Broken

"You are in charge of this platoon, lieutenant. You need to make sure they are trained up to the standard, and make sure they are following their career track. You are the officer they will see the most, that will leave an impression on them. For better or for worse, these are your men." SFC Harrison was providing mentorship and advice to his new platoon leader. "That goes for things outside of what they do here. If they get stuck at the airport, you might the one bailing them out. If they get shitfaced at the bar and are thrown out, you might be the one who's going to be hauling their ass back to post. If they break their leg falling out a Humvee, you're the one who's going to make sure they get proper treatment. And if they get killed in combat, you're the one who's going to write a letter to their next of kin. These men have moms, dads, sisters, brothers, girlfriends, wives, kids; they have families waiting for them back home. It is your job to make sure they come back to them okay, inside and outside official duties. Take care of these men, lieutenant; they are not perfect, but they are yours."

"I let it happen again." the lieutenant mumbled to himself, face buried in his hands.

"Michael, are you-" Renamon pondered on what to ask. "Are you going to be okay?"

"He's dead, Renamon. I let him die." She walked over to him.

"Michael, it's not your fault." She patted his shoulder, hoping to comfort her partner.

"It is my fault!" He flinched, looking up at her, agitated. "My job was to get him home!"

"He saved your life."

"And I couldn't save his. My JOB was to get him HOME, ALIVE, Renamon! What am I going to tell his mom, his family? He jumped on a grenade for MY safety? The man is dead because of ME! For my sorry ass! I should have jumped on that grenade, not him. I should be the one dead."

"Michael, you-"

"I've gotten all of my men killed. I've lost everyone!"

"You still have me, Michael." She looked at him with wide eyes. He looked away, disgusted with himself.

"I'm talking about my soldiers, Renamon, not you."

"WAAAAHHHHHH!" Veemon started wailing. He had been crying silently while the others argued. "Stop it! Stop it! I can't take it anymore!" He ran off into the corridor.

"Veemon, wait!" Renamon yelled after him. "Michael, we have to get him."

"Go, then." He said coldly, face buried in his hands again. Saddened, Renamon left to go after Veemon.

"My damn fault…" 2LT Joseph mumbled.

"A man so consumed in the darkness of self-doubt, he can't find the light around him. A perfect subject…" A voice whispered just out of earshot.

Bodies, so many bodies.

"Alpha Four - Six, this is Alpha Four – Two. Over."

"Alpha Four – Two, this is Alpha Four – Six. You are loud and clear. Go ahead. Over."

"Alpha Four – Six. Objective is secure. Hasty perimeter set. Over."

"Alpha Four – Two. Understood. Anything else to report? Over."

"Alpha Four – Six. Many EKIA and friendly KIA found. No sign of Three – Six yet. I say again, no sign of Three – Six. Over."

"Alpha Four – Two. Understood. Hold position. Will be moving there soon. Out." He put the mic down.

"Sergeant, another friendly body." The soldier said to him.

"Is it Lieutenant Joseph?"

"No, Sergeant. Another SF guy."

"What's that make? Ten?"

"Yeah, ten. Also, twenty – three EKIA."

"Alright. I just got off the horn with the lieutenant. The platoon will be moving here shortly."

"Any news from battalion yet, sergeant?

"No. Hopefully we can figure out what the hell is going on once the lieutenant gets here. Keep looking for Lieutenant Joseph, Porter."

"Yes, sergeant."

What the hell happened here? The NCO pondered.

"Veemon, wait!" Renamon yelled down the hallway. Veemon was aimlessly running down corridors and had just turned another corner. Renamon rushed quickly in pursuit. She turned the corner to find a long hallway, no Veemon to be found. There were many rooms along the hallway.

Where did he go? She thought. She closed her eyes and focused. Her ears perked, hoping to pick up distinct sounds. The alarms were going off, making it difficult, but she managed to pick out little slapping sounds.

Found you. She opened her eyes and walked over to the room she pinpointed the sound. Looking in, she could see Veemon stomping along the concrete floor in a circle, mumbling to himself and shaking his head back and forth.

"Veemon."

"No!" He pouted, continuing his angry pacing.

"Veemon, come on." She stepped inside the room.

"He's dead, Renamon."

"I know." She looked down, frowning. "But-"

"My partner, Renamon. My partner. I am supposed to protect him. Digimon are supposed to protect their partners."

"Veemon, he-"

"He's dead! My partner is dead! My purpose is gone! What am I supposed to do now?!"

"Just let me-"

"I failed my purpose! I let those dirty meanies take him away form me! AAAAHHHHH!" Veemon stopped pacing, scrunched his face, and balled his fists and shook them in front of himself.

"Veemon, please calm dow-"

"I'm gonna kill every last one of them! AAAAHHHH!" Veemon started to glow, but the aura of his glow was dark.

"Veemon?" He was swallowed into a dark orb.

"Veemon dark-digivolve to…!" His voice rang out. Renamon slowly started to back away. The dark orb burst.

"Ex-Veemon!" His voice was much deeper, more mature. The creature was much taller, taller than Renamon. He resembled a larger and more intimidating Veemon but was black.

"Veemon?" Renamon quietly asked. Ex-Veemon just growled. He advanced forward. She stood in front of the doorway, looking up at him. He shoved Renamon to the side, with great strength, sending her flying. She screamed as she flew, quickly striking the room of the wall hard enough to leave visible damage to the wall. She slid down and moaned. Ex-Veemon snorted heavily, like a bull, as he watched before rushing out of the room.