Drafted

Author's Note-I've got several ideas for oneshots and short stories set in the oft mentioned Reptile War from my story The Predator Militia, Revision. Most of them vilify the reptiles, so I thought I should put one out that 'humanizes' them, so to speak.

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Ajar had imagined several possible reactions from Eva when he showed her his draft notice, none of them particularly pleasant. However, seeing his girlfriend calmly pull her phone from her purse and bring up her contacts list was not among them. "Uh, Eva, what are you doing?"

"Calling Gary." Eva said simply

"Why are you calling your brother?" the confused young cobra asked.

"I'm gonna have him come over, and then take pictures of the two of you coiled up together," Eva elaborated, a tiny bit of strain entering her voice, "The Army will kick you out for being gay. Hi, Gary-"

"Sorry about the call, buddy," Ajar quickly said after snatching Eva's phone from her tail and seconds before hanging up. He turned back to his girlfriend and set the phone aside, "Eva that wouldn't have worked, even if you could get me to do it. The Army doesn't prohibit gays anymore."

"Then you'll just have to go to the Avian Federation," Eva said, more nervous now, "My dad can have you on a plane tonight, I'll come visit you-"

"Eva, I'm not gonna be a draft dodger," Ajar said sternly, "Besides, at least its for a good cause."

"What?"

"C'mon, you watch the News, you've seen how the furries treat each other," Ajar insisted, "We're saving them from themselves."

Eva stared at her cobra boyfriend for several moments, "Don't tell me you really believe that. This isn't some noble quest they're sending you to, Ajar. It's a fucking war! Where the losers die! And there aren't any winners! You stupid dusty!"*

Eva's eyes bulged and she reflexively wrapped her tail around her muzzle the moment the last world left her mouth. For his part, Ajar recoiled as if struck. Eva finally looked up at young cobra, "I'm so sorry, Ajar. I shouldn't of-"

"It's okay, Eva, I get it," Ajar muttered, he slithered over to Eva, nuzzling his girlfriend, "I'm scared too, believe me."

"Why do they even want you?" Eva murmured into Ajar's hood, "It's not like a snake can use a gun."

"The notice said I'm gonna be in the Scout Corps," Ajar coiled around Eva reassuringly as he spoke, "So, I won't actually be fighting, I'll just slither out ahead, spot the furries, then tell the real soldiers where to go to fight."

Eva looked up at Ajar. The green snake knew her boyfriend was just trying to make her feel better. That didn't mean it wasn't working.

Ajar wanted to say more, to promise Eva he'd come home to her after the war, but he knew it'd be an empty promise at best. Instead, the young cobra simply enjoyed the embrace with Eva.

Ajar had sixty days to report for duty. He decided he was going to spend them visiting his favorite places and seeing his friends and loved ones. After all, it may be the last chance he'd ever get.

*Sometimes used as a slur, 'Dusty' refers to reptiles, particularly snakes, from rural desert areas of Reptilica.