The hologram in the center of the room lit up. Every team tensed at once. All twenty five boys turned their eyes to the hologram. Their instructor shimmered into view. "Welcome to Echo. This sub-habitable moon has been under construction for the last two decades. We are within ten years of being able to successfully establish a colony on this moon in order to better monitor and adapt her home planet into space. We believe that Narcissus shall be entering the exploration stage within the next thirty years, and we need to be prepared.
"Unfortunately, with the last shipment of supplies came a parasite. Highly infections, quick to multiply, and rapidly spreading. Already ninety percent of the small community has been infected. Fortunately, there is a cure for this parasite. That is where the good news ends. This parasite makes the hosts fairly aggressive and completely unstable. We will be unable to treat directly.
"Your goal is to infiltrate the town and to add this antiparasitic and these antibiotics to the five main water supplies. Each team of five will have five pounds of each. You must be able to get all ten pounds into your designated water supply." Beside the hologram a small door in the floor opened. Out of the door rose a platform with five bulging bags on it. Each bag was marked with a large number.
"As for the current inhabitants," the instructor continued, "they are likely to try and attack you. Do not kill if you can avoid it. Your guns are to be treated as live charges. These are innocent civilians whose lives you are trying to save. However, some force may become necessary. Be alert. Are there any questions?"
"No sir." The young men answered in unison.
The leaders of each squad took to their feet and fetched their team's bag. Zarch Marns, the leader of team three, dropped bag three by Braxton's feet.
"Alright. We'll divide ours up. Each person will carry two pounds of material. We stay together. Get in, get out." Marns started handing out the carefully wrapped medicines to his team members.
"S-sir." Matthew had not moved to take his medication despite being one of the first to be offered the bricks. "Please sir, I can't do this mission. I need to bow out."
Zarch scoffed. "I don't care what you want to do. This mission has to be done. If you're scared of being attacked or defending yourself, buck up. Sometimes you have to shoot a few people to save lives. "
"Sir, please!" Matt's voice rose with his panic. "This is my home! I can't do this! These are my townspeople, my family!"
Zarch faltered just a moment. He glanced towards the man observing the cadets silently. Sticking out his chin the older boy rounded on his charge. "Well that sucks for you. We'll try not to kill any of them in front of you. Now grab your stuff and let's move!"
"I can't do this, please." Matt begged one last time.
"You don't have a choice," Zarch snapped back. "Get up or I will drag you out myself."
Braxton picked up Matt's medicines and added them to his own backpack. "Trust me," He whispered softly to his friend. "I'll handle this."
Matt lurched to his feet with the rest of his team. The simulations loaded in their headsets. The door of their spaceship opened, revealing a ramp to their transformed training field. Teams four and one had already made their way out into the field.
Braxton fell in behind Matt as team three headed for the exit doors. Zarch led his four recruits out confidently. Matthew almost fell as he stumbled his way down the exit ramp. Braxton paused just outside the mouth of the ship. The gentle breeze ruffled his hair. He flicked off his gun's safety.
Zarch looked at the small town in the distance. The other two teams had already started across the field towards the houses. Inside the border they could see figures moving about. It would not be long before they were noticed. They needed to move quickly.
From behind them was a gunshot.
Zarch whipped back towards his team. Matt stood frozen for just a moment before he collapsed to the ground with a cry of pain. He clutched his right leg and whimpered.
Braxton lowered his gun.
"Sir, it looks like Von Mars will be unable to participate in this mission," Braxton stated as if discussing the weather. "It appears he has been shot in the leg."
Zarch's face went deep green with fury. "Hopper! Tilfh! Arrest Rudforest!" He was practically shaking in anger.
Braxton slid his backpack off his shoulders and tossed it towards Zarch. "I'll arrest myself, as well as get Von Mars to medical. No need for a babysitter." He stated brightly. "I'd hate for you to waste a third, or even fourth, team member over this. Down to a team of two or less would not look like a very strong start for your mission." He nodded to Hopper. "All four pounds of meds are in my bag. I suggest you and Tilfh take one each, and Marns can carry the two extra."
Hopper grabbed the backpack hesitantly. "Uh, sure? Zarch, you mind carrying two?"
Braxton left them to figure it out. He reached down and helped Matt up to his feet. He pulled one of Matt's arms over his shoulders and wrapped his own across his friend's waist. "Lean on me until the numbness wears off. It probably won't until after we've been inside a while. I got hit with a stun gun once, took about twenty minutes to get any sort of feeling back."
Matt nodded as he limped heavily back up the ramp with Braxton's help. "I didn't expect a stun gun to hurt." He still sounded like he was in shock.
Braxton grinned. "Yeah, that initial burst of pain is a real surprise, huh?" He glanced up at the last two teams. All ten boys were staring at them. "Well? What are you waiting for, huh? Matt's family needs saving. Get moving."
At Braxton's command the boys lept into action. Within moments the ship was cleared out except for their silent judge, still making notes on his tablet. Braxton helped ease Matt into a seat in the ship. "Do we even have handcuffs on this ship?"
Matt leaned back against the wall of their shelter. "Thank you, Braxton."
Braxton shrugged it off. "It's what friend's do."
"You're going to get in trouble because of me."
"And I'd do it again." Braxton settled into the spot next to Matt. Gently he set a hand on his friend's non-stuned knee. "I can handle trouble. I can't handle watching my friends suffer." Matt turned and hugged him tightly. Braxton wrapped a protective arm across his shoulders and let him cry.
AN: Hey y'all! I am so sorry to be late this week. Turns out the family vaycay spot this year didn't have internet. Who knew those places still existed? jk, but only kinda. I legit just love this chapter, though, so def didn't want to hold it back if I didn't have to. Please enjoy seeing best friends shooting each other. 3
