The Marine fire team stood tense outside the door. Formed into breach positioning, they stood ready for whatever came at them on the other side.

One by one, they tapped the Marine in front of them, signaling that they, and the person behind them were ready. The M-16A4's were gripped tightly by gloved hands. The men on either side of the door nodded, one raising the breaching hammer, the other pulling the pin of his flash bang.

The door gave with a crash as the breaching hammer struck home. A second later the flash-bang went off as the five Marines stormed the house.

The first two rooms were cleared within fifteen seconds. The third held a boy holding something in his hand. The bottom of it was black, the boy's thumb resting on a bit of red. By reflex, by training, bullets flew through the air, neutralizing the boy with the detonator. The rest of the house clear, they called in Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

After an hour of searching the house, an EOD tech made his way to the fire team leader.
“ Who took the shot, corporal?”
The corporal pointed over to the lance corporal that had fired.  Sweat pouring down his body under his Kevlar suit, the gunnery sergeant made his way over.
“Lance corporal?”
The young marine stood quickly and glanced at the rank of the armored Marine.
“Yes, Gunny?”
A heavily armored hand extended. Confused, the lance corporal reached out. The gunny put something in his hand. Looking down in confusion, he saw the dull black and red of the detonator. Opening his hand, he looked face to face with an old plastic toy soldier, with a red shirt, a red cap, and black boots.

“I'm sorry, son.” The gunny placed a hand on the lance corporal's shoulder.

The young Marine fell to his knees, and cried.