#1

The cool night air filled Blake's lungs as he stepped out of the van, refocusing his energy on the task at hand. Despite Axel's harsh words, Blake knew that his success in this mission would speak for itself. He had been chosen to join this elite team for a reason, and he was determined to prove that he belonged.

The dim glow of the enemy's lair loomed before him, serving as a stark reminder of the danger that lay ahead.

Just then, Axel’s voice broke the silence, low and steady. "Blake."

Blake turned, his movements relaxed yet with a controlled purpose, a sluggish saunter masking his readiness. He headed back to Axel, barely concealing his lack of enthusiasm for whatever Axel might want to say this time. His expression remained calm, unaffected.

Axel’s gaze remained fixed on the screen inside the van. "Take a look." He nodded toward the flickering display, where the map and objective details were laid out.

Blake’s brow furrowed as he focused on the screen, his eyes tracking the digital outline of the enemy lair. He tapped a flashing section of the layout, zeroing in on the heavily secured chamber. "The objective’s pinpointed," he murmured, gesturing to the darkened entryways leading to it. He zoomed in further, revealing an additional detail. "But there’s a lock—password-protected."

Blake shrugged, his expression as indifferent as ever. “First time seeing that room,” he muttered, stifling a yawn. “I only know the location. Don’t expect me to know every nook and cranny of this whole place. Not exactly an architect.”

Axel sighed, letting out a slow, tired breath as his gaze dropped to the screen, his shoulders slumping. His voice lowered in a tired murmur, “I just feel like sleeping right now.” His usual gloomy demeanor was more pronounced, as if even this conversation was a chore he’d rather avoid.

Blake ran a hand through his hair, a faint spark of enthusiasm breaking through his usual gloominess. “But,” he said, his tone shifting, “I might know a better way to get us in there.”

Axel, who had been leaning against the chair with his arms crossed, straightened just a bit. “And what’s that?” he asked, his voice barely above a mumble, a mix of wariness and faint hope. Though he kept his usual gloom, there was a glint in his eyes that hinted he wasn’t entirely resigned to being stuck.

Blake tilted his head toward the screen, gesturing vaguely at the layout. “Based on Kai and Leo’s locations, they’ll take a while to get to where I have in mind,” he murmured, tracing an invisible path through the air. “Same goes for Cyrus.” He paused, giving Axel a wry look.

Axel huffed, sinking back into his slouch with a halfhearted shrug. “So what are you getting at now?”

Blake rubbed the back of his neck, looking over the blueprint on the screen. “Now that the main entrance is less guarded, it’s the quickest route to the underground level. From there, I can bypass the security room. I don’t know what’s inside that room, but it’s the only shot we’ve got.”

Axel sighed, glancing off into the dimly lit corridor, a resigned expression crossing his face. School might be a bore, he thought, but these missions are exhausting.

“So, you’re really set on going in that way, huh?” Axel muttered, crossing his arms with a half-smirk.

Blake nodded with a touch of dry humor flickering in his eyes, though he kept his expression neutral. There are other routes, sure, he mused internally, but they’d only get me tangled up with more guards. Looks like luck’s actually on my side tonight.

With a practiced ease, Blake slipped his headphones back on, his eyes darting across the monitors as he assessed the situation. "We've located the objectives, but there's a bit of a snag," he announced, his fingers dancing across the keyboard as he pulled up the necessary intel.

From the other end of the comms, Kai’s voice crackled back, cool and steady, though faint sounds of gunfire echoed in the background. "What kind of issue?" Kai’s tone was almost casual, despite the fact that he and Lucas were systematically dismantling the few enemies left as they moved through the compound. The sounds of clashing metal, followed by muffled grunts and the sharp crack of gunfire, filled the comms briefly.

A gunshot rang out, followed by Lucas’s low growl of satisfaction

"No issue is too big to solve, Axel," Kai said, adjusting his grip on his dual pistols as he peeked around a corner, scanning for any threats ahead. "What’s the issue?"

Axel’s response was drawn out as he shifted his weight, sinking deeper into the soft chair as if it might swallow him up.

Axel’s gloomy voice came through, low and unbothered as ever. "Doesn’t matter which way we go; that room to the objective has a lock on it. Either way, we’re hitting a dead end." He sighed, almost as if this whole operation was as tedious as he’d expected, barely lifting his gaze as he spoke.

Kai paused, tapping his pistols together thoughtfully as he ducked behind a crate, steadying himself amidst the echo of distant gunfire. He glanced at Lucas, who was keeping watch, then responded, his tone practical yet slightly teasing. "Axel, you’ve got some skill with hacking, don’t you? It’s kind of your thing. Can’t you bypass that lock?"

Axel exhaled, his sigh heavy and resigned. “I could hack into it—if I were right there. But…” He tilted his head, looking as if the thought alone wore him out. “Honestly, I’d rather stick to Plan B than drag myself all the way to that lock.” His shoulders slumped, and his face was the picture of gloomy indifference.

Kai rolled his eyes, a smirk tugging at his lips as he reloaded his pistol with swift precision. "Fine, Plan B, then. What have you got in that hazy head of yours?" He ducked back as a couple of enemies edged closer, his movements quick and composed, the shine of determination in his eyes. “And make it quick, we don’t exactly have time to waste.”

Axel leaned back in his chair, fingers still tapping away lazily at the keyboard in front of him, his eyes barely lifting from the screen. "Well, Plan B’s pretty straightforward," he said, his voice as flat as ever. "We send Blake in. I know, I know—you told him to avoid any skirmishes, but he’s got a route into the room. That should save us some time." He shrugged, casting a half-interested glance toward the screen as if the whole operation were just another day’s work.

Meanwhile, Kai finished off the last of the enemies with a quick, efficient strike. He scanned the area, finally lowering his guns. “Looks like we’re clear on this end,” he muttered.

Lucas tilted his head back, cracking his neck slowly as if savoring every pop, a flicker of agitation twitching at his mouth. "This is pathetic," he muttered, eyes glinting with a restless, almost feral hunger. "Where’s the challenge? The bloodlust? It’s like taking out cardboard cutouts." He huffed, scanning the area with narrowed eyes, as if hoping for some hidden foe to leap out. “If the cannibals don’t show up soon,” he added, voice dark with impatience, “I’ll just have to go find some real fun myself.”

Blake nodded. "Got it," he replied, a hint of eagerness breaking through his usual gloom. In his mind, he was already picturing the corridors ahead, relieved to finally be on the move.

At least I get to do something, he thought, glancing back at Axel with a quiet smirk. Better than being stuck here with him all night.

He adjusted his grip on his gear, his expression sharpening as he prepared to head out, determination flickering behind his otherwise tired eyes.

#2

Axel glanced up from his screen, his voice level but firm. “Listen up before leaving. The top priority is retrieving a bomb. Once you’re inside, don’t engage or touch anything else—just unlock the door from within. Got it? Don’t mess this up.”

Blake nodded, a determined glint in his eye. “Got it.”

Blake adjusted his headphones, feeling the familiar hum of anticipation building in his chest as he stepped away from Axel’s station. His boots made soft thuds on the concrete floor as he walked toward the exit, each step a rhythmic beat in his head, marking the moments until the action began. The mission was simple enough—get inside, unlock the door, and let the team handle the rest—but nothing was ever as simple as it seemed.

He moved silently through the halls, eyes scanning the shadows for any signs of life. His mind was sharp, ready for anything.

As he rounded a corner, the low sound of footsteps reached his ears. He froze, blending with the darkness. A lone guard appeared, walking with a slow, deliberate pace. Blake smiled to himself, his thoughts already racing through the options.

The guard was just close enough now. Blake sprang into action. With a quick motion, he lashed out, his foot connecting with the guard’s chest with a sharp thud. The impact knocked the wind out of him, sending him stumbling backward. Blake didn’t give him a chance to recover. He surged forward, his knee catching the guard under the chin, sending him crashing to the floor.

Blake stepped back, watching as the guard groaned on the ground. He wasn’t out for the count yet, but he would be soon. Blake knelt down, grabbing the guard’s gun and tossing it aside. No need for that. What he needed was something better, something more… personal.

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He pulled the guard’s knife from its sheath, inspecting it briefly. “This should do,” he muttered, satisfied with the weapon. It wasn’t perfect, but it would work.

The guard was starting to stir, and Blake didn’t want to waste any more time. He walked away, the sound of his footsteps muffled by the thick walls of the compound. His mind shifted back to the mission—the bomb, the door, the team waiting.

He picked up his pace, weaving through the winding halls with practiced ease. He’d been here before, after all. Just a couple more corners, and he’d be there. He slowed as he approached the door, his heart thudding in his chest. He had no idea what was on the other side, but it didn’t matter. His job was to get in, unlock the damn thing, and get out.

He peered around the corner. No guards in sight. Perfect.

Blake’s hand slid to the door handle, his knife held ready in his other hand, just in case. He twisted the knob slowly, pushing it open a crack, checking to make sure there was no one waiting for him on the other side. The room was dark, the faint glow of emergency lights casting long shadows across the floor.

Blake’s breath evened out as he slipped into the room, careful not to make a sound. He could see the lock—just like Axel said. His job was simple: get in, unlock it, and get out. He took a step forward, feeling the coolness of the concrete beneath his boots as he neared the lock. His fingers worked quickly, and within seconds, the lock clicked open.

He paused for a moment, listening for any sounds, any signs of approaching danger. Nothing. Satisfied, he stepped back, scanning the room one last time before signaling to the others. The mission was on track. All he had to do now was wait for the team to take over

Blake stepped cautiously into the dimly lit room, his gaze locking onto the centerpiece of the chamber—a massive rocket-like contraption standing tall in the middle of the space. The thing looked like it had been ripped straight out of a sci-fi movie, complete with glowing panels and ominous tubing snaking along its sides. It hummed faintly, a sound that seemed to vibrate in his chest.

Curiosity got the better of him, and he wandered closer, tilting his head as he scanned the towering device. "So, this is the big bad rocket everyone’s scared of, huh?" Blake muttered under his breath, circling it like a curious kid at a science fair. "I mean, it’s not that intimidating…" He paused, then smirked, knocking twice on its cold metallic surface. "Okay, never mind—this thing is badass. Probably shoots lasers or something."

The hollow thunk thunk of his knuckles against the metal echoed ominously through the room.

Beep.

Blake froze, his hand still mid-knock, his eyes widening in slow realization. “…Eh?” His voice wavered as he looked down, the sound drawing his attention to a previously unnoticed panel near the base. His eyes darted to the small screen now glowing a bright, angry red.

TIMER: 00:59:54

COUNTDOWN INITIATED.

Blake blinked. Then blinked again, leaning closer as if proximity would make the situation better. "Oh, no. Nope. This is… probably not good." He stepped back, then forward, unsure of what to do. "Okay, Blake. Think. What do smart people do in situations like this? Probably not touch random rockets, for starters!"

He scanned the room frantically, looking for something—anything—that resembled a manual override. His heart pounded as he noticed wires sticking out of a nearby terminal. They looked important, but also like they would explode if he so much as sneezed near them.

What if I just destroy the whole thing? Blake thought, immediately dismissing the idea. The Grumpasaurus specifically told me not to touch anything. If only I'd listened and stepped out!

In a moment of desperation, Blake snatched up a pad-like panel from a nearby console. "Lots of buttons to deal with, damn it," he grumbled, fumbling with the device. As if in response, the pad slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground.

Beep.

Blake paused, his head turning slowly to face the countdown timer.

TIMER: 00:10:55

COUNTDOWN Re-INITIATED.

"What the hell did I do this time?" Blake exclaimed, throwing his hands up in frustration. "What the heck does 're-initiated' even mean?"

Just then, Axel's voice crackled through Blake's earpiece, as if his timing couldn't have been more impeccable.

"Kai and Lucas will be getting there soon," Axel informed him, his tone laced with its usual undercurrent of boredom. "Stand clear in case there's a secondary intruder who's caught wind of our purpose here."

Blake let out a nervous laugh, his gaze flitting between the rapidly decreasing timer and the tangle of wires that seemed to mock him with their complexity. "Hey Axel," he said, trying to keep his voice steady, "quick question. What happens if there's a timer, and it hits zero?"

Axel's curiosity was piqued by the oddly specific inquiry. In his usual laid-back, world-weary manner, he replied, "Who knows? Maybe it launches, and if there's a destination, it goes straight there with a nice, big kaboom."

Blake swallowed hard, his eyes widening as he realized the implications of Axel's answer. With a shaky smile, he whispered, "Well, that's just great."

Axel leaned back in his chair, the dim glow of his computer screen highlighting the ever-present bags under his eyes. His usual slouched posture somehow managed to look even more defeated as he rubbed his temples, letting out a long, world-weary sigh. His head tilted slightly toward the earpiece, his voice dripping with an exasperated mix of curiosity and dread.

"You didn’t hit the timer, did you?" he asked, his tone carrying the weight of someone already resigned to the answer.

Blake’s nervous laugh crackled through the comms, and Axel’s eyes narrowed slightly. He leaned forward just enough to glare at the blinking indicators on his monitor as though the bomb itself were mocking him.

"Well… we still have," Blake started, his voice betraying the kind of optimism that only someone in deep trouble could muster.

There was a pause—a deadly pause. Axel could practically hear Blake glancing at the timer.

TIMER: 00:08:23

"Eight minutes left! Isn’t that enough time?" Blake’s laugh came again, more nervous and awkward than before.

Axel exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. He looked every bit like a man debating whether to quit his job on the spot. Shifting slightly in his chair, he turned his gaze upward, as though silently appealing to the universe for an explanation as to why he was stuck babysitting someone like Blake.

"I told you not to touch anything," Axel muttered, his voice low but with an edge sharp enough to cut steel. He swiveled lazily in his chair, the motion somehow managing to convey just how little energy he cared to expend despite his rising frustration.

He shook his head, glancing back at the screen. His voice grew more animated—well, animated for Axel—as he continued. "I knew this was a mistake. Putting you on this mission? Brilliant idea, wasn’t it?" His tone turned mockingly cheerful, though his expression remained perpetually gloomy. "Oh sure, let’s send Blake, the guy who can’t keep his hands to himself, into a highly volatile situation. What could possibly go wrong?"

Axel slumped back into his chair, crossing his arms with the grace of someone who’d rather be anywhere else but here. His eyes were half-lidded, but the glare he shot through the comms was anything but tired.

"You’re not supposed to be here, Blake," he continued, his voice dripping with disdain. "You’re like a toddler in a room full of shiny, exploding toys. The fact we haven’t all been blown to pieces yet is a minor miracle."

No response came from Blake, only the faint sound of his nervous breathing through the headset. Axel sighed again, louder this time, rubbing the back of his neck. He muttered under his breath, just loud enough for the mic to pick up, "Eight minutes, huh? I’ll need about five of those to write my resignation letter."

Despite his grumbling, Axel's fingers absentmindedly flicked over his keyboard, pulling up schematics and contingency plans. He wouldn’t admit it, but even in his gloom, he wasn’t about to let Blake—or himself—go down with the ship.

Just then, the door swung open with a creak, and Kai and Lucas entered the room. The faint hum of the rocket filled the silence as their eyes immediately fell on Blake, who stood like a scolded puppy, staring at the floor as if it might offer some kind of escape.

Lucas’s eyes darted to the towering rocket before zeroing in on the timer. His lips curled into a crooked grin as he pointed dramatically. “Oh, look at that—it’s counting,” he said, his tone equal parts amusement and intrigue. “How exciting. Didn’t realize we were on a schedule.”

Kai sighed, already piecing the situation together as his gaze followed Lucas’s gesture to the glowing red numbers. His calm demeanor was betrayed by the faint twitch in his jaw. “I see,” he muttered, crouching down next to the timer to get a closer look.

TIMER: 00:06:54

The seconds ticked down relentlessly, the faint beep-beep-beep a cruel metronome marking their impending doom. Kai’s sharp eyes scanned the device, his fingers tracing the edges of the panel. “No wires…” he murmured. “This one’s going to be difficult to stop. Who designed this thing? A sadist with a grudge against logic?”

Lucas chuckled darkly, his voice tinged with a hint of psychotic glee. “Maybe it’s fate,” he mused, tapping the rocket’s side lightly. “You know, give us a little thrill. Get the adrenaline pumping.” He turned to Blake, his grin widening. “You’re into thrillers, right, Blake? Feeling pumped yet?”

Blake didn’t respond, his head still hanging low as if trying to blend into the shadows.

Kai stood, dusting off his hands like he’d just finished inspecting a particularly annoying puzzle. He walked over to Blake and tapped him lightly on the shoulder. “Hey,” he said, his voice surprisingly gentle. “People make mistakes, kiddo. No need to beat yourself up.”

Blake looked up, his face a mix of guilt and surprise at Kai’s unexpected kindness.

Lucas leaned against the rocket, arms crossed, his grin unrelenting. “Yeah, Blake. No need to be down. Just think of it this way—if this thing blows up, you’ll get the ultimate fireworks show. Front-row seats.”

Kai shot Lucas a sharp look, his calm veneer cracking just slightly. “Lucas, not helping.”

Lucas shrugged, his grin only growing wider. “What? I’m just saying. Might as well enjoy the moment, right?”

Kai sighed, patting Blake on the back one more time before turning his attention back to the timer. The room’s tension was palpable, broken only by the soft, ominous ticking of the countdown.

The room felt heavy with tension—or at least it would have if Blake wasn’t already pacing in circles, muttering to himself about countdown timers being the invention of sadists.

Kai tapped his earpiece twice. "This is more Axel's specialty," he announced, his calm voice breaking through the growing unease.

A shuffle of footsteps followed, and in strolled Axel, a bulky backpack slung lazily over one shoulder. His signature gloomy aura entered the room a good five seconds ahead of him, as if warning everyone not to expect miracles.

Axel’s expression was priceless—a perfect blend of "why am I here" and "I’d rather be napping." He stopped mid-step, staring blankly at the rocket and its countdown timer glowing ominously in the dim light.

TIMER: 00:04:44

Axel sighed audibly, louder than the rocket’s hum. “Seriously?” His tone oozed resignation. “You called me in for this? I thought you said there was some complicated encryption system, not a giant ticking metal middle finger.”

Blake, still recovering from his earlier guilt, pointed to the timer. “How long is it going to take you?” His voice carried a hopeful urgency, though his eyes darted nervously between Axel and the timer like a kid asking a tired parent for help with impossible math homework.

Axel adjusted the strap of his backpack, walked over to the rocket, and gazed at the timer with all the enthusiasm of someone reading a tax form. “Depends,” he muttered flatly. “Could take five minutes… or five hours. Really just hoping I finish before it explodes.”

Blake’s face paled. “That’s… not comforting.”

Kai, ever the leader, gave Axel a reassuring tap on the shoulder. “You got this anyways,” he said, his tone calm but with just enough of a smirk to needle Axel into action.

Axel rolled his eyes but reluctantly dropped the backpack, unzipping it with a deliberate slowness that could rival the countdown itself. “Sure, no pressure. It’s only the fate of everyone here on the line,” he mumbled as he pulled out an assortment of tools, including what looked suspiciously like a spork.

Lucas, who had been leaning casually against the wall, finally chimed in. “If this thing blows up, can I at least keep a piece of the shrapnel as a trophy?” His grin was wide and unapologetic, clearly enjoying the chaos.

Blake’s eyes widened. “How is that even a thought right now!?”

Axel, now seated cross-legged in front of the rocket, raised a hand without looking back. “Quiet. Let the Grumpasaurus focus.”

Kai chuckled softly, stepping back to give Axel room. “Don’t let us down.”

Axel, his glum face unchanged, muttered under his breath, “Too late. I’m already down.” He glanced at the timer again as his tools clicked and whirred. TIMER: 00:03:13.

Blake and Lucas exchanged a look, the unspoken tension balanced perfectly with the ridiculousness of the situation. The rocket loomed, Axel worked, and the timer ticked on.