Two young children, a boy and a girl were seen playing on a swing-set. The boy being a good 2 to 3 feet taller was pushing the smaller girl happily.

"Higher!" She giggled. "I wanna go higher!"

Following her wishes, he began to get more aggressive which the girl found to be extremely fun. As the boy continued to push, he began to notice that his strength began to have a mind of its own. Unintentionally, his pushes became harder, and the height the small girl began to get more and more concerning. He couldn't stop, he wouldn't stop. His body was not under his control, and only he knew it.

"W-Wait!" He spoke. "Stop! Jump off!"

His warning fell on deafs ears; She continued to giggle frantically. Her butt began to slowly lift off her seat when she reached a certain height, and her grip on the metal chains slowly began to slip. Then with one final push, she lost her grip and came flying off, high into the air.

"No!" He reached out to her finally having control of his limbs again.

She landed head first onto the ground, her neck snapping and her body flopping slightly until it came to a stop. Rushing over to the girl, he knelt beside her and cradled her head on his arms. Blood dripped down her hair and across her face. A wave of guilt and agony washed over the boy. And then the girls eyes opened with emptiness staring into his.

"Lincoln..." She whispered. "Why do we fall..."

Lincolns eyes fluttered open, he pushed himself up to a sitting position from his bed before stretching his arms and popping his back. He looked around the room he shared with his friend Chester who was snoring in his own bed aways from him. He was about to plop his head back down on his pillow, but then he looked down at the clock he had next to his bed and caught a glimpse of the time.

5:59 AM.

"...Shit-"

6:00 AM

The US Military Bugle Wake Up Call blasted loudly throughout the base, and from outside the doors the last hour of firewatch (night watch duty) were banging on their hatches telling them to wake the fuck up and get dressed for the day.

Chester groaned as his eyes struggled to open.

"Mmm... This sum bullshit." He muttered.

"You can say that again." Lincoln yawned as he slipped on his woodland trousers.

"Why are we even still here anyways?" Chester questioned. "I should be home sleeping all the way until noon. But I gotta deal with this every morning."

"We had this conversation like 3 times a day the past 3 or 4 days Chester." He said. "Lets just... Lets see where this goes."

Chester closed his eyes reminiscing the moment they decided to give this different life a shot. For a bunch of kids to make a decision like this seemed somewhat impossible, but with some persuasion from Lincoln and Ellie they managed to convince the Chain of Command that ran this program in the unit that a mistake must've happened that resulted in their names absent in their roll call list. He didn't know how they pulled it off, or even why they all decided to stay here in the west coast so far from home. Knowing how much they wanted to come home only to make a decision that didn't make any sense to their situation was odd enough.

His friends are weird, that's the only logical reason he was able to conclude with. To think that they'd all wanted to go home so badly, including Lincoln. But now, with a decision that absolutely made no sense as to why they're here, he could only sigh and get up from his bed. He'd get his answers one day or another, but something told him he'd have to wait a long time for that. Getting ready for the day along with Lincoln, he made sure to clean their rooms afterwards before leaving.

Ellie swished a can of soda around her hand. She sat next to Audrey amongst the other children their age who chatted away tiredly, yet happily at the same time with the quick friends they made. The sun was barely rising over the horizon as the chilly morning slowly began to warm up. Taking another sip, she caught sight of a familiar white haired boy that always made her stomach twist in a weird yet pleasurable way. She always felt better knowing he was around. It was something she couldn't understand, but she enjoyed it nonetheless.

"Goodmorning Lincoln." Ellie greeted.

"G'morning Ellie." He replied with a smile if his own. "How'd you sleep?"

"Good." She responded.

The two left it at that as Lincoln along with Chester took their seat with Ellie and Audrey conversing among each other. Another 10 or so minutes pass by and their Senior Drill Instructor Xiang, who they soon figured out his rank was currently a GySgt came by holding a paper

"Alrightu, settle downu." Xiang spoke causing everyone to go quiet. He made his way to the center of the crowd where the many children eyed him in silence. Some were intimidated by his presence, some were curious, some just didn't give a fuck at all. But they all gave him what was obligated for someone of his rank the moment they laid eyes on him.

Respect

Stopping dead in his tracks, Instructor Xiang took off his infamous cover that was notoriously known to be worn by Drill Instructors and Drill Sergeants alike. "You guys can relaxu." He sat on a barrel "Before we head off to morning chow. I'd like to do a brief guided and discussion with all of you."

Gesturing everyone to come in closer, the children made a school circle around the Instructor all sitting down listening attentively.

"This perspective is more on the Marine Corps side, but even then these values can be applied to everyday life. Can someone tell me what'su do the Corps values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment mean to you? There areu no wrong answers"

No one spoke up for a bit, all too hesitant on saying something. It went on like this quietly waiting and hoping someone would get up and say something. Nervously taking small glances back and fourth expecting someone to speak up. And then someone did.

A boy raised his hand and Instructor Xiang looked at him giving him a nod to proceed with what he was gonna say.

The boy stood up. "Goodmorning sir." He began. "I believe the Corps values of Honor resides in ones actions. For example if I were to walk by a piece of trash, I'd pick it up and throw it away. Now that could be looked at as a responsible morale every person should have. But that's not always the case, the reason is because at times doing the right thing even when no one is looking is better than having an audience to receive praise. So don't wait for the crowd to come, take initiative the moment you see something that can be fixed. Courage can be defined as bravery, but what else does that imply too? Well, it took Courage for me to stand up and speak when no one else decided too. So Courage doesn't necessarily have to do with something big like running across a battlefield to save a friend while being shot at. It can be the common things in life we do every day that we tend to look over. And Commitment is in the name itself. Committment isn't just a way of life you have to abide by, it's the undying determination to do what's right for yourself and others when time requires it most. Such as upholding the Corps values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment."

Instructor Xiang nodded softly. "Okay." He responded as the child sat back down. "So letu me ask you thisu. Let'su say one of your friends was being held hostage, and you have valuable information that the enemy demandsu from you or else he'll kill your friend. Would you give him the information? Or would you letu him die? If you let him die? Wouldu that not violate your code of courage and commitment to protectu your comradeu? And if you do save him? Would you have technically sacrifice your honor by giving up secret information to the enemy?"

The kid opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out as he didn't know how to respond to such a question. He gulped, feeling kinda dumb for thinking the way he did. But that wasn't the intention Instructor Xiang wanted to get.

"I apologizeu if it seemed I putu you on the spot? That wasn't my intention, noru am I saying your answer is incorrectu." He clarified. Looking at every youthful eye, he began to speak once more. "What I'm trying to say is, Honor, Courage, and Commitment doesn't have to be what you thinku it is, or what others even sayu it is. It'su what you believe have to believe, evening everyone is against your decision. Do what make your gut tells you." Leaving at that. Instructor Xiang stood to his feet and proceeded to put his cover back on. "Alright! On your feet! And get in formationu!" He barked causing the children to quickly do as they were told.

Speed and Intensity, that was how their Instructor liked it. And no other way he'd have it. Lincoln stood among the other children in the long row of four they all made in less than 30 seconds. Looking over, he stood next to the kid Instructor Xiang had called upon when asking for someone's answer on his question.

"I liked the way you answered the Instructor." Lincoln began making small talk until they were given the command to step it out.

"Thanks." He replied. "I'm Morris by the way." He smiled.

"Lincoln."

The two wouldve shaken each others hands at this point, but excessive movement in a formation was something they learned to minimize during their time here. It's not like they'd be getting physically abused if caught, but they'd be chewed out like no other if it happened.

"Psst, Lincoln." Chester hissed from behind him gaining his ears. "Audrey, Ellie, James, and I are gonna grab a table near the window during chow, bring your friend." Chester didn't see a response from him, but he knew Lincoln got the message.

Not a second later, Senior Drill Instructor Xiang called for the formation to begin its March to the Chow Hall. All while calling cadence where they would be able to match their steps to. It was a new morning for these children, and a slow but steady start to what would lie ahead in their experience.

Fast forward 2 years, Lincoln was now 13 years old. A small growth spurt ignited in his Gene's making him stand at a height of 5'6. It was currently pouring rain like no other day. A chilled and outright sucky mood could be felt across the entire place as Lincoln sat on the wet floor on the firing line aiming an M16A4 service rifle down at the 200 meter line. It was barely 6:40 in the morning, the sun has just risen enough to allow the targets down in the pits to be visible enough to fire at. Everyone was excited for this moment, most of them having the joy of being able to fire a weapon their first time for educational and experience. All could've been great if it hadn't began raining. Now, most of them sit wet and cold doing their best to load their magazines with rounds to fire their respective rifles they possessed.

Lincoln himself was the first relay to shoot, so in frustration he had to load 3 magazines of 10 quickly before the sound cart called for the rifle range to commence fire. Water dripped from the Military cover he had on his head as he focused his aim down the range, practicing his aim before the big event.

"Hey, kid."

Lincoln looked up from his rifle to see a man with an odd looking cover kneeling next to him. This person is his assigned Coach that'll help him shoot batter. He called him Coach Webster. Lincoln enjoyed Coach Webster's presence, though he hasn't met him for long until today. He heard quite the rumors from him and his kind of personality. One thing being, he is a Satanist. And he loves dark humor

"Don't aim your rifle down range just yet until you have been told to, that's a safety violation. I'll over look this one but if you get 3 more I'll cut your throat open and kick you off this range."

"Good to go, Coach." Lincoln could only respond as he lowered his rifle and stood to his feet. Looking back over, Audrey and Chester shivered uncontrollably causing them to go internal.

"T-This f-fucking s-sucks." Audrey hissed out as water poured off hood of a camouflage raincoat she wore.

"I wanna go home..." Chester muttered.

Feeling sympathetic for his friends, but also understanding what they're feeling he could only try to ignore the cold as much as possible by keeping his mind on other things. Glancing over, he saw James, Morris and Ellie standing on the firing line a little away from him. James showed obvious signs of coldness, but held his bearing as best he could. Same could be said with Morris. Ellie shivered once and awhile as well, but other than that her eyes were focused down range without any signs of breaking eye contact anytime soon. She looked attractive in his eyes. Attractive and confusing. Feeling a pair of eyes on her, Ellie made eye contact with Lincoln and smiled. Giving him a small wave to acknowledge his presence with her on the firing line. Lincoln smiled back, a small blush having formed his cheeks on realization he's been caught staring.

"Goooooodmorning boys and girls!" The speakers from the sound cart blasted throughout the range. What a beautiful day with a good amount of drizzle to wake us up, ain't it?"

"Fuck off." Audrey throwed an annoying glance at the sound cart and the person who sat in it dry and warm.

"Let's get this started, Relay 1 please make your way to the firing line. I say again, relay 1 make your way to the firing line."

Lincoln proceeded as instructed as well as 49 others.

"We will be starting off with a rapid fire in the prone position. Firing 3 magazines of 10. Boys and girls, as you were taught during grass week, go condition 1!"

Everyone on the firing line did as they were told, grabbing a magazine of 10 rounds from their pouch, they all inserted mag in their rifle, tapping bottom of the magazine up and giving it an slight tug down ensuring it was secured in the rifle. Soon after they all racked their bolts back, sliding a round into the chamber ready to be fired when given the command.

"Here we go!" The sound cart rang once again. "Is the line ready on the left? Left is ready! Line ready on the right? The right is ready! The line is ready, and the pits aaarrree rreeady! Rrrrrrrrrriflemans-"

Everyone began getting into the prone position being careful to keep their muzzles pointed forward in order to not flag anyone down.

"You may commence fire when your taaaaaaarrrrrrgets appear!"

All was quiet on the fire line for the first 2 to 3 seconds. Everyone had their targets lined up in their sights, but were too hesitant to pull the trigger first. The first shot of the morning shot off, and soon after that a volley of bullets soared down the range. After emptying a mag, Lincoln quickly swapped it out with a new one and began firing once more trying to get all of his bullets sent down range. The firing kept going until a cease fire was called.

"Cease fire, cease fire! Unload! Show clear!" The sound cart rang throughout the range again halting any continued firing.

Coach Webster came to him. "How many rounds you have left?"

"Not sure..." He replied. Unloading his magazine and racking the bolt back causing the round inside the chamber to fly out, Webster counted the bullets.

"Four." He sighed. "Try to shoot em all next time kid. A bullet unfired is a guaranteed point loss." Looking down the range where the targets that were pulled down only moments ago to be marked was now pulled back up displaying the shooters, shot groups.

"Your aim is everywhere too, we gotta fix that or I'm gonna be able time help with your aim. Breath out there next time kid, and stop anticipating the shot. I saw you out there. And don't muscle your shots either, they should all be natural and should easily be able to slide into it. Your natural point of aim is most crucial to this." Seeing nothing else to be said, Webster sent Lincoln to sit on the bench until he's called upon again.

Second relay was called to the firing line this time as they began to go through the same procedures Lincoln went through.

"Hah, you did pretty ass out there."

Looking at the bench next to him. Lincoln made eye contact with another kid with a smug look on his face.

"My shot groups are pretty damn good. Hell, I even made em all in the center."

"Good for you then." Lincoln congratulated as Chester squeezed into the conversation.

"I'm sure Lincoln could shoot better than you if he really tried."

"Ha!" The kid laughed. "With groupings like that? Please, you must be dreaming. My name is Enrique, I suggest you remember it as the guy who'll wipe the floor with you all."

"Why I ought to-"

"Chill Chester." Lincoln grabbed his friends shoulder. "You get riled up to easily man. It ain't worth it."

Chester looked away, annoyed. "Tch, bastard."

Sighing in relief that he was able to calm his friend down from starting a scene, he staired into a puddle that built up under their feet looking at his reflection that staired back at him. His thoughts wandered to home, wondering what his family could be doing now without him.

The recruiters along with Lisa set up their little base of operation in the basement of the Loud residency. Most continued to observe Lincolns memories flow through it's natural state jumping from important aspects of his life to the next moment, whether being hours, days, weeks, months, even years ahead.

Lisa typed away in her computer that was hooked onto her mind reading machine trying to find some way to speed up the process, or even forcing Lincolns memories to push on to the important dates required without doing any kind of damage to him in any way. Captain Rave was on the phone speaking to his superiors, and the way he responded was clearly showed he was agitated

"No, sir! I have-" He stopped talking, the person over the line interrupting him from continuing. "Yes, I understand, Sir! We have MSgt Loud in our custody but- ...no, Sir! You must understand it's completely under control. We'll take care of this and transfer him with us to- ...yes... no, you don't have to send... okay but... sir? Sir?!" Captain Rave looked at his phone in anger and frustration and screamed at it.

"Officers giving you a hard time sir?" GySgt Jackson asked.

"Fucking hell. Why can't they just take it easy and not have their panties in a notch so much." Captain Rave went over and sat down on an old dusted couch that sat in the basement. It was facing towards the projector that currently flashed through Lincolns memories through his own eyes.

"Have you found a way to make this go by faster, Lisa?" Captain Rave asked.

"Nothing yet. But I'm working on it."

"Great." He grumbled as the rest of the Recruiters hung out around the basement.

"With all due respect, Sir." Sgt Smith spoke as he was leaning up against the wall. "I didn't sign up for this shit. I'm a fucking recruiter for christ sake." Clearly a little agitated and as much as he'd hate to say it, he was a little scared too.

"Sounds like to me you're being a little bitch." Marquez responded. "Or have you forgotten the main reason we Marines exist in the first place? To ensure security to our nation? Until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but peace!"

"Hey fuck you, Marquez." Smith narrowed his eyes at his fellow recruiter. "You of all people should be the last one to say that, what kind of Marine has a score of Marksman anyways?"

Sgt Carlos sucked on his teeth. "Ooo, put some Ice on that burn."

"Come on guys." Sgt Daniel's intervened. "Now's not the time for this."

"Shut up, Daniels!" Smith took a few steps forward. "What we're doing right now is completely idiotic. I have a fucking family to feed. And with the stupid crime Loud got himself into he's just gonna be dragging us all down in the dirt with him!"

"Smith." Jackson attempted to stop him.

"Why the fuck should I sacrifice my time when I can be using it to support my family! We just received orders to pretty much defy the Federal Government for a split second their and take away a criminal from their front steps! How the hell would we even-"

"Smith! That's enough!" Jackson yelled. "I know this is all way beyond what any of us have ever done before. And we wouldn't even think of doing something like this even if given the order to do so. But trust in our leadership right now. If MSgt Loud is viable to this mission as they say he is, we really need him."

"With all due respect, you make it sound like we can all die if this isn't done." Sgt Daniel's questioned. "What's going on exactly?"

Captain Rave sighed. "I wish I knew more information than what they informed me of. But from what I know, if we don't find out what the whereabouts of what's hiding up in MSgts head soon, there's a chance a nuclear war would rain havoc across the globe."

The room went silent, and Lisa began listening attentively at the dangers that could reign upon them

"Y-You're shitting me right?" Carlos nervously laughed. After failing to receive any sign of this being a joke, Carlos gulped and muttered. "Señor, ten piedad de nosotros." (Lord, have mercy on us)

"Dangerous times are ahead of us men." Captain Rave sighed. "We can only hope for the best."

Upstairs, the front door being opened dramatically could be heard.

"Lisa?! Lisa where are you?" The family began to call for their young sister.

"Down here!" Lisa called for them. And like a flock of wild birds they all came flying down.

"Oh, thank god." Lori covered her mouth, small tears began to well up in her eyes as she rushed over to Lincoln who was currently unconscious. Luna, Leni, Luan, Lucy, Lola, and Lana flocked around their brother happy to see he was in their custody once again.

"Lisa" Lori looked over. "Can you please pull him out, we wanna talk to him."

Lisa opened her mouth to respond, but Captain Rave beat her to it. "I'm sorry, but now's not the best time. We need Lincoln to access his most recent memories during the Battle of Qardho. We can't waste so much time now."

Rita and Lynn Sr. made their way down the basement after hearing the commotion. Feeling relieved that there Son was currently under their roof at the moment, they couldn't help but wonder what would happen from here on out.

"What's going on here?" Lynn Sr demanded as his protective fatherly instinct kicked in. "What's gonna happen to my son?!"

"Relax Mr. Loud." Jackson stood to his feet and made his way over to Lynn Sr. "I understand how you feel and wonder what's really going on."

"My son." He narrowed his eyes as anger began to swell within him. "What do you want with him?"

"Sheesh, for saving your little boy from life in prison you sure as hell got a fucking attitude don't ya." Marquez narrowed his eyes.

"Chill with the language." Daniel's hissed at him. "There are children here."

"Alright, shut up all of you!" Jackson screamed, their continued bickering beginning to run his patience dry. "Not another damn word from this point on!"

Everyone was stressed out of their mind all wanting to do their own goddamn thing. And it was more and more frustrating by how uncommunicative they all were to each other. Sooner or later they'd all get caught up in a mind fuck if things don't cool off.

Taking a deep breath to calm his raging nerves. Jackson spoke up once more "Mr. Loud." He began. "I don't know too much of what's going on either, but I can say without a doubt that right now. None of us will be safe anytime soon. Our lives our now in jeopardy of ending some time in the near future."

"W-What do you mean?"

Captain Rave intervened. "I can't say for sure what's currently being done, but right now, we need your sons memories of what really happened back before he came home. It's the chance we can see that could possibly keep us from dying now."

"This..." Lynn Sr wobbled over to the couch and sat down on it feeling light headed already. "This doesn't make sense." Rita came over and attempted to comfort her husband.

"You're... he's... we're gonna... just what the heck is happening?"

"Dad." Leni worried for her father. "It'll be okay. As long as we're all together... right?"

"I..." Lynn Sr halted in his words unsure of what to say.

"We are honey." Rita replied for her husband, giving Leni the best reassuring smile she could muster up. "All of us, we're gonna be okay."

"There's still so many things I wanna do with him." Lola sniffed as he held her unconscious brothers hand. "Please." He looked at the Servicemembers. "Please don't take him away from us again."

"I'm sorry." Jackson could only say. "At some point he will be escorted by a convoy that'll be here within the next month or so if things don't let up soon. It's for your protection, trust me with your brother around things will begin to get real dangerou-"

"I don't care!" Lola snapped. "I don't care what happens! I won't have you take away the one thing that brought us back as a family. It's just not gonna happen!"

Despite not showing much of her emotions right now. Lucy's aura gave off a nasty vibe that she'd gut down the next person who try to take Lincoln. She'd personally rip out their organs and watch them struggle to breath like a fish out of water.

More knocks on the door could be heard making everyone tense up. "Lynn! Rita! You home?!" The sound of Albert Loud filled their voices causing the Loud family to sigh in relief.

"It's just Pop-Pop." Lynn sighed with a smile.

They heard the door for the house open and shut from upstairs.

"They're probably not here, hun." Myrtle concluded.

"And Gran-Gran..." Luan smiled even more.

"Nonsense, everyone's vehicles is just outside." He reasoned "Of course they should be here."

"Pop-pop!" Lily called for as the thought of her grandparents seemed to bring some joy back into her mood.

The elder couple immediately came down the stairs after tracking the sound. "Lily?" Pop-pop called for as he began to make his way down the basement stairs. "You down here sweetheart?"

"Albert, Myrtle." Rita was the first to greet them from the bottom of the steps, giving the two a brief and small hug grateful they were here in support for Lincoln.

"What's going on down here?" Albert questioned taking notice of the unusual presence and activity going on in the basement. The projector caught his attention as well as a young Lincoln who now seemed to be growing to the age of 13 during it's time frame.

"Lincoln?" In confusion he made his way to the projector unaware of Lisa's invention that made such a memory visible to the human eye. "But, how?" His eyes traveled along group of cords to the source of where it lead to see the real Lincoln unconscious huddled in the center of his sister's.

The girls made an opening for Albert after seeing his approach to Lincoln's unconscious state. As the eldest generation of the Loud family stood over his own blood, pondering over the events that just happened, he could only seethe in silence from a guilty felt presence that loomed over the back of his head. He felt as if he failed his one and only grandson, not only as a role model, but a grandfather as well. To be able to support and be there for his grandson was the one and only thing he ever wanted after hearing of his disappearance. As a grandfather, he knew that the offspring further from his Gene's would come to him if their father wasn't able to answer or fulfill their seek of guidance. And he vowed to do just that if that was ever the case. But after figuring out what happened to Lincoln, he couldn't help but hold an immense and uncontrollable amount of anger to Lynn Sr and Rita. He demanded answers from the two, explaining why such a catastrophe happened. He even seen them unfit to raise the rest of their children, going as far as to try to take them out of their custody. But after a talk from his wife and grandchildren, his anger and judgment could only turn into despair as he believed he would never see Lincoln again.

After that day, he vowed to do his best to be their for the others. Even throughout the failed attempts to give them the hope and life they once had, he never gave in. He never gave up. And he never succumbed to the deep hole his family dug themselves in. A lingering sende of hope always held onto him somehow. And he knew just someday things would get better. So one day when he was coming for another visit, imagine his confusion when he walked in the door and saw everyone enjoying themselves like the last 10 years never happened at all. The smiles they had, the jokes they gave, even the atmosphere they emitted was a complete turn around. So imagine his further disbelief when he saw his supposed grandson stand in front of him, now a grown man who stood taller than he and his father. It was a day he never will forget, even despite the remaining and shortening years of life he held onto. From that point on, he not only re committed to himself for being the Grandfather he always wanted to be, but he promised to be there for Lincoln himself if there was anything, anything he could do to help.

Now, at a point where he's now and possibly would forever be considered a criminal in the United States, he could only wonder where it all went wrong. And what other methods he could've taken to prevent it.

"Oh Lincoln." He fell to one of his knees, watching his grandson inhale and exhale the oxygen within his lungs at a steady pace. "Tell me, what did I do wrong?"

A small pair of hands grasped onto his own, feeling someone's head rest against his shoulders he turn to see Lily accompanying him.

"I want things to go back as they used to." She muttered.

Albert closed his eyes, blinking the tears away he nodded softly "Me too, pumpkin." He replied. "Me too..."

The emotional scene between Granddaughter and Grandfather could only be watched in silence as the projector continued to flicker through Lincolns memories, all anticipating for the answers to their problems would be within the screen sooner or later.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

My bad for the wait peeps. Just enjoying my time tbh. That's all there is too it. I wanted to make this chapter a little longer but I found no reason to continue from this scene. It felt like a good stopping point for now.

Let me know what y'all think, what are your clues for what really happened before Lincoln came home. What will become of the Loud family now knowing that Lincoln would now be considered a fugitive of the United States. Why did the Marine Corps give orders that went against the Federal Government? What really is going on?

Haha, only I know lol.