TehAngryXeno

So... After having this particular scene from my Mass Effect fanfiction swimming about in my head for quite some time, I decided to commission @palavenmoons to work up the scene and bring it to life. And damn did she do it splendidly.

I won’t give away any details for this Mass Effect Fanfic of mine, but just know that it’s coming.

July 25th, 2019, I officially became an artilleryman (13Bravo) in the US Army.

I am so glad that, for those of y’all who could make it, could make it. Going through all of the bs of training here made it worth it to spend my time with y’all and settle down for a bit to relax.

For those who couldn’t make it, I’m not sure when I’ll be coming home for leave but I’ll let y’all know in advance via PM.

On April 1st, 2019, I swore into the Army and was flown from my home state of Texas, all the way up to Fort Jackson, South Carolina to begin Basic Combat Training.

When I left, I was so ready to get away from where I grew up—for a fresh start and to spread my wings. I was very eager to get on with my life and not live under the wings of my family; not that I didn’t like my Family mind you, I just spent around 19 years living with them and I wanted my freedom. And I got it. I also joined the Army because I was rejected by the Marines and Navy because of circumstances involving the law, and I didn’t want to live a mediocre civilian life. My ultimate goal in life would have been much harder to achieve if I didn’t join the military at all. So basically, I joined because I didn’t want to be jobless.

Moving on; upon actually starting BCT, all trainees were required to surrender all personal items to a storage room. That included our cell phones, computers, smart watches, etc. We wouldn’t be able to touch any of it for our entire duration of being there. Contact with the outside world was completely cut off from us—the only way to communicate with friends and family, was to write and receive letters. About two weeks into BCT, I quickly came to realize that I missed my family and friends. I never could have predicted that I would have become homesick and wanted to be back with them. I guess being in a foreign place with people who you’ve never met, who are mostly radiating negative energy at all times due to their circumstances and decisions makes me long for home and the people back there.

I thought that going into the Army and starting a long career in the military—that I wouldn’t miss any of them... That’s what I told myself sometimes as I was on my way to BCT but, that just wasn’t the case. I ended up missing my friends and family a whole lot; I often thought about what they were doing and what was going on in there lives while I was stuck with a bunch of idiotic fools for ten weeks. Out of my nineteen years of life, ten weeks was the longest I’ve ever been away from the people I love—the longest I’ve been away from home. Every letter I received from them (which was not often) I became ecstatic and often read those letters many times over; whatever it took to periodically escape my hectic surroundings of BCT and picture myself back home with family and friends.

Now on about the trainees that I was with during BCT in Fort Jackson in my training unit for those ten weeks and four days: Echo Company, 1st Battalion 61st Infantry Regiment 165th Infantry Brigade.

I thought that my fellow trainees in Echo 1-61 would be doing their absolute best and darnest to take the training regime seriously and to eagerly listen and carry out what our drill sergeants told us—what they expected out of us and what they taught us. Well, I was surprised by these trainees’ actions. They were (and I’m sure still are) completely impertinent. They often never did the right thing, couldn’t have some discipline, couldn’t wake up when they’re supposed to, couldn’t have some humility when being corrected by another trainee/battlebuddy, wouldn’t sound off, would do their own thing when everyone else is suffering, can’t march correctly even if their lives depended on it, and the list goes on and on. Those trainees’ actions are reflections of our drill sergeants, cadre, NCO’s, CO’s, and anybody else who trained us—who continue to train us, and that’s not a good thing. I don’t understand why they’re in the military if they’re going to continue being indolent fools and not take pride in what organization they’re in. They are an embarrasment to themselves, their families, their peers, their NCO’s, their CO’s, their units, the Army, and the United States. They don’t deserve to wear the uniform and I’m honestly not exactly proud to wear the uniform because it’s the same one the aformentioned trainees wear. For the most part, I wear the uniform you see in that photo because I have to, not because I want to. And that fact alone is embarassing to admit.

Finally, on Thursday, June 13th, 2019, I graduated from BCT. One thing I’d like to add here, is that before I came here to begin training at Fort Jackson, my little brother and I weren’t all that close and didn’t talk much. We essentially did our own thing and only acknowledged each others’ presence when passing by. We also didn’t talk much unless gaming was the topic of discussion. I honestly didn’t really care about him. Well... After two months and 12 days of not seeing him or hearing his voice, I cried when I saw him again and hugged him tightly. The same went for those of my family who made it to my graduation. I cried when I saw all of them. It was that day (the day before graduation actually, since it was family day) that I discovered how much I took for granted my family and how much I really do care about them all, especially my brother. (Tearing up rn as I type this out). Never again, will I ever take my family for granted. Never again.

Getting through BCT wasn’t entirely through myself. Yes, letters and the occasional phone call home helped a little, but not enough. God played a large roll in getting me through it all. Without Him, I’m pretty sure I would have just quit. I wanted to quit because I didn’t want to be affiliated with the trainees who are bad people, but I didn’t quit. He got me through it and pushed me through it all.

Funny how I’ve never been serious about being a Christian before coming to BCT and going through the hardest time of my life, I seeked Him out. And now that I’m coming out of it... I’m definitely serious about being a Christian. I’m new to it all, I’m learning, but I reckon I’m doing alright despite my hiccups.

Anyways, I sincerely hope that those individuals who choose not to do the right thing, will get kicked out of the Army. We don’t need them and we sure as heck don’t want them. I would never trust any of them to have my back, especially out in combat.

Currently, I’m at my Advanced Individual Training (AIT) unit, learning how to do my job in the Army, which is a 13B (Field Artillery Cannoneer). I’ve got about three weeks left before I graduate and get shipped out to my first duty station overseas, where I’ll serve my initial enlistment contract with the Army. I’m hoping that the regular Army won’t be filled with impudent pricks like back in BCT and even here moreso in AIT.

So here’s to a (hopefully) good start to my military career. Even though I’m not too enthralled about serving in the Army, as it wasn’t my first choice for the military, I do aim to contribute positively to the organization I’m in and be an excellent reflection and epitome of what the US Military stands for.

This We’ll Defend.

Tagging: @ananya-talvi

The rules are to go to your current work in progress (or works lmao), share the following, then tag anyone who’d like to play along.

The first line of the work:

The air conditioning unit within the troop bay of the Skyranger had been acting up for the better part of hours, so Firebrand had the troop ramp lowered fully, so as to allow ventilation for us back there.

The first line of your chapter:

“This message is meant for the terrorist organization, ‘XCOM,’ but I would like for all people of this Earth to listen and see…”, he let his words trail off as he returned his smiling gaze to where he had emerged a few seconds ago.

The last line you wrote:

“Take my gun and ammo Lieutenant. Make them count,” he said as he threw me his Bullpup too.

A line for a chapter/part you haven’t written yet:

“You are the most sorriest man I’ve ever met... If I can even call you one anymore after what you did,” Bradford spat while breathing heavily and straightening himself out—his right hand still clenched after striking down the traitor.

I stole this from @angelwingsl3

Tagging @ananya-talvi [If you’re comfortable in doing so, of course.]

Short stories, novels, or poems?

Novels all the way! The moment I start something and I like it, I go all in.

What genre do you prefer reading?

When romance and science-fiction are in the same hole, especially when there is an interspecies relationship between two people who are not of the same world, then I’ll read it with much enthusiasm. [Terms & conditions apply]

What genre do you prefer writing?

Intense battle-action packed with interspecies romance, being accompanied by lots of science-fiction and science!

Are you a planner or a write-as-I-go kind of person?

Both! But I lean more heavily towards the second option, but that’s not a bad thing for the most part; I do acknowledge that planning and researching for your stories before you start writing, is very advisable and you also gain lots & lots of inspiration when doing so.

What music do you listen to while writing?

For the most part, nothing! XD But when I encounter writer’s block, I just surf my YouTube music subscriptions and my writer’s block goes away most of the time. (Two Steps From Hell, Ivan Torrent, Ambient, Epic Music World, etc)

Fave books/movies?

As a Christian, I really want to say that my favorite book is the Bible... But it doesn’t have any intense combat in it, now does it? XD My favorite would definitely have to be ‘Being George Washington’ by Glenn Beck. It is a must-read if you want to know what President Washington was like on a personal level. Astounding! As for my favorite movie? ALIENS, ALIENS, ALIENS!!! You know, the only sequel in human movie history that is actually better than the previous one? Directed by James Cameron with the introduction of the Royal Bitch herself? Although, I have a feeling that my favorite movie will soon change when Ridley Scott releases one of his prequels for the franchise that will finally show the Queen in all of Her beryl & everlasting beauty.

Any current WIPS?

Oh gosh, yessir there sure are! Here they are:

•A Journey of Hope [District 9]

•Impossible [AvP]

•Helping a Monster [ID4]

•XCOM/Jurrasic World/a few other ones in the alien franchise/original works/Voltron: Defenders of the Universe/Warframe/Mass Effect/Halo/& HTTYD. Yes I know so many!

If someone were to make a cartoon out of you, what would your standard outfit be?

Some major mutton chops, a wide-brimed straw hat that has a diameter of at least 2.5 feet with a leather chin-strap, a loose, slip-on white cotton blouse, white & loose trousers with a leather belt... 8 gauge shotgun riding on my cart filled with cotton, and a IWI Jericho 941 in my belt. Basically a late 1800’s Texas farmer/rancher—picture that.

Create a character description of yourself:

Basically what I just said up above lmao ^^ With the largest flag of Texas you can imagine, flying so high on a pole that everyone in Washington DC can see it.

Do you like incorporating people you actually know into your writing?

I don’t like it per se, but I do find myself doing that at times and I make sure to take note of it when I do so.

Are you kill-happy with characters?

Oh yeah, but I make sure that I have the reader guessing, because...

[SPOILER ALERT]

... Some of my oc’s die and some of them don’t in my fanfics. You’ll never guess which ones ;)

Coffee or tea while writing?

What is this, England? I don’t like coffee and I only drink tea when I’m sick.

Slow or fast writer?

Slow all the way! XD It takes me on average to write 500 words in three hours. But sometimes when I REALLY feel it, I can chug out 2,000 words in that same amount of time!

Where/who/what do you find inspiration from?

Everywhere and anywhere in my daily life. I always make sure that I have my phone nearby so I can quickly jot down the idea that I had or at least some paper and pencil. But most of my inspiration comes from the video games that I play, the movies that I watch, the books and fics that I read, the music, and The Blaze. (political radio show) A few other places too :) I generally look at a franchise or a stand-alone and if the alien species is really dangerous to humans, then most of the time, I’ll think, “I’ll find a way for an OC of mine to get into a romantic relationship with one of them and possibly have babies.”

If you were put into a fantasy world, what would you be?

The Alien... That should be self-explanatory. HOWEVER, I would only attack if you are tresspassing and/or being hostile. Basically, if you’re being mean to me, I’ll kill you. If you’re nice and keeping your distance, I’ll just stare at you while drooling—gazing at you with curiosity like, “Are you going to give me that MRE you have in your backpack or what Mr. Colonial Marine?”

Most fav book cliché? Least fav book cliché?

Most fav: Enemies to lovers (I dig that shit all day, everyday) What isn’t more pleasing than getting to have sex with your enemy? :D (Yes, that’s a kink of mine)

Least fav: The man who you thought was your best friend was actually the person who was behind all the source of evil. Ugh.

Fav scenes to write?

Definitely those moments between my characters that they are starting to realize that they like each other or one of them likes the other. Also the sex scenes, ugh those are GREAT.

Most productive time of day for writing?

After working really hard at work and after eating supper while laying in my bed.

Reasom for writing?

And now, I hereby proudly display the official cover art for my AvP fanfiction ‘Impossible.’

This wonderful piece of work was done by @tomsartdump and I couldn’t be more happy with how it turned out; in-fact, when I saw the final product today, I got three ideas that came forth from simply observing this picture, that I will implement into the story! I highly recommend contacting this man if any of y’all are wanting some extremely quality artwork - the money put forth will be worth it.

Once again, I’d like to thank him for drawing me this, as it gives a much better visualization of the story and also it gives insight into a specific moment in the story itself that is quite sad... Bring lots and lots of tissues...

I look forward to doing business with him again, as I am extremely satisfied with the effort he put forth in the production of this art. Darn excellent job.

And for those of you who would like to read the fanfiction, here it is: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12814948/1/Impossible