Fighting The IMC

Chapter 20: Making a Deal

(Michael's POV)

I was walking back to my quarters, still shaken up about what had happened during the War Games, and Meg was hanging out with Allan. I'm pretty sure they said they were going to the shooting range for practice.

I was about to enter my room, but Bish stopped me. "Michael... The IMC is here..."

I looked at him in disbelief. "N-no... What do they want?"

Bish sighed. "They said they want you, Michael."

I looked at him, a bit confused. "Me? What in the name of the Frontier do they want? Especially from me...?"

Bish shakes his head. "I'm not entirely sure. They said it uh... Michael, they said it has something to do with Sarah."

My eyes widened at that. "Take me to them. Now."

Bish nodded, and took me to where the IMC was, which happened to be the Evac Ship Dock.

===

Once we got there, Blisk and Graves were waiting. "Aye. See.ya found him," Blisk said in a joking manner.

I growled, not really appreciating this. "What do you want me for?"

Graves sighed. "Well, during the War Games, Sarah broke a huge rule that we set for her: Don't engage in interactions with the Militia. And I know you know she broke that rule."

"And this has to do with me because...?"

Blisk then spoke up. "Her punishment is that you're going to be watching her suicide mission down on Demeter, from the IMS Warhog."

I shook my head, immediately thinking of a counter offer. "Hm... I'll do it, but I have a change I'd like to propose."

Blisk crossed his arms. "I'm listening..."

"I don't come with you right now. Rather, you send a ship to retrieve me as sokn as both sides are on the ground in Demeter."

Blisk looked at Graves, and he nodded. Blisk then turned his attention back to me and Bish. "Alright. It's a deal. Although, I think Mrs Sarah will be a bit disappointed. We did bring her with us, after all."

My eyes widened, and I then got an idea. "The deal isn't sealed quite yet."

Blisk raised an eyebrow. "What is it this time?"

I sighed. "An hour. That's all I want. An hour with her. Alone, in my room. No surveillance."

Graves sighed. "Alright. An hour. That's all you get. Alright?"

I nodded. "Alright."

Blisk then looked at a Grunt, who has been standing there the whole time. "Aye. Go grab Mrs Coriolan, will ya?"

The Grunt nodded. "Of course, Sergeant Blisk," he said before running onto the ship.

About five minutes later, he emerged, Sarah in front of him, blindfolded, gagged, and her wrists binded together behind her back. He then led her over to Blisk, and he took her from the Grunt.

"Thank you, you may be dismissed."

The Grunt nodded, and went to do something else.

Blisk then removed the gag from her mouth, and gave me a look, and mouthed 'Don't say a word' to me.

I nodded.

Blisk then spoke. "Aye. Do you know where you are right now?"

She shook her head. "N-no, but I have a feeling we're back on the IMS Warhog."

Blisk sighed as he undid her handcuffs. "Well, we're not anywhere near there."

"Then... Then where are we?" she asked, clearly confused.

Blisk then motioned for me to walk over to him, and I walked over to him. "You may take it from here. And once you take off the blindfold, that's when.your hour starts."

I nodded and took her hands, and kissed her.

She obviously thought that I was Blisk or someone, as she tried to pull away. However, I didn't let her, and I continued to kiss her and I took off the blindfold, and I heard her gasp, and she kissed me back.

===

The first 15 minutes flew by so fast. I kissed her cheek, as I was holding her in my arms. "I love you so much, Sarah."

She smiled. "I love you too, Michael. I... I wish we didn't have to part ways so soon," she said, tears coming to her eyes.

I gently rubbed her gloved robotic hand, and wiped the tears from her face. "I know, Sarah. Before this started about a month ago, I was hoping we'd grow together as a family of four... But that's not going to happen..."

She then burried her head in my chest, and started to cry. I stroked her hair, allowing her to let it all out.

===

By the time our hour was up, we both had our fair share of laughs, as well as cries.

I gave her a final hug and kiss before she went over to Blisk. "I-I'm going to miss you Sarah."

She nodded, obviously holding back tears. "You too, Michael."

Blisk rolled his eyes. "Alright. Let's go."

He then took Sarah away, and that was the last time I talked to her in person.