Read Online The Dying of the Light (Book 1): End by Jason Kristopher - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Jason Kristopher
Tags: Horror
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the conversation to lighter topics soon enough.
That was when my friendship began with those soldiers drawn from such varying backgrounds. We hadn’t been truly tested yet as a unit, and we would need to get to know each other much, much better, but we all knew now what we were going to be getting into, and that brought us together somewhat. We might not be able to talk about what we were doing with anyone else, but at least we knew that we weren’t alone, and that just might be enough.
Chapter Four
Fort Carson, Colorado
In the weeks and months afterward, I grew stronger and more disciplined. I trained with First Team’s Alpha squad, and those were some of the hardest days I have ever had. There were many times that I regretted my decision to join AEGIS, and several times I considered resigning, despite knowing that I would have regretted it forever. Besides, what choice did I have? After all, they weren’t just going to let the only living zombie survivor walk around without a care in the world.
Most of the others weren’t even slightly fazed by the physical part of the training, all being Operators, but for me, it was as if I’d thrown myself into some sort of crucible. None of my experiences could have prepared me for the truth of real training. Hell, the most exercise I had gotten to this point was climbing the stairs in my house after a long day at the bookstore where I’d worked in my old life. Still, with the encouragement and help of the others in my squad, I held on, and at the end of the intense twelve-week ‘zombie boot camp,’ I looked and felt better than I ever had.
I could keep up with my squad, was showing great proficiency in marksman drills and even learned the language of the military. I was spared none of the training, and found toward the end that I had come to enjoy it, using my pain and stress to help me push past the demons in my past and learn once more to hope for the future.
I’d known I wasn’t going to be a military man from a young age, so when Maxwell approached me about accepting a commission, I naturally declined. I told him I was happy to stay on as a consultant, and go through all the training the rest did, but I wanted to remain a civilian. I had many reasons, not the least of which was wanting to be able to come and go as I pleased — not that I planned to go anywhere. It also seemed to me that it would be something of a slap in the face to the men and women I worked with. After all, why should I get something after 12 weeks that they’d worked years to earn?
Though surprised at first, and annoyed at the extra paperwork it would generate, Maxwell eventually acquiesced and left me alone about it. None of my squadmates ever brought it up, so I assumed Maxwell hadn’t mentioned it.
On some afternoons, I instructed both squads of 1 st Team in what I had learned during those two days in Fall Creek. Many of the standard tactics and procedures these fine soldiers had learned couldn’t help them now, and some bad habits had to be unlearned.
At my urging, Colonel Maxwell ordered that everyone be fitted for new Army Combat Uniforms (ACU), much tighter and more form-fitting than the previous ones. I explained that anything loose or baggy could be used by a walker to grab and ensnare an unwary hunter.
It was during this period of difficult training that I learned to depend on my squad, who helped me through the roughest part. Barnes especially was helpful, and we grew closer as the weeks and months wore on. She was taking to her tentative position as squadleader well, and whenever I faltered, she seemed to be there to lend a hand. With her ready smile and an encouraging word here and there, I began to rely on her strength, and lent her mine when she needed it, though she never asked. She was strong, confident and independent, the soldier’s soldier. Over time, we gradually became good friends. She made an excellent leader, and we
That was when my friendship began with those soldiers drawn from such varying backgrounds. We hadn’t been truly tested yet as a unit, and we would need to get to know each other much, much better, but we all knew now what we were going to be getting into, and that brought us together somewhat. We might not be able to talk about what we were doing with anyone else, but at least we knew that we weren’t alone, and that just might be enough.
Chapter Four
Fort Carson, Colorado
In the weeks and months afterward, I grew stronger and more disciplined. I trained with First Team’s Alpha squad, and those were some of the hardest days I have ever had. There were many times that I regretted my decision to join AEGIS, and several times I considered resigning, despite knowing that I would have regretted it forever. Besides, what choice did I have? After all, they weren’t just going to let the only living zombie survivor walk around without a care in the world.
Most of the others weren’t even slightly fazed by the physical part of the training, all being Operators, but for me, it was as if I’d thrown myself into some sort of crucible. None of my experiences could have prepared me for the truth of real training. Hell, the most exercise I had gotten to this point was climbing the stairs in my house after a long day at the bookstore where I’d worked in my old life. Still, with the encouragement and help of the others in my squad, I held on, and at the end of the intense twelve-week ‘zombie boot camp,’ I looked and felt better than I ever had.
I could keep up with my squad, was showing great proficiency in marksman drills and even learned the language of the military. I was spared none of the training, and found toward the end that I had come to enjoy it, using my pain and stress to help me push past the demons in my past and learn once more to hope for the future.
I’d known I wasn’t going to be a military man from a young age, so when Maxwell approached me about accepting a commission, I naturally declined. I told him I was happy to stay on as a consultant, and go through all the training the rest did, but I wanted to remain a civilian. I had many reasons, not the least of which was wanting to be able to come and go as I pleased — not that I planned to go anywhere. It also seemed to me that it would be something of a slap in the face to the men and women I worked with. After all, why should I get something after 12 weeks that they’d worked years to earn?
Though surprised at first, and annoyed at the extra paperwork it would generate, Maxwell eventually acquiesced and left me alone about it. None of my squadmates ever brought it up, so I assumed Maxwell hadn’t mentioned it.
On some afternoons, I instructed both squads of 1 st Team in what I had learned during those two days in Fall Creek. Many of the standard tactics and procedures these fine soldiers had learned couldn’t help them now, and some bad habits had to be unlearned.
At my urging, Colonel Maxwell ordered that everyone be fitted for new Army Combat Uniforms (ACU), much tighter and more form-fitting than the previous ones. I explained that anything loose or baggy could be used by a walker to grab and ensnare an unwary hunter.
It was during this period of difficult training that I learned to depend on my squad, who helped me through the roughest part. Barnes especially was helpful, and we grew closer as the weeks and months wore on. She was taking to her tentative position as squadleader well, and whenever I faltered, she seemed to be there to lend a hand. With her ready smile and an encouraging word here and there, I began to rely on her strength, and lent her mine when she needed it, though she never asked. She was strong, confident and independent, the soldier’s soldier. Over time, we gradually became good friends. She made an excellent leader, and we
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