Chapter 20

Moose exited his commanders hatch with a raise eyebrow. All round him were the members of Pravda and Hans unit of Uncle Sam, not fighting, but seemingly working together on something. Their tanks were parked off to the side and everyone present was utilizing radios or cellphones trying to contact people while others were off to the end of the mountain side using binoculars scanning the slope and what lay further down the mountain.

Moose hoped to the ground and began walking through the mess, the Mk4 pulling up besides him and Ogin hoped out and fell into step with him. She looked around the area and as they walked several of the boys and girls looked up from whatever it was they were doing to look at the two of them, though they quickly turned their attention back to their work, which was, to them, more important then the two new comers.

Further ahead of them Moose saw a large tarp hung between two tanks and under said tarp were the forms of Hans of Uncle Sam, that Russian guy from the 38t, a little girl who Moose could figure out was Katyusha of Pravda, and a tall blonde haired young woman that was also Russian. The four were standing before a table with several maps on it, and while Moose could tell what Hans was saying, since he spoke English, the young girl Katyusha was speaking Japanese. However he heard that the two others within the tarp were speaking in Russian and their respective sides language to their leader, so Moose figured that they were trying to translate discussions between themselves. For what was now a question that Moose had.

"Hans!" Moose called as he walked into the tarp. The young man turned and saw him coming before ushering him forward with his hand then holding up one finger.

"There's no news of any snow falling down the side, so I don't think they'll be to far down the mountain, but I want to send some of my guys this way." Hans said pointing at a location on the map. The 38t member next to him relayed in Russian while the blonde beauty translated and spoke Japanese to Katyusha. The girl looked at the map before speaking and pointing to a spot.

"From what my girls said, once the skirmish started Nonna exited her tank and moved to the right flank on foot, while some of them noted a young man exit a Tiger 1 and moved to the same area. If we send someone that way we may find where they ended up." Katyusha said as Hans man translated.

"If we split up our teams we'll find something but knowing Austin and his hatred for your friend I wouldn't be surprised if he let his emotions get ahead of him and he did something stupid." Hans said.

"We should group our teams up with each other to recognize our respective members signs if they have any. This should give us a better chance of finding them." Katyusha said. Hans nodded before looking towards Moose.

"Two of our people are missing, and word is its going to get cold tonight, and I mean stupid cold. We could use your help in this Moose." Hans said before taking note Ogin standing next to him. "Find a girlfriend while you were stuck in Homedale?"

Ogin balked at the words and blushed at the comment, but Moose shook his head in denial.

"Ogin is an ally, I don't know how bad things have been up here for you Hans but things in Hoja city are worse. Commander Davis has gone mad and we're trying to get down there to stop him and bring the fighting on the island to an end." Moose said.

"Why? I know we have a truce with Pravda till we find our friends but why are the rest of you trying to stop the game?" Hans asked.

"Long story short, saboteurs on the island are messing with us. They're throwing everything into chaos and are trying to make us hate each other. Davis is trying to hunt down Commander Darjeeling of S.T. Gloriana for a misunderstanding and we have to stop him." Moose explained. Hans sighed and scratched his head in thought. Things have only continued to escalate in recent weeks and this new information, true or not, put a whole new layer of into play. Hans looked to Nikoli, who was translating everything to Katyusha's friend Klara, and nodded to himself.

"I need to find Austin and make sure he's alright, but we won't stop you from going into the city. We'll also stop our fighting with Pravda in the meanwhile. Where's Ed by the way? He should have been just north of the mountains?" Hans asked.

"Ed wasn't listening to reason, we had to fight him and take out the rest of your team. I'm sorry it came to that, but it was the only way to sit him down and explain whats going on. He's on his way to Homedale right now." Moose said. Hans nodded before asking an important question.

"Are you able to help us search for Austin and this Nonna woman from Pravda or do you need to get to Hoja right away?" Hans asked.

"We'll help in anyway we can." Ogin said before Moose could speak. "If any of my mates were castaways I'd want as much help as I could get."

Hans nodded before looking at Moose again especially wanting to hear his words.

"Yeah, we'll help." Was all Moose said. Hans nodded again in thanks before turning to Nikoli and telling him to inform the two Pravda girls of the new help. Moose sighed and looked at Ogin, he wasn't against helping find Hans missing friend but they really needed to get to Hoja. Davis could be doing who knows what to find Darjeeling and Commander Miho couldn't hold him back indefinitely. They needed to find these two missing people quickly and hope they would make it in time to help Hoja.

Nonna shivered from a gust of wind. The wind chill had worsened when the sun went down and all she could do was to further huddle herself around the boy in her arms. He had fallen unconscious some time ago and his wounds had started icing over, plus the three-hundred-pound sack of man-eating flesh below them had an extraordinary amount of patience. The bear had stopped trying to push the tree over minutes ago and now just walked around occasionally looking into the tree to see Her and the young man huddled together.

She had to do something. Get them out of the tree and under that infernal wind, get to a place where that bear couldn't get to them and maybe be able to start a fire for warmth, something was better then just sitting here and waiting to freeze to death.

The boy, Austin she remembered his name, started talking in his sleep. Mumbling at first, nonsense she couldn't understand, but then a name. Someone she didn't know obviously but one with some form of respect or admiration in Austin's mind.

"Cody—hate me—how to help—her." A tear dropped from his eye. Nonna frowned and wiped it away, not knowing what he was talking about even with a suspicion she had. She glanced over to where the bear was, laying down near a brush, watching her. She needed to do something.

A sharp pain in her back from the tree made her gasp and she shuffled her body to find a comfortable position, however this movement made curious the bear and it rose from its prone position and made its way over to the tree, not about to let its possible dinner escape from its clutches. It made its moaning noises and started pushing on the tree again, causing Nonna to reach her arm around to keep her position and to not let the young man fall.

"Oh just piss off would you!" Nonna yelled at the bear which caused it to look up at her and again make its moaning noises. Nonna frowned and rolled her eyes, before shutting them and huddling into herself as another gust of wind hit her, Austin's body shivered and she held tightly onto him again, the bear pushed on the tree again making her grip it again, a squirrel landed on the branch next to her and started making chirping noises, the bear moaned again and felt another gust of wind. She opened her eyes and snarled her teeth and, with instinctive rage, reached for a pinecone hanging on the tree, pulling it loose and throwing it at the bear. "Shut up!"

The pinecone flew towards her target and hit the beast right in its eye. The bear roared in pain and looked up at her, growling and showing its teeth before roaring in rage and began pounding on the tree. Nonna immediately felt regretful of her actions, letting into her anger of the situation, plus all the annoyances that were happening and now this was it. The bear pounded on the tree again and again before moving away from it and charging right into the wooden base causing a massive crack in the wood to form. Nonna gasped instinctively held onto Austin as she felt it. The tree fell.

Nonna lost her grip on the young man and hit the ground hard. The snow, for what little there was, helped break her fall somewhat but she was still in pain. The sound of a man screaming in pain let her know that Austin was awake now, and his wounds would be hurting him. She looked over and saw him, reaching for his hurt shoulder before looking towards the hairy beast making its way over to him. He turned onto his stomach and tried to crawl away, but the bear placed its paw in his back and held him down.

Nonna's eyes and mouth widened as she desperately looked for something to help. The only thing she saw was a hearty rock with a sharp point. It would have to do. She grabbed the rock, stood up and sprinted forward towards the bear.

Austin knew he was asleep, he didn't know when he fell into unconsciousness, but he thinks it was around when the Pravda girl, Nonna he remembered, placed his head onto her breasts and started running her hand through his hair. That last part always made him comfortable. It was nice for the moment the peace lasted but when he opened his eyes he was standing before someone he lost. Someone he loved and respected beyond all measure. His lost older brother Cody, and he didn't look happy.

"You left her in danger." He said. Austin stumbled at the words but knew what Cody was talking about. He left Nonna alone during that tank skirmish when they first met. Austin tried to speak but found he couldn't. "You left her there and fled to safety."

Cody marched towards him and poked his chest with his finger accusingly. Austin's breath started getting heavy and he found himself shaking his head in denial. A denial he knew was false.

"You did!" Cody yelled. "You abandoned someone in need! You left that young woman alone to save yourself!"

Austin gritted his teeth and placed his hands over his ears, closed his eyes and pretended his brother wasn't here. Any other time he'd rejoice to see Cody, but his brother was mad at him. Disappointed even. He never wanted to disappoint Cody, never. He couldn't.

"No! You don't get to pretend I'm not here!" Cody asked violently ripping his hands away from his ears. "Why did you run Austin!? Why did you leave her alone!? Why did you fail!?"

Austin screamed. No words or sound came out, but he just couldn't help but scream. He wasn't a failure, he didn't fail, he just didn't know what to do then. He wasn't a tank commander, he couldn't think of things like that, he didn't know how to. All he does, all he knows how to, is drive the damn tank. That's all he wants to do is drive.

"A Mayes always wins our fights' that's what Dad always told us. A fight isn't always involved with fists, a fight can be a personal struggle, a physical obstacle, a god damned math question! But we always win Austin. Always, cause if we don't then who will!? The bad guys!" Cody bore into him, screaming with a rage and volume Austin never had heard from his brother. "The American Revolution, the war of 1812, the Spanish American war, the Civil War, World War 1, World War 2, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf and now the War on Terror! A Mayes has always fought for what is right and just in this world. We always fight, and we always win! So why did you Run!"

Austin sat there, tears in his eyes. He couldn't handle this. His parents were supposed to berate and punish him. Not his older brother. Not the same older brother that has been there to help him whenever he needed it. Cody couldn't be the one to punish him. Not Cody. Never Cody.

"Cody, Please don't hate me. I didn't know how to help her." Austin found his voice only to say that. his tears came again, and he sobbed hard. The faces of his family, his parents, his grandfather being disappointed in him appeared and in this moment he was so scared. Never had he felt this scared before, because his brother was always there for him.

Austin felt a warmth wrap around him and he opened his eyes again. Cody was standing before him with a soft smile, and Austin could vaguely make out the woman, Nonna, holding onto him. Protecting him as a large shadow appeared overhead ready to attack.

"She needs you little brother." Cody said gaining his attention. His brothers smile and calm eyes told him everything. His brother didn't hate him, wasn't disappointed in him but was doing as he always did. Helping him, teaching him, and pushing him forward. "She needs your help. Go fight. Go win."

Austin felt his tears disappear from his face his vision was consumed by a white substance and then he felt the impact. The pain shot through his back, and he screamed in pain. He was on the ground, not the tree anymore, and there was the bear momentarily apprising its handy work with the tree. Austin looked to his left and there was Nonna several feet away, her face confused and filled with emotion.

Austin felt it before he saw it. He turned and saw the bear approaching him. He snarled and turned onto his stomach to begin crawling away. The bear would have none of it, its massive paw pressed down onto his back and pushed his body onto the ground. Austin looked back up for a splint second before he felt another surge of pain. The bear lowered its head and had bitten right into Austin left shoulder.

Austin screamed louder and harder then he had ever screamed before. The pain was excruciating and he suddenly felt tired. He blinked and remembered, he was in a fight. And a Mayes always wins their fights.

Austin took his right hand and made a fist before throwing his right arm back and used his elbow to hit the bear in the face. Once, twice, thrice, four times, five, six, seven and eight times his elbow hit the bear before he felt the bite grip harder onto his shoulder. Austin screamed in pain as he attacked again. Nine, ten, eleven times, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen and sixteen and seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one times he hit this bear in the face with his elbow and before he his twenty second time he saw her. the long dark brown haired, light blue-eyed beauty came charging, a sharp rock in her hand. She stuck one foot our and slid across the snow before taking the rock and shoving the point into the bears right eye. The bear released its bite and reared up to roar in pain.

Austin, in a moment of clarity, saw and grabbed a heavy and sturdy branch with his right hand. He brought it back and swung it over head before bringing it down right onto the bears head. The bear stumbled back in shock, shaking its head to regain focus. Austin in turn used his right arm to hoist himself to his knees and turn to face his enemy.

The bear turned its face back towards the two of them and glared. The male bloodied and weak, being looked after by the female. Austin held the stick in his hand firmly but was surprised when Nonna placed her hands on his cheeks and looked him over. Austin couldn't help it in that moment. Looking into her eyes as she scanned him he said what he thought.

"Beautiful." It was a murmur at most, but Nonna heard it. she stopped what she was doing and stared into his eyes in return, her face brightened to a red hue.

The growl of the bear brought the two's attention back to their predicament and saw the bear ready to run forward again. Austin snarled his teeth, took his left arm, despite the bite wound to his shoulder, and wrapped it around Nonna's waist and bringing her into him, his right arm extended with the stick in hand as if daring the beast to try.

"Mine." Austin murmured again tightening his hold on Nonna making the girl blush even more. Yet they both knelt on the ground before three hundred pounds of death.

When the bear made its first step towards the two it was to be the last. An arrow shot through the air and impacted the bear in its shoulder. The bear recoiled in shock and Austin and Nonna were equally shocked at the sight of the arrow. The bear roared, turned and ran away.

Behind the two Nonna heard a thump noise and turned to see two figures, both wearing full body suits camouflage with white and gray. Both men held bows in their hands and an arrow knocked in the string. The first man stepped up towards them and the second scanned the area in case the bear returned.

"Nice work kid." The first man said to Austin. The young man suddenly felt tired again and his grip on the stick waned and he felt his head lose strength. The stick fell from his grasp and his head landed on Nonna's shoulder, his grip on her waist, however, never faltered.

"What do we do Spector?" Asked the second man.

"Go get Silent Lady, we'll get these kids somewhere warm and lead their friends to them." Said the first man. Nonna was confused by the name, but she could worry about that latter.

"Are you sure? this will go against Hound Leader's orders." The second man said.

"You want to watch as these two brave kids die in the snow?" Spector asked. the second man shook his head. "Besides, look at them Jester. If we had had a team with bravery and commitment like these two no one would have been able to beat us."

Nonna was again confused by the way to two talked but when she saw the second man, named Jester, running back where they came she thought that maybe they were safe now.

"Don't worry little miss, we'll make sure the two of you are safe and sound for when your friends find you." Spector said. Nonna nodded before focusing all her attention on Austin.

"Over there, more tracks!" Shouted one of Moose's boys. Moose, Ogin, Hans, and Katyusha all ran towards where the tracks had been found and followed the trail for another several yards before they stumbled upon a small cave. They could see well enough inside and all present let out a sigh of relief at the sight of the two they had been searching for.

"Nonna!" Katyusha yelled as she ran towards he best friend. Nonna, who was kneeling besides a make shift bedframe with a resting Austin on it, smiled and stood up to engulf Katyusha into her arms. "Oh I was so worried!"

"I'm alright Katyusha." Nonna said as she saw Klara coming into view, running over and joining in on the hug.

"Austin, are you alright?" Nonna heard one of the boys say as they went towards the bed. Austin was face down on the bed, his shirt off and his wounds on display for everyone despite the bandages those mysterious people gave them. Nonna ended the hug before going back to the bed and grabbed fresh bandage and some warm water made from a kettle over a fire just feet away.

"He was hurt fighting a bear. His wounds aren't life threatening, but he still needs to rest and recover." Nonna said taking off the blood-soaked bandages before washing the wounds and applying fresh ones.

"I'm fine woman, leave me be." Austin muttered not opening his eyes. Nonna rolled her eyes but continued her work.

"Damn, Austin fought a bear?" Nikoli asked interested in the fight, but Hans was more worried about other things.

"Where'd all this equipment come from?" HE asked looking at the bed, the kettle on the fire, the first aid kit, and some other boxes filled with things to aid those in the cold.

"There were these people wearing white and gray full bodysuits, their faces were covered so I didn't know who they were, but they helped us. Saved us actually. They got us situated here before leaving." Nonna explained how Spector and his two accomplices aided them.

"Spector?" Asked Moose.

"That's what one of them called the other. the second one was called Jester, and they had another one named Silent Lady. I don't know why the nicknames, but I won't question them." Nonna said. Moose sighed in thought before deciding to call Colonel Abernathy about it later, right now he needed something else.

"Ok, since we found your missing people I'm going to take my group and get to Hoja City. Hans, I suggest you and Katyusha take everyone and go to Homedale." Moose said. Hans didn't even need to think about it before he nodded.

"I'll do that, and I'll try to talk to Ed about this. All these things here kind of proves there's more people on this island then there should be." Hans said.

Moose smiled and nodded before he turned to Ogin and motioned for her to follow him. She nodded and the two began heading to get their teams organized. They needed to get to Hoja City soon or else Davis might just have enough time to do something he'll regret.