Bonds

[1 Month later, Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia]

When Alex arrived at the K9 unit, he noticed the sceptical looks of the other handlers and officers. Whispers followed him as he walked through the facility. In the past month, he got certified as a K9 handler. 

"I heard he's been blacklisted."

"Damn, what did he do?"

"Well, apparently, he survived."

"Fuck! The higher-ups have it out for him."

"Poor kid."

"This is politics boys. Don't get involved, or You might go down with him."

Ignoring the whispers, Alex reported to the K9 unit's chief, Senior Officer Reynolds. Reynolds was a grizzled veteran with years of experience handling military working dogs.

"Ensign Bishop," Reynolds greeted him with a firm handshake. "Welcome to the K9 unit. I've been briefed on your 'situation'. You'll be assigned to a six-month-old Cane Corso, unnamed. Your job is to make him combat-ready in three months."

"Understood, Sir," Alex replied.

Reynolds led Alex to the kennels, where the Corso was waiting. The Cane Corso was a large, muscular puppy with a striking black coat and piercing yellow eyes. As soon as Alex approached, he barked loudly and pulled at his leash, showing his defiance.

"He's a handful," Reynolds warned. "He's already been through 3 handlers; the dog refuses to follow commands with passion and is generally uncooperative. You've got your work cut out for you, Bishop."

Alex nodded, his resolve unwavering. "I'll get him ready, Sir."

Reynolds raised an eyebrow. "We'll see. You've got to show results. As you know, your first evaluation is in 3 months. Failure means demotion."

Alex watched as Reynolds walked away, leaving him alone with the dog. He crouched down to the dog's level, meeting his challenging gaze.

"Alright," Alex said softly. "Let's see what we've got here."

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The first few days were rough. The dog was indeed a troublemaker, refusing to obey basic commands and constantly testing Alex's patience. The other handlers watched with amusement, placing bets on how long Alex would last.

But Alex was determined. He saw this as more than just a test of his abilities as a handler; it was a mission to prove himself and honour his fallen comrades. He spent every waking moment with him, trying to build a bond and earn the dog's trust.

One evening, as Alex was working with him in the training yard, Chief of Staff Rogers approached him. Rogers was a Rugged old man. His hair was almost completely grey, and he had a stubble. Alex had noticed how other handlers had genuine respect for the man. He was also the one person who hadn't made a snide remark about him.

"Bishop, a word," Rogers called out.

Alex secured the dog and walked over to Reynolds.

"Yes, Chief?"

Rogers studied him for a moment before speaking. "I've seen you working hard. You're putting in the effort, but effort alone won't be enough. "

"I understand, Chief," Alex replied. "I'm trying my best."

Silence followed.

"38 years years, that's how long I have been with the K9 unit," Rogers continued. "I have trained or helped train 72 MWD( military working dogs)." 

Alex didn't know where this was going, so he nodded.

"Do you think this job is beneath you?"

Alex was a little taken aback. 

"No Sir, I don.."

"You used to be an up-and-coming Navy SEAL, but with the blacklisting and the unit change, I would understand if you held resentment." Rogers got a stern look on his face, "But it does not mean you get to make a mockery of the K9 unit. You are expected to respect this department,"

"With all due respect, Sir. I have been nothing but cordial since I got here while your officers are mocking me and placing bets on my failure."

While he didn't show it outwards, Alex has been in a terrible state for the past few days because of all the things that have been happening since he arrived at Norfolk and his helplessness. So the statement pissed off Alex

The Cane Corso, who was scratching his ears with its hind legs, immediately noticed Alex's shift in demeanour, stood up and started growling at COS Rogers.

"Interesting..." Roger's attention was on the dog. "Sorry about that, Bishop. I didn't mean what I said earlier, well...maybe a little bit."

"What do you mean?" Alex, clearly irritated, asked him.

"Why haven't you named the dog?"

".....I...."

Rogers started laughing at that.

" Your situation is sad and funny, Bishop. But the Corso seems to like you, that means you are not totally hopeless."

"Didn't you think it was weird a 6-month-old dog had 3 different handlers? It was because, unlike what Officer Reynolds said, the Corso isn't uncooperative. In fact, he is extremely intelligent. "

Rogers explained how Corso already knew the commands but refused to follow them. No matter what kind of treats were given or training he was put under, he remained defiant.

"But for some reason, he likes you, Bishop. Because of that, I am gonna help you."

"I wouldn't recommend that Chief. I have been blacklisted; nothing good would happen for you associating with me."

"I think you misunderstood Bishop; I am doing this for Corso and me. He probably the brightest I have ever seen. It would be such a shame to leave him with you, who know nothing about training a k9."

Just when Alex thought Roger wasn't a bad guy, he pissed him off again.

'Yep, this guy is an asshole.'

"Besides, in a couple of months, It will retire. Like I said, 38 years."

"Then that's more reason not to get involved, Chief."

Rogers smiled at that. He kneeled and did some dog magic that allowed Corso to pet him. Alex knew he was given a rare opportunity. This wasn't just for him. He had a score to settle. He needed help.

"What I meant to say was, Thank you, Chief. I...We'll be in your care," said Alex as he put forth his hand. Roger stood up and shook it. 

"Then it's settled. The first order of business is to name the Corso finally," Rogers said, " Do you have a name in mind, Ensign Bishop."

"Kai." << in Hawaiian, it means the sea.>>

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Over the next three months, Chief of Staff Rogers took Alex under his wing, providing both guidance and sometimes a tough-love approach that Alex needed. Their training sessions were rigorous, covering every aspect of military working dog training.

The first challenge was building an unbreakable trust and establishing a bond with Kai. Rogers emphasized that, though Kai seemed to like him, without a strong connection, Kai would never follow Alex's commands, no matter how well-trained he was. Alex spent hours with Kai outside of formal training sessions, engaging in activities that built their relationship. They went on long runs together, played fetch, and Alex even let Kai sleep in his quarters, much to the dismay of some of the other handlers. Gradually, Kai's defiance began to wane, replaced by a growing trust and respect for Alex.

During this time, Alex also tested himself. It wasn't just his heightened senses; he realised he was becoming stronger, faster and had more stamina. During the runs, once they were far from the public view in the mountains, Kai and Alex would race. Strangely, Alex won most of them. He could maintain a speed of 30mph for a long period of time. Kai was extremely competitive. He would run till he could no more and would lie down panting. Alex usually carried him down the mountain over his shoulders. Gradually, Kai became more trusting towards Alex.

Once Rogers felt that, they were ready, he introduced Alex to advanced obedience training. This wasn't just about teaching Kai to sit, stay, or heel. It was about ensuring that Kai would respond instantly and without hesitation, even in the most chaotic environments. Rogers demonstrated techniques for using both verbal commands and hand signals. Alex learned to be consistent and authoritative, reinforcing commands with positive reinforcement when Kai complied and correction when he didn't. The training sessions were intense, with Rogers often stepping in to show Alex the finer points of handling.

One day, as they were working on obedience drills, Rogers pointed out a subtle mistake Alex was making. "Bishop, you're hesitating. Kai can sense your uncertainty. You need to be decisive. Trust in your commands, and Kai will trust you."

Alex nodded, realizing Rogers was right. From that moment on, he made a conscious effort to project confidence and clarity in his commands. Kai responded positively, becoming more obedient and focused with each passing day.

Every night, once they were done with the training, Alex would hit the gym. He was progressively overloaded his weights. In 2 weeks, he was benching 250 kg for 20 reps. And each and every day he was making progress. By week 4, he was repping 400 kgs, surprising himself.

As Kai's obedience improved, Rogers introduced specialized skills training. Kai needed to master scent detection, tracking, and attack commands. They started with scent detection. Rogers set up scenarios where Kai had to locate hidden explosives and contraband. At first, Kai struggled, but with patience and repetition, he began to understand the task. Rogers taught Alex to read Kai's body language, recognizing the subtle cues that indicated when Kai had found a scent. It was a painstaking process, but Alex's dedication paid off. Kai's success rate in finding hidden targets increased dramatically. Funnily enough, Alex was also picking and identifying the different scents. 

Tracking was next. Rogers created realistic exercises, using other handlers as mock suspects for Kai to track over varied terrain. Kai had an unnatural aptitude for tracking, but he got easily distracted, so it took skilful handling to keep him on the trail. Rogers instructed Alex on how to guide Kai without interfering with his instincts. They practised in fields, forests, and urban environments, ensuring that Kai could adapt to any situation. Each successful track built their confidence and strengthened their bond.

Attack command training was the most challenging, mostly because the Corso showed immense talent and pleasure in taking down opponents. But tactical attacks required precision and control, ensuring that Kai would only engage on command and release immediately when told, But there were more than a few instances where Kai showed delayed responses.

Rogers demonstrated how to use protective gear and safe techniques to train Kai in subduing a suspect. Alex was initially hesitant, worried about the potential for Kai to become too aggressive. Rogers reassured him,

"Bishop, it's about control. Kai needs to understand when to use force and when to hold back. It's your job to determine what approach to take."

Through relentless practice, Alex and Kai perfected the attack commands. Kai learned to respond swiftly and accurately, displaying a level of discipline that impressed even the skeptical handlers who had doubted Alex from the start.

As the final evaluation approached, Rogers increased the intensity of their training. They worked on agility and endurance, using an obstacle course to test Kai's physical capabilities. The course included jumps, tunnels, and balance beams. Alex learned to motivate Kai, using encouragement and rewards to keep him focused. Kai's agility and speed improved significantly, proving that he could handle the physical demands of the job.

Rogers also emphasized desensitization. Kai needed to remain calm and focused in the face of loud noises, gunfire, and other potential distractions. They conducted controlled exposure sessions, gradually acclimating Kai to these stimuli. At first, Kai was startled by the sudden noises, but with consistent training, he learned to stay composed. The sceptical whispers from before was slowly but surely turning into murmurs of approval.

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The day of the evaluation arrived. The atmosphere was tense as officers and handlers gathered to watch. Alex felt the weight of their expectations and the burden of proving himself. Kai sensed the tension too, but he stayed close to Alex, his loyalty evident in his eyes.

The evaluation began with the obedience test. Kai flawlessly executed commands, responding to both verbal and hand signals. He demonstrated his ability to stay focused despite distractions, earning high marks from the evaluators. 

Next was the scent detection test. Kai was tasked with finding hidden explosives and contraband in a simulated urban environment. He moved swiftly and methodically, his nose close to the ground. Alex watched intently, guiding Kai with subtle signals. Kai located all targets with impressive accuracy and efficiency, showcasing the results of their hard work.

The tracking test followed. In a field exercise, Kai tracked a "suspect" over varied terrain. He followed the trail without hesitation, leading Alex directly to the target. The evaluators nodded in approval, noting Kai's excellent tracking skills and Alex's adept handling.

The agility course was next. Kai navigated the obstacles with agility and precision, demonstrating his physical prowess and training. He jumped over hurdles, ran through tunnels, and balanced on beams with ease. Alex's encouragement kept him motivated, and they completed the course in record time.

The final test was the attack command. In a controlled scenario, Kai responded to the attack command, subduing a "suspect" while maintaining control. His discipline and training were evident as he followed Alex's commands precisely, releasing the suspect immediately when told. The evaluators were visibly impressed, noting Kai's perfect execution and Alex's command presence.

The evaluation concluded, and the evaluators conferred among themselves. Alex stood by, trying to remain calm. He knew that his future in the Navy depended on the outcome.

Senior Officer Reynolds approached Alex, with a smile on his face.

"Congratulations, Ensign Bishop. You've passed the evaluation. Kai is officially combat-ready."

Relief washed over Alex. He knelt down and hugged Kai, who wagged his tail enthusiastically.

"Good job, boy," Alex whispered.

Rogers clapped Alex on the back. "You did good, Bishop. Real good. You've got a bright future ahead, despite the blacklisting. Remember, it's not about the rank. It's about the mission."

"Thanks, Chief, couldn't have done this without you."

"Alex...the K9 unit might not be as glamorous or action-packed as the Navy SEALS, but never forget this unit is just as vital. K9 units save lives. These dogs detect explosives and contraband, track down dangerous suspects, and protect their handlers and others with unwavering loyalty. Their senses and skills surpass what any human can do alone. Every time Kai finds a hidden bomb prevents an attack or brings down a threat, he's not just doing his job—he's saving lives. Every successful mission, every life saved, that's a victory. It's an honour to be a part of this, and to work alongside these incredible dogs. They might not get the medals or the recognition, but they are heroes in their own right. And so are we, for guiding them. Remember that."

"I will Chief, I promise."