Delta 1

Luka

 I went into the commander's office, already knowing I was dead. I'd committed a crime and gotten in the way of a mission's objective. I would do it again, but I probably won't live that long.

"Are you aware of what I'm going to say?" He asked me.

"Yes sir."

"You're a good asset to our group. I really don't want to execute you, but some form of punishment will need to be given." he sighed.

"Yes sir."

"Go join the rest of them for now. I'll send someone to get you when I think of something."

"Yes sir." I walked out, sure that his punishment would be worse than death. Maybe another Hell Week? That was horrible, but most likely not bad enough. Karales was dead because I chose to save an expendable soldier over him.

My squad was in the training room cleaning out gun barrels. No wonder the Commander wanted me to join them. It meant that the job would get done faster.

"Oh hey Luka," Keeran said, noticing me.

"Hey," I replied, picking up a gun that he'd just cleaned. "These aren't even cleaned! It'll backfire and explode right in someone's face!" Keeran grinned. "That was the point. It's Jimmy's gun."

"Ohhh," I returned his smile. "Good thinking."

"Enough about that," Samuel cut in. "Luka, do you realize what's going on?"

"I realize that there are a lot of things going on. Which thing are you talking about?" I asked just to annoy him.

"The government is in chaos. XXX is taking this as an opportunity to do even more damage. Some idiots are even starting to accuse us of conspiring with the enemy."

I closed my eyes. I knew I would regret my decision, but I thought I at least had a week. "I've come to a point in my life where I need a stronger word than fuck."

"You're fucking right," Sam fumed. He slammed another gun onto the table, also horribly cleaned.

"That isn't Jimmy's gun. Actually clean it," I snapped.

"No need to get so harsh," Sam grumbled. "It's not even that bad!"

"Remember, I only get harsh when you're doing it all wrong."

Zack laughed, but then grew serious again. "Do you have any idea what your punishment is going to be?"

"Something to do with the enemy. If they're getting impatient, it's never good to leave an impatient, angry group of idiots with access to big explosives."

"Really? They'd send you?" Keeran asked incredulously. I know he didn't mean it to be rude. There were just many more experienced people to handle such a big job.

"That's my train of thought. Also known as Anxiety Express." I tried to lighten the mood. Zack picked up another gun and started fiddling with the saftey switch.

"Now I'm scared," Sam said. "We should go before Zack accidentally hits the trigger."

"Accidentally?" Zack demanded, but set the gun down, following us out. I wanted to restock my weapons, but before I could go to the armoury, I came face to face with a boy around 5 inches shorter than me, with sandy-colored hair and hazel eyes.