I winced as I flexed my hands, the split skin and punctures still burning. I was supposed to have taken pain, meds, but I hadn't. Add that to the far more intense pain radiating from my left arm, and it was hard to focus. I let out a small sigh as I slipped a magazine into my pistol and pulled the slide back, watching as I released the slide and chambered the first round. My eyes stayed glued to the weapon for several minutes, it's scuffed and pitted frame bringing back countless memories, every scuff and scratch on the weapon telling a story of it's own. It was almost as though it was a tapestry of the life I had gone through.
I did my best to shake that thought from my head as I slipped the weapon into my holster, glancing at the shattered screen on the tactical device sitting on one of the shelves in my locker. As much as it would have been good to try and replace the device, it was hard to find the willpower to do so. I'd had it as long as my sidearm, and it was as storied as it was. That aside, most Cornerian devices didn't even have the capability to be translated into human languages, and would be forced to special order a device anyway. Even many of the files, such as music and images, would have to be converted into Cornerian counterparts. Something I had done on my own time with the ruined device, was painstakingly hunt down conversion programs that allowed me to send and receive messages and calls on Cornerian networks and human.
I quickly closed my locker door, using my handprint to lock it once more.
"Hawkins? The hell are you doing in, you got shot yesterday!?" Bradley was stepping between the rows of lockers, dressed and ready to work, just as I was.
"I could say the same about you."
"Well, I wasn't hit… so…" he made a rolling gesture with his hands, his body visibly trembling still.
"Well, let's get back to work." I walked out from the rows of lockers, linking up with Bradley.
Need to keep my mind off things anyway. I led the way into the elevator, riding all the way up to our floor before stepping out into the main area. Several of the officers immediately eyed the two of us as we moved by, headed for a desk near our briefing room.
"Hawkins, Bradley, my office, now!" The lieutenant was beckoning the two of them toward him from the main door to his office, myself leading the way once more. "Close the door behind you." He spoke as soon as we had entered, gesturing toward the seats across his desk as he sank into his own. We both immediately complied.
"What the hell are the two of you doing here!? I told you to stay home!" he was glaring daggers at both of us, his eyes bouncing back and forth.
"We are short staffed as it is sir, you need us still working." Bradley near immediately retorted with that.
"Bradley, you've never been shot at before today. Take some time off."
"All do respect sir, I've been shot at several times in my life. This is nothing new to me, I c-" I tried to sound calm as I spoke, but even I had to admit, I hadn't slept at all the night before.
"We all know you really mean 'kiss my ass'. You have even more reason to stay at home! You got shot yesterday!" he stood from his chair fast enough to send it slamming into the wall behind him. "And don't even get me started on how you handled yourself during that fight! You executed two of the suspects, and pummeled a third to a point that he may never wake up!" he nearly shouted at us, his glare entirely focused on me.
"That said… the media has been viewing this as a win for the police department. Despite the number of civilian casualties." His voice had dropped considerably, letting out a small sigh. "And I loathe to admit it, but I agree with them. We've had several instances of officers being gunned down in just the same way as they tried to do to you two yesterday, but the two of you are here, in my office. Not the morgue. And that's a win in my books right now."
"Sir, do you know why they opened fire? It seems too… random to have been a deliberate attack." Bradley spoke very quietly.
"We think it was a case of right place, wrong time. The van they were defending had at least two million in narcotics inside it. Personally, I think it was an exchange between supplier and sellers. And one of them saw the two of you and got jumpy."
"Makes sense. Pretty bold to be doing a hand off like that in broad daylight. Then again, they were packing some serious firepower. Where the hell did they get a Squad Automatic Weapon from?" I spoke as calmly as I could, the lieutenant letting out a small sigh.
"I'm not sure, we've been seeing a flood of human weaponry since the war ended on the black market. You could find them before but it was rare."
"Tell me about it… it was a bitch to get ammo for my rifle and handgun, still is, actually." I spoke without thinking, the lieutenant smirking at me.
"Well, be glad that human weapons aren't actually illegal here, otherwise, you would be in hot water for saying that. As it is, we've been trying to sniff out where these weapons are coming from, but it's currently unknown. Best guess is salvaged from the battlefields, but we've been seeing brand new equipment too." He let out another sigh, his expression finally softening. "In any case, both of you. Go. Home. Hawkins, you need to heal, and Bradley, you need to get your head back on straight. I don't want to see either of you back in here for at least another week."
"Roger that sir!" we spoke almost in unison, glancing at each other for a moment.
"Alright, dismissed, and get some rest."
We stood and saluted the lieutenant before turning and leaving the room, both of us remaining silent until we reached the elevator.
"So, Hawkins, you really good…? after all that... well… things…" Bradley was quiet, staring at the wall of the elevator.
"Yes. I'm fine. I just snapped a little in the heat of the moment."
"Why?" he finally turned his warm brown eyes on me, his eyebrows pressed together.
I let out a small sigh, not really feeling like telling him if I was honest with myself.
No real reason not to though. He had your back out there, even with how much of a panic he was in.
"That girl the primate took hostage… she reminded me of someone I know."
"Yeah… I guess that's fair. I'd have freaked out if that gal looked like my mother or something too." He looked away again, letting out a shuddering sigh.
"you were freaking out pretty badly already." I tried to give him a smirk, more to try and reassure him somehow, but I couldn't manage it.
"Yeah… that was fucking terrifying. And you used to do that shit for a living!?"
"Yeah, you get used to it after awhile. You did good though. Chatter boxing aside. You put effective fire on them, and I wouldn't have been able to move on them without you. So thanks. For covering my ass."
"Anytime man." As he spoke, the elevator doors opened, the two of us stepping out together. "Look, I don't want to be a bother, but you wanna go get a drink? I could use one. Maybe calm my nerves a bit…"
"No. sorry. I just want take my bike out for a long drive. Clear my head." I spoke as I reached the door for the locker room, opening it as soon as I got to it.
"Alright… I guess I'll find something to do then. If ya need something, gimme a call."
"Can't no phone still." Without realizing it, my voice had returned to the harsher, more direct tone I normally had.
"Right. Take care I guess my dude." As he spoke, we parted ways, headed for our separate lockers.
Fox startled slightly, his cell phone ringing on his desk. He quickly scooped the device up, remaining seated behind the desk. The number calling him wasn't one he recognized or recognized in his device. He let out a sigh but answered the device.
"Hello, Fox McCloud speaking." He boredly answered the device, so used to answering unknown numbers from his job as a mercenary that this was totally normal.
"Hi, uh, my name is Blake slate, I'm sorry to be calling you, I know you're retired and all…"
Wow, that's a first. Normally it's some sales call or someone looking for a contract… and where have I heard that name before?
"it's fine, I get calls all the time still. What did you need sir?" he kept his tone calm and even, how he would always talk with potential clients.
"It's Mira! I can't get ahold of her, she won't answer her phone! I know she's in her apartment right now, I can hear her through the door but she won't respond to me! She's really freaking me out right now! It's been days!" his voice blurted out of him, the rush to his words making his fear all the more evident.
"What!? What do you mean!?"
"It…It's exactly as it sounds! I'm outside her apartment now, I don't have a clue what to do!" his voice rose several octaves over the call, actually cracking in the speaker as it reached tones the device couldn't produce.
"Alright. I'll be over there shortly. Let me know if you reach her." Fox spoke quickly, nearly jumping out of his chair.
"Okay…" he heard the device hang up, immediately moving to pocket his phone. Before he could though, his right leg gave out on him, so suddenly that he was immediately dropped clean to the classroom floor. Pain shot through most of his body from the sudden impact, his phone skidding across the floor.
Damn it, that hurt! He propped himself back up on his elbows, his leg still totally numb. He let out a small sigh, crawling forward to check on the condition of his phone. Thankfully, the device was undamaged, Fox rolling into a sitting position to pocket the device. An idea hitting his mind stopped him before slipping it away. He unlocked the device, flicking through his tiny list of contacts to find Will's, quickly selecting it and calling. It immediately went to voice mail, Fox frowning.
Huh… strange, he never lets his phone die, or turns it off… guess I'll go see if he's home, his apartment is on the way to Mira's anyway… he let out a small sigh as he pocketed the phone, grimacing as his leg started to tingle. The sensation slowly grew into excruciating pain, Fox groaning as he massaged his leg.
As soon as he could feel his leg enough to put weight on it again, he got back to his feet, grabbing his cane before leaving the room. It took him much longer to navigate the halls of the academy, even with it nearly empty right now, his leg kept going numb on him, forcing him to stop and brace himself for several moments.
Once he reached his vehicle, he let out a small relieved sigh, resting there a moment before starting the engine up and peeling away from the academy's staff parking. In minutes, he was making his way across the city. It didn't take him very long to reach Will's apartment, just hoping he was there right now.
After a short walk through the parking garage and elevator ride, he found himself at Will's door, knocking as soon as he got there. The door was almost immediately answered, Fox startling slightly upon seeing Will.
He looked very pale, both of his eyes barely open. He also wasn't wearing a shirt at the moment, looking like he had just woken up. That said, Fox's eyes were immediately drawn to the bandage around Will's arm, and garbage strewn about the room.
"Hey Fox. Need something?" as tired as he seemed, he still sounded fairly alert.
"Well, it's Mira. She apparently hasn't come out of her apartment in days." Fox spoke as calmly as he could, though he knew he likely sounded extremely nervous, rubbing the back of his head.
"Oh… that's… odd." He went quiet for several moments, looking away from Fox. "I wonder if her call the other day has something to do with this…" he mumbled to himself, clearly lost in thought for a moment.
"So uh, why didn't you answer your phone earlier? And what's with the bandages too?" Fox gestured at the bandage on Will's arm, just noticing his hands were also bandaged.
"Oh… I got into a firefight what… three days ago? Got grazed and got into a fistfight with one of the suspects. I'm on admin leave for the week and my phone is busted."
"Oh… you attract those like lint at this point. Anyway, I thought you might be able to help me coax her out."
Will smirked a little, letting out a small chuckle. "You make it sound like we're dealing with a wild animal."
"Yeah, I guess I did. Anyway, think you can help?"
"yeah, I'll try. Go ahead and get going, I'll follow along shortly. Wanna get some clean clothes at least."
"Alright, see you there." Fox gently clapped his uninjured shoulder before turning and heading back toward his vehicle.
Mira clutched her blaster tightly in her hand, able to hear someone banging on the door, but she tried her best to ignore it. She was shaking uncontrollably, her eyes constantly scanning the small dark room for any sign of a threat. Her heart felt like it hadn't stopped pounding for days. She was utterly exhausted, but she forced her eyes to stay wide open. Her apartment was what most people would call excruciatingly tiny. The narrow rectangular room was barely wide enough to have any furniture and a walkway. It started with a small 'kitchen' by the entrance door with a single sink, one cabinet with a microwave suspended above it. Next to it was a tiny fridge. After that was a single seat table and chair, followed by some empty space, where she was currently sitting against the wall. After there was her bed, a tiny twin sized affair that left barely enough room to walk or open the door to the equally small closet across from it. The narrow apartment ended with a single window.
As tiny as the apartment was, it had been extremely affordable. And though she despised the communal bathroom facilities, and that she was surrounded by college students, it had been all she could afford before she joined Star Fox.
That said, it felt safer in the tiny, and currently dark, space than anywhere else she could think of on the planet. She hadn't moved from her where she now sat since her encounter with Midnight, her blaster charged and safety off. The only exception was sneaking her way to the bathroom a couple of times to relieve herself.
Her eyes slowly started drooping closed until her mind realized what was happening, forcing herself to jolt awake. She let out a shuddering sigh, her gut wringing up inside of her. Her entire body pulsed with pain, every muscle feeling like lead to her.
Despite how exhausted she felt, her mind was running non-stop, creating unending images of various ways Midnight could attack, and subsequently, kill her. Each one pulled from her multiple experiences on the battlefield, from the injuries she had seen, to those she had sustained herself. Her imagination was filling in the rest from that knowledge. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get her imagination to stop, each scenario making her shake worse and worse. Tears slowly soaked her fur, Mira not even making any attempts to stop them.
"Mira? Can you hear me in there?" she heard a muffled voice, snapping the weapon toward the door of the apartment. Her aim dipped and swayed, shaking hard enough that the sights were drifting off the door, despite the short range.
"Go away, or I'll shoot you!" she shouted that out, her voice cracking so badly that it barely was more than a croak.
"Mira, it's Fox. I can't hear you through the door. Let me in, whatever is going on, I can help you." Now that she heard the voice again, she recognized it as Fox's.
No! there's no way he can help! He can't fight in his condition, Midnight would just kill him too! I can't let that happen!
"Fox, Fuck off!" she managed to keep the cracks in her voice down enough to actually shout that time, keeping the weapon aimed relatively at the door.
"What!? Mira! I'm your friend! I can help you!"
"No. you can't. just go away Fox! Now!" she screamed that at the door, beginning to sob as she realized how alone she was. The weapon thumped onto the carpet as she lost the strength to continue holding it up, trying fruitlessly to wipe the tears from her face. She could hear muffled words through the door, but they were so faint that none were decipherable. Not that she even cared. She simply wanted them to go away.
"Mira…" one word echoed through the door, carrying through her room like a reverberating cannon shot.
Was that… no… he wouldn't… he was shot! I heard it! Her brain reeled in her skull, trying to find some way to deny who's voice she just heard.
"It's… Well, it's Will. Listen, I don't know what's going on, but I'm right here for you. If you don't want to talk, or if you want me to stay out, that's fine. I'm gonna sit right here, by your door, until you are willing to come out. So… take you're time okay?" his voice was quieter this time, even muffled, she could detect traces of his unease in his tones, his worry, and what seemed to be as much fear as she felt.
W-What do I do? Her mind raced, her imagination still in overdrive. But now, it was imagining scenarios where Midnight was attacking Will and herself together. And not one was she ending up killed. She gulped before she moved to stand up, still firmly clutching the blaster in her hand. As soon as she tried though, she found her leg muscles unresponsive, shaking and wobbling so badly that she thudded back onto the floor.
"Mira!? Are you alright!? Say something, I felt something hit the floor in there!" her heart leapt into her throat as she heard his worried shout, taking a deep and shaky breath.
"Y-Yeah…" she barely managed any volume with her shout, but judging by her door not being beaten down, Will had heard her. She slowly crawled her way to the door, sitting up against it the moment she got there. Just that short crawl had been both excruciating and exhausting, panting slightly as she rested against the wood.
"W-Will? I… I'm scared…" she spoke as loud as she dared, fear rising in her throat as she waited for a response. A moment later, she felt the door creak and shift, almost as though someone on the other side had leaned against it as well.
"It's okay to be afraid Mira. I can't help you if you don't tell me what's going on though." His voice was surprisingly clear, carrying to her side of the door with ease.
"M..m-m… he…." Mira struggled to get the name out, just the thought of saying it terrifying her. She quickly pulled her legs to her chest before burying her face in them fresh sobs ripping out of her.
"Okay. I get it. You can't say it right now. I'm still right here for you, for as long as you need me to be." His voice was very calm and gentle, Mira somehow able to feel the smile accompanying it. Of course, that was probably her imagination too. Even so, she believed she could feel it with all of her heart in that moment.
She let out several more shuddering sobs, all of her emotions cascading together into an unintelligible mass of incoherent thoughts rampaging through her mind. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't pull herself together enough to form any words, not even the thoughts for words.
"Mira…" he softly started, his voice dying before he could even finish saying her name. a soft sniffle echoed through the door, something about hearing it getting her mind to calm enough to think a little clearer, if only just.
"Wi-ill.. c-cc-can I s-sstay at your p-plac-ce tonight?"
"Of course Mira. I'm on admin leave for a few more days anyway, but you can come stay for as long as you like." His voice was soft and gentle again, exactly as it had been before.
She let out a shuddering sigh, deciding to let the blaster thump to the floor again before using the counter to help herself stand. Once on her feet, she found herself swaying uncontrollably, but stable enough that she could work the locking mechanisms for the door, quickly unlocking it. When she opened it, she found Will standing in the hallway, his riding jacket on, and his blaster on his side. He looked exhausted, but he gave her a small smile anyway.
"Glad to see that door open. You look terrible right now." He let out a small, playful chuckle, his smile remaining in place for her.
She quietly nodded in agreement with him, nearly collapsing right there as her exhaustion threatened to take over. Before she knew it, she had slumped over, his arms snaking under her's to catch her and pull her into a gentle embrace.
The next thing she knew, the light was on, and she was lying on her bed. The closet was open, and Will was standing before her, slowly stuffing outfits into her small back pack for her. Her blaster was barely visible, tucked into the back of Will's pants, and only when he stooped over to grab something.
"D-Don't let me sleep… please…" she reached out for him as she spoke, gently grabbing the denim of his pants.
He stopped what he was doing to crouch before her, clutching the hand she had used in both of his. "It's okay Mira, sleep. You need it. I promise you, I will keep you safe, okay? You don't have to be afraid." He smiled broadly to her, gently rubbing her hand with one of his thumbs.
"Promise… Promise me you won't fall asleep while I am… please?" Tears stung her eyes, barely managing to whisper that. Her gut was tying itself into knots once more.
"I promise Mira." He answered without a moment of hesitation. "Now sleep, okay?" he placed a hand on her shoulder now, giving it a gentle squeeze.
She took in a deep breath before gently nodding, letting her eyes close once more. She could feel him gently rubbing her shoulder and hand, never losing that sensation while she slipped off into sleep once more.