Light nearly blinded his eyes when he opened them. A groan escaped his lips as he tried to sit up. He hissed, the pain being too much for him to handle at the moment, and simply sank back down into the mattress. Durbe's smokey-gray eyes stared around, trying to take everything in. White walls, matching white tiles, light beige ceiling tiles. In an instant, he knew where he was.
The medical ward that the base had set up at long last.
Durbe growled, then put all of his weight on his left side and forced himself up. He growled, making sure not to even touch his injured right side. His smokey-gray eyes drifted down to said side, gazing upon it curiously. Three broken fingers, not to mention his broken arm.
Geez, how had he managed to survive that explosion with injuries like that? Compared to what it should have been, these were minor injuries.
The door opened slightly. Alit peeked in, smiling when he saw Durbe was awake, and opened the door completely. He and Shark stepped in, giving their comrade sympathetic smiles.
"How ya doin', dude?" Alit asked, coming up to Durbe's side and smacking his good shoulder playfully. Durbe chuckled, then closed his eyes and shook his head lightly.
"I'm alright. Just a little dizzy."
"Well, duh. If you aren't dead, you're gonna be dizzy bro. But hey, you survived. Looks like ya didn't disappoint that little sister of yours after all!"
Durbe just about bolted out of his bed upon hearing this. Instead, he let out a startled "Guh!" and stared at Alit with curious eyes. "H-How did you know about it?"
"We heard you mumbling in your sleep," Shark replied. He took his backpack off his shoulder, then fished around in it for about three seconds before pulling something out of it. "Here," he said, handing it to Durbe. "I brought your book for you."
The gray-haired soldier chuckled and took it from Shark, then smiled. "Thanks, Shark. You know me best."
Shark only nodded.
"So, just how long are you supposed to be cooped up here, anyway?" Alit asked, his green eyes staring into Durbe's smokey-gray ones.
"Dunno," Durbe replied, shrugging his good shoulder. "I hope not very long, though."
Suddenly, the door burst open. Gilag came rushing in, panic sketched all over his facial features.
"Guys guys guys!" Gilag yelled. He was a bit overly hyper, which shocked the others greatly. "I have news! And let me tell you, it is not good!"
All eyes were suddenly on Gilag. Durbe raised an eyebrow, then closed his eyes.
"Well, what is it?" Shark questioned. "If it's so bad, you might as well spit it out."
"It's awful! If there's a VCR player in here, put this tape in it! You'll see what I mean that way!"
"Give it," Alit ordered, snatching the tape before Gilag could even answer. The green-eyed soldier raced to the VCR player, then shoved the tape inside. Shark flicked the TV in the room on, then watched as the menu came on.
"Hit play, hit play," Gilag said, hopping around like he had ants in his pants.
"Calm down," Shark said. "We're pressing play."
Alit wasted no time. He pushed the play button, and static overtook the screen for a moment. It was soon replaced with a dim-lighted picture.
At first, none of them knew what the heck was going on. But soon, they could see the missing part of the roof. And they instantly knew what the scenery was.
Vector's base, which they had nearly destroyed when they dropped the nuclear bomb on it.
Just what is going on here? Durbe wondered, watching as Vector himself walked into the frame. His classic smirk was graced upon his features.
"Hello, weaklings. I assume your little soldier Durbe is paying attention to this currently. Hopefully so. If not, replay this for him ASAP." Vector twirled a knife in his hand. It shined on the tip, showing that it had recently been used to stab something.
Or someone.
"Now, onto my reason for sending this to you. I have something very important to you, Durbe. And if you don't surrender at the next invasion, well..."
No words were said now. Vector simply stepped to the side, revealing a figure that was completely blackened because of the shadows. It appeared that they were struggling to get free.
"Turn the lights on!" Vector yelled. Instantly, they were on, revealing the figure completely. Durbe's eyes went wide when he saw who it was, and he literally jumped out of his bed with a yell.
Tied to the chair, with a slash across her stomach, a gash on her arm, and a cut on her head, all oozing blood, was Mahpari.
"MAHPARI!" Durbe yelled, tears fogging his vision as he raced up to the screen. He completely ignored the pain that was now eating away at his arm and his side, and he gritted his teeth together. A low, menacing growl emitted deep inside his throat as he stared at the screen.
"It should be pretty obvious what I'll do to your precious sister," Vector snarled, a demonic grin crossing his lips. "So, if you want her to be alive, I suggest you do as I say. Come here, alone and unarmed, Durbe. Surrender to me without any trouble, and I may allow your little moon fairy to see you one last time before I kill you."
"Holy shit," Alit muttered, his green eyes wide with fear and shock. Shark was glaring, while Gilag was almost emotionless. Then again, he'd already seen this. Most likely, his anger had already been taken out on something.
The film went back to static, making the only other audible sound in the room Durbe's heavy breathing. It was not because of exhaustion, though. It was from pure, red-hot anger.
"Durbe, calm down," Shark said, taking a few steps forward. "We just need a plan. Then, we can totally storm in and get your sister back."
Durbe clenched his eyes shut and growled. "How did she even get out here? In fact, why is she even out here? It makes no sense."
"Does that really matter right now, while her life is in danger?" Alit questioned. He gulped and backed away like a frightened puppy when Durbe turned to stare at him.
If looks could kill, they definitely would have.
"N-Never mind," Alit stammered. Durbe nodded, then looked away.
I haven't let you down yet, Mahpari, Durbe thought, walking back to his bed and refusing to make eye contact with anyone. And I refuse to start now. No matter what it takes, I will save you. That I promise.