America 1982-Chapter 625 - 140 May God bless you_3

Dennis and Glen, carrying two large-sized march bags, stepped off the vehicle and looked up at the two-story building, its walls almost entirely covered with banners and signs: "United Nations Veterinary Care Organization, United Nations Child Survival Observation Agency, German Dental Clinic, Ireland Yoga Training Center, Netherlands Chinese Takeout."

"Not bad, all it needs is an American brothel to complete the set," Dennis said after reading the signs, then he asked Marvin:

"So, are my subordinates running a restaurant or playing dentist?"

"All of the above, roughly seven or eight agencies, or maybe more. Heroes Platoon now consists of thirty soldiers, and they use these identities when they go out to gather intelligence."

"Gather intelligence? Spies? Undercover agents? What the hell are these people really doing? Marvin, let’s be honest, I’m definitely not the elite Robert Mikus has in mind. I’m not cut out for elite forces’ work," Dennis confessed. "Don’t make me have Glen knock you out and steal your car to go back to America."

"Why were you sent to a godforsaken place like Nakoura?" Marvin, seeing Dennis’s reaction, hesitated for two seconds, then countered with a question of his own.

Without much thought, Dennis replied, "Because I’m a total screw-up."

"Correct answer. And so are the men you’re about to meet," Marvin chuckled, then took the lead toward the building:

"So don’t worry, even if you wanted to become elites, America wouldn’t agree to it for its own safety."

Dennis waited for Marvin to walk a few steps ahead before turning to Glen behind him and asking, "Did you bring the stuff I reminded you to bring?"

"Of course, but only ten sets," Glen responded gravely.

Dennis nodded, looking at Marvin waiting at the entrance: "Then three men will have to share a set. Times are tough. Besides appreciating my thoughtfulness, the soldiers will also need to understand the difficulties of their commanding officer."

"But we still have over two thousand US dollars," Glen added.

Dennis patted his shoulder and walked toward the main entrance, "I’ve told you, Glen, that’s your money."

As they entered the lobby, Marvin was already inside, yelling at a group that looked like they were the offspring of male prisoners of war and female refugees, "F*ck************, doesn’t the military code tell you maggots to stand the f*ck up when a superior officer appears before you!"

At his roar, the dozen or so slovenly soldiers finally noticed the three newcomers and, whether lazily or nervously, got to their feet.

"My seventy-nine-year-old grandma back in West Virginia would look more like a soldier in uniform than you lot!" Marvin shouted, then swept his gaze over everyone in the hall: "Where’s everybody else? Sergeant Major Raymond!"

He wanted to call out the platoon’s highest-ranking non-commissioned officer to greet Dennis as Sergeant Major Raymond was the only one among these trash who still resembled a soldier.

A short fellow with messy hair but surprisingly large eyes, rolling them around to scrutinize the three men, spoke up loudly, "Reporting, sir, Sergeant Major Raymond was taken to the peacekeeping force hospital for an emergency about ninety minutes ago. The others went to sit vigil."

"I suppose the nurses at the hospital must be enjoying the passionate company of those pieces of trash. So why are you still here? Why didn’t you go to the hospital with them?" Marvin asked.

The other’s response was quite straightforward: "Reporting, because two cars can’t fit thirty people and the money we thirty cobbled together was only enough for six guys to get a hand job from the nurses."

"Let me introduce you. This is Lieutenant Dennis Herbs, who’s taking over Heroes Platoon after the late Lieutenant Harry, who died in service. The one beside him is Heroes Platoon’s new second-in-command, Second Lieutenant Glen Davis." Marvin stepped aside, and Dennis stepped forward to stand before everyone.

Marvin gave several pointed looks to the somewhat dim-witted soldiers until someone finally caught on. One by one, they saluted Dennis and, with scattered voices, said, "Good to see you, sir."

"Dennis... Herbs?" An ill-timed voice rang out among the soldiers: "From Warwick City, Kent County, Rhode Island?"

Dennis, with a stony face, returned a salute, ignoring the questioning voice and instead turned to Marvin, reaching out his hand, "Lieutenant, thanks for the ride. I’ll report to the major after I sort them out, forgive me for not having prepared a welcome party for you today."

Marvin shook his hand briefly and left, his task to deliver Dennis being complete, and he had no interest in staying a second longer in this cesspool.

"Glen, with the sergeant major in the hospital, you’ll have to help me investigate," Dennis said as he sent Marvin off and turned back to the dozen people in the room, speaking without any hint of emotion.

The African-American Glen set down the march bags and walked two laps in front of the soldiers: "Do you still remember the military regulations? Anyone willing to step up and recite them loudly?"

The group of soldiers shook their heads in bewilderment, and Glen turned to Dennis and mouthed, "This bunch are morons."

"That’s a relief to hear," Dennis replied with satisfaction and then drew a handgun from his waist and fired at the old chandelier above! With three loud bangs, debris scattered everywhere:

"Thirty seconds to assemble in the yard. Anyone who’s late is considered outstanding, and their retirement application will be indefinitely denied while I’m in charge. I will also recommend to superiors that such soldiers have their service extended by ten years for their exceptional performance."

The gunshots had initially made the soldiers scream and duck for cover, but when they heard Dennis’s words, they rushed to the main door behind Dennis, not caring about the risk of being hit by stray bullets.

"Nothing pleases a cowardly officer more than even more cowardly subordinates. At first glance, I know I’ll shine like gold in this pile of yellow crap—definitely a good deal. May God bless you, Nakoura." Dennis turned, watching his men swarm out:

"May God bless you, Nakoura."