It was 0400 or or 4:00AM in civilian time. Revelry sounded. All Unity camp recruits assembled onto the damp grounds. These were not soldiers but children. In the front stood Corporeal Creep Head and Sargeant Bad Breath. Next to them, doing his best imitation of a brave soldier, stood 8-year-old Devin Tompson.

Corporeal Creep head addressed the troops. "Listen up mama's little woosies... Some of you will be chosen to go on a S.A.D. mission today. How you will be chosen remains to be seen. If we break you, you will be left behind with rigorous chores unlike never before. Captain Wilcox informed me not to take any sissy babies on this mission. Are you babies or men?"

The troops shouted back, "We are men sir!"

Alfred looked on from the window in the galley. He twisted his white apron strings into knots. He prayed silently for the boys with flames above their heads to have stamina and perseverance. It would be a long morning.

"This young man by my side is Devin Thompson. I understand he's related to one of you underachieving A-holes."

Tommy Tompson stepped forward. "Devin is my younger brother sir!"

The Corporal crossed to Tommy and cracked him over the head with his billy club. Tommy fell in the mud. The grounds had been soaked prior to this morning's exercises. "Did I ask for a reply Maggot Tompson?"

Tommy's head wound opened up and fresh blood ran down his forehead. "No sir."

Devin winced, however he knew he must remain brave for Tommy.

Corporal Creep head asked Devin, "How do you think you're brother is doing as a soldier young man?"

Warily Devin replied, "Not very well sir. Give him another chance sir."

"Aw.... do you hear that recruits? This little boy wants Private Maggot Thompson to get another chance." The Corporal held out his billy club to the boy. He advised him, "Go on take it. Devin you are to crack the kneecaps of any recruit who is out of line. Do you understand me boy?"

Hesitantly Devin took took the device and said, "Yes sir."

"Private Devin is now in charge." The Corporal walked down the line appraising the recruits. He ordered Devin, "If you notice any private out of line play Whack-a-mole with that club."

Devin carefully assessed the troops. All of them were sloppy. No one's boots had been polished and their faces were dirty. He knew this was a test. Silently he asked the King for guidance. He didn't want to hurt anyone. He knew if he didn't do his job his brother would pay for his leniency.

Devin cried out as he pointed the billy club at Private Spite Jones. "You!" Spite stepped forward. "You're a disgrace. You're shirt is wrinkled and you smell like piss!" Devin cracked him hard in the shin, missing his knee on purpose. "Drop down and give me 50 pushups!" As Spite began his pushups in the mud Devin climbed onto his back. He slapped the billy club into his hand. Come on soldier! YOU CAN DO BETTER!"

Spite shook under the weight of the boy. With strength from the King he did 51 perfect pushups.

Devin climbed off of Spite's back then cracked him in the mouth. "I said 50 pushups—not 51! Are you trying to be a show off soldier? Or are you so stupid you can't count?"

Tommy wondered what his little brother had become. He wondered what they had done to him to make him so full of anger and hate. Watching his friend get tortured by his little brother tortured him. He knew if he stood up for Spite they would all pay for it. Instead he prayed silently for his brother and his friends.

The corporal put his hand on Devin's shoulder and said, "At ease soldier." Once again he walked down the row of sloppy soldiers and hesitated. Standing nose to nose with Tommy Thompson he asked him, "What do you think of your little brother's leadership skills Thompson?"

Tommy answered honestly, "He's a much better soldier than I am sir!"

The corporal clapped his hands slowly and said, "That's the first truthful thing you've said Thompson!"

Slowly Spite stood up and took his place back in line.

Devin shouted at Spite, "Soldier! Did I give you permission to stand up? You have yet to perform 50 perfect push-ups! Not 51 not 49 but 50 perfect push-ups. Recruit Thompson show this poor excuse of a soldier how to perform 50 perfect push-ups."

"Yes sir!" Tommy Obeyed his little brother and counted off his pushups. "One, two, three..."

Devin whacked his brother in the back. CRAAACK! "In silence you insolent pig!"

Tommy bit his bloody lip and continued in silence.

Devin ordered. "Everyone join recruit Thompson. If one of you messes up we will begin again."

As all of the recruits obeyed the boy, Corporeal Creep Head sided up to Sergeant Bad Breath. "This is a red letter day! You've had your first good idea sergeant. What's more humiliating than having your snot nosed little brother in charge?" He slapped the Sergeant hard on the back. "I'll leave you to it then! Whoever is still standing, when Private Devin is finished with them, is free to accompany you on today's S.A.D. mission. Even better let Private Devin choose who goes.  Those remaining are to report to me—after I've had a nap."

After the Corporal left for his barracks everyone breathed a sigh of relief—especially Private Devin.

-End of Chapter 34-

Author's note: Hey everyone! I'm still pretty sick. 😷🤧 I did my best to get out of chapter by the end of the week. If you follow my other books I'll try to get out a little peep chapter by tomorrow. I'd appreciate it your prayers. 🙏🏼⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️