"Why are you doing this to us?" Snarled Ivan. "WHY?"

Without hesitation, the guards fired. Out of the barrels of the guns came metal barbs. They pierced the skin causing the two captives to spasm as electric current surged through their bodies. After the painful shocks had settled, both were left incapacitated lying in their own secretions.

Ivan was the first to regain awareness. He had been moved to an unfamiliar room. The walls were of thick steel with several strange medical instruments adorning them. A long metal table was in the center, covered in a blood stained sheet. Overhead, a large round light eliminated Alfred, who laid strapped to the top.

A heavy chain was secured around Ivan's neck. His arms had been amputated. Blood soaked bandages were wrapped around his shoulders, covering the crudely done sutures. He was dizzy from the lose of blood.

"Alfred." His voice was soft and meek.

"Ah-ow..." Groaned Alfred. He felt sick and his muscles ached. "Fuck."

Slowly his head turned towards Ivan's voice. Squinting to see, he could barely make out the blurry figure near the wall.

"Are you alright?" Ivan asked. Sweat was dripping from his forehead. He was running a high fever, most certainly from shock.

"Yeah, I think so. You?"

Alfred could not see past the metal bed. Ivan chuckled and sighed.

"Da."

"You sound cheerful." The American snuffed. "Get your ass over here and give me a hand."

Ivan smirked.

"They have me chained well."

"Well, break your bones like last time!" Alfred said annoyed.

It seemed Ivan was only secured by the single shackle about his neck. The elder man shifted his legs. Extended, he could almost touch a leg to the table Alfred was tethered to.

"I remember something now, about my little Anastasia. Her eyes, they were of the softest green. In that room, someone behind the glass brought back that memory." Whispered Ivan. "I wonder if that lovely creature still lives?"

It would be the loud mouthed American's fault if the beautiful lad was dead.

"Why don't you start worrying about our situation instead?"

One of the metal barbs was still lodged into Alfred's forearm, it glistened. The straps that held the youth were nothing more than thick cloth.

"Have you dislocated your shoulder before?"

The metal slab was on locked wheels.

"Once, while playing football. It hurt like a bitch." Grumbled Alfred. "I don't think I can do it on purpose."

Ivan pulled his legs close to his body.

"You need to shift all your weight to one side, towards me."

"Will that work?"

"Da, trust me." Ivan nodded with a reassuring smile.

Alfred jerked his body to one side, grunting. The table rocked, then, crashed to the ground. The American held his breath, holding back cries of pain. His shoulder had hit hard.

"Good boy." Ivan chuckled.

"Fuck you, bastard." Alfred said, wincing.

Carefully, using his toes, the Russian took hold of the barb in his arm. Alfred's eyes widened.

"Hush, do not scream. This will hurt." Ivan whispered calmly. Slowly, he pulled the metal object out of his comrade's flesh.

"Damn." Alfred cursed, clenching his teeth. "Do it."

With a sharp tug, the long barb was pulled free. Blood gushed from the hole it had made.

"Not so bad, was it?"

Alfred gave Ivan a cold glare.