GWOT

	He stood sternly silent, the sweat from the California summer sun beating him through his uniform. All his platoon mates stood behind him as his CO and 1st Sargent stood in front of him. A red booklet in 1st Sargent Schiellfins' hand as he passed it to Captain Brown. Then the silence broke. "By order of the COMMANDING OFFICER of the 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Division Fleet Marine Force. Lance Corporal Timothy Wright has received a MERITORIOUS PROMOTION TO THE RANK OF CORPORAL, for demonstrated leadership and courage in battle during combat operations in Afghanistan. Given under my hand in Camp Pendelton, California on this 3rd day of July 2021." After the pinning, congratulations, and speech he walked away with a since of pride. His Seniors told him how much of a bad ass he has become, and his boys told him how much he deserved it. Finally after nearly two months back from deployment he got the promotion he deserved. His legs were gonna hate him here soon but it would all be worth it. At 0200 in the morning his room was filled with half to fully emptied bottles of liquor and beer cans. He was braced against the wall as his Sargent sent a knee into his thigh as hard and fast as he could. Nearly collapsing onto the floor he gasped for air. It took one other person to hold him up. "Congrats bro, you earned those blood stripes. You now belong to the club, welcome to the NCO mafia." Sargent Moore handed him a beer and the made him shotgun it. Almost every NCO was in his room ludicrously past their limit. Every last one of them gave him a strip and a beer. Even just shy of a blackout he couldn't feel his legs, but the beer kept flowing and he had to prove himself a capable NCO. "Come here bro." Moore and Cpl Ramirez carried him out to the catwalk and shared a cigarette. "Listen bro, you're getting boots tomorrow, not just any boots either, Monsters. Haze the dog shit out of them. It doesn't matter, you need to prepare them for the horror they could face. You have to be there to prepare them, because I wont." He nodded and took an extra long drag looking to the man that shaped him to who he is today. "All of us are leaving soon, and it's only you and your boys who are going to be here for them." After that things got more personal, the kind that's best kept between only two people. 0300 He was helped into his bed, tomorrow is gonna suck.
	His alarm shot him awake at 0700 followed by a extreme shot of pain in his legs. Pulling the covers off his thighs looked purple and swollen. He could barely walk right. Waddling over to his counter a small bottle of pain killers were propped up against the mirror, a small note was tapped to the lid. 'Take two of these every time the pain comes around, trust me.' He followed the note and took the first two. The rest of the morning wasn't as bad brushing his teeth, shaving, and cleaning up his hair. As he put his cammies on he paused to focus on his new rank, Corporal. He slid the pain killers into his hip pocket and walked out onto the cat walk. Moore looked at him from his door and nodded to him. He nodded back and started to waddle down the catwalk to one of his buddies. Lcpl Smith walked out of his room with a cup of coffee and looked Wright up and down. "Here man, you need this more than me." He took the coffee and sipped a little from it. "Thanks man." Taking the coffee back Smith looked over to the parking lot were a Corporal was chewing the ass out of a Private. "YOU DUMB BITCH!!! WHY THE FUCK DID YOU CALL AN NCO A PUSSY IN THE SQUAD GROUP CHAT!! AN NCO! I WILL SKULL FUCK YOU UNTIL YOU BLEED FROM EVERY HOLE POSSIBLE!" They watched him chew out the private until he lost his own voice. "So we are getting some new boots, Monsters." Wright looked at him expecting a laugh. "Units being a test bed for full monster integration. Even getting a monster LT." He sighed and started to waddle back over to his room. As he walked past Moore he gave him a slight tap on the thigh. "Class tomorrow at the RIF for the new boots." He stiffened up from the tap and nodded. "What time?" Moore pulled out his phone and scrolled back. "09." The rest of the day Wright spent most of his time in his room, playing some games and completing online classes. He avoided the gym that day when he could barely squat down to pick up some papers he dropped on the floor. The next day Wright woke up early and downed more pills. He walked down the catwalk to see everyone getting ready for a PT. "Sgt I'm gonna need to sit this PT out, I can't run and could barely squat down yesterday." Moore nodded and passed him the scheduled for the rest of the day. The classes in the morning about monsters then getting the Monsters in the afternoon, followed by a company formation, then weekend liberty. Nodding he headed back to his room and debloused into his chair. After a couple of hours it was time for everyone to head over to the RIF, Wright managing to keep up with everyone. They took their seats as a older man came to the front of the class. "Oorah Marines; when I came in I saw that nice mustang out there. Which one of you privates bought it?" Looking over to Smith he cocked an eye brow to the man. "Isn't this the same guy that gave us the class on stress prevention?" Smith nodded with a sigh. "Yep, same one that always starts off his classes with that stupid joke." All three of them spoke in unison. "And remember to take notes for the test after the class!" They all knew there was not test. What followed was two hours of death by power point about Manomo, their history, and norms. The only part that got any attention from the company was about their quick and streamline dating. It got a quick cheer from the crowd before 1st Sergeant cut them down. "If any of you fuck this up in anyway possible or I get a complaint about anyone, you're gonna be pushed out to stand gate guard until you leave my corps." The class soon followed up and ended. As Wright looked around for a quick exit he saw the base Commanding General with Sergeant Major next to him. They were talking to the Battalion Commander and Sergeant Major. After everything settled down Wright, Smith, and Moore were driving back to the barracks. "Yall see the CG and BC talking?" Moore nodded and focused on the road ahead. "This is more a publicity stunt than anything else. The infantry isn't the place for them, but fucking politicians think that this will secure the monster vote, and keep them in office. Plus it looks good for the CG and BC if it works, so they are gonna make sure it works." Moores' phone pinged from a group chat. "They are at the barracks and we are having a formation to meet them all." The company stood once again in formation. Wright stood along side Moore in 1st platoon as one of his team leaders. They noticed that their platoon leader Lt Arhens wasn't next to Staff Seargent. "Company fall in." 1st Sgt Schiellfin called out. Everyone made a semi-circle around the CO and 1st Sgt, standing behind them were the new monsters. All Lance Corporals, all looking both nerves and exited. One even had a set of 2nd Lieutenant rank on her collar. "The Corps is a interesting place. Full of people you would never have met before, and people you will never forget. One of those people is Sergeant Moore." 1st Sgt spoke as he pointed Moore out. "We say good bye to this war fighter as he moves on to do bigger and better things with his life. Brother you will be missed, I'm glad i was able to call you a brother." Sgt Moore walked out and shook 1st Sgts' hand before turning to the crowd. "Do your job, never quit, and don't let anything stop you." Moore shook the COs' hand then 1st Sgts' again as he walked back next to Wright. 1st Sgt then turned to the monsters behind him and motioned them forward. "As Sergeant Moore leaves we are getting these fine ladies here. Every last one of them has surpassed the obstacles put before them and have answered this nations call."  1st Sgt pulled the officer up first, a Lilim, announcing that she would be 1st platoons LT. Then a salamander, hellhound, jinko, a pair of lizardman, a living armor, minotaur, ocelomeh, a red and blue oni, lamia, manticore, a dullahan, and a dragon. Wright didn't pay much attention to them at first because as soon as they saw them the Lim Lt took them away to one of the barracks common rooms. "Now gents, I understand that sometimes we make bad decisions in the hast of the moment. However if I get one complaint from them about anyone of you, your ass is got. A lot of people will be watching us, and we will not fuck this up. NCOs come to the duty hut for duty roster, everyone else dismissed." Wright said his last goodbyes to his mentor and a hug, Sgt Moore was now Mr Moore, it was gonna be their last time seeing each other. In the duty hut Wright saw that he had duty tomorrow at 0745. "Hay Wright, BC is having OOD and AOD patrolling hard around the bricks tonight. So no drinking and parting, they are looking to snatch people up. Plus with those monsters things can go bad quick." Wright nodded to the duty and headed up to his room on the third deck. Passing the common room he could see all the monsters around the Lt. He could barely hear what she was saying but it was something along the lines of 'Behave and don't do anything stupid. Control themselves.' On his way up he came to one of his buddies room, Cpl Ramirez, and asked to borrow his khaki short sleeve for duty. That night he settled in early to rest up for tomorrows duty.
	His alarm woke him about an hour before his duty, plenty of time to get read. Shower, shit, shave, brush, and dress into his service charlie uniform. It was a bit tight being Ramirezs' shirt was a size smaller. When it actually came time he headed down to the duty hut to relieve the last poor sap. Cpl Martinez was sitting behind the duty desk sleep deprived, peach fuzz, empty dip and Ener-G cans, and a lifeless 'ya.' "Special instructions from Sgt Mjr. No marine will be caught in or around the Manomo rooms, or to be fraternizing with the Manomo. Anyone who is, will receive a BATTALION NJP. Duty NCO will roam between 0000 to 0230 while A-duty is standing post at the duty desk." He nodded and let Martinez pass off the duty belt before signing out of the logbook and heading out. He adjusted the duty belt to fit him better then clipped its brass waist plate on to secure the belt. The EGA popped out from its shinned surface, Martinez must have been bored enough to actually shine it. Sitting down he signed into the Logbook and looked over to his A-duty. The Private was one of the boots for mortars, a little Mexican kid with glasses and greasy hair. He smiled at Wright before frowning and putting his nose into some little teen fiction book. Wright looked back forward and sighed ten minutes into his 24 hours and he already wanted to punch this kid. Around lunch time he was in the PX getting a sandwich, Cigarettes, and a Monster can. The can had a Manticore on it with the slogan, 'Unleash the BEAST!' "Shit Wright looks like some one finally picked up. Plus your on duty, damn dog." Looking up he saw Eli, one of the machine gunners from weapons company. "Hay man, your looking good. CAAT treating you well?" He laughed and motioned to the thirty rack. "Me yes, my boots? About to find out. What about you I heard you got those monsters?" Write nodded back to him as they moved up in line. "Yeah bro, I don't know how I feel about it. We'll see how they preform." Eli shook his head and tapped wrights back. "Man you can't trust them, they will jump as soon as you turn your back. You saw what they can do in country. Listen man, trust me, my family was one of the founders of the inquisition. I know what I'm talking about." Wright shrugged, making his way to the counter and paying for his shit. Turning around to say goodbye to Eli he saw the dullahan standing behind him looking sheepish, with her head in her basket. She had to have over heard them. When she noticed he was looking at her she seemed to jump. "Oorah Corporal." He just looked at her with a "Rah." Sitting behind the duty desk he flipped the logbook open and noted the rest cycles. "So, I'll go on rest from 1930 to 2330. You will rest from 0230 to 0630. Be down here at 0700 for change over." He closed the logbook and looked up to the boot bug eyeing him. "Aye Corporal." Sighing he stepped outside and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it and looking down at his watch. 18 more hours to go. As he was smoking he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Looking back up to the 3rd deck he saw some beer bottles looking down at him. Wright noted that the beers were on the same side and about where the monsters rooms began. Snuffing out the cigarette he headed up stairs to check out the beers. Looking through the room roster in the duty book he nodded when he came to the beers and the door they were in front of. Lcpl Adaline and Lcpl Phara room 321. He knocked on the door as. "Duty I know your in there open up." It took a couple of seconds before he heard a thumping. The door opened up to a dragon in a crop top and shorts, next to her was the hellhound in a hoodie with nothing else. Luckily it was a couple sizes big. "I don't know how old you two are but clear up your trash, don't leave your shit out." The dragon seemed to scoff him off as the hellhound leaned into the door frame. "We are sorry corporal, we'll clean it up right away. If you have any more problems or need anything you can knock." Rolling his eyes he started to walk off. "Just clean your trash." Walking to the other side of the third deck, Wright entered his room and started to undress for his rest cycle. Jarring awake from his alarm Wright put his charlies back on and headed down to the duty desk with his Monster can and cigarettes. Behind the desk the A-duty was behind his book snoring and head bobbing for dick. He kicked the shit out of the desk and smacked the book out of his hands. "Go ROAM, and wake THE FUCK UP." The private ran out of the room scared shit less. After a minute he sat down and logged into the duty book. '0000 Duty NCO returns from rest cycle, nothing unusual to report at this time.' He rubbed his temples for a minute before the private came back down. "Corporal, there's something happening on the third deck and I don't know what to do. There's beers everywhere and they are being to loud." He sighed and opened up the can to take a big sip. "So why didn't you stop them?" The private stopped and looked over his shoulder for an answer. "I don't know corporal." He took another sip and stood up. Sighing he took his cigarettes and the logbook; "Stay here." Lighting his cigarette in the stairs, he headed up and stepped onto the catwalk. Walking to the music and all the trash, luckily it wasn't on the monster side. One was standing close to the edge letting their inner demons go. Wright pulled him away from the edge and tossed him down the catwalk. "GO to your room and go the fuck to sleep." He looked at the door to see it was barely open. Peaking inside he saw seven privates blasting shitty music passing a bottle of jack around. He also saw the red oni with her own bottle, nothing good is gonna come from this. He took a step back and eyed the door. All of their eyes shot to the door and bugged out as it was suddenly and violently kicked open. "ONE, who is 21 OR OLDER? TWO, is LIQUOR allowed in the barracks? THREE, are you allowed to drink with monster?" Before any of them had time to answer he grabbed the bottle and throw it out the door. He grabbed the closes private and tossed him out the door. "GO the Fuck to your rooms and go the FUCK to sleep." The privates rushed out trying not to look at him or touch him while he stood in the door. "You. Go to your room." She looked at him and stood up with the bottle still in her hand. He noticed that she stood about a foot over him. Must have had a extra long hoodie just to fit her. He grabbed it from her and motioned down the catwalk, she sighed and started down. "You know I'm over 21 right? Plus your alcohol doesn't effect me that much." He took a drag from the cigarette that he almost forgot about. "It's Corporal, it's respectful to use it and you will use it. I don't care whos' boot you are." She glanced over her shoulder down at him. "Why are you following me corporal? You gonna give me my drink back or are we gonna share?" She laughed a little to herself and turned around once they were at her door. Looking up at her he sighed and took another drag. "I don't trust any of you yet so I was making sure you actually went to your room, and I'm getting rid of this." She opened her door and started to slide in. "It's because I'm a monster, or a girl?" She started to close the door before he jammed his foot into it. "I don't trust you because you just got to the unit yesterday. I don't give a fuck about anything else. Do your job and don't take shit from anyone." He pulled his foot from the door and saw her smile briefly before closing the door. Walking down the catwalk he felt the same edge of someone watching him. Once again no one was there. Wright looked down at his watched and took a drag. Another six hours and he was off. Once he got back to the duty desk he flipped the logbook open and began to wright, '0030 Nothing unusual to report at this time.' The rest of the night was uneventful; OOD walked on and off deck to make sure everything wasn't burnt down. finally at 0745 Cpl Wright finished his part of the logbook and relieved duty watch to Cpl Miller. Walking up to his room seemed like a hike. Entering his room he stipped down into his under wear and took a swig from his new bottle of saki, another big sip and he was out. His last though, 'Shit she wasn't lying.'