Shot in the Dark
January 2024
Without a second glance, the body was disposed of.
It lay limp in the bushes. Already flies were swarming. Someone would find it soon enough. Ivan swung on his heel, not saying a word to his fellow soldiers, and strolled emotionlessly through the moonlit forest.
That git had been one of Alfred's men, either extremely big-headed or drunk. He'd dared to challenge the Soviets, and he'd got what he deserved. That's life.
Ivan stopped in his tracks, and took the brief moment of silence to consider his chances of surviving tomorrow. The thought was erased from his mind straight away when he heard a rustling from somewhere to his left.
A stifled sob was easily recognised in Ivan's ears. It wasn't hard to figure out that whoever this was, was armed.
Now the Russian knew that this wasn't just a wild animal. This was human prey. Fighting would have to take place at night as well now, did it?
"Toris. Get over here," ordered Ivan, his tone low and flat.
A relatively smaller man with long brown hair approached. His knees and elbows were padded with a glass-like material that looked similar to solar panels. Shin, chest and neck pads were made from fairly thin steel, then half-orb titanium protection shielded any body parts that would be most likely to kill him if shot or stabbed.
"Mr Braginski, what is it?"
Ivan snarled slightly, taking two pistols from his pockets. "We're not alone. Find them."
Toris glanced uneasily at his leader, then was forced to nod under the unbearable pressure. Rifle in hand, he searched the bush Ivan was pointing out.
The Russian watched as his Lithuanian soldier dug momentarily through the thorns, then dragged someone out. They didn't seem to be fighting back, so Ivan considered this easy prey.
Braginski knelt, face-to-face with the stranger. His own shadow hid the man's face, but it didn't phase him.
"Name."
A low growl came back, and an unexpected blow to Ivan's face was not the reaction the Russian had wanted.
The sound of Toris grunting gave Ivan the impression that the stranger had got him too; darkness made Ivan unsure. The last thing he saw was what appeared to be a frying pan disappearing into the shadows.