[IC] This Means War

[liah]

"It sure isn't." I frowned. "I wish we could've gotten our belongings before we left. I had an extra blanket, clothes, snacks, and letters from my parents." I grabbed the pillow from behind me and tried to fluff it up. It wasn't very effective. "Do you think they might give us another blanket or something to bundle up with?" I asked, turning to look at Sam.

[natcat]

I shrugged as I slid a hand into my jeans pocket. “No idea. I hope so, what they’ve given us isn’t exactly hospitable.” I said wrapping my hand around the postcard I’d grabbed earlier. It wasn’t much, and I don’t know why I even wanted it when they were always the same thing. Nothing special or heartfelt, just the same message, and I was bound to get fifty more exactly the same. “At least we’re given clothes. More than one set as well.”

[liah]

"Yeah, you're right about that." I nodded in agreement. We'll probably get them by tomorrow." I slid my boots off and crossed my legs on the bed. I looked around to see the last of the beds were full and so was our cabin. I hoped we weren't here long. This place was so uncomfortable. They didn't even have enough food to feed us all. But we were safe so that was the most important thing about being here.

[natcat]

I nodded. "Yeah, hopefully." I said before lying back on the bed. These things were awful, hard and lumpy. Everything about this place was awful, at least so far. It wasn't what our camp needed right now either. Hopefully we could move on soon, to a larger base, something that could handle all of our people and the wounded. With a sigh, I folded my arms over my chest, tired and sore, at this point I just wanted to rest.

[liah]

"Alright guys! Lights out in five minutes!" I heard a voice shout across the room. I wished we had our new clothes already. I hate to get into the bed with dirty clothes on.
I sighed and took the hair tie from my hair, letting it free after being pinned up for so long. "Well..." I turned to Sam. "Get some rest. Who knows what time we have to get up in the morning." I pulled the blankets back and slid under the cover. "G'night!" I smiled at him before lying on my pillow.

[natcat]

"Night." I said back to her, lifting my head to send her a small smile. Sitting up, I pulled off of my dirty boots and sat them at the end of my bed, ready for tomorrow. Climbing under the covers, I winced as I bumped my arm the wrong way. Glancing down at it, I saw that it was still a bloody mess, even after Laura had bandaged it up. With a sigh, I closed my eyes and I told myself I'd deal with it tomorrow.

[liah]

Closing my eyes, I curled up in a ball to try to stay warm for the night. It didn't take long for me to drift off to sleep.

A loud trumpet boomed through speakers that were placed all over the base. Gasping, I sat up in my bed as quickly as possible, my heart racing. "What the-" I squinted, looking around the room to see others jolting out of bed. This was ridiculous. My heart hadn't stopped pounding yet. "Is this seriously how they're going to wake us up every morning?" I threw my legs over the side of the bed and rested my face on my hands.

[natcat]

I sat up groggily. "Trumpets?" I mumbled, as I rubbed my eyes, trying to understand what the heck was happening. "Was that some sort of alarm?" I asked Daisy, seeing her sitting of the side of her bed looking just as confused as I was. What was the time? Searching for a window, I noticed it was still half dark outside. I was used to waking up early from being at our base, but it was never still dark.

[liah]

"I think so." I looked up at Sam. "I guess we have to get up." My voice was groggy and I was extremely tired. Irritated groans and murmers filled the room. No one was expecting this. Glancing around the room, I looked to the edge of my bed to see two uniforms folded perfectly. I stood up and ran a hand through my hair, taking a step or two to the end of my bed and grabbing a uniform. Someone turned on the lights and almost everyone in the room, including me, shouted. I rubbed my eyes, closing them for a bit before they fully got used to the light. "This. Sucks." I mumbled.

[natcat]

Wincing from the sudden light, I shoved the sheets off of my body and climbed out of bed, stretching before turning around and making it again. "I guess so." I said in response to Daisy. Seeing the new uniforms on my bed, I grabbed one and unfolded it. Grey trousers with a matching long sleeved shirt and black belt to sit around our waists. Nothing fancy but nothing comfortable either. "What's the time, do you know?" I asked Daisy, turning to face her.

[liah]

I glanced around the room for a clock, looking at every wall and beside desk in the room. Towards the door, I saw a clock hanging on the wall. "5:30am." I responded to Sam.
"We've never had to get up this early before." I said with a frown. I grabbed the bottom of my shirt and took it off, replacing it with the new grey one given to us. I wondered how long we had until we had to leave our cabin and report somewhere. "Is there a bathroom in here?" I asked. One of the soldiers pointed to the end of the room. There was a large curtain I hadn't noticed before. Walking to it, I pulled the curtain back. It revealed three bathroom stalls and three showers, each separated by another curtain. "You've got to be kidding me!?" I shouted, frustrated with the condition of our new camp.

[natcat]

I rolled my eyes, of course it was 5.30. Hearing Daisy shout from the end of the room, I assumed the bathrooms were just as bad as the beds. With a sigh, I peeled off my top and looked down at my arm. Too tired to even think about doing anything right now, I slid on the new grey shirt and buttoned it up before changing my pants. Picking up the belt, I fitted it around my waist and buckled it tight. Looking around I tried to deduct what the other soldiers were doing with their old clothes but I had no idea. Was there somewhere we could wash them? I didn't want to just chuck them out.

[natcat]

---

[liah]

Closing the curtain behind me, I unbuttoned my pants and slid them off. Quickly, I replaced my old pants with the new ones that were given to us and button them up. Peeling the curtain back, I walked back to my bed and sat down. I grabbed the black belt given to us and looped it through my belt loops. "Do we just leave our old clothes here or?" I asked, Sam. "Or should we just-"

"Good morning, soldiers!" A man burst through the cabin door, loud and wide awake. "Why aren't you dressed yet!?" His face turned red. "Let's go! Move it!" He yelled. I didn't like this guy. I wanted to say something, but I knew if I did, I might have to run laps or something stupid. So I kept my mouth shut.

[natcat]

Sending Daisy a look, I followed her and the others out of the cabin. Five minutes later, everyone was lined up outside of all the cabins, and others were still trickling in from the tents. "This looks like fun." I mumbled sarcastically to Daisy who stood in line beside me. The loud man from before came marching out of one of the cabins and looked over us all, scanning the lines as if looking for someone to pick on.

[natcat]

---

[liah]

"Loads." I replied, just as sarcastic. I watched as the man walked by each of us, making eye contact as he scanned each of our faces. When I thought he wasn't looking, I rolled my eyes. What was this man about to do with us?

"You!" He yelled, walking towards me. "What was that? Did you roll your eyes, girl?" He was in my face now, yelling as loud as he could. I didn't answer. "Cat got your tongue, little lady!?" He yelled some more.

"Not at all, sir." I replied, looking him right in the eyes. I didn't have time for this. Of all people he had to pick with me. He opened his mouth to say something, but was distracted by someone whispering. Immediately, he turned his head from me and marched to whoever was whispering. Now he was yelling at that guy. Great.
After about five or so minutes of yelling, he sent us to march to the cafeteria.

[natcat]

I sighed, this man obviously had issues. "Touchy man." I said as we began marching to the cafeteria. "I didn't know such a big man could be so sensitive." Reminded me of my father in a way, I thought and rolled my eyes to myself.

[liah]

"Yeah, me neither." I shook my head. "I can't wait til we're outta here." I whispered. Who knew when that would be. But the sooner the better. After about a minute or two of walking, we arrived at the cafeteria. Walking through the doors, the smell of oatmeal filled my nose. "Doesn't smell too bad." I tried to say something positive.

[natcat]

I raised my eyebrows. "At least it's a meal." I said agreeing with her as we moved forwards in the line to take a tray. Picking out what was available, oatmeal and a glass of milk, I then walked to the nearest empty table and sat down on a stiff wooden chair. Looking around the room I saw the tired, half asleep faces of my comrades, along with a massive amount of people in deep navy uniforms. They were exactly the same as ours, just a different colour. "That's weird. Check it out." I said to Daisy as she neared the table, gesturing at the other soldiers. "Why would they give us a different uniform to theirs?"