The dawn of a new day. Captain James sat at his desk, sipping on coffee. For once, this was a good cup. A shipment sent from back home, from his family in New York City. He missed coffee this good. James let the coffee go a little colder than he had liked it to, but that didn't stop him drinking the rest. The paperwork in front of him the cause, as he needed to fill in certain reports, and documents to the higher brass. Once James was done, he got up from his desk, heading to the entrance of the tent, that housed the officer, and other commanders. James always liked to see the new day in,

Life buzzed on the base, sure people slept, but there always needed to be some awake, to make sure the enemy didn't surprise attack, but right now, there was PT drills, and other general duties to be done.

Jax always ran early the morning he has really nothing else to do but just workout. Choppers flying all aroun the base at all times it just seems that is it never quiet. Jax runs across and stops to admire the new fresh men and girls doing early PT, Jax laughs as he remembered his first tour and being scared shitless of what was gonna happen. As jax comes back to the officers tent he catches james walking out of the tent. Jax then says to james in his southern accent " well looks like you finally woke up there brother?"

....

..

A cold, frosty Budweiser beside his field-stripped M40A3, Kevin briskly wrenched his swab rod dipped in oil through the barrel while a small radio next to him mournfully belted out "Tuesday's Gone" by Lynyrd Skynyrd through a few random cracks and pops of static. His tired, hazel eyes wrought with bloodshot veins glanced towards the sun gleaming over the peaks of the Kyber Pass. "Another day in the Stan." He thought to himself scratching the stubble on his rough chin and returning to cleaning his rifle. He was a Marine, a Devil Dog and damn proud of it, and if Kevin knew anything, a damn good Marine always took damn good care of his rifle. After swabbing the barrel and cleaning the dirt out of the receiver, Kevin expertly put the gun back together piece by tiny piece before pulling back the bolt with a resounding click. He remembered the first time he heard that sound, July 6, 2005, Camp Pendleton.

KENNY (DOC)

Kenny had been awake for about two hours and was busy checking her pack for any supplies she might be running low on. She'd only just arrived on base and her roomies was an Army chopper pilot named M. Shepard; a Louie at that.

Well here in the Stan any place you could sleep in safety was a four star accommodation and Lieutenant Shepard seemed a nice sort.

This wasn't Kenny's first time in the Stan and till this crap storm stopped putting holes in Marines she'd keep coming back.

As she worked on checking her inventory. Kenny recalled her little chat with her dad back in the world. He'd reminded her of her promise to her mom about going to med school after her enlistment was up and she'd told him she was still heading to school when she'd earned her keep this enlistment.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

MAGGIE

Maggie had been awakened by her roomie a cute blonde that looked more like she should be teaching school than dodging fire an patching up wounded. But from what she'd learned through the vine the Doc was a high stepper with a Bronze; funny she didn't look the type.

Once her roomie was out Maggie dressed in her sweats and headed over to what passed as a camp gym. It was pitiful as far as workouts went but at leaast Maggie didn't think she'd loose any tone while here.

Many people seemed more surprised to learn Maggie was a power lifter than a pilot and it always made her laugh. She'd gotten into lifting when she was a freshman in high school and when she entered the Army she'd discovered a second passion; Marathon running. Maggie had to settle for a stationary bike to relieve her need for running because running here she'd disappear in short time.

Nathanael was sitting on the hood of his Humvee he had stenciled a bikini-clad devil girl on the driver side door. His M16A4 sat within reach, he saw the captain emerge from his tent and he slid off the hood quicker than a jack rabbit and stood at attention awaiting inspection of the humvee.

Dominic was exhausted. He had spent the last few hours on sentry duty. He stood at the gate of the base with Jackson. It had been a very boring night, Jackson wouldn't shut up about his weapon always jamming due to the sand.

Dominic was exhausted. He had spent the last few hours on sentry duty. He stood at the gate of the base with Jackson. It had been a very boring night, Jackson wouldn't shut up about his weapon always jamming due to the sand.

( thats not my jackson right ?)

James starred blankly at Jax. "You've just insulted me, remind me to send you on the first plane home" James said, and then broke into a smile. "I've been awake for the past two hours. Good morning to you, too" James said, spotting Nathanael on jump off the humvee, and he returned the salute with a crisp salute of his own. He always like professionalism, and it was easy for a soldier to forget it in this heat. "Good morning Sergeant, at ease" James said, ending his own salute. "Is she up and ready?" He asked, looking towards the humvee. "I want us to do a patrol, a few miles out of the base, loop around. Make sure there's no new surprises out there" James said, as he stepped towards the Humvee, checking the wheels, and outside first. "Sergeant, round me up a squad. We'll need the company for the patrol, can't go just us"

(Really did not notice had same name. My bad.)

jax laughed and smiled at james. Jax follows james and salutes the sergeant. After jax heard james wanted to do a patrol he got more happier than bumble bee on Christmas. Jax turns to james and says " well slap me silly and call me a biscut looks like we get to go hunting today eh there cap" as he walks towards the med center.

KENNY (DOC)

Kenny finished her little self imposed equipment inspection and inventory and went outside of the medical station and looked over her new home.

Two army pukes walking by slowed to check her out and their eyes bulged when they saw her anchors
"Holy Crap Larry it's one Oh those dryland squids." Says the corporal to his pal an infantry private.

"Now Shane don't be spreading false rumors you know squids belong in salt water an they aint no ocean round here for miles" chuckled the private

"Aint you done heard that the Pentagon brass is planning on startin an Afghan Navy?" Says the corporal grinning as he and his friend bracket Kenny on either side

"So is you one of those Mermaids that done give up it's tail Ms Rand?" Asks the grinning Corporal

"Done give up her tail, that's a goodun Shane" laughs the private

Kenny looks at the two comedians an says
"Actually boys I'm here with the USO looking for a couple of clowns for a Circus we're starting"

Her comment wipes the smiles off their faces as the both show they aren't as dumb as they act.

"Better watch your mouth squid" growls the private giving Kenny a threatening look

(some reason i Double posted and it posted here?)

Natethanel nodded "Yes sir." He said and walked off the first person he looked too was one of the guys standing sentry duty "Dominic right?" He asked the guard.

"Yes staff Sargent" he say respectfully as he turns to face the man.. "Lance corporal Dominic Baltodono." The other marine follows Dominic's example " Walter Jackson." The other marine responds proudly.

Kevin took one last swig of his beer, his face going sour at those final few drops warm on the tongue. "Aww hell." He cursed chucking down the bottle and standing up, flipping his rifle on safe and stuffing it back in his gun bag. He noticed a few of the soldiers in the base were finally getting their lazy asses in gear, but you couldn't blame Kevin for being an early riser. Hell, his paw was always dragging his ass out of bed at 0-500 just to shoot some whitetail bucks. Likewise, he hasn't had much sleep after his last outing, six damn days on top of a dad-gum mountain and he didn't fire a single shot. Well, lucky he didn't cause there were no hajis firing on him or his buddies. Slinging the rifle bag over his shoulder, the gunny swaggered over to the others, chimin' in, "Y'all say huntin'? This boy's ready to go." He looked over at Kenny, giving her a little coon smile, "Howdy." Then he turned to the captain, giving a salute, "Weapon inspection complete, sir. She's as clean as a whistle."

As jax walks past the med center he sees two privates giving a girl a hard time. As the privates are walkign off yelling off some stuff to the girl jax walks to them and says " hey maggots you better learn some respect, i bet she will end up pulling your asses out of some hot water, now since your are all some big tough guys why don't we welcome you to the base by cleaning the out houses starting at 0400 for the next week." the privates both hold there tounges and saulte jax saying " sir yes sir " jax smiles and says "now moving along grunts". Jax then walks up to kenny and says " i hope they didnt make all of us look like assholes there miss"

Nate looked at both marines and finally spoke up. "Alright Balto find someone to relieve you, grab a MRE and load up we are heading Into the O.K Coral. Now do you know any new transfers who do not know the lay of the land around here?" He asked.