Romance in the Rain (Quinntana)

Ch. 22 Strike the Iron

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Buffalo Battlefield

"Enemies ahead! Take cover!"

Santana dropped to the ground with the surrounding soldiers, perched on a hill with vegetation high enough to camouflage them as they spied on the opposing forces. An explosion erupted in the distance and she lifted her camera to snap photos. Her eyes cast over the enemy campsite and it's then she noticed the Arian military dragging commoners, their limbs roped together.

"There are Americans with them!" Santana panicked. "We can't shoot!"

The Colonel caught her arm and stopped her from standing up. "Those are the elderly who have been captured," Colonel Hummel said. "The young adults have been conscripted and the only ones left behind are the elderly and children. The Arians captured them as slaves. We can't refrain or we'll be at a disadvantage."

Santana swallowed thickly at the implications. This was the side of humanity she hated. She continued to watch dreadfully the captives get shoved around, forced to labor, or otherwise beaten by the Arian soldiers.

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Abrams/Lopez Flat

"What did you just say?!"

"I want to go to Buffalo," Brittany repeated firmly.

"Are you insane?" Artie said, incredulous. "How can I take you there? You think it's that simple?"

"I know you can arrange it," Brittany tried. "There are reports on the war situation there every day, that means you keep in contact with Santana. You can tell the agency that you're going to assist her. Artie please," she pleaded. "I'll be grateful forever if you can take me."

"No way! Santana left because she wanted to avoid you. For her sake, I won't take you there and for your safety, I especially won't do it! It's impossible!"

"You know that's not true," Brittany shook her head. "She left because of Quinn, she wants to forget about her amidst all the commotion."

"Then why bother her? Leave her in peace," Artie said, exasperated. "She's due to be back next month anyway."

"But I'm worried about her safety! When I think about the consequences on the battlefield, I start to shiver!" She begged. "Artie, you are good to me, surely you can't bear to see me silently suffering. Please help me, no one else can help me except for you!"

"No means no! No matter what, the answer is no!" He shook his head furiously. "Your father will shoot me if I take you."

"No, he won't," she pleaded, tugging his arm. "I'll tell him I'm going on a training course, he won't suspect anything... I promise I'll come back once I see Santana. I only need a few days."

"No - that's my answer. No! There's a war there, it's too dangerous!"

"Please, if you take me there, all I want is to take one look at her. Then..." Brittany's voice trembled, swallowing nervously before speaking her next words. "I'll let you do anything you want."

Artie looked at her shocked. "W-what do you mean by that?"

She looked at him with watery eyes. "If you can let me see her... I'll be with you. I-I'll marry you."