The alarm sounded earlier in the morning making the soldiers rise from their beds. The green and black wolf tossed over the covered and got their gear. Radar made their way into the court yard getting ready to lead the morning routine until a large bear walked over to them. “Captains office soldier.” The wolf nodded and turned their attention to the big building across the yard.
The male stopped in front of the door and knocked and entered hearing the voice. Radar walked inside standing at attention in front of the grey wolf. “At ease” Radar nodded and relaxed properly in front of the commanding officer. They stood ready listening to what the other canine had to say.
“Well radar, we have seen how well you have been progressing and the small missions we have put you. Now I think it is time for you to do a scouting mission. Head to your room and you will find your assignment. Dismissed.”
Radar saluted the higher ranking male and walked out of the building before getting into a light jog. They knew they couldn’t head to morning routine because this was their first solo assignment. As the male walked into the room, they couldn’t hold in their excitement while locking the door. A huge smile was stretched across his muzzle.
Sitting on the bed he opened up the file and began reading it over to themselves. “Hmm, recon mission, stay undetected, gather Intel…Do not engage.” Setting the file back down on the bed he soon made sure to get his gear together. He had two hours to kill so he decided to make the most of it by making up a pack for himself for the journey in which he would be venturing on.
Soon it was time to depart and Radar was anxiously waiting in the jeep for someone to drop them off. IT wasn’t long till a Lynx climbed into the driver’s seat and began to head to the drop off. “Hope your ready for this.” The Lynx said over the sound of the jeep engine. Radar nodded keeping their cool even though deep down butterflies were flapping away.
Radar looked out their window watching as the base turned into lush forest and eventually into plains. It was a beautiful thing to see and reminded the green and black canine of home. They wished to go back but first he had to do his job. Radar’s attention soon turned forward glancing out the windshield and gazing upon the stretch of road. “Do you have any more information that will assist me on this mission?” Radar asked fixing his sight on the Lynx.
“All I can really say is stay under the radar.” The feline chuckled at his joke but flinched feeling the canine’s fist connect with his shoulder, but he still smiled. “Ya like I haven’t heard that one. Hey do you cough of hairballs like most cats.” Radar asked smiling. “Nah, do you canines always lick your balls?” The Lynx retorted. “No, we get other people to do that.”
While both males were laughing and enjoying the time, it was soon ended as the jeep to a halt near a large looking fence. “Well this is the drop off, be safe soldier, if you get into trouble don’t hesitate to call.” Radar nodded, grabbed their pack and hopped out. The wolf watched as his transportation soon left them.
Seeing as he was all alone, Radar began walking along the fence line surveying the area he was left in. He had a plan set up for this and he figured if he followed it, he would come home safe and sound. The wolf looked through the small holes of the fence but made sure not to touch it in case it was electrical, but on the other side they couldn’t see anything other than forest. “Seems to easy, guess I’ll double back and see what I can gather.”
Turning around Radar walked back to where he had been dropped off. He didn’t want to risk being electrocuted so he looked around and to his luck found a tree with a hanging branch which stretched above the fence height. “Looks like it might be my lucky day today.” He said with a gleaming smile. Quickening his pace he reached the large white ash tree and without any kind of hesitation began to climb.
For a few minutes he had trouble getting the proper grip but after that Radar managed to dig his claw into the side which helped proper him up to the first set of branches. From there it was very simple other than the fact he had to watch his footing. Nearing the needed branch he stopped as his ears twitched. “Shit.” He quickly grabbed onto an upper branch wincing a bit as the one under his feet gave out. Turning his gaze to the one he was holding he could see that it was beginning to bend. He had no other choice, he had to take a leap.
Building up his momentum enough to not break the branch but enough he believed would help, he swung himself over the fence and landed hard on the ground rolling. Laying on the lush grass he looked back at the fence and saw cloth on the top. Sitting upright he looked down and see it had cut through his leg. Radar quickly turned his attention to his tail and smiled gladly that nothing had affected it. “Least it’s just a flesh wound.”
Radar moved his pack in front of him and pulled out some gauze wrap and disinfectant. While cleaning his wound he had made sure that nothing damaged on his gun and luckily nothing was wrong, just a scratch but nothing serious. After mending his leg he stood up and began to walk around. His first bit of travel took him through a small forest.
Occasionally Radar would stop and listen for anything that could be watching him. He wasn’t sure if there was going to be any kind of cameras hidden amongst the trees, rocks or even logs that lay on the ground. He made sure to keep his guard up and his side arm at the ready. However, even though the tension Radar still took in the beauty that surrounded him. Deep down he wished he could sit down on a log and just relax but he had a job to do and he was going to go about it.
The wolf took out his radio and sat behind a tree and radioed in. “Radar to base. I’m over the fence, going deeper.” He let go of the button and waited for a reply. “10-4, proceed with caution.” Radar stood back up and put the radio back where it previously was. After doing so he kept on trekking.
After a couple of hours he broke through the tree line and there stood before him was a large concrete structure. IT was still a distance away but between that and him was open ground, large brush and what smelled like a marsh wetland. “This is not going to be easy.” He told himself and soon pulled out his binoculars and scanned the area. Through the lenses he was able to pick out a few soldiers and a couple alarms set up. Radar knew to stay away from those. However he took away the binoculars and looked up to the sky. “Might as well set up camp and head in at night.”
Radar found a nice covered area and started to build his campsite. He dare not make a camp fire because he knew it would give away his position. Instead he built a small shelter out of fallen branches, leaves, mud and some twine that he had packed for such an occasion. Radar than tossed over a few more leaves to hide his structure in case there were any people passing through for a patrol. When that was finished he then began setting up a few alarm traps just in case.
Through the time it had taken him to set up his shelter and his traps it was late afternoon. Radar made sure to eat a ration and after finishing crawled into his new home for the time being. The wolf lay on the cold hard ground deep in thought about his mission before sleep overtook him. His mind raced with strange dreams and soon to one’s of home. Home in which he longed to go back to. Like all good dreams he woke before the best part.
Looking around he could see that the night had fallen and that meant it was time to move quickly but quietly. He knew he couldn’t rush but his anxiousness was the biggest thing so he had to keep it in check. Radar disassembled his structure and took off towards the base.
The air was cool, crickets made their sounds along with the occasional howl. The stars gradually got harder to see with the lights radiating off the base. Radar had gone prone in the brush and inched his way closer and closer. It was nice to be in cover, but it sucked because he couldn’t fully see in the darkness. Slowly he crawled and in doing so he could feel twigs, pieces of brush clung to his tail. “Im going to need a shower after this.”
After what seemed like hours he felt his sleeve get damp. Pulling out his small light he shown it on the ground and cursed under his breath seeing that it was all moist ground turning into nothing but marsh. He was unsure of how far it was and he couldn’t risk it taking until sun rise. On the other hand though he believed that it would be better to stay dry. Going with his gut he began to follow the outer perimeter of the marsh.
It took many hours of crawling around and still there seemed to be no opening and looking up to the sky, Radar was able to see that the sun was beginning to rise. He had to back off for now and try again tomorrow night. The canine made his way back into the forest and instead of sleeping on the ground this time he decided to look around. With some prevail he found an empty den, fairly big and dug out a little more. This is where he decided to rest until next night shift.
Before he decide to rest, the green and black wolf jotted down notes on the surrounding area and what he had encountered so far from the dense forest to the marsh land outside of it near the thick brush. When he had finished he soon curled up and drifted back to sleep.
A bang echoed in air causing the wolf to shoot up quickly and hit his head on the entrance of the den. Rubbing his head with his paw he moved out slowly looking around. It seemed clear enough. Radar moved outside and heard his radio. “Soldier, if you engage targets, do not kill.” The wolf was a little surprised but radioed back. “Understood, heading to the base right now.” He put his radio away looking up. The sky was beginning to get darker and he knew t would take time to get back to his location.
As soon as he started to walk a black and grey lizard charged holding a knife. Radar quickly dropped his bag and waited till the man got close before grabbing his wrist and twisting it. The Lizard tried to stab the canine but Radar took a few steps and quickly had the knife to the lizard’s throat. “You saw nothing.” With that said Radar put the male in a choke holding and caused him to pass out. “Guess the patrol is out.” He said and grabbed leaves to cover up the unconscious male.
Radar quickly picked up his backpack and made his way back to the thick brush. As per last night he went prone and began heading back to the marsh area which he had been to the previously. Sighing in annoyance he raised his backpack above his head as he slowly waded into the water. Upon entering a quick jolt of cold shot through the canine’s body making his body tense up. After a few shorts breaths he managed to keep his composure and continue through the murky liquid.
Grumbling, he made his way through the water and climbed out where he could and sat there changing his socks. Being a soldier he knew that socks could make or break you and it was mandatory for soldiers to wear them strange enough but he wasn’t allowed to argue about it. After changing, he crouched and seen that he was getting closer to the base. His heart pounded in the pit of his chest. “Almost there.” He told himself as he walked with his wet clothes on.
Night had fallen once more and now he could see where the spot lights where and to his surprise there were not many soldiers out and about as he had believed there was. Shaking his head he had to assume there was more than what he had seen, not the other way around. Radar crept towards the large building and found a door which lead inside. However he wasn’t sure what to expect on the other side so he decided to take an alternate route.
Radar glanced over and found a ventilation shaft and shook his head “I’m no spy.” He then walked over to a small adjacent area in which he found another door which was open slightly. The wolf moved and began opening it. There was no one inside when the door opened.
When he walked inside he walked over to the railing and his mouth dropped seeing that there were many floors above him. It was the case of it does look bigger on the inside. Shaking out of his awe struck moment he crouched down and made his way to what he was hoping could be an office. His bag was getting heavy and regretted that he had brought it but he figured it was a damned if you do and damned if you don’t kind of situation.
The black and green wolf moved swiftly as he could but froze as he watched two soldiers round the corner. He had to think quickly and so he opened the door beside him and closed it quietly. Stepping back he watched the door and as he walked back he froze and touched something. He looked back and there stood a red fox looking down at him. “Well what….” The fox didn’t finish his sentence because radar had punched him in the solar plex dropping the male. Radar than grabbed the fox’s head and smashed it over his knee. The fox fell to the ground out cold. “That was close.” Radar thought as he dragged the body and shoved it into a locker.
Radar realized this was just a locker room and that meant there was another way out than just the door. He moved swiftly across the floor and followed the small hallway. Exiting, he looked around and found he was standing in a courtyard, a few people were shooting at targets. The wolf backtracked into the locker room and changed into the foxes clothes. They were a little tight but not bad. IT didn’t take long for him to change, in fact he was glad he was wearing dry cloths.
Walking out of the courtyard he made sure to make it look like he knew what he was doing. “Excuse me gentleman, im the new recruit, where is the captain’s quarters. The two males looked at each other. “Fourth floor down the hallway, third door on the right.” They replied and went back to shooting. Radar smiled to himself happy that they hadn’t seen through his disguise and followed there directions.
As he was about to leave the courtyard he froze hearing one of the males yell stop. Turning on his heals he made sure to keep his composure. “Yes?” Radar asked keeping his gaze fixed on the penguin that was walking towards him. “You know you need to leave guns in the storage, here I’ll take them.” The penguin outstretched his arms waiting. Radar was screaming in his head but handed his guns over to him. “Thanks.” Said the penguin and left.
Radar turned and began walking. His heart raced every time he passed by a group of soldiers walking to towards him or and even behind him. The male had to restrain himself from moving faster than his walking speed in fear the enemy may find him suspicious in doing so. Ashe walked by the radio room he could hear a transmission going out. “Patrol, can you hear me, we are sending out a squad to see what the problem is.” Radar knew he only had so much time left.
The male walked up to the door and knocked and heard a heavy voice, “Come in.” Radar walked in and looked up at the large bull that sat at the desk. “Who are you?” He asked looking up from his papers. “Uhh I’m the new recruit.” He said with confidence even though he was panicking. “Hmmm I wasn’t informed on this, give me a minute.” Radar’s heart beat increased substantially as the blue bull rummaged around his papers.
“Ahh, here they are.” He stated as he turned around and sat back into his chair. “It says that you’re supposed to be a Zebra and your name is Griol. I’m not blind, I can see you’re not a Zebra. Therefore either more information is wrong or you’re a spy.” He leaned forward saying, keeping his eyes fixed on the male canine that stood before him.
Radar held their position. “Sir, if I was a spy, would I have walked into your office?” The canine was hoping to divert the bull from his true intentions. Leaning back in his chair the large animal stared at the canine. “Only if they were trying to fit in, but I guess they would keep a low profile so I guess not.” Leaning forward. “I’ll contact the board tomorrow and see what’s going on, for now, get to the barracks and we will discuss this tomorrow night.”
Radar saluted the male and walked out of the office and going into the nearest bathroom. Walking into the stall he sat down and breathed heavily as their heart thumped loudly to the point it felt like it was in their throat. “That was a close call, but I don’t have much time, I have to hurry.” Radar stood back onto his paws and walked out after flushing making it seem like he had actually gone. He figured he would begin exploring due to the fact his sleep schedule was completely off for this mission.
Moving through the hallways Radar would take note of various things from barracks, weapons, and even where there was less protection and would be easily destroyed. Walking around he was a little worried his radio might go off but through hi touring it didn’t so that was a bonus for him.
Radar soon found himself staring down a hallway with two guards standing in front of a door. He began walking and stopped to look at the males who quickly turned their gaze toward him. “Move along soldier.” They said taking an aggressive step toward him. Radar put his hand paws up in a defensive position. “Ok, ok I’m going.” The canine said before walking down the hall and stopping at the end. “I have to get in there some way.”
Radar glanced in a room and at the clock. Most of the soldiers were probably asleep and this might be his only chance. The black and green wolf began walking down the hallway but was picking up his pace and threw his weight as he jumped into the two soldiers. The wolf sent the first one stumbling into the other which in the end all three males were knocked to the ground.
Radar was quicker and pounced on top of the first male which was another wolf with silver on his muzzle and viciously pounded into the male’s temple until he was motionless. At this time, the other male had stood up and pulled out their pistol. Radar rolled sideways and used his hind paws and pushed himself on the ground sliding him into the male’s legs knocking him over.
With a thud the man hit the ground but Radar was faster and locked his arms around the guard’s neck and put him to sleep in a painful way. Scurrying to his feet, the canine grabbed the key off one of the men and snuck inside dragging both men with him. Time was inching ever so closer.
Radar looked around after tuning the light on. He had to avert his eyes form the flash but when he could see, there all around him were files. He didn’t resist and began grabbing what he could before casually walking out of the room and making his way towards the exit. A smile was carved on his face as he was getting closer with the files under his shirt. “Just a little further.”
As he was closing in on the door he felt a large furry paw on his shoulder, the smell of wet dog filled his nostrils. Slowly he turned around and met the gaze of a grey fox staring at him, however he was soaking wet. “Sorry soldier, I don’t believe it’s your shift tonight, go to the barracks.” He explained. Radar didn’t want to argue and get caught so he simply nodded and turned on his heels going towards the barracks.
Radar walked down the hallway and in doing so he watched as the lizard he had taken down was carried in on a stretcher and into what he assumed was the medical wing. This made him pick up his pace a little more and eventually walk into the barracks where many of the soldiers were.
Radar looked around and had a confused looked upon his face because a lot of the beds were empty and didn’t even have footlockers at the end of them. The canine stood there thinking for a moment before he smelled wet dog again and quickly went into an empty bed, he didn’t want to cause trouble when he was already so very close to getting out with such valuable information.
Radar laid down in the bed sleeping with one eye open and one hand on his chest where he had put the folders. It was hard to stay awake though, sleep was slowly overtaking him. No matter how much he could fight it, sleep won and his eye lids closed all the way sending him deep into his mind to dream.
Radar shot up panting and looking around, it was still dark, his hand was still over his chest where the folders were and breathed a sigh of relief, he couldn’t wait any longer he needed to leave now. Throwing his legs over the bed he quickly made the bed and took off out of the barracks as quietly as he could. On the way out he had almost caught his black ringed green tail in the door but managed to pull it with him just in time.
The male jogged through the halls occasionally hiding behind a wall or in a secluded room to avoid detection from any one passing by. It was getting harder and harder to stay undetected but he could see the door once more but it was being guarded with two cameras above it. He knew he couldn’t risk it this time and therefore he decided to climb up to a higher floor.
The stair well was empty which made it easier to get to the third floor. He walked out and down the hallway finding himself looking out a window. He tried to push it and slide it but to no prevail. This complicated things until he had found a door leading to the tower. There was one guard on patrol with his back towards the canine.
Radar crouched and began to pad towards the male lemur and stopped just behind him and put him in a chokehold lowering him down to the ground. The lemur lay motionless as Radar stripped the male of his clothes except his undergarments and fashioned them into a rope. He than took his own cloths and did the same with them extending the rope. With the cloth rope in his grasp he tied it off to a secure barrier and held on tight.
The sound of rain coming down from the darkened sky could be heard while lighting shot across the sky. Radar breathed as they pulled on the rope before they began to lower themselves down, but he stopped and felt his grip slipping. He tried to hold on but his left hand slipped off as he slid down a little further but the rope wasn’t long enough and eventually they crashed into the ground with a thud which was drowned out by the sound of thunder.
Radar lay on the mud soaked ground slowly picking themselves up from the ground. He couldn’t check for any breaks or blood as got up and being sprinting towards the marsh. He knew it was there waiting ro him as he slowed his pace down and almost slipped on the wet grass but managed to ease into it and lower himself into the cold water.
Cringing, he pushed through the shivers and wetness. It felt better not having all of the clothes weighing him down but he was much colder. He moved swiftly through the murky waters and pulled himself up and out and began sprinting again. He stopped and realized he had forgot his bag, but he shook it off not worrying too much about it, nothing valuable was in there.
Radar ran through the forest, stumbling over a few roots and twigs, but he didn’t let that hinder him as he saw the fence in the distance. He grabbed his radio but it was drenched and destroyed. He cursed udner his breath as he got to the wired fence and gazed up at it wondering if it was electric ornot stil.
Looking back he could hear a siren sound. He grabbed the folders in his mouth and began to dig furiously into the muddy ground feleingt he dirt under his nails and the mud lump in his fur. That didn’t stop him as he dug a hole from one side to another. When he got out he booked it down the road. He was home free. A smile stretched across his face in triumph until he felt a pain in his back which caused him to fall flat on the ground motionless.
Radar shot upright and looked around. “Where…where am i?” He asked looking around seeing white curtains and a large amount of beds in the room. He must be in the medical wing but which one, the enemy or was he found? The canine patted his chest and found that the folders were not there with him which worried him until he saw a dove walk into the room and approach him.
“Well good morning soldier, hope you slept well. Your cloths have been laid out for you and the captain will see you when you’re ready.’ She said with a warm smile across her beak as she lifted up the clipboard regarding the male’s condition.
Before the canine could even say a word the avian motioned for him to just get ready and not worry about. Radar sighed and got up, getting changed and heading out of the room towards his destination. He had hoped everything would be explained to him about what happened and how he had gotten here.
Radar knocked on the door and heard the captain’s voice call him inside. The canine walked in and stood at attention. “At ease soldier and have a seat, we have a few things that need to be discussed.” Radar sat down in the chair and looked at the male that sat on the opposite end of the desk.
“You’re probably wondering what is going on, well it was a test, you were not in any real kind of harm. Well enough harm you would need for the real world. We use that base for a lot of training and those soldiers you had knocked out, great job. None of their guns had live ammunition in them.” There was a cunning smile stretched on the males face as he told Radar about what had transpired.
Radar just looked at the captain. “Sir, with all due respect, that is the dirtiest trick you have played, and I almost died getting out of that tower, my shoulder…” He stopped and moved it and it felt fine. “You were being monitored the entire time.” The captain said as he leaned back in his chair.
“Soldier, you proved that you are able to create shelter for yourself, you planned out your movements, and you didn’t rush unless you had to. You followed the orders that you were given and most of all, you were undetected. I was worried when you had run into the bull but you did well from there so I congratulate you on that. You will now being going on more missions and in fact, you’re ready for a small platoon of your own but you will need to train them.” He explained looking at the odd looks that were on the canines face,
Radar looked back at the captain listening to what he was saying. He felt a warmth deep inside him which he could guess was pride and a job well done. “Sir, thank you very much for everything. I will make sure to not let you down.” He went to stand up but was motioned to stay sitting and so he did.
“It’s not that simple, you did mess up as well and from that, you will learn. You left your bg which we found your uniform in so they know who it was. You should have moved your radio from your belt somewhere else.” He stated looking at the male.
Radar’s ears lowered hearing the captain’s faults about him but he didn’t let it show on his face as he nodded knowing he had messed up. He could have sworn he hadn’t left anything important in the bag but it appeared he had but now he knew. “Thank you sir, I will work on what I had done.”
The large male stood up and nodded extended his hand paw. Radar took it and shook it firmly with a smile across his muzzle. “Now you go get some rest soldier, tomorrow we have you start training the recruits, that will be your toughest mission yet.”
Radar nodded and took his leave heading back to his room where he sat down and went over to his bed and laid down staring up at the ceiling. The smile never left his face as he thought about the fat he had just been promoted from his previous rank. That was the biggest achievement he could have thought of for how long he had been in this base.
