“But he ain’t no match for an Army Drill!” Thefact that King was still running without sounding winded proved toRyan that the bastard probably was in fact, Superman.
“Me and Supe got in a fight”
“Me and Supe got in a fight!”
“Hit him in the head with somekryptonite”
“Hit him in the head with some kryptonite.” Ryanwas barely able to repeat that one. Drill Sergeant King seemed likehe was trying to kill them.
They arrived at a small building and Ryan eyedit warily. He could already see other platoons in line. Each manlooked like they were going to run off as soon as the Drill's backwas turned.
They were given the order to be 'at ease' soRyan looked around and pulled at his uniform. He hated running infull dress. His feet felt like they were going to fall off and hehad sweat in places he didn't realize he could sweat in. He wantedto deck Brendon because he was all smiles.
“NBC today. I'm kinda excited!” Brendonsaid.
“Oh boy, that’s so how I want to spend a day.Snot bubbles and blinded,” Patrick stated.
“FALL IN!”
Everyone rushed into formation and waited.
“Today Privates, you're heading to your ownpersonal hell. It is called The Gas Chamber,” King announced andRyan could swear the man had a wicked gleam in his eyes.
“You'll treat my gas chamber as if it was myfuckin' bedroom, understood? There will be no puking, snotting orcrying in my bedroom. Got it?”
Ryan was getting worried. He heard a veryunmanly scream coming from the other side of the building.
“Drill Sergeant Grabowski, anything you'd liketo say?” King called.
“One thing. Just make sure you fucks take a deepbreath. I will be in the room with you and you will make me happyor we're going to be in there a long fucking time.”
“GAS, GAS, GAS!” shouted Drill SergeantConnelly. Everyone dove for their gas masks.
With that said, they were placed in lines toenter the chamber. The closer they got to the building, the morethe gas was affecting them. Ryan could feel his skin prickling. Itseemed the sweat that was beading on him was capturing everymolecule of gas and trapping it against his skin. “Dude, thissucks” he whispered to Patrick. Though he had to admit that all ofthem standing around with Military Issue gas masks on their faceswaspretty damn funny. They all looked like they could bestand-ins for the next “Star Wars.”
Patrick's eyes squinted sharply. “And fuckingBrendon is bouncing around like a pinball.”
“It's gonna get worse,” Kenneth said glumly. “Wecould always kill him and say it was an accident.” He glared atBrendon, who still hadn't calmed down.
The four of them, plus Brody and Weatherly, allentered together. Ryan didn't think it was that bad until the gasclung to his uniform, burrowing deep into his skin. Damn, that wasrather uncomfortable. He flinched when the door slammed andsomething was pressed against it.
“Crack the seal, Privates!” He looked up anddamned if Grabowski wasn't walking around the room like he wasbreathing fresh air. Everyone took their masks off.
He went down the line slowly. Ryan cursed thefact that he was the last fucking man in the room. He could hearthem all choking and spitting. He vaguely wondered if King couldsee that they did, in fact, spit in his room. Patrick was having ahard time opening his eyes. Kenneth couldn't get ‘Roslin’ out tosave his life. Fucking Brendon just zipped through the bitch. Brodywas actually crying and Ryan was sure his death was on thecards.
The gas seemed to freeze right in front of hiseyes only to burst right under his fucking nose. He hacked, bendingover and hoping he wouldn't puke. Spitting in King's house was badenough. He didn't want to know what happened if you puked.
“Alright hero, open your eyes and take a deepbreath. DOB, Social, full name!” Phillip barked. He sounded like hewas outside, that the gas wasn't even touching him. That shitwasn't fair. Ryan cracked his eyes opened and wanted to curse. Thebastard didn't even have so much as a grimace on his face.
“Come on Freckles, we're waiting on you. Youdon't want your buddies to suffer any more, do you?” he asked, asmirk planted firmly on his face.
Fucker.
Ryan struggled to do it. “01 March 1982” Hecoughed out. He choked on a lump of spit that seemed to gather inthe middle of his throat. He repeated his social. After anotherround of hacking and coughing he finally got his whole nameout.
When he was finally finished Grabowski went tothe rear door and pounded on it.
The door burst open and everyone was nearlyrunning to get out.
