<REMADE> Soldier 76 | Reporting For Duty

Old Man

Fareeha whirls around, shuffling to the entry way.

"Who?" She asks. Ana gets to her feet, then helps me up. I nod in thanks as I move beside Fareeha. "How many can you see, Mark?"

"Two of them, but they've already gotten through the perimeter. I don't think they left anyone alive." Mark reports, his voice breaking. "I got a call from one if them saying they were breached, but then there was a gunshot and then-" he cuts himself off, unable to finish.

"We'll take care of it. Go sit down and rest." I say. "I think I know who we're dealing with here."

"Cheif?" Mark asks, raising his gun. Fareeha cuts him off with a hand gesture.

"They're fine. I'll explain later." She says, leaning out of the entry way to scan the open yard. She steps out and motions for Ana and me to follow.

We stood in the yard, back to back with weapons raised, scanning our surroundings. I shuffle as I hear a muted chuckle.

I turn as I see a flash of light, then Fareeha cry out. A sniper round.

I stagger as I feel a blast on my back. I fall as another blast hits my jacket. Those shotguns.

"Your an old man now, Jack. Not so combat ready anymore." My attacker rasped behind me. "Second time I've gotten you today. You only got through the first time because you had help. There's no one to help you now."

I begin to stand, before I feel a boot pressing me back down.

I turn my head to see Fareeha lying on the sand, motionless. Ana lying next to her, conscious, but lying still as the muzzle of a sniper rifle meets her temple. I heave a shakey breath as I stare into her wide eyes, my heart breaking as I see my friends life so close to ending, only the pull of a trigger away.

<>

I hang my head in defeat as I'm lifted off my feet, hands tied behind my back.

"Make sure they're all secured and knocked out. Lock them up somewhere." A woman's voice orders, and a quick response from multiple men.

When did they get here?

"Move it." Someone orders me, shoving me towards more guards who are leading Helix soldiers into a closed room.

"No. He comes with us. So does she." The voice rasps, pointing at Ana. I finally get a good look at him. A bone white mask, not unlike an owl, and a black trench coat and clothes. I note the two short-barrel shotguns on his belt.

His companion is vaguely familiar. Sniper rifle in hand, she looks down at me in disgust. What I could see of her skin was a pale blue, sending my head spinning.

Skin isn't supposed to be blue.

Before I could get a closer look, the soldier holding me raised his rifle and brought it down on my head.

<>

"How long has it been, Jack?" Ana sobbed quietly beside me. "I've lost count of the years. How long have we done this?"

"I don't know anymore. I'm tired, but I can't give up yet. I just keep telling myself to make it to the next day." I whisper, drawing her to my chest. It's been 14 years, 3 months and 5 days since I started this. "We just have to see it through, Ana."