?, Chang'An AO, one day later...

Browning slowly opened his eyes. His vision, although initially blurry, began to clear up as he started to take in his surroundings. It was dark.

The room he was in was nearly pitch black as he tried to find anything resembling a ceiling or a wall. His body was constrained in a rather primitive "chained to the wall" set-up, disallowing any sort of movement from him except for a step or two from the wall that he was chained to. His feet were aching, and his wrists were beginning to hurt as the rough chains kept rubbing up against them.

Where the fuck is this? Where the fuck am I? Where the fuck is Renamon?! Jon thought to himself as he began to panic slightly. He didn't have a single clue where he was and the fact that he was chained up like a dog told him that where ever he was, he was obviously not being kept as a guest.

The lights in the room lit up rather slowly. They were dim, but at least now Browning was able to see what else was in the room. There was a chair and then all around him were just concrete walls, almost as if it were an interrogation room. The room obviously wasn't maintained well. The concrete walls had numerous cracks on them and the roof looked as if it were about to give in at any moment.

His senses keen, Browning could faintly hear some rather incoherent speech coming from an old and very rusted metal door to his left. It wasn't English. He knew exactly what kind of position he was in now. He was a POW at the hands of (probably) that enemy platoon that he was fighting only a couple days ago.

"Shit, how the fuck did they get me? How the hell did they know where I was?" Small droplets of sweat began to form on his brow as he pulled on the chains slightly, hoping to weaken them and eventually break free. The chains however, were rooted to the wall by two metal plates. Whoever designed the thing was clearly a dumbass, because the plates were screwed into the wall and in plain sight. Unfortunately for him, he didn't have a screwdriver so that fact was meaningless.

The Scout looked around for something to get a hold of but he couldn't find a single thing except for a small rock that was on the other side of the room. It was meaningless, he wasn't escaping anytime soon.

Still he pulled on the chains, his human instinct to become free over-rode his logical mind as he pulled and pulled to no avail.

Creak... the door opened as a rather aged Chinese man stepped in. His face had many wrinkles and his eyes were squinted to the point where it looked as if he had them closed. He wore an officer's cap that was rather old-fashioned and had a uniform that was adorned with multiple different badges and rewards. Probably the platoon's CO or something, Jon thought to himself as he looked at the seemingly authoritative newcomer with disgust.

"It's your lucky day, we don't normally keep prisoners of war, especially American dogs like you. Generally we just have you... "put down like dogs" as you Americans say.

"Put down like A dog you dumbass. The difference is that we Americans actually know a little about simple grammar unlike you, even if English isn't your first language."

The Colonel punched him in his undefended gut as a frown appeared on his face. Jon coughed uncontrollably for a few seconds as the air left him.

"I don't really think you are in position to be making joke like that silly American. Are you not the one who is chained up to wall like dog? If I wanted to, I could do anything to you. I could beat the shit out you or something even more depraved like have my men come in and... 'teach you a lesson.' I have all the power here, you have nothing. There is nothing you can do to me. But, I'm feeling generous today okay? You should feel lucky, I am usually not generous person willing to give out anything. Also, everything in this world has a price. I will let you free, absolutely free. In fact, I may even free weird fox. And so, I will offer you something you may not want to refuse..."

"You're a moron okay? So let me tell you something first. I'm a nationalist, and you won't get shit from me, so you might as well put the bullet in my head now you stupid little piece of shit."

Just a second later, Browning was staring down the barrel of an elegant Chinese pistol. It was a sleek pistol that spoke volumes of fine crafting. It was all gray except for the grip which had a beautiful wooden laminate. Its frame was angular, almost like something you would see from the Germans. The menacing hole that was the barrel was dark, concealing the killer bullet within that, if activated, would end Browning's rather short-lived life.

"Is that so American? Neverless, we won't kill you, we could use you for things later on. Will see you later American, hopefully you will change your mind." The older man left with a smile.

Browning's head hang low as reality slowly began to set in. His thoughts immediately turned to Renamon.

Shit I hope she's alright. If she goes that will be the end of me, I'll have no one...

Two hours later, the door opened again and in came a much younger looking soldier with a plate of food. He walked up to Jon and placed the plate of food on the floor besides his feet. He looked at the scout briefly, his face seemingly emotionless (or perhaps Browning was simply oblivious to the facial features of Asian people since he grow up in the deep south and never really encountered someone of Asian descent).

"American, I do not want to die."

"Nor do I, but I don't think I have much of a choice if my back-up doesn't come in time. I still have so what of a chance though. As for you? You're done. The Army will come rolling in here any day, and once that happens, this small village will be over-run and you'll all be shot. It's going to be glorious.." Jon smiled to himself as the thought of the PLA being massacred brought a small smile to his face.

The young soldier looked around before leaning in towards Browning's face. His mouth was just inches away from his hear as he whispered quietly to Jon... a proposal.

"Maybe we can do something? I can get you out of here and we can escape this. But you have to promise to keep me alive okay?"

Browning looked at him wearily, it sounded almost too good to be true. It sounded like a trap, and Browning was fucking tired of traps.

"You're full of shit, spare me the rest of the BS and just get the hell out of here. I don't have time to be talking to stupid little kids like you who have stars in their eyes. Go back toy our CO and be a good little slave okay?"

"I don't like him American! I don't want to die, I swear! I can get you out of here! I don't want to die by commander and I don't want to die by Americans! I just don't want to die! I'm too young!"

"Be here by 1 AM in the morning and no later, then I might consider your proposal."

The young soldier smiled as he began to walk away until Browning shouted at him, "Wait!"

"How is Ren-, how is the yellow fox creature doing? Is she okay?"

"She is good, the big leader is thinking of testing fox for certain things tomorrow."

Those bastards aren't going to lay a fucking finger on her, not a single fucking finger... So help me God, if they do anything to her, I will unleash hell upon them. I will unleash all of hell, even if it means that I will die.

"Thanks, remember to come here by 1 AM okay?"

The PLA soldier nodded as he left the dilapidated cell room. It was a promise for the young soldier. The only question now is if Browning was going to keep it.

1 AM the next day, Chang'An AO, ?...

The scout awoke as the rusted metal door squeaked open slowly and rather painfully. The young soldier he met earlier walked in with a shiny pair of keys in his hands.

In a second Browning was free, he examined his wrists and noted that after just one day they were dark red and hurting from all the rubbing with the chains. He looked on towards the exit, but he couldn't see anything from the lack of light.

"Thanks for helping me out. First, we have to save the yellow fox, she's an important figure to me and the rest of the Americans; she's a prototype of sorts."

The Chinese soldier stayed silent but nonetheless began to slowly walk towards the exit until he was out of sight. Jon followed him.

The two soldiers stealthily crawled their way throughout the entire compound as they searched for Renamon's holding cell. It wasn't until after 45 minutes of crawling did they finally find the room in which she was being held captive. However, unlike Browning's holding cell, Renamon's cell had a one-way mirror.

Her fur was slightly dirty and, like Browning, was chained to the wall. She was sleeping, but Browning could tell that life for her here had been rough since day 1. There was dried blood on her knees as well her cheeks and in some areas her fur was darkened to the point of almost being black.

Browning slowly opened the cell door as he crept inside. He slithered slowly towards Renamon's sleeping form before asking the Chinese soldier for the key.

The Chinese soldier complied and within seconds Renamon was freed and awakened. She looked at Browning as her face lit up.

"Let's get the fuck out of here and don't look back. Just follow me okay?" She nodded as the trio began to walk around the compound slowly.

"First order of business, kill the commander of the platoon. Second order of business, finish off the remaining troops. You'll be the only one to survive okay? You should feel lucky about that."

"But, what if the other soldiers want to come with us?" The young PLA soldier asked him, his eyes beginning to tear up in the dark.

"Too bad, I'm not bringing back a whole platoon. Besides, if I did, the Army would order many of them to be shot. This is total war, don't forget how this all happened you hear? Like I said before, just be glad that I'm even allowing you to come with me."

2 AM, Chang'An AO, ?...

It was a rather small and spartan room. There was a little old radio on the far side of the room from the door that was still on as Anti-American propaganda spewed from it at a low volume. The walls were a colorless white with many cracks in them. The corners had dust webs and insects regularly crawled throughout dusty, brown floor and even hopped into the bed. In the middle of the room was a small dirty mattress. The mattress as well as the covers above were both colored a rather beautiful, lush red. If one really thought about it, the bed seemed rather out of place given its pristine condition and beautiful red.

What seemed even more out of place however was the man sleeping in that mattress.

He was wearing comfortable looking pajamas as his closed eyes faced towards the dilapidated ceiling. Next to the man was a rather ornate uniform decorated with multiple badges and the flag of China. The most disturbing part about this whole scene... was that the man's face was bloodied and a hole had been drilled straight through his forehead.

3 AM, Dark foreboding forest...

The trio made its way to the HUMVEE in a rather lethargic way since they were all tired. Renamon was leaning on Browning's shoulder, because her knees were in pain, disallowing any sort of movement.

Renamon looked at Jon as she gave a faint smile. "Thank you for saving me back there in my time of need. I have not a single idea what would have happened if I had stayed there for even just one more day."

Jon returned the smile. "Don't worry about it, it's my duty as an American soldier to serve the American people as well as their allies, and for all I know, you're an ally of America."

They finally made it to the truck and sat down besides the destroyed vehicle. Jon looked inquisitively at the PLA soldier who had truly rescued all of them. So many questions floated around in his mind as he tried to understand the Chinese soldier. Why did he save us? He said it was because he was scared. But why was he scared? Does he know China is losing the war? Was his commander good? What are the Chinese planning? Too many questions to think about... I need to find out now, there's no time wait, this guy needs to spill the beans completely.

"Hey you, PLA soldier."

The young man raised his head and looked at Jon with a quizzical look.

"What's your name?"

"My name is... Zhang Wei."

"What's your rank?"

"I am... What Americans would consider... Uh... The low guys, the ones that just joined and fight in front lines."

"That'd most likely be a private or private first class or something. Anyways, what do you plan on doing when we get back to the camp?"

The former PLA soldier shrugged. In fact, the soldier was scared, he had no clue what was going to happen to him. For all he cared, this all could have been in vain. It's all dependent upon how the American forces take him in, if they take him in.

"It's up to you Americans... Tell me, would you help me? Can I de-depend on you to help me if I get in trouble? I don't want to die, I just want to go back to my farm and live with my family. I don't want to fight Americans and I don't want to fight my own people, I just want to live in peace on a little farm."

"Yeah I'll help ya. Don't worry bud, you're in good hands. I'll take care of you. That's a fact."

The young soldier smiled at Jon and Renamon as they all sat in silence. He was a happy youngling now and for all he knew, he made a couple of friends. He lied down and closed his eyes. A future filled with hope took over his imagination as he thought of the rice patties, his family, his friends, and his future wife, however she would look like. His life was in good hands, and soon, he'll be able to return to a normal life far from the political influence of any government.

Jon put out the little fire that illuminated their little camping spot besides the truck. He sat next to Renamon as he soother her anxiety by caressing her fur. It was soft, like the fur of a baby dog or fox. He continued to stroke her fur as he thought about his future and more importantly, her future. The PLA soldier was worried about his possibly being rejected by the boys back at base, a rather useless worry Browning chuckled to himself. His face turned more serious when he thought about what would happen when he brought back Renamon on top of having lost every other soldier within the fireteam. He knew for a fact that they'd inquire as to how his teammates all died, and he'd have to tell them that he was careless. But more importantly, how would they take in Renamon? What if they subjected her to the same standards that the PLA had subjected her to? What if she was ripped apart from his side and taken away to some sort of zoo or research laboratory?

There were dozens of possible outcomes that Browning could think of. Every one of them had a significant downside except for one. They simply accept her. He doubted that would ever be the case. They would probably put her in some sort of research laboratory; it scared him. She was all he had left at this point, and if she left him for whatever reason then he'd be nothing but a lonely man without any friends share his burdens with. He couldn't bare the thought any longer as he tried to focus on the task at hand.

He had to find a way to get back to base after he completed his mission. Obviously though, his first goal would be to finally complete the mission his team was given.

Picking up his MK1 Garand, he loaded a clip into the gun and pushed back the bolt, ensuring that it was loaded and ready to fire. He walked over to the sleeping form of the PLA soldier, the man who had saved him.

His face was serene. Like the Buddha, it portrayed a sort of happiness that could only be described as eternal. Never before had Jon himself smiled in such a way. His life had been nothing but pain all the way up until now. This man however, was a different case. His mouth was curved into a grand smile as he slept quietly on the cold forest floor. His cheeks were rather plump and his complexion was of a light brown. Behind that smile Jon could see everything. He could see the young soldier's ambitions to live in solitude. He could see the young soldier's longing for his home and family. For a second, he really did see everything. And for the next second, he could see the completion of his mission as the smoke rose from the barrel of his gun. A small thud sound had resonated throughout the forest.

The young Chinese soldier's face still looked serene despite the gaping hole in his forehead. It irked Browning. It irked him deeply. For a moment, he even regretted what he had done. For a moment...

He dragged the dead body 100 meters away from the HUMVEE camp site in a random direction and buried it.

"Thanks for all the help. Renamon is truly grateful for it."

With that he left the impromptu grave, however, not before he had spat on it.

He dragged his body towards the HUMVEE before finally laying down to sleep. His read was resting on his arms as he shivered the entire time before he finally went to sleep. It wasn't cold that night.

It wasn't cold that night at all...

More to come...