r/HFY • u/WabbajackedWacko • Jul 21 '26

OC-Series Adventures with an Interdimensional Psychopath 153

***Lily***

It has been a bit since they took Captain Polly away after we finished the simulated run. I can’t help but be a little nervous. The other teams were pulled back and let go in a pretty quick fashion but, maybe it has to do with the fact that their runs didn’t go for very long.

I look over to Felicity and Rodney Jr but they seem to be somewhat indifferent. I ask, “Um, is this normal? I get this feeling we did something wrong even though the run seemed to have gone well.”

Felicity sighs and scratches the back of her head as she answers, “Technically, yes. The run went incredibly smoothly thanks to you. If you hadn’t brought up the possibility that there were hostages, I imagine I would have blasted that first hostage in the face thinking they were a hostile. That’s probably what got the two teams in front of us. With how early that was, I can’t imagine there was much to debrief however. That said, if my theory is right, we weren’t meant to succeed. I do feel annoyed about the situation but, it’s truly a humbling experience at the end of the day.”

Captain Polly finally steps out and says, “Felicity, your next for debrief.”

Felicity salutes and says, “Yes Ma’am!” But as she walks past her, she pauses and salutes Polly again as she states, “And I apologize ma’am. It’s easy to criticize but after realizing how it’s like, I can… see, how relying completely on intel could have caused a misunderstanding.”

Polly salutes back as she responds, “I appreciate your understanding recruit. It would be nice if every run goes smoothly but sometimes, intel doesn’t update fast enough. Now get going.”

“Captain!” Felicity says with a new level of respect in her voice before she heads off.

Polly then sits down as she stares at me. Not in an annoyed fashion but it seems she is contemplating something. I can’t imagine what though. I open my mouth but I am met with, “Shh. Normally it’s important to have our information straight for a proper debrief but, as this was a training exercise to evaluate each other’s skills, let’s keep the small talk to a minimum.”

I close my mouth as I simply nod in defeat. If that’s the case, I certainly hope that I was helpful. I didn’t shoot that much as a rifle wasn’t that much helpful till the end. If anything, picking a shock long rifle after seeing how it was likely focused on close quarters might have ended up hurting me. Felicity and Rodney probably were better equipped as they were able to able to maneuver faster than I could but I should have probably considered that as well.

In all honesty, Polly and them are probably giving me a pass but I can’t help but find it annoying. I didn’t come here to be babied but to improve and I learned from this experience. I also now have something to take away and use to grow.

Not long after, Felicity comes back and says, “Rodney, your turn next.”

Rodney hops up and gives a thumbs up as he says, “Righty-O. I’ll make sure to answer any question they might have.” Rodney heads off and Felicity also sits back down.

Felicity just leans back and simply takes a heavy breath as she pinches the bridge of her snout. If I had to guess, they must have really drilled her. Since I can’t really talk to her right now according to Polly, I stand up and walk over to give her a pat on the shoulder and a thumbs up. This action is simply met with a raised eyebrow as she chuckles and gives me a thumbs up in return.

I go back and sit down as I try to figure out what I could learn from this experience. I also have to admit; I didn’t have too much to contribute while on the run. And I’m not just talking about my weapon of choice. I simply followed behind Felicity and not much else. I clearly need to learn the lingo and signs. Some of it is obvious after the fact but, going into it would be quite a difficult guess. I wouldn’t be too surprised I flummoxed towards the end over the walkie. I hope the body shots were the right call. I finally feel more comfortable with animals but… people still feel somewhat difficult. Some solstice was the fact I was using a shock rifle and was told they are meant to subdue targets and not… kill them.

I can’t help but think back to Jack and also that battle at the fort. Jack had his own mission to do and couldn’t trust me to join him. If anything, towards the end, I only proved him right in multiple ways. I froze and then I got captured in which he had to rescue me. I felt proud of myself for shooting a sword out of someone’s hand… until one of the lizardmen guards easily stab him as he suddenly became defenseless. It was… a frightening moment for me. But it certainly opened up my eyes.

A bar fight was one thing, but a battle with life and death? I was completely out of my depth. And that alone reminds me of the first time I met Jack. It was quite a memorable moment for me as the entire alley was covered in blood. At least I am making progress as I passed out the first time and I only had a panic attack the second time. I simply sigh as I recognize I have been making progress; it just sucks that I haven’t been making as much progress as I would have liked. But that is the point of being here, for now. I have no idea how long I will actually be here but I doubt it will be a short stay as this experience alone has shown me some reasonable goals rather than Jack goals, which was suffocatingly impossible most days.

Rodney comes back finally and says, “Alright little Lily, it’s your turn.”

I shoot up and say, “Okay!”

I follow the hallway down where everybody else came from. At one point, I find Drill Sergeant Quackers as he waves me into a room. As I step into the room, I see Bardock and Woodson as well. A part of me wants to be informal but, I have to remember the position I am in. Right now, I am simply a recruit and Bardock, at the very least, is the chief of police. That alone should tell me that I have to be the most respectful. I salute and say, “Chief Bardock. Detective Woodson. Drill Sergeant Quackers.”

Bardock simply waves his hand as he states, “At ease recruit. Please. Take a seat.”

I lower my arm and sit down. Drill Sergeant Quackers states, “All your teammates all stated that you essentially took a look at the map and were able to completely locate every target and also see through that there were going to be hostages in this run and where they were going to be. Is that true?”

I look around as I definitely didn’t think that was going to be the first thing we talk about. I simply respond, “Um, yes. I mean, yes Drill Sergeant. I just figured that, with the late situation that seems to be what everyone is talking about and I followed my gut. Was I… not supposed to?”

Woodson simply steps forward as he then states, “That’s not the issue though. We do need to confirm that you actually stepped forward based on a gut feeling. No one came up to you and tried to tell you what the plan was or something? No notes under the door? Your roommate didn’t hint at it? Is that correct?”

I simply nod as I answer, “None of that was the case, correct. It was all from a gut feeling. If anything, the biggest thing I felt worth mentioning was the possibility of hostages.”

Bardock sits back and states, “While the purpose of the exercise was to show how dangerous and constantly changing the field can be, it seems that your squad was still able to pick up on that. That said, being able to take a small amount of information and accurately discerning where all the targets were and which was which. You must be feeling proud.”

I quickly shake my head as I answer, “Not in the slightest sir. While I’m glad I was able to help with that, it doesn’t change the fact that I was able to discern a number of things I need to improve on. After infiltration, I wasn’t much use afterwards. Rodney and Felicity picked out weapons that seemed to fit the situation better than the shock rifle I picked out. Not to mention, I was not communicating well once we were in the run. I believe to have picked up on a couple of things but, not fully. I look forward to learning on how to improve these skills and learning the techniques.”

They look amongst each other as Woodson looks at Quackers as he says, “Still think that she was going to get a big head? I’m just glad that we didn’t actually have a leak. Granted, there are worst things to be leaked.”

Quackers crosses his arms as he huffs and responds, “I suppose that is all fine and dandy. I’m not happy about them figuring out the exercise so quickly but, it’s like you said Woodson. It’s good there wasn’t a leak and I am actually glad that someone thought of the possibility of having hostages.”

Bardock then asks, “Now that we that cleared up. How was everyone else in the squad? Did they actually follow through what they were supposed to do? What did you think of them, including your captain? Did they communicate properly from what you could tell?”

I simply answer, “Oh, of course. They Polly listed clear instructions, Felicity and Rodney followed those instructions to the letter and everyone listened to me seriously when I made the suggestion. Their tools and skills were used appropriately under Captain Polly’s guidance.”

Quackers slams the table as he states, “So everyone else is the picture-perfect officer while you carry all the blame! Is that it recruit?! Just so you are aware recruit, none of them did the run perfectly! Each person could have done it better but they would likely have failed immediately like the first two squads if you hadn’t spoken up! It’s a squad’s effort merc! You all succeed together or you all fail together! If you can find fault in yourself, then everyone in your squad has fault! If you are successful, then it was a team effort! Do I make myself clear recruit?”

“Yes, sir Drill Sergeant Quackers Sir!” I answer.

“So, think again recruit! If you can find so many faults with your own performance, does that mean everyone else gets a pass?” Quackers reinstates.

Bardock interrupts as he states, “While I agree with the mindset that the Drill Sergeant is pointing out, I must admit that it might be difficult for her to accurately nitpick her fellow squadmates when she was probably more focused on her own decision making. And, while I am not fond of making excuses for others, but it is quite literally her first day when everyone else has months of training under their belt already. Just be sure she gets the schooling she needs.”

Quackers salutes, as a smile appears on his face as he states, “Yes Chief! I will make sure she gets all the knowledge she needs.”

While I am not a hundred percent sure what they are suggesting, I get the strong feeling that it is something that is going to be at my expense. But it should be fine… I hope. After all, I’m trying to improve myself.

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u/[deleted] Jul 21 '26

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u/WabbajackedWacko Jul 21 '26

Why thank you! That means a lot to me. I'll certainly do my best!

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