The three of us - me, Lieutenant Andrew and Major Martin make it into the elevator. Martin keeps a completely straight face. Has he not noticed our bruises?

Finally, Martin breaks the silence. "How much beer did you drink?"

"You're probably just smelling my hair," I reply.

He doesn't nod his head in response or anything. He just stares into the exact same place, as if he's extremely troubled by something.

     "Is something wrong, Major?" I ask, inable to hold back my curiosity anymore.

     "Have you forgotten that the US is about to be nuked?" he snaps. Good point.

     The elevator doors open right into his office. His office has an abnormally high ceiling and the walls are painted pure white with steel reinforced windows. His cushioned office chair is elevated in front of a large hologram projector. It all seems like something you'd see in the President's office.

     Martin motions for us two to sit down in front of his desk after sitting down behind it. I toss Andrew into his seat and plop into mine. If this seat is this comfy, how comfy is the one Martin gets to sit in?

     "Show a little respect for the furniture. This isn't my office," Martin says. "You can leave now," he adds, turning to look at me. Why'd he ask me to sit down, then?

     Nevertheless, I quickly nod and rise from my seat, anxious to leave. I don't want Andrew to get me into any more trouble. But as I make it out of the door and into the elevator, Martin says something that catches my attention. I put my ear to the door and listen.

     "We're here to talk about your promotion. Although I'm supposed to take George's position as Admiral, I don't think I'm fit to do so. I have a wife and children, and not enough time to take on such a role. You, on the other hand, seem quite ambitious, and you still haven't found a girlfriend. This will only be temporary, as well."

     Seriously? No, this can't be. There are so many better options than Lieutenant Andrew. What about all of the other ranks, like Colonel, Commando and Major? I'm sure there's someone from those that can take that spot. You can't just go straight from Lieutenant to Admiral, can you? And especially not someone as aggressive and reckless as Andrew.

     "I'll be going, now. Have fun with the paperwork. Not too much fun." With that, Martin makes his way to the elevator.

     He looks at me. "Didn't I tell you to leave?"

     "I forgot my-"

     "Go get it and let Andrew be. If I come back to see you two with more bruises, neither of you are getting paid next week."

     Martin closes the elevator and I wait a moment before I speak to Andrew. I have to convince him not to do this.

     "You're not going to convince me not to do this," he says. You have to be kidding me. "Because I knew he would do this. In fact, I already got plans for you and your buddies. Remember that three man mission that George ordered?"

     I gulp.

     "Yeah. Have fun in Korea, Bentley."

***

     It's ten o'clock at night and I've invited Private Jackson and Private Tyrone over to my apartment for burgers. They're down for anything no matter the time if it's free.

     After sitting down with the two, I begin to tell them about earlier. "So, I'm not sure if I'm supposed to let you guys know about this or not, but Lieutenant Andrew-"

     Jackson spits out his coke. "No way! You've gotta be kiddin' me!"

     "I haven't said anything yet, Jackson."

     "Oh, continue."

     "So, after I was called into the office with Andrew earlier, Major Martin ordered me to leave. Of course, I stayed behind, but I heard this little tidbit."

     "What happened?" Tyrone asks.

     "Andrew was promoted to Admiral."

     Tyrone and Jackson both burst out laughing. I don't think they get how serious this is.

     "Andrew? That lil' wimp can't be no Admiral! He'd get us all killed before he gets a girlfriend!" Tyrone says.

     "That boy ain't gonna do anythin'. He'll be too busy trying to choose the best car to get a girl in." Jackson adds.

     "Have you forgotten that none of us have a girlfriend?" That makes the two be quiet.

     "Anyways, he's already made his first move. He's planning on sending us three to defuse that bomb."

     Private Jackson seems to be enlightened by this idea. "What's wrong with that, Bentley?"

     "What's wrong with that? We goin' die, that's what's wrong with that!" Tyrone answers for me.

     "Not only that, but none of us know how to defuse a bomb here. We don't even know where to start."

     "You just rip the wires on the side of the bomb," Jackson says, worryingly confident in his answer.

     "Have you been watchin' 2010 movies, Jackson?" Tyrone inquires.

     We're interrupted by Martin once more. He walks in the door with a folded paper in his hand. Without a word, he tosses the paper onto our table, takes one of Tyrone's fries and leaves.

     "My fry. Did you see that, Bentley?" Tyrone whines.

     Despite his heartbreaking loss, Tyrone is the first to reach for the folded paper. It's an A3 blueprint, titled "Nuclear Bomb NK13 Anatomy." I'm assuming it's the one that's going to hit the US.

     How did Martin time this so perfectly? And how did he even get this blueprint?

     "I think it's a blueprint, Bentley! Of a bomb!" Jackson exclaims, standing up from his seat.

     "Thanks, oh wise one," Tyrone mutters.

     Jackson sits back down, frowning. It's not long until Jackson realises it's the bomb we're going to defuse, but as soon as he pushes his chair out to stand back up, Tyrone puts his hand over Jackson's mouth with a, "We know."

     After a minute or so of inspection, I come across a label that says, "Delay/Cancel Timer." The label leads to a keypad inside of a deep hole in the nuke, with a ladder leading to the top. You literally have to go inside the bomb to defuse it. Wonderful.

     "Here it is," I say as I point to the label.

     "I was gonna tell you that, 'til Tyrone said you knew it already," Jackson grumbles.

     We're interrupted by my phone. "Text from Admiral Andrew." I pull out my phone and check.

     "Meeting at 10:00 tomorrow, Chuck-E-Cheese's. I think you'll enjoy this one ;)"