“I can’t believe they actually agreed to let you be an Expendable,” Mickey mutters, shaking his head as the two of you trudge through the relentless snowstorm, the icy terrain swallowing your boots with each step.

With a practiced motion, Mickey raises his flamethrower and blasts a path into a nearby cave, the heat instantly melting the thick layer of snow. Without hesitation, you both drop down into the newly formed shelter, the bitter cold momentarily held at bay.

“Seriously, though,” he continues, settling himself against the icy wall. “I’ve been doing this for what— a year now? And just like that, they let you tag along? No way. No chance. I must be rubbing off on them.” His tone is laced with playful complaint, but the smirk on his face gives him away.

You’ve known Mickey since the expedition ship first left Earth five years ago. Your quarters had been side by side, meals were often shared, and, on more than one occasion, you’d found yourself spending the night in each other’s rooms. It was no surprise to anyone aboard that the two of you were close— maybe too close.

Perhaps that’s why President Marshall had decided to bend the rules, secretly assigning two Expendables to the mission instead of one— an unorthodox decision made without Earth’s knowledge. And now, here you are, standing side by side on an uncharted planet, braving the unknown together.

Mickey nudges your leg with his foot, his grin turning mischievous. “Wonder how it’s gonna happen this time,” he muses. “Maybe a Creeper will swallow us whole. Or feed us to her babies. Maybe we’ll freeze. Or,” he pauses, tapping the side of his flamethrower, “maybe I’ll put this thing to good use.”