Bonds He grimaced as he pulled himself up, over the ledge and onto the terrace. Surprisingly it had a garden.

He gasped again as his leg dragged behind and snagged on something with a jerk. He did not dare turn behind to pull it free. Blood made him sick and he could not afford to spew his innards. Cut, sore, bleeding and some bones jutting out white, in all directions, he closed his eyes for a second. She rose into view. Right ahead of him. Her hair cut even shorter than the last time he remembered- like an angry mouse let out all its frustration against humanity on it. Her feet touched down on the floor lightly before her. Carefully she slid her MultiMaterial Sword into her belt. Crouching low, she swept her eyes all over the small terrace. Deeming it safe she turned toward him Cathrick. She said sharply. Oravina . . . he acknowledged. Nimbly she leapt over to his shattered leg and clicked her tongue slowly. You do know the bones are protruding. And you have lost a lot of blood. Its a wonder youre still alive, you stupid arse. Great to see you so concerned and compassionate as always. He breathed. His body ached all over. Every heartbeat made him wince and shudder. And every shudder made him hurt. Oravina knelt over him and placed a tentative finger over the tip of one of the jagged bones. She waited for his reaction but he only stared at the moon like a long lost enemy and was planning on shooting the huge white disc down. Deftly, she pushed the bone into place and went onto another, ignoring Cathricks loud cries. She pushed almost all in place in less than a minute and smiled humourlessly- We might enter the record books for the most bones set in the least time. Too bad we dont have any witnesses . . . she pinched his skin together and pressed with the other hand. Cathrick convulsed under her grip, thrashing the leg he could still feel. He yelled at her Shut up! Work! It hurts! He clenched and unclenched his fists. Oravina rolled her eyes but he couldnt see- Honestly Cathrick. Is it too hard to increase your pain threshold? Get used to it. Oh. Yeah, sure. I die almost every day anyway, dont I? Should get used to it I suppose. Dont get sarcastic with me. If I hear one more word out of your toothless mouth Ill leave your rotten body to the Healers. It was an empty threat; both knew it was. But neither said a word till the healing finished. Cathricks eyes were bloodshot and his grimy face tearstained. Gradually the feelings in his legs began to return and he bit his lip as he felt his bones crack and begin to weave together again. With some hesitation he stood up but still favoured his good leg. Joyfully he turned to face Oravina. Slap!

Ow! What was that for? For not calling me earlier. She replied haughtily. He nodded slowly in jerks. Slap! Now what? he asked crossly. For sticking your now broken nose in places it doesnt belong. She hissed. Its broken? he reached a hand to feel it. Slap! He looked at her menacingly, Okay. Im getting angry now. Why did you do that? To set your nose straight again. She straightfaced. Slap! Hey! she bellowed, Why did you do that? Nothing. Just felt like it . . . She narrowed her eyes at him and tapped her foot, impatiently, waiting for a better explanation. For healing me. He said softly and hugged her tight then retreated immediately as his broken ribs pushed outward. Oravina felt it too. Even through the Astral Metal Armour he wore and her Nanoribbon Weave Protectors. With a highly animated and exaggerated grunt she set about healing Cathrick to the best of her limited abilities. She still couldnt heal the clots and internal bleeding and told him as much. He just shrugged resignedly. The leaves in the garden around them rustled in a melody. Cathrick lifted his nose and sniffed much like a dog. Are you positively sure youre a pure human? Yeah . . . But you do act like a dog . . . remember when you started snarling because --- Theyre coming. He whispered between sniffs and drew out his Fortified Shield from his wristwatch. Oravina healed a few more hurts silently before pulling her locket off and tossing it into the air. It fell back down spinning and increasing and she caught the Lightweight Shield surely and deftly in her right hand. How dramatic. Cathrick smirked.

She flared her nostrils once and ignored his remark I expect a detailed report regarding your encounter with the hostile party next morning first thing. Provided we make it out alive. He sighed. Of course we will. She answered arrogantly and rolled her eyes. They both turned to each other, drew their weapons out and clashed them once against the others for victory. Time allowed only a brief smile and a wink. The first rocket soared over their heads and burst in white flames. The mongrels. Crosses Tribe. Warning shot . . . They both nodded to each other and Cathrick pulled out a lever and switched handsaiming the gun at where he estimated the tribe would have reached. In the distance a navy blue flame burst and hit someone by the sound of it. A long wolf howl reverberated and they saw indistinct shapes flitting from balcony to roof to tower to parapet in the distance. Approximately four point three naught minutes to reach us. He calculated mentally. In range? Not yet. Oravina observed. Then inclining her head slightly to him, added, You know Cathrick? For a beginner youre pretty good. Cathrick looked shocked, You spoke politely! To me! I did. She dipped her head, Only because you exceeded my expectations. Which were unreasonably high! Youre thinking like us now. She ignored his last comment. You chose the highest building with the most cover; we now have the advantage of familiarity. It was chance. Coincidence. In our line, we call it intuitive thinking. What an oxymoron! he chuckled and she laughed too. Besides- you called me and not that . . . Her mouth twisted, whatever her name was. Azahad. And agreed. And on that account I suppose I could forgive your transgressions in the past two hours. Not the past two days? he whined poutily. No. Certainly not. Dont stretch it. Aww man!

But I could look the other way when the chargesheets fall into the Recycle Bin by mistake. She smirked impishly. He gave a crooked smile back and switched his attention to the Crosses. His smile vanished instantly, In range! Before I forget the rocket, that was a good shot. Even No. 1 didnt ever get them that perfect. A ghost of a smile flickered on her lips. Then she adopted a sterner set of face and tone, We should take advantage. Our projectiles will reach them but theirs wont reach us. Even if they shoot at 45. Three cheers for elementary physics and high buildings. They both loaded their weapons. And not to forget Mach 3 arrows and missiles. She nocked her arrow and let it fly. It zinged through the air with a whoosh and hit one being- electric sparks flying through and shocking others into inaction as well. Cathricks mouth fell open, The sparks jump from person to person. Electricity. Electrolytes in body. Mild shock. Incapacitated. She mumbled through, her lips around spare arrows. Cathrick took aim and blasted his missile unflinchingly. It had the same effect as Oravinas arrows. Twelve down. Seventeen to go. He recited grimly. Seven. Huh? Seven to go. Ten are projections. Cathrick looked closely and indeed- he could see through them. But due to the darkness he could only barely make out. How did you know? The sparks. Didnt affect. Flew through. She explained hurriedly, nocking and launching three arrows with every word. Oh great! Uh oh. . . I think . . . her voice was drowned out by a missile that hit the front of their terrace ledge. were in range . . . she completed peevishly. Not enough elevation! Cathrick grinned, Well take them out! he took aim but unfortunately had no effect he had aimed at a projection. Whoosh! Get down! They both ducked and Oravina ran back. Cathrick hunched down and waddled after her. They peered through a gap in the hedges and potted plants. The Crosses were nowhere to be seen but four pots and plants exploded around them.

Yaaaaa! A man with suspiciously crocodile-like teeth jumped on them from behind. He had some weapons one in each hand, spikes on his boots and a large, white cross on his chest. Cathrick whirled around right in time and shot a tranquiliser at him. It bounced off his skin. Damn. Thick! he cursed under his breath, Oravina hes yours! he didnt dare turn to search for her but he knew she was on his right, batting away gunshots with her sword. Swiftly, she spun toward them and Cathrick dodged away to leave her more room and to shoot the gunner down. Oravina slapped a button on the hilt of her sword and activated the Tranquiliser. Whipping it around she parried his blows and cut his gun neatly in two. Then without warning she pushed the tip of it into his boot. The man yowled in surprise or pain, she couldnt say which, and slowly slumped down. Making sure he wasnt faking she turned to check on Cathrick. There were four people on him. One down, four against him, that leaves two remaining. She thought for a millisecond, And they can wait for all I care! With a snarl and a wild war cry she joined in the fray. Cathrick glanced at her nervously. She had a scowl on her face. A girl who was more pussycat than girl said something to the other girl- who looked like a girl but had three centimeter long fangs. Latin. Oravina answered his unasked question. Dont suppose you know it . . . Yeah, I know Ancient Egyptian, Harappan . . . he parried a sword with his Launcher and shot at the fanged one. He fidgeted around with the settings clumsily. Oravina wasnt fased. She lashed out at the two boys and spoke, That was deciphered just three years ago . . . she mused. He grunted heavily, Was on the team. Now shut up and concentrate! The girl he was trying to shoot giggled at his outburst. I give the orders here! a voice spoke up. Presumably one of the unaccounted for two. No you dont. Cathrick wheeled around, aimed at his chest and pulled the trigger. The mans unconscious body fell backwards into the soil. At least now you dont. he shrugged glumly. Is this your first time? Oravina asked him. She had hit the other two and was looking around casually. Yes! he snorted defiantly at the girl . . . cat and whacking her gun out of her hands, shot her multiple times. Taking a deep breath he spun around to face Oravina. What is wrong with you? His expression was livid. She continued looking around but her tone was peaceful, Do us all a favour and do your combat training before coming out on field. He stayed quiet. She wasnt done talking, You shot her, dumbarse. I wanted information and you shot her. She was valuable . . . Do you know what a shot does? His nod was almost imperceptible.

Fine. She relented, You were nervous. But dont just fire around indiscriminately. Right. He bit his lip. Im sorry. Its okay . . . Why are you being so nice? Youre never even . . . cordial! Fighting together creates a bond. And who said Im being nice? But you are! Usually you just kick me or glare or . . . stuff . . . with everyone! She did glare at him: Ill just pretend we never had this sad excuse of a conversation. He pursed his lips then opened them again to ask- What do we do now? She rubbed her forehead in circles with her palm. Collect their weapons and crosses and all other stuff. You know . . . she made a dismissive motion with the other hand. Yeah. He paused and looked around at the bodies around, I guess. When they wake up they wont be Crosses again. Memory erase. Blah blah blah. Right. She nodded then snarled- What you waiting for? Cathrick shook his head in frustration- Back to square one, are we? Oravina chuckled silently and hopped onto a nearby pot. Sitting down and swinging her legs contently as he worked; she pointed with a finger: There are those too, the ones we knocked down earlier over those roofs. He closed his eyes and continued working. Im thinking. Oravina drawled after some time, Im thinking I could do with one more member in my squad. Cathrick looked up at her suspiciously. She continued, after a pause, What do you think? He shrugged, Do what you want. Its your squad. Good. Then youre my number 16. A few weapons clattered to the floor from Cathricks frozen hands- What? he rasped. Cathrick! If you ever do that again Ill be sure to report you for Alzheimers or some such shit! Youre in my squad and I expect some decorum. She scolded him sharply, No more doing things youd normally do. Think before anything. Even breathing. Im your Number 16? he repeated in a daze. Yes, you are. Do you have a problem with that? She fixed him with a stony gaze. He barely managed a shake of his head when she pulled out her tags and handed them to him. He accepted them numbly and read what was written softly: Number 16. Squad North-West, East Horizon, Patrol 0700 hrs. He looked up at her, But these are yours.

They were, Cathrick. They were. Now theyre yours. She smiled delicately. He bit his lip and rasped a thank-you. But what about you now? Ill get a new one. Preferably Number 0. She smirked, Thatll be even before Number 1! Number 16 . . . Thats a very high number . . . And Ive never even been on field! Cathrick scratched his head, his eyes as wide as the barrel of his Launcher. Youre right. She scowled. Ill take it back then? No no no! he shouted and clenched his fist around the tag, refusing to acknowledge her outstretched hand. Its okay! I love it! I do! Well then welcome to the field! Thank you, Oravina. Thank you. She only looked at him as he hastily added- You . . . you are the first friend Ive ever had . . . then he looked at her shamefacedly. Likewise. She replied with a curt nod. So . . . were friends, right? You just said so yourself, Einstein. I thought youd shoot me for saying that. I wouldnt. I dont shoot friends. But Ive never had any so . . . Me neither, maam. Maam? she echoed curiously. Well, Im under you now. Earlier we were only in different departments . . . But you were still junior to me? she raised an eyebrow skeptically. We were the same age. He retorted smoothly. She breathed in slowly, Do shut up and get back to work, Cathrick. I dont want to berate you on the first day itself. He blew a whistle in exasperation- And up until now youve only been praising me, huh? Zip it. She clenched her jaw tight. They both looked at each other and burst out laughing. Heck! Im sick of you already!

Dont worry, kid. This is just the start! Hey! I thought we were friends now! She stuck her tongue out, Dont waste time. Snap to it. I dont want to miss dessert. Youll get fatter . . . Fat t er? she growled. Cathrick laughed silently and didnt say a word, stealthily running across roofs to get away from her. But I forgive you for that slip of your tongue. Oravina sniffled, her voice carrying lightly across the night over to him, After all . . . Now you are a friend. And he could even hear the smile in her voice. Neerja Bakshi 19-20 Nov, 2010