MINNIE'S POV.
I woke up from an abrupt knocking on the door. I jumped in bed and looked around. Trying to figure out where I am. At the same moment the door to the room opened and Piers popped his head in.
- Wake up, sunshine. – He said loudly. – The helicopter will be here in a couple of hours and we need to get geared up before we leave to China. Be outside the hotel in 15 minutes. – He said and left, closing the door behind him.
*China? Helicopter? What the fuck is he talking…* And then it hit me. The memories of the day before flowed through my mind – the crappy bar by the hotel, Chis with no memories, mission in China and…
- Oh my God. – I said out loud as I remembered that I drank with Chris yesterday. – Oh my God. – And Piers was the only sober person in the room. I don't really remember how I got to my room, which means that I probably was drunk as hell. – Oh my God. What did I do? OK, don't panic, Minnie.
I tried to remember what happened yesterday. *We drank a bottle of vodka. Everything was fine until I tried to get up from the chair. OK, what else? I know I talked loudly in the corridor and Piers silenced me. And then… Wait. What the fuck happened after he silenced me? I know that I was in the corridor for a while, but what happened? The other memory I have is when Piers carried me through the door and put me down on the bed and then…* My eyes widened a bit. *I asked him to stay with me until I fell asleep and then… Oh, God.* I buried my head in my hands. It was a rather vague memory, but I remembered. The kiss.
- You just made everything a lot more complicated, Minnie. – I said to myself as I walked to the bathroom to have a quick shower, a distant smile finding its way onto my lips as I think back to what had happened.
My life isn't perfect, but there's one thing I wouldn't change about it for anything. No hangovers. I was standing outside the hotel as Piers had told me and saw how Chris was struggling with a huge hangover. This is probably the first sober day in a long time for him. But I had to admit, he was controlling himself completely. As for me… Well, I have never felt a hangover and pray to God that I never will. I don't know if this because of the viruses or something else, but no matter how much I drink, the next morning I wake up as good as new.
- How are you feeling? – I asked Chris. He looked at me, his eyes tired.
- I've been better. – He mumbled. – You?
- I'm great. – I laughed a bit. – I…
- Don't get a hangover, right? – He interrupted me. My eyes widened.
- Yes. But how did you… Do you remember?
- Sorry, kid. – He shook his head. – Just a thought that popped into my head about you.
- Minnie, come here! -I heard my name being shouted out and saw Piers waving at me. – I need to get you geared up! Come here!
I did as I was told and walked to Piers who was standing next to a BSAA vehicle. It was filled with all kinds of different weapons, ammo, bullet-proof vests and other things of the sort. Piers gave me a bullet-proof vest and an earpiece. He was also holding an assault rifle, waiting for me to get ready so that he could give it to me as well. I quickly put the earpiece inside my ear and started getting on the vest. While I was putting on the vest, Piers was observing me with a small smirk on his face.
- What's so funny, pup? – I asked a bit annoyed at this, even though I already knew the answer. Piers just chuckled and passed me the gun. I was ready to turn around and walk away but stopped at the last minute and turned to Piers. – Thanks for yesterday. Sorry if I was a bother. Or if I did something… that wasn't… ummm… right. – I finally managed to say, my face facing the pavement.
- You weren't a bother. – He answered as he geared up. – To be honest I even enjoyed this night. – My head snapped up and I looked at him with a puzzled look on my face. OK, I had to admit, I was starting to like him a bit more than a comrade or a friend, or maybe I already liked him as more than a friend before, I don't know yet. But what he had just said stirred my thoughts. Unwillingly, the event from yesterday popped into my head. That moment when our lips touched for a brief moment. What was happening now was like a puzzle: I had all the pieces, but just couldn't put them into right places to see the whole picture. I wasn't quite sure what was going on between the two of us. *To be honest, I don't even know if something is going on.* I thought when the sound of a helicopter pulled me away from my thoughts.
- We should get ready to board it. – Piers said as he looked at the helicopter. I nodded and turned to walk away but he caught my arm and I turned back to him. – Be careful and try not to get killed, Minnie. – He said with a small smile, but worry was visible in his eyes.
- Ditto, puppy. – I smiled back and winked at him. Piers wasn't even phased by how I addressed him. It looks like he got used to this name by now. He let go of me and motioned for me to walk towards the landing site of the helicopter as he followed right behind me.
June 30, 2013
Waiyip, China
We were flying right above the town when HQ contacted us.
- HQ to Alpha Team. No change to your mission. Suppress the bioterror outbreak while proceeding to point Ace of Spades.
- Roger that. – Piers said. – Preparing to drop on the Eight of Clubs.
- Again with the stupid codes. – I mumbled under my breath as we stood up, ready to jump out of the helicopter. Piers heard me and rolled his eyes at me.
- We'll make our way to the Ace of Spades and find those UN workers. – Piers continued.
This was our mission. Get into the building, find and rescue people who are probably held hostage and while we're at it we should take care of the virus outbreak. *It's not difficult at all.* I thought sarcastically as the helicopter hovered above a building. I grabbed the rope that was tied to the helicopter and slid down to the roof of the building with all the other soldiers.
We've made our way into the building by jumping down the destroyed stairs that led from the roof to the upper level. The surprising thing was that even though Chris didn't remember anything, he still acted like a real Captain: always first, leading the way. The whole flight to China he was quiet, thinking about something. *I'm sure this is probably a real shock for him if he has no memory of anything.* As we went down the stairs, a voice came through the earpiece.
- Echo to HQ! We've encountered hostiles at Diamond Three. Moving in to engage!
- HQ copy. – Was the answer received.
When we reached the first floor of the building, Chris led us to the exit. When the soldiers opened the door we were greeted by a rather unexpected view. I was ready to encounter hostiles, but instead, journalists with cameras approached us, wanting an interview.
- The BSAA has arrived on the scene. – The reporter spoke. – Excuse me, can I get a comment, please? Excuse me! – The journalist was shoving a microphone into our faces.
- Oh for Christ's sake, get the hell out of my way. – I said shoving passed them, as all the other soldiers did as well.
- Look at this. – Chris said motioning to the view in front of us. People were panicking, running around, cars and buildings were on fire. It was chaos. – All civilians! Clear out of the way!
We started moving people away from the street, so that in case of an attack they wouldn't get hurt or interfere with our job.
- Come in, HQ! – A voice was heard over the earpiece. – Route 4 is a mix of civies and hostiles! Got anything else? – We tried to make our way further, but the two military vehicles that were taking the lead exploded and blocked our way.
- Alpha Team. – HQ answered. – Switch course from Route 4 to Route Niner. Head to the destination through the building in the Six of Clubs. – Piers motioned to the door to my left and we went through it. – HQ to all teams. Alpha is en route to the Ace of Spades. After they rendezvous with Delta, we will proceed with the operation as planned.
We took the stairs of the building that we have just entered to the second floor and started making our way through it. Occasionally there were gunshots from outside that would break the windows and make us take cover so that we wouldn't get hit.
- Bravo to HQ. – Again a voice was heard from the earpiece. – We're currently engaged with hostiles at Four of Hearts. It's not looking good! Requesting immediate back-up!
- Copy that. HQ to Charlie – assist Bravo at the Four of Hearts.
We approached a wall that was partially destroyed and jumped through it into the alley. There we saw how a J'avo shot a civilian. Instinctively I wanted to rush to his side and check on him, but Piers stopped me.
- Don't act so hastily. – He murmured to me.
- If they're killing unarmed civilians, they're gonna really love us. – Chris said as we made our way carefully to the direction where the J'avo ran. Unfortunately, the civilian was dead and not even my blood would've helped him.
As the soldiers kicked down the door that was preventing us from reaching the street again, I saw the J'avo that ran away from us and landed a single shot right into his head. The J'avo fell to his knees and was like that for a few moments. Then something started happening with its head.
- It's healing itself! – Chris said.
And sure enough, its head became like it was before I shot it. The J'avo aimed its gun at us and started shooting. We reacted quickly and killed it before any of us could get shot.
- Piers to HQ! We've made contact with J'avo! It's the same kind we dealt with back in Edonia!
- Copy that! Proceed with extreme caution.
- Let's move! – Chris ordered as a helicopter flew above our heads.
We ran towards the direction the helicopter flew and saw how a J'avo with a rocket launcher shot down the helicopter. We took cover behind a few cars but we knew that they wouldn't protect us against a rocket launcher.
- Cover me. – Piers said as he took a position and aimed his sniper rifle. All of us covered him and a few moments later the J'avo was dead. – Let's keep moving.
- Alpha Team. – HQ said. - Proceed along Route Niner. Take a back alley to get to the Ace of Spades.
We did as we were told. Since I had absolutely no idea what Route Niner is, I just ran after the others.
- Captain, you remember anything, yet? – Piers asked.
- I'm still trying to wrap my head around what I'm seeing here. – Chris answered.
- Seriously, pup? – I spoke. – You just put a man into chaos! He doesn't even know what's going on here and you're asking him if he remembers anything? I'd be glad if he doesn't forget any more after this. – I laughed a bit.
- Must you always contradict everything I say? – Piers said a bit annoyed.
- Do you two always bicker like that? – Chris asked as we entered an alley.
- You know, Chris. – I said as we walked through it. – I figured you'd be a little rusty, but it looks like all that training's kicking right in.
- Can the chatter. – Chris said standing by a door. There was a pool of blood on the ground. – You ready?
- As ready as I'll ever be. – I said as I aimed at the door, waiting while the other soldiers would open it.
Sure enough, there was a bunch of J'avos inside what looked to be a kitchen. It didn't take long for us to take them all out and we proceeded further. A couple of hostiles later we were in the alley that HQ told us about.
- Echo to HQ! – A soldier's yell was heard over the earpiece. – We can't hold them off. Retreating from Diamond Three.
- HQ to Echo! Requesting immediate status update! What's going on?
- We're overwhelmed. There's just too many of them! We've got no choice, we have to fall back!
- Shouldn't we help them? – I murmured.
- That's not our objective, kid. – A soldier answered me. – You may not like it, but we have to follow orders. And our orders are to get to Ace of Spades.
I disagreed with him, but I had no other choice but to go with them, since I had absolutely no idea where this Diamond Three was.
Hi there. Yes, I'M BACK! Sorry for the big break. Had lots of stuff to do, but now that I have most of my work finished I will continue working with the story ^_^ This chapter was short, I know, I'll do better from now on. Just wanted to let you all know that I'm still alive and that I haven't forgotten about you guys. I hope there are still someone who are reading this story and if you are, I hope you enjoyed at least a little bit of it and please review. Once again, SORRY for the long wait T_T I'll see soon, I promise ^_^