G Hopf - The End

Sebastian just stared at the ceiling of the berthing area. His conscience could not allow him to continue to support Barone and their mission. His patience was running thin with the pace they were taking to get home. It had been over a week since the battle with the USS New Orleans , and nothing new had been reported about conditions back home or their arrival. He was not idle with his time, though; he used it to craft a plan. All of those with family would be allowed to take a day to go find their families and return to the ships or go directly to Camp Pendleton. Barone was also allowing Marines who did not want to continue with them past California to go on their own. This is what Sebastian intended to do, but he wanted more than his rifle, water and a few MREs. He planned on taking a Hummer with enough food and ammunition to last him months. Sebastian did not know what he’d find upon landing back in California and hoped that Gordon was fine. Not wanting to go it alone, he needed to convince Tomlinson to come with him, but the past few conversations didn’t sound promising. Not one to give up, he thought he would try one last time. As if Tomlinson was reading his mind, he walked up to Sebastian’s bunk.

“Hey, corporal.”

“Hey,” Sebastian said sitting up in his bunk. “I was just thinking about you.”

“I hear that all the time, but mainly from the ladies. So what’s up?”

“Let’s go find a quiet place to have a chat.”

“A quiet place? Have you turned homo on me?

“No I just don’t want to share what I have to tell you with 20 other jarheads!” Sebastian exclaimed.

“Hey did you hear the latest?”

“What?” Sebastian asked while putting on his boots.

“Apparently we have been sailing around in circles. The coast is only a day out. The colonel has been sending SEALs and MARSOC to probe for landing sites and to make contact with Marine units back at Pendleton.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, man, we’re close now.”

“What about the conditions? What’s going on?”

“It sounds bad—”

Interrupting Tomlinson, Sebastian asked with urgency in his voice, “How bad? What’s going on?”

“The recon teams are saying that nothing is working at all except old cars. There’s dead bodies everywhere, wandering bands of starving people and a Mexican cartel has moved into San Diego with an army.”

“Really?” Sebastian’s concern grew for Gordon and the family the more Tomlinson talked.

“Yeah, the shit has really hit the fan back there.”

When are we landing?”

“I don’t know, days I hear.”

“Days? Why aren’t we going in now?” Sebastian asked frustrated.

“I hear ya, but I trust the Colonel.”

Sebastian shook his head in frustration.

“So where do you want to go?” Tomlinson asked.

“Let’s go out to the forward deck.”

On their way out, Sebastian noticed Gunny having an in-depth conversation with Sgt. Jennings. Gunny looked briefly at them as they left, but Sebastian did not maintain the eye contact. He could not help but to feel that Gunny knew something was going on.

The chilliness of the air told Sebastian that they were definitely in the eastern Pacific. Tomlinson followed him and lit a cigarette right away. The smoke from his first drag covered the salty smell of the sea air. They made their way around the side of the ship and took a seat on a box out of view of the hatch.

“So what’s up, corporal?” Tomlinson asked then took another long drag.

“Once we land you know we’ll be able to go find family members. As you know, my plan is to go find my brother and his family. I wanted to know if you wanted to go help me find them?”

“Of course I’ll help you.”

Sebastian smiled, he knew that was the easy question, now came the difficult one.

Before he could ask, Tomlinson asked, “Is that it? You wanted to take me out in the dark and cold to ask me that?”

Sebastian paused, he did not answer. The darkness masked Tomlinson’s blank stare, not until he took another drag was Sebastian able to see him waiting patiently for an answer.

“Here’s what I wanted to discuss with you.”

Tomlinson took another drag and said, “Go ahead, corporal.”

“I’m not going to beat a dead horse but you know I’m not happy about everything.”

“Wait a minute, corporal. Did you bring me out here to preach about the same shit? I don’t have time for this, bro, I really don’t,” Tomlinson said irritated, flicking the cigarette butt over the railing.

“Hold on, hold on,” Sebastian said urgently.

“Corporal, I’m willing to help you find your family but I don’t want to go through another lecture about what we’re doing. You know how I feel. If you don’t like it, then leave.”

“That’s what I’m going to do.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, as soon as we hit the beach, I’m gone. I brought you out here to ask if you wanted to go with me.”

Tomlinson did not respond, he stood with his arms crossed and thought.

“I know you don’t agree with everything I’ve said before but I don’t want to keep doing this. Once I find my brother, I’m not coming back. I wanted to know if you wanted to go with me and leave all this shit behind.”

“I don’t know man, I really don’t know,” Tomlinson finally responded.

“I know this may not be an easy decision for you, but I could use you. You’re a great Marine and a great sniper and I want you to come with me.”

“Are you so pissed about what’s happened that you want to bail? We have a good thing here.”

“No we don’t, the entire world is turned upside down, we’ve spent the past few weeks doing things that go against the code of conduct we swore to uphold, we have committed treason, we have killed Americans, for God’s sake we have waged war against other Americans!” Sebastian said raising his voice.

“We have done what we needed to do!” Tomlinson yelled back.

“Well, this isn’t what I signed up for!”

“Corporal, I think you’re making a mistake. Plus, you won’t have anything but a rifle, some water and a few rations.”

“Not true, that’s where I need your help. I’m taking a Hummer along with as much food, water and ammo I can get.”

“So you’re going to steal from us?” Tomlinson barked.

“I’m sorry you feel that way, but the colonel’s actions are wrong.”

“Wrong? You’re hilarious,”

“You can think what you want,”

“Whatever man, I don’t give a shit what you do. But I am staying right here,” Tomlinson said pointing toward the deck.

“Well, I do give a shit!” said a gruff voice from the darkness.

Sebastian and Tomlinson turned quickly to see who was talking, but it was too dark. Sebastian felt fear enter his body, as he had said things that he wanted no one else to hear. The sound of footsteps grew louder but the darkness still hid the identity until he spoke again.

“Corporal Van Zandt, you want to abandon your position as a trusted scout sniper with our platoon because you don’t agree with how things have gone. You came to me the day we heard about the attacks and complained about our initial mission. Our commanding officer put it all on the line by turning these ships around and heading them in the direction you told me you wanted to go,” the voice said.

Sebastian now knew who it was. Gunny Smith stepped right in front of Sebastian, so close that Sebastian could smell the smoke on his breath.

“You think you can just leave with precious equipment and resources? Well, Corporal, I can tell you that’s not going to happen,” Gunny said defiantly.

“Gunny let me explain,” Sebastian said desperately.

“No more explaining, in fact no more talking from you corporal. I heard your entire conversation with Lance Corporal Tomlinson. Apparently he’s also tired of hearing you talk. Here’s what’s going to happen, corporal: You’re not going anywhere, as of this minute you’re under arrest.” Gunny said. Then, out of the darkness two figures came forward, each grabbing one of Sebastian’s arms. Sebastian attempted to struggle but he soon stopped, knowing the futility of it all. Even if he broke free where would he go? Defeated, Sebastian dropped his head.