Within about fifteen minutes, all five of them are outside, standing in a line as directed. A little antsy - or maybe cold - they don't seem to be capable of standing still.
Not that I care at this point. I don't need perfection from a bunch of untrained civilians, just effort. I walk around them and send in those who forgot water or in one case, meds, to retrieve them.
At the twenty-minute mark, Jenna dashes out of the barracks and assumes her spot at the end of the line. She's clean, dressed and carrying her water like she's supposed to.
"Where's Ms. Khavalov?" I ask her.
"She's not ready yet."
How does a bed wetting six-year-old show up a full-grown woman?
"Tanner, move out to the pit," I instruct the oldest boy. "Stay in a line. No one leaves the trail. Understood?"
More yes, captain and yes, sir mumbles. The kids turn and begin walking.
I trot inside. The door to our room is closed, so I knock. "You almost ready?"
"Yes!"
By her tone, I'm in for a hell of a morning. I can't help smiling at the amount of resentment I hear.
"We'll be at the pit. Don't forget your water. Grommets out," I respond. I don't stick around to learn how well she can throw shoes but join the kids and continue walking with them in the dark to the pit, a large area with a soft layer of woodchips. In the Corps, we use a place like this for any number of drills, from combat arms training to morning push-ups to accountability formations.
"We'll start with some jumping jacks," I tell the kids. "Ready? Start!"
"Starting them young and early, I see," a female voice teases from behind me.
I turn to see Captain Harper, dressed for a run. We've worked together for about six months, and she's never failed my team, no matter what I've asked of her. The opposite of Katya, she's disciplined and motivated. I always enjoy talking to her. It's easy to be around someone with similar priorities and values.
Something I didn't realize until trying to understand Katya more. The friction I feel dealing with Khav's sister isn't here, and it's kinda nice not to have it hanging over my head.
"You want me to give you a hand?" Captain Harper asks.
"Sure."