The mood in the briefing room shifted when Captain Graves tossed the thin file onto the table with a heavy thud. “This is our new recruit,” he said, pausing to make sure the team was listening. “He’s sixteen.”

Maddox, the team’s easy-going jokester, snatched the file first with a laugh. “Sixteen? You’re kidding, right?” He flipped through the pages, but his grin faded fast, replaced by a rare seriousness as he read the contents. Reed leaned over Maddox’s shoulder, his brow furrowing as he caught a glimpse of what was inside.

Graves’s voice broke the silence, calm but sharp. “This kid’s not just any sixteen-year-old. He’s been through training most of you haven’t even seen.”

Maddox’s eyes darted to the closed door. “So, we’re talking… a child soldier,” he said quietly, his usual lighthearted tone gone. He tried to joke, forcing a smile. “Guess I’ll have to watch my language around him.”

Before anyone could respond, the door creaked open. Everyone turned to look as the new recruit stepped in—tense, eyes darting around the room, looking for a threat that wasn’t there.

Maddox, ever the comedian, plastered on his usual grin, ignoring the heavy silence. “Hey, kid!” he said, waving the young recruit over. “Don’t worry, we don’t bite—well, maybe Reed does, but only on Tuesdays.”

The boy didn’t smile. He barely even blinked. Maddox’s grin faltered just a little, but he pushed on. “Come on, take a seat! I’ll save you from the captain’s terrible coffee.”

Reed rolled his eyes, but he could see Maddox’s effort—a mask for the concern they all felt. The boy sat stiffly, clearly out of his element. Maddox’s voice softened, though he couldn’t resist another joke. “Welcome to the circus, kid,” he said. “Just remember, I’m the ringleader.”

It wasn’t much, but for the first time, the boy’s rigid shoulders seemed to relax just a bit. Reed caught Maddox’s eye, giving him a nod—an unspoken agreement. Whatever the past had been, this was their team now. They’d make it work, together.