Guns And Dogs by T.A. Uner

remark. “He’s a capable recruit, but I have nothing to be envious about. I’m his trainer, I cannot get emotionally invested in his results. If he passes, then we’ll have another capable Time-Healer, if not, we’ll simply move on to other qualified candidates.”
    Argos shook his head ruefully at Patrice’s indifference. “I’m transmitting these results to Otis, he needs to take a closer look at this kid.”
    “As you wish Agent Better, but I think you’re letting your personal feelings for this boy affect your judgement. Besides, he still has advanced weapons training and engineering studies to complete before he’s granted provisional field agent status. And, he still has to complete three successful missions in the field before being awarded full operational status as an American Legends Time-Healer.”
    Argos thought about what Johnny had told him in the recreation room earlier today. About Patrice being ‘Mechanical.’ You may be onto something there Johnny .
(2)
    After two weeks of psychological and physical training, Johnny was on the cusp of completing his training. He had aced the advanced weapons training, and Murdoc had tutored him so that he could complete his engineering studies. One final hurdle remained: an advanced mission simulation where he was in charge of a Time-Healing excursion. This would be a timed exercise, and Argos, Jessie and Studs were on hand to wish him luck. As always, Patrice only offered her gelid expression.
    “The trick to beating the simulation is not overthinking the time constraints. In a real-life mission when faced with an emergency situation you won’t have the luxury of worrying about time.” Argos shook Johnny’s hand. “Good luck.”
    Patrice activated the holographic program and the simulation began. The training room disappeared and Johnny found himself staring at an oil field. In the distance fires were blazing across a barren landscape as large clouds of black smoke bore into the sky like a trident. He checked the time gauge on the HUD: The date was January 31, 1991. The Gulf War. Right around the time when his father and Argos had met and became good friends. His HUD helmet spit out the mission briefing: He was to de-mine a stretch of highway where a Coalition convoy would pass through. The indicator marker on his helmet gave him directions to the minefield. There were twenty mines and the convoy would arrive in thirty minutes.
    Instructions were provided on how to diffuse the mines. Johnny’s memory enabled him to easily grasp the instructions and begin his work. Things were going smoothly until an explosion announced itself. It shook the ground beneath him and almost caused him to drop one of the mines he was diffusing. “This is getting exciting ,” he muttered sarcastically.
    His HUD helmet indicated four Iraqi T-72 tanks approaching from the west. They would arrive in less than ten minutes. Not enough time for him to diffuse all the mines. He continued his work at a faster pace, while keeping his nerves in check.
    Five minutes later he heard aircraft above him. The HUD detected two American F-15 Eagles. But the sky was dark with the smoke from the burning oilfields, and he could not make visual contact.
    He could now see the tanks. They were converging on him like a herd of rhinos. His HUD indicated he still had twelve more mines to disarm. Don’t panic. Remember the training. Remember the training.
    He heard the F-15s again and realized that he could communicate with them through his wristlink. After breathing a sigh of relief, Johnny opened a communication uplink with one of the pilots. “Can you hear me?” he said.
    There was static and then he heard the voice on the other end. “Please identify yourself.”
    “Johnny Veto. U.S. Army. I am currently engaged in demining operations. Can you assist me?”
    He heard static again before the pilot spoke again: “Affirmative. Will radio for backup.”
    The F-15s zoomed over him for the 3 rd time.