{Battlefield [https://youtu.be/GLebW8f7luw] by svrcina}
He pulls his sniper away from the window and slides down the cold wall. A vision threatens to burst through his skull, but he tries everything in his power to hold it back. Maybe the Commander was right. Maybe he shouldn't be out in the field with these boys who are risking their lives to save the slaves. He closes his eyes and shakes his head. Not happening. I can't let the vision push through, he thinks. He places the sniper back on its stand and points it towards a soldier. This vision is becoming too strong to hold back. He goes back into the same position he once was in. How can he hold this one back.
"Yo, Red 1, where are you?" A boy calls through the earpiece.
"Give me a second, Red 2," he says back.
"Well, hurry, you got a visitor at three o'clock."
"Thanks." He holds his head in his hands before he picks up his sniper.
"Sounds like someone is having another vision," another boy says through the static.
"Shut up Red 4 and cover me!" All this yelling is making his head hurt and easier for the vision to burst through his defense.
I can't just sit here, he thinks. I have to get up and help. He pulls out a gun from its holster and points it at the curtain that's covering his position. He whispers under his breath, "Nighty night." A shot rings from the gun and a grunt is heard from the soldier.
"Red 3, you're about to be surrounded," Red 2 says through the static silence. "Get out of there."
"Do you see an escape route anywhere?" Red 3 asks.
Red 1 places his sniper back on the window sill, then looks through the scope to see where Red 3 is. When he finds him, he says quietly, "I can make you a clearing near the south."
"Why the south? Why not the north?" Red 3 asks sarcastically.
"I mean, I don't have to save you." Red 1's teenage personality is showing.
"Save me!" Red 3 screams.
"Don't yell!" Reds 1, 2, and 4 screams through the earpiece.
Red 1 points the sniper in Red 3's general direction. It'd be easier if Lumin would stop moving, he thinks. He shoots the can next to Lumin (Red 3) to indicate to stop moving. He finally stops, then ends up hidingpush a barrel that Red 1 shot.
Easy Okato, don't do anything rash, Red 4 says to Red 1 through telepathic communication. Okato takes a deep breath, then makes his shot smaller. He aims for the heart of the abandoned soldier. More come into view, so he has to abandon the original plan and use back up.
Kowell, I need your help, Okato thinks, hoping Kowell will get it. He waits for a response before sending the message through the earpiece. No response, so he whispers, "Red 4, I'm gonna need your help."
"What do you need?" Kowell responds immediately this time. Now you respond quickly, Okato thinks as he gets annoyed and frustrated.
"They know there's only one gunman, but they don't know — yeah," Okato says but stops himself before he says something else.
Kowell taps in, I see where you're going with this. This is making Okato a little more upset now. Why didn't you tap in sooner? Okato thinks. Whoa! Don't get your balls in a knot. Okato hears Kowell's response. There are four soldiers down there on the south side. I'll take out two, and you take out the others. Okato thinks. This time he hopes Kowell is still tapped in, so he can get the plan. A minute later, Kowell comes back with a response. Sounds like a good plan. Okato thinks immediately, This is exactly what I am talking about! No response from Kowell. Instead, two shots ring out killing two of the men. Okato pulls one gun out of its holster and picks up the other one of the cold, cement floor. He points them at the two remaining, and the shots ring in a deadly fire. Lumin is now free to run.
"Thanks Red 1. You're the best," Lumin says. This gives a smile to Okato's face. He's always happy to help out a teammate, or better yet, someone who is like his brother.
"No problem R3," Okato calls back. The smile soon disappears when an explosion takes near the east. It's located near Red 2's position which scares Okato almost to death. I hope Maerri is alright, he thinks. He's a tough guy, Okato. Bad timing on Kowell's part. Dude! Get out of my head! Have you ever heard of private thoughts? Okato thinks angrily. Alright, chill! I'm just trying to make you feel better. Silence rings in Okato's head. Thank goodness, he thinks, peace and quiet at last.
Okato starts to call over to Maerri, "Is everything alright R2?" Static is all that's heard. He tries again, "R2, do you read me?" He hears static for the second time. Maybe third time's the charm. He says one last time, "Come in R2. Do you copy?"
A cough can be heard and Maerri says, "All good except that the explosion was a suicide bomber."
It's time to get back to HQ. "Alright, it's time to head back. Make sure you are not being followed."
Everyone agreed it was time to head back. Another team will take their place as they head on back in. Okato loves being out in the field, but he can't risk losing one of his men. He is team captain of Code Red, and it's his duty to make sure that each and every one of them is safe. When suicide bombers come out to play is when it's time for their team to head back in.
All four boys start to run across the hot pavement of an abandoned road. This is where they're at their most vulnerable. This is where no mistakes can be made. Okato keeps checking behind him every two minutes just to make sure no one is following. Luckily, his elf-like ears add to excellent hearing when he is at his most vulnerable spot on the way back. He hears a noise to his right, and immediately runs to a barrel with a hole in it. That makes it great for breright and surveying the area.
Nothing comes out of the area in which he heard the noise, so he gets out and keeps running. Stopping isn't allowed at this point. He's too close to Head Quarters that he can't slow down now. He hopes that his teammates have already made it back. There's usually one way to tell.
Who's my cute boy? Okato hears Kowell say through telepathic communication. Wrong mind, he thinks. Good to know you're back safe. He chuckles while running. That wasn't supposed to be said to you. Wait… you're not back yet? This always comes as a shock to Kowell. Maerri has gotten on Okato many times for being the last one to HQ. Maerri is going to be upset with you. Okato takes a moment to respond. I know he will be. He always is. Do me a favor and stay out of our relationship. Kowell snaps back, You don't have a relationship. He sighs, yet. No one can deny the romantic atmosphere around the two boys, but they always seem to be able to. Okato doesn't know why they deny it. It just happens. Nothing just happens in the Resistance. You either pluck up the courage to tell someone something, or you just don't say anything at all. There's always that one problem which he has. He says whatever is on his mind whether it's good or bad.
Okato stops at a sewage drain opening that's big enough to fit two of him crawling side by side. He checks to make sure no one followed him to this opening. He starts the crawl and remembers when he first discovered the Resistance. He was only seven when he ran away from everything he knew. If it wasn't for Tami, he would still be stuck in slavery. Her last words always repeat in his head. One day this war will have to come to an end. One side will lose, and the other will have to get their way. Right now, the Resistance is slowly losing, and putting all their faith in Code Red won't get them anywhere. They need a better plan rather than relying on four talented boys to gain victory. They need more teams like Code Red.
They've taught these boys everything they can, but they need to work with Okato on one thing, and that is controlling his visions.
Satisfied that no one's following him, he begins the journey to HQ through the sewage pipe. The cement trapped the cold air which is making the wading water colder than usual. It's not the best condition Okato should be crawling in, but it's the only known way into Headquarters. He tries so hard not to touch the freezing water, but the walls are slippery so grip won't help him much. He lands in the water on his side. As a result, he begins to shiver. I should've worn the whole outfit today instead of this tank top and pants. I'm such an idiot, he thinks. He keeps crawling until he reaches the end. He sits down on the edge of the pipe. He stands up and begins to power walk the rest of the way. He has to get warmed up. He can't just stay like this. Okato hopes for a warm towel or blanket when he gets back.
He walks through the double doors and is instantly greeted by Maerri. "Where have you been?"
Okato hugs him around the waist. "Making sure no one was following."
Maerri puts his hands on Okato's cheeks. "I'm so glad you're safe." Okato smiles at him. "Let's go get you warmed up."
"Yeah, that's the best idea I heard all day." Okato keeps one arm behind Maerri as he places his arm on Okato's left shoulder. They walk to their shared bedroom which is only down the hall. They walk past a training room where a seven year old boy catches Okato's attention. He immediately gets away from Maerri and walks into the room.
"Okato, what are you —," Maerri starts to say as he sees him helping the frustrated child, "doing?" He leans up against the doorframe and watches him give the young sniper a few lessons. When he finishes, Maerri stands up straight like he did just have a "falling in love" moment. "Ready?"
Okato takes in a big breath then lets it out. "Yep, let's go."
No one can deny the romantic atmosphere these two give off, but somehow they manage to do so. People have mistaken them as a couple, but they just see each other as close friends even though Okato wishes they were more. No one has been there for him like Maerri has. He just can't work up the courage to tell him how he feels.
They get to the room, and Maerri goes to the bathroom to fill up the tub. Okato looks for some loose clothing to wear. He finds Maerri's sweatshirt and baggy sweatpants. Maerri always finds it funny when he wears his clothes because they're two sizes too big for him, but Okato doesn't care because it's comfy.
Okato starts to shiver uncontrollably when Maerri asks, "Are you ready?" He walks out into the bedroom area and sees Okato huddled up to himself. He kneels next to him and whispers, "Let's get you out of these damp clothes, shall we." Okato nods his head. Maerri starts by taking off his tank top, but Okato is making it hard for he is leaning up against Maerri's chest. "Come on, work with me here." Okato sits up as Maerri takes off his black tank top.
Maerri gets up to go check on the water as he tries to undo his belt. Why is this so difficult? Okato thinks. He finally gets it undone. He stands up and heads to the bathroom. "Is the water warm yet?" he asks.
"Yeah —," Maerri looks up from the water, "What are you doing off the floor?" He sounds so worried, and Okato can't figure out why. He gets up from where he has been kneeling, and Okato doesn't dare leave the doorway because he knows he will fall.
His pant are slowly falling down. He didn't realize that he grabbed Lumin's black pants until it was too late. He and Lumin are about the same height, but one's a little more fuller around the hips than the other. Okato can't find any pants that fit, so he either sews them or wears a belt. He lets the pants fall to his feet as he know he'd have to take them off anyway. It beats bending over to do so. Okato slowly steps out of the pants, and Maerri picks them up. Why do I like him so much? Okato thinks.
"Alright," Maerri starts. Okato feels a bit better and starts pushing him out the door. "What're you doing."
"I don't want you to see me naked."
Maerri spreads out like a starfish in the doorway. "You know we share the same room right?"
"So?" Okato keeps pushing. "Out!"
"Alright, alright, I'm going."
"Good!" Maerri steps out of the doorway as he starts to close the door. He locks the door and slides down into a sitting position. He knows why Maerri takes care of him, but he doesn't want anyone to worry about him. He already feels bad that he can't take care of his health on his own. Tears began to sting Okato's eyes. He doesn't dare let them fall, but he can't stop them from sliding down his face. There's no understanding to why he's crying. So much has happened to him, and for him to deny his true feelings for someone is tough on him.
He walks over to the tub and sits down on the edge. The water is warm, and he knows that he needs to get in as soon as possible. He's just hoping that they made chili for dinner because that'd help him out more than anyone would know.
He takes his boxers off, but he slips into the tub making a huge splash. Okato ends up laughing even though his head hurts a bit now. Maerri knocks on the door. "Everything alright?" He asks concerned.
Okato can't stop laughing, but he manages to get out, "Yeah, everything's fine. I just fell is all."
"Alright," Maerri says. "I'll be in here if you need anything."
Okato just smiles. He doesn't usually answer something like that because he doesn't want to need anything. He's needed everything almost all his life, and he hates that. He was taught at a young age that want and need were totally different. He never needed to be free. He wanted to be free. He needed to everything Master assigned him to do, but it never got done to the extent of Master's liking. He lives with every whipping scar to this very day, and he hates it because it's a constant reminder that he was a slave. He will never be free until this war is won by the Resistance. If they lose, then he will be returned to his former master, and it won't be a welcoming sight.
He closes his eyes as he soaks in the warm bath water. He tries to remember her face. His adoptive mother's face is all he cares about. The only memory that comes to mind is when she was cleaning his first whip wounds. He knows that there are better memories than this one. The water was tainted red from the blood that dripped out of the wounds. He was only five. Why would anyone do such a thing? He remembered that he had to ask someone for a step stool because he couldn't reach the line to hang up the Mistress's clothing.
He opens his eyes, and his mind starts to deceive him. Blood instead of water is in the tub. Okato quickly gets out, and slams into the bathroom door. He holds his knees up to his chest and buries his face into his arms. This cannot be real, he thinks. Maerri bangs on the door, which makes him jump. He leaves enough space for the door to be swung open. Maerri slowly opens the door, and sees Okato hugging himself.
"Another vision?" Maerri asks.
Okato shakes his head. "Blood," he whispers as he points to the tub.
Maerri walks over to the tub and looks in it, then looks back at Okato and smiles. "It's just water." Okato sits up a bit so he can see over the edge. He sighs in relief. "Your mind deceiving you again?"
Okato shrugs his shoulders. "It wouldn't be the first time." He grabs his boxers.
Maerri chuckles, "It most certainly won't be the last."
Okato pulls on his boxers as Maerri accidentally stares at him. He pulls them up quickly as he says, "Do you mind?"
Maerri looks at him dumbfounded, then realizes, "Oh, sorry… I'm sorry." His cheeks start to turn a darker blue. He tries to calm down so the color will match his baby blue skin tone again. The boys know each other's feelings for one another, but they deny them every chance they get. No one understands why, and everyone thinks they never will.
They walk out into the bedroom area together. Okato grabs the sweatshirt and sweatpants he set out a while ago. Maerri notices that the clothes are his, and he begins to smile. He just stands there watching Okato get dressed. He can't help but smile.
Okato knows that these clothes are too big for him, but he loves the baggie-ness and the fact that it can hide his frame. He's still not use to the full portions that the others get, so he eats what he can and disperses it equally among his teammates. Two of his teammates thinks of it as a nice gesture, but Maerri knows different. He knows more about Okato's life than anyone in the Resistance. This is only because Okato is more comfortable around him. No one understands why of course.