Screaming

Darkness

Stealthy secrecy

A new discovery

A horrible miscalculation

Screaming

Darkness

"Fifteen minutes until leave. . .Better not be Late." A man sitting on a worn out cot said as he played his handheld video-game vigorously. He was a muscular black man in his late twenties and wore a comfy cap, hoodie, khakis and sneakers. His good nature didn't happen to rub off on a few of the others in the bunk room with him.

A larger black man wearing a black shirt and pants with steel toe boots stood positioning his metal bat ready to swing at the orange thrown by a handsome man with deep brown eyes and short brown hair. He had a beard that was kept shaven close to his face.

He smiled as his friend made a connection with the orange, sending hurtling towards Duke, the man playing the video game. He jumped, inched away from the cabinet, shrugged and continued playing.

A skinny dark haired boy no older than twenty-two sat on the edge of his cot reading a magazine. He had just joined the team along with his best friend Kristopher two months ago. It was hard training from Sarge but they both managed. He had a strange feeling about something and it made him very uneasy.

Reading the Bible quietly, an older man rested on his cot. He was maybe in his late thirties early forties. He didn't speak to anyone at the moment because he was absorbed in his readings. He often quoted the Bible when he speaks.

Another orange was thrown, and another forceful swing by the batter. It knocked over and shattered Dukes lamp.

"Damn!" Duke about jumped out of his cot. He looked at the two who were laughing and shook his head.

The man swinging laughed then readied the bat again. His bulging muscles shone heavily in the short sleeve black tee shirt he was sporting.

"Come on John, another good one!" His voice was gruff and had a rich and deep note to it. John pitched another one. His friend made another good swing and sent it towards the man reading the Bible. He caught it with one hand, without looking up, and bit into it to remove its peel. John and the batter exchanged grins.

"Anybody see Sasha?" John was curious now. He knew she liked to play a little orange base ball too, and what better way for them to have a good time together incase they happen to not hook up during leave.

"Last I saw her fine ass was when she went upstairs with Sarge, John." John rolled his eyes at Duke, who finally put his little handheld videogame away.

He cursed his friend for going off with Sasha . . . Again. But it's not like she likes him like that? Or does she? She is such an unpredictable girl. But again he worried.

"'Sup John?"

"Oh hey Nathaniel. . ."

Nathaniel was Sasha's twin brother and one of John's closest friends. He had short spiky black hair and glittering light blue eyes so full of life and the only difference from his sister. He wore a simple white t-shirt, denim jeans, and a pair of new sneakers. He nodded at his friend.

"What's eatin' away at you?" Nathaniel whispered.

"Sarge again. . ."

"Oooh, Sasha again too I suppose? I don't even think she likes him like that. I mean he always asks her for her assistance in the computer room. . .Eh. . .Prolly nothin' man. Don't worry about it." Nate's bright blue eyes glimmered in a knowing fashion.

"Yeah I think your right, but I can't help worrying about it, especially since we're on Leave today. . . Would she see him?"

"Jesus man! Your just CRAZY about her aren't you!" Nathaniel paused and smiled at John. "Im just playin' with ya." He punched John lightly on the shoulder.

"I know, I know. But seriously, I-"

"Damnit! I hope none of you packed yet!" A female voice that was layered in anger and frustration sang out like a chorus of damned angels. Beautiful, but intimidating.

John was interrupted by a slim woman in her mid twenties that was none other than Sasha. Her dazzling green eyes skimmed the room as she jumped down the flight of stairs. Sarge followed but didn't jump as she did. He had a grin on his face for a moment and John growled softly.

Sasha ran a hand through her sleek black hair that ran to the middle of her back. Her eyes flickered with a mixture of emotion. She looked at John and smiled sweetly. John found his face beginning to grow hot and blush slightly, but knew she didn't see him for she had turned her gaze back to Sarge.

Sarge was a large muscularly fit bronzed man. He was lean, and wore a black wife-beater, a simple pair of jeans, and his favorite black boots. He had deep dark eyes that could be friendly or fierce when he looked at you.

"Im sorry to say this but Leave has been cancelled, and more than over delayed."

"What!" The rest of the team said in unison. Eyes started rolling, and sighs escaped tense mouths.

"We have an urgent mission. We have to be at the UAC Arc Facility immediately."

"Jesus. . ." Sasha sighed. She remembered up in the computer room as Sarge leaned in to kiss her the computer had booted up by itself like it does when they get a new mission. She escaped him and ran to the computer, read the mission and shuddered as she did now.

"Why? What's going on up there?" Kid inquired putting a broom away.

"There has been some problems, we are there to rescue and neutralize."

John's eyes misted over as he remembered the dreadful happening at the facility on Mars. An accident. It started with laughter and happiness, only to end in horror and sorrow. He shook his head to rid himself of the memory, for now.

"Mac, Sasha, Nathaniel, Duke, Goat, Destroyer, Kid, and Kris suit up for the mission." Sarge ordered in his commanding voice. Sasha came over to John and squeezed his shoulder as an affectionate gesture then went to get her equipment.

"Take the Leave John. We can handle it."

"Is that an order?" John gritted his teeth, suppressing the urge to defy his friend, comrade, and boss.

"No, more of a suggestion. See you soon." Sarge left John in the bunk room. John stayed where he had been standing and clenched his fists tight.