Dysfunctional -- Chapter 27

Disclaimer: The TV show Dark Angel, all of the characters that appeared on it (Alec, Biggs, Renfro, etc.), and everything else that has to do with the show belong to their respective owners, not to me. No money is being made off of this fic. I only own the original characters (X5-121, etc.).

“As you are already aware of, you little pieces of shit, you will be defending in Escape and Evade against Unit 6 shortly,” a trainer screamed at the remaining sixteen members of Unit 3 a few days later as they were lined up in their forest camouflage outside. He handed a map and a marker to 121 before stepping back again. “Discuss and map out your positioning and hand the map back in to me, at which time you will be sent out to your placements. Unit 6 has already been positioned and the exercise will begin when all of you are ready.” He walked a short distance away and began to talk with another trainer.

121 stepped out in front of the rest of the unit before she knelt down and spread out the map, which covered the area that the exercise was supposed to take place within. “Okay, people, let’s get ourselves set up here. We should keep in mind that Unit 6 is one light because of a mission, so strength-wise, that makes us dead even.” She uncapped the marker and made a note on the map as her teammates crowded around so that they could get a better look. “I’m going to be setting myself up in a sniper position here in the center portion of the designated area. 786, I want you to position yourself here by the boulders in the western section. Got it?”

786 nodded, for once all business. “Affirmative, ma’am.”

“237, I want you to take up position just south of me here,” 121 instructed. She pointed to a place on the map. “You’re armed with the smoke grenades as well as your paintball gun, correct?”

“Yes, ma’am,” 237 confirmed.

“Excellent,” 121 said. She made another few notes on the map as she continued on. “...good, 665. 908, I want you to position yourself over here in the eastern section close by 714. Keep some distance from her, but remain close enough in case she runs into trouble.”

908 frowned and gave 121 an annoyed look. “714 is quite capable of being left by herself. She is a big girl. I don’t see why I have to stay close to her.”

121 bit her lip to keep from immediately snapping something back at 908. “While I agree with you that 714 is a very competent soldier, the fact remains that this is an area in which she is still a little bit weak and that it’s also a place where you excel. The two of you also happen to make an effective team when paired up so I want you close by 714 as a precaution should she need help. This is nothing that 494 or 511 hasn’t asked you to do before, remember?” Though she did make some kind of dumb remark those times, too.

“I know, but neither 494 nor 511 are here. Do you see them anywhere in the vicinity?” 908 sneered.

Oh, for crying out loud. “Look, 908. Don’t question my orders. I know that you hate my ass and all, but the fact remains that a: I am a superior officer and b: with 494 and 511 away on that mission, I am currently your commanding officer as well. You only got out of a very long Psy Ops stay not even a week ago and I’m reasonably sure that you don’t want to be sent to any kind of punishment this quickly.” She tapped the minicam that was attached to the headband that she was wearing, just like the other members of Unit 3. “We’re also being watched for this round of E&E, remember? I wouldn’t be surprised if the trainers tune in even before we move out. They have before.”

908 narrowed her eyes, but nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Understood.”

“Thank you, 908,” 121 said. She made the final notation on the map.

“I never said that you were correct, but what the hell. At least I’ll have the comfort of knowing when we bomb this run that it’ll be your fault,” 908 muttered quietly enough for the microphones that were attached to the minicams not to pick it up, but still loud enough for the unit to hear her.

121 didn’t bother to look up from folding the map back up when she replied, her voice equally as soft. “And if you purposefully bomb this on purpose for just yourself, or anybody else, then forget about the brig, Psy Ops, or any of that because you’re going to be answering to me. Understood, soldier?” She managed to keep the triumphant look off of her face when she saw the anger in 908’s eyes. 121 marched back to the trainer and handed him the map. “Here you go, sir.”

“Thank you, 121,” the trainer said. He opened the map up and looked it over. “Very well.” He put a hand to the earpiece that he was wearing and nodded in response to whatever had been said by the person speaking on the other end before he directed his attention back to the X5s. “Okay, Unit 3, move out.”

They all saluted the trainer and spread out when they got to the edge of the woods. 121 moved ahead quickly until she reached the spot that she had assigned to herself. She saw a tree that looked good and quickly made sure that her paintball rifle was strapped securely to her back before she climbed the tree and settled herself up in it. She swung the rifle around and got a good grip on it and began to scan the forest.

Nobody here yet, she thought. Then again, the exercise has barely started and Unit 6 would have been placed yards north of here, not to mention that it’s going to be a few minutes at the very least before any of them can get free from their starting predicaments. I should have some time before any of them come within range of me. 121 looked around for any sign of her own unit mates, but they had all settled into their own positions as well as she had. I’m glad that they’re focusing on the task at hand.

121 sighed as she shifted in the tree the slightest bit. I still don’t get 908. I don’t know why I even bother worrying about the bitch sometimes. You’d think that as much time in Psy Ops that she's spent recently and total in her life would have completely straightened her head out or at least knocked one or two things back to where they’d be on a normal person, but nope. 908 is still the same nasty, angry, spiteful bitch that she’s been for at least most of the twenty-four years that she’s been on this stupid planet. Some screws might have at least temporarily been tightened back in place, but…I wouldn’t even wish her on the ‘09ers.

121 heard some faint noises in the distance and looked up and zoomed in, but she couldn’t quite see anybody. Whatever’s the matter with the bitch, now’s not the time to think about it. It’s game time.

TBC