No Turning Back

Chapter Thirty-Three: New Arrival

Dempsey continued his charade as he grinned from ear to ear at the new guest. Kiana and Primis remained quietly hidden as they listened for the figure's response. The figure stood looking up the stairs at the marine with narrowed menacing eyes. Nikolai and Takeo kept a safe distance as they waited for the scene to unfold. All three seemed surprised to see the distinctly male figure was wearing a bloodied cosmonaut suit.

From the look on their new guest's face it was clear that he had not spotted Primis and Kiana's leap into the nearby room. This caused Dempsey to let his guard down a little once he realised. Then, the figure finally spoke.

"Hmph, is zhat all of jou?" The figure snarled suspiciously.

"Gee, thanks doc. Would it have killed ya to just say hi?" Dempsey smiled back.

"Fuckin' kraut", Dempsey murmured through gritted teeth with a smile.

Primis looked at Kiana as he frowned. Kiana nodded as if confirming it really was Richtofen - but which one? This was it - Richtofen had finally arrived. Kiana now had to occupy the same facility as her potential assassin. But she had to try and figure out whether Samantha was telling the truth or not. For now, though, she and Primis would have to lay low and listen to the conversation unfold.

"So, why are you in a spacesuit exactly?" Dempsey enquired mockingly.

"Oh, mein dumbest Dempshey. I shimply needed a chaaange of wardrobe! In fact, vhy don't come closer und marvel at mein newest outfit? Look! It's so comfy it's almost like I'm vearing nozhing at all... Nozhing at all!" Richtofen grinned as he turned to reveal the back of his spacesuit - which contoured to the shapely peaks of his backside.

"Nozhing at all!" Richtofen continued as he enjoyed watching the marine squirm.

"Ewwww, gross! I think I'm gonna heave!" Dempsey wretched as he tried to settle his stomach.

"Hah!" Richtofen bellowed.

"Very vell. Have jou lot even shtarted freeing Dr Gersch yet?" Richtofen added.

"Wait, how'd you know about--" Dempsey tried to ask.

"It is NONE OF JOUR DAMN BUSINESS! Jou schtupid American!" Richtofen yelled angrily at being questioned.

"Gee sorry..." Dempsey replied sarcastically as he rolled his eyes - still delicate over the horrific sight he just saw.

"We have begun to free Dr Gersch. But,  he requires us to provide him a power source to repair the cashmere mechanism", Takeo interjected.

"Hm, intereshting. But do jou mean 'casimir'?" Richtofen replied mockingly.

"Ugh, I am surrounded by idiots!" Richtofen growled as he rubbed his temples with a frown.

"Alright, ve vill begin vork tomorro--" Richtofen began before he was interrupted.

"Ooooooooh! Look at him!" Richtofen squealed as he looked down at his feet.

"Mein child has no legs yet he still tries! Such determination!" Richtofen exclaimed with glee.

The others looked down to see an undead crawler dragging itself across the ground towards Richtofen. Dempsey grimaced at the ghastly sight of the legless solider as he watched Richtofen's demeanour change so suddenly.

"Takeo, please tie up our little friend. I must have peace in order to vork", Richtofen commanded as Takeo descended the stairs towards the crawler.