Trooper Station, Monday, September 20, 2021

[grenadesandohana]

Steve was in bright and early today, much to the Troopers' distinct disapproval. Perky Steve meant extra PT from Steve.

And yes, just as they'd learned to expect, Steve had them climbing cliffs today.

In revenge, Calvin stopped at the Perk and got everyone but Steve a fall-flavored coffee.

Steve was trying not to care.

The Trooper Station was open!

Comments

[alwaysonguard]

After his morning work out at the beach and on his way back towards the shop, Dwight passed by the station. He figured it might be good to pop in for a few minutes.... seeing as it was one of the places he had yet to really stop by since getting to the island.

"Hey, Steve isn't it?" he asked as he walked in. "Don't think we've been properly introduced yet. I'm Dwight" he added as he held out his hand.

[grenadesandohana]

Steve returned the handshake firmly. "Yeah, I'm Steve. McGarrett," he added. "There's another Steve around here too who teaches at the school. It's nice to meet you. Can I help you with something?"

[alwaysonguard]

"Nothing in particular. Just figured I've been around the island long enough that it was time for a proper introduction. Also, figured I should at least introduce myself to the island's resident SEAL."

[grenadesandohana]

Steve laughed. "Really? I'm hoping that you're from a universe that wasn't expecting me to be talking marine life."

[alwaysonguard]

"Just wanted to stop by to give my regards to a fellow vet is all," Dwight said simply. "Will let you get back to your work."

[grenadesandohana]

"Oh, you're Duke's guy?" Steve said, pieces falling into place. "Army, right?"

[alwaysonguard]

Duke's guy huh? That was an interesting way to phrase things.... considering Duke barely wanted to see him let alone talk to him lately.

"Yeah, several years in Rangers. And no hard feelings about the whole Army/Navy thing right?" he ventured with a hopeful grin.

[grenadesandohana]

"Well, only since we've won every Army-Navy game since 2001," Steve said, smirking.

It was 2015 where Steve was. Steve was going to be very sad in 2016.

"Did you go to West Point?"

[alwaysonguard]

"Unfortunately no. I wanted to, but the fact that I was married kept me from being accepted." Dwight said a soft sigh.

He would always hate himself on some level for jumping into that too quickly and missing that opportunity.

"Did all the other training though, got into the Rangers and was sent over seas for a few years."

[grenadesandohana]

"I worked with JSOC out of Bragg for a few missions," Steve said with a quick smile. "All classified."

Of course.

[alwaysonguard]

"Of course, all the best missions are the classified ones, naturally" Dwight said, nodding in agreement.

[grenadesandohana]

"Why do Special Forces otherwise?" Steve said with a grin.

[alwaysonguard]

"Exactly" Dwight said with a slight nod. It definitely wasn't to get shot and sent home after only a few years active duty, that was for sure.

"How long did you serve? Or are you still reserves now?"

[grenadesandohana]

"I'm still reserves," Steve said, nodding, "but I'm not exactly their first phone call these days. When I'm not here, I'm running the governor of Hawai'i's special task force."

[alwaysonguard]

"Good that you can still be on call and serve when needed" Dwight said simply. "My greatest regret with the whole military thing is not being able to serve at all anymore."

[grenadesandohana]

"There's other ways to serve that don't include weapons," Steve said with a smile.

He hadn't found any, but he'd heard!

[alwaysonguard]

"Well when you find something that doesn't involve guns or being stuck behind a desk all day, you let me know" Dwight said with a chuckle. "I think I've been a civilian for too long at this point anyways, to be honest."

[grenadesandohana]

"How long have you been out?" Steve asked.

[alwaysonguard]

"Served overseas from 2002-2004. Got wounded (understatement much Dwight?) and sent home. Went from being a Ranger to being a single father. So yeah not a lot of time to be doing much else." Dwight paused for a moment then added because, ya know funky Fandom timelines. "It was 2009 back home for me when I left and ended up here in Fandom."

[grenadesandohana]

"Yeah, that's probably too much time to get back into Ranger shape," Steve teased, "even if you wanted to."

[alwaysonguard]

"Just a bit" Dwight agreed. "Been trying to get back into something resembling a half decent routine now that I have the time. Its going... well, it's going," he added with a smirk.

[grenadesandohana]

"Well, neither of us are in our twenties," Steve said. "It's harder now."

[alwaysonguard]

"Ha! If only to be 20-something again" Dwight smirked.

[grenadesandohana]

Steve laughed. "I like to think I'm a little smarter than I was just going into BUD/s."

[alwaysonguard]

Dwight laughed in return and nodded. "One would hope that would be the case after everything service subjected us to. And still is, in your case."

[grenadesandohana]

Steve chuckled. "I have been to Afghanistan in months."

[alwaysonguard]

"Ah, then we have even more in common' Dwight said. "Afghanistan was my last deployment."

[grenadesandohana]

"Kandahar?" Steve guessed.

[alwaysonguard]

"Yeah. High profile mission. Classified of course. Things went sideways and our unit ended up surrounded... and well, let's just say things got ugly."

[grenadesandohana]

Steve's eyes were sympathetic. "Been there."

[alwaysonguard]

"Horrors of war mean a totally different thing when you've been through it huh?" Dwight fell silent for a moment then forced a small grin. "At least we made it out the other side, better or worse right?

Who knew, if he kept telling himself that often enough he might start believing it someday.

"But anyway, I'll let ya get back to work" Dwight said with a sincere smile. I'm "I'm sure we'll run into each other around the island again."