adrenaline

Last night was my first convoy patrol with the MTT. Before we rolled out, the Major said to me, "You are now officially a part of the team. How does it feel to be a wanted man?" Having known him for a little over a week, I already understand he's only half-joking.
Everybody on the team has their own little ways of expressing fear, anticipation. Everybody performs their own little rituals and idiosyncrasies in preparation. We all know this could be it. This could be the last one.
As we strap on all our weapons and ammunition and armor, the Lieutenant, he wraps a skull-and-bones bandanna around his neck. One of the machine-gunners, he grabs an extra large pinch of dip. The Major, he goes around fist-bumping for good luck. Me, I'm just enjoying the rush.