“Sit, Corporal,” Captain Justin Collins said. “I assume this is vitally important?”
“Give him a chance,” Captain Julia Redding said. “He’s the only survivor of 3rd Platoon’s mission. I’m sure he has something important to tell us, besides the fact that he’s love sick and misses his girlfriend.”
“Sir?” Dale looked at her.
“Enough breaking his balls, Julia, honestly. Let’s hear your report, Dale,” Captain David Beck said.
Dale looked at the three captains. Captain Collins looked at him like he was a bug he wanted to squash. Beck had an impatient look on his face, but the beautiful redhead smiled and winked at him when his eyes met hers.
“I’ll just show you,” Dale said.
He removed the Jewel of Sartozel and set it on the table.
+20,000XP
Congratulations! You’ve gained +20% Favor
Congratulations! You’ve gained +20% Charisma
Congratulations! You’ve reached Level 12
Congratulations! You’ve qualified for advancement to the rank of sergeant.
“Holy Shit!” Redding said. She reached out and picked up the large stone which still had traces of dirt and mud on it. “Okay, Dale, talk. Let’s hear the story.”
Dale told the three officers the entire tale, to the best of his ability. When he told them of Gingko’s bravery and help, Captain Collins asked to meet her; he told Dale that he had a soft spot for dogs.
Dale told them everything except for his current personal feelings for Amy and the returned email. He didn’t want to pick a scab.
When he had finished speaking, Captain Beck told him that he’d earned the right to take leave.
“You want to go back to Earth for a bit?”
“Are you serious, sir?” Dale asked.
“I shit you not.”
“Okay.”
CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE
The truth is always simpler than you can imagine.
~ Christopher Pike
Reality is tremendously over-rated.
~ Dale Brown
...........................
Dale Brown left the ship after it docked.
“Welcome to Ohio, soldiers. You’ll find transportation in…”
Dale ignored the rest of the announcements; he knew where to go. It felt strange to be back on Earth.
He caught a train back to Cincinnati and went home.
...........................
“Dale, you’re going to be late for school,” his mother said.
“I’ll be right down,” Dale said.
Dale yawned as he walked into the kitchen.
“There’s coffee, son. You didn’t get enough sleep. Again.”
“I’m fine, mom.”
Dale poured himself a cup of coffee.
He opened the pantry and picked up a box of Captain Crunch. It was empty.
“Sh—”
“Dale?” His mother looked up from her e-reader.
“Nothing. Sorry.” Dale looked at his brother who was completely engaged in a television show and had a half eaten bowl of cereal sitting on the coffee table in front of him.
Dale settled for a bowl of granola. He was starving, he ate two bowls, and realized he needed to hurry up or he’d be late for school. He got up, walked towards the stairs, stopped, looked at his mother, and then back at the sink.
He returned to the kitchen, rinsed his bowl, and put it in the dishwasher.
Thank you.
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Acknowledgments:
Editing by:
Nicolas Legrand
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Cover designed by:
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VR-MMO Consultant:
Jacob Collins
Nagant Wars: A LitRPG Novel (Nagant Wars Series Book 1) Page 43
