Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Shooting Blanks. Enjoy the 1200-word chapter. I don't own Black Lagoon; Rei Hiroe and a few others do.

Andros was quiet as he thought about the next move he made was. He had to be quiet, they'd find out if he told them where to find Balaika. He cracked his fingers, setting his temples on the desk while he shook his head.

"Ugh, there's too much to think about at the second." Andros said while he set himself back in the chair, curious about Alexis while he thought about the next maneuver. "I'm starting to think they found about Balaika." Andros added before he was interrupted by a knock on the door once more.

"If they did? I've have silenced them myself, colonel." Alexis added before he entered the room. "There's a lot to digest, the war out there is better than the uprising down here." Alexis stated, walking to the desk a second later.

"You've barely served in the field, Alexis." Andros added, leaning back in his seat a moment later as he started to hum to himself. "There's too much to think about what happens next. if they strike us once again? We won't win. They have too much for us to defeat them. Your well aware what happens if they find out about our plan, the second that happens? We're going to have to move faster." Andros said, pausing to think about the next move.

"I don't want to have to point out that there's very stupid people in charge of us." Alexis responded while he clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "They do not have the skill of a soldier. You and your wife are a threat to every single thing they built. They're going to break apart slowly under that type of firepower, under that leadership? Their be breaking apart entirely." Alexis put in as Andros rolled his eyes.

He turned his focus to Balaika. How would she react to a war here? This was their home; it was run down while his people still argued and bickered over the best vision for their home.

"Are you really planning to leave if something happens?" Alexis questioned, crossing his arms over his bulky chest. "The people need leader, you know that. We cannot turn our back on these people, they count on us to fight. We cannot simply give them ground here; it would make them hurt too much. They would lose hope in the future." Alexis added to which Andros sighed.

"Yes, and fighting a civil war is better?" Andros questioned, raising an eyebrow as he did so. "That is better? They'd crush us like ants under their boots. I don't think I have to really point out there's far too much at stake for me to stay. They will make you an example if they do not murder me first. I will be used as an example of the rebels for daring to rebel." Andros stated, tapping his fingers on the desk as he pushing himself to his feet.

He cracked his knuckles, looking around the room to crack his knuckles while he shook his head. Alexis wanted his help on the frontlines. The longer that was going to draw itself out, there was far too much against them when it came down to it. He knew Alexis cared about the people, but he also did the same. There was far too much on the other side while he shook his head.

"Do you want to discuss Balaika while we wait for the results of this battle?" Alexis questioned as he put his hands on the next chapter. "There will be a lot to unpack. I have just gotten the last report from her unit and I dare not bring it to the enemies at the top of the food chain." Alexis put in as he shook his head in response to Andros's own gesture at the moment.

"What do you have?" Andros questioned, curious as to what his friend had said.

He looked at this office. The massive red wolf behind him. The decorative cases filled with medals. The banners of the Soviet Union. To most people? This would be the height of power. One wouldn't need anything more at the moment.

Andros found it a prison. A cage his masters constructed so they didn't have to deal with someone like him who didn't care about the power or wealth. He just wanted to be with his wife, be given some small sign of normality, some small sign his life wasn't wasted here. He loved the people here, not the kind of soldiers who served the corrupt government.

"You know, trying to guilt me into serving something?" Andros said, brushing off his uniform. "That was how they first got me to stay. It was cold, ruthless, cunning. Bal would have loved it if not for them trampling simple liberties when it came down to it." Andros said, pausing only to roll his eyes at his friend's antics.

"And leaving will help?" Andros heard from Alexis as he rolled his eyes, already expecting this type of talk from his friend. "They will not allow you to simply have a day off. They will not give one of their best weapons to leave." Alexis added, pausing to let him shake his head.

"Tell me what was so important it could not possibly wait for another moment." Andros said, slowly but surely sitting up in his seat as he did so. "We are at war; do you think I WANT to focus on other things? No. I do not. I do what I feel is best for those I protect. They will kill countless people regardless. What do you suggest, Alexis? They die in droves for some type of freedom you think we can earn? We are soldiers, not freedom fighting insane buffoons who believe in some insane type of rewarded freedom. You act like we're good guys. We're not, we will be going down when this is done and dusted. There is not some play where you get to press button and become a hero." Andros said before turning away from the seat.

He knew what his friend was probably going to say, he didn't believe in it. Andros could care about something besides his wife, but he was focused on keeping her safe.

"We are all going to burn sooner or later, lieutenant." Andros said, shaking his head with a sigh as he did so.

Alexis said nothing, simply exiting the room and leaving the colonel to his own thoughts. He had a plan to get out. If he could save their home? He would, but it was too corrupted, he had no time.

He had no allies either.

Author Notes

Phew. Another chapter done! I want to point out that next chapter will be delayed and such. It will also be 900-3500 words and such and will show both Andros and Balaika talking and such. It will also set up the events of the show and such. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!

P.S: Next chapter will be in 2-10 months at the moment and such.