Free The Infinity Brigade #1 Stone Cold by Andrew Beery

McDullis you are hereby discharged from Marine Training. You are being given a medical separation. You will not be eligible to serve in any of the armed forces. This is not a reflection of you or your ability to contribute to society. It is an acknowledgment that you are not emotionally suited to this life.”
    Sergeant Harris walked over to Sam and stood in front of him. When he spoke again it was in a much gentler tone.
    “Son, some men… fine men… are just not meant to be soldiers. I’ve seen your aptitude scores… there is a lot you can do. This,” he waved a hand at the base, “is just not one of them. Get your gear together. Drill Sergeant Thomas will out-process you and we will get you on your way.”
    The look of relief on Sam’s face said all that needed saying. He saluted the drill and turned to me and offered a second salute. I saw the salute out of the side of my eye. Not sure what to do as I was still at attention, I saluted while facing forward.
    Senior Drill Sergeant Harris walked back over to my position. He stared directly into my face while I stood absolutely still. In a few moments, when Sam and Sergeant Thomas were gone, Harris spoke.
    “You are either the smartest, the dumbest or the luckiest son of a bitch I’ve ever seen. You do realize you should be dead right now yes?”
    I started to answer but he yelled “SHUTUP! I’m speaking… and when I’m speaking you listen. Am I clear recruit?”
    I didn’t say a word.
    “NOW YOU CAN SPEAK!”
    “Yes Senior Drill Sergeant!”
    Harris spent the next several minutes staring into my face… daring me to blink. I did not.
    “You ignored an order from me. You disabled your comms so I could not remotely control your very expensive Mark Two Tactical Combat Armor. Armor which you destroyed. You damn near got yourself killed. Do you have any idea how much paperwork I would have to go through if you had actually managed to get yourself killed?”
    I wisely kept my mouth shut… sensing this was one of those times the Drill did not actually want me to respond.
    “I would be completely within my rights to kick your sorry butt all the way back to that ghetto you called home before you got here.” Harris shook his head. It was obvious that he was exasperated.
    “I had a flag officer call me up and talk to me about you.  Commodore Catherine Kimbridge no less. It seems she was impressed with your initiative and ability to think on your feet. So no I will not be kicking you out today… You are demoted to Private. If you ever pull a stunt like that again you will wish your mommy never met your daddy! AM I CLEAR?”
    “YES DRILL SERGEANT!”
    “Good,” Senior Drill Sergeant Harris said calmly. “Officially, that is what I HAD to say. Unofficially, what you did honors the best traditions of the Marines and if you can avoid letting it go to your head it is my belief that you will make one hell of a Marine. DISMISSED!”

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 8: Boot Camp – Destination Mars
    The next three weeks were rough. The Drills needed everybody to know that my actions, specifically the disobeying orders part, was not to be tolerated. The fact that there had been a positive outcome was really beside the point. I understood and accepted the reasoning… that didn’t make my life any easier. A provisional reprimand had been entered into my record along with a provisional commendation.  Which one remained on my record would depend on me and my actions during the rest of my training… no pressure.
    The bottom line was simple. If there was a crap detail or duty to be performed… it was mine by default. JJ was promoted to Ensign. That lasted about a week. JJ’s sense of humor is an acquired taste and apparently it was not one the senior Drill had obtained. Personally I think hacking the Mess Hall’s scheduling computer to make every night ‘prime rib night’ was an inspired bit of leadership. Neither the chief cook nor the Drills agreed with