The sun was shining that day. Standing at the grave. Surrounded by people that were dressed in black. Some of them were pretending to cry.

Camomille was growing on a nearby grave, irritating my allergies. A few tears might have dropped from my eyes. Allergies.

Brielle had handed me a soft cotton tissue to blow my nose. A police officer was standing behind the pedestal, holding a speech about my mother's life.

Most of the guests had only come because of her being my father's wife. My father on the other hand was not here.

The officer described my mother as a patriotic woman, sadly taken by illness before she would have been able to birth more children for the army and for my father. 

I would have liked to punch him. Brielle noticed that my hands had formed fists. She put her hand on my lower arm, trying to soothe me. I did not react.

At the end of his speech, hundreds of guests walked by me, expressing their condolences. I acknowledged the more important ones with a quick nod.

As soon as the mandatory customs allowed me to, I went home. Finals were close. I had to study for 3 exams coming up next week. They were considered some of the most important but also the most difficult exams. Acing these exams would guarantee that I joined the army as an officer, not some foot soldier. 

Naturally a few weeks later I aced the exams. Sharky and I graduated at the same time. The official graduation ceremony was rather boring. Luckily I and the boys knew how to have a proper party. We only had one night before all of us would be sent off to our newly assigned jobs.

The party was happening at my place. I had the bartender pour out shots when my techdevice notified me that my friend's party bus was only a few minutes away.

"READY TO EXECUTE?" I screamed as they came in. Everybody took 3 shots before we hugged each other and said our hellos.

There were many things to discuss, planning our futures and reminiscing on the time we studied/partied together.

"By the time I am done with the Universe, not a single planet out there will be denying our protection.", I said, blinded by the party lights.

There was a lot of laughter but also some mumbling. It was the kind of thing people were expecting me to say, anyways.

Later that night we ran into the ocean together, drunkenly enjoying the sensation of the waves against our waists. We swore that nothing and nobody would ever stop us. We were gonna have each other's backs. None of us was going to die. Every soldier that had ever been killed, we were going to find their murderer and punish them. We were gonna make them pay for it, in blood and in money. And not one drug smuggler would escape us. We were going to rule the world as the Executive Branch of the Universe. That is of course after tonight. We were still enjoying Hibiscus that night. Highest quality only.