Hereford Base 5:50 AM

Derek POV

Today was the day you had training with Ela, you got out of bed and got into your gear. You walked out of your room and towards the cafeteria to get something to eat real quick. When you walked inside the same male chef was there.

Male Chef: What could I get for you.

Derek: Just something small, maybe just one egg scrambled with white bread.

Male Chef: Keeping it simple, i respect that.

Derek: Thanks.

Male chef: Have fun with your training session.

Derek: Hehe, I will.

You walked over to a table and ate your breakfast. You checked the time to see that it was 6:15.

Derek: Might aswell head there a bit early.

You walked out of the cafeteria and towards the gym. You opened the doors and you already saw Ela there.

Ela: You're a bit early.

Derek: gotta know what I'm dealing with here.

Ela: Well just know you'll be in pain by the end of this.

Derek: And if I'm not?

Ela: It won't be pleasant for you.

Derek: So I should pretend to be in pain, got it.

Ela: No no no, you're gonna be telling the truth cause if you're lying it'll be worse worse.

Derek: You really wanna see me in pain dont you.

Ela: Kinda, also are you seriously gonna be working out in that tight balaclava?

Derek: I always do.

Ela: You sure you'll be able to breathe throughout this?

Derek: I'll be fine.

Ela: Huh, you know what if you can get through this entire workout while wearing that balaclava and be fine, I'll be impressed.

Derek: I'll take on that bet.

Ela: Alright, if I win you have to go to the beach with us during our off day.

Derek: Well that doesnt even seem bad at al-

Ela: Without your mask.

Derek: Fuck fine, if I win you gotta start wearing sweatpants instead of those leggings when walking around base.

Ela: Whats wrong with my leggings?

Derek: Uh, you know... the catcalling.

Ela: Oh... yea... guess you're right. Alright deal.

Derek: Alright, I'll get in line then.

You got into line with the other recruits and Ela spoke up.

Ela: Alright, so we'll start off todays training session with a 5km run. You are all gonna be in pain by the end of this.

Recruit 1: *Mutters* I can make you in pain in bed.

Ela: alright bumping it up to 7kms since you tried to act smart.

Recruit 1: Oh come on, dont pretend you wouldnt enjoy it.

Derek: For the love of christ quit running your mouth and move your god damn legs.

Recruit 1: Keep talking back and your ass is grass kid.

Derek: *while running* Keep being an arrogant prick and you'd wish your ass was on the ground.

You ran 7 kms and got back to where Ela was, you were breathing heavier but overall you were fine.

Ela: So how was it.

Derek: *Catches breath* Good, it was real good. Honestly I feel great.

Ela: You sure about that?

Derek: Why wouldn't I be, I mean i did get here alot faster than the others.

Ela: Yea that is true, might just have to see how they look after wards to see.

Derek: Well here they come now.

The rest of the recruits came running up, some were panting and others were laying on the ground.

Ela: You guys look like hammered shit.

Recruit 2: Fuck... you.. michel.

Recruit 1 (Michel): How... is this... my fault....Ass.

Recruit 2: Oh yea... lemme... just say a bunch of... dumbshit... to the instructor... that's a smart idea.

Recruit 1 (Michel): Well we're... done right?

Ela: Oh far from it. Everyone on the ground.

Derek: What are we doing?

Ela: 3 minute planks. However, if one of you even thinks about putting a knee down to rest. Thats another minute added.

Derek: Sounds easy enough.

Ela: Alright everyone in a plank position. Your time starts now.

Everyone was holding a plank position everything was going well. Thats until Ela came over and sat on your back.

Derek: What the hell are you doing.

Ela: Oh you know, just trying to get you to drop.

Derek: Oh this... is so much bullshit.

Ela: Is someone complaining?

Derek: You know, I always preferred to have them on the bottom than on top.

Ela: *Face reddens* Oh shut up.

Derek: Hehe, gotta laugh through the pain... ok maybe that was a mistake.

Ela: hey Michel, did I just see your knee hit the ground?

Michel: Uh... no?

Ela: I watched you do it.

Michel: Fuck.

Ela: That's another minute added. You guys ahve to hold this position for another minute and a half.

All the recruits: God damnit Michel.

Recruit 3: Hey Michel while you're at it why dont you just bend us all over and fuck us already for how much shit you're getting us into.

Michel: Oh shut up I'll do it again if I have to. Just makes my abs better.

Derek: Holy shit my abs are burning.

Ela: Am I hearing the sound of defeat?

Derek: nope, if you wanted to hear me struggle you should've gotten Tori to sit on my back... not you.

Ela: Alright times up you can all get up.

Recruit 4: Are we done for today?

Ela: Not yet, we're gonna test your skills in CQC.

Recruit 4: So we're fighting eachother?

Ela: Yup, However Locust over here since he wanted to make a bet, will be fighting Monika.

Derek: What!?!

Ela: Hey, I never said what you were gonna do was fair play. You're first mistake was making a deal with the devil.

Derek: oh this is such bullshit.

IQ: Got a problem hitting a girl?

Derek: No, however I know for a fact that you kick like a fuckin horse.

Ela: It'll be best of 7, got it?

IQ: I do need to relieve some anger after someone messed up the coding on my R.E.D.

Derek: So then beat Dominic up not me!

IQ: Well he's not here so... you're the next target.

You both got in the ring and after 3 grueling rounds you were knocked on your ass again.

IQ: Come on, we're not done yet.

Ela: Everything alright recruit Locust?

Derek: She keeps kicking me in the dick... Why!?! Why does she keep kicking me in the dick!

Ela: You know... I think I have an idea for how to beat her.

Derek: If you say hit her back... I swear to god. I will kick you in the dick!?!

IQ: Just think of me as any normal mask you have to be up close with. Just because I'm a girl doesnt mean you cant hit me.

Derek: You know what, fuck it lets go. You just signed a death warrant.

The next round started and she came up to you. She went to swing her foot but you grabbed it and and you your leg to sweep her other leg so she fell on the ground.

Derek: Im still not gonna hit you.

IQ: Oh come on it's not that hard.

Derrk: Still refuse.

Monika got back up and tried again but this time she faked the first kick and did another with her other foot. You read this just in time so you ducked under and then did a quick jab to her gut. You then went behind her and grabbed her and then slammed her onto the ring floor and out her in an armbar.

Derek: You work on your legs too much and not your arm strength.. so have fun trying to break out of this.

IQ: do you doubt me?

Derek: Very much yes.

IQ: Well yea... you're kinda right.

Derek: Just tap or I'll stsrt making it hurt.

IQ: Go ahead.

You started to tighten your grip and this made Monika give a grunt.

Derek: Just tap and it'll all stop.

Monika tapped out snd you released her from your grip.

Ela: Damnit, alright fine you win the bet.

Derek: I'll still go, im just wearing my mask.

Ela: Yea yea, whatever.

IQ: What was the bet?

Derek: If she was able to stop me from not finishing this session or show struggle, then I'd go to the beach with you guys without a mask. I won so now she has to start wearing sweatpants around base.

Ela: Which I am not gonna enjoy, thank you for that.

Derek: Hey you werent exactky playing it fair by getting on my back during planks.

Ela: I should've put on a couple of Juliens plates.

Derek: You never do.

IQ: He still tells you to but you never do.

Ela: Because its not necessary.

Derek: You almost got killed once because of it.

Ela: Well how was I supposed to know the bullet was gonna hit me.

Derek: Because its a bullet, its going to hit you.

Ela: Ugh whatever.

Derek: Should've made it put on his plates and not sweatpants.

Ela: Cant do take backs.

Derek: I hate you.

Ela: Besides, the added wait for core could really help make your body even better for the beach.

Derek: My body is already ready for the beach, just dont be mad if I get digits.

Ela: Who said you would get digits.

Derek: Me, if we go to a place near a college then hell yea you best believe im getting digits.

IQ: Not with that mask on.

Derek: Who said the mask had to stay on near them.

IQ: Oh thats just not fair.

Derek: Blame Ela, she's the one who tried to make the training session unfair. And hold on since when did both of you care if i talk to other girls.

Ela: Well you see uh... no reason.

IQ: Well you see us everyday, what makes you think you'll see them ever again.

Derek: Because college girls you know and I'm 20 so technically... I'm still in college.

Ela: You went to college.

Derek: Oh no you must have me mistaken for someone smart. God no I told you yesterday, once I turned 17 i enlisted.

IQ: I thought you had to be 18?

Derek: nope, 17.

Ela: So you just threw out your whole senior year?

Derek: I hated that school anyway.

IQ: So you're saying if we figure out what school you're from... we'd be able to find your face.

Derek: You wouldnt find shit, you remember my one friend who put the firewall in my phone? He deleted all photo evidence of who I was during highschool so no one could get a close resemblance of what I look like now.

Ela: I'm starting to hate your friend.

Derek: Dont he's a great guy. Welp, see ya at the beach whenever that is, im going to go get a shower.

You walked out of the gym and towards your dorm, you opened the door and locked it. You got out of your gear and took a shower. When that was done you noticed you started to grow a stubble so you quickly shaved and then got dressed. You noticed you got a text from Ela.

Beach day is on sunday. We leave at 8:00, so meet at my dorm by 7:30.

You looked over the message and just thought to yourself.

Derek: Hehe, this should be fun.