”
“Mhh…” Jake nodded. Then he stood up, looking down at the young man. “Well, I’m happy to welcome you to Bravo Petty Officer Socorro. Tomorrow, 0600 at the HQ.”
With that he left Spider behind, the grin almost falling off the young SEALs face.
He now was part of Bravo.