Cracking The Commander (DJ x Commander)

CHAPTER 1

Even from the start, DJ knew Commander was going to be a tough nut to crack.

He could remember his first day in the team. He was standing in a line among other men with various characteristics and builds, staring in front with nervous and firm expressions.

DJ felt awfully out of place considering his whole...outfit, but he didn't worry about it too much. Although everyone beside him was wearing military-like outfits. Not a torn tank top and some jeans. It was whatever. Nobody was really giving him any looks anyway, they were all so stiff and clearly scared. Scared over what? DJ could only guess.

The sound of heavy footsteps interrupted his inspection of his soon to be teammates. DJ drifted his attention to the source and was immediately taken aback by the sight.

Expecting to see a huge, scarred, and buff man, DJ was quite surprised to see a short, fat man walking up instead. However, in great contrast to his soft characteristics, his face was contorted into an aggressive, cold glare. Various wrinkles signifying age or stress (or maybe both) were strewn around his hardened face. A shiny, gold cap badge was glistening on his hat. Clearly this man was at some respectable rank, evident by the way everyone froze up around him.

He eventually stood in front of the line, arms crossed over his chest and face stern. He seemed to be eyeing each and every one of them.

Once DJ got a better look at the man, he realized something.

...That man cannot possibly be the leader.

That man standing there was the same guy he saw on the recruitment posters that were plastered all over his hometown. DJ fought a chuckle at that thought. He really thought the man would be more leader-like in more ways than just face...

When said man spoke, he spoke with a loud, gravelly voice. It echoed throughout the area, making DJ clench his jaw in an attempt to stifle his wince. "Good morning, new recruits. You will refer to me as Commander and only Commander. I am hoping you all know why you've been selected to be here," he yelled. "As you can see, we are in a dire situation. A powerful enemy is against the world and we are in charge of taking care of the opponent."

DJ looked back at the other men. Nearly all of them shared a determined grin. Notably, a man with tan skin and singed clothes stood proudly. DJ could smell the stench of ash and burnt clothing from where he was standing. He couldn't help but pity the men next to him. Realizing DJ was tuning out Commander, he snapped back to focus.

"...zombies will be constantly attacking. You are all going to be on the frontlines. If one of you fall, the rest of you are expected to keep pushing onward. There will be no arguments regarding that."

'Damn. Awfully brutal of him to say that, huh?' DJ thought. He wasn't too sure what to think of his new leader. To be fair, DJ really didn't expect to actually get recruited. He wasn't prepared for this whole military thing. Stupid choice on his behalf, he knows. But, with a lack of job and any real support, he decided to go with it and sign up. Judging by the appearance of some of the other people, he wasn't the only one in the group that was in the same boat.

Commander seemed to notice the fear wafting over all of the recruits. "We have a medic here who is skilled in her craft so do not worry." He gestured to a tall, fit woman who DJ didn't see the first time around. She waved and kindly smiled, a huge contrast to the short, pissed leader standing beside her. DJ wasn't all too reassured by that statement, neither was anyone else. The idea of standing face to face with zombies of all creatures was terrifying.

"Now, I am going to go down the line and you all will tell me your name," he said. Commander's gait exuded confidence and power, his face set in a frustrated glare. He began at a tall, lanky man and stuck out his hand. "Name?"

"Paintballer, sir."

"Welcome to the team." Paintballer and Commander shook hands. By Paintballer's pained expression, it was clear that Commander was tightly gripping his hand. Commander went down, greeting everyone with a similar pattern. Everyone was completely different in their greetings. Some saluted, some nodded, and some said nothing. It was confusing DJ on how he should be greeting the commander.

Then, the moment DJ had been waiting for since Commander walked out: Commander reached him. DJ easily towered over him by a good few inches, yet he still felt that odd choked feeling of being in the presence of such a powerful man. He watched as Commander's covered eyes flicked up and down his form. Commander was judging him and DJ knew it pretty damn well. It was the usual for him, knowing he dressed less than normal.

"Your name?" He spoke, stepping back a little just so he didn't have to crane his head to look at DJ.

DJ cleared his throat. The way Commander was staring at him was admittedly making him a little nervous. He swallowed his fear and decided to go for the friendliest welcome he could muster up. "The name's DJ. Nice to meet you, Comm!" He wasn't really thinking of how to approach the man, even though he watched everyone before him do things in a similar fashion, so, as he usually did with new people, he reached and grabbed Commander's hand. His grip was abnormally tight, clearly shown on Commander's face, and he shook the smaller man's hand quite roughly. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

He let go before Commander could even think of doing anything. Commander stared up at him in silence. Oh, man. He definitely fucked that up. "You're a colorful character, aren't you?" Commander eventually grumbled, not pleased at his unprofessional gesture. "Welcome to the team." And then he moved on. DJ could see Commander flexing his hand as he walked past him. He must've really grabbed him tight.

He winced at himself and felt a little embarrassed for giving such a powerful first impression. Though, not wanting to dwell on it, DJ just shook his head. There were definitely going to be more opportunities in the future to make up for his disastrous first day.

He hoped.