take a look

A small rodent’s head emerged from the ground to look around its surroundings. Its head scanned the area, seeing nothing but the soft rustling of foliage of the trees and shrubs as well as potential nap spots upon rocks. After the rodent determined the area is safe, it pulled itself from the ground, letting its body bathe in the soft orange glow of the setting sun. The rodent stretched its limbs before walking towards a rock that is shaded underneath a tree. The small creature then jumped upon the rock to rest on it. The creature purred, its eyes slowly closing as it is began to doze off. Suddenly, the rodent’s ears perked up as it picked up the sound of footsteps crunching leaves and twigs. The rodent scurried off, annoyed from the denial of its nice nap again.


The WIJ duo walked by the rodent, Jeff glanced back at the creature. “Hey doesn’t that little guy look familiar?” Jeff asked.


“I don’t care, Jeff. They all look the same to me anyway,” Carolina replied through gritted teeth.


“Just trying to start a conversation,” Jeff shrugged. Jeff then noticed that the white translucent cloak around Carolina’s collar is missing. “Hey where’s that thing that wrapped around your neck?”


“Hm? Oh, it’s retracted into the suit. I did it as we were falling down so it wouldn’t get damaged,” Carolina answered. Carolina turned her left hand around to reveal a small black padding at the bottom of the wrist. She pressed that padding and the cloak slipped out from under the collar around Carolina’s neck. With the cloak fully reeled out, it covered the top half of Carolina’s torso as it did before.


“Neat. So why didn’t you use your sneaking suit earlier when we were being chased by the scary beast thing?” Jeff asked.


“Well...you know...” Carolina was at a loss for words.


“Ah well, doesn’t matter. Good thing too, otherwise my plan wouldn’t have worked,” Jeff happily said.


“Your ‘plan’ nearly got us killed, you ding bag. Also what did you mean it worked? We fell off the cliff!” Carolina snapped.


“Yeah that was the plan,” Jeff replied.


Carolina blinked twice and sighed. “How...did you even come up with such a plan? Did you get it from watching our ship taking a nosedive from the cliff earlier?” Carolina asked rhetorically.


“Well…” Jeff smiled.


“You can’t be serious,” Carolina placed a hand on her forehead.


“Cmon, Carolina. How many times have my plans, since the day we became partners, worked?” Jeff asked.


Carolina sighed. “All the time,” Carolina reluctantly said.


“Right and how many times have you placed your trust in me, as I do to you, went sour?” Jeff made a smug look.


Carolina glared at Jeff. “None.”


Jeff maintained the smug face.


“Right whatever, even then, I am your superior and I’d appreciate it if you would inform your superiors of the plan beforehand. I could have written you up to the shock trooper majors or HICOM on many occasions.” Carolina said.


“Yeah but you didn’t, that’s why I love ya,” Jeff happily said. Carolina rolled her eyes, trying to stifle a smile. “Oh right, we’re close to our marked target now,” Jeff pointed out.


Carolina brooded ever since the dive into the lake earlier that she hasn’t noticed how close they were to the marker. “We’re about a half a klick away it seems,” Carolina confirmed.


Jeff patted Carolina’s shoulder. “Well let’s get going, ma’am.”


“Shut up and move,” Carolina said quickly.


---------------------------------------------------------------------


Shakeesh peered down the cliff onto the lake below. The calm sound of the waterfall nearby was overshadowed by Shanka speaking up. “Beautiful,” Shanka complimented as he sat near the edge of the cliff and gazed over the cliff at the valley of trees bathed in the orange glow of the sunset below.


“Yes, indeed it is,” Shakeesh agreed. “The squads have informed me that they have reached the downed WIJ ship, finding it torn asunder and burning. A WIJ officer uniform was also found ripped up and burnt.”


“Were any bodies found?” Shanka asked.


“No, they haven’t found a body,” Shakeesh answered.


“Hmm,” Shanka turned his attention back to the view.


Shakeesh cleared her throat. “It seems the tracks we were following ends here...or at least most of it.”


“It would seem so. Judging by the tracks, the Tatano must have chased its prey here and left through the bushes over there after its business is done,” Shanka said, without taking his eyes away from the view.


“It could be any other beast, Shanka.” Shakeesh replied.


“It could be, but that roar we heard earlier resonates with the will of the Tatano,” Shanka said.


“Right...so what do you think became of the prey then?” Shakeesh sat down near Shanka.


“Either the prey was successfully hunted without even a struggle or even a drop of blood…” Shanka picked up a nearby rock and threw it. The rock landed on the edge of the cliff near the waterfall, causing parts of the cliff to crumble and fall into the lake.


Shakeesh reactively jumped away from the edge. “Woah!”


Shanka, unfazed, continued talking. “...or the prey escaped,” Shanka then turned around to face Shakeesh. “And judging by the tracks, the prey is not an animal.”


Shakeesh nodded. “Then let’s find a way down to the lake. There must be a path nearby.”


Shanka smiled. “You may take the long route. I shall see you at the lake.”


“What are you-” Before Shakeesh could finish, Shanka leapt off the cliff. Shakeesh quickly shuffled towards the edge, careful not to stand too close. She spotted Shanka sailing towards the lake and dove into the water with a splash. Shakeesh was concerned for a moment, but her worries were washed away when Shanka emerged from the water, smiling up at her.


“Right then,” Shakeesh took a deep breath and followed after.


__________________________________




Shakuk anxiously sat in his office chair, tapping the surface of the desk continuously with his finger. His blonde hair unkempt, his cup of tea left untouched, and his head ached as he tried to process the interrogation earlier.


Another attack? A coming war? Is this a ruse? Is he trying to deter me? Maybe it’s all fabricated, but a Sha-ya warrior never lies. And a Sha-ya warrior never gives in to interrogators. Why did Shaloc reveal this information? What is the reason behind it?


Why now?


Shakuk’s train of thought was interrupted when a video call request appeared on his computer screen. Shakuk took in a deep breath, wiped his forehead with his handkerchief, and answered the call. A distraught Erodian Captain appeared in the screen. “Anything to report, Captain?” Shakuk asked.


“Nothing, Sir. We have not been able to contact the WIJ officer or the shocktrooper in Erodyr nor have we been able to contact anyone else beyond our station. I don’t understand why our communications are down...especially now.” The captain looked away dejected.


Yes, why now, Shakuk thought to himself.


“It’s fine, Captain. Just keep our technicians and engineers working on the issue. We need to establish communications as soon as we can. We need to get in contact with the WIJ team below. Hopefully they have acquired the answers we need,” Shakuk finally took a sip of his tea.


“Yes, Sir,” The captain said before ending the video call. Shakuk reclined in his chair.


“This entire situation is becoming less than an ideal. I hope my faith in those two weren’t misplaced,” Shakuk said to himself, taking another sip of his tea.


--------------------------------------------


At the prison section of the station, a guard walked down the prison hallway holding a filled food tray.


The guard walked by other patrolling guards and the cell blocks that line the walls. The prisoners within the cells mostly consisted of the recent raiders that attacked the station earlier. Most of the prisoners were rowdy, trying to get the attention of any passing guards. The guard holding the food tray ignored the rowdy prisoners and continued onwards towards a certain cell.


The guard stopped in front of the cell and slid the food tray underneath the cell door. “Chow time!” said the guard before leaving.


The prisoner stood up from his bed and walked towards the food tray. The tray held a sandwich and a glass of milk. Underneath the glass was a note. The prisoner bent down to pick up the note.


The note was written in Erodian language and it translates to: “All is going according to plan. Wait for the signal. Wrath will be swift and just, Brother-mate.”


The prisoner tucked the note in his pocket before turning his attention to the sandwich. He lifted up the bun to see a small black device underneath some lettuce. The prisoner picked up the device to inspect it. The device only had a button and an Erodian word written underneath the button that translates to read: “Begin”


The prisoner smiled. “Hope you are prepared, Shakuk. It’s almost time,” Shaloc smiled, emphasizing the scar on his face. At the top corner of the cell, a security camera watched Shaloc intently. Shaloc looked up at the camera and nodded.


Shaloc then hid the small device within the linen underneath the prison bed.


He picked up the sandwich and took a bite of it.


“Delicious.”


------------------------------------------------------





Carolina and Jeff moved silently through the trees and foliage, their weapons drawn with silencers. From tree to tree, they “leapfrogged” off each other. One moved forward to a tree or bush to make sure the way ahead is clear before signalling the other to move ahead to do the same. Their marked target became closer for each step they take, but the view of the target is obscured by thick foliage.


Carolina gestured towards Jeff to meet up with her under the shade of the thick foliage that separated them from their marked target. Jeff nodded and the WIJ duo swiftly moved and crouched under the shade.


Carolina took a deep breath. She was not sure what exactly lies beyond the wall of leaves, but she was ready for it nonetheless. Carolina looked at Jeff to see him smile and nod, indicating that he’s ready. Carolina nodded in response. Both stood and moved through the foliage slowly, weapons aimed forward for any potential enemies on the other side.


Once they were both on the other side, they were…





...in an open grassy field with a few shrubs dotted around. A mangled up ship lay before them next to its destroyer: an open, dented metal crate that used to hold bottles of space juice. Broken bottles lay scattered across the ground.


Carolina was confused at first, then she noticed the marker in her HUD was directed at that downed ship. She now realized that this was the tracked ship that they were supposed to follow.


The WIJ duo scanned the grassy area for any danger before approaching the ship. Jeff, however, headed straight for the metal crate. “Oh god, oh god, oh god. Please...please…” Jeff panicked as he inspected the crate for any surviving bottles.


Carolina ignored Jeff’s antics and made her way close to the ship. The front of the ship was caved inwards and side of the ship, as well as its wing, was torn apart, most likely due to the crate she ejected when they were being chased. Carolina cursed herself since she realized she caused this mishap and it may have jeopardized the mission. Carolina stepped closer to the wreckage, leaning forwards to peer through the broken windshield of the cockpit. She noticed a bloody body, torn from the broken glass, of an Erodian with its head down, sitting on the pilot seat.


Carolina aimed her weapon at the body, wondering if the pilot is truly dead.


“Oh god yes! I found a bottle!” shouted Jeff. Carolina took a swift glance at Jeff, but suddenly something pulled on her Y14, stumbling her forward. Carolina pulled her gun away from whoever grabbed it. The pilot was still alive, his face riddled with bloody glass and cuts. The pilot leaned over the broken front windshield as he tried to speak, but his words were intelligible. Carolina noticed the pilot’s right arm moving slowly, revealing a pistol. Carolina aimed her Y14 at the pilot’s head and fired.


The pilot’s body fell limp as it slumped over and fell outside the ship through the windshield, making an audible thud and clank. Jeff rushed over, SKP in one hand and a bottle in the other. “You ok?”


Carolina nodded, “Yeah I’m fine. Just a little startled.” The two looked down at the pilot’s body lying awkwardly on mangled metal.


“Poor guy. Death by space juice. What a way to go.” Jeff said grimly.


“Right now that doesn’t matter. This was the ship we were supposed to follow, but it seems like it lead us astray. We need to get out of here and decide on our next move,” Carolina began to walk away from the ship, but stopped when she noticed Jeff wasn’t following her, but instead was picking up the pilot’s body. “Jeff, what are you doing?” Carolina asked.


“Going to give this guy a burial,” Jeff replied, as he settled the body down on the grass and began digging the ground with his SKP.


Carolina blinked twice. “Why?”


“Why not? He deserves one,” Jeff replied, still digging.


“Why are you digging a grave for him? He is the enemy,” Carolina questioned.


“And he is a soldier deserving respect. Or was. He died while carrying out his duty, therefore he earned my respect. This is the least I could do,” Jeff said.


Carolina rolled her eyes. “Do you do this for every enemy you shoot at? How many times have you even done this?”


“More times than you would know,” Jeff said somberly.


At first, Carolina thought Jeff was merely joking, but she realized he was being serious given the dark tone of the reply. Carolina didn’t expect such a response.


“Look, we don’t have time for this. There could be enemy patrols heading this way to check on this crash. We need to move now!” Carolina commanded.


“You know me, Carolina. I won’t comply until I am done,” Jeff smirked.


Carolina furrowed her eyes. “Don’t disobey me now, Jeff.”


“Or what? You’ll write me up to HICOM?” Jeff retorted.


Carolina stayed silent, glaring at Jeff. Jeff turned his attention back to digging.


Carolina could write him up and it could lead to severe punishment given his past record. He has had many cases of disobedience before, but it stopped once he became partners with Carolina.


Not because he was obeying, but because Carolina never once wrote him up nor ever wanted to.


Carolina sighed and decided to stand guard. “Just be quick, Jeff. I don’t want anyone getting a cheap shot at us.”


“Yes, Ma’am!” Jeff replied.


After some time, Jeff finished digging. He placed his SKP to the side, picked up the pilot’s body, and placed it in the grave. Jeff then piled the dirt into the grave, completely enveloping the body in earth. Jeff walked towards the front of the mangled ship to pick up the pistol that the pilot dropped earlier and walked back to place the pistol on the grave. Jeff then took the bottle of space juice, took a big sip of it, and stuck the half-filled bottle in the grave. He then stood in attention and saluted.


Carolina watched the whole scene play out, wondering why Jeff even bothered to do this.


Once Jeff finished his salute, he walked up to Carolina and nodded. “Alright, let’s go,”


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Few more hours have passed and now night has fallen upon the vast forest. Two moons, one larger than the other, hung high above the night sky. The moonlight illuminates the dark forest below.


A small rodent scurried across the forest floor, careful not to break any twigs. The rodent stopped and sniffed around a certain area on the ground. Once the rodent found a good spot, it dug into the ground until its entire body was deep inside the hole it created. The rodent poked his head out to look around its surroundings before heading back in the hole, digging deeper.


The WIJ duo were sitting on a fallen log in a small, open cave. They decided to camp here for the night.


“I should name that little guy: ‘Kevin’,” Jeff said, as he just watched the rodent dig its hole. “What do you think?”


“Y-y-yeah that s-sounds nice. Wh-whatever,” Carolina replied.


Jeff raised an eyebrow, “You ok?”


“O-of c-course.” Carolina stuttered.


“Are you...cold?” Jeff asked.


“No...yes,” Carolina reluctantly confirmed.


Jeff was confused. “Why? It feels chilly sure but isn’t your sneaking suit insulated?”


Carolina shook her head. “No, it’s n-not. Like I s-said before, this is a pro-prototype v-v-version of the a-actual suit. It’s not insula-lated. I couldn’t request the official one due to ‘lack of supplies’,” Carolina sneezed. “Also stop calling it a ‘sneaking suit’!”


“So should we start up a fire?” Jeff suggested.


“What, n-no! We can’t r-risk giving away o-our position. Enemy pa-patrols may see the l-light!” Carolina sneezed again.


“Well I’m not going to sit here and listen to your chattering teeth and sneezing all night,” Jeff said. Jeff got up and sat on the ground, his back leaning on the log. He then spread his legs open and stretched his arms out. “Get in.”


Carolina blinked twice. “What?”


“Get in here,” Jeff pointed to the spot between his open legs.


“Why?” Carolina asked.


“Because If we can’t have a fire going, then the next best thing is me giving you a bear hug so you can warm up,” Jeff answered.


“Are y-you insinuating s-something?” Carolina asked.


“No, why?” Jeff raised an eyebrow.


Carolina sighed. “Ok fine, move over a bit.”


Carolina stood up from the log and walked to Jeff. She sat down in between Jeff’s legs, positioning herself to not get too close to him. However, she was pulled in closer to Jeff, her back against his front, as Jeff wrapped his arms around Carolina.


Carolina was going to protest, but stopped once she realizes the warmth from the hug. Jeff noticed Carolina seem to melt in his arms. “You alright?”


“Yeah, yeah I’m fine. Thanks,” Carolina replied.


“Hey no problem. You know, it’s been a long time since we last hugged. Albeit not like this, but yeah it’s been awhile,” Jeff said, shifting his arms so that Carolina would feel more comfortable.


“Jeff, we are military professionals. I, an officer, you, a shock trooper. It would be unbecoming of our ranks and ethics if we were to engage in such casual interactions like this all the time,” Carolina said.


“Yeah I know, but just as friends. Remember how we used to always hang out in the pubs after missions and how you always end up wasted?” Jeff said.


“Hey, space juice hits hard,” Carolina snapped.


“It was just one bottle,” Jeff replied.


“Whatever,” Carolina said with a huff.




Both of them sat in silence for awhile, readjusting themselves every so often.




Jeff spoke up. “So have any plans for tomorrow on how will we continue our mission?”


“I’m working on that. Give me some time,” Carolina said.


“Alright then,” Jeff then fell silent.






More silence between the two.






“You know, Jeff, I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” Carolina said.


“Yeah what is it?” Jeff replied.


“Why did you stop me from shooting that Erodian when we were on the station?” Carolina turned her head to look at Jeff.


Jeff sighed. “Well it was unnecessary.”


“Unnecessary? That Erodian is an enemy! Now that I think about it, when we were in that firefight in the bar, you aimed for the legs of the attackers. I know you are an exceptional marksman, Jeff, so why did you aim for the legs and not at the head or anywhere else?” Carolina then broke free of Jeff’s arms and turned around to face him.


Jeff looked away for a moment and sighed. “Ok ok, firstly, I’m not defecting from WIJ or any of that stupid sort.”


Carolina rolled her eyes.


“Secondly, the Erodian was running away. She posed no threat and you still aimed at her anyway.”


“That does not excu-” Carolina began to say.


Jeff held a hand up to shush Carolina. “Thirdly, it’s my own rule to not allow unnecessary deaths if I can help it. That includes me and anyone around me,” Jeff finished.


“That also includes your enemy?” Carolina asked.


Jeff nodded.


“Why?” Carolina challenged, glaring at Jeff.


Jeff sighed. “Well it’s a bit of a story.”


“We have time,” Carolina said.


“Yeah but what if my story ‘gives our position away’ by me talking a lot? Maybe you’ll be so enamored in my tale that some guy can sneak up on us eh?” Jeff retorted with a smug face.


Carolina knew Jeff has a point. With a defeated sigh, Carolina turned around, her back towards Jeff.


Jeff took this as cue to embrace Carolina in his arms again.


“Jeff, if I die because of your rule, I am going to file a complaint to HICOM and then kill you myself,” Carolina threatened.


 Wouldn’t that be difficult if you’re dead? Jeff thought to himself.




Silence has come again.





“So who will take the night watch first?” Jeff asked.


“You will,” Carolina quickly replied.


“What why?” Jeff asked.


“Obey your superiors,” Carolina said with a yawn.


“Yeah but-” Jeff then heard light snoring. He leaned a bit forward to see Carolina sleeping. Jeff rolled his eyes and readjusts himself to accommodate for Carolina’s unconscious body.


Jeff looked up to see the two moons hanging in the sky through the foliage of the trees, the moonlight shining down on him.





“I sort of regret leaving that bottle of space juice.”