[U] Garlic Jr's Unit

[Tobias]

Garlic let all his weight rest on the stock of his rifle, not giving the hint of a thought on the barrel sinking into the ground. Dirt?s not good for a barrel. His eyes were trained on the soldiers downhill, milling around like insects, but they were unfocused. All his attention was inward.

Just go get checked, stop being a pussy.

Pussy? He countered himself, That way?s the pussy way out. You cough a little and run to the doctor?

?Feh,? the goblin breathed aloud. It was pointless dwelling on it. He pushed all thoughts of sickness to the side, even as his breath caught in his throat and he had to clear it.

Gun as a staff he ambled down the small hill and back among his brothers. Dirty faces creased with frowns greeted him, until they noticed who he was. Suddenly every man was a ball of sunshine.

?Hey commander, feeling any better??

?Your barrel?ll get clogged like that, let me clean it for you, sir.?

??Sup little big man?? Garlic ignored their banter and moved on.

?You there! Straighten up! That?s not how we march,? he barked to no one in particular. Dozens of soldiers all around him fixed their posture. Insipid and menial work all this. Marching here or there, talking to civilians. That?s why he was sick, he needed a good fight to clear his lungs of the muck. He scanned the moving crowd for a likely target.

?Hey beefstick!? he shouted at the biggest man he could find, ?You a fighter? Lets spar!? The private looked at him incredulously and kept moving. That bastard, how dare he.

?I?m not sick! Get you ass over here and fight me!? A hand layed down on his shoulder.

?Sir?? His instincts took over before he could stop them. They swung his elbow around and sent the well meaning infantryman to the ground. Ten feet away.

?Fuck. Get him a medic.? His free hand unconsciously groped for the bag of sweets he knew was empty. Something hit him in the head. ?What the fuck?? His eyes swivled to the ground. A pack of life-savers.

?It?s not licorice but I figured it would help.? Garlic looked up into Doogie Houser?s eyes and saw humor in them.

?About that man back there??

?He?d being taken care of. You however-?

?No! Thanks for the candy.? Garlic turned his back him purposly.

?Alright. Just remember the looks on the solider?s faces. They are worried about you, and its hurting morale more than you getting checked out would.?

?Wh? what would I have to do.? Garlic closed his eyes and tried to force down the cough inching up his throat.

?We?d run some tests. Probably remove the fluid in your lungs and recommend-?

?Rest. And lots of it. Isn?t that right?? Garlic turned around and stared back at the medic with a disgusted look on his face.

?If its what I think it is,? he muttered sadly, knowing what the reply would be, ?then yes.? A messenger jogged up behind the goblin and stood at attention.

?Sir?? Garlic didn?t even turn around.

?Yes??

?A message from Hiro.? Garlic finally broke his stare with Doogie and accepted the note. Something was brewing in Freelorn village.

?There?s no time for rest. What?s your real name Doogie??

?Adam Mackenzie.?

?I?ll stick with Doogie. See you later.?