Chapter Text
I was being recontracted to a different area again. I was sick of being moved around on my own; it never allowed me to get to know my teammates while off the battlefield. On the train I read my debriefing. The team I was being sent to hadn’t had a medic in a long while. By the roster they didn’t have an engineer either. Plenty of snipers though. There must have been some major contracting errors for them to end up like this. I thought about changing the team roster when I arrived but couldn’t concentrate with the carriage rattling in my ears.
The train reached my stop and I hurried off. I looked around for someone dressed in blue to greet me. A young man about my height dressed in casual clothing approached me.
“Excuse me, miss, do you know the way to a B-L-U base?” he asked shyly.
“Nope. I’m waiting for someone to take me there, actually. Are you another new sniper?” I asked, assuming by his build.
“No, I’m supposed to be an engineer. It’s my first deployment.” He looked down at his own debriefing folder to make sure he said the class name correct.
“Well someone should be here to greet you at least,” I sighed in annoyance, “Let’s walk together and find where we’re meant to go.”
“Thank you so much.” He beamed.
We paced up and down the platform until we could find someone in a BLU uniform but to no avail. This was extremely slack that someone wouldn’t greet their new comrades on the train platform. There were stairs leading down to the main gateways. We roamed around that area. At last I spotted someone unmistakably clad in a BLU sniper outfit. The vest and slouch hat stuck out like a sore thumb against the bowl hats and suits. They were holding two polaroids and looking frantically at everyone’s passing face. As I approached them, their face flooded with relief.
“You two the new engie and doc?” they said, checking the photos one last time before stuffing them away in their vest pocket.
“Yes.” We answer in union.
I went to speak but the sniper cut in.
“Finally. We’re late so hurry up and follow me.”
We followed them out to a small ute. I rode shotgun as I had questions to ask during the trip back to base. ‘I read my document; why are there three snipers posted here? Why do you need such a skilled medic compared to the rest of the team? How have you gone so long without an engineer?’ I got not much more than shrugs and grunts. I turned in my seat to face the engineer sitting in the backseat.
“Are you excited for you first real battle out of training?” I asked him.
“Yeah, I think I can handle it.” He replied with a shrug.
“I’ll make sure to keep you alive.” I smiled.
“I might just be a sniper but what’s the point of healing an engie for?” our driver finally decided to speak and they were questioning my ability as a medic.
I couldn’t help myself from ranting to this person about my experience and job as a whole. I heard the engineer giggle quietly a few times over some choice expletives I used. My rant was cut short as we arrived at base. The sniper told us to get out and find our own way around; they’d had enough of my voice and guessed I’d know my way around anyway.
I did, thankfully, and lead the engineer to the barracks. A soldier greeted us with lacking enthusiasm and gave us the tour the sniper should have. Our last stop was at the sleeping quarters. We were both given dorms of equal size. I was outraged, over the fact medics were usually given a surgery or office to reside in. Engineers required big workshops for their tinkering as well.
The soldier told us dinner would be served at 6 and then left us to unpack. Our rooms were next to each other’s so we talked while unpacking. We had some things in common, except for the obviousness that I had months of experience and his was his first job. Neither of us wanted to share where we came from, our families were iffy. We both liked birds and I explained how my pet budgie would be coming at a later date to join me.
After a good hour or so talk I just had to ask, “Most mercs like to stick to their given class’ name, but may we share each other’s names?”
“Oh, sure! My name’s Del.” he held out his hand with a smile.
“I’m Rachel,” we shook hands, “a lot of engies I’ve worked with were called Dell.”
“Huh, cool. Should I asked the others’ names?”
“Don’t unless you’re starting to befriend them. That might not happen though.”
“Why not?” he looked worried.
“I read the team roster for this place; it’s nightmare. Three snipers, two spies, a scout, a soldier and then there’s us two. I’m going to personally fix this team whether it takes me a week or a month.” I declared, “You just worry about yourself, but yell for me on the battlefield if you need me.”
“Alrighty then.”