Dylan and Tyr stumbled to a stop and both men leaned over gasping for breath. They had made it out of the city and into the countryside but there seemed few places to seek cover.
"We can't stop here. Those caves ...they'll provide cover," Tyr breathed heavily and Dylan nodded in agreement before they began the trek again.
Both men collapsed against the cave walls, breathing hard ragged breaths. They said nothing but watched the smoke plummet from the sky over the city and watched as ship after ship made their attack runs.
"Do we know who the attackers are?" Tyr asked quietly.
Dylan shook his head, "No. Probably another thing the Randamals forgot to tell me. Seems a good motivator to join the Commonwealth though, doesn't it."
"They must have suspected this attack, probably why they wanted to rush the vote, well that and they were worried you'd expire before the deal was set." And Tyr's eyes lanced into Dylan's and Dylan felt the Neitzschean's censure.
Dylan went on the defensive. "Damn it, Tyr! I didn't suspect anything! You think I lied to you about being fine!? I felt fine!"
"You felt fine?!" Tyr mocked, "How can you be so naïve!? You think everyone has your best interest in mind?!"
"I'm sorry! This is the first time I've been conned by my health care provider. Next time I'll ask for a second opinion," Dylan sallied back.
This only further angered the Nietzschean. When he finally spoke his tone was deadly quiet, "You think this a game, Dylan? Do you think you earn points for valor?"
"Valor?!" Dylan snorted, "That word's obsolete, Tyr, as is it's sentiment."
Dylan's response severed Tyr's last reserves. With reflexes almost faster than the eye, Tyr breached the distance between he and Dylan, grabbed Hunt's shirt front and yanked Dylan off the wall to be eye to eye with him. "Can't you let yourself be anything other than the invincible soldier?!"
Tyr was unprepared for Dylan's gruff answer, "No, I can't!"
Understanding grew in Tyr, "Because you believe that is all you are now, a soldier." Suddenly the censure left Tyr. "You and I are not so different," he admitted as he eased Dylan back against the wall. A moment later Tyr pointed at Dylan with an accusation, "But no one rivals you for stubbornness!"
"Oh, I think you're a close second," Dylan quipped earning him a smile from Tyr.
The two men again focused on the attack.
"That appears to be a transport for troops," Tyr surmised as he pointed to a larger ship heading for the city. "Looks like the Randamals' enemies are not satisfied with destruction alone."
"Great, an invasion," Dylan sighed.
Tyr met Dylan's eyes, "If they secure the city, their next conquest will be here."
"I guess we better put as much distance between us and civilization as we can before night fall."
Both men stood at the same time and headed out of the cave. They surveyed the landscape with disdain.
"So what's your vote? Swampy marshes or ice covered mountains?" Dylan questioned.
"I've always been partial to higher ground," Tyr offered and looked to see Dylan's reaction.
Dylan gave a nod of this head, "High ground it is," and the two soldiers began the trek toward the high mountains.
The mountains weren't so sheer that they didn't have trails, trouble was, the trails were steep.
Under normal circumstances, Dylan would have tackled the trail with gusto but circumstances were far from normal. He was on a planet that was being invaded, he had no way to leave, and his injury was starting to show it's true colors.
It had begun as a tinge of pain in his back but it was steadily growing to a maelstrom of agony. Each step was an achievement and yet he mentioned nothing to his traveling companion. He had even insisted on assuming the lead.
'Stubborn fool believes he is deceiving me,' Tyr silently chided. 'As if I don't know the painkillers are wearing off fast. It will serve him right if I let him push himself until he collapses and then let his carcass lie." But his actions the very next second contradicted his resolve.
As the gravel under his foot gave way, Dylan struggled in vain to compensate. Only Tyr's quick action kept Dylan on his feet. But in wrapping his arm around Dylan's waist to steady the other man, Tyr connected solidly and unmercifully with Dylan's injured back.
Crying out in pain, Dylan's strength faltered and without warning, Tyr found himself supporting Dylan instead of simply steadying him. Though Tyr could easily manage his hold on Dylan, he knew his grip only put Dylan in further agony.
With gentleness very few would expect, Tyr eased Dylan into a sitting position on the ground. Slipped his supportive grip to Dylan's shoulders, Tyr studied Dylan with concern. Hunt had his eyes clamped shut, was breathing shallowly and was as pale as Tyr had ever seen him.
"You need to rest," Tyr quietly stated. He was not surprised by Dylan's denial.
"No," Dylan began and opened his eyes to see Tyr crouched beside him. "Not until we're under shelter for the night." And Dylan made to stand up but Tyr's supportive grip turned restrictive.
Searing his look into Dylan, Tyr stated, "I know the pain killers are wearing off."
Sensing that he had no deniability, Dylan played a different card. Putting on a carefree tone, he admitted, "Yeah, and boy I wish I hadn't turned down that last dose of painkillers today."
"What? They offered you painkillers? Today?"
"Yea, while you were out chasing down my assassin. By the way, you never did explain how it is that you came back empty handed." And Dylan shot a questioning look to his weapons officer.
But Tyr wouldn't be so easily distracted. "Why'd you refuse the painkillers?" he angrily asked but a second later he supplied, "No, let me guess. Because you felt fine," his ridicule unmasked.
Dylan shot back, "You know my mother didn't nag me as much as you do!"
"Well, she obviously didn't have to risk her life to save you, time and time again," Tyr drawled.
With a sweep of his arms, Dylan dislocated Tyr's hold on him and ground out, "I didn't ask you to come here, to risk your life or to save me."
Tyr reacted with silence, making no move to reclaim his hold on Dylan. His reply was quiet as his look pierced into Dylan, "No, no you did not." Tyr then stood and refocused his gaze on the caves in the distance. "I'll scout ahead," then looking down at Dylan, "if that's OK with the Captain?"
"Fine," Dylan replied shortly and then Tyr spun on his heels and strode up the trail like it was the flattest of terrain. Dylan was struck harshly with the reality. To Tyr this terrain posed no challenge. Truth was had Tyr been traveling on his own, he would have been at the caves and had a roaring fire going by this time.
'Instead, he followed behind me like a parent trailing behind a crawling baby, without complaint, without frustration.' The Nietzschean's only possible motive pierced into Dylan's soul. 'Damn it, Hunt, why can't you accept that Tyr is offering you his friendship?!' But the answer screamed through Dylan's head - Rhade.
Tyr vented his anger with each stride that he made. He had been a fool to come here, to join in Hunt's Commonwealth crusade, to think that.... "You're such a fool, Anasazi," Tyr growled. "Grasping for things that are not worth your effort. Hunt is a fool and a fool's respect is worth nothing," and he finished bitterly, "as is his life."
TBC (Thanks to everyone who left a review for me!! Those reviews keep this story going!)
"We can't stop here. Those caves ...they'll provide cover," Tyr breathed heavily and Dylan nodded in agreement before they began the trek again.
Both men collapsed against the cave walls, breathing hard ragged breaths. They said nothing but watched the smoke plummet from the sky over the city and watched as ship after ship made their attack runs.
"Do we know who the attackers are?" Tyr asked quietly.
Dylan shook his head, "No. Probably another thing the Randamals forgot to tell me. Seems a good motivator to join the Commonwealth though, doesn't it."
"They must have suspected this attack, probably why they wanted to rush the vote, well that and they were worried you'd expire before the deal was set." And Tyr's eyes lanced into Dylan's and Dylan felt the Neitzschean's censure.
Dylan went on the defensive. "Damn it, Tyr! I didn't suspect anything! You think I lied to you about being fine!? I felt fine!"
"You felt fine?!" Tyr mocked, "How can you be so naïve!? You think everyone has your best interest in mind?!"
"I'm sorry! This is the first time I've been conned by my health care provider. Next time I'll ask for a second opinion," Dylan sallied back.
This only further angered the Nietzschean. When he finally spoke his tone was deadly quiet, "You think this a game, Dylan? Do you think you earn points for valor?"
"Valor?!" Dylan snorted, "That word's obsolete, Tyr, as is it's sentiment."
Dylan's response severed Tyr's last reserves. With reflexes almost faster than the eye, Tyr breached the distance between he and Dylan, grabbed Hunt's shirt front and yanked Dylan off the wall to be eye to eye with him. "Can't you let yourself be anything other than the invincible soldier?!"
Tyr was unprepared for Dylan's gruff answer, "No, I can't!"
Understanding grew in Tyr, "Because you believe that is all you are now, a soldier." Suddenly the censure left Tyr. "You and I are not so different," he admitted as he eased Dylan back against the wall. A moment later Tyr pointed at Dylan with an accusation, "But no one rivals you for stubbornness!"
"Oh, I think you're a close second," Dylan quipped earning him a smile from Tyr.
The two men again focused on the attack.
"That appears to be a transport for troops," Tyr surmised as he pointed to a larger ship heading for the city. "Looks like the Randamals' enemies are not satisfied with destruction alone."
"Great, an invasion," Dylan sighed.
Tyr met Dylan's eyes, "If they secure the city, their next conquest will be here."
"I guess we better put as much distance between us and civilization as we can before night fall."
Both men stood at the same time and headed out of the cave. They surveyed the landscape with disdain.
"So what's your vote? Swampy marshes or ice covered mountains?" Dylan questioned.
"I've always been partial to higher ground," Tyr offered and looked to see Dylan's reaction.
Dylan gave a nod of this head, "High ground it is," and the two soldiers began the trek toward the high mountains.
The mountains weren't so sheer that they didn't have trails, trouble was, the trails were steep.
Under normal circumstances, Dylan would have tackled the trail with gusto but circumstances were far from normal. He was on a planet that was being invaded, he had no way to leave, and his injury was starting to show it's true colors.
It had begun as a tinge of pain in his back but it was steadily growing to a maelstrom of agony. Each step was an achievement and yet he mentioned nothing to his traveling companion. He had even insisted on assuming the lead.
'Stubborn fool believes he is deceiving me,' Tyr silently chided. 'As if I don't know the painkillers are wearing off fast. It will serve him right if I let him push himself until he collapses and then let his carcass lie." But his actions the very next second contradicted his resolve.
As the gravel under his foot gave way, Dylan struggled in vain to compensate. Only Tyr's quick action kept Dylan on his feet. But in wrapping his arm around Dylan's waist to steady the other man, Tyr connected solidly and unmercifully with Dylan's injured back.
Crying out in pain, Dylan's strength faltered and without warning, Tyr found himself supporting Dylan instead of simply steadying him. Though Tyr could easily manage his hold on Dylan, he knew his grip only put Dylan in further agony.
With gentleness very few would expect, Tyr eased Dylan into a sitting position on the ground. Slipped his supportive grip to Dylan's shoulders, Tyr studied Dylan with concern. Hunt had his eyes clamped shut, was breathing shallowly and was as pale as Tyr had ever seen him.
"You need to rest," Tyr quietly stated. He was not surprised by Dylan's denial.
"No," Dylan began and opened his eyes to see Tyr crouched beside him. "Not until we're under shelter for the night." And Dylan made to stand up but Tyr's supportive grip turned restrictive.
Searing his look into Dylan, Tyr stated, "I know the pain killers are wearing off."
Sensing that he had no deniability, Dylan played a different card. Putting on a carefree tone, he admitted, "Yeah, and boy I wish I hadn't turned down that last dose of painkillers today."
"What? They offered you painkillers? Today?"
"Yea, while you were out chasing down my assassin. By the way, you never did explain how it is that you came back empty handed." And Dylan shot a questioning look to his weapons officer.
But Tyr wouldn't be so easily distracted. "Why'd you refuse the painkillers?" he angrily asked but a second later he supplied, "No, let me guess. Because you felt fine," his ridicule unmasked.
Dylan shot back, "You know my mother didn't nag me as much as you do!"
"Well, she obviously didn't have to risk her life to save you, time and time again," Tyr drawled.
With a sweep of his arms, Dylan dislocated Tyr's hold on him and ground out, "I didn't ask you to come here, to risk your life or to save me."
Tyr reacted with silence, making no move to reclaim his hold on Dylan. His reply was quiet as his look pierced into Dylan, "No, no you did not." Tyr then stood and refocused his gaze on the caves in the distance. "I'll scout ahead," then looking down at Dylan, "if that's OK with the Captain?"
"Fine," Dylan replied shortly and then Tyr spun on his heels and strode up the trail like it was the flattest of terrain. Dylan was struck harshly with the reality. To Tyr this terrain posed no challenge. Truth was had Tyr been traveling on his own, he would have been at the caves and had a roaring fire going by this time.
'Instead, he followed behind me like a parent trailing behind a crawling baby, without complaint, without frustration.' The Nietzschean's only possible motive pierced into Dylan's soul. 'Damn it, Hunt, why can't you accept that Tyr is offering you his friendship?!' But the answer screamed through Dylan's head - Rhade.
Tyr vented his anger with each stride that he made. He had been a fool to come here, to join in Hunt's Commonwealth crusade, to think that.... "You're such a fool, Anasazi," Tyr growled. "Grasping for things that are not worth your effort. Hunt is a fool and a fool's respect is worth nothing," and he finished bitterly, "as is his life."
TBC (Thanks to everyone who left a review for me!! Those reviews keep this story going!)