Incoming wall of text
"stuff. We need to run and get changed."
"Solid plan. Let's go-"
"Second Lieutenant Kristoffer Abel." I turn around to see that the voice calling out to me did indeed belong to one of my superiors.
"... Sir?" My voice came out a little shaky.
"Why are you so eager to leave? I have some business with you here in the mess hall. Besides, I'm sure your colleagues would appreciate it if you stay a little longer." He turns is attention to Nathan. "You're coming too, Franc."
The two of us are ushered back inside the mess hall. Despite being reduced to a mess of overturned tables and splattered food chunks, everyone that participated in the food fight was standing neatly at attention. Some still even had slop on their faces. I would've laughed at how ridiculous it all looked if it weren't for the fact that I'm about to get royally forgeted up the ass. Without saying a word, I take my place at the end of the formation and stand at attention.
Slowly, the commander began to pace around the room to inspect the damage. Finally, he came to a halt and ordered everyone at ease. "Well then," He says, addressing everyone around him, "since everyone here had a hand in compromising the hard work of the people who maintain the mess hall, I reckon you are all equally guilty and are deserving of the same punishment. However, it would be lazy and unbecoming of me to assign you all the same stuff and leave without even finding the dirtbag that started the damn thing. Now, would one of you kindly point out the asshat who had the novel idea of turning our clean mess hall into a loving pigsty?"
At first, there was complete silence. Then slowly, one of the officers across the room began to raise his hand and point his finger ...
at me. It wasn't just any person however; it one who tapped my shoulder and threw off my aim.
Triple stuff.
The commander turned in my direction and promptly gave a menacing grin, as though to say 'of course.' "Abel," he addresses me in a dark tone of voice, "you
slimy little forget. I'm not even surprised. I should have figured it would be the likes of you. Do you ever wonder why you haven't been promoted yet?" His expression quickly worsened. "... IT'S BECAUSE YOU CONSTANTLY PULL stuff LIKE THIS AND EXPECT TO GET AWAY WITH IT! LOOK AROUND YOU! BECAUSE OF YOUR ACTIONS HERE TODAY, EVERYONE IN THE FACILITY IS DEPRIVED OF A PLACE TO SIT DOWN AND EAT THEIR MEALS IN PEACE! FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE I'D HAVE STRIPPED YOU OF YOUR RANK AND SENT YOU PACKING BY NOW IF ESTO-loving-VAKIA WERE NOT KNOCKING ON OUR loving DOORSTEP! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?"
"... Yes, sir."
"You weak little stuff. I was going to have everyone stay here and clean up this mess, but since you refuse to learn I've reconsidered and decided that you and you alone will stay here to do the job. In fact, cleaning the mess hall will be the only thing you do for the rest of the week. To add onto your punishment, I'm moving your patrol shift, and you will be out flying every single night, no rest. Now, get on your knees and apologize to the cooks and custodians in front of everyone."
I do just that. I could only think of two words the entire time I spent cleaning the mess hall: forget me.
