Wolf in sheep clothing
In the work field everyone was fake, it didn’t matter what rank or status you were. The most common term to describe someone was ‘Wolf in sheep clothing.’ It was so common so it never surprised someone when they showed their true intentions. One person was worse than the one you met, everyone was here to climb ranks not make true friends.
You now stepped onto the base, your boots crunching under the payment. Miles away from home with so little energy, friends that came to the base disappear over time. Some finding their own path and backstabbing to climb faster. Their presence seemed to drop, as they took a step into the grim ranks of the base.
Knowing this you kept to yourself, at times it was an advantage. You did what was needed of you, following orders with respect. Your head lowered as Sargents barked out orders to you and other privates. You took most tasks that others tended to forget until they piled up;so why is he standing here? Why was a lieutenant staring at you as if he could read into your soul?
“You.” He said as he took up your size. “Follow.”
You stare at him, mouth going dry as he walked away expecting for you to follow. Silently you take a step out of line, other privates watch. Some share a look of jealousy and pity, your Sargent gives you a grim look as you pass him. The Lieutenant doesn’t bother to check if you followed.
“Rumor is you understand code better than some people we have here.” He stated than questioned. “Is that right.”
You pressed your lips to a thin line, both of you passed other soldiers. He stopped in his tracks and turned to face you.
“Well?” He said crossing his arms. “Speak.”
“Where have you heard such things? Lieutenant.” Your voice quivers slightly as you clear your throat. “I can understand certain code, but that doesn’t mean I’m better than wh—“
“Good enough for this.” He replies turning away from you. “Keep up private.”
You nod slowly knowing you had no choice. You know this Lieutenant, not by personal status but by the rumors surrounding them. Stories told to new privates who enter the base, which included him.
Lieutenant Ghost a well known figure in the base along with his buddies. Ghost is rumored to lurk , report and test people when they saw them fit. Yet that was rare, as he focuses more on lurking than approaching. He was also the part of the highly praised team in the ranks, ‘Task Force 141’. A squad built on moving like wolves, the term ‘wolf in sheep clothing’ was their lived up hype. Many people try to get in, try to be one of them. So they become nasty, making the base earn the title.
“In.” Ghost murmurs stopping at the door and opening it. “It’s an order.”
You swallowed as you stepped into the room, it was small but private. A room like this would normally be used for briefings. You turned your gaze to the front and see not other than the team. Sargent Gaz, Sargent Soap and the one and only Captain Price. You could feel how your mouth gapes open. Chills immediately running down your spine as they gazed up from a laptop. Their eyes linger on your body, stares like wolves before they mask themselves up too look innocent just like sheep.
“You must be the private I heard rumors off.” Price announces as he expands his hand to a chair. “Please take a seat and do you want anything to drink? Perhaps coffee or tea and I can assure you my men don’t bite.” He pauses and looks at Soap. “Most of them.”
“One time, one fucking time I bite and you make it your whole joke.” Soap scoffs shaking his head. “I don’t bite kid.”
“I don’t know, you were biting me earlier.” Gaz snickers under his breathe making Soap head snap his direction. “What?”
“Enough, now you.” Price says pointing at you. “You have skills i need for this.”
“Me?” You question, before watching him grab the old laptop. “Couldn’t you ask someone in this profession? I can assure you my skills aren’t wha—“
“Professional aren’t what we want or need.” Price spoke as he placed the old laptop in front of you. “Take a seat.”
You stare down at the seat, your hand reaches to pull the chair out. Once you sat down price spin the laptop to face you, the screen glowing white. The laptop clearly was cheap, looked hand made. Your right hand gravitates over the keyboard, your finger tips brushing against it. Price watches you closely before tilting his head. Ghost turned to the door and closed it, the lock clicked. Blinds were drawn making the room more dim.
Price clears his throat before grabbing a stack of papers behind them. Gaz looks over at Price as he approaches you, his gaze now locks on your back. You looked innocent like a private who wouldn’t be so special. Price sets the papers near your right hand, he stands by and slowly places his own hand on the stack papers.
“Professionals wouldn’t even do what we want. They all tend to hesitate and call us insane for wanting this.” Price speaks and taps his fingers on the paper. “While you? You become inconspicuous. Ghost here has been monitoring you though.” He pauses as he signals ghost to stand to your left. “How is it a simple private like you managed to break through the base system? Just to change a simple schedule because it wasn’t to your liking.”
You feel the blood drain from your face, your lips now dry. Price lets out a satisfied chuckle at your reaction. Your head slowly turns to Ghost as he extends his hand on the laptop. Now pointing at it before he turns to look at you.
“It was hard to understand how you did it. Just a simple thing for you isn’t it?” Ghost spoke his tone serious. “I went crazy trying to figure out who did it. Who managed to get past the system the base depended on. Lucky me you slipped up on your way out.”
Your heart pounds against your chest, your hands now placed on the table. Your gaze now locked with Ghost, sending uncontrollable chills. Ghost moves back as Price clears his throat.
“Are you..” you try to speak, but words can’t even fully form.
“Accuse you of being the enemy?” Soap spoke up and grinned. “No, well not yet at least.”
“Johnny.” Ghost warns with a side eye. “Dont scare the kid.”
“What soap meant to say here no, but that’s if you help us get in this.” Price explains as he points to the laptop screen. “See we tried every modern breakers. Yet nothing works, this even has Ghost in a daze.”
“If he can’t do it, what makes you think I can?” You ask turning your attention to the dim screen. “Im not one for the job.”
“See thats where you’re wrong. You went into this issue with the wrong head.” Gaz speaks up and looks at you. “You act like a simple person with no idea of anything. A simple private with no connections to family or friends.” Gaz pauses and looks at price as he nods to continue. “How is it that a simple private like you has no identity. No background of any education or pervious living arrangement.”
“Oh and dont say you were homeschooled kid.” Soap chuckles more to himself. “We checked everything.”
Price removed his hand from the stack of papers. That’s when you paid really close attention, that top paper of the stack had one of many of your identities. You slowly glance at Gaz whose lips cured into a grin.
“See, you can’t simply disappear here.” Gaz explains as he points to the papers. “So, who are you really?”
“You seem to adapt that term on the base kid.” Price now spoke up and patted your arm. “A true wolf in sheep clothing.”
Your eyes wonder to the laptop, you knew you messed up. Mask slipped and now that private you spent years making was gone. Now you were here a puppet to a team who could be worse than you or perhaps an equal. At the end of the day you were just like everyone in this damn base. A wolf pretending to be an innocent sheep.
Your hands slowly extanded to the keyboard. With trembling hands you place them down and glance at price. The room lights flickered as Price displayed a large smile.
“So do you that cup of coffee?” Price chuckles as he places his hands on your shoulders. “Or are you gonna burrow this deeper than it should be ‘wolf’?”
