“AHHHH” Shair shouted as he punched the white marbled wall, letting out his frustrations. His immense power caused cracks to appear on the marble plate that stuck to the wall. With a large ‘humph’ he took away his hand and started to rub the blood off his knuckles, if one looked carefully enough small droplets of red could be seen on the marble where his arteries spurted blood from the extreme pressure. Shair was a man of large stature, standing at 6 feet 8 he could be considered one of the largest people in HQ his ripped body and bulging muscles only added to his intimidating atmosphere. One which he was radiating at the moment while he stared off at the bathroom wall.

“Jeez, Shair calm down!” came the reply from behind him. A large man of similar height and African descent wearing similar black military uniform as Shair stood facing the other side of the bathroom enlightening himself at a doorless white stall.

“How the fuck can I calm down John” Shair raged “When they are fucking replacing us! US!”

Shair once again sent a punch at the cracked marble plate now completely breaking it and revealing grey concrete behind, tainted with his red blood. Shair huffed some more and then went stand at another doorless stall in the corner diagonal to John to relieve himself as well.

“I get what you’re sayin’ but we did our time, heck, we’re lucky to at least get a chance to retire peacefully instead of getting killed in battle” John said as he finished his business and zipped up his pants.

“14 years John, that’s how long we spent fighting the Fraz” even though Shair glared at John, when he spoke no anger could be detected in his gaze. “Ten years we have been called to risk our lives for humanity, ten years we have been on the frontlines, the irreplaceable Soldiers of Hope, Heroes!”

Shair finished up from enlightening himself and turned to look at John “And now we just…aren’t necessary? We are too old? Not good enough!?”

John held up his hand as if to calm Shair down “He didn’t say that-”

“WELL ME MIGHT AS WELL HAVE!” Shair looked upset as he closed his eyes and faced the ground. “I get it, we’re old but is it really how they are going to send us off, to die on a suicide mission. We deserve better than this.” Shair looked up at John angrily but once again no anger could be seen in those golden flaked brown eyes of his, John however showed genuine sadness as he looked back at Shair.

“What if we survive?” John tried to lighten the mood. “What if we retire? What then? ...You know the Commander’s…”

“It wouldn’t matter what Katelyn wants, if they are just going to send us out there again, going back on their words” Shair snarls and spits in the toilet “Not like it’s the first time they did it anyway.”

Both Shair and John remained silent for some time, their eyes closed and their face contorted in sadness, as if they were remembering a painful memory. Just then the door to the white bathroom opened and two soldiers wearing similar black military uniforms entered with blue duffel bags in hand. John and Shair looked up at the intruders and their faces immediately contort in disgust.

“Here you go.” The short-haired soldier threw the duffle bag at Shair while the long haired soldier threw one at John. Tension could be felt as soon as the bags were caught.

“My names Harry” the blond one pointed to himself looking smug “and this here is Daniel” he pointed to his buddy who just nodded. Both Daniel and Harry have extremely pale complexion and smug looks on their faces but where Harry has short buzz cut blond hair, Daniel has long curled black hair sleek and shiny.

“Alright! Soldiers you are already late so hurry up and get changed” A female voice from behind the newcomers ordered.

“Is that his secretary?” Shair look a little annoyed as he tried to look past the two blocking the view.

“Is there a problem?” the voice questions.

“I swear-” Shair started to huff.

“Less talking and more changing, come on” Harry shouted at the two old veterans while he smiled to Daniel.

Shair and John open up the duffle bags, ignoring the jabs by Harry and Daniel. Shair takes out another type of black outfit and stares at it for a moment. The fabric was more elastic than his current military wear, however there is a lot less armor padding placed within the clothing. There was, fortunately, no shortage of pockets and the utility belt was the same as before.

“What the hell?” Shair looked at Harry and Daniel angrily.

“This looks…revealing” John said motioning to the lack of sleeves on the uniform.

“You just wear that over your shirt…if you’re wearing one, that is” Daniel smiled.

Shair and John ignored the disrespect from the two and stripped down to wear their clothes, carefully removing the pants so as to not accidently take off their underwear.

“I’ll be leaving now. You guys take the Mark I’s to the airfield.” The female voice said and shortly after footsteps could be heard leaving the premise.

“This is really not made for my size” Shair said as he struggled to put on the new military wear. John had already squeezed into his and since he didn’t wear a shirt under his jacket his arms were exposed showing off all the muscle bulging out.

“Hey, Hey, keep moving” Harry grabbed John by the arm and pushed him out the bathroom door. Shair was still trying to squeeze one of his large arms through the small opening of the armor when Harry grabbed his arm.

“Don’t touch me, kid” shadows cast over Shair’s eyes as he pushes away the hand. “Show some respect for your elders.”

“Ohhhh, old man’s scary” Harry laughs and jabs him on the shoulder “Come on old timer, stop trying to look tough in front of the Mark II’s. We were made to be better than you.” Harry poked the brown bear.

“AHHHHH” Shair let out a scream and attacked Harry, his left hand still stuck in his clothes. Shair grabbed Harry by the jacket and pushed him against the marble wall, kicking his shins in the process to keep him unsteady on his feet. Harry tried to break free of Shair’s grip on his black field jacket but before he could get anywhere with his struggles Shair head-butted him. Harry pulled his head back from the impact but Shair pushed him back into the wall harder smacking his head in the wall and continued to head-butt him. Blood trickled down both their heads until Daniel interfered and broke them apart.

“Just because I didn’t say anything rude, doesn’t mean you get to act like that you clusterf*ckers” Shair snarld at Harry, who is holding his head wiping the blood, and Daniel who stared at Shair with wide eyes, ready to block if Shair attacked again. Shair turned around to walk out of the bathroom, on his way he grabbed the duffel bag and pushed his arm stuck in the Tee outwards to settle into the Kevlar more easily.

“You okay now?” John looked at Shair amusingly. Clearly this was not the first time Shair had attacked in rage. Shair looked at John before smiling and wiping away the blood with his black sleeve.

“Yeah, let’s get to the air-field and wait for the others.”