Private James

What separates us from the rest? he asked Pacardy. They were seated in the lab that night. Sober. What ? asked Pacardy clearly not bemused with the question. Them? he said tilting his neck and shoulders. Pacardy looked around and saw no one. Who? he asked. The ones we saw in the morning, said James. Nothing peculiar private, replied James. Emotions, said James. Pacardy knew it was best that he did not speak. Emotions do not wear them down, he said. And it does us? asked Pacardy. James stared into the oblivion. Pacardy went silent and hid his agitation well. A person emerged from the shadows and stood next to them. That is the box? he simply asked them. Yes! they both replied worn down by words and the day! Seronn walked towards it and had a nice look at it. We are alike, he said to them. James was inquisitive and got up and approached the man. We are ? he asked him. You seem cold! he said to them! Seronn walked around the box and removed his mask and kept it on top of it. And you don't, he asked him. Cold? asked James tightening his knuckles as though something irritated him. Yes, replied Seronn and looked right into his eyes. No, I don't think so, replied James. He clenched his fist and hit the box as hard as he could. Are you alright private? asked Pacardy. James looked back and threw his spectacles down. Pacardy was afraid and he asked the private again. Are you alright James? he asked him. He stamped on the spectacles. Very much so, replied James.

A few minutes later…..

Get up private, said Pacardy. James slowly opened his eyes and looked back at the world. Where am I? asked the private. The lab James! replied Pacardy. What happened ? he asked him. I don't know. You acted strange and you fell down, he said. Where is the other man, asked James. There is no one else here, he said. Only the two of us, he said. The private had a very confused look on him! You were rambling something about emotions and you fell down, said Pacardy! Strange! said the private and got up.

There was a knock on the door. Incessant knocks on the door. Pacardy was about to go get the door as a fairly hairy arm caught him. He turned around and saw Vlohrir. Come he said with a stern voice.

They were perplexed. Those are enemies, he said to them! The both of them got up and followed Vlohrir. They got into the vents and disappeared. James found it a bit tough to enter the vents but he pulled through! Another hand reached out to him, it was Akira. Come let's go, she said. Where to? asked James. Where from? asked Pacardy. To Anatoly, she said as the four crawled through the vents. They made their way through without making much noise, except Vlohrir. He made a ruckus as he moved through the vents.

There! said the Americans and the soldiers stared to shoot at the vents. Don't kill them for fucks sake, shouted the colonel. Then what do we do? asked a soldier. Need them alive, he said. Climb the vents, he said and the soldiers one by one went through the vents. At the end of the vents the four of them got down as they met Anatoly. What is going on? asked James. It's your Americans, he said adjusting his throat. They are after the technology, said Anatoly. How? asked James. There's no time, said Anatoly and started to move. The soldiers dropped in from the vents and on to the floor! Vlohrir and Akira stood their ground, while Anatoly and the others ran. Anatoly, said Akira. Turn the lights off, she said to him. It went pitch black as the soldiers had to stop their steps. An axe came flying at the hand of the soldier. Taking it apart. An arrow then came and hit another soldiers chest! The soldiers were distraught and curious about the type of weapons that struck them. Vlohrir closed his eyes and ran towards the soldiers taking them down one by one. He retrieved his axe. Meanwhile Akira opened her eyes. There, follow the purple light said the soldier and they moved towards that. The dwarf who was behind the soldiers took them down one by one! The last soldier came all guns blazing at the hylin. She closed her eyes and hid herself. Show yourselves cowards! shouted the soldier in a thick American accent. Just then…..

Thud!!!

The colonel landed on the arena! What is going on here! he shouted. Something's wrong colonel, replied the soldier back. The lights were back on the two foreigners were gone! Follow the blood! said the colonel to the soldier. Yes sir, he said hesitantly and paced ahead.

Vlohrir was hurt in the leg. He limped as fast as he could. Akira and the humans were trying to catch up to him even in his limping state! He was that rapid. The blood! said James. It's a trail for them to follow us. What do we do? asked Anatoly. There is no time to stop! said Pacardy. We don't know how many people are following us! You are right, said Anatoly who was struck in the conundrum. The colonel was an extremely strong man. He was bionically infused. It was all metal inside, a strong metal unknown to man. Taken from some other planet. And he could run really fast. He started to gather up pace. He pushed the soldier aside and ran towards the blood.

A bullet brushed past the hair of Akira. She did not turn back. But she started to run. Vlohrir stopped and turned back. It was the colonel. He grabbed the axe with all his might and stood facing the colonel. What are you? asked the colonel as he had not heard or seen his kind. The kind you don't want to anger, he said. Piss off! said the colonel and shot at him. There was a huge fight that enraged. Run! he said to the others. The rest of the gang ran away from the fight.

As they ran, Seronn joined them. Pvt James was struck and limb and could not move as he saw the frame of Seronn. You again? He murmured. We need to help Vlohrir, said Akira. He fights his fate, said Seronn and pushed the others to run. What now? asked Pacardy to Anatoly. They have the tech now, the Americans. Anatoly smirked in all the chaos. The original was already moved to the basement, said Anatoly. When the private fainted, replied the only Russian there. Why ? asked the private looking at Seronn. Why does anything happen? he asked him. For some reason or the other, replied the colonel. Yes, he said and continued to walk. Akira kept looking back as she ran, waiting for Vlohrir. She was not ready to lose another dwarf, that she cared about! There was no sign of him. Enough! She shouted and grabbed the gun of Seronn. She took it in her hands and ran towards the dwarf.