“The yellow wire.”

Lieutenant Culbridge felt the words buzz in his ear. The summer was sweltering, and the heavy insulation of the bombsuit only compounded the heat. His earpiece, like everything else, was covered in sweat. Every word from Commander Barr sent tiny electric shocks coursing through Culbridge’s eardrum.

“Negative,” said Culbridge. He knelt closer to the IED. Its circuitry was splayed out on the sand before him, a tangle of wires and metal. He took a handful with great care and displayed them to the helm-mounted camera. “Look at the discoloration. Yellow is active.”

“The point is yours to make.”

Another pass of the X-Ray confirmed it. “Look at these readings,” Culbridge continued. “It has to be red.”

“Cut the yellow wire, Lieutenant.”

Culbridge paused, acutely aware of his breath rattling around inside the helmet. “Sir, that would be a mistake.”

“Your data hasn’t satisfied me. The yellow cord is inactive,” buzzed Barr’s voice.

“Negative, sir. If yellow is cut, the device will function. I say this as fact.”

“Cut the yellow wire, Culbridge. That’s an order.”

Culbridge laughed, mirthless. “I’m not going to do that.”

“Excuse me?” came the response.

Culbridge remained silent for a moment. Then: “Why do you want the yellow wire cut, Commander?”

“Because it is inactive, Lieutenant. Let’s get this finished up. Hot out there.”

“Are you sure that’s why?”

A pregnant pause. Barr said, “What are you suggesting, Culbridge?”

“I don’t know,” Culbridge said, and chuckled lifelessly once more. “You remember boot camp, don’t you? I do.”

“Now’s not the time for this.”

“Could this yellow wire have anything to do with that?”

“I’m ordering you to cut the yellow wire, Lieutenant. It is inactive. You’ll do as I say or you’ll face --”

“You’re fucking wrong!” Culbridge said. “You know exactly what’s gonna happen when that yellow wire is cut. We both know. You won’t convince me.”

“Don’t curse at me,” Barr answered, volume rising. “I am your Commander.”

“Don’t pull rank on me.” Culbridge shook his head, smiling in incredulity. “I can’t believe you’re fucking doing this. You fucking madman.”

“Cut the yellow wire, David! I’m not going to have this!”

“You waited so long. Two hundred clears and now you take your shot. For what? Because once in the showers --”

“Stop right there!” He was yelling now. “Don’t say another goddamn thing. Cut that wire, Lieutenant!”

“No one can hear us, Thomas,” said Culbridge with eerie calm. “It’s just you and me, big boy. You little bitch. Even in Basic, you were a bitch. I made you one.”

The earpiece was silent.

“That’s right,” Culbridge said. “Quiet down.”

He placed the boltcutters to the red wire and snipped.