CHAPTER 44: Pluto
Blue stood in the old, dimly lit house, looking at the unconscious man sprawled on the worn-out sofa. Rim hovered nearby, his mechanical eyes scanning the man's body.
"Why did you put him on the sofa?" Rim asked, his tone curious.
Blue sighed, running a hand through his messy black beard. "I don't want him bleeding on my bed. It's very hard to wash blood off."
Rim moved closer to the man, his sensors detecting the bullet lodged just below the right rib. "The bullet is still inside him," Rim stated. "I'll attempt to remove it."
Blue shrugged, grabbing his black long coat from a hook near the door. "Okay, I'm going to Big Fan then," he said, heading for the exit.
As he opened the door, a thought struck him. He turned back, poking his head inside. "By the way, where is Big Fan?"
Rim looked up from his task. "Head left, past the church, and next to the patrol station you'll find Big Fan."
Blue nodded, muttering, "Uhmmm, okay," before finally leaving.
In the dense forest of Deira, Vagan led her squad of seven human-fused soldiers, their keen eyes scanning the underbrush for any sign of their target. Vagan's black hair was tied back in a tight ponytail, her contrasting black and green eyes sharp and focused. Her dark skin blended with the shadows of the forest, making her an efficient tracker.
She paused, her earpiece crackling to life with a call from Dorothy. "Have you located him yet?" Dorothy's voice demanded.
"Not yet," Vagan replied, her voice steady. "But we did shoot him, so he shouldn't be far."
"Remember, I need him alive," Dorothy reminded her.
"Roger," Vagan acknowledged before cutting the call. She turned to her squad, signaling them to spread out and continue the search. "Let's find Pluto. He can't have gone far."
The squad moved with practiced precision, their senses heightened and ready for any sign of movement. Vagan's thoughts were focused, determined to complete the mission at any cost. She knew the importance of capturing Pluto and the consequences of failure.
Back at the old house, Rim worked diligently to remove the bullet from the man's side. His precise, mechanical hands carefully extracted the bullet, ensuring minimal additional damage. As he worked, Rim's sensors kept track of the man's vital signs, ready to administer aid if necessary.
Blue walked through the quiet streets, his footsteps echoing in the stillness. The path led him past the old church, its stained glass windows shattered and its doors hanging ajar. The patrol station came into view, and next to it, the dilapidated convenience store marked "Big Fan."
He pushed open the creaky door, stepping inside to find the shelves sparsely stocked with dusty cans and faded packaging. He began to gather supplies, his mind wandering back to the old world Rim had described. As he filled his bag, he couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia for a time he had never known.
Vagan's squad continued their search, the forest around them growing darker as the sun dipped below the horizon. The air was thick with tension, every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig setting their nerves on edge. Vagan's determination was unwavering, her thoughts focused solely on the mission.
Dorothy's words echoed in her mind: "I need him alive." She knew the stakes were high, and failure was not an option. With renewed resolve, Vagan pressed on, leading her squad deeper into the forest in search of their elusive target.
END OF CHAPTER 44