They did get some looks, but this was Macross, and officers of Breetai's fleet were often seen here, micronized, working with their counterparts in the RDF-- Sharin picked up no more than a few, and Boris was certain a good chunk of those looks she did get from the male population had little to do with her uniform.
"What did you think of the meeting?" Sharin said. Boris gave thanks that he wasn't privy to any classified discussions and so could tell her honestly.
"I think the stunt with the cannon ship could go well, or could backfire-- I'm certain some officers are arguing that you only gave it up because you have others." Sharin humphed.
"If I had that many, I wouldn't need to be negotiating right now…" She said. "But I want this to work. I want it to work badly-- but I won't give up the ability to defend myself." She paused, "But in asking if they can trust me, I'd like to see if I can trust them-- after this meeting, I would like to walk around Macross…"
"That's easy enough to do." Boris said, "Mom even packed another dress for you, just in case you wanted to go incognito."
"Another dress?", Sharin who had gone her entire career as a zentraedi commander without more than two sets of clothes, not counting her spacesuit, looked flummoxed. "How many dresses does a person need?"
"Some ladies could take the rest of the day answering that question," Boris said laughing, "however, I'll just say: lots."
Before Sharin could say anything else, an ensign came up to the two of them.
"Sir, Ma'am?" He said, "They're ready for you now."
"That was quick." Sharin said.
"A cannon ship lying around? I bet they scrambled an orbital squadron to go down and take a look at it."
Inside the room, Sharin noticed a difference. Many of the officers were quieter, Breetai had a small smile on his face, and Gloval looked like he had come to a decision. The bald general looked like he was about to explode, a sight that would have dearly pleased Sharin.
"Commander Sharin." Gloval said, in a voice reminding her of Boris's father, "We have completed a survey of the monitor, and have confirmed what you said. It is functional, unmanned and now in our possession." He smiled, "That has, with a few exceptions, convinced us of your bonafides."
Leonard glared at them impartially.
"Therefore," Gloval continued, "we have decided to, in principle accept your proposal." Sharin nodded.
"What does, "In principle", cover?" She asked politely.
"The idea of an independent zentraedi enclave, associated with the UEG by trade and legal ties…as long as you do not associate with the enemies of the UEG."
"And who would those be?" Sharin asked. "Bandits? Certainly. Rogue Zentraedi, yes. But what about the other independent states, or independent zentraedi? I will not agree to turn out a zentraedi or refuse to deal with him because he defended himself."
"However, we would have to ask, would any zentraedi be considered rogue in your eyes?" A colonel asked.
"Yes." She said unflinchingly. "If you have recordings, or other proof that they launched unprovoked attacks on military forces, or any attacks on unarmed micronian settlements, they will have no sanctuary with us." She paused, "We will, however, continue to trade with other states, of course."
"Ah." Another officer spoke up. "Our information is that you have a former UEG destroid construction facility in your possession, that you have been using to repair your own mecha and possibly construct new units." Sharin said nothing-- if the RDF didn't know what her capabilities were, she wasn't going to help them. "You would, ah, of course, transfer that to the RDF as part of any agreement."
"No." Sharin said. "You have a far greater production base-- and any production facilites that we might or might not have will remain ours." Boris grinned. Go get'em girl! He thought, than looked around to see if any potential mind readers among the brass had realized he was on the wrong side.
"You would, of course insure that the products of any hypothetical factories remain in the right hands." Gloval said.
"Of course-- any theoretical construction or modifications would be only for the defense of our enclave, no other purpose." Sharin replied.
After that, they started getting into the meat of the meeting. The RDF had decided to accept her existence, with a few hold outs, and now it was time to negotiate particulars. Whether or not RDF forces could enter the enclaves air space, either to pursue hostiles or for scheduled visits. The second was acceptable, the first required further negotiation… Sharin wasn't about to let a precedent like that go if she could avoid it. Whether or not they would pay taxes to the UEG, or be completely independent like other large splinter states. Sharin was caught by surprise, and demurred, stating only that she saw no reason why commerce between the enclave and the UEG should not fall under the same regulations as any other commerce.
Ouch. Boris thought, Better let her know that she needs to find some people skilled in trade if she's going to play in that arena.
Finally, at four, the meeting ended. There would be others, but even a matter such as an enclave of zentraedi couldn't justify holding so many high ranked officers from their duties for so long-- the later negotiations would be handled by a picked team-- including Gloval as head, and Sharin would eventually be replaced by a delegation from her subordinates. Boris brought that up as they were walking.
"Who are you going to pick to replace you?"
"I don't know-- possibly Sara, the comofficer, and a micronian or two." She shrugged, "I'm more pleased than I thought I would be-- they've accepted the concept of our existence, which is more than I thought they would."
"Well, handing over that cannon ship surprised them."
"As it was intended to." Boris waved at a room.
"There's a officers dress room in there…along with your dress if you want to explore the city." Sharin looked at him, and gave one of her increasingly common smiles to him.
"Certainly." Five minutes later, she was out in the dress that mother had chosen. Boris grinned at his mothers wisdom. It was a beautiful, but not frilly dress, the type that would work well with Sharin. She looked at herself, slightly uncomfortably, then walked to him.
"Is it…appropriate?"
"Quite." He said. Amazing. She could face more brass than he'd ever seen in one place without batting an eye, but the question of what type of dress to wear kept her uncertain.
The two walked off down the corrider, not noticing the video camera that kept them in sight the whole way.
***
"Disgusting." One individual said.
"Yes… but treason always is." He paused, "I had hoped that we'd been able to kill her, or send her packing to the rest of her brood, but…"
"I was disappointed in Leonard."
"Don't be-- he's a hammer looking for a nail…and this is a problem that needs another solution."
"don't tell me you intend to kill her in Macross!"
"Not with mecha…but there are other methods…and this agreement can only be ended by something that convinces both sides that there has been treachery…."
***
Boris and Sharin spent the rest of the day wandering through Macross. As the first re-established city in North America (that is, other than the small settlements that had missed being hit in the first place), it was a large city, closest to what the pre-bombardment cities had been. They walked through the streets, some already planted with saplings that would one day be shade trees, and stopped by a new museum, walking through while Boris pointed out various exhibits. At some point, he found his hand around Sharin's waist, and kept it there-- it seemed a comfortable setting, and Sharin seemed to like it, even leaning into him once or twice.
"These are cylinder seals." Boris said. "A collector in Macross had them, and they're probably the only ones left in the world." Sharin looked at them.
"How old are they?"
"Over five thousand years old."
"So many differences…" Sharin said.
"What?"
"Your people-- you are so different. The masters were all the same, zentraedi were all the same, but you-- you seem to pick a hundred different ways to do the same thing…"
"We're not a created culture," Boris said, shrugging. "Without someone telling us, everybody had to find their own best answer." Sharin nodded, deep in thought. Boris looked at his watch.
"Well," He said, "Almost seven-- want to catch dinner and go back home?"
"Won't someone get it for us?"
"Wh- oh, that's slang, we're not actually going to hunt dinner." Sharin nodded in understanding, and smiled. Boris had had a reason for wanting to go to dinner at seven-- that was when his reservations were set for. The 'Top Of The City' dining room was in the tallest building (other than the SDF-1) and was also one of the most expensive-- but Boris had decided on it, whether Sharin needed to commiserate about a failure or celebrate a success, not coincidentally, with Boris.
"When are you going to tell Tzarna and the others about today?" Boris asked as he pulled out Sharin's chair for her. Looking puzzled, the zentraedi allowed herself to be seated, then consulted the menu. Boris reminded himself it was in a good cause as he saw the prices. Sharin looked in confusion at the tremendous variety of the food. Boris smiled.
"The steak and shrimp is good here." He said. Sharin smiled at that and put her menu down, satisfied. Boris chose his food, thinking that at least pilots could eat in the commissary-- which he'd be doing a lot of to pay for this.
Between ordering and the food arriving, Boris and Sharin talked. Boris mentioned his youth, growing up, while Sharin spoke of her experiences-- no zentraedi could properly be said to have had a "youth" to speak of. Boris smiled at some of the other stories of her and Tzarna's on and off again conflict with her first commander.
"I'm surprised-- I'd never believe zentraedi would have screwball officious commanders like that."
"Than how do you explain Khyron?" She replied and they both laughed, Sharin looking surprised at herself. She paused for a moment, than.
"Boris." Boris looked at her,
"Yes."
"You said you would want to go to school if you didn't have to fight again."
"Yes?"
"If that were to happen, truly happen, to where the masters and the Invid came to peace or left you alone…what type of school would you go to?"
"Mmmm Engineering? Aeronautics? From what I've heard the Robotech Masters left a lot of the galaxy unexplored… maybe get together and go out to see what we could see?" He looked at her, "Why?"
"Because… I was wondering what I might do. I run the enclave-- but eventually it will be run by other individuals…and if that was the case, I was wondering what I might do." Boris blinked. Well, it was no surprise that Sharin wasn't one for small talk. "I can fight." She continued, "I can direct officers and troops-- but what about after?"
"What do you want to learn?" He asked. Sharin looked at him for a moment, honestly confused.
"I don't know…" She said,
"then take some survey courses." Boris told her, "Those are courses to tell you a little about a lot, so you can choose later." He said. Sharin nodded, "In any case, running a company and running a unit aren't as different as you might think." Boris looked up as one of the waiters came walking over to him.
"Sir, there is a phone call for you." He said. Boris frowned. Why now of all times…but it might be official.
"I'll take it in the office." He said, "Sharin?"
"I'll be fine-- there are no 'El burro's' here to attack me." The waiter blinked at that, Boris laughed and got up and went to the phone.
When he picked it up, there was an odd dead sound at the other end. Boris could tell it was a secure line.
"Hello?"
"this is a friendly warning…it might not be a good idea for your career to be seen in such close company with an enemy. Max and Miriya might be Gloval's pets-- you are not." The phone went dead. He glared at the phone and walked back to the table, sitting down. Sharin looked at him and frowned.
"Bad news?"
"Oh, just a wrong number…"
"To use your phrase 'bull' " She said. "You have exactly the same look on your face you did when we ran into the bandits, and then later when the veritech flew over us. What is it?" Boris sighed.
"Someone…disapproves of me being with you."
"Who?"
"They didn't give their name…" he said. She shrugged.
"Then they could be anyone who has seen us here tonight." Boris nodded, looking a little brighter.
"I suppose you're right." He said, but how many people here had a secure line?
Dinner ended, and he and Sharin left, the sun already going down-- it was high summer, but the nights got chilly quickly, with the removal of much of the plant life that had served as a heat sink. Half way to the car, Boris noticed that Sharin had leaned into him, and kicked himself.
"Sorry, I forgot how cold it could get up here." He said, and slipped his uniform jacket off, putting it over her. Nobody gave them any notice, just another officer and date, and Boris enjoyed the night, forgetting the phone call. The flight back home took only forty minutes, and then Boris and Sharin were walking up the steps to his parents house. Sharin abruptly stopped.
"Boris?" She asked.
"Yes?"
"I do not think that a veritech will land at this point."
A veritech land..what is she…oh … oh. Boris knew what she was referring to. He looked at her, and gently took her in his arms. Sharin didn't resist, didn't say anything.
When their lips met, Boris felt her shiver and give a tiny gasp. He bent down, kissing her, pulling her close, feeling the warmth of her lips, her trembling body under his, as her hands came up and encircled his back, pulling him close. He dropped his hands to the swell of her hips, bringing them down to her buttocks, pulling her up closer to him. Then, they broke it off, and Sharin looked at him, nearly gasping for air…before turning and running up the walkway to the house.
Boris raised his hand to stop her, than shook his head and walked after her. Sharin probably needed some time alone.
"Hope you didn't blow this, buddy boy." He said to himself.
Sharin flung herself into the bed, grabbing a pillow and curling around it. A moan escaped from her clenched jaw. She could get out after the negotiations…but Boris had been so strong, holding her in his arms leaning down and… And a small voice pointed out that his room was just down the hallway. Sharin gave a soft cry of anguish and curled into the pillow. Her whole body felt like it was on fire…but… and although she knew they were there, her mind couldn't remember any of the o-so-good reasons not to become involved with Boris. Except one-- that how could she do that and remain the leader of her people? Miriya had had Max…and betrayed her people. Virik and Mela were no leaders-- they had only themselves and their family to consider-- and at that thought another shudder ran through her body. She closed her eyes. A human would appeal to God-- she'd heard them do it enough, but the only gods involved with the zentraedi were the masters…and Sharin had long ago forsaken them. She did not fall asleep for a long, long time.
The next day, Sharin said little to Boris on the way to the meeting. The looks he got from her were a combination of uncertainty, longing and fear. Boris didn't even try to figure which emotion was in the ascendant. This time, when she entered a smaller office, there were only five generals and admirals, Gloval, a representative of the UEG, and Exedore, and the meeting was far more businesslike. In fact, before the end, they opened a link to the enclave, and started to work out communication protocols to insure that there would be no lapse in communication between Sharin's enclave and the UEG. At that point, the representative of the UEG spoke up.
"Commander Sharin…do you have any name for your enclave-- it's a bit awkward for the documents." Sharin paused, taken aback.
"No… We could call it by the name of my s-" She shrugged in surrender. "I don't know."
"How about New Macao?" Boris interjected, before realizing that the place of a lowly lieutenant was to be silent before his exalted superiors. Sharin looked at him and nodded.
"It is as good as name as any-- and it avoids inflaming passions by giving a zentraedi name to a human location… I doubt any of my officers will be overly attached to the name 'enclave'." She looked up at the screen where Sara and Korva were visible. "Log the change, Sara."
"Of course, Commander." Sara said. Sharin blinked.
"Where's Tzarna?"
"Working out her outrage at your giving away the cannon ship by drilling her squadrons…again." Sharin shrugged. That wasn't unusual. Korva continued.
"Of course she's running them out of armor, as a simulated infantry unit being attacked by simulated Invid, which are being played by troops in armor." That was unusual.
"Ah…" Sharin looked at the humans, Gloval looked amused, but than he worked with Breetai. "Remind her that personnel are not an unlimited supply any more."
"Of course, commander."
"Ahem, If I may interject." The UEG official, a mousy man that sat Sharin's teeth on edge even if he was the only person in the room shorter than her. "what form of government will you be adopting to insure proper representation for all members?"
"I have given a consideration to it." Sharin said, "It will be divided by ten-- ten voters will select one delegate, ten delegates will select their own delegate, and so on until we have a council of ten."
"Who will apportion votes? Will the delegates be segregated according to race? What about the executive authority? Will this council control the military apparatus of the enclave?" Sharin raised her hands in a warding off gesture.
"Sir, please! I have just agreed to end military control and you want me to give the entire new organization here? It will take time-- but I assure you it will happen-- if the UEG lives up to its promise to neither threaten nor intrude into our areas." The UEG delegate sat down, looking unsatisfied, but the other RDF officers looked somewhat happier.
"I agree." Gloval said. "This meeting has been more fruitful than any of us anticipated. I suggest, that we adjourn for today, and plan to have a public ceremony, assuming that any last minute difficulties don't arise, two days from now, on Friday." He paused, "This will be a simple notification that the UEG and the enclave of New Macao have agreed to a truce, with other issues to be worked out later. Does that meet with your approval, commander?"
"Yes-- I will communicate my acceptance to my officers, if you would allow me?"
"Certainly." Gloval said, and then led the officers in standing as Sharin left the room.
"There is far too much left vague in this treaty, Admiral!" The UEG rep said angrily. "We cannot accept it as is!"
"Calm yourself, councilor." Gloval said, "They have accepted the measures-- freedom of movement for micronians, an agreement not to support rogue zentraedi, and open trade that we needed to have for any peace-- in fact, they are probably more in compliance with UEG policy than some human governments I could name."
"But it sets a bad precedent?"
"What? That zentraedi who will negotiate with us in good faith will in turn receive good faith? That is an excellent precedent to set-- and one that I approve of. Good day, sir." Gloval said, and turned and left the delegate fuming.
Another conversation was being had in the com room. Sharin looked up at the split screen. One side had the bridge of the Tal with Korva, Sara, Zara and Tulka. Korva had the right to bring his own officers-- but most of his unit were willing to let their commander lead them where he would-- Sharin had seldom seen such complete trust in a commander, but than the commanders that had lead their ground units into combat with the Invid-- and out again, were a rare breed. Her XO, Zara had spent most of her time insuring their ships remained functional, her management duties transferred over to the entire enclave in partnership with Korva. Sara remained com officer, and Tulka now controlled all fixed weapons. The women had been with Sharin for over a decade, and Korva was quickly fitting in. The other side of the screen had a very, unhappy, sweaty, Tzarna, in light unpowered armor. Obviously, for this exercise, she was playing one of the infantry. Sounds of shouts and noisemakers (simulating Invid) echoed behind her…
"This is insane, Sharin." She said, "Please see reason! They will not let us exist, not unless we force them to!"
"And we have." Sharin said, logically. "Why offer to publicly accept our existence if they were intending to attack?"
"Because they are micronians!"
"Like Gary Chang?" Zara said. "How many zentraedi has he saved? With his arts of healing the masters never saw fit to grant us?" Tzarna gritted her teeth and than, in a quiet voice, tried to reach her audience.
"They are putting us off our guard-- they will infiltrate us, and than attack!"
"And why then?" Korva said, "Why not now? Tzarna, we are speaking of access to information, tools, trade… in every respect we will be able to improve our readiness."
"And when the micronians all leave?"
"I don't think they will all leave." Sara said, "Thanks to Sharin-- remember, she was the one that ordered that food and shelter be provided to all, even those who seemed useless…they will remember the places that were willing to accept able bodies but not children or elderly micronians…and that we did accept them." The others nodded in agreement. Sharin looked at them and than nodded to herself.
"If we are going to have a 'representative government, we better get used to it-- since this is not a military decision, I see no difficulty putting it to a vote. Who agrees with this proposal?" Everyone nodded except for Tzarna. "Who is against it." Nobody said anything. Sharin looked annoyed.
"Tzarna?"
"Yes?"
"If you don't agree, you are against it….so say so."
"I say that this will be dangerous-- and that of all of us, you are in the most danger right now. The micronians are untrustworthy! But… I've followed your lead other places I could have sworn would have gotten us killed, one more won't hurt…but I hope that you understand this."
"I do too, Tzarna, but it is necessary." Sharin nodded to them, before she cut the signal.
When she came out of the room, Boris was there, waiting for her. He looked at her as she looked back at him.
"Sharin…about last night." Boris said, "If I was…"
"No." Sharin said to him, "It wasn't anything about you-- if anything I believe that the 'kiss' was all it claimed to be." She smiled, "But I wasn't prepared…" She looked at him and than walked to the cloakroom. "Wait a moment." Boris paused, and then started as Sharin came out, wearing the Spanish dress she'd worn during the dance, complete with head scarf.
"Let us go." Sharin said, "and we can talk somewhere." On their way out, the UEG representative saw them and did a double take, but wisely refrained from speaking. Another individual said nothing…but smiled as he opened his phone.
This time, Sharin led and stopped at the first Café they found, an open air place with tables out on a patio facing a park across the street.
"What am I to you?" She asked point blank. Boris nearly choked on his coffee.
"You're…." He paused, and realized that his glib list of "ways to get the girl to go home with you" didn't work with this woman…because this was someone he was coming to care for…and too many scenarios with her "coming home" with him also involved the destruction of her life.
"you're… someone very important to me." He finally said.
"And you to me." She quietly said, reaching out and taking him by the hand. "But I can't betray my people, Boris."
"I'm not asking you to," He answered, capturing her hand in his. He brought it to his lips, and gave it a gentle kiss. "Believe me, I would never ask that of you."
Sharin took her hand and held Boris's hand, looking at it with an unreadable expression.
"You might not have a choice…Boris… what would you do if the negotiations fell apart and tomorrow you were ordered to attack the enclave?"
"I don't … I don't know." He said, looking at her. "I'd do my best to avoid that."
"As would I…but Boris, I don't know how, or why, but the very thought is like a knife…here." She said, pointing at her chest. "But not doing so-- if it leads to harm for my crew, the troops, and yes, the micronians that have found protection with us…that is a betrayal of them…and how can I do that? That is the very reason we are given to abandon the masters-- that they are not worthy of our loyalty." Boris smiled.
"Sharin… you are worthy of their loyalty…hell you've almost died for it, remember?" They were very close now, Boris and Sharin staring at their intertwined hands, heads almost touching. Sharin sighed and closed her eyes. Boris watched as a single tear worked it's way out of one eye, down the curve of her cheek.
"Boris… I have always known the best course to take in a battle, or a campaign…it is the reason I'm alive, it is the reason my ship is alive…but right now I do not know the course to take…or if there is one. I'm lost…" Boris took one finger and gently brushed the tear from her face.
"Sharin… you're right." Boris looked at her, and smiled as he knew what he had to do. "You don't know what course to take, because nobody does in this situation…there's no road map." He paused, "The zentraedi who want to go back to the masters are right about one thing-- you don't have to worry about this stuff there, because you have no choice." He shrugged, "and because you have no choice, you can never really make a mistake. But that's not how it is with humans… we make mistakes, big ones, little ones, all the time, and love…there's a lot of mistakes there."
"Is this love?" She asked, her voice trembling. "The songs, and words, including that Min mei talked about it like it was something pleasurable…but this…this seems like a mixture…pleasure…and acid." Boris nodded and laughed,
"Well you're right." He said. "Love's not easy… but it is absolutely necessary."
"I think…." She said unsteadily. "…you're right. I cannot understand this… I almost cannot bear it…but when I think of driving it out…" She closed her eyes. "I cannot conceive of that anymore." Abruptly she stood up and started walking. Boris hurriedly paid the bill and followed her across the street to the park.
Sharin stood facing the fountain, her arms crossed, holding herself. Boris stopped, than approached her and his arms around her. She didn't resist. Boris felt her shiver, and realized he was shivering too. The knife cut both ways. Sharin was their commander…and in normal times the target of targets-- the thing every pilot looked for to destroy his foes organization.
Could I? The image of Sharin on his targeting screen filled him with dread. What about someone who's just her friend, or subordinate? Boris had seen how his commander went through hell with every KIA, every letter home… do that to Sharin? She'd been brave from the first moment he'd met her. None of this torment was needed, it was hers because she was risking reaching out…for her people's sake. Boris had just been an unexpected boobytrap…for both of them, it seemed. The scent of her hair filled his nostrils, as he pulled her close, unresistingly. He held her like that for a moment.
"Sharin" he said, and turned her around in the circle of his arms. "You're right-- and I have an answer for you right now. Whatever happens between us, I will never attack you or your people."
"If your ordered…"
"I'll resign-- or refuse the order, all the way to the brig, if necessary." Her eyes closed in despair.
"But now you're betraying your people."
"No…because you will never attack us, not without such cause that would make my people the ones at fault…and if we can tell you to go against your training because it's wrong then the same thing applies to us." Boris looked down at her and smiled, "And in any case, it's well worth it." Sharin's eyes were brimming with unshed tears.
"I don't…know." She said with difficulty.
"Neither do I." He quietly said, "But that's the problem and the fun…you never do." He bent down gently and gave her a kiss, and Sharin answered it. They pulled each other close, and more so than yesterday, Boris felt like he was going to melt or explode in that meeting of lips. Sharin broke off the kiss, breathing heavily…but then kissed him again, eagerly. Boris closed his eyes, hearing her give a tiny whimper… and then they were standing, just holding on to each other. Sharin looked up at him.
"So…" She said. "Let us return home… and talk…" Boris smiled,
"I think that's a good idea." He put his arm around her shoulder and they started for the base, Sharin's head leaning against his chest, her arm around his waist. The walked peacefully, occasionally speaking, either to ask a question (on Sharin's part) or answer it. There was no need to speak of anything else. Boris knew that this didn't solve all their problems, by a long shot, but it was…worth it.
Half way there, Someone ran into them, going nearly full tilt, before turning and running down an ally. Boris and Sharin were both sent sprawling. Boris snarled in irritation-- leave it to some inconsiderate idiot to run into some people enjoying the walk!
"Are you OK, Sharin?" She smiled up at him.
"Of course." She said, getting up and dusting herself off. "compared to burros and black veritechs, that was not even worthy of consideration." She rubbed one arm. "Strange..why would a fall sting like that." Boris, glaring looked down the ally, and than saw something on the ground.
"What the hell?" He said, rolling the cylinder in his fingers. It was a single shot drug ampoule… Now why would anyone have that-- especially since it had been used. He blinked.
"Sharin, did you say-" He looked over at her. Sharin was leaning against the wall shuddering.
"Boris…I-hck!" She gasped and fell over. Boris was at her side in one leap, his celphone (since he didn't intend to answer any more crank calls at a restaurant), out and his finger punching the emergency key. When the operator came on, he didn't screw with anything, just gave his rank and ordered a full crash team, on the double. Then he looked down while shouting for aid. Already some people were coming out of a store.
Sharin was shuddering, gasping for breath. He looked at her face, as both eyes were open, pupils dilated.
"Sharin, it's going to be alright, we have medics on the way." She didn't say anything, but suddenly her body arched and she started convulsing. Boris held on and tried to keep her from swallowing her tongue, while several others came to his side.
"I've called the ambulance," A chubby individual said. Another, younger voice intruded.
"What's going on here?" Boris looked up and saw Captain Hunter.
"Someone poisoned her, sir, they-oh god." Sharin gave a sudden tremendous gasp, arching her back, and than collapsed, head lolling to the side. Boris checked for a pulse. None. He opened her mouth, tilting her head back, and started breathing for her, in a parody of the kiss they'd shared. Hunter muscled Boris's body to the side and while Boris continued, started to compress Sharin's chest, applying CPR. Boris's mind was concentrated on his task, waiting, praying for the coughing that would signify she was breathing, or just a pulse. The sound of the ambulance was getting closer. Boris put his finger to her throat…nothing.
"Anything?" Hunter asked. Boris waved his hand in negation, while continuing to breath for her.
"Keep with it." Hunter said. "Ambulance is just a minute away." Boris kept working mechanically, doing every act to perfection. Meanwhile his mind was a never ending refrain.
Oh God please, Oh God please, Oh God Please…