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My Gym Partner's Bro Tends The Privates Part Five. By Eightane ************************************************* Will stood frozen, not a hair on his body doing otherwise; when David popped in beside him, the result was no different. Above them, two giant disco balls, reflecting strobes of blue, green, yellow and red, over a male crowd of fifty or more. The beat was a bass-amped flow of [5], and overdriven speakers hung from all four walls, one just above Windsor's head and close enough to vibrate his arm fur. The wince from that narrowed his stare, to which the crowd itself was easily highlighted. Black tees, fishnets, some just shirtless; most with plastic cups in-hand, shuffling slow enough not to spill. Nearer to them, maybe three feet ahead, two wooden tables had been pushed together end-to-end, holding more stacked cups, a punch bowl, a 'fifth' of every liquor he could imagine, a plate of brownies and... A pile of shirts. Folded neatly as for where they were, after all; but from the fragrance, anything but clean. The young ape's shock diminished, but it helped nothing to know just how he'd likely find that pair. Fighting tremendous inner hesitance, he sauntered his way through, nearly on tiptoes without knowing. Not a conscious decision; more an instinct that maybe he'd feel purer, in this sausage-mosh. Stepping past each sweaty, moving soldier, and none ever batted an eyelash. Some clearly didn't know he was there and acted the furthest thing from lucid. Fists pumped high in the air, grins on most every face... Windsor's own furrowed with disdain, not too young to know the signs of 'influence'. David shadowed him, as close to the back of his knees as safely possible; those spectacled eyes wide as saucers, looking ready to wet his fatigues. Among the more out-of-it soldiers, brayed punctuated grunts on the beat, at least for those with rhythm; and it was on this last observation, Windsor stumbled to the hole in the crowd's center. He wasn't wrong about who'd star in this menagerie; Will was on the floor, topless along with Josh and a slender moose, while all three broke it down like pros at an awards show performance. The elder ape's teeth gritted, his limbs a flurry of lightning-fast, super-diverse moves, emulating the hardcore beat. Windsor, arms akimbo at the clearing's edge, watched with all the judgment he could collect. Then, past the blaze of gyrations, he saw what lay beyond Will; and it was that much easier to find himself holding his nauseated gut, than when he'd passed the pile of shirts. Jerr also kept the beat, just as naturally... Held up in the air, by a bison in green tank top, denim shorts around his ankles while he tapped that monkey's ass on every measure. The grunge-stiffened cap teetered atop it's owner's shoulder blades, while he went down on the dolphin who held his arms firm and level. For every second pulse of the drumline, he took the tip down his gullet, the nude cetacean sneering in dominance above. Half the crowd was watching Will and his 'backup'; the other, dirtier half was glued to Jerr's activity. Both factions were in equal soused, admiring frenzy. Aardvark and young gorilla stood powerless, beyond all words, as the mix that rocked the speakers carried over to [6] and summarily ramped itself up. Will likewise energized even more, a barrage of feet and elbows and supercharged motion, to where the moose and Josh stepped back to join the others in spellbound amazement; it was a miracle, that the drenched ape's eyes could even open, let alone that they'd happen to right when they'd rest on the pair of crashers. Windsor, even in disgust, didn't overlook Will's show of prideful welcome, in the breathless laughter. So he stayed, as the elder ape strolled over, loosely on two well-worked legs, and laid a lazy hand on his shoulder. "Good to see you not taking their shit out there, at least on the temporary." His younger bro read lips - a necessity for the amped-up bass - while his other hand rose, drifting out to sweep across the crowd. "Witness what the big boys do, in a perfect world. There's only booze to swill, but nothing says you can't join the dance wars." The younger ape curled a fist to pry Will's grip from his neckblade by the wrist with the truest of scowls. "I fail to see the 'perfect world'... Though I'd not wonder what you imply. And you'll RUE the day you condescend to me." Will wasn't unwise to Windsor's issues; he just did anything but care, one side of his maw curling up. "True, you'd not understand me now... I'll give you a few years, to reflect and pine for what your age won't earn you today. That is..." He leaned in, head down to shoot Windsor a sly upward peer. "... You're not trying to step it up, I take. Some of what's goin' down is above you." His eyes skewed sidewards, neck craning to reverse-nod towards Jerr. "Like you don't have eyes to see." Windsor's face, like he'd sucked a lemon. "No, I'd not want to join this legion of rakes you've amassed. Though God help me..." His disdain softened, if only for a moment. "... I'd be curious to know how you facilitated this. It's not the least undertaking of yours, by any measure." Will's prideful gaze ingrained deeper, while he aped a secretive whisper-tone. "Craziest thing, the guys here were all too ready to throw down for some hot, heavy antics. Who'd ever imagine." Until now, Windsor'd assumed Jerr was too... busy to notice. Only to be dashed when his head shot up off the dolphin's tapered self, a grinning gaze hiding nothing of the pre that slicked his chin. "Yeah, picture that shit, a bunch o' frustrated jarheads who'd want a manparty so hard they'd work their balls off throwin' it up." He leaned back down, teeth in wide grin as he rubbed his cheek on tapered manhood. "Sure as fuck's clear why the shower went so damn well-" His sentence, though done, was made abrupt by the dolphin's hand lifting his chin, to lock their eyes. "Jarheads are marines, shrimpdick. Keep us distinct from those fags, you hear?" Jerr just nodded, transfixed by the smooth, square jawline, and the first break of David's cowering was a jittery chuckle. He'd kept such a low profile, only Winsor knew he was there, behind. Until now, when Will's smirk widened, and he peeked around the side of his sibling. "Well, so my bro really does have a sidekick. Assumed those letters were just pulling my leg." "Pulling Mom's leg," Windsor speedily corrected, "And he was present when you cursed this bivouac by showing. So karma's finally dropped in, to truncate your memory." Will punched his shoulder, just hard enough to be rub-worthy. "I'd just thought he was a lost cause like you." He watched the grey marsupial, who sat almost shaking from the newfound attention. "Though it seems I may still be correct." Oh, this clown," dolphin interjected. The tone was ambiguous, but one thing it made clear was a mood less-than-friendly. He stepped away from Jerr, holding the chimp's arms for just long enough that the buffalo could take them up, his sleek member softening, retreating to its slit. All nearby could see the change in his machismo, and even the enthralled mob around them knew this wouldn't be nice. His smirk curved down by its corner, every step towards the aardvark slow-but-firm. "Glad to see him here", he shot to Windsor for the tiny instant he gazed on something other than David, "Some business between us." He clasped fists, rubbing them together while his tone slid unsettlingly gentle. "C'mon, small fry, let's shoot the breeze a minute." While he arched his shoulders, in approach to the younger ape and aardvark, Jerr was empowered to climb the bison's arms, freeing his cheeks and tumbling to the ground in fall-breaking roll. Buffalo's shorts came up, fastened with haste; Jerr shot to his feet, close on the dolphin's heels. Quite rare to see that monkey's face in wary objection... From that alone, Windsor took a load of concern, written on his eyes. David, in the meantime, shrank back like a long-spent flower, until so distracted he tipped and fell to the floor. None could miss the terror, telegraphed through his focus on the dolphin. Six feet of sleek blue muscle strolled up, and just before stopping above, bumped his toes on the aardvark's stomach. Not too hard, but enough to expel David's breath. He rubbed his gut, while the male above made menacing head-cock. "Ohhh, my bad, guess I stepped a bit too far. Won't happen again-" The same foot came up, and proved the sarcasm with a swift kick to David's kneecap. On the floor as he was, with legs bent upwards, it was horrid luck; what would normally be a simple clash of bone, pushed David's cap toward his upper leg, jamming as it rolled further than would ever be healthy. On instant came the shrieking yelp; and as the tent grew quieter, save for the music, all eyes set upon the pair. David rolled on the floor in pain; the cetacean above, failing in his bid to hold off smiling. "Ooo, sooo sorry, man. I just don't know what's wrong with me." The smile lingered, but set hard with his newfound glare. "It's like my feet just wanna go where they shouldn't..." Jerr, Will, Windsor, Josh and a hoarde of shirtless men looked on; Will himself, clearly the angriest, fidgeting as the wheels turned in his head. For now, he was without ideas to stop what looked to be developing. So it stayed, as the dolphin's glare grew to blood-curdling extreme, and his tone leapt to shiver-worthy. "... Sorta like yours, when they carried you in here." David, though in agony, ceased rolling in a heartbeat, gasping while he watched two pewter fists slam together and extend with knuckles cracking. The voice gave no quarter, not so much as an inch of its steady doom. "It's not all bad news... You at least should know, before your twenty-one-gun salute, y' got balls." Slow, and seeming practiced, he bent down, fingers white for how hard they clutched David's shirt. It took near-nothing to lift him off the dirt, and, at last, Will formed a plot. Now, it was just to wait for the proper moment.

Brief and pitiable, the window of time where David struggled to slip free, before settling to a stare of pure horror. The dolphin's smirk was gone; what met David was emotion's black hole, no trace of joy or ardour escaping that wall of brawn. Only now, would speech come from the aardvark, quick, thoughtless, and chattering through his teeth. "I-I'm sorry, I'll have it on Tuesday, it's in the bag, you don't have to-" "-Don't have to what?" The pitch again shifted, from devilish to silky and even; butterscotch from the dolphin's chords, while his biceps only tightened. "Do just what I promised to, if you fucked me over again?" David swung suspended by his collar, and the dolphin's hand brought him close, so much that a hair could hardly fit between their noses. "It's not rocket science. When I ask for Grade-A, you get goddamned A, not the Huckabee revue." Jerr, and half the more-involved onlookers, reacted in subtle realizations. The young Windsor wasn't among them. "Now I'm comin' up on some R&R, in less time than it takes to cook a turkey. An' thanks to you, my wallet's light and I'll be bored stupid." He shook the gripping hand, lurching David's form like a speedbag, bouncing the pitch of his whine. "You consider that, pal? That ever occur to you, how selfish it is when you're retarded?" Soon, the booming soundtrack switched over to [7], though no one was dancing. David, the victim of what was clearly self-won, trembled uncontrollably. Wracked with fear, he was long-past rational thought, so there was no chance to consider, before he blurted it. "W-well once they find this place out, you won't be getting off anyway, so-" He screamed, just as his captor reared back, like a well-honed quarterback. The grey ball of terror choked an instant, with shirt's collar cutting into his neck; but he'd prefer that above where it led, the wind on his back as he hurtled through the air like a pigskin. The high scream shot past many heads... And all David knew was what goes up must come down in a world of pain. Or so he thought, until his lumbars were cupped into a wide hand; following the motion just enough to absorb any shock. Will's palm moved even further, until the arc carried his arm to behind him; whereupon he spun on one foot, and gently rolled the aardvark to the ground, free of injury. All the while, with a chorus of gasps all around, starting in concern but ending downright-impressed. David's recovery took time, awaiting his faculties; he leaned up, rubbing the dust from his temple, with a light shimmy to jog his brain in gear. Not that anything stopped, around him; Jerr's fists clenched in sympathy, Josh looked honestly in shock, and the crowd nearby parted as Roland pushed his way through. All staring daggers through the dolphin, save for Will; he wouldn't have time, what with sprinting towards the instigator, all strength in his wrists as he shoved against the crystal blue washboard. The extra foot of height the dolphin had on him, meant jack shit; it still hit him like a cannonball. As the ape came to a halt, roughly where he'd slammed, he viewed the dolphin's impact on the ground, six feet back from where he'd stood. The composure from earlier was vanished, a gurgling yowl with his spine sliding on the uneven ground. Any rougher, and he'd have been down-and-out; so taking his time, he staggered to shaky feet. As he did, Will's digit-curling rage was as deep as his own. There wasn't pity in the gorilla, walking up to butt the dolphin with his gut, just enough to keep him off-balance. "The fuck are you on, asshat? You too blazed to see the size difference, there?" Yes, his foe was off-guard, but not so much that he couldn't hold his own as they stared holes through each other. "Fuck no, and that's just it. I think you caught the point..." He tried to look past Will, as David scrambled up and back against the crowd, but Will pushed him further. This time, the dolphin was ready, and snatched ape's wrists in hard grip. Will's muscle, though genetically endowed, was barely more than that of a seasoned fighter; Gazing down to see his fists out of the equation, he recognized one tattoo in particular; the symbol of a Ju-Jitsu dojo. Quicker than thought, a trace of fear diluted Will's veins... But even stronger in spirit than form, he chased it away just as fast, and rejoined the dolphin's glare, while the latter rejoined exposition. "... He's had three strikes. Shithead's not about to get off with four." Some things were just instinctual - in this case, Will's comprehension of the men around him. He wouldn't have to glance around and confirm; he could stick fast in matching his adversary's focus, while the case was made. "Oh, I'm thinkin' he is." He clenched arms, and in a flash freed himself from the dolphin's grip. Standing so close to a muscled male he could feel the body's heat would never be unpleasant; but now the cause was greatly less wanted. "I don't give an asian-burrito-squirt what connects you two, but I DO know if you pick on my bro or my bro's friends..." He raised a hand, and slowly, methodically, closed it on the dolphin's chin, to shake it condescendingly. "You'll be the worst kinda bitch in the book." Will knew well that would be what did it, and the bully did just as expected, pushing him off and flinging the first punch. But Will's muscled chub didn't speak too honest of his speed, and the blue fist went airborne by his cheek. The crowd of men erupted in shouts and cheers, their own fists held out. Will didn't notice; he was in the zone, and countered with a hard blow to the dolphin's lower stomach. All that saved from a doubled-over impact, was the presence of that washboard; as it was, he still wrenched back, so close to holding himself in unpredicted pain. All the while, Windsor thought on what he'd saw, and, as David stood and sidled further back in a subconscious move of safety, he flashed over a group of memories. The few times they'd be out, near curfew, and the aardvark would step away, citing 'something he forgot' just before they were forced to part for their respective barracks. Or the days when David wasn't quite as 'open', and would skip lunch, but never admitted feeling lousy. The young ape had accepted it as par for either an adult or an actual, non-ROTC soldier. He'd assumed it 'man's business' or some duty; but now, he was forced to connect the dots. David looked no more natural than he, in a party like this; but there was one, gigantic reason no one looked down on him as they'd entered. Windsor's lip twitched, as it sank itself in; a part of him wanted to continue where the dolphin left off. But distraction spared the aardvark, Jerr's tail whipping by Windsor as he galloped toward the brawlers, using nimble skill to leap high on the dolphin's back. Before any reaction, orange legs wrapped his neck, and two sets of fingers clamped over his eyes. A grin set on Jerr's face, for the instant he gazed into Will's. He'd bought the gorilla time to do the same, shooting the chimp an upward thumb. Their canvassed foe reached up, about to pry away Jerr's fingers, before Will clocked him in the shoulder.

Jerr's words were murmured straight into his earslits. "Hate I have to do this, man; you were the bomb, but Will's never wrong." The dolphin heard, but also felt the breeze of Jerr's tail, whipping forth in his excitement. There was just enough time to both catch the notion and run with it; on the next whip of that tail, their foe's neck lunged forward, and teeth gnashed over that appendage. No sound is quite like a monkey's scream... It jolted spectators, sent a ring through the culprit's ears, and ignited such a hatred in Will some might swear his skin went red. Jerr dropped off the dolphin's back like a sprayed flea... Giving Will just the window he needed, to explode his every force into one tiny point on his fist; the point that rocketed forth, and as some close-by viewers would say, caught that fag right between the eyes. It was as if there'd been a cord fastened to the dolphin's neck, and it was yanked down through the dirt. His arms went limp as ribbons while he dropped, but bounced hard like the rest of him, as his laid-out core did little more than wheeze. Moments passed, stringing into one another; he retained consciousness, by some fluke, but was past any of defending. He knew what came next; he'd seen it a hundred times, in the matches he'd not exactly won. Will would stand over him, and gloat the natural, admirable time for a man who'd shown himself superior. At the least, the enraptured mob around them would hardly do with less. But they went silent. And he didn't see Will strolling up to rub in his defeat as he now rubbed his forehead. He wondered why; what could be more important to the rabble, than something as basic and primal as... "OH my WHITE-BEARDED ZEUS!!!" It was almost surreal, how a mere entrance turned them all to statues, even before he drew a pistol and plugged the closest speaker. All music was replaced with static fuzz, then silence as the wiring spat hails of sparks. Jerr, just starting to recoup and push up on each palm from the dirt, stared him down like the rest, though in his mind how that beige-furred crasher lifted the gun to blow smoke from its barrel, was a nice old-Hollywood touch. It was all the pleasantry he'd find. The Colonel's eyes were so wide and intense, they'd double as blue flames, trying to burst out and burn the place to ashes. His lip curled into a sneer so thin and violent, the monkey had never seen its equal. It melted his ego like candlewax; while he slowly stood, a quick glance around showed the rest felt no different. Then renewing his stare to the wolverine, he saw the same as every one of them; fangs bared from the parting lips, and hands shaking in volatile control. Fifty hearts pumped blood that ran cold, and thus happened what none of them wanted: He spoke. "EACH and EVERY ONE OF YOU-" One finger, like a witch's claw pointing to the soldiers in turn. "-IS ALREADY DEAD. YOU WILL TAKE EVERY SCRAP OF THIS GODFORSAKEN DISCO TO THE TRASH HEAP, YOU WILL PUT THE MESS TENT BACK IN ORDER, AND YOU'LL REPORT TO MY CHAMBERS, WHERE I WILL PUT A ROUND IN ALL YOUR GODDAMNED NECKS, WHILE THE REST DIG OUT AN OPEN GRAVE." Jerr's tail flicked, despite the pain that lingered. The wolverine struck fear, of course, but the speech in itself didn't inspire that, so over-the-top he nearly had to stop himself chuckling. If this two-foot ball of fur was all they were up against, it might not be pretty, but he didn't doubt that tens of primed men could hold their own. And that's when they entered from behind the Colonel. Suddenly, no longer the lone officer inside the walls of canvas; his second-in-command came first, grey, wrinkled face showing several black 'flower' smudges, not unlike a powder burn. From his side, popped in a triple play; raccoon, elk and condor. All three with the same dark spots in different areas, though the bird among them teetered, body swollen and unbalanced, while the other two stood by and smoked... That is to say, their fur from brow-to-ankle gave rising puffs, from every singed tuft. Josh, frozen next to Will, lifted his arm in weak wave. "H-hi guys." Condor and elk waved back just as pitifully. Will broke stare to peer at Josh, like he'd just seen someone threaten a cop with a super-soaker. Three more limped in, behind the growing cluster. Two in lemur-sized MP's garb, Marmoset beneath them; not nearly as 'destroyed' in their appearance, but leaning in oddly-made motions; their faces sober, but bodies closer to drunk. They were the last to come, and through habit, the MPs flanked the other six on each side, plenty-unsteady but alert enough to frame the nightmare of their group's condemnation. The crowd was speechless; tiny gasps had flown from within, for every new addition to the Colonel's 'entourage'; and even the strongest among them, Roland, in his yellow tank top, looked ready to make his shorts match colours. Will was the single exception. Fear sat nowhere within him; instead, his pupils narrowed, a sublime tension in his tongue's exposing, clasped half-out from the side of his lips. Josh, for whatever reason, forced himself to start walking, smooth-but-wary towards the Colonel. The MPs were as always armed... their disciplined speed, less-than-their-best as they trained rifles on the goat. His white-furred arms were faster, raising up, hands out to make his point of peace. His approach so careful, it was almost artistic; a hundred eyes, watching and hoping he'd defuse the suspense. Though he wanted only the same, in his mind he more wished not to choke. He stopped a yard from Wolverine; nothing so far had cut into the officer's heat. With a gulp, the billy feigned bravery, his arm held level-sidewise as he imagined negotiators do. "S-Sir, I'da saluted you, but I guess we're past that sorta formality." The Colonel scowled, but at least didn't move to rip his face off. 'Okay so far', Josh thought, even his thoughts meek and fluttering. So he pushed his luck some more. "I- I know we're all in deeper than a backhoe could bail us out, but..." Somehow, his lips formed a microscopic smirk. "... You were prob'ly in our shoes, once. You know how it is, when you're-" His breath squeaked to silence in an instant; the one where Wolverine drew up hands, and cracked knuckles one-after-another. While Josh's balls all-but-fled up into his pelvis, the Colonel seemed a bit calm... At least, enough so that his speech could drip ease from its torturing. "When I'm minding my duty? Remembering my place? Knowing I'm worth the food in my gut and the seed in my junk?" He gave the tiniest lean, forward; until they could practically touch nose hair, and Josh's limbs set off ergotistic shivers. "Any of those fit into the wool your baby-shitbrain thought you'd pull over me?" By now, Josh was in goosebumps; but certain others weren't so emasculated, though hinging heavily on just how much 'celebrating' they'd done. While the dolphin was finally well enough to stand, Roland approached to support... though his legs more like Jell-o than their huge mass would ever show otherwise. All the while, David stayed hidden, not as fearful of the group's troubles as the young ape who held him by the collar, yanking as he spat incoherent accusings. In the bear's dread, his pitch was all-submissive. "He... You... Please forgive him, he means well enough, sir. It's just that base's been killing us here, and the new route of sending one group on R&R at a time hasn't helped." His arm went up in appeal, as Josh's had, but here it looked far more natural. "I understand it's money concerns, but we never get to cut out together, and with the state of things... Some of us are closer than any friends on the outside. More than just literally." For a moment, it looked as if it might do good. Then the singed raccoon surprised them, with a shove from each hand on the bird and elk. They'd expected it no more than the bear, so they promptly stumbled forward, regaining balance at the edge of the crowd. A clear gesture; at least to Roland, who knew it meant putting them where they belonged. And Wolverine, with his seething clique behind, stepped forward. Half the soldiers stepped back, and quickly learned to check behind, by falling over each other. The bear had no peace to form a second idea; he and Josh, both desperate. Tragically for all involved, Josh didn't handle desperation so brightly. His new, 'cool' posture, fit the Colonel it was meant for about as well as a bra. "Y'know, this can be a free-for-all, you guys get stressed too." His chin swung to the table, ten feet distant to his right and their left. "Fixin's are right there, man. Chill, grab yourself a Mai Tai. We're all dudes at the end of the day." The Colonel had indeed seen his lead, while Roland gave all not to punch him square in his short grey neck. Twenty feet back, Winsor and David whispered arguments, and neither Will, his orange fuckpal nor the group at-large had moved a muscle. Josh was frozen the same, just to see how this might play out. Relief surged within him, as Wolverine stepped over to the wooden platform, standing tall to guage what all they'd procured. Beady eyes darted over Smirnoff, Seagram's, Schnapps... and stayed longest on the fat brown bottle of Hennessy. Even Roland was made to un-tense, as the Colonel's arm came out, a hand softly wrapping the glass jug's divets. His posture came down as well, holding the bottle out to read it; just a few solid moments, glancing over the label. Josh was curious to see how an officer would pound down the sauce... So he was ill-equipped to react, when the tan-furred bicep whipped back, and sent the bottle flying to his face. A mix of sounds commenced, one right after the other... The crash of breaking glass, a country-twang scream, liquid splashing the ground, his hand's 'slap' as it shot up to clasp his throbbing face, and the yelps, boos and shouts of a disapproving mob. It was the straw that broke the camel's back, and the goat's nose. War cries erupted from the soldiers, dividing to confront, fists balled and legs loose. Even the MP's rifles didn't hold them off; mostly since their prior 'nap' had them slower at the citical moment. Before a shot could be fired, they were jumped by twin sharks, and their armaments stripped. It evoked the climax of a B-list action flick; the guns were dropped, then kicked away, far back in the tent. This, just as 'Captain Jim' wrapped his elephant mitts around the pair, and had their slippery hides tossed ten feet back. Seth engaged a young rhino with switchblades, his ringtail whipping with ardour, while Marmoset and the bison traded fistblows. A full-on melee, spreading outwards while more men rushed to soldiers' aid. Will and Jerr stood by, while chaos grew around them... And the monkey could only last so long, before his mind fell prey to crowd mentality. His lower lip poked out, hand rose to straighten his cap, and straightaway he marched past Will's feet, on a course for the fight's very center. He was stopped short by his own howl, the tender length of his tail pulled taut as he'd stepped away from Will's grasp. Gazing back, he saw where the black fist clutched him and his nose twitched in rage. "Asshole, you want what Josh just took?" The monkey's rage began strong, but fell away, just for how Will failed to reply. Their eyes hadn't locked... In all likelihood, the gorilla saw nothing but the Colonel himself, since his arrival. In the orbiting confusion, one rifle slid around, kicked by the brawling factions, until it came to rest by Will's feet... And quicker than Jerr could make sense of it, the gorilla's knees folded, and he shot back up with shotgun aimed high. Those who didn't freeze when the barrel cocked, did like lightning when the blast ripped a hole through the roof. A hundred eyes were suddenly on him, his face intensely somber as the chamber belched smoke. It was almost ironic, the dead silence, even wild creatures scared-mute from outside the fresh-made skylight. It didn't take long for all to realize where his own attention lay... Even Windsor, from his safety at the tent's far corner, saw well as his hand went still, clutching a lock of David's fur. Josh, his face soaked in cognac and a thin trail of blood, barely drew a breath in his astonishment. Jerr, shocked as the rest, was less surprised to see the gun lowered, pointing harmlessly to the dirt and holstered in ape's pit. Will's walk was purposed, methodical as it drew him to the Colonel's short figure, silver eagle badge in line-of-sight. The tan-hue officer had earned it; unlike what anyone around would do, he stepped towards the ape, until the silver beamed a ray of sunlight, reflected from the new-opened hole. It centered on Will's thigh, while his pupils centered far above; and only Windsor showed the slightest bit of understanding. A staring contest, outlasting when the gun finally cooled. Some nearby privates, mostly the smaller ones, came close to griping as he tossed the rifle back; Jerr caught it clumsily, but soon clutched it well with pride. He watched Will and the Colonel, like everyone, so he didn't notice when he slowly stroked the barrel by instinct. None guessed who might first break the silence, until Wolverine ended the mystery. Strangely enough, the rage hadn't left him, but now sounded decidedly different. "Well, I'd never guess... You're looking even worse than when we had you." Will's face was such a wide blend of emotions, not a single one took precedence, though each was its own fiery strength. He knew the Colonel's innuendo, thus moved his left hand slow across his paunch. "Muscle's grand, but it gets lonely by itself. There's no sin in softness." "Colour me shocked, to hear that from you," Wolverine snarked. For a moment, it looked as if his eyes skewed down, but was mostly hidden by his head's shaking. Will's eyes, though still fixed on the moment, bounced between the officers flanking them. "Nice new posse you've amassed; the only one I recognize is you." His head tilted, condescendingly. "Blows my mind, I was sure it'd be the other way around." "None of your goddamned business, but if you have to know, it is in a way." Through his eyes, the daggers were palpable. "The worst they could do an old man like me, was stick me with a brand-new set to babysit. Weren't for my seniority, I'd be dishonourably gone with the others. Even besides-" He dusted off his uniform, highlighting a crease from subpar laundering. "You're here long enough to put this together, so you've seen the base. I don't expect you've missed how we never recovered." "So here we select ourselves a scapegoat..." His gaze cut over to Josh, wiping red from his pallet. "... No offense, man." And back to the Colonel, while casually scratching his haunch. "But you really think you can make that leap? No turf, bad machines and outdoor barracks? About as much my fault as this platoon's restlessness." At last, it was clearer what he felt; nostalgia, and an ego just barely breaking through regret. "Don't throw blame for a poor job if it's yours. You only put yourself in the spotlight." Patience was thin; the reply came within a hair of interrupting Will. "Tens of thousands, Gorilla, in three days. More than what I paid for my car, and all what insurance wouldn't touch." Though the Colonel's fury was contained, a flutter in his voice spoke of fear. "And two years gone from my life, in kissing up to the state, working ten times harder to pacify them. I could win the goddamn lottery, but it wouldn't buy back time." Windsor's gaze, had just been widening with every word. All else stood dumbfounded. So it might've been for the best, in Will's opinion... He wouldn't want them to miss his smile, as it came visible. "Strange how history repeats itself. But time's the most impeccable teacher... You really want to put all these men in traction, just for another chance to let off steam? I'm sure you're not so impulsive, by now." He finished with an idle flex of his arm; bulging out the muscle, free of wrinkles or aged wear. No one present, had ever seen such acid in the Colonel's eyes. "I keep order. You, and everyone here, is better for it." "Ohhhh, that's how it sounds in your head." Though amused, Will's brow was stiff all the same. "That tiny ball of grey in there, that's fine with cutting corners..." It furrowed deeper. "... In the battle, and out." Not a huge epiphany, for the soldiers... But from their widening eyes, it was cause to at least weigh the facts. "Face it," Will continued, his ebony digits lightened by curling, "You should thank me. I'm doing you a favour this time, stoppin' you cold before you drag 'em even further down to dead ends. I'm not here to close the goddamn place, like I could easily repeat, under your inept nose. I came for my brother..." He gazed back, to see the shine of mist in younger ape's eyes. "... Before he had a chance to know real homesick. But now that I've seen, and know what all these men suffer, it won't stop there..." Bear and goat, looked poised to show the deepest reflection; the latter wiping hand beneath his nose, to confirm the wound had stopped gushing. As senior among the crowd, whether or not they understood, they had the very most to realize. Will's tone slid even lower, his fingers uncurling with less-unpleasant thoughts. "... You hold some good men, here... Good enough to be somewhere else. Met a few, and I'll tell you right now, they're not about to stay while I'm watching." Josh knew first, when the ape's eyes fell on him squarely. "You have a choice... Stay in hell, and bow to demons for what may be a future, or take the chance to find a better way." Will's smile was at its widest, trained on the goat while Roland closed in, with a tissue to pat the crooked grey nose. "The choice is all yours. But I think you'd go for cool air, freedom and meals that taste better than your toe jam." A quick, well-seen wink. "Just a prediction." The Colonel, standing his ground but steady as anyone staring down a gunman, spoke gently while fidgeting. "You can't speak for them, and trying's only infantile." Roland's tissue did away with the blood, but he knew it wouldn't fix the tiny crook in goat's nose. So came his fist, with a light knock on the outward curve. It went straight, and Josh went to scream like a proper lass. All the while, hearing the exchange beyond; and while bear's smile was mostly pleasure, from his pal's girlish yelp, it endured while gazing down to Wolverine. "I believe he won't have to, sir. Whomever wants out, will see his escape and be right in his footprints." His body swung around, to where the men had by now shed the startling, and stood by in casual audience. "Show of hands, how many would jump the train? I know I'm not the only witness to reason, here." Of the hundred paws, twenty-seven went up, and another ten when it was clear they wouldn't be exceptions. Will's nod to Roland, quick and approving, before he shot smug attention to Wolverine. "Count 'em, that's how many you're losing. Hell, now you can afford salt on the 'taters." The Colonel's ire at last betrayed control, his fangs peeking out by more and more each breath. Will was unfazed; his gaze slid upwards, looking 'beyond' the canvas to the road's direction. "Another bus is due anytime; I've made you my bitch, I'll have no trouble from the driver. Hell, a dumb explanation should be more than enough." He smirked, to the eager men among them; his final point still cast to their short superior. "Enjoy the paperwork, midget. It'll be there in droves, while you grow sores on your ass and reflect on why it happened." Whatever basal military balls lay dormant in the Colonel's weariness, found their time to kick in. "Just a stupid kid... High on youth and that piece in your hand." His fangs stayed out, morphing to a cruel smirk, as all present saw him step forward. "The one you can't even bring yourself to point at me, let alone pull the trigger." The slow, steady care was ended; his pace nearly that of a stroll, renewed by what he knew. "Same as these pencil-dick slackers; you're all glory, no guts. First, I'm taking back what's ours..." Everything in the ape knew he should brandish the gun and hold his own; but shock, and his own lack of insanity, kept it to the floor. Jerr, Roland and many more gasped in disbelief, as the Colonel barely had to wrestle him four seconds, to make it his. Josh had missed it, in his wimp's rub of his nose... so he was alone, in not catching how the scene had reversed. The Colonel's age, and experience, finally showed their advantage; his aim true in stiffened arms that held the barrel straight to Will's chest. The sneer on his face, more than anger or revenge; the look of one who'd been around in ways beyond what placed him in those clothes. "Now, you see why I still come out ahead... Despite you." His finger gently curled, no trembling in its slow move to squeeze. "I could give two shits an' a shilling about your last words. Just hope you've done all the chest-pounding you want, you'll do a lot less with a hole where it used to be." One eye closed, his aging sight enhanced through the other. "So this is how it feels to be poetic." *********************************************************************************************************************************************************** To persist, the conclusion...