The Kommissariat

by Kebab Man

In the Alaskan tundra, just before the events of fallout 4. Communist and Capitalist forces unite under a coalition government after the bombs drop. there is however a new threat coming from the east and from underground. Komms, a kid who has been moved about Alaska finally settles in Jacinto. meeting new people he continues to go through his national service. to serve his country.

4. Chapter 4

Erin 3 – 32

May 18th 2264 Grother Military Academy

She lay with her arm over Yuri, in Komms' bed. The rest of the squad had headed out to the city for the day. Check out the pubs and clubs. They both made the excuse that they weren't feeling well, opting to stay on the base rather than go out. Komms was getting out of the infirmary that afternoon though, they knew they wouldn't get another chance to go to the city for a good while, but they wanted to see him more.

They hadn't slept much the night before, playing cards and having a few drinks into the early hours of the morning. Loosing their wages they brought to qualify. They didn't mind though, they hadn't spent much at any point anyway, so they still had lots left over. They shuffled together, intermingling their legs around each other. Yuri tried getting Erin into the book her and Komms had been reading, sadly she was more of a comic kind of person, finding the more complicated language of it confusing.

She retracted her hand, scratching her arm pit and getting a waft of the smell at the same time. She scrunched up her face a tad, before lifting the covers slightly and smelling Yuri's. She gave the same expression and receiving a shocked expression from Yuri. "What are you doing!?" sounding slightly creeped out. "I got a waft of my pits and I think we both need a shower. I don't think he would be to pleased smelling that as his first welcoming back."

Yuri relaxed her expression, settling back into the pillow. Yuri pulled her towards her, kissing her on the cheek before unlocking herself from Erin. While Yuri got up, she lay there for a moment, feeling the fleeting warmth she left behind. When she was satisfied she pulled herself to the edge of the bed, flipping her legs round and sitting up. She pushed herself to her feet, lifting her arms as she stretched, her back cracking up it's length. She rubbed her eye as she walked over to her locker, pulling it open and retrieving a towel. She turned back to Yuri who was at the door already, her hand gripping on the handle as she smiled.

She walked over, Yuri pulling the door and holding it open for her. She thanked her, stopping half way through as she felt a playful smack hit her backside. She looked back as she walked, giving her a cheeky smile. They walked past the few people who remained in the barracks, entering the shower room and taking the cubicle at the far back. They pulled their skivvies off and stepping into the shower, they felt instantly refreshed as the steam from it, pierced their every pore. Erin grabbed the soap, rubbing it between her hands, coating them in it. Yuri faced away from her, towards the shower head, letting it run over her. She sneaked up behind her, flinging her arms around her and spreading the soap up her belly, stopping as her hands hit the bottom of her breasts. Yuri shrieked a little, Erin giggling away at her. She ran her hands over her breasts, running the soap all over them, pulling her hand sup further till they rested on her shoulders.

"Do you not think we should wait for him to get back?" She said cheekily, turning her head to her.

"Ooohhhh, saving yourself for the main course are we?" She giggled.

They locked lips, Erin sliding her hand all over her body, cleaning every inch of it. She broke the bond with her succulent lips. She gripped herself against Yuri's back, sliding her hand down, forming a lather of soap through Yuri's bush. Scrubbing around, causing Yuri to start moaning.

Komms 18 – 33

May 18th 2264 Grother Military Academy

He sat on the edge of his bed, tying his laces. He straightened himself up, cracking his neck. He turned his head, hearing the doctor walking up the ward. He looked down at his clipboard, writing something down. "How are you felling today then Corporal?" He asked, still looking at his board.

"Still got a sore chest, Doc, a bit eh pain taking deep breaths and am no gonnea be jerkin my heed aboot the place any time soon." He rebutted, looking down at his watch.

"Right, well... There was one thing I need tot ell you about, Corporal. With the scan you got with another doctor this morning, we noticed something... There seemed to be some damage to the Amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for fear and anger. Basically the part of the brain that controls fight or flight." He said this rather straight faced. Not something you would normally talk about so casually, telling someone they have brain damage, but he guessed that if they Doc wasn't that worried then it shouldn't be much of a problem.

Komms nodded as he told him this, "So... Should I expect tae notice any difference in day tae day stuff? Or is this just shagged my career as a soldier?" He asked, rather dis heartedly.

"Well are you severely tempted to start knocking my lights out?" The Doctor asked rhetorically.

"I..Is it bad if I said yes?..." He said hesitantly.

The doctors eyes widened, looking down at Komms' hands, which hung idly by his side.

Komms leaned towards him, raising his hand and tapping the side of his nose. "I'm just jokin, lad, but next time ye have tae tell some cunt he's got brain damage, try and be a bit mare comfortin."

The doctor sighed, dropping his head. "I guess that's a lesson learned. Anyway, you shouldn't notice any real difference. When it comes to your service, with how little damage there actually is, you shouldn't have any troubles when it comes to combat. Just your senses of anger and fear might be amplified. So don't go on drunken nights out if you think you might hit someone. As for your ear, I was told you are starting to gain some of your hearing back. It should come back for the most part, don't be surprised if there is some hearing loss, as for the tinnitus, we can't do much about that, we suggest having some sound in the background as you try to sleep, it'll help if dampening the sound of it."

"Aye, a'v got a lot eh my hearin back in that ear, a'v still got the ringin goin but no where near what it were before, like. Can I expect tae see it lessen even mare?"

"I can't really say, considering that ear didn't burst as well is a miracle, if it gets worse though, come back and see us. How's your sleeping been, anyway?"

"I've been better, been havin a lot eh weird dreams when I have been sleepin. No sure what that's aboot, but some eh them seem pretty weird, like." He said, scratching the back of his head.

"Hmmm, could be linked to the brain damage, but with how minor it is, it could just be the medication, it does affect everyone differently at times. Well if that's all, then that should be you good to leave." He tore a slip from the board, handing it over to Komms. "Hand this to your instructor, he'll need to know what you are and aren't permitted to do."

He took the note and nodded goodbye, grabbing his back and slinging it over his shoulder. He stepped out of the ward and onto the corridor to the reception, nodding to one of the nurses as he left. Stepping out the entrance and into the crisp breeze outside. He looked around, checking to see who was about. He moved on seeing no one around, pulling out a cig and lighting it. He inhaled the toxic delight, spurting it out in a flurry of smoke and steam. He flicked the the tobacco that rotted to ash from the end of his cig, taking a glance at the orange glow that emanated from it. Pulling a smile as he looked through the slashes of cooling ash that formed over the embers. He looked back up as he reached the Barracks, pulling the door open and walking towards his barrack. He nodded to the people who sat around the table, then entering to the empty room.

He noticed the covers on his bunk that were flipped over, he guessed Yuri must have kipped there before she headed off. He dropped his kit at the end of his bunk, pulling open his locker and flicking the ash from his cig into the ashtray that sat inside. Taking his last draws from it before stubbing it out. He slipped off his yolk from his shoulders, pulling off his shirt. He hung it up in the locker. He stepped over to his bunk, sitting down and untying his boots, pulling them off and removing his socks. He slipped his trousers off, folding them and placing them under the bed. He rolled onto his bed, his eyes growing heavy. Flipping his covers over himself and putting his hands behind his head. He looked at the ceiling for a while, as his eyes slowly ground their way towards each other, like bunker doors.

Komms 19 – 34

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His eyes opened to the blue hue of his IFF's, his head pounding. He placed a hand against the side of his head, rolling it around. His nose shut down, smelling the overwhelming stench of decay. He rolled onto his side, being met with the half eaten face of one of his comrades. He flinched back, as the black liquid seeping from his eye socket neared his face. He pushed himself up to his knees, feeling the ground was wet, but in the darkness, he couldn't tell what it was. He managed himself to his feet, the ground squelching beneath him. He looked back down at the body that lay on the ground next to him, taking a knee over it and reaching for it's neck, pulling a set of COG tags from it. He looked over them, unable to read it through the rust that had formed over it.

He pulled up his tank light to his shoulder, flipping the switch. A quick flash of light illuminating his immediate front for a second before the light burst, sending sparks flying past his head. He threw his arm up while ducking his head in retaliation , turning his head back after a second to look at the light. He groaned at it, turning back to look down the tunnel ahead. He looked around the walls, only just noticing the ominous holes that lined them. He took a step back, reaching for his rifle only to realise it wasn't there. He felt down his leg, finally finding his side arm. He drew it out, pointing it at the ground. He slowly stepped along the passageway, starting to feel the cracking and crunching of bone under his steps. He carried on, staring around, looking for those glowing specs to appear at any moment. The passage began to narrow, turning a corner he seen a light at the end of the hall. He picked up his pace, marching down it. The ceiling grew lower and lower, forcing him down onto his knees after a while. He stopped when his hand hit something soft, pulling out his lighter, her sparked it, the flame showing a severed human hand underneath his. He fell on his side as he recoiled. The nails were painted black, the skin starting to rot, mould growing from the exposed flesh where it would've joined at the wrist. He pushed it aside with the barrel of his pistol, pulling himself onwards. He could hear the sounds of ripping and tearing flesh ahead of him where the light was emanating from. He blew out the flame from his lighter, placing it back in his pocket, giving himself the extra hand to pull himself along with. He was only just able to slither along the passage now, closing in to tightly fro him to crawl along on all fours.

He finally neared the light, lighting up what looked like a large opening in the tunnel. He began to slow as he made out what looked like a pile of entrails laying across the ground. He brought his pistol ahead of him, ready to pull the trigger on any beast that lurked ahead. He pulled himself from the tunnel he crawled from, turning to where the sound of ripping was coming from. A lone locust sat feeding on the remains of a poor soul who didn't make it. He looked at the light source, seeing two sets of feet sticking out from under it. He dropped his head, thinking he was the only one who made it. He glanced at his watch, the face broken and the hands laying at the bottom of it. He grunted as he pulled himself up, the creature swiftly turning to look at the intruder.

It jumped towards him shrieking, he shoved his pistol ahead of him at it, pulling the trigger and watching the muzzle flash light up everything that the tank light wasn't. The round landed square in the centre of it's head, knocking it to the ground, it clambered around, trying to gain its foot as another round blasted through the side of it's skull, spilling the contents of it over the floor. He looked at the body that it had been gnawing on, dropping his gun when he seen the dirty blonde hair that still resided across some of it's head. He dropped to his knees, covering his face.

He dragged himself forward to the body, brushing the hair aside, to reveal Denise's half rotten and torn face. He fell back on his ass, facing her. He saved her from this before, but he'd failed her this time, watching as the maggots swarmed from the sinew in her neck, exposing her windpipe and slashed arteries. He pulled himself forward, grabbing the tags from around her neck as well, pushing them into one of the pouches on his belt. He placed his hand over her still intact eye, closing her eye lid. He stood back up, giving a moments respect towards his friend that lay before him.

He stepped back, turning towards the two bodies sat up against the wall. He stepped out of the beam of light, placing his hands on his head, slipping on the gore that lined the ground, he landed on his back. He scurried away from the bodies, seeing Erin's face, her jaw sat on her lap, her eyes eaten away by the maggots and flies that swarmed around them. He slowly turned his vision to the body next to her, a helmet still atop it's head. He plucked up the courage, sliding himself up the wall and to his feet. His heart raced, the sweat pouring off of him as he neared the body. He grabbed the helmet, removing it from it's owner, the owners head, refusing to part with it's property. He flinched at this, causing the head to fall from it's protective shell. He broke down, seeing Yuri's decayed head crack against the floor. A half stripped hand laying next to it, nails painted black. He began screaming, hunching over in pain as his chest started to ache. His screams turned to gurgles as blood started to flow from his lungs like a shower. Each breath sending a new gush of blood from his mouth, tearing his throat out. The taste of mould and iron filling his mouth. He tried gasping for breath, every intake only filled his lungs further with the liquid. He seen the glowing lights surround him, their ever open eyes coming closer, he flailed at them, doing everything in his power to keep them at bay, pushing himself further up the the wall. They slashed at his legs, ripping his greaves and boots, off, tearing through the muscles and fat on his legs. Pulling the flesh from the bone.

His eyes ripped open, shooting his head round in every direction, starting to feel nauseous. The Covers lifted, exposing Yuri and Erin crawling along his legs. Erin's burst eyes, glaring him down and Yuri's rotten and decaying face, clawing themselves closer. He panicked, yelling and clambering back, throwing himself from the bed. The covers dropped over the two, hiding them from view.

He braced himself against Erin's bunk, panting and sweating. The covers slowly rose up, their faces coming into view, intact and unharmed. They looked at him, shocked, then both looking at each other as his eyes started to water. He placed his hands against his forehead, shaking vigorously. His face locked in shock. The rotting faces of the two girls burning into his mind.

The girls edged their way from the bed, exposing their bodies, laced only in briefs. They stood up from the bed, making their way towards him.

"K..K..Komms?...Y..You okay?..." Stuttered Yuri.

"It's only us..." Erin said wobbly.

He sat there, staring at the floor, trying not to scream. The girls crouch either side of him, trying to look round at his face. When their faces creped into view, he thruster both his arms in front of him. They hugged him from either side, feeling the fear he was emitting.

"We're here, my love... Everything's okay... Please... Just look at me?" Yuri said, as soft as snow.

He slowly dropped his arms from his eyes, millimetre by millimetre. He hesitated when the top of her hair came into view, thinking that her remains where there from him. He dropped them further, her pale skin coming into view, followed by her delicate eyes, those glistening colours he'd been dying to see. He turned his vision to Erin, her baby blue eyes glistening in the low light of the room. He looked between the two of them, finally lowering his arms completely. They put an arm out each, one on each of his shoulders. His arms shakily moved around them, pulling them into a hug.

"What's wrong, my love? I..I didn't think we would have scared you that badly..." Yuri's voice shaking with embarrassment.

"N...n...no, Yuri... j..just..." He sighed, his breath shaking. "just a bad dream..."

"It's okay, Komms, We're here, we'll ease any pain your feeling." Came Erin's vibrant tones.

The three of them rose to their feet, still clutching each other. He pulls himself up straight and took a deep breath, trying to push those images out his head. He opened his eyes to look at the two girls in front of him. He looks between them, his panting finally coming to a close. He looks a bit farther down, only just realising their attire. His vision jumped between the glorious sets of Danny Devitos before him. His eyes finally jumping back up to the girls faces, realising he'd been staring for a while. Yuri stood with her hands down her back, pushing her chest out. Idly swaying on her foot, doing her best to make her breasts flow with her movements. She smiled at him warmly, trying to look as innocent as possible while doing so. Erin, by contrast stood with her legs posed out, curling an arm under her breasts to perk them up more. A naughty smile sprawled across her face, chewing on her thumb nail.

He looked between the two of them, flustered. Yuri stepped towards him, tilting her head down and looking up at him. "We thought you could use some medicine for that shaky head of yours." She said, airing out her voice. She took him by the shoulder, stepping up to his neck. She ran her tongue up it, tasting his sweat. She ran her hand down his arm, taking his hand and leading back to his bed. Erin clambered onto it first, beckoning him forward. She took his hand, pulling him onto the bed, his lips landing against hers. His eyes widened, not expecting her lips to feel as delicate as they did, She pulled her lips from his, sliding herself up against the wall. Yuri, pulled his shoulder, making him fall on his back, She bent over him, crawling over him partially, so she had enough room and didn't fall off the bed.

They slid a hand across his chest from each side, pulling the covers over them. They snuggled into the sides of his neck, locking their hands together on his chest, as they began to kiss into his neck. Komms had an arm around each of the two girls, massaging his hands up and down their backs. Yuri ran her tongue up his neck again, right up to his ear, before nibbling on his lobe. He felt them start to run their joined hands down his chest and under the covers, sliding it past his stomach. Feeling them pass his belt line and split from each other. They dropped to his thighs, running their hand back and forth towards his groin. Erin's hand eventually settled, cupping up against his crotch. Yuri pulled her hand further up, to the top of his boxers, then edging her fingers underneath them. Erin began to massage the bulge she felt through his underwear, moving her hand around in a circle. He took a breath as Yuri's hand found her mark, rubbing her hand against it. Erin joined Yuri, raising her hand and following Yuri's path into his underwear, wrapping her hand around it, copying Yuri's motion.

His breathing intensified, sighing in ecstasy. Erin looked at Yuri as she felt it start to grow. "You weren't lying about him having enough for the both of us..." She giggled. They pushed their hands down, pushing her boxers out of the way. He felt her place her tongue against his chest, and slowly move on down, under the covers. He gasped as he felt her lips surround the tip, her tongue curling around it, enveloping everything it found with her taste buds. He felt her retract her mouth from him while she repositioned herself between his legs. He looked down the bed at her outline that bulged through the quilt, her legs bent pointing up as they exited the bottom of the duvet.

He tilted his head to the side, seeing Yuri's closed eyes as she nibbled on his ear still. She opened her eyes, and let go of his ear seeing him look. Her eyes burned with passion, the want... The need to pleasure her lover. She brought her hand up from under the cover, using it to turn his head farther round to her. She pulled herself up towards him more, closing her eyes and placing her forehead against his. "I... I hope this is a fitting treat, for a wounded man, such as yourself?..." She whispered to him. "I... I..." He tried to respond, but Erin's tongue hit a sensitive spot, making his head shoot bolt up right.

"Uuuuuhhhhhhh... Oh my fucking gooood..." He sighed, settling back down from the unexpected sensation he felt. Erin, feeling him jerk, slid her head further down, tickling her tonsils with it before coming back up for air. He heard it pop from her lips as the pressure between the two vanished, He slid his hand under the cover, placing it atop her head, sliding it down the side and to her chin, tickling under it. Her laughing filled the room, each breath that she exhaled condensing against him. She was quickly back to it though, getting rougher as she went. He clutched his hand to the sheets, the other hand gripping onto Yuri's lower back. Yuri laughed as she pulled herself on top of him. He released his grip on the bed, placing his hands on her hips, she leaned down on him, clasping their mouths together. He rubbed his hands round, grabbing her backside and squeezing them tight. He lost his grip on her as her waist slid further down, just short of his. He felt Erin's mouth leave him again and Yuri shot up from him as she licked up his shaft and onto her. He poked his head around Yuri, seeing the bulge that was Erin's head, sticking from between Yuri's butt. He let her rear end go, moving his hand up her side and to her chest, groping at the bundles of delight that hung from it.

He sat up, clamping his mouth around her nipples, sucking on them and ringing her piercing around his lips. She moaned profusely, a slight line of drool. Sliding down from the side of her mouth. Erin pulled her back down him and he fell back on the bed as Yuri shot bolt upright as he entered her. She sat there for a moment, a look of shock and pleasure strewn across her face. The spot of drool that dripped from her mouth grew, falling from her chin and landing on his stomach. Erin clambered around her, grinning intently at Komms, before she threw a leg up and over his head, hovering her now uncovered delicates over his face. He wrapped his arms around her waist, grabbing her ass and pulling her down on his face, she let out a yelp, the sound of her and Yuri joining lips soon followed. He ran his tongue along her lips, savouring the taste. So different but so similar to Yuri, sweet and savoury all at the same time. He felt her juices run down the side of his face as she started getting wetter and wetter. He felt Yuri grinding harder and harder against him, so he followed suit, pulling her lips inside his mouth, sucking on them and sticking his tongue as far inside of her as he could, massaging every inch of her insides. She done her best to keep the pitch of her moans down, not wanting to draw the attention of any recruits that might still be kicking about.

He felt Erin start to gyrate her hips as well, grinding herself against Komms' face, her moaning causing a symphony along side Yuri's. She began jumping up and down on top of his pelvis, slamming him as deep inside her as she could reach. He could feel her heating up, her legs and groin feeling like they were on fire. Inside of her, he could feel her heart pounding, beating like a drum at 180 beats a minute.

She grabbed Erin, yanking her face towards hers and intermingling their tongues again. Feeling their movement, Komms pushed her off of his face and together with Yuri. He sat himself up, sending the two girls back towards Yuri, landing flat on the bed. He got to his knees, Grabbing Yuri's legs and pulling them both towards him. They lay upon each other, grinding together with their legs spread apart. He positioned himself between their legs, rubbing himself between the two of them, pulling it out and letting it grind against Erin, slapping it down on her backside. She shuddered with pleasure as he rubbed it down between her cheeks and pushed it against her smile. He pushed it in slowly, feeling her tense up as he did so, her vibrations sending shock-waves through him. He finished by slamming it in, the clap of him hitting her almost making her scream. He slowly pulled back, seeing her lips clutch against him as he done so and how they tried to follow him inside as he went back forward. He slowly picked up speed, slapping against her with every thrust.

"UUUuuuuuuuuugghhhhhhhhhhh" She moaned, every thrust putting a jolt in her voice.

He pulled himself from her, the slow movement of him doing so, causing her to drop on top of Yuri with pleasure. Yuri placed her arms around her, rubbing her back and whispering in her ear.

Her sombre tones turned to yelps as he slammed it into her, going full pelt instead of going slow. Her legs tensed up and wrapped around Erin. He pulled it from her and pushed it back into Erin, causing her to jerk up, on top of Yuri.

He switched it between the two, their panting sounding like music to his ears. He eventually came to that moment. Yuri feeling him bucking, slammed her foot into his stomach, sending him back into the bed frame. She yanked Erin across with her, pulling her up next to her. She grabbed Erin's hand, wrapping it around him and doing the same herself, stroking him up and down as fast as she could. As he began to buck again, they both covered his gland with their mouths, sharing him between the two of them. They gave one last stroke to force the last drops from him. They sat back up, looking him in the eyes as they struggled to swallow the thick liquid. Erin succeeded first, shortly followed by Yuri.

He slid down in between them, feeling a little light headed, They leaned over the top of him, clamping his face between their chests while they gave each other one last kiss. The pushed themselves down the bed, Komms pulling the covers back over them again. He slid an arm under both the girls and they interlocked their legs around his, sprawling an arm each over the top of him, clutching against him.

"Is that... what yous expected then?..." Komms asked, hazily.

"I know what to expect from you, Dear... You still don't disappoint..." Yuri replied with a satisfied tone.

"I...I didn't believe her... But that? That was amazing..." panted Erin, grinning as she latched onto him.

"What about you, My love? Was that just what the doctor ordered?" Asked Yuri, Kissing his cheek and smiling intently.

"I'd say, that was a double dose eh wit the doctor ordered... I never thought I'd experience bein sandwiched between twea lassies as gorgeous as yerselns." Tightening his grip on them a bit.

Erin slid her hand up his chest and to his face, pulling herself up and kissing his other cheek.

"Flattery like that'll only get you so far, Corporal, But I think Yuri would agree that you don't look half bad yourself." She said, nesting her head against his arm pit.

"Mmmhmmm" hummed Yuri, laying her head on his shoulder, so that her head just brushed against his chin.

Komms 20 – 35

March 25th 2266 Grother Military Academy

They stood rank and file in the main parade square. He stood in line with his squad, in full armour. Polished and cleaned, ready for the ceremony. Sergeant Morris stood ahead of them, everyone at ease, waiting for the music to start. He'd spent a lot of time away from his squad while he'd done his specialised training. Being shipped off to Ephira every so often for training with other heavy infantry troops. So this was him finally back again after being away two weeks.

They heard the band start up and the choir begin.

"Platoon! Platoon-Shun!" Screamed Morris, over the sound of the music.

Everyone had been issued rifles for the parade, the non combats taught drill and expected to follow as the combat unit.

"Platoon! Bear – Arms!" Morris yelled again.

Everyone pulled the rifles from their shoulders, holding it in front of them.

"By sides, at ease!" he ordered.

The loud bashing of everyone's feet parting and their rifle butts hitting the ground filled the air. Morris turned on the spot, to face a large podium, where Colonel Peirce stood.

He gripped the sides of his podium as he glared over the troops ahead of him with pride. Pulling his arms behind his back, taking himself at ease.

"You have suffered the gruelling training of the COG for the past two years! Some of the training you have went through would have been considered inhumane, even by pre-war standards! You have been broken, rebuilt, then broken and rebuilt again! Forging you! My fellow Gears, into the most formidable and efficient soldiers known on Gods great Earth! Feel pride for what you have went through-" he raised his arms to his sides, looking around the crowed that surrounded the parade square. "-For we all feel pride, in knowing that our nation is in the good hands, of our next generation of Soldiers, Engineers and Doctors who will bring great prosperity to our nation!

You will soon embark to your next great adventures! Saving the lives of you countrymen, and keeping this country a safe haven for people to live their lives and raise their families in peace!"

He finished to a round of applause from the crowed, made up of troops and family members of some of the gears in the parade.

Morris puffed his chest out, ready to give the next order.

"Platoon! Salute, Front!" He bellowed.

Everyone tilted their rifles out to their sides, raising a flat hand to salute, receiving one back from the Gears in the crowed and the Colonel ahead of them.

"Rest well and group your strength as you go on your leave, you will be given your dates and orders for deployment soon!" He dropped his hand to his side, the platoon following in suit.

"Platoon! By the left! Dis-missed!" Bellowed Morris.

The platoon brought their rifles to their chests again, stamping to attention before turning to the left, stamping and marching froward four paces and disembarking from their formation to the cheering of the crowed.

The newly announced Gears cheered themselves and patted each other on the back. Heading off to celebrate.

Komms turned to Yuri, wrapping his arms around her.

"Am so proud eh ye, lass! Ye kept up every step eh the way!" He said into the earpiece of her helmet. She hugged him back, gripping around him tight. They both pulled back, looking in turn to each others eye pieces and visor. He undone the strap on his helmet, pulling it off and attaching it to his belt, he pulled off her helmet, placing it on the ground. He grabbed her, pulling her round, almost off her feet and placing his lips to hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding herself close. They heard the crowed cheer a bit louder for a time as they done so, feeling several pats across his back from the passing Gears.

He brought her back up to her feet, both of them still refusing to let go of each other. They eventually relented to the inevitable, slowly releasing each other from their grasps. He bent over, picking up her helmet, before they made their way out of the square, readying the area for the next platoon.

They made their way into a pub, the rest of his squad grabbing some drinks and taking a table. Komms stayed at the bar, getting himself a pint and a bottle of vodka, along with six shot glasses. He sat down at the table, between Yuri and Erin, placing the bottle in the middle of it.

Everyone who hadn't already, removed their helmets, pulling a glass towards themselves. Komms pulled the cork from the bottle, pouring everyone a glass. He grabbed his and stood up above everyone ells in the squad.

"Well folks, this is it! We made it through and next we'll be off on the trot somewhere... Hopefully exiting." he raised his voice so that everyone in the pub who had just came from the graduation could here. "I'm proud eh ye's aw! So here,s tae each and every yin eh ye's!"

He threw the drink down his throat as he got a group of cheers from the pub, each of them raising their glasses and drinking with him. He took his seat again, looking round at his squad, some of which weren't accustomed to the burn of spirits.

He rubbed Yuri's back as she sat there, coughing up the fumes from the drink. He laughed, as did Erin who sat on the other side of him. He filled his glass again, filling Yuri and Erin's as well, as the other three turned to speak with a group of Gears at the table next to them.

Yuri looked at her glass, shaking her head and pushing the glass away.

"Haha C'mon, lass! I'll show ye haw tae dae it." He chuckled.

"Oh, is there a specific way to drink now is there?" She asked sarcastically, finishing her little coughing session.

He grinned at her, pulling his glass up, as did Erin. "Trick is tae breath in before ye drink, no oot."

He took a deep breath and knocked the drink back, breathing out after. He turned back to her and seeing that Komms and Erin had both knocked another one back, took her glass in her hand.

"Okay, but if this doesn't work, I'm not sleeping in the same bed as you over leave!"

She took a deep breath, bringing the glass to her lips, hesitating before pouring the burning liquid into her mouth. Gulping it back, she slowly breathed out, feeling the fumes tingle her lips and nose.

"See! Werny so bad after all." He stuck his arm around her, cuddling her a bit.

A couple of hours later, the three of them sat there, swaying in there seats. A pile of vodka bottles sat in front of them. Komms pushed his seat backwards, shakily getting to his feet.

"I'll be back...in a sec... I hink I need a bit eh a pish..." He slured.

Yuri hiccuped, looking round at him from her glass that sit half full in front of her.

"Can...Can you do one for me as well..." She placed a turned fist to her mouth, before burping.

"P..Please?" She finished.

"Iiiiiii... Can try, like. No sure how am gonnea dea that fur ye, but it's a challenge...I'n gonnea accept!" He blurted, bending over and kissing her on top of the head, giving her a pat on it, as he walked around her. She grabbed him by the wrist, almost pulling him off his feet.

"Don't be gone to long now... Don't know how long we'll last without you..." She said, trying to look as innocent as possible while doing so and in her drunken state, she failed miserably. He smiled at her regardless, patting her on the head again, putting a big smile across her face.

He stumbled off to the toilet, barging through the door in the corner of the room. He stepped up to the urinal and doing his business. He stood there for what seemed like ages, finally finishing and shaking himself off, washing his hands and walking face first into the door, to which he though was two way. He stumbled back, grabbing his nose which burst down his face and armour. He grabbed the door handle, pulling it open and stepping through. He made his way past the other Gears that sat at the tables between him and his squad, getting some funny looks from the folk who were idly looking around. He stepped back round Yuri, dropping himself into his seat.

Yuri turned, looking at him in horror. She grabbed his face, looking him over and assessing the damage. "Oh my..hic...God! What happened to you!?" She said loudly. Turning the attention of Mac and Gaz to him. "The fuck happened to you!?" Blurted Gaz.

"I uhhhhh... I got in a fight wi a door..." he slurred, looking down at the blood that covered his chest piece. "You got in a fight with a door?" Asked Yuri, who looked at him as if he was as big of an idiot at he was. "I thought the door were two way...hic... I was mistaken..."

Gaz started laughing, looking at the bottles in front of him and the girls. "You's have had a lot so far, haven't you?"

"Only enough... to get by!" He burped. Yuri fanned her hand in front of her face, smelling his breakfast and the beer. He turned to look t her, the flailing his arms out and wrapping them around her. "Awwww, c'mon, lass... Ye ken ye love ees really..." he said in her ear. He squeezed her head against his "I guess it's hard to deny..." She said, surrendering to his love,

he let go of her, settling back into his seat. "Oh... erm.. Lass? I might eh... left a momen..to on yer puss..." He slavered, noticing the patch of blood that he'd rubbed onto her cheek, pointing at it. She looked at him, wiping her cheek with her finger, then sticking it in her mouth, licking the blood off it.

Gaz noticed this, pulling a face mixed of confusion and disgust. Yuri looked back at him, with a drunken expression, soon after changing it to a big smile. He shook his head and sighed, returning to his pint. Her smile shrank to a reasonable level, looking down at the glass that sat before her. She took it in her hand, raising it in front of Komms and Erin, They both shakily raised their glasses as well, clinking them together, before throwing them back and smacking them back on the table.

A couple of people came out from behind the bar, grabbing some empty tables and chairs from the back of the room, taking them back into another room. It wasn't long before the lights started to dim and music began playing. The sounds of the drums and synthetic, filling their ears. They seen several people get up and move to the cleared space and starting to dance. There was a loud bash as Komms' head hit the table, the light sound of snoring soon accompanying him.

Yuri looked over him and at Erin, who had the same look as her. They both slid their chairs back and pushed themselves to their feet. They put an arm over each others shoulders and started walking towards the dance floor, giggling to each other as they went.

Gaz smacked Komms over the side of the head, he lurched upright, bolting his head from side to side to see what hit him. He then noticed Gaz, who was looking at him, he pointed over his shoulder and he turned to see the two girls jumping about on the dance floor together, laughing and grabbing each other, spinning around and bouncing their arms to the beat. His eyes settled on Yuri, he hair jumping about the place with her, smiling and laughing. A smile etched itself across his face, seeing her so happy and content.

They danced until the music ended, seeing them stop to catch their breath before the next song started. He couldn't take his eyes off her, falling in love all over again. She looked over from Erin, seeing Komms looking back. She smiled at him, closing her eyes and tilting her head. She opened her eyes again and pushed her hair up and around her ear, Erin started bouncing to the beat again, but She couldn't avert her gaze. She blew him a kiss and he felt it hit him, starting to feel a lot more wobbly than he did already. His head started to circle round his shoulders for a short time, he regained himself. She turned and noticed her dance partner looking rather lonely, dancing all by herself, looking back over at him, he gave her a nod. Her shoulders relaxed, then standing back up straight, she smiled and nodded. Jogging over to her to continue dancing.

Gaz sat down next him in Erin's seat, patting him on the back. "She's amazin, ain't she?" He asked him, spinning his head round to him slightly but keeping his eyes on her. "Don't know if I can answer that without being slapped." He replied. Komms patted him on the back, "That's wit I like tae hear.". They both watched the girls dancing about the place as several more people got up the floor. A group of other girls and a couple got up to the floor. Komms chuckled, watching everyone having a good time. There was three guys that stood at the side of the floor, eyeing up everyone on the floor. He jumped his eyes between the three men and the rest of the dancers. He took another drink before glancing the men again, the three of them looking Yuri and Erin up and down and talking between each other. One of them got onto the floor, starting to dance off to the side, the other two eventually joining him. They slowly started dancing there way into the crowed, everyone intermingling with each other, but the three men were positioning themselves around the two girls, slowly closing in. Yuri's head spun round, her whole body following after she felt a hand touch her ass. She stopped dancing, seeing the man dancing deathly close to her. She nudged it off since he wasn't looking at her, turning back round to dance with Erin, thinking it was just and accident.

Komms smacked Gaz's shoulder since he wasn't paying attention to what was happening. "Hmm?" hummed Gaz, turning his head round to look at him. He gauged something was off by his eyes, glaring across the room at the three men. "He just grabbed her arse!..." he growled, his eye starting to twitch. Gaz looked at the three men, closing in on the two girls, the one behind Yuri and the two sidestepping towards Erin.

Komms thrust himself to his feet, his blood boiling off the alcohol. Gaz grabbed his wrist, "You wanting a hand with this one, big man?", He continued glaring at the men, one of them bumping into Erin, nearly knocking her over. "Oh... I'm gonna have fun here!..." He growled again, clenching his fists and walking towards the floor.

Yuri helped stabilise Erin, who turned to see who bumped into her, it was only then they realised the three men surrounding them in the crowed. The men starting running their hands over them, pulling them apart and trying to pull them into themselves.

Yuri tried pushing the man off of her, but his grip on her arms was too tight for her to break. "Hey baby, want to have some fun tonight?! There's three of us so plenty to go around!" He said to her over the music. "Umm, No thanks! I already have someone!" She replied, a face of disgust overcoming her face, as she looked him up and down. "Oh, come on! He'll never know!"

Yuri looked over towards where Komms had been sat, seeing an empty chair and Gaz looking the other way. Panic spread across her face, turning back to the man ahead of her. "Let me buy you a drink at least!?" He said again.

She looked behind her at Erin, who had the two other men holding her in place while still imitating some kind of dance, her expression as dire as hers. "Get the fuck off me, you creep!" She yelled at him, a grin curling across his face. "Oh, I do love a girl who struggles!". She seen the steadfast outline of hair over the man's shoulder, with their slight turn showing Komms' glaring eyes over his shoulder. The man felt his breath on the back of his neck, turning to see the burning eyes and blood covered face behind him. "And who the fuck are you!?" he yelled over the music, still gripping Yuri's arms. Komms launched his head into the man's, knocking him to the floor, taking Yuri with him. The dance floor ceased it's movement as the man hit the floor. He turned his vision to the two men holding Erin, trying to remove her armour. He put his hand out to Yuri, pulling her to her feet as she took it. He stormed over to the corner of the floor where the two men had moved her to. The two of them looked up as his figure appeared around Erin's, consuming her form in his shadow. They looked past him, then at their friend who lay on the floor, all the dancers watching.

One of them threw a punch, landing square on Komms' jaw, but his head didn't even flinch as he felt the man's index and ring finger break against him. The other man let go of Erin, seeing the rage in his eyes and the already blood covered face start to drip more blood from his now burst lip.

Komms ripped his hand over Erin, grabbing the soldier by the collar, pulling him past Erin and throwing him at the man with the broken fingers, who was hunched over in pain, grasping his hand. He stumbled back as the man he stuck the head in jumped on his back. "The fuck do you think you are!?" Screamed the man, "A fucking cock blocking guardian angel!?". He shoved his hand up, grabbing the man by the hair, pulling him over his shoulder, smashing him against the floor and ripping a chunk of hair from his head in the process. He stood there over the man with a fist full of hair as the club stared at them and the music stopped. "Worse! That's my fuckin missus and that other lass ye's are fuckin gropin is as close tae us as another fuckin partner so I'm the cunt whose gonnea rip yer fuckin scrote off!" he screamed, his voice echoing through the pub and out the door as someone entered. He grabbed the man by the throat, lifting him up in the air and cocking his arm back. Yuri jumped on his arm and grasping her self close to him. "Stop! Please! You don't have to do this!" she yelled in his ear. "Deh have tae dea this!? This fuckin waste eh fuckin resources would eh fuckin tried tae fuckin gang rape ye if nea cunt noticed!" He yelled, spitting saliva and blood over the man's face. "I know! But it's not worth it... We just graduated, there's no point in throwing that away now..." She said, her tone softening. Feeling his heart rate start to drop and his arm stop resisting against her, curling round her and lowering the man to the ground. He loosened his grasp on his collar. The tension in his muscles dropped and he relaxed himself, the man grabbing his friends up from the floor and trying to exit the building, being blocked by some of the onlookers and taken behind the bar.

He threw his arms around her, nearing the point of crying. "I'm so sorry, lass! I'm so sorry it took ees so long tae get here!" he cried. She placed her arms around him, holding him tight. "It's okay, hun. You came and that's all that matters..." she whispered in his ear. They hugged each other in the middle of the floor, he looked up from her shoulder, seeing Erin. He pulled an arm from her side, raising it out to his side, she ran up gripping the two of them. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" She yelped in his ear.

They stood there in front of everyone holding each other, a tight embrace that couldn't be pierced by even the great war. Their grip's on each other loosened and he took the girls under his wings back to the table, sitting them down before moving off to the bar. The girls grasped each other, Erin's eyes tearing up and dropping onto Yuri's pauldrons.

Komms came back after a few minutes, Erin noticing and leaping onto him. He patted her head and held an arm around her shoudlers. "it's alright, lass. Any cunt trys anyhin funny wi yous again and I'll rip his fuckin nuts off!" He said down to her.

He sat her down and took a seat himself. "It's alright, lass. Nea cunts gonnea try anyhin noo." he said softly, slurring slightly as the sobriety started to leave him. She looked up at him, quickly turning to Yuri who gave her a nod. She turned back round to him, looking down at his boots. "T..Thank you, Komms... I..I didn't know..what to do..." She slavered. She pointed her head up to him, thrusting herself up and connecting their lips. The others looked at them with shock, then looking at Yuri, who looked quite happy with what was happening. They looked between each other, trying to figure out what was going on. Erin finally released herself from him, sitting back in her chair and looking back down at his boots. "I hope... I hope I can repay my debt to you some day..." She said towards his boots. He pulled her head to his chest, caressing the back of her head. "Don't worry, lass. Just lookin oot fur my ain, it's no somethin that's tae be repaid."

When they let go of each other, she turned back towards Komms' empty glass, crossing her arms on the table and staring at it, Yuri huddling over her and whispering in her ear. Komms turns back to the table, his vision starting to spin again. Gaz grabed his arm and motions him towards the door, then holding a pack of fags out to him. He shuffled from his seat, pulling a fag from the pack and popping it in his gob.

He stepped outside into the the still frozen air, Gaz sparking up a match, lighting his fag and holding out to Komms. He sparks the end of his cig, leaning against the wall and taking a drag.

"You've got to tell me... What the fuck is going on in there?" Gaz shot at him.

"I seen the... cunts!... circling them, so I-" He started to say, shortly cut off by Gaz.

"No! I mean with Yuri and Erin! I mean what the fuck! She literally had her tongue half way down your throat and Yuri look at the pair of you like it was a fucking Tuesday night! So what the fuck is going on!?" He yelled, flailing his arms to his description.

Komms sighed, sliding down the wall that he perched himself against, planting himself in the snow.

"Wi Erin?... Well... I deh ken how tae describe it..." He mumbled, Gaz only just making him out.

"Okay, then. Start from the beginning, Yuri and the blood? And speak up a bit, I can hardly fucking hear you!" He blurted.

"Yuri? Blood? I thought ye kent before. I mean, every yin kent she cut herself and still does, hell even I've gotten intea it. Ye honestly have nea idea how much stress it relieves sometimes... Other than that, she likes havin ees close. Ye ken how long it took fur her tae get ees in bed?" He said that last part chuckling, blowing smoke all over the place.

"Seriously? It relieves stress? And how long did it take?" He said, lifting a brow, sounding curios.

"We done it on our first leave from training a couple year ago, before the incident wi Denise getting ripped oot the back eh that truck. I thought we'd both deserved it at that point. Ye honestly have nea fuckin clue how much work she can be at times... Her blood rising and that look on her face.. She just fuckin wants it and the amount eh times I telt her no, cause I felt I were takin advantage... Then I just gave in and let it happen... it were magical..." he said, looking off into the sky.

"Her blood getting up? Abusively? I mean, you're a big guy and you can take care of yourself, I thought someone like her wouldn't be a problem?"

"Nah, lad. Everyone has a drive fur somethin. She just gets caught up in emotions and when she does so, ye can feel her heart beat from ten feet away, like. Like the air changes and ye can sense the pheromones or hormones in the fuckin air. I deh ken why, but I just fuckin love it... unique, almost. Somethin different,, a bit more fucked up."

"Okay, okay! What about the blood then? I seen her earlier, licking that blood off her finger and shit. What was that?"

He looked into the sky, staring at the stars, making pictures in his head. He sighed "Why can't folk leave well enough alone?..." He said, looking down from the sky and at his boots in the snow.

Gaz crouched down next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder, "I'm not trying to be a cunt, I'm just concerned for the three of you..."

he looked back up at him, his expression empty and desolate, "Exactly what everyone ells said. "I'm just worried" Everyone who fucking asked said that. Every single one of them, just fucking stared... Ye ken how long it took ees tae get the other fuckin squads tae stop starin at her!? Three fuckin months! And every day she fuckin broke doon at some point! Cause cunts couldny leave well enough a-fuckin-lone!" He yelled, his eyes tearing up with rage. He looked back down at his boots, pulling the lighter from his belt and sparking his fag again.

Gaz stood back up, looking upon him with pity, he pushed the door, about to go back inside.

"Here... I'll fuckin tell ye... As long as ye deh fuckin stare!..." he blurted, looking into the crisp snow ahead of him. Gaz shut the door, walking around Komms and sitting in the snow next to him, pulling another cig and handing one to Komms, who's one just burnt out. Komms light both their cigs and relaxed back into the snow again.

"She started cuttin ages ago, we aw ken that... She doen it so she could feel somethin, since she couldny speak wi folk, that just dampened her, pushed her further oot, if they could eh just let her in, even a little, she widny have been as bad as she were... Then I came along, her obsessive side came oot and I embraced it instead eh runnin away... I fell in love wi that obsession... I became obsessed as well... No as much as her obviously, but enough fur ees tae refuse tae leave. On her fifteenth, I foond oot she cut herself, findin her cuttin her wrist in my bed and instead eh starin, I held her close and didny let go... The next mornin she woke wi me missin fea the bed, I went oot and got some wid fur the fire and when I got back... I held that knife tae my arm and pulled it... She came runnin through when she seen ees dae it, askin why I done it, why I would dae somethin like that... All I could say were that I didny want her tae be alone... and that's partly why I still dea it, so she aint alane! Blood? I love it... I mind scarin ye shitless that night when ye got stuck in the smithys... I fuckin love it... She loves mine and I love hers... The Iron... The closeness ye get... same as sex, havin part eh the other half that close is just... a different experience..." He looked round at Gaz, who was still looking at him as he spoke, "Ye go kink shamin noo and I'll have some choice words aboot that stack eh magazines under yer bed at Jacinto!" He chuckled.

Gaz laughed at the last part, but he couldn't wrap his head around everything, deciding what Komms had said was right enough. Leave well enough alone, but he couldn't get around the question of Erin.

"I have one last question..." He said hesitantly. "Erin? That's the one part I don't get. How does she fit in?"

"Erin? Ye mind wit she done tae us, wit she done tae Yuri... What I wanted tae dea, wakin up and seein her in bed wi her, when Morris came in tae speak wi ees aboot it that mornin... I decided, I'm no ussually yin fur huddin grudges, so I put it behind ees, feelin bad fur her and the shite she went through... abusive household... abusive boyfriend, that being the norm, not seeing what you're doin wrong... I put it behind ees and when I seen his fuckin reaction tae her leavin... after beatin her senseless... tae the point eh fuckin suicide! I couldny fuckin take it... I took her in... I seen wit she went through and I just wanted tae protect her... make sure she were safe, same goes fur Denise! They've all came fea at least semi broken homes and it breaks my fuckin heart... but wi what ye seen earlier... She came oot tae us in trainin, she loved us. Wanted what we had, someone close and someone to love and she loved me and Yuri... The two folk that stood up fur her and especially Yuri, the lass that stopped her poppin her clogs... She came oot tae us when I were in the infirmary. I couldny see fuck aww or make sense eh anythin, so I telt her I wasny that comfortable wi a three way relationship, so I wasny sure what wid come eh it. However, She still wanted Yuri as well. Yuri were curios what it were like bein wi a lass and I werny aboot ae deny her the experience. The warmth eh a lass is somethin completely different tae that eh a guy and she fuckin loved it. Then when I got oot the infirmary, when yous headed off tae the city, they gave ees a treat, the three eh us in bed... Were fuckin amazin... Ever sicne, we've been fairly comfortable in some instances, includin her in the relationship... Includin instances like wit ye seen. It's no an every day hing like, but it does happen. I mean a hug and a kiss is one hing, but I refuse tae go tae bed wi her by myself.. if Yuri's there, I'm more than happpy tae, but just me and Erin? Nah! They've both said they'd like tae see it happen and I'm more than happy fur them tae dea it, but I just canny... Same as wit she felt the first time she done it wi her... regret, guilt... The feelint that ye just cheated on the other half..."

"Why let her do it with her then?"

"Cause... There's nothin worse than a woman's scorn... and there's nothin mare healin than a woman's touch... That's a feelin I couldny deprive eh any yin..."

They sat in silence, the wind picking up as their fags went out, Komms re lighting them again. It made sense to Gaz, it wasn't the same thing he would do, but he couldn't refute his points. They sat there, staring at the sky.

"I just need ye tae dea ees one hing..." Asked Komms, looking down at his fag. Gaz looked round at him again.

"Just please... Dinny stare... I canny handle anyhin ells on my fuckin heart right now..."

Komms 21 – 36

March 30th 2266 Jacinto Family Barracks

Komms lay under the truck, undoing the bolts to the rear differential. He stuck the crowbar into the groove on the side of the face plate, levering it off so that the plate still hung from the case, allowing the oil to drain into the tray that lay underneath it, some it of splattered out and hit him regardless anyway. He let it all drain out, then undone the bolts the rest of the way and took off the plate.

He heard footsteps crunching through the snow towards him, he looked out from under the truck, seeing a set of dirty polished boots stood there next to the truck. "You get that plate off yet?" asked his father, as he crouched down and looked under it. "I've drained it, just takin aff the last couple bolts noo." He said, turning back to hold the plate as he removed the bolts. Taking the weight of it as the last bolt fell to the ground and placing it over to his side. He looked into the casing, seeing a couple of teeth from the gears inside laying at the bottom of it.

"Foond yer problem, auld man, couple teeth broke off fea one eh the planiteries!"

His father grunted, "We going to need a full set? Or a just a gear or two?" he asked, sounding fairly disheartened by the discovery. Komms turned on his torch and scanned the gears inside, "Nah, I hink it's just the wan gear that's bought it. The rest look fine, though it wid be better tae have a full set, though just the yin that needs it."

He pulled himself out from under the truck and started pulling the axles out from the wheels, giving them a hammer to break the nuts first. His father stood and watched as he undone the nuts of the axels, screwing bolts into the guides to help remove them. Screwing them in and pulling them out. He slid the axel out and done on the other side, then moved underneath the truck again, undoing the bolts holding the gears on place and pulling the internals out the housing out. He slid out from under the truck again, getting himself up without letting the internals hit the ground. He placed the internals on a towel he'd put on the back of the truck and started trying to take the gears apart. He had a bit of trouble at first, but when he got the first gear out, the rest came out easy. He took the gear with the missing teeth and looked over it, cracks leading up from the broken surfaces.

He wiped the oil from it with a rag, then held it out to his father. "Deh hink we can fix, we'll just need a new yin." He said, as his father took the gear, looking over it himself. "Blyad... I'll need to fill in a requisition for this. Unless they have spares at the pool..." He looked his son up and down, seeing the dirt and oil still on his hands and face, looking back at the gear, he spoke up.

"Get inside and get a wash, I'm going go see if I can get replacement. I'll get it back together, just have a hot drink for me getting back, might be an hour or two.". Komms looked down at his hands and clothes, covered in dirt and oil. He went to pat his father on the shoulder, just stopping himself before he got oil on him. "I'll catch ye when yer back then, auld man." He gave him a nod before walking towards the front of the house, wiping his hands on another rag before he opened the door.

He stepped inside, Yuri stood in the kitchen facing away from him, chopping something up next to a steaming pot. He kicked his boots off and walked over into the kitchen and leaning up against the bunker next to her, she looked over at him and smiled, putting down the knife and reaching over to hug him. He stepped back, raising his hands, her face dropped, thinking she'd done something wrong.

He dropped his face, seeing her start to look worried. "It's alright, lass, I'm just covered in shite!" He blurted, quickly apologising for his raised tone. She looked him from head to toe, seeing the oil and mud. Her expression softened to that of relief, looking back up at him and smiling.

"What ye makin the now, then?" he asked, peering over her shoulder at the pot behind her.

"Just a little stew that I found a recipe for, it's a bit different from what I'd normally make. I hope it'll turn out okay..." She said, looking round at the pot as well.

"If it's made wi your touch, doll, it'll be the best thing ever," He said as she turned back round to him. He stepped up to pass her, pecking her on the cheek. "Is she still in bed the now?". She returned to chopping up the veg on the board, "Yeah, she's still sound asleep.". He turned round to her when he reached the doorway, "Right, just wanted tae ken, I'll try no wake her, just gonnea go fur a shower and when we're both finished, ye want tae sit doon in front eh the fire and do a little readin?". She turned round to him, her eyes lighting up. "I would love that. I might clean myself up a bit as well after this.". He gave her a warm smile, before nodding and turning to get ready.

He gently opened the door to his room, seeing Erin asleep in their bed, cuddled up to a pillow. He stepped inside, trying not to make any noise. He pulled off his clothes, stripping to his boxers, walking to the wardrobe and pulling out a towel. He glanced back at her, pulling a smile, seeing her in a better environment than if she went back to her parents.

He stepped out into the living room and walked through to the bathroom, He closed the door and turned the shower on, letting the water warm up before stepping inside. He turned the temp up slowly, till it was just right. He grabbed the soap and started washing himself, grabbing a brush as well and scrubbing the oil from his hands and arms, eventually closing her eyes and rubbing his face down. He rinsed the suds from his face and rubbing his eyes before opening them. He then done his hair, the sound of the water and his eyes closed, trying not to get any soap in them, he didn't notice the handle of the door turning and as someone entered.

He washed the soap from his hair and feeling the gaze of someone behind him, turned around. He peered through the steam and seen Erin stood there, biting her nail, wearing nothing bar her underwear. "Room for one more?" She asked, pulling a grin across her face and pulling down her pants. "Umm, I'm no so sure aboot that, lass..." He replied, looking rather nervous. "How come? It's not the first time we've been... Intimate together." He pulled the brush from the wall again, rubbing the soap over the bristles and rubbing it down his back. "I ken that, lass, but am no that... I'm alright wi you and Yuri doin yer hing, but I'm no too comfortable wioot her bein there..."

She tilted her head, raising a brow. "If it were the three en us, I widny have a problem, in any other circumstance I'm a one girl kinda guy and tae me, that's Yuri." She stepped closer to the bath, leaning on the banister next to it and dropping one of the straps of her bra down her arm, "Please Komms... I just want to feel you...One on one, I've felt her and she's as sweet and precious as you can get, but I want to feel you by yourself, not sharing... Just how passionate you can be..."

Komms stopped scrubbing his back, dropping his head and sighing. "I'm sorry, lass... I canny... That wid just be tae much fur ees, expecially goin aroond her back like this... It wid just break ees. I'm sorry, lass, I'm no sayin I deh feel anyhin fur ye, I just love her tae much tae dae that..." He stepped under the shower again, running the water down his back.

"You think I would've just waltzed in her without speaking with her first? She said she'd be happy with us trying it... I thought that would've been enough?..."

"She might be okay with that, but I'm no. I'm sorry." He said, turning off the shower and stepping out next to her, grabbing his towel and rubbing it through his hair and down to his chest. He placed a hand on her shoulder, kissing her on top of the head. "I'll catch ye when ye'v finished, lass. Nea hard feelins, aye?" He asked, watching her face drop farther.

He grabbed his boxers and wrapped the towel around himself, stepping out into the living room. He looked over at Yuri who was still in the kitchen, sighing then walking through to the bedroom, hearing the shower start up again.

He got himself dressed and came back out to the living room and walked through to the kitchen. She turned and smiled at him. "How are you, love?" He looked at her, a little disheartened. She bit her lip, thinking she'd done something wrong again. "I..Is everything.. okay?..." He stepped up next to her and wrapped his arms around her. "I couldny dea it, lass. You're the only yin I could lay next tae, I mean we've had out extra times but I couldny dea it wi any yin ells but you alone."

He felt her place her arms around his waist, her grip as soft as her skin. "I..I thought it would've been good for yous... To feel someone ells than me... I...I didn't mean for anything bad to happen..."

She said, starting to shake. "Nothin bads happened, lass... I just want ye tae ken I couldny, even wi her. You're my love, my yin and only... I couldny go aroond that. I feel she might be a little upset aboot it, but I just hope you can both understand. It's no somethin I can dea..."

"I'm sorry, Komms... I'll make sure never to try and let that happen again... I just remember how much fun we've all had together... I just thought you felt the same kind of way as that..."

He pulled himself back, feeling her tears soaking into his shirt. He wiped the tears from her eyes and kissed her on the forehead. "I loved the time the three eh us have spent together, but it's been you bein there that's made it so magical fur ees. She's a gid lass, but I didny ask her oot... I asked you... I've nea quarrels wi you and her doin yer hing, I couldny take the experience eh a woman way fea any yin. So enjoy yer time wi her whenever it happens. I love ye, lass, you and only you..."

He placed his lips to hers, feeling the softness of them, and how they formed against his. When they finished, she grasped onto him again, joining her hands round his back. "I love you, so much... I hope we can be together forever..." She released him, looking down at the floor, then standing up straight and looking back up at him. He rustled a hand over her head, turning round as he heard the bathroom door open. Erin stepped out, a towel rapped around her. She ran her hand through her hair and looked at Komms and Yuri, noticing they were to. They both smiled at her, while receiving only a half hearted one back. She turned and walked away, back into Komms' room. They both look at each other again, "Why is it that normal people get in trouble for shaggin folk other than their partner, but am the exact opposite?". Yuri ignored his sarcasm, walking through to his room and closing the door behind her.

Komms leaned against the bunker, feeling confused. He shook his head and sighed, grabbing the kettle and filling it up, turning it on. He pulled a few mugs from the cupboard, putting coffee, milk and sugar in them, then waited for the kettle to boil. He stepped out into the living room and sat down on the couch, in front of the fire. Yuri came back out from the bedroom, Komms turned round to see her, but as she was about to say something, his father burst through he door.

He was panting and sweating, trying to regain his breath.

"Get your kit on!... Locust... Mine... They're fucking everywhere!" he yelled through his panting. He bolted past them, into his and Komms' mothers bedroom, the sound of him rapidly trying to pull his armour on. Komms burst to his feet, jumping over the couch and running after Yuri back into his room. Erin was naked on the bed, staring at the two of them.

"What the fuck!?" She screamed as they smashed into the room. She started to look extremely panicked as she seen them throwing their armour on. "Get dressed, lass! We've got a bug problem and a fuckin big'in at that!" He ordered. She scrambled from the bed, falling off it, flat on her face, Yuri pulled her up, handing her some of her clothes and dropping her bag with her armour and weapon in front of her. Komms strapped on his greaves and boots, then his chest piece and arms.

He ripped on his balaclava and slapped his helmet on his head as his father appeared at the door.

"Hurry yourselves! We need to get there ASAP!" He yelled.

Komms threw his rifle over his back and grabbed his MG, making sure he had ammunition in his pouches. Erin finally got her armour on, slapping her helmet on. They rushed out after his father as he ran out the door, slamming it shut behind them. They sprinted down the way he came, being slowed by the shin deep snow that covered the ground. Making it to the main road, they reached the salvation of the salted road, picking up the pace they sprinted up the road, each of them smacking their armour to turn the IFF's on as the sun was starting to set.

They reached the facility, nearly collapsing at the entrance, where several soldiers where stood, directing a small flow of troops inside. They followed his father through, a sergeant walking him through to a communications room, televisions and computers all over the room, with a planning table in the centre.

His father leaned over the table, pointing out sections on a map that was laid out.

"Corporal!" He called out, Komms rushed to his side, "Aye, Staff!" His father turned round to look at him, forgetting that he'd been promoted, another soldier rushed round the corner, appearing at his fathers other shoulder. "Yes, Sir!" he said. His father pointed to a section of the map, labelled ground. "Make sure these points are secured, I need at least five rifles on each of these points, go grab some of the squads that've showed and send them over!" He ordered. The corporal saluted, then sprinted off through the door he came through. "Sorry, son, I forgot you were promoted."

"Nea a problem, auld man, ye'v never had ees in a situation like this before, like, there's a first for everyhing." His fathere chuckled. Looking up at him. He nodded to the door that Komms had came through, "There's an elevator down the hall and down the stairs at the end. Take your friends and get down there, we need some rifles at the entrance.". He gave him a nod and started to run off through he door, stopping when his father called him again. "Channel fifteen, try not to use too much traffic!" he nodded again and disappeared through the door.

Yuri and Erin where stood talking with a couple other gears in the hall, trying to get some information on the situation. He ran up, the girls and the other gears looking at him.

"Alright, girls, we've been ordered doon tae the lift entrance-" he looked up at the other gears they were talking to, "If ye's deh have any orders, feel free tae join us." He turned and started running down the corridor, the belt of his gun rattling as he went. He eventually heard their boot steps fallow up on him. He jumped down the stairs several steps at a time, landing at the bottom and coming up on a squad that was already there.

A Sergeant in the corner waved him over. "You part of the advance squad?" He asked, looking up from a set of televisions in front of him. "Naw, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant Medvedev ordered ees and two others fea my squad doon tae get some extra guns on the door!". The Sergeant looked back down at the TV's pulling a rather urgent look. He pressed his finger to his earpiece, "Staff Sergeant Medvedev!?"

Komms flicked through the channels on his helmet, finally reaching fifteen. "Da, Sergeant?"

"We need to get some squads down there! Three gears just showed up, saying you sent them down for guard duty?"

"Da, Sergeant, they only passed training last week, I didn't see the point in sending them down to something, they didn't know how to handle."

Komms pressed the button on the side of his helmet, "With all due respect, Staff Sergeant! We've been in a situation like this before!" He said, entering the conversation. He heard his father sigh on the other side of the comms. "You haven't faced these kind of creatures yet."

"We can do this, Staff!" He yet again heard his sigh. "You don't know what you're trying to get yourself into, Corporal... I'd rather you didn't."

"I'm happy fur the girls tae stay up here, Sir! I just feel they need people to go down, now, So I'm volunteering for what I see is necessary!"

"You remind me too much of me when I was your age, Too overconfident... Get yourself killed and I'll fucking murder you, you hear me, Corporal!"

"Aye, Sir!" He looked up at the Sergeant, who didn't look too sure about it, but they needed the soldiers. "Dean!" the Sergeant called out, another Sergeant came over, "Yeah?" The Sergeant pointed at Komms, "This is your heavy, take care of him, he's a first timer." Dean looked him up and down, sighing. "Guess we need everyone we can spare, then. There's a resupply in the corner, get yourself ready." He said, pointing over at a pile of ammo creates in the corner of the room.

He turned to Yuri and Erin, "Yer stayin up here, radio in tae channel fifteen tae keep an ear on hings. I'll catch ye's in a bit." The two girls lunged forward, wrapping their arms around him, "Stay safe... My heart wouldn't be able to handle it, if anything happened to you... I love you..." said Yuri, Erin just clung onto him, eventually speaking up, "I'm sorry about earlier, please don't do this..."

Komms patted them both on the helmet, "I need tae lass, there's folk doon there and if we canny clear it, this whole place is fucked. I love you Yuri, but deh worry, I'll be fine. I love you both, keep yerselves safe as well, aye?" They both nodded into his armour, eventually letting him go, looking into his smiling eyes as he walked away to grab some more ammo. Filling every pouch with belts and magazines, grabbing a satchel and shoving a few grenades inside.

Sgt Dean called over the rest of his squad, He shoved another grenade and belt into the satchel before walking over. "Alrighty, folks! We're heading down, ready your kit and make sure your safety's off!" He yelled between everyone, before stepping onto the lift. He followed the rest of them on, getting a few looks from the rest of the squad he was in.

"Here, Serg! Who's the newbie?" asked one of the gears ahead of him.

"He's here cause we need the guns." He looked over at Komms, "He might be green, but he has firepower, so as long as he know how to shoot, he'll do."

Komms started to seethe inside his helmet, feeling like he's being underestimated. He shook it off though, choosing just to deal with it rather than bring it up.

The lift started to move, dropping down the shaft, jolting slightly, every now and then. He flipped the safety off on his weapon, gripping it tight. He leaned down, pulling the bayonet from his boot and clipping it the the muzzle. A couple gears looked round at the noise and decided to join him.

The lift jumped as it hit the bottom, everyone aiming their weapons at the door. The Sergeant grabbed the handle of the door, pulling it and ripping the door open, showing a corridor of blood, the light outside the lift, flickering, lighting up the outline of the bodies that lined the ground, human and locust alike. Joining each other in a matrimony of gore. One of the gears stepped forwards, turning on his tank light and going over the sides of the passage.

"Anything on cams?" Asked the Sergeant, activating his mic.

There was a moment of silence between everyone, as the gear on point stepped further into the blood and gore. The top side Sergeants voice came into play, disturbing the silence that encapsulated everyone. "I've got nothing just ahead, but there's... I..It seems like there's a few of them beyond the end of the corridor. If you're quiet enough, you should be able to get the drop on them, they're busy... Feeding..." The Sergeant's voice shook as he spoke,not really wanting to describe the scene that lay ahead. "Rodger that, Will, Keep us posted." Dean said, trying to break the awkwardness.

The other Gears around him stepped out after the one on point, Komms following them up, just ahead of the Sergeant. The lead Gear nudged a locust body on the ground, checking to make sure he wasn't going to get a nasty surprise, luckily it done nothing past disturb the silence. Continuing on past it, his boots started sticking to the floor, the drying blood making a sticky kind of sound as he walked on. They got closer to the end of the corridor, the lead Gear hugging the wall, poking his head round. He pulled back slowly, turning to the Sergeant, "Eyes on three, can't make out any more of them there.". The Sergeant turned and looked about the other Gears, seeing Komms' satchel, he asked "How many frags you got, Corporal?", Komms gave a quick check of it, "seven, Sir.". "Any good at throwing them?", Komms hand slid into his satchel, pulling one from it. "Plenty, Serge.". He nodded him up to the lead gear, stepping as quietly as he could, he stood just behind the gear, looking round and judging the distance,. Letting off the handle for a couple seconds then throwing it into the centre of the trio, that crouched, having their dinner.

The heads of the creatures jolted up, hearing the grenade hitting the ground, turning to inspect it before it went off. Komms and the other gear ripped themselves back around the corner, before several pieces of shrapnel flew past where their heads were. Komms and the gear jolted out around the corner, pointing their weapons. The gear waved to the others signalling it was clear, the two of them stepping out and walking down the corridor, walking side by side.

"Ever fought these things before, Corporal?" He whispered.

"I have a few times, aye." He replied, his eyes darting from every corner of the hallway ahead.

"Close quarters, or just in the open?"

"Both, but mainly closer than I'd like."

"At least your not completely fresh." He said, mockingly.

They walked on, checking each door they passed. The lights ahead of them cut out, both of them swinging their weapons round form the doors they were clearing. The gear's light filled up the area where the lights went out.

"Dean! We've just been informed, there's a store room with about eight people in it, deeper down in the facility. You'll need to go down two floors. They're in a store room labelled "Janitorial"."

"Right, we'll try and pick up the pace!" He said, back into the mic.

"We need to hoof it, we don't know how long those folks've got!" He ordered, looking around at everyone. He put his finger up again, activating his mic. "Will, which way is it to the stairs?"

"Down the corridor ahead, there doesn't seem to be anything in the way on cam, so you should be fairly clear, but keep your spacing and watch your corners!"

Dean looked at Komms and the gear next to him, nodding for them to carry on. They looked at each other and turned back down the corridor, taking a marching pace. They marched through the fairly clean corridor, even with the darkness, they could see there was little fighting that took place there. They turned the corner, the other gear taking point again and going down the stairs first, Komms following behind him. As the squad columned down the stairs, the lead gear stopped, causing a traffic jam for everyone behind.

"Holes in the walls, Serge!" He whispered over his mic. "Does it look like there's anything in them?" he replied. "I can't tell yet, Don't want to get too close though."

"Aye, keep a few feet back, looks like a nest!" replied Komms, over the mic.

"A nest?" Said the lead gear, looking back round at him. "Aye, found these things in a cave a while back, like wee burrows fur the younglins." The gear looked back ahead, staying tight to the centre of the staircase and away from the wall. "They likely to just spring out?" he asked, his voice shaking a little.

"Naw, they'll peer oot at ye, just try no shine yer tank on them, anything that startles them tae much makes them screech. Found that oot the hard way before."

"What happens when they screech?" Asked someone further back. "You get a pack of marauding adults coming to the rescue. So keep your tanks off them, look back if you want, the IFF's tend to make them think you're one of them. So hopefully there'll be no problems." Replied Dean.

The gear ahead turned off his light, traipsing down into the darkness that befell them. The gears creped along as quietly as they could, the tapping of their boots echoing down the stairs. The lead gear stopped again, as a pair of bright yellow glowing eyes poked out from one of the holes ahead.

"Keep going, Corporal, those people don't have long." Said Dean, the gear slowly stepping down towards it. It kept staring, unflinching at the men walking down towards it, the gears ahead, passed it, rounding the landing he turned away from it, the rest of them following in suit. Before the Sergeant passed it, it pulled itself back into it's hole, clambering to the back off it and cuddling into the rock. The rocks left on the floor from the holes made one of the gears loose his footing, landing on the gear a head's back, luckily he managed to right himself, stopping the two of them careening on top of Komms and the lead gear. They turned and looked at the pair, who were awkwardly stood against each other, the front one balancing on one leg, Komms leaned back, pushing his balance back onto both his feet. The gear nodded at him, Komms returning the gesture. He sped up slightly, catching up with the other gear, who had already started walking ahead. They rounded onto the next landing, stepping out onto it, and fanning out, covering both directions.

A bashing sound started coming from down the direction opposite from where Komms was."Dean, the people in the room say they're trying to get in again, any updates on your position? I can't see shit from up here now!".

"We've reached the floor they're on, we can hear them bashing on the door, we're moving in on them now!". He called out to everyone, turning on his tank light. "Lights on boys! We're double timing it!"

The hallway sparked to life, all of their lights turning on, revealing yet another body strewn floor, the bodies human and locust alike reaching up towards the bashing. The Sergeant started off, running up the hallway, the rest of them following him in a line. The bashing got louder and louder, before the sound of wood shattering and yelling coming from down the hall. A flash of light came from round the corner, a gunshot ringing down them after. The Sergeant rounded the corner, his rifle instantly letting off rounds. The next two gears joined him, the other gear turning the opposite corner from them, checking the flank, Komms spun round behind them, keeping an eye out towards where they came from. Round after round was fired, eventually the clicks of empty weapons could be heard, Komms rounded up the side of them, swapping places with one of them. He lined the sights up with the glowing beasts, pulling the trigger and letting off burst after burst, the creatures starting to make their way towards the sound.

As the last one fell, Komms and the others stopped firing. The ground now carpeted with bodies. The Sergeant tapped him on the shoulder, waving him to move down, he started down the hall, then starting to step over the bodies, making sure not to loose his footing. As the flood of bodies thickened, He began having to walk across them, each step divulging a new crunch and click of the bones and joints. Reaching the door, he turned to look away from it, looking down the corridor adjacent from it. He peered back the way he'd came, the other gears following his steps. He guarded the corridor, while he chapped on the door, the lack of an answer to it causing him to repeat himself.

"Are they gone?!" Yelled a muffled voice from inside the room.

"I widny be stood here knockin if it werny, noo wid I?!" He called back.

He heard the occupant of the voice through the door place a key in the lock and try to turn it.

"I..I think the locks broken!" Came the voice again.

He sighed, turning to look back at the door again. "Step back then, we'll get it open!"

He heard several sets of footsteps moving away from the door. Turning to the Sergeant, who was at his side. "Ken if any yins got a breach charge at aw?" The Sergeant looked at the equipment everyone was carrying, turning back to Komms and shaking his head.

The Sergeant looked back round at the other Corporal, waving him over. Once he'd made it there, he started, "Help the fresher to shift some of these bodies from the door, then start kicking."

The gear rolled his head, then shoved his foot under a locust body, rolling it over with his foot, away from the door. Komms placed his gun against the wall, reaching down and grabbing one by the throat, throwing it to the side. The two spent a few minutes piling the bodies aside, then taking turns trying to kick the door down. The lack of progress caused the weighted gaze of the Sergeant to fall over them. While Komms took a breath, letting the other gear continue his efforts trying the break the door down, Komms stepped further away from the door, pushing more bodies aside, making a pathway towards the door. He took a deep breath, taking his gun by the carrying handle, he called to the gear to step aside. The gear looked round at him and the path he'd made.

He stepped back, rolling his arms towards the door, "Be my guest, Clob."

He bolted towards the door, slamming his shoulder and side into it at full pelt. The door flew from its hinges, the lock tearing through the wood that held it in place. He crashed through the room, crumpling to the ground, just short of a group of miners that huddled at the back of the room.

He lay there in a heap, on the floor, raising his arm and giving a thumbs up, "The cavalry's arrived!" He groaned, the faceplate of his helmet buried into the mess that scattered the floor.

The Sergeant stepped round and through the dormant door way, "This all that made it?" He asked, rather disheartened. "Yeah..." replied on of the miners, covered head to toe in blood. The Sergeant activated his mike again, "Will, you want to send another squad down to cover the exit? Not sure what'll be at that nest, after all the noise we've made."

Another voice crackled over the comms, "Sergeant, it's Medvedev, I'm coming down with another squad as a bolster. We're almost at the bottom of the lift already, so make your way back up, we'll meet you at the stairs. Got a flame unit to deal with the nest so we need everyone back first."

"Good to hear, Sir, we're coming back up now, meet you at the stairs!" Replied Dean.

His father grunted over the mic, giving another go ahead. Dean looked over at the miners, nodding his head back the way they'd came, then shaking his head at Komms, who'd managed to clamber to his feet. He grabbed Komms gun from the floor, thrusting it into his chest, letting it go as Komms took hold of it.

They all followed him back into the hallway, the miners looking in awe at the bodies around them. "No time for sight seeing, we need to get you to the lift, so lets move it people!" He ordered, as he powered off down the hall. Komms let the miners go first, taking up the rear guard, checking the corners again as they moved. They stepped back up the stairs at marching pace, turning off their lights, disregarding the holes and the occupants inside, Who seemed to cower at the back of their holes.

"We're near the stair, what's your position Sergeant?" came his fathers voice again. "Down one flight from you, staff, be there in a sec!"

Komms looked round at a set of eyes glaring at him from one of the holes, He seen it's eyes twitching, in what looked like fear and rage. "Uhhh, guys? Get a fucking move on!" He said, his voice shaking, as he activated his mic.

"What's the problem?" Answered his father, interrupted by the immediate screeching the started emanated from the creature. He slammed the but of his machine gun into the creatures face, sending it back into it's hole, to which a moment of silence took over the facility. Everyone froze, before a loud roar erupted from down the stairs behind them. "Fuckin that!" He yelled into the mic, immediately running up towards the men ahead of him.

"Fucking bolt!" Yelled one of the men further ahead, as the sounds of feet slamming into the ground echoed from down the stairs. The sound of boot steps joined the echoes joined them as they sprinted up the last flight of stairs.

As he rounded the top of the stairs, he ripped a belt from his satchel, slinging it over his shoulder, pulling the satchel from his shoulder and pulling the pin from a grenade and throwing it back down the stairs. Most of them stumbled as they ran, the shock wave from the explosion blasting through them all. He spun round, starting to walk backwards, pointing his weapon towards the turn of the staircase.

"What the fuck was that!? A fucking gas leak!?" Yelled dean over comms.

He double tapped his mic as sped up his pace,"I fragged the stairs, Sir! I heard them right behind ees!" He replied.

He felt a hand grab his armour from the back, pulling him along quicker. "Well fucking good for you Corporal! Get a fucking move on!" Came him fathers voice, as he dragged him along. He opened fire as he seen the first head jump round the corner, his father deciding to join him in facing them as they walked. As his belt ran out, they turned and sprinted, catching up to others as fast as they could. Jumping to the side and hugging the wall as they ran, the rest of the gears yelling for them to get out the way. They jumped around the gears, letting the flame unit open up, the creatures that rushed up, lurching back as the flames created a wall between them. The soldiers pulled back with this moment of rest, rushing the miners into the lift.

There was now about fifteen gears holding the corridor, the lift only being able to take eight of them at once. Komms crouched behind the others as he reloaded, the shell cases bouncing at his feet from the others. Finally slamming the top cover down and charging the handle, he jumped to an empty space among the gears, opening fire at the onslaught of locust that approached.

"Any way you can speed up that fucking lift!?" screamed Dean over the mic.

Yuri's voice came over the headset, "The panel says it's working at max, I don't know what ells we can do!"

"We'll throw some ammo in before you send it down, not sure how much longer we can last!" He yelled back.

After reloading again, he checked his pouches realising he was on his last belt. "Any yin got a spare belt!?" he called over the mic, receiving a cacophony of negatives. "What you got left, Son!?" called out Will. "I've got a few mags fur my rifle but am on my last belt!".

"Don't worry, lifts almost back, you won't need it in a minute!" Will called back, again.

Yuri 11 – 37

30th March 2266 Grother Iron mine complex

She stared at the camera feed, at all the soldiers firing, the flame unit spurting the hall with flames every now and then, the smoke covering the cameras for a few moments every time he done so. She seen the light shine on their backs as the lift door opened, a couple gears turned and ran inside the lift, pulling out a crate of ammo and a large box of explosives. One by one the gears taking turns at grabbing some ammo, Komms taking his turn to stuff his belt with belts. The camera showed him yelling back at the troops as he pulled the pin on a grenade, throwing it over the heads of some of the soldiers who crouched down, landing behind a group of advancing locust, which were then flung forward in the resulting blast.

"Come on! Get in the lift! You don't have much time!" She yelled into her mic.

The ground between the gears started to crack and chip, an arm smashing through the ground and swinging at some of the gears' feet, knocking one of them off balance. The gear fell on top of the gear next to him, sending them both crashing to the ground, the gear the first one fell on firing his weapon as he fell, almost shooting Komms' father. His father ducked down as the rounds flew past him head, turning to see the arm sticking out the ground, he swung round, bringing his foot down on the arm, the ground cracking further around it with every stomp. After the fifth stomp, the arm still refused to stop swinging at everything around it. The ground broke away around the arm as it finally grabbed the ankle of the gear that it knocked over, dragging him into the hole. His father's legs fell into the hole, his back side landing on the rim of the hole. Komms grabbed his father as he almost followed the other gear into the hole as the gear grabbed his foot, trying not to be pulled further down.

Yuri and Erin's eye's both widened, as the screen showed his father disappear into the hole and Komms' top half fly into the hole, another two gears grabbing his legs, trying to pull him back out the hole. Komms slowly reappeared from the hole as the gears pulled him up, his father re-emerging as well, then the gear that originally got pulled in, struggling to hold onto the Staff Sergeant's foot, finally coming back above ground, showing his legs both torn and near skeletonised from just above the knee's

Yuri grabbed the table, dropping her head in relief, placing her finger to her mic again, "Please, just get some of yourselves on the lift..." She said, in a tone of calm desperation.

One of the gears dragged the mutilated gear onto the lift, trying to tie tourniquets around the remained of his legs. The gear was disturbed by another load roar that came from down the hallway, where the locust began getting closer and closer from. He got back to his wounded team mate, a couple of there gears rushing back to the explosives from in front of the lift. They dropped an explosive charge in the hole that broke through, seeing the glowing eyes further down in it, prying themselves up the hole. The faculty shook as it went off, the sound of a cave in happening from behind the rocks that broke away inside the hole.

The firing stopped again for just a moment, as everyone shook with the explosion, allowing some of the locust to overwhelm the gears at the front of the force. The rest of the gears all regained themselves enough to see what was happening, firing at the locust that scrambled across their fellow troops, ripping them apart, as they tried to beat them off.

The girls stood there, watching the men being torn limb from limb, the other gears trying to fight their way forward to no avail. They could hear the faint screams rise up from the elevator shaft, causing them to shake, as the air seemed to get colder. Two of the gears on screen, grabbed the box of explosives, arming the detonator and threw it into the mass of mutants, who managed to push them back, closer to the lift again. Another line of men got overwhelmed, throwing the remaining troops back onto the lift platform, Komms father tried pushing back forward, to pull the closest gears back on the lift, only annoying the lead locust farther. The gear that had the detonator threw it back into the lift from under the locust that pinned him, "Get the fuck back up there! Fucking go!" He screamed, as his armour was torn from his chest and the creatures started to claw away into his insides.

Yuri unfroze, hitting the switch to bring the lift back up, seeing his father look down at the detonator as the lift started to rise, while the rest of the men on the platform fired into the creatures. She could feel the look on his face as he looked down at the detonator.

He looked back out at the men being torn limb from limb outside the lift, that slowly rose up, he ripped the tags from his neck, grabbed his son, pulling him into a hug, interrupting his fire. They couldn't hear if anything was being said, but they flinched when they seen him slam Komms into the back wall of the lift and throw himself out over the locust that tried to get in. He smashed his way through the screeches of the locust, the screams of the gears subsided as the last one finally succumbed to their injuries. He disappeared into the horde as the lift passed the top of the doorway, his voice coming over the mic one last time.

"Tell Lex, I'm sorry-" He screamed, "Love you, kids, remember that!" he screamed again, as his mic cut off.

Yuri and Erin stared at the screen, empty of any response as the explosives went off. The complex shaking and crackling around them. Yuri took off her helmet, letting it drop from her shaking hands. Erin looked round at her and her watering eyes.

"N..Not again..." Whimpered Yuri.

Erin looked round at her as screams started to emanate from the lift, the sounds of banging accompanying them. Yuri rushed to the lift, leaning her hand against the door and pressing her headset again. "K..Komms!..." She stood there waiting for a response, getting none bar the screams from the lift. When the lift eventually reached the top, the door opened, two gears lifting the wounded one out the lift and rushing him up the stares, leaving another two to try and console Komms, who was punching the floor of the lift, yelling for his father.

She slowly stepped forward, placing her hand on one of the gears shoulder, beckoning him to let her through. He nodded to her, pushing himself to his feet and pulling back out the lift, undoing the straps from his flamethrower and dropping it to the floor next to the lift as he left.

She crouched down next to him, motioning for the other gear to leave as well. She placed a hand on his clenched fist, and gripping it tightly. "I...I...He...He's..." Shook her voice, as she tried to whisper in his ear.

He remained silent, staring down at the lift floor, through bloodshot eyes. She felt his grip on the air loosen, letting her hand flow into his. He took a deep breath, raising himself up to her level. His eye twitched as he glared towards the wall. "He's gone..." He said, almost emotionless, While he pushed himself to his feet. He looked down at Yuri, who still sat on her knees, holding her hand. She gripped his hand tight and pulled herself up.

"W...What am I gonna tell maw?... I just... I can't..." She undone the strap on his helmet, as he struggled to get his words out. Pulling it off his head and dropping it to the floor, she pulled his head down, placing hers against his.

"It's okay... We can do it together... I love you, Mon homme fort..." She said, trying to sooth his mind.

"I love ye, lass... I want you to know that... You are the single greatest thing to have ever happen tae ees... I just..." His expression broke, interrupting himself with the jolts of his tears. Falling back down to his knees, she followed him down.

"I canny... I canny break this tae her... I couldny dea it tae her... it'd fuckin break her..." He blurted between his sobs.

"It'll be alright, come on, we need to see if we're still needed... We can't let this happen to anyone ells..." She said, caressing his head.

He sighed through his jerks, "Just... go get Erin, I'll catch up... I...I need a minute..." He said, as he ram a hand round the back of her head, kissing her on the forehead. They stepped back from each other, looking into each others eyes before she turned and walked over to Erin, who still stood at the table. Erin stood staring down at the screen, showing the flicker between blackness and the blue hue of the static. Yuri bent over, grabbing her helmet from the ground, placing it on the table, then looking over at Komms who stood with his hand resting on the door frame of the lift, staring at the lift floor. She looked round at Erin, who in turn looked round at her, she grabbed her helmet and walked back around her, feeling the tapping of Erin's feet as she turned to follow, reaching the bottom of the stairs, she turned to the gear that stood next to them.

"Keep an eye on him, could you?" She asked him. He looked up at her, nodding, then turning his head round to Komms, who had started to place along the wall, his hands on his head.

She climbed the stairs, reaching the top to see another influx of troops coming along the corridor. The lead gear stepped aside as they came up to the two girls. "Private, Any idea where I can find Staff Sergeant Medvedev?" Yuri looked down at his boots, "He's dead..." She replied, as she stepped past him. The line of gears stopped, the gear that spoke to her grabbed her arm as she tried to walk on. "What!? Dead!? What about any of the Sergeants? Will, or Dean?!".

She turned to look at him, the emotion drained from her eyes, "Same as him... Scraps at the bottom of the elevator shaft..." She said, looking into the glow of his eye pieces.

The silence that followed echoed through the hallway, the distant sound of talking and foot steps being the only thing that broke it. Erin places her hand on the gears, "Leave her, please? It's not been the easiest morni-".

She was cut short of finishing by the sound of smashing and yelling coming from down the stairs they just climbed. The gears flicked their safeties off, swinging their weapons to the stairway.

Yuri broke her arm from the gears hand, rushing past Erin and the gear towards the stairs. She flung herself down them, several steps at a time, landing at the bottom, the gear that stood at the bottom, now crouched alongside Komms, next to a now destroyed table, ammunition strewn across the floor. Komms sat on his knees, pounding his fist off the floor, yelling. The other gears quickly appeared at he side, covering each angle of the room, lowering their weapons when they realised there wasn't any threat there.

"Fuckin why!? I fuckin can't!" He screamed as he scrambled across the floor, grabbing at the ammo that lay about him. "I'll fuckin eradicate every one eh the bastards!" He screamed as he reached for his gun, pushing the gear off him and rushing to his feet and making his way towards the lift.

Four of the gears rushed forward, pile driving him to the floor and leaping on top of him, holding him to the ground.

"Calm the fuck down soldier!" Yelled one of the gears on top of him, as he still managed to drag himself and the others across the floor. "I ain't letting them fuckin off wi it! Am gonnea fuckin murder'em aw!" He yelled at them, half winded by the force of the men holding him down.

Yuri and Erin sprinted over, jumping over the pile of gears and dropping to the floor at Komms' head.

"Komms! Please Stop! You can't do this, you're just gonna get yourself killed!" Screamed Erin and she got down to him.

"Then I'll take as many of the fucks wi ees as I fuckin can!" He yelled in retort.

Yuri clasped herself around his head, "Please... I can't handle this, Komms..." She whimpered in his ear, "He was the closest thing I've had to a father in years... If you do this... I'll have almost nothing left..."

He stopped his struggling, dropping his head onto the floor. The gears loosed their grip on him as they felt him start to break down again. They started to move off of him, giving him some breathing space, as he started to slam his fist against the floor. She released herself from his head as the gears stood up, the rest of them crowded around the man. He looked up at Yuri, who was on her knee over him. He pushed himself up and flung his arms around her as he started to wail, his grip around her tightening with every cry. She gripped onto him as well,as her own tears fell down the back of his armour. Erin got to her feet next to them, grabbing the gears shoulder who stood over the two, looking at him and motioning for them to leave them. The gear stepped back as the gears cries bounced off the walls, he pointed a couple gears to the bottom of the stairs, the two of them standing either side of it.

Yuri glanced towards Erin, who's arm was caught in the grasp of the lead gear. As Erin stood aside with him, letting the rest of them leave the room, She faintly heard his words to her.

"I don't mean to intrude, but who was that he lost?" She heard his ask, faintly through the cries in her other ear. "He's Corporal Medvedev... I...I think that says enough..." She said, walking herself out his grip and back up the stairs.

Erin 4 – 38

March 30th 2266 Jacinto Iron Mine complex

She walked past the landing of the stairs, the other gears following the original path they were destined on, she by contrast walked the other direction, following the signs to the command room. Stepping through to see another Staff Sergeant stood at the main table, marking points on the complex schematics.

The Staff Sergeant turned to look at her, seeing the gear opposite him advert his gaze to her.

"You here with the rest of the reinforcements, Private?" asked the Staff.

She shook her head in response, "No, Staff Sergeant, I got here a couple hours ago, I was ordered down to guard the lift before the advance squad's went down."

He looked her up and down, seeing the unscratched and unmarked armour that she beard.

"Is staff Sergeant Medvedev down there still? And who's that screaming down there, wounded? They should've been moved to medical by now."

"It's Corporal Medvedev, Sir... Staff Sergeant Medvedev didn't make it...Sir... Sergeant Dean and Will didn't make it either..." She mumbled, he gaze turning to the floor. "I seen them... torn to shreds on the cameras... Only a few made it, Sir..."

The Staff Sergeant looked at the gear opposite, both of them sharing the same expression of shock. The gear opposite spoke up, "How many made it?!". Erin looked down further, "Six... Of fifteen...five gears unharmed, one critical. He isn't going to be walking again. The rest were overrun, Staff Sergeant Medvedev jumped out the lift at the last second... Manually detonating the charge they set... The detonator malfunctioned. I'm sorry, Sir..."

They stood in the silence, the distant cries of the Corporal being the only sound to disturb it.

"What's your name, Private?" Asked the Staff Sergeant.

"Tsosie, Sir." She answered, her gaze still dragging across the floor.

"You only graduated a few days ago, didn't you?"

"Yes, Sir."

"When the Corporal regains himself... Get them out of here, I appreciate your willingness to help, but this shouldn't be your first assignment... Tell the Corporal, his mother doesn't have to show face, I'll send word for her when I see it necessary to disturb her mourning..."

Erin nodded, "Thank you, Sir. If you need us, let us know..."

She turned to the doorway, stepping back out, hearing Komms' cries dying down by this point, shivers racing up her spine at every sob she heard as she stepped down the stairs again. Komms' chokes being the only sound to emanate from the bottom.

She stepped into the room, the two gears standing by the camera screen, attempting to fix it, taking their attention off the Corporal.

Yuri still sat on her knee, Komms clutched to her, rubbing a hand over the back of his head, hushing into his ear. His deep breaths condensing on the cold air, small bursts cropping from his chokes. He relinquished himself, slipping to the floor, Yuri keeping his head to her chest piece. Erin took a knee next to them, she ran a hand round the side of his head, settling it at the back of his head, resting her wrist on Yuri's arm.

"I...I think it's best for us to go..." She said softly, the steam of her breath colliding with Yuri's.

"Have you spoken with anyone? I...I don't think they'd look to kindly if we just left like that..." Asked Yuri, sounding a little concerned.

"I spoke with a Staff Sergeant in the command, He said we shouldn't be here... We should just go until we hear otherwise..."

Yuri looked back down at Komms, who's breathing had steadied. He sat staring blankly at his helmet that lay on the lift floor, the IFF's across the visor flickering slightly.

Yuri slid her arm from his shoulder and neck, sliding it down his back and taking hold of his arm, Erin doing the same on the other side. "Come on then, Dear... We need to get up now." She said in his ear. He pulled his leg back, planting it flat on the floor, the two girls pulled him up and finally planting his other foot, he helped them get him to his feet. He looked down at his hand, opening his grasp, letting his fathers tags fall from his hand and dangle from the chain.

The three of them gazed at the tag and cog, with it's stamped words and numbers, the scratches and scars that sprawled across them. He pulled his arm round to his side, unclipping a pouch and letting them fall inside it. He walked away from the girls and towards his helmet, crouching to pick it up, he placed his hand against the floor, dropping his head for a moment, then standing up. He walked backwards from the lift, turning as he walked, he grabbed his gun from the floor, slamming his helmet on his head as he stood back up straight.

"Let's just get the fuck out of here... He said as he walked between the two girls, who looked rather dejected from his tone. Yuri grabbed her helmet, walking sides with Erin as they followed him up the stairs. He stopped as he walked down the corridor, turning round to look at the girls following him. He put his gun down on the table next to him and wrapping his arms around their shoulders and holding the back of their heads. Holding them to his chest, "I'm sorry... I didny mean anyhin by that... I just... I... Don't know..." he stuttered. The girls placed an arm each around to his back, holding themselves as close as possible.

"And Erin... I'm sorry bout this mornin... I deh hink I can... Yer a gid gal... I'm sorry..."

"Komms, I... I realised it was wrong of me... I pushed boundaries... I have you as close as I need you..." She said into his armour.

"I love you girls... If something happens, remember that..."

They gripped each other for a minute, finally letting each other go and turning back to the exit. Erin grabbed his gun, noticing he forgot it. They made their way out the facility, marching through the still snow that had settled since they'd arrived. They got about half way back, when Erin called out to stop. Komms turned round to her, seeing her carrying his machine gun.

"I don't think... I gave you enough credit... for carrying this thing everywhere... in training!..." She blurted through her pants.

Both Komms and Yuri chuckled and he stepped towards her, taking the weapon from her trembling arms. She placed her hands on her knees, bending over and catching her breath.

"Imagine being Gaz? Two jerry cans eh fuel and twice the steel oan his back." He laughed.

"I don't even want to think about it..." She puffed.

They gave her a minute, stretching and cracking her back before they carried on, the sun getting ever lower in the sky, the orange glow of the sunset spiking through the branches of the trees.

Erin looked through the gaps at the sun as it said goodnight to them.

"Yous ever wonder what everywhere ells looks like? I mean, it's not a constant winter everywhere, is it?" She asked, pondering.

"Some guys telt ees it's a bit warmer over east in Canada. Locals ain't fond eh us, that's fur sure, but it's not a constant minus number in the temp in parts." Replied Komms, as he saddled his gun in his arm.

"What about the rest of the US? Is the COG spread across there as well?"

"I remember asking Morris about that! He said they weren't fond of the government they ran into over there, I think they called themselves the Enclave? From what I read a bunch of perfectionist assholes. Wanted to get rid of every person who wasn't born in a vault or bunker. Everyone who encountered radiation." Ranted Yuri.

"Ye'd hink they wid eh liked us."

"Apparently they did, but you know yourself, the COG are about protecting everyone and building everything back up. Not destroying ourselves all over again."

"Canny deny that, find any yin ells in their travels down south?"

"Yeah, a group called the Brotherhood of something, I can't remember what now, but they fought the Enclave and when they ran across one of their patrols, they got to talking. The Brotherhood guys said they were there to protect people from the dangers there and from themselves by seizing a lot of technology that could be used to end the world again, or at least bring a lot of destruction. When the brotherhood tried to take the Gears equipment, like their Raven and armour and such, for research, that's when the firing started. Apparently they weren't as tough as they thought they were, Even wearing full power armour!"

"Wait! They had power armour!?" exclaimed Erin.

"Yeah, power armour and laser weaponry! Every single one'en'em!"

"Saying that, why don't we use power armour and laser or plasma again?" Erin asked.

"Cause trying tae outfit an army oor size is different to groups several hundred large, plus we broke down the power armour tae make better wearable armour across the board, and when it comes tae weapons, we used the batteries for power and same for the plasma, use it for portable power packs. Like yer IFF's."

"What about the robots we used to use?"

"Resources, didny have the power supply tae run them, so we scrapped them fur parts after a while, didny see the point in usin them."

"But isn't power armour better than out stuff? You'd think we'd still use it..."

"Nah, canny fit it doon mines and tunnels and fighting on ground, ye deh need it when ye'v got tactics that deh require runnin face first intae gunfire. Even in attrition, our tactics would make power armour obsolete."

Erin quietened down for a while, thinking of their equipment, how different it was to the stuff the older troops used. Made of the same stuff as old power armour, a lot lighter and almost as strong. Stronger than old combat armour.

"Isn't there new armour being made? Like made of a different material?" She asked after five or ten minutes.

"Aye, they found a large amount of titanium and osmium rich iron. Take the osmium oot the iron and mix it wi titanium and ye'v got some serious protection."

"Where did they find it?"

Komms stopped in his tracks, the girls stopping behind him, almost walking into him. He took off again, leading the trio in silence, his lack of an answer giving her an idea of where. The silence overbearing even the sound of their boots crunching the snow.

The silence followed them the rest of the way home, She could tell by the occasional glance she got of his eyes, he half wanted her to be home and half not. When they reached the brush ahead of his home that she was, smoke bellowing from the chimney and the light flickering through the window.

He stopped shot of the door, dropping his shoulders and sighing. "Go ahead inside... Put the kettle on or something, just... don't tell her about dad, okay? I hink it's best I dea it." He said as he stepped aside the door, leaning against the pile of fire wood and lighting a cigarette.

Yuri pulled off her helmet, walking up and placing a hand on his pauldron, "Take all the time you need, my love... We're here if you need us." She said, before pecking his cheek.

As Yuri walked back towards the door, Erin patted her hand on his pauldron as well, receiving a a depressed look from his eyes, before he patter her hand with his, squeezing her hand slightly before she carried on.

Yuri turned the handle of the door, pushing it open and kicking the snow from her boots as she walked in the door, Erin following in suit behind her. Komms' mother sat on the couch in front of the fire, enjoying the music from the holotape cassette player, in the corner of the room. She looked back over the couch at them, pulling a warm smile as she done so.

"You been out parading your armour around, I take it?" She joked, "And who's your friend? Didn't know we would be having visitors, would have made more of an effort!" She said, noticing Erin kick the snow from her boots.

Yuri pulled off her helmet, looking back up at his mother, "There's been an incident..." She said, disgracefully, knowing the heartache to come.

"Lesly... The...The mine..." She said, looking down at the couch.

"What's happened? I haven't had any word about it! It surely couldn't be that bad if I haven't been called? I mean I've been here at least an hour now..." Said Lex, placing her mug down on the table.

"The mine was ov-" Yuri was interrupted by the door opening again and Komms stamping the snow and ice from his boots. Lex looked around the two girls at him, her eyes widening, seeing the blood splatter across his armour.

"Do you's want to go make some coffee?..." He said, dejectedly.

The two girls nodded, Yuri leaning down and giving Lesley a hug before walking through the kitchen. Erin leaned up against the counter next to the fridge, taking her helmet off, placing it on the bunker, as Yuri flipped the switch on the kettle and pulling out a few mugs from the cupboard. She looked back out the door, hearing Komms sit down on the couch next to his mother.

"Komms, what's going on!? Why haven't I been called out!?" She asked, as he took his helmet off, placing it on the table and pulling the balaclava from his head.

"They broke intae the mine... Most were killed who didny get tae the lifts in time..."

Lex stared at him, her eyes trembling, "I deh ken how many were killed before we went down, all I ken is it's a lot... We got a group eh miners out but a nest cried out on our way back up..."

"A...A nest? They set up that quickly?..."

He nodded slowly, He placed a hand in a pouch to his side, pulling out a clasped hand.

"You're father has it under control... Doesn't he?..." She asked, her voice quivering.

"six of us went down as an advance, dad didny want ees tae go but I insisted... it was just bodies and blood, fuckin everywhere..." he said this, staring at the table, almost unable to look round at her. She shuffled along the couch towards him, placing an arm round his shoulders and another on his arm.

"It's okay, hun... It's not easy to deal with the first time you see it, I know... But it's okay, we're all here to help you, Me, Yuri, Your father... We all are."

His eyes started to water as she said this, "We came back up, passing back through a nest we found in the stairway on the way down... One of them screeched, so we bolted back to the lift... Dad was there... Wi two other squads. We sent the miners we found back up in the lift before the locust attacked... If only that fuckin lift was faster!...Those men would still be alive..." His voice growing colder.

She held his head to hers, But he couldn't move, frozen in place. He managed to raise his hand in front of them, loosening his grip and letting his fathers tags fall and hang from his hand again. She looked up at them, the familiar dents and scratches causing her eyes to widen.

"We got overrun... Out of fifteen or sixteen of us... six got out... It wouldy been seven, but dad jumped back out, the detonator for the explosives we brought down broke... He...He detonated it manually..."

"He...He's... Gone?..." She whimpered, the gleam of the light reflecting from his tags, fixating her vision.

"He told me to say he's sorry..." He said, his arm dropping.

Erin looked away, not being able to handle to scene. She turned to Yuri who braced herself against the bunker, her hands trembling as she held herself up. Erin placed her hand on hers, gripping it tightly, Yuri's head dropped, her tears landing in her mug as she struggled to hold back. She let go of Yuri's hand and thrust her arm around her, pulling Yuri into her tight embrace. She felt Yuri put her hands around her waist, as she put her hand to the back of her head, pressing her head against the side of hers, Kissing her ear.

"This... This isn't the first time..." Mumbled Yuri into her armour, Erin turning her head further round towards her.

"H..How do you mean?" replied Erin,

"Wh..When my mother died... My father broke down... He was inconsolable for months, not eating drinking or sleeping... Just staring at the wall... He finally came round from it, staritng to drink and eat... He still couldn't sleep and then he started drinking... Worst was, he... He just acted like everything was okay, convincing himself that there wasn't anything was wrong with him... Or even the fact that his wife was gone... He refused to sober himself and in the few points he did, he couldn't do anything, too overwhelmed with grief. He lost his job, the doctors gave up, he distanced himself from everyone, even me and my brother... I had to take over in the house... got the rations, did the cleaning, looked after my brother... I couldn't keep up with it..." She choked, Erin growing more and more distraught as what she'd been through.

"I...I just couldn't bare the thought of the same happening to her... I couldn't handle it..."

"Yuri!?..." Came Lex's voice from the living room.

"Can you grab some glasses and bring them through please?..." She called through again.

The girls pulled back from each other, gazing into each others eyes. "O..One second!..." She called back through, before she connected her lips with Erin's. Letting go of her, she motioned Erin through to the living room, before heading to the cupboard and grabbing some glasses.

Erin walked into the room, grabbing her helmet as she went. She walked past Komms and Lex, taking a seat on the other couch. Sitting down she looked up and the two of them. Komms still staring at the table and Lex giving her a weak smile through her watering eyes.

"I don't know how he does it, but every girl he seems to meet is always as pretty as the last..." She said, trying not to drop a tear. She managed to pull a smile as they looked into each others eyes, "Th..thank you... I'm E..Erin." She managed, the emotion in Lex's eyes. Tilting her head Lex closed her eyes, trying her best to keep her smile. "I'm Lesley...B..But you can call me Lex, Dear..."

Yuri appeared through the door, placing a tray with four glasses on on on the table in front of Lex. Lex turned to look at her, standing up and opening her arms to her, to which Yuri stepped towards her, Lex wrapping her arms around her and holding her like a mother would a daughter. Peeling apart, Yuri moved around the table and Lex moved tot he corner of the room, pulling a bottle from the cupboard and walking back to the table. Taking a seat and opening the bottle, she filled each of the glasses, Komms placing a glass in front of Erin and Yuri.

"I hope you don't mind, I..It's a bit of a family tradition... Toasting and drinking to the dead... I..It helps...".

Erin raised her head as Lex picked up her glass. "I hope you don't mind vodka... I..It was his drink of choice..."

The other three picked up their glasses, Lex raising hers, "You always said you would die fighting... I just... Didn't think it would this soon... I hope it was quick and you didn't go down in vain..." She said, keeping her voice as strong as she could.

She lowered her glass, Komms raising his next, "Gonnea miss ye, Auld man! Gee'em hell where ever ye are...I..I'll try my best tae dae ye proud!..." He called out.

Lowering his glass, Yuri spoke up next, "I..." She sighed, " I don't know how to say this... But you welcomed me to the family with open arms, after the loss of my own father... Even though we never done much together, you were still the best father I could have asked for-" Her eyes began to tear and her lip quivered, "i just hope you do well in the next life... a..and I won't disappoint you!..." she yelped, as she started to choke.

Lowering her glass and placing a hand to her eyes, Erin was the last to raise her glass. "I only met you a couple days ago, so I never got to actually know you, but I've never seen someone so ready to sacrifice themselves for the safety of others... Good luck, Staff... I wish I knew you better..." She said, looking up at her glass.

As she lowered her glass, she glanced around everyone ells who raised their glasses to their lips, placing a hand on Yuri's back, who was struggling to lift her glass. Glancing up at Erin, she tried to pull a smile, only just managing to accomplish it. Taking in a breath, the four of them downed their drinks, tapping the glasses back in the table, bar Komms. He held the glass in front of him, looking at the hammer and sickle etched into it. He finally placed the glass on the table, the tap of it echoing into the silence.

Komms stood up, placing his hand on his mother shoulder, he leaned down and kiss her on the cheek, then stepping away from the couch, he walked behind Erin and Yuri, hugging them with one arm each, kissing Erin on the head and kissing Yuri on the lips. He stood back up and walked towards the front door. His mother called out to him as he reached the door. "Komms?..."

He grabbed the axe next to the door and pulled it open. "I'm just getting some wid fur the fire, it's getting low." He said, giving his mother a comforting look before he closed the door behind him.

Erin looked back to the table, then looking at Yuri and she felt her hand land on her lap. Yuri giving her another weak smile and looking back towards the door. She nodded, returning a smile and squeezing her hand. She looked over to Lex as she stood up, giving her the same smile, before exiting the house.

She followed the boot prints in the snow towards the sound of chopping, Komms' IFF's finally coming into view through the trees. Walking over to him she placed a hand on his shoulder. He stopped, still holding the axe that was now sticking into the tree. "I...I don't entirely know how you're feeling...Just know that... I'm here... So's Yuri and your Mom... You aren't alone.."

He let go of the axe, dropping his arms to his side and looking at the ground. "I...I just deh ken, lass... I didny hink it would happen like this... no this soon..." he mumbled. He turned round to look at her, the moonlight shining off his eyes. She placed her other hand on he shoulder, he looked down at her boots, then looking back up at her eyes as he put his hands on her sides, then clasping his arms around her torso as she pulled him towards her, wrapping her arms around his neck and head.

She felt his grip tighten around her armour as she rested her head against his. "You can let it out if you need to... Don't feel ashamed to..." She whispered in his ear.

She felt him nestle his head deeper into her arm, "I let everything I had out at the lift... I deh have anyhin left tae give now..." The two let off each other, looking into each other again. He placed a hand on the side of her face, he kissed her, not staying there too long, dropping his hand from her face to his side.

"Thanks you... I hope that can work as a sorry for this morning... I don't want to make ye feel unwanted..." He said, as he turned back to the tree, ripping the axe from it, starting to hack back into it. He stopped again, as he felt her wrap her arms around him from behind. "Thanks... I'll see you back at the house." she whispered into his ear, as she stepped back and walked back through the trees to the house, the freezing cold air, sending shudders down her spine as she heard Komms start cutting at the tree again. She seen Yuri and Lex holding each other on the couch as she walked back inside, she took her seat on the other couch again, leaving the two of them to have their moment.

They let go of each other after a minute or so, both turning back to the table, Lex grabbing the bottle and filling the glasses again. "Did they say anything ells when you were there?" She asked as she finished pouring the drinks. Erin looked at the drinks as she spoke, "They said they'd send word if we where needed, The Staff Sergeant that arrived said he'd give time for you to mourn..."

Lex nodded as she picked up her glass, throwing it back again, before the others had a chance to touch their glasses. Yuri and Erin both followed her lead, taking up their glasses and raising them before drinking. She gingerly put her glass back down on the table, nearly dropping it as she her a yell come from outside.

"Fuckin Moan then, ya fuckin freaks!" Echoed Komms' voice outside.

The tree of them jumped to their feet, Lex rushing to her room tog et her gun as the others nearly knocked each other over as they ran for the door. Yanking it open the jumped out into the snow, running towards the sound of yelling. They seen the glow of his IFF's through the trees again, then a glowing figure change at him, seeing the outline of it smash up against a tree as Komms swung his axe, then repeatedly bring the axe down upon it.

"And who the fuck was that, eh?! That yer auld man!? How's it fuckin feel ye fuckin recusance!" His voice bellowed through the night, a light flashing through the air from a bunker further off up from them.

"I'm gonnea have some fuckin fun wi you!" He yelled, as they seen his outline march through the snow to another glowing figure. Then a small squeal as they seen him bring the axe down again. They starting trying to sprint towards him as he swung his axe again and again.

"Komms!" Yelled Yuri as they closed on him, he took the axe to one hand as the reached him, she grabbed his arm, pulling him away from the creature that law bleeding in the ice and snow. He threw the axe at it as it tried to screech, through blood gargled set of lungs, ripping himself from her hand and thrusting his foot down onto its head, stomp after stomp he brought down on it, even after it finally stopped twitching. It took all three of the women to pull him off the limb body that lay there, the glowing liquid from it's spots coating his boot.

The girls huddled round him, each of them tightly clinging to him. "It's over! Please stop!" yelped Erin, "Please leave it, Komms... It's dead, it can't do anything to us now..." whimpered Yuri.

"It's okay, baby... It knows how you feel... There isn't anything ells you can do. L..let's just get back to the house, before anything ells shows up..." Cried Lex.

"I'll fuckin rip them tae shreds! Let'em aww ken how it feels! The freaks, I'll fuckin murder them aww!" He yelled, trying to pry himself from the women.

They held on tight, not letting him budge and inch, the psychological effect of those around him, stopping him from trying to hard, in case he hurt any of them. The three of them followed Komms as he dropped to his knees. Seething in rage and sadness, a light from some one coming from the light bunker, illuminating them in the darkness.

"Is everything okay!? Anyone hurt!?" The voice blurted, seeing the four of them in the snow.

"Everything okay, just... a little bug problem..." Announced Lex, as she cradled Komms' head.

The figure grew closer still, angling his light away from the group. "That didn't sound like nothin to me." came the voice again.

"We just lost some yin tae these freaks... I...I guess I just lost it for a moment..."

"Sorry to hear, best get yourselves back inside before you freeze, best to bar the door, in case anything ells comes knocking. Take care of yourselves, give a holler if you need any help." Came the voice of their neighbour, as he walked back to his home.

Erin felt Komms' breath slowing, the mist of it brushing past the face. The condensation on her face starting to freeze, making her shiver. She let go of his armour and started to push herself to her feet, seeing the other girls do the same. She held her hand out to Komms, who took it in his grasp, she yanked him to his feet, patting him on the shoulder the group turned to walk to the house, Komms stopping and turning back to the mangled body in the snow, marching over and picking back up the axe that he'd launched at it, then returning to the girls who waited for him. The group shuffling through the snow, Lex's rattling through their travel, being the only one without winter gear on.

They entered back into the house, the four of them standing outside his door. You's two just want tae head tae bed? I want tae speak wi my maw fur a bit... If that's alright?". Erin and Yuri both nodded, she leaned in, giving Komms a comforting hug before turning back into his room, she looked back out, seeing Yuri cling to him, clasping her lips around his, then giving a tightly wound hug to Lex, packing her on the cheek. She turned on the oil lamp on the table next to the bed, sitting down on the edge and unclasping her armour, removing it piece by piece, till it was all off. She pulled off her jacket, and top, throwing it in the corner, dropping her boots by the side of the bed and the same with her trousers. She turned to see Yuri bending over away from her, as she pulled off her trousers, she bit her lip, as Yuri turned around. She turned her eyes down to the bed, lifting the quilt and sliding underneath it. She shivered, feeling the cold of the bed flow over her, but the warmth that came as Yuri slid under. Erin slid closer to her, getting a feeling of relief from her warmth, she slid an arm under her neck, pulling her head close, holding her against her chest.

She slid her arms around her waist in return, intertwining their legs in show of comfort.

Yuri 12 – 39

March 31st 2266 Jacinto Family Barracks

Cracking her eyes open through the sleep that welded her eyelids together, she struggled to keep them open. The pleasantly heated feeling she was encumbered by begged her not to move. She finally managed to keep them open for a long enough time to see her surroundings. Her head still embalmed to Erin's chest, between her arms. She tilted her eyes up, gazing upon Erin's peacefully snoozing head, a small line of dribble slipped down from the corner of her mouth. She calmed her head back into the warmth of her bosoms.

She reached her hand around the bed on the other side of her, feeling for another figure that she thought might have joined them, feeling nothing but the sheets that had heated from their body warmth. She narrowed her eyes, wondering where he could be, a feeling of concern brooding in her mind. He could be back out there, too filled with vengeance or guilt. She took her time removing herself from Erin's sleeping embrace, inch by inch, she slid her arm out from under her, then pulling her head back to loosen her grip around her neck, then slithering down the bed, trying not to make any sudden movements.

Finally freeing herself from the loving prison, she rolled to the side of the bed, lifting the covers off of herself and reaching down to find her trousers, neatly folded with the rest of her clothes at the foot of the bed. She veered her feet into their coatings, shivering as her feet touched the cold circumference of the material. She leaned forward, flowing to her feet, pulling her trousers up and looking for her top. After pulling her top on and fixing some footwear for herself, she tip toed to the door, taking a look back at the sleeping beauty that lay enveloped in their cradle. She curled a smile, seeing her so content in her motionlessness.

She cracked the door open, peering through the gap, a head propped up from the couch, another resting on the shoulder that flowed from beneath it, a dimly light fire smouldering behind the silhouettes. She creped out the door, slowly creaking it shut behind her. Hearing the fluttering of Lex's uvula accompany her breathing, she felt a sense of relief, knowing the two of them were still home safe. She softly stepped along the room towards the kitchen, the creak of movement behind her, causing her to freeze. She looked back at the pair sat on the couch, Komms' drooping eyes looking back into hers. She reversed her steps back behind him, taking herself to the side opposite of his mother, who still lay sleeping on his shoulder.

Kissing him on the cheek, she placed a hand to his chest, leaning on the back of the couch.

"Did you sleep okay, my love?" She whispered in his ear.

"No a wink, doll, It just... replays in my mind every time I try..." He muttered.

She slid her hand up his chest, onto his neck, cuddling their heads together. She opened her eyes again, seeing a couple empty bottles on the table, two glasses sitting side by side, one empty, one still half full.

"You need to get some rest, do you want to go join Erin?" She asked, her tone still breathed.

He glanced down at his mother, cradled on his shoulder, grasping his arm as she slept.

"I deh want tae just leave her here, would be a bit insensitive, wildn't it?" He said as he looked back to her.

"I don't mind taking your place for a bit, if you want?"

"I'd rather no the now, you want tae make some coffee, Maybe somethin tae eat? Might be a nice wake up call fur her." he replied.

She gave him a smile before she nuzzled her nose to his, he pecked her on the cheek before she left, making her feel warm inside. She closed the door to the kitchen behind her, smiling back at him as she did so, wanting to cut some of the noise. She filled the kettle with water, flicking it on as she placed it down, pouring the contents from the mugs she'd pulled out the night before hand down the sink and quickly washing them out. She pulled an extra mug from the cupboard, spooning some coffee and sugar into the mugs and adding milk for those who took it. She opened the fridge, looking through the contents. There wasn't much there in the name of breakfast foods, so she decided to take some cold cuts and cheese and make up some sandwiches. She pulled the loaf of bread from the cupboard, grabbing a bread knife and cutting some slices. She spread some mayonnaise on and layered a couple cold cuts on each, slicing some cheese and garnishing it on top.

She poured the boiled water into the cups as the kettle finished it's cycle, mixing the cups up, loading the cups on a tray and taking them through to the living room, placing the cups on the table and taking away the glasses from the night before, along with the empty bottles that sat along side them. She returned back with a couple plates of food, placing them on the table and sitting on the couch next to Lex. Placing a hand on her shoulder and whispering in her ear.

"Morning, Mom, breakfast is ready." She said, giving her shoulder a little shake

Lex's eyes stretched open, raising her head from Komms' shoulder as she yawned. She looked side to side at the couple that surrounded her, pulling a groggy smile before she looked down at that table.

"Oh ,sweetie, you shouldn't have!" She half mumbled.

She leaned up, placing and arm around her back and squeezing her into a hug, "Thank you, dear, you're a right treasure, you know that?" She said, gleefully.

Yuri beamed at her, doing her best to make her feel as at ease as possible. She turned to Komms on her other side, looking up at what she still seen as her little boy. Placing her head back down on his shoulder, she said, "Thank you, Komms, thanks for not leaving me alone last night."

He smiled down at her, rubbing his cheek against the top of her head. "It's alright, maw, I hink we both needed it, he said, as Yuri opened the door to the bedroom again.

She stepped in, Erin now snuggled into the duvet. She sat on bed, laying back and rolling herself up next to her. She slid her arm over her, pulling her head over hers, "Wakey wakey, sleeping beauty, time for breakfast." she said, ask she cuddled into her. She moaned as she came around, her head turning and seeing Yuri's brown locks. She snuggled her head into Yuri's neck, kissing into it, causing her to shiver with glee. "You're one of my favourite sights to wake up to in the morning." She said, her voice muffled by Yuri's neck.

Yuri nibbled on Erin's ear, "The feelings mutual." She replied, running her tongue round her ear the along her cheek to her mouth. They lay wrestling tongues for a minute, then looking into one another. Yuri pinched her cheek, smiling as she done so. She nodded her head to the door, rolling back over to the edge of the bed, then pushing herself up. She looked round at her, flipping the covers off of herself, reaching down for her trousers, pulling the crumpled pair on. Yuri walked to the corner of the room, grabbing Erin's jacket and pulling her shirt out of it, then holding it out to her as she finished tying her boots. She slipped it over her head, then hugged Yuri tightly for a second before they exited the room. They took their seats next to each other on the couch adjacent Komms and Lex, Yuri, leaning over and grabbing her mug of coffee and taking a sip as Erin grabbed half a sandwich. She seen Erin take a bite, the look of relief flowing over her face.

"Hungry, I take it?" joked Lex, who sat nursing her coffee.

Erin hummed a yes and she chewed, pulling a grin and closing her eyes as her. Lex laughed, smiling at her, then taking a drink of her coffee. Lex's expression dropped a bit as she stared down into her mug.

"I uhhh... I just wanted to say thank you, to you two..." she said nervously.

Erin and Yuri both looked up from their beverages, looking a little puzzled.

"Yuri... I know you never really knew Sergei that well, You've been coming here for almost five years now and you've been staying here for at least three... You never really got close too him, with his work, you're training and his... brick wall of an exterior. I really do appreciate how kind and understanding you've been about this so far... I mean it's just happened, but you've been ... Really attentive." She said, looking up from her cup.

Yuri's gaze turned from her turned to the embers in the fire place, "I... I've seen how loss like this can affect people... I seen it with my dad when my mother passed. I was really young when it happened, but I can still feel it in here-" She said, placing her hand over her heart. "I lost my dad not long after, he wasn't the man he used to be. He spent a lot of time at work prior, so I never got to see him every day or even every second day a lot of the time, but he just wasn't there any more... He passed not long ago now as well. Coming here though, even though I never got extremely close with him, I still looked at him as the father I'd lost. He may have had a rough exterior, but he was still kind and compassionate, no matter if his face said otherwise. So I'm not sure if it sounds rude, but I feel I lost my father again... I feel more capable of coming to terms with it now than I did when I was younger, but it still hurts just as much..." she said, as the sparks from the embers flashed across her glistening eyes.

Komms reached his hand out, placing it on top of hers, giving it a comforting squeeze, giving half a smile as she looked round.

"I'm glad you seen him like that, I'm sorry you've had to live through it again, but still thank you too, you've been so kind."

Erin sat looking down at the floor, a few crumbs sticking to the side of her mouth as she sat there, her eyes growing cold.

"Are you okay, dear?" asked Lex, putting a hand to her chest, feeling as if she'd upset the atmosphere with her comments.

"N..No!" she blurted out, coming around from her little zone out, "I..I mean..." She sighed, "I'm sorry... I'm just getting a few bad memories..." She said, her apatite leaving, as she looked down at the sandwich on the plate in front of her.

Yuri put her cup down, placing an arm around her shoulders, "We're here if you want to talk about anything. Don't fret, if you think it might make you feel better." She said, almost taking the words out of Lex's mouth as she leaned forward, about to speak.

"Well... Looking back, I never really had a good home life... My Mom wasn't really attentive to us or anything, she didn't really show any motivation towards us, or for us. She used to scold us for the slightest things, smack us about if we didn't do things exactly her way... My father was much more hands on... preferring to stick us in the corner of the room with a belt or his foot, if he seen us out of line. I guess I grew used to it, seen it as normal... I regret a lot of the thing I've done thinking that, that it was normal, that it happened to everyone. The way I've treated some people in the past, it just makes me think about how I guess I missed out on a few things like that." She finished, her tone desolate and void of emotion.

"Lass-" Said Komms, leaning back into his seat, her attention turning to him, "I mind some no so nice hings fea school, I never seen any reason fur those hings, but coming intae training and seeing what you were like in there after the first bit, seeing the so called 'Relationship' ye thought ye had. All I can say, is am as sorry fur miss judgin ye as much as you are fur the higns ye'v done... The time myseln and Yuri have spent wi ye and how we've got tae ken ye, no just that but everyone ells in the squad, I'm pretty sure hink quite the same. Whether or no ye look at the past, ye have a family we us. Me, Yuri, Gaz, Mac, Denise, hell probably even Morris tae an extent. We all see ye as family, even if they all don't, I can safely say, me and Yuri definitely see ye as that." He said.

Erin's eyes light up a bit, some of the lost emotion fuddling back into her, "I...I don't know the words to say thank you... You've-" she sniffled, wiping a tear from her eye, "No idea what that means to me... Th..Thank you!..." She choked, blurting out the last part unintentionally.

She fell into Yuri's hug, feeling a lot more welcomed in the home than she done last night, she struggled to maintain her composure, but with a lot of eye rubbing and lip biting, she managed. She sat herself up, Yuri's hand still on her shoulder, she took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. She opened her eyes, looking at the wall, an assured smile, creeping across her face.

"Th..Thank you..." She said, wiping her eye for the final time.

Komms turned to his mother, both of them sharing the same expression of purpose, with a small hint of guilt. He looked again at the fireplace, the Ashen embers sparking away to themselves in the pit. Yuri looked round at him as he reached out, grasping a sandwich from the plate in front of him and taking a big bite. He chewed it, still looking at the fire, eventually swallowing and taking another bite. She looked at the teeth marks on the bread, that he'd left imprinted on it, the one torn spot with his missing tooth. He put the sandwich down and dusted off his hands, getting to his feet and stretching. The cracks of his back made Lex shudder, a look of repulse crossing her face.

"Do you have to do that?" She asked, with a disgusted tone.

"hmm? Oh! Sorry... Been sat there all night, just feelin a bit stiff." He said, smiling down at her.

He side stepped from the table and towards the door, putting on his jacket as he went.

"And where are you going?" Yuri asked, curiously.

"Fires getting a bit low noo, ain't it? Deh worry yer pretty wee heed, I'll be back in a few." He replied, looking round at the fire, then looking round at her, giving her a wink. He opened the door, the cold breeze sending a shiver down her spine. She shook her head, reaching down for a sanny, picking one up and taking a bite herself. Erin finally regaining her apatite, doing the same.

After about ten or fifteen minutes chatting between themselves, she began to wonder where he was. It wouldn't normally take this long for him to chop some wood. She excused herself from the conversation, walking through to the bedroom and grabbing her coat, sliding it on and buttoning it up, she came back through.

"Just going to see where Komms is, doesn't normally take this long for him." She said, walking past and smiling. The two girls sat chatting gave her the same smile in return as she opened the door again. Stepping out into the ankle deep snow, she seen his boot prints saunter off into the trees. She followed them like a breadcrumb trail, leading her towards the familiar sound of chopping. She called out to him before she could see him, thinking he'd went a bit far out for fire wood.

"Komms!? Where are you, darling!?" She called. Her voice echoed through the woods, until it jumped too far off for her to hear.

"Just over here, Lass!" She heard, as the sound of chopping ceased for a second, before resuming.

She followed the sound of where his voice was, eventually seeing his figure swinging the axe through the trees.

"Hun, You doing okay?" She asked, as she walked up next to him.

"I've been better, Lass, but I guess you could say the same." He said, leaving the axe sticking out the tree. He rolled his head, stretching his eyes. He turned around and leaned back up against the tree. She stood there, holding her arm, looking at the axe sticking out of the tree, her vision then obstructed by his stand waving out to the side as he held his arms out. She walked into his arms, placing hers around his neck.

"I love ye, Doll, I ken it's been a rough day, but I still love ye tae bits." He said into her ear.

She kissed his cheek, then rubbed hers against his. "I love you too, my Love. I'm still so sorry... I know it's hard." She said into his.

"What's done is done, lass... Nea point tryin tae change what canny be. We're aww here, possibly cause he him, so we have his memory tae thank." He said, cuddling into her.

They stood in each others arms, occasionally cuddling in a bit more. "We've not had a minute ourselves in a while. I mean, Erin, bless her heart, I do love her, but some times I do just want it to be us." She said, sounding a bit guilty for saying that.

"It's alright, lass. She'll be headed off in a day or twea tae see her aunt in Ephira, before we go back. We'll have time then, but until then, lets just enjoy the time we have right now..." He said, his voice growing further tired.

She remained silent, just enjoying the warmth that emanated from him, in the tundra they stood in. She pushed herself off him a little, so she was standing up straight. "Umm, since we have this little time alone...would you mind if we..." She asked hesitantly, as she slipped the knife from her belt.

He looked down at the knife, then up into her eyes, letting out a chuckle, then pulling up his sleeve and holding his arm out. She looked down at the exposed skin in front of her, looking for the perfect spot to make her newest incision. She found a little spot, crossing over several other scars. She kissed the spot on his arm, then pricked the skin with her blade, letting a little blood run onto the tip of it. She popped the tip of the blade against her tongue, tasting the iron to make sure it was the right spot. Satisfied with the taste, she pressed the blade against his arm again, slowly dragging it across, watching the fine edge of the knife tear the cells of his skin apart. She finished with a quick tug of the blade, watching as the blood ran from the wound, dripping from the bottom of his arm and turning the snow beneath it crimson. She wiped her finger across the wound, collecting a further sample, then placing her finger in her mouth, sliding it back out as she sucked his essence from it.

She looked up into his eyes, her vision starting to go dark, hearing that all too familiar sound of her heart beat fill her head. She reached up, undoing the top couple of buttons from his jacket, then the same with his shirt. She ran her hand down his neck to his shoulder, finding a spot just beneath his collar line. She placed the knife against the second spot she'd picked out, quickly ripping the blade across his skin, then clutching herself against him, placing her mouth over the spot she'd cut.

She ran her tongue over the wound repeatedly, each time picking up a new splash of the crimson gold. She eventually found herself further up, kissing and sucking on his neck, while he stood there, giving no objection, just his hands massaging up and down her back and neck. She returned to her newly created gash, feeling slightly disappointed as she felt the blood stop flowing. She looked up at his face, his eyes closed, smiling happily. Feeling that she had stopped, he turned his head towards hers. She stood there panting, her heart rate slowly coming down to normal, she giggled through her pants. She pressed her lips against his, both of them pressurising them together, before she broke the suction and went back in, grasping his lower lip between hers, running her tongue over his lip then up against his. She felt herself getting hotter, wrapped her arms around his head, jumping up and wrapping her legs around his waist. He held one hand under her backside, another along her back, holding her up to himself. She felt him grip on, squeezing her cheek and claw into her back. She moaned as she kissed him, feeling she hadn't held him herself in so long. She leaned off to the side, causing Komms to fall off balance and land on his back in the snow, Yuri still wrapped around him. She grabbed the front of her jacket, pulling the buttons undone and almost ripping open her shirt, pulling her vest up over her breasts, then reaching down and pulling his jacket open and trying to undo his belt.

He reached up to her, grabbing her by the shoulders and pulling her bare chest against his.

"Yuri! Are ye sure this is a gid idea, right now?" He said in her ear, but she couldn't hear him, the feeling of control lost from her, as she let her urges take over.

She bit into his neck, braking the skin but not by much, then sucking the blood from her lovers neck. "I need you! I fucking need you right now! I can't take it any more... I need to feel you as close as I can get you, your... Everything, is just driving me insane!" She whined in his ear, as she tried undoing her own belt.

He groaned, feeling her teeth enter his skin, the sensation of her teeth sharply crushing through, rushing more adrenaline into his system and fuddling him with a sense of pleasure at the same time.

He still held her close, trying to stop her undressing herself by doing so, but failing.

"Yuri, please..." He moaned, as he felt her cold hand slide into his trousers, he could feel her other hand, deep inside her own trousers at the same time. He let go of her back, letting her sit up, to which he grabbed her wrists and pulled her hands from both their trousers, then he slid his arms around her again, this time, underneath her arms, above her waist.

"Please, Komms! Please, I feel like I'm burning without you, please!? I'll do anything you fucking want!" she said as she tried pushing herself down him, but his arms weren't budging.

"Just stop... We can't do this here.." He said, as he tightened his grip, feeling her heart beat increase further as he done so, the crisp air numbing his skin and standing his hairs on end. She kept struggling to get them closer, but with his grip she failed each attempt. As he held her there, he slowly but surly felt her panting surpass, her heart rate begin to slow and eventually, she finally stopped struggling. her deep breaths condensing against his ear while she lay limp on top of him.

He released his grip on her, keeping an arm round her back and massaging the back of her head with the other."Shhhh, it's okay... I get it, I want tae be close tae ye as well, lass, but no here. No in the open in minus five... I fuckin love ye, lass... I fuckin love ye..." He said, hoping she was back with him. The normal, anxiety filled bundle of affection that he fell in love with.

"Komms?..." Came her voice, from around the side of his head.

"I...I... What just happened?..." She asked, looking round, seeing her rather confused expression.

She pushed herself up, noticing her breast flowing free with the wind. She shrieked, ripping her vest down and wrapping her jacket up around her. She looked down at Komms, wide eyed, seeing his jacket open and his trousers undone.

"Did... I?..." she whimpered.

He closed his shirt and done his trousers up quickly, placing his hands around her upper arms, rubbing them up and down.

"It's okay, lass, every hings alright... Ye just had a wee moment is all." He said, trying to comfort her.

She pushed herself back up out his arms, her face starting to pull back into shock, her lip trembling as she started to shake, looking down at the blood that dripped from the puncture marks in his neck and crimson staining around his lips. Then the blood soaked sleeve of his jacked and the frozen blood that crusted around his arm.

She shoved herself off him back into the snow, the spinning round onto her knees then thrusting to her feet and sprinting off.

She ran back through the snow towards the house as he called after her, following the prints in the snow that they'd made, Her mind racing at what she'd done, what she couldn't control. She barged through the front door of the house, confronted by Erin and Lex both still sat on the couch, both ripping their heads round to look at her. Their faces pulling back into a similar look of shock as the sight of the blood covering her jacket and face.

She bolted into the bedroom, locking the door behind her, tearing the jacket off and flinging herself onto the bed, hiding under the covers. She heard Lex knocking on the door and calling after her, "Sweetie!? What's happened!? Are you okay!? Is Komms okay!?" She yelled through the door.

She gripped the covers tighter with every knock that echoed through the room. Her choking pants warming the space under the covers till it was roasting. Her eyes watered, the tears forming at the corner of her eyes soaking into the sheets as she started to wail into the mattress.

"What the fuck is wrong with me!? What am I!? He doesn't deserve this! I don't deserve him, he doesn't deserve the fucking disgrace I am!" She screamed at herself, reliving the memories they had in that exact same room four years ago.

The points of that night flashing before her eyes.

Laying in bed as Komms made food in the kitchen, pulling the knife from her bag, embracing her indulgences and then him walking in. Her jumping on him, trying to have her way with him. Flinging herself to the corner and screaming as he came towards her, picking her up and caressing her, comforting her for hours till she finally stopped crying. How was she in this situation again, trying to force herself upon him, trying to have her way with him when he was against it.

Her cries bounced off the walls, echoing through her head, as she tried to figure out what she was doing.

The sound of the front door finally closing again, the sound of something being leaned against the wall. Then finally Lex's voice emanating from the living room again.

"Komms! What's going on!? She just burst through the door covered in bloo-" She fell silent.

She heard a sigh, "Have a seat, I'll need tae have a word wi ye aboot it in a bit... Where is she?" He asked.

"She's locked herself in your room... Please.. Just tell me what's going on and why you're both covered in blood?..."

There was a moments silence, "You know why... Don't you?..." She asked, presumable targeted towards Erin.

"Give ees a minute, I need tae speak wi her... It's no her fault, she couldn't help it..." He said.

"Couldn't help what?..." Lex asked again.

"Please... Don't stare?..." He said, his voice disheartening further.

A soft knock came from the door, Komms' voice following it.

"Yuri?... Please open the door, I just want tae speak wi ye..."

She remained silent, other than her chokes and whimpers.

"None eh this is your fault... I love ye fur who ye are, that includes that side eh ye... Please, Doll...Open the door?..."

She tried to formulate a response, her cries bellowing through the room for another time before she spoke.

"H...How can you love this?..." She blurted.

"How dea ye mean, How can I love you? You're gorgeous, inside and out! Yer habbits, yer love, Yer the best hing I could eh asked fur and I didny even have tae ask! I just had tae be patient! I'm no where near through being patient, lass! Whatever it takes tae make you feel better about yerself and everyhin ye dea... Please... open the door?..."

Komms 22 – 40

March 31st 2266 Jacinto Family Barracks

He stood against the door, leaning against it with a clenched fist.

"If you go for a walk, come back in ten minutes and you'll never see me again! You won't have to deal with my outbursts, oy anxiety or anything fucking ells! Do yourselves a favour and just let me go, it's not worth it!" She screamed back through the door.

"Am no goin no where, lass and neither are you! We're gonnea have a wee sit doon and a wee chat and we can talk aboot how we're gonnea make it better! Seein you like this breaks my heart, Darlin! I just want tae see ye happy!" He yelled back.

He heard the sound of her feet lamping against the ground towards the door, her voice quietly vibrating through the door.

"Please, tell me honestly... You aren't mad... or disgusted about what happened out there? You aren't going to belittle me, or look at me like I'm the freak that I am?... You aren't going to treat me how I should be treated? Like I'm mental?" She whimpered.

"I couldn'y do that even if I tried, sweetheart, I canny see ye as anyhing ells that what ye are, the most beautiful hing I've ever had the fortune tae lay my eyes on..."

He heard the lock on the door turn and the door creak open, Yuri's bloodshot tear ridden eye appearing through the gap, staring up at him.

"Y..Y.. mean it?..." She begged.

"Tae the stars and back, yer my Cinnamon Bun, my soft, sweet and spicy bundle of confused, messed up, book bound love! I need ye, Doll, I couldny dea this the now, wioot ye..." He said through the crack in the door, the tear in her eye swelling even further.-

She flung the door open inwards towards her, jumping through the doorway and latching onto him as she sobbed. "I'm so sorry! Please please please please please, forgive me!" She cried into his chest.

He gripped his arms around her, rubbing her back and scratching the back of her head. He stayed silent as he held her, Erin sitting there staring at the table, having a good idea of what's happened, experiencing something similar before. His mother stood, staring wide eyed at the two, speechless as to what's going on.

His bent his knees, grabbing her around the waist, standing back up and lifting her off the ground. He stepped into the bedroom, turning around a to close the door and glancing at his mothers confused expression as he closed it behind him. Her trousers dropped to her ankles as he carried her along, her head buried into his neck, rolling between it and his shoulder as she tried not to scream through her cries. He sat down on the bed, sitting her on his lap as he'd done four years prior.

He cuddled her into his chest as her head still set into his neck, hand around her back and one sat upon her lap. He shushed her as he rocked her back and forth, as she started to scream again and wail.

"How can you love this!? I can't do anything right! I just keep fucking things up for you, hell that was as close to rape as you could get!" She howled into his jacket.

"I can't do anything without just thinking of myself! I love you so much and I can't take the pain I cause you! The constant disappointment and strife I make you endure and suffer! First my own, the cretin Garcia! Then my own head! Your head, then again the heads of others! You broke every fucking thing that shoved me down and then started to harm your fucking self to make me feel something other than my own selfish habits that degrade your won fucking well being! Now we're back at the first fucking step!" She screamed again

He yet again remained silent, opting to try and let her scream herself out, thinking she was too full of adrenaline and too confused, or in such an anxiety ridden state that she might not understand what he said without the anxiety kicking in and making her doubt his reasoning.

He smiled as her voice lowered to a yell, the crackling tone of her voice notifying him of her inability to even scream. Her words reminding him of his love for her, a feeling of protection, even from herself. Her shamble of a thought process dignifying his actions and knocking home further reasons to try and help her realise her own dignity.

"I'm just a fuck up! I tried my hardest keeping up in training and yet again I let everyone down! I let you down! Falling behind on the courses, not knowing what to do in exercises! I can't even keep up with anyone on fucking track! I can't shoot, I can't patch a wound, I can't do fuck all! For a man so high in military prestige, you sure picked a girl with a distinct fucking lack of it! Even at school, I needed you to fight my fights, comfort me through what other people would have breezed through! How can you love having a burden this fucking big screw with your own gains!?" her voice slowly running out with each and every word.

She tried to speak again, but with his finger landing atop her lips distracting her long enough to realise she didn't have to continue. He understood her point, he understood how she was feeling. Useless, pathetic, weak, burden... So many other ways to describe it.

"Yuri?..." He asked, he voice as calm and unexpected to her as his unrelenting affection and understanding when they first met.

"Have you ever considered that I appreciate what you consider flaws?" He asked, non nonchalantly.

Her head cocked round to his face, his eyes unmoving and unblinking from hers.

"I can guarantee ye, the fact that ye kept up wi us and pushed yerseln tae yer limits in trainin, puts a fault tae yer reasoning. Fightin yer fights in school? Please, I might eh knocked the cunts teeth oot and pushed the cunts pushing you tae yer limits, tae their limits a few times, just showed you how to do the same. Ye want proof that yer no a failure? Look at yerseln, ye passed wi flyin colours fea trainin, aye, ye might eh had trouble tae start wi, but that's a few weeks eh practice, leadin tae ye passin. The pain I cause myseln tae gee ye pleasure, gees ees pleasure... Ye hink I wid let ye pull a blade across my fuckin wrists if I didny see the pleasure in yer eyes?"He said, as he began ringing her hair around his finger. "I deh care what the fuck ye hink is or isny gid about yerseln, cause I love every single hing ye see as a flaw, every single little detail, be it a stretch mark-" he said, bringing his hand down and running it under her shirt, letting his fingers jump between the slashes left by her skin, forming to her ever changing figure. "-Or every thought ye have, that might be against the norm, a thought that might be about me, that signals any obsession ye might have, or feeling ye have fur me or Erin. I'm captivated by every drop of blood, every tear, every wince and flicker eh yer lashes..."

She sat shaking in his arms, feeling his fingers work their way up her hair, scratching her head above and behind her ear. She felt the hairs on her legs stand on end in the cold room, as his fingers transferred to her earlobe, massaging it and moving around the rim of her ear.

"What you see as a flaw, I see as a beautiful intention... Every single strand eh hair, every little pore eh yer skin... Each part a beautifully sculpted masterpiece...". He moved his hand round to her chin rubbing the back of his finger up her neck and chin.

He felt the temperature of her neck start to rise, her cheeks blushing and her pupils dilating. She lifted her hand to his, lowering it to the bottom of her shirt, sliding it under it and her vest, placing his palm over her breast. She didn't say a word, the pounding of her heart speaking louder than her previous screams.

"Why is it that every single time I try to do anything, all I can see is the small mistakes... My mind blowing them out of proportions... You said you weren't phased by what I did... How?... I tired forcing you to let me... Well... You know...". She loosed her already loose grip on his hand, expecting his hand to drop from under her clothes. She gazed into his eyes, feeling his hand remain still upon her.

He looked through her, as if into every small electrical connection in her head.

"You see that beat?... the one dancing through my hand?-" He scrunched up his arm, bringing it around her side and taking her hand, placing it against his throat. Her face dropped, feeling the same beat tapping against her finger tips, that bounced through her head.

They sat staring at each other, their hands cemented to each other, the pounding breaking through their skin towards each other. "-You've got the other half eh my beatin heart, lass... Every time I look at ye, even in my worst times, all I can feel is my heart beatin in tandem wi yours...-" He leaned in, placing his mouth along side her ear. "If that doesny say tae you that we're twea halves eh the same drum... Then I deh ken how ells tae make ye understand how I feel aboot ye...", his voice strangely soft, compared to his regular rough and speedy tone.

He twisted himself on the bed, laying himself back against the mattress, leaning his head against the pillows, pulling her back with him, laying her down his chest and legs, His hand still on her chest as hers was to his neck.

A knock came through the door, after a brief silence another knock came in place of the first. The door handle slowly creaking round, light from the living room splitting a line through the darkness of the room, a head slowly appearing through the ever growing split in the doorway. Deciding to stay silent, seeing Komms staring at the ceiling and Yuri at the wall. She looked down at the floorboards, letting out a silent sigh, before she pulled her head back through the doorway, quietly clicking the door closed behind her.

He rubbed his hand up and down her side, his palm growing sweaty as the heat from her chest became almost unbearable. He found himself unable to move his hand though, the heat welding his hand in place, the pulse of her heart cracking through his skin to meet with his. Her head slowly dropped further into his chest, her ear entering the gap between his shirt, listing intently to the drum like beat.

"I...I still can't escape the feeling..." She said, her head settling further into her bedding.

"I need you... I can feel myself cooking from the inside out... I...I don't know what to do... I couldn't bare the thought of doing that again, bringing myself to that level..." She said, her voice quivering under it's own weight.

He slid his hand down to her belly, sliding it up to her side, then squeezing her against him.

"I don't know if it would be a gid idea the now, but I can at least try to submerge the feeling..."

He let off her side, sliding it to her hip and down her leg, then U turning at her knee in between her legs. Her head jumped, angling up at him as he slowly raised his fingers between the weight of her legs, edging closer to her. The side of his index finger ran into her underwear, sitting in place against her as she gazed unsure up at him. He rubbed back and forth, His fingers growing damp. He slid his fingers up her underwear, the tips of his fingers prying apart the bond between them and her skin. His fingers scratched their way through her hair, ringing it around his fingers before sliding past, feeling her lips against him. He rubbed along her smile, feeling a slight parting between them.

She shuddered, gasping as she felt him work his way closer to her heart, his fingers passing by her defences. She gripped onto his shirt as he entered her, her eyes clenching together, twitching as she felt his movements further inside.

He ran his fingers along the smooth material around them, retracting from her after every revolution of her mouth. He squeezed her between the folds and wrinkles of his palm, her sensitive skin slipping from between his grasp with her essence that puddled in his hand. He could smell the pheromones in the air, her body direly trying it's best to attract him further into her. His mind started going wild, wanting to rip the clothes from her and give her exactly what she was begging for, but he couldn't bring himself to.

His resistance to it causing his grip inside of her to tense, feeling her shake and grip on tighter to him, her nails digging through his shirt, into his skin, starting to tear it. He felt the small pools of blood form around the divots her nails sat in, the blood shaking with her. Her pulse became ever more present, the veins in her lining pounding, feeling like they were about to explode.

"I...Is this okay?... I don't want to keep going if you aren't enjoyin this..." He asked, his voice tensing with his grip.

He felt her pressing herself into his chest further, her face scraping against him in a nod, feeling her teeth join her hand in trying to tear at his shirt. She moaned lightly, beginning to pant. She thrust her hand down, placing it over her underwear, pushing his fingers inside faster, trying to get him to put more momentum into it. He pushed another finger up with the others, forcing it inside, fluttering the trio of appendages around. He placed his fingers in position, as if like a guitarist would finger the frets on his instrument. Her breathed, high pitched moans became more and more intense, the prints of his fingers starting to prune, gripping to her smooth and silky appearance, causing more friction, making her judder more and more.

Her whole body tensed, grabbing onto his skin, almost tearing it off as she came. Rapid pulses, surpassing even her heart rate, vibrating through every pore of her skin. He felt a rush of liquid run over his hand, a second and a third time, before she settled. Her body twitching and reverberating through her being. Her grip remained tight on him, her hand straining under the pressure.

"Does that feel better? Release a little tension?..." He asked, her jerky breathing, leaving an impression against his chest.

He felt her hand lay against the back of his, her heart rate still racing against his fingers, eventually dropping slowly, beat by beat. The sweat pouring from her face onto his chest, every drop feeling like spatter from a frying pan.

He pulled his hand from her, placing atop hers, curling his fingers in between hers, gripping them tightly, "You're the one... You'll always be the one... My heart... my soul... my everything... Will always by yours..." she said, gripping his fingers between hers, feeling her pulse dampen more as she gripped him tight against her, feeling her vibrations still ever present.

"No one could ever be a replacement for how I feel about you... I hope that makes sense for how I am towards Erin... There isn't another person on this wasteland ridden planet that could make me feel the same way I do when I'm with you, every time you lose control, even if I can't go through with it makes me feel like I'm the luckiest man in the world. That you lose all your senses and only focus on having me as close as humanly possible... I love you, Yuri... My Love..."

He lay with her on top of him, her fluids starting to chill in the cold air, making Yuri start to shiver. Everything she exuded soaking her underwear and his trousers, the smell of pheromones still ever present in the air.

He spun himself round on the covers, sitting himself up on the bed, keeping Yuri leaned into his chest, sitting on his lap.

He squeezed her fingers between his, pressing his lips against the top of her head, smelling her hair and resting his eyes for a moment.

"Komms?..."

"Aye, lass?" He replied, lifting his face from her head.

"I'm sorry..." She whimpered.

"Dinny be, there's nothin tae be sorry fur..."

"There is... This isn't exactly the easiest time... With what's happened... Yet your still here... Sitting worrying about me, instead of sitting through there, being with your mom... I shouldn't even be here, let alone be doing this..."

He placed his mouth back against the top of her head, taking a deep inhale and slowly breathing back out, kissing her head before he raised himself again.

"I should be through there... Making sure she's okay and that I'm there for her, but you should be here, being with your family... Remembering the lost... But maw?... She's a tough dame, she's seen a lot of loss, she knows how to deal with it and I'm sure she understands why I'm through here... Sure her and the auld man had moments like this before...And as for doing what you done... I ain't mad, I ain't disappointed... It just makes ees want tae hold ye and make sure you're happy..."

She lowered her head, rubbing it into his chest and pushing herself into him again. She placed her hand against his chest, feeling for a pulse, but it was too shallow to feel at this point, so she ringed her finger over where his heart would be.

"I hope you did enjoy that... Cause am no sure what ells I could do right now..."

Her finger stopped in place on his chest, gripping his hand on her lap, pressing his fingers against her crotch, closing her eyes and flattening her hand out on his chest again.

A knock came at the door, Erin's voice sounding through the door.

"I..Is it alright for me to come in?" She asked, her voice muffled by the door slightly.

"Aye, ye can come in, lass, no gonnea bite or anyhing." He responded, letting out a chuckle when he remembered the bite marks on his neck.

The door squeaked open, Erin's silhouetted head peering in. "Is everything okay? It's been quiet for a while..." She asked nervously.

Yuri looked at the foot of the bed, her eyes growing heavy. Komms glanced at Yuri, then back over to Erin, who was hanging through the doorway.

"Aye... We're doin alright, lass. Could you start up the shower fur ees? I hink we're gonnea need one."

"Yeah, sure..." She said, pulling a nervous smile and pulling back through the door.

He looked back down at Yuri, her eyes closed and just about sleeping. He shook her a little, her eyes firing open and looking around a little.

"C'mon, lass, lets get ye oot them clothes, cause as much as I love your... natural fragrance, I hink we need a wee wash." he said as he lowered his head, placing his forehead against hers.

She leaned forward, grabbing the laces of her boots and puling them undone, loosening them down the ankle and pulling them off. She placed a hand on his shoulder, pushing herself up to her feet and letting her trousers drop off from her ankles, toeing her socks off. Komms stood up, pulling his jacket off and placing it on a hook on the wall, pulling off his shirt and looking at the teeth marks on his neck in the mirror. He ran his fingers over them, her face twitching and quickly pulling his hand from his skin, rubbing his fingers over it again, now knowing the kind of pain it caused.

He looked down at his damp trousers, Yuri's discharge soaking them, the scent following him around the room. He kicked off his boots, pulling his trousers and boxers off as well. He reached down, thumbing off his socks as he leaned against the wall, suddenly feeling a slight shock, as Yuri delivered a slap to his bare backside. He slowly turned his head towards her, an overly exaggerated look of disgust etched across his face, finding Yuri's overtly innocent looking face glancing up at him with her head tilted down. His expression slowly changed, patting her on the head before head opened the closet, pulling out a couple towels from the shelf. He wrapped one around his waist, handing one over to Yuri, who threw it over her shoulder as she pulled off her pants, throwing them next to her trousers, wrapping the towel around her chest.

He pinched her cheek, "You head through fur a shooer first, I'll head through after ye."

Yuri looked a bit confused, raising a brow, "Can we not just go through together? I mean, we've been showering together for basically the past two years at the least..." Her expression dampened, "Do you not want to be with me right now?... after what happened..." She said, starting to stare into space.

He laughed, "Nah, lass,if it were just us and even Erin in the hoos it wid be fine, but I hink it wid be a bit weird if anything were tae upscaled fea what already happened wi my maw in the next room.", he said as he patter her on the head again.

"Ohhh!" She exclaimed, her expression lightening up again, she pulled a smile as she cocked her head to the side. "I won't be too long then-" She stood on her tip toes and pecked him on the lips, "-I shant be too long, love!" She ran the back of a curled finger up the underside of his jaw, scratching his chin, "Keep that charm of yours warm for me." She said, as she turned and walked towards the door, turning and smiling at him as she walked out the door.

He sat down on the bed again, stretching his eyes and running his hands over his face and back through his hair as the door knocked again. "Honey? Is it okay if I come in?" Came his mothers voice.

"Aye, go fur it!" he answered.

The door opened partly, his mother setting a foot in the room, looking at the blood that still stained his face and the drips down his chest. "I think we need to talk, honey..." she said, cautiously

"I've been hinkin the same, I guess there are a few hings I've never really telt ye... Has Erin said anything yet?" He asked, half expecting Erin to have told here one or two details she felt comfortable answering.

She stepped in, closing the door behind her, "No, I got the feeling she knew at least something to do with what's happening, but I didn't want to get her mixed up in anything she already wasn't in...", she said, as she slowly stepped towards him, passing him and sitting on the bed, next to him."

Sitting down, she looked up his arms and the scars that covered them, her eyes switching to the slash that lay across his left forearm. "I see why you always wore long sleeves around me and you're father... I'm not sure what his reaction would have been to that either... I can't tell you how to live your life, Dear, but it can't be healthy..." She said as she placed her hand on his arm, feeling the scars.

"I know, maw... I canny explain how it feels without sounding... Lets be honest, like a complete fucking freak, so it's probably best side stepping that part... But what is there I could tell you... That I could reasonably ecplain?"

His mother gazed up to his neck and the puncture marks, "You need to clean that, or it's going to get infected... But please... just tell me when you started and... why?... if you can..."

He sighed, sitting up straight and running his hand over the blood clotted slash on his arm.

"on her 15th... That's when I foond oot... A couple days after the first time we found out about the locust, when dad... got clawed across the chest... I went through to make some food, we hadn't eaten in a day or two, just kinda sat on the bed wi a gun on the door the whole time. I came back through and she had her sleeve up, pulling the knife across her wrist. She panicked and flung her arm under the covers, I sat doon, put the food on the table and pulled her sleeve up. That were also the day I foond oot aboot her... Obsessive... personality. She never got close to folk when she were younger, her forward and... lets just say creepy or possessive traits scared a lot eh folk away, realising this, she shunned herself, refused to talk or interact wi folk. The anxiety of trying not to come across as different or weird was just too much,doin this though, she became the quiet yin, unable to speak wi folk and getting bullied for it regardless, even though she never actively done anythin wrong, just sat and read her books, minding her own business, still getting extremely anxious and scared when she talked wi folk.-" He looked at the closet and the wall as he spoke, his mother keeping a keen eye on his expressions, trying to read between the lines.

"But I foond oot, that she had been showing those signs again when I started talkin tae her. Apparently I were oblivious tae it, I just took her for her quirks and talked tae her like a normal person. She grew attached and she just fell fur ees... She wanted ees close... Even though we were goin oot at the time, it were a bit tae close fur my comfort. She's been cutting for a long time before that, and she cut me... I guess... a k..kink... You could say, by this point..." He looked round at Lex, who was listening attentively, "Am no sure if this is getting a little weird tae talk aboot the now, so... just stop ees if... You know...".

His mother placed a hand on his shoulder, "It's not my place to judge. I might find it weird or maybe even wrong at certain points... But it's not my call. I would've said something back then, but you're grown adults who have to make your own choices now."

He nodded his head appreciatively, "Well... Fuck it, long story short, she likes blood..." He fired, looking away from her, "She has a bit eh a... thing where she kinda... Gets lost in her urges, she looses sight of what she's doing and her drive just takes over, she can't hear why you sya, understand what she does hear and she just looses it... " He pointed to the bite on his neck, "That's what happened oot there.. We hadny had much time tae oorselves for the past while, so we were both a bit pent up and we were indulging a little." He said raising his arm, showing the slash again.

"Her blood raised, she started burning up and she couldny take it. She just wanted it so badly... Tae be that close wi ees again... She opened my jacket, made another little incision and got tae it. When I tried tae say it wasny the best place tae actually dae it, she were already lost..." He paused, biting his lip. "I deh need tae go intea those details. That's between me and her. Put briefly, in other folks eyes she's a freak... In my eyes she's a fucking angel! She has her quirks and and kinks but I fuckin love each and every fuckin yin eh'em! Why can folk just bastardin nea leave her alane tae dae her hing!? She fuckin tries and every fuckin time she-" His mother placed her hand on his, squeezing it tight, bringing him around from his rant as he started to yell.

"It's okay, Dear... I get the picture, she's unique in a sense and you love her for it... It's not my place to nor my wishes tae do anything about that. Just having someone burst in the house covered in blood and locking themselves in a room, screaming their head off is... Concerning, when you don't know about anything. Just... When you've washed up, let me give that bite a proper clean and that cut might need stitches.". She kissed him on the cheek, cuddling him for a minute.

She stood up again, walking towards the door,"I love you both, Dear, this doesn't change that. I'm just glad I know what's going on... and one other thing-" She said, her tone picking up and raising caution on Komms' face.

"I know that smell, just don't have it lingering through the whole house!" She said, jokingly as she winked at him, closing the door behind her.

He let out a breathed laugh, glancing at his trousers and Yuri's pants that lay on the floor next to his foot. He looked at his hand, raising it to his face and taking a sniff, getting an almost overwhelming scent of her. He smirked and shook his head. He heard the shower turn off in the next room, the door opening and closing to the bathroom and the door handle turn as Yuri opened the door. She turned towards the door as she closed it, holding her towel up with one hand. She turned to look at him for a second, she sighed, looking down the wood grain of the door. He stood up from the bed, "Everythin alright, Love?" He said, feeling some tension grow in the air, she turned towards him, a tear forming in her eye again. She ran towards him, dropping her towel as she reached him, swinging her arms out and around him. She clasped herself around him, trying not to sob again.

"I heard what you said... Do you really think that?..." She mumbled.

"Every word eh it, lass." He said as he kissed the top of her head.

She squeezed him tight, feeling her piercings dig into his torso. She stepped back, looking up at him. She wiped her eye, sniffling a little, "Go get your shower, we need to get that cleaned..." she said, trying to contain her emotions.

He smiled, leaning down and kissing her neck as he passed her, "Wilny be but a bit." He said as he reached the door.

When he came out the shower, he came into the living room to see the three women sat drinking coffee again, laughing between each other. "Oh he didn't did he?!" Laughed lex, asking towards Erin.

"Yeah! He threw her up to the top of the wall and she went clean over the other side! Face first in the mud!" She laughed.

Yuri sat there giggling, remembering back to some of the shenanigans they'd got up to in training. Flying over things, crashing into other things.

Erin jolted her head round to Komms as he entered the room. "Hey Komms, you mind that time you put Morris on his ass!?"

He angled his eyes trying to think of the time she was on about, eventually coming round to it.

"Oh, aye! bout a year ago when we were doing bayonet training! He were on the other side eh the brush next to the targets, every cunt came crashing through and I smashed right intea him, sendin hi intea the river!" He joked. Erin fell back in her seat laughing, "You should of seen his face, balls deep in, like, minus 8 water, he was fucking livid!"

He laughed with them as he walked past them towards the bedroom, opening the door and shaking his head as he want through. He dried himself off, grabbing some clean trousers and boxers. He shoved his socks and boots on, throwing on a vest and tightening his belt before going back through. He noticed the fire was roaring again, the girls must have brought some wood in, something he neglected to do the last time he went out. He took a seat next to Erin who was trying to catch her breath again, too much laughing for her own good,

He sat back smiling, looking around at the women that sat around him. "Komms. Is it about time we give that bite a clean?", asked his mother, wiping her eye of a tear as she finished laughing.

"Aye, probably for the best." He said, smiling at the wall.

Lex stood up, walking through to the kitchen and going through a cupboard. She returned with a first aid kit in her hand, along with a glass bottle. She asked if he could swap seats with Yuri for a second, both of them obliging and trading places. Lex sat down next to him, pulling on a pair of rubber gloves and picking up a cloth, dowsing it with the contents of the glass bottle.

She reached up the the bite on his neck with the cloth, placing it over the wound and pressing down. He let in s small sharp inhale through his teeth, not expecting it to sting as much.

"Oh deh be a big girls blouse!" He laughed, "You're as bad as your father!" She said, stopping what she was doing right as she said it. Her mood dropping substantially, looking down at Komms knee. She shook it off, pressing on with the cloth again and rubbing it over each little puncture mark.

Yuri and Erin sat on the other couch silent, Not really sure what to say.

"Here, Yuri?" Komms asked, Yuri perking her head up.

"Hmm?" She hummed.

"Any yin evert telt ye how sharp yer teeth are? Cause fuck me that's gonnea leave a mark!" He said, Yuri dropped her head to the side, filling herself wi regret.

She glanced back up at him, seeing the grion pulled across his face.

"just keep the biting under shirt level, aye?" He asked, his mother stopping and looking up at him, seeing his grin she giggled.

Komms peered down at her, seeing her reaction, "What you laughing at, eh? You used tae dae that yerseln or somethin?" He said, putting on an exaggerated serous but offended tone.

"She blushed a little, "How dare you ask that of your mother!? And what would make you think that!?" She asked, her tone sounding a bit bashful.

Komms pulled a surprised expression, "OOOoooohhhh, I think we have a slight hypocrite on oor hands here!" pulling a humoured tone.

The two girls on the other couch laughed, Lex looking back up at him again, grabbing the glass bottle and pouring the liquid onto the wound. Komms' face changed yet again, a look of shock pulling across his face.

"What was that again?" She asked, sarcastically.

"N..Nothing, Mother!..." He whelped.

She pulled an evil grin, looking round at the girls, who chuckled on. She put the cloth down on the table, pulling out a small tub and using her gloved finger to wipe some of the viscous liquid inside over the bite. She then opened a small piece of gauze, and taping it over.

"Right that should do that, now lets have a look at that arm then." She said, standing up and walking around him. He shimmied over on the couch, holding his arm out in front of Lex, who placed it down on her knee. She took the cloth again, dousing some more liquid from the bottle on it, then rubbing it over the slash. Expecting the burn, he sat through it this time.

She ran the cloth along the cut, making sure to cover everything with the liquid. She let go of his arm, putting the cloth down and pulling out a small tube, willed with a clear liquid, a bunch of needles sunken at the bottom. She pulled out one of the needles, taking some stitching thread and tying it up and pressing it against the skin around the edge of the cut, pushing it through the skin and then the skin on the other side of the wound, pulling it through. She pulled a length of the thread through, pulling it over and pressing it through again.

She continued sewing up his arm. While he sat there watching her do so. He noticed Yuri sat watching her procedure, almost captivated by it.

"Ye better no be getting any mare idea's by this, lass!" He blurted.

Yuri's head jolted up, getting a fright as she'd spaced out watching it. She lowered her head, turning it to the side and looking at him with a blush and an innocent grin. He pushed his lips up, angling his eyes at her, getting an even more innocent look in return.