Chapter 13-14 - Adopted into a Modern Family

Chapter 13 – The Mind of a Strategist

The Georgia sun hung high over Fort Moore, casting a scorching heat over the training grounds where the 3rd Ranger Battalion conducted its exercises. The sound of controlled gunfire, shouted orders, and boots crunching on dry earth filled the air as the soldiers executed tactical maneuvers with precision.

Grant, now officially a full Ranger, moved among his fellow Rangers, analyzing every detail of the ongoing exercise. He was no longer just a rookie trying to prove himself—now he had something to offer.

And his superiors quickly realized this.

Since returning from Ranger School, it was clear that Grant possessed something rare among elite soldiers: a natural talent for tactics and strategy. While some Rangers excelled in brute strength or extreme endurance, he saw the battlefield as a chessboard, where every move had a profound impact.

And this did not go unnoticed by Captain Grayson.

During an urban combat exercise, Grant and his unit were simulating the assault on a building complex, moving in formation while engaging simulated targets.

The groups were advancing efficiently, but Grant sensed something amiss.

The initial strategy called for a direct attack from the front, but the ambush points on the rooftops were dangerous blind spots. If this were a real scenario, any group entering this way would be decimated before reaching the objective.

He turned to Barnes and Rivera, who were advancing alongside him.

"That's wrong. If this were a real combat zone, we'd already be dead."

Barnes, who had already deployed twice, raised an eyebrow.

"Do you see any alternatives, Cine?"

Grant quickly scanned the mental map of the terrain.

"Yes. We need to change our approach. Instead of attacking directly, we can use a staggered deployment—split the unit into two forces and use an indirect approach."

Rivera narrowed his eyes.

"Explain."

Grant pointed to one of the side buildings.

"If one team enters from the left side and another covers the roof from that structure over there, we eliminate the sniper threat before we even breach the main building."

Barnes whistled.

"That's different. But it makes sense."

Before they could debate further, a familiar voice echoed over the radio.

"Bravo Team, what's the situation?"

It was Captain Grayson.

Barnes and Rivera exchanged a look before Grant pressed the radio button.

"Captain, I request permission to alter the approach plan. There are vulnerabilities on the roofs that compromise the entry team. I have an alternative solution."

The radio was silent for a moment.

Then Grayson replied:

"Explain."

Grant quickly summarized his idea.

Another silence.

Then Grayson said something unexpected.

"Agreed. Lead the team. I want to see if your theory works."

Barnes and Rivera looked at Grant with surprised expressions.

"Looks like the baby Ranger just got put in charge." Rivera laughed.

"Don't mess it up, Cine," Barnes joked.

Grant took a deep breath and took control of the operation.

The plan was executed perfectly. The team covering the roof eliminated the targets before they could react, while the main force entered from the flank, surprising the simulated defenders and completing the mission in 50% less time than initially planned.

When the exercise ended, Captain Grayson approached, crossing his arms.

"That was good work, Tucker-Pritchett. You saw something even I didn't consider."

Grant stood firm.

"I was just scanning the field, sir."

Grayson nodded slowly.

"Keep it up. You have a rare talent. I want to see where this takes you."

Grant realized this was true recognition.

He wasn't just a strong soldier.

He was a strategist.

And that could make all the difference.

Chapter 14 – Connecting Two Worlds

The 3rd Ranger Battalion barracks at Fort Moore were quiet that night. Most of the soldiers had already retired, resting before the next day of training. Grant Tucker-Pritchett, however, sat at the table in his small personal space, adjusting his laptop for a long-awaited video call.

Since returning from Ranger School, the days had been intense. Between tactical training, combat exercises, and complex simulations, time seemed to slip through his fingers. But tonight was special. For the first time in weeks, he would have a moment to talk to his family.

He plugged in his headphones, opened the call program, and within seconds, the screen lit up with the familiar, chaotic faces of the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker family.

"GRANT!" Cam practically shouted, taking up half the screen as he waved his hands dramatically.

"Hey, hey! I haven't set up the audio properly yet!" Mitchell protested, trying to adjust the camera.

"Oh my God, he's alive!" Claire, visibly moved, smiled.

"And he still has all his limbs!" Phil added, squinting at the screen as if trying to check every detail.

Grant laughed, feeling the familiar warmth of family fill the screen.

"Hi, everyone."

Chaos immediately began.

"ARE YOU EATING RIGHT?"

"Son, you look thin!" Gloria exclaimed, leaning closer to the camera.

"What? No, I'm fine!" Grant laughed.

"You lost weight! That's not healthy! You want me to send Colombian food to the base? Because I will. I swear I will!"

"Gloria, I don't think the Army allows home-cooked food packages from Los Angeles." Jay interjected, but his tone suggested he was also assessing whether his adopted grandson was in good condition.

"He survived some of the most brutal training in the world. I think he can handle empanadas for a while."

"Jay, no one survives empanadas!"

Grant laughed again, shaking his head.

"Guys, I'm eating well. The cafeteria isn't a five-star restaurant, but I'm not starving."

"Are you sure? Because I can mail something," Claire suggested.

"Or we can send that survival pack we used on the Grand Canyon trip!" Phil added excitedly.

"Dad, please don't. I don't want to eat questionable-tasting protein bars."

"HAVE YOU EVER DONE ANY SECRET MISSIONS?"

Luke, who was lying on the couch in the background, raised an eyebrow and leaned closer to the camera.

"Okay, bro." Now be serious. Have you ever been on a secret mission? Like, one you can't tell anyone, but you can tell me?

Alex, sitting next to him with a book on her lap, rolled her eyes.

"Luke, if it's secret, he literally can't tell."

"Oh, but what if he says it vaguely? Like, 'Oh, I was in a place where it might be really hot and maybe there were bad people and maybe I was on a super dangerous mission.'"

Grant laughed.

"Sorry, Luke. But no classified information. If I tell you, I'll have to eliminate you."

Luke's eyes widened.

"Cool."

"Not cool, Luke!" Mitchell interjected.

"I just meant the answer was very action movie-y."

"Well, he's nicknamed 'Cine' for a reason," Rivera, from across the dorm, shouted, overhearing part of the conversation.

"Cine?" Hailey asked, interested.

"It's my nickname in the unit. Because, apparently, I look like a movie character."

"Ha! I knew it! You've become a Call of Duty character!"

Grant shook his head, laughing.

"If I had a dollar for every time you've said that…"

"SO WHAT'S NEXT?"

After the initial chaos of the conversation, Claire looked at Grant, more seriously.

"So, now that you've completed all this training, what's next?"

The question made Grant take a deep breath.

"Now… I'm waiting for the call for deployment."

Silence fell for a moment.

Mitchell frowned.

"So you could be sent on a real mission at any time?"

Grant nodded.

"Yes. The 3rd Battalion is always on standby. It could be tomorrow, it could be in months. It all depends on the situation."

Cam already seemed emotionally unstable, clutching a tissue.

"But that means you can… that you can…"

Jay intervened, his voice firm but not harsh.

"It means he'll do exactly what he's trained to do. And he'll do it well."

Grant looked at Jay, feeling the weight of those words.

"Exactly."

After nearly an hour of conversation, laughter, and family updates (including a detailed story about Joe trying to build a trap for Santa), Grant realized it was getting late.

"Well, everyone… I need to wrap up. I have early practice tomorrow."

"Oh, no! Just five more minutes!" Cam pleaded.

"Cam, honey, he's not a baby anymore," Mitchell reminded him, though his expression made it clear he wanted more time.

Grant smiled.

"I promise to call you back as soon as I can."

Gloria sighed dramatically.

"Oh, my love, I miss you so much."

Claire nodded.

"And I still think this is all a little crazy, but I'm incredibly proud."

Phil pointed to the camera.

"If you need any survival tips, call me. I have plenty of techniques!"

"Sure, Phil. I'll write them down."

Jay just looked at Grant and nodded.

"Take care, kid."

Grant returned the gesture.

"Always."

After a few final goodbyes and promises to stay in touch, he ended the call.

He was silent for a moment, staring at the dark laptop screen.

His family was crazy, loud, and sometimes over the top.

But it was the best thing he had in his life.

And he would fight for them whenever necessary.

Chapter 7 - Chapter 13-14