Aaron took Freddy's insult in stride and in some ways took it more as a compliment. He understood that Freddy was one of those people that operated under the mindset of 'if I didn't like ya' I would scream at ya'. As the others began to file out of the admin office Aaron began to leave himself when he witnessed what would be by far the most hilarious thing he would most likely see in a long while. Thael being the kind hearted person that he was walked over to Freddy and gave him a hug in the most sincere and loving fashion, the funny part was Freddy's reaction. If anyone else was to come around the corner and see the exact same thing that Aaron was witnessing, he thought, it would look like someone was stabbing Fred with a rusty screw-driver and twisting it. Aaron stayed and watched the inner struggle rage in Freddy's head trying his hardest not to fall on the floor laughing. That was something that he would have to screw with Fred about later. 

Remembering that he was on a deadline, Aaron quickly made his way back to his room and and changed into his official military attire. The room itself was stark and bland since he had no roommate and tended to keep his focus on what he had to do. As he folded his beret onto his belt and began to make his way out the door he paused in front of the mirror hanging on the door. The over all attire was something that made Aaron swell with pride, he had finally achieved his goal of becoming a WARG operative and he was one step closer to getting his revenge on the aliens that had stripped him and his friends of the most precious thing to them.

[i]'I'm almost there Sam. One day soon I will be able destroy all of those damned monsters that took you from us, and I will do it so that none of our friends will have to suffer. Even if I have to kill them all on my own.'[/i]

As if on cue, a voice rose in the back of Aaron's mind and without even having to think about it he knew exactly who it was.

[i]'You know that's not a healthy way to live Aaron.'[/i]

[i]'I know...but its not fair that Liv and the others should have to fight and suffer. If I can fight for them and save them from all of the pain and suffering then why shouldn't I bear that weight for them?'[/i]

[i]'Its not just about you Aaron. I know that you have been angry since that day but you have to learn to let go of that anger and let your friends bear some of that weight with you.'[/i]

Aaron let out a loud audible sigh because he knew that 'Sam' was right. All of the things that his friends were going to have to go through now that they were soldiers made him anxious and scared for them. Aaron had to grow up quickly since he never had parents and had to do things for himself. While some like Freddy, Puck and Fuzzy he wasn't worried about, Thael and Olivia he believed were not ready for actual combat. 
Suddenly realizing that he was still on a schedule, Aaron quickly ran to the weapons store room and retrieved his two favorite short blades, then turned on a dime then bolted towards the main entrance of the campus. Once again Aaron silently fell in line with the others hoping that it would go unnoticed that he wasn't always there.

[i]'Damn it! I have got to stop running late like this.'[/i]

As Aaron continued to berate himself he was reminded of where he was when Field Marshal Sawyer came in barking the details of their assignment. While he went through his speech Aaron kept himself at perfect parade rest doing everything that he could to not bring attention to himself. As Sawyer became more and more insulting and berating it was everything that Aaron could do not jump out of line and defend his friends from the overbearing asshole in front of them. Just as before a voice rang in his head,

[i]'That would be a very bad idea Aaron and you know that. Curb your tongue for just a minute longer and you can be done with him.'[/i]

Taking "Sam's" advice he held his tongue and let him finish. When Sawyer was done with going over the details with them he let them loose and sent them on their way. Aaron's eyes narrowed on the door as it slowly opened up showing the grey stormy skies above them, he couldn't wait to get started.
====================================================================================================================
[c]Ch. 2: Departure[/c]

	The skies above them showed signs that a storm was right around the corner which made their trek through the Doral farmland even more urgent that the group make haste. Aaron continued lost in his thoughts as the group began traversing up and down the rolling hills of the farmland, and as they crested the top of a particularly large hill Aaron took a moment to eye what was to be their destination. In the distance a small antenna could be seen which was some sort of radio transmitter (or so Aaron believed), that was Doral. As time progressed Aaron continued to watch his new Captain slowly degrade into the lazy youth that they all deep in their hearts knew they were, although Aaron believed that it was a bit more than the hike that was beginning to wear down Olivia. As Aaron started to walk up and try to talk to Olivia Freddy made the same move and began to carry on his own conversation with her. 

[i]'I guess I'll talk to her later. God knows that Freddy will talk enough for the both of us.'[/i]

Not much time had passed before Olivia finally succumbed to the attitude of her age and plopped herself down on the dirt road, loudly signaling that it was time to take a rest. As the rest of the group began to find comfortable places to sit and wait for their Captain to signal the march again Aaron looked out over the distance towards Doral.

[i]'At this rate it will take forever to get there, and if the skies decide to unload a storm on top of us then I'd imagine Olivia and the others will be even unhappier.'[/i]

Aaron thought as he looked around at the group of friends. Freddy began 'shouting' at Olivia about this forced break and Aaron could see Olivia become more and more agitated with him. The sight brought an uncontrollable smile to Aaron's lips, something just wouldn't change. As Olivia sent Freddy on a BS assignment to climb a tree to get a better idea of their position Aaron finally saw his chance for a little bit of privacy with Olivia. As Freddy took off towards the Birch tree some thirty meters away, shouting new and imaginative curses as he went, Aaron slowly walked up to Olivia who was still laying on her side trying to nod off to sleep. 

As he made his way over to her he could feel his heart begin to race, his palms start pouring sweat and his throat begin to dry out. He hoped that it wouldn't impede his conversation.

[b]"I will never understand where he comes up with these creative curses, eh Liv?"[/b]