Chapter 7
Oops, Not here

Well, it took me a while to finally get around to updating this story since I have updated EVERY other of my fictions D I really do not want to have to put one of my fictions on hold, but eh. I am hoping for people to start reviewing soon! :D

Authors Note:: I am not in the army, nor do I know much about it, so if I mess up ranks, terminology or overall ways that things are done, please maybe just review about it, but no bashing it. This is a fiction story that I made up for my own pleasure and I do not claim to be smart on this subject.

Oh, and a warning that there is not much dialogue this chapter – sorry.

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With a sigh, he watched as the last of his troops left for Mashiba. Though that point was not too far and he did have a couple of horses in a specifically placed stable so that he could ride quicker back and forth to his positions, he still wondered why he let them leave him here. Then like a ton of bricks, he remembered his exact reason, Kyrea. And wherever she is or how she is doing.

Half of him did not want to admit that she is possibly in danger, maybe even harmed. He simply could not allow himself to think it, for the slight chance that he may be right. He, after all, had been the one to send her out on this mission. She had just arrived from her earlier mission and he immediately sent her out again. He often found himself wondering why he did, but was reminded by her intense skills and capability of doing the required tasks. She is one of the best after all. However, through it all, he never acknowledged her femininity. And she never denied his requests to go out on missions either.

After giving it thought, of course she never would deny it – females tended to wanting to prove themselves in this career and to do so, they had to act more, masculine? Well to hell with it, Sheldon thought, she was a woman and men sure as hell notice her that way. Heck, he even kissed her before she left, and she has not left his mind since. Did she think of it as often as he did? Well in the pit of his stomach, a nasty feeling left him wondering about her whereabouts. In addition, her being as good as she is, it was very unusual that she was not back yet and she did not send out a word about it. The other half of Sheldon knew something was wrong and was primed on helping out – hoping it was not too late. No time to double think it, if his instincts were wrong and she was effectively running back, then he would simply inform her of his concern, ask for the information gathered and show her to a horse. Same for her team of course.

About them, he was wondering why she had not send out someone, perhaps her partner Demetry, back to give word of their delay. After having them deployed, he had looked up information on Demetry and he seemed an adequate partner. Apparently, Kyrea knew him for she had him in mind once he asked her to get a partner, and he trusted her decision. Personally, Sheldon did not know him, he saw him in training often, doing quite well but that's about all he knew. He had only recently taken command anyhow, unfortunately Leo had been murdered barely 2 months ago. Before, he was a drill commander, but then as their captain passed away, he was given the duty. With it came a ton of responsibility, but he felt willing and ready to take on the task. He did not have much of a choice anyways; someone needed to lead the soldiers. He also had friendly ties to other armies that were trying to help gain possession of the stars, which was the "world concern" that all the people with power knew about. Normal civilians might speak rumors of it, might discuss it as legends and tails without knowing its actuality and the danger of their situations.

Having now reached the stables, with a whistle, his horse Gamia came striding to him. She was one of the most beautiful horses, and it was a gift to him from his parents. They are not rich but they had saved up, same as he, and they got him a very beautiful horse. She was completely white, except on her forehead where it is doted in black. With a powerful sound that a horse makes, she knelt down, shaking her beautiful mane as she did. Sheldon smiled and brushed her with his hand a bit and then with a powerful but swift jump he climbed on the horse who stood and started prancing away.

They rode like this for a couple hours, but with Gamia riding at her top speed, they moved at quite an impressive pace. Almost all the time Sheldon was looking out of his binoculars to see someone or something interesting in the distance, but nothing ever turned up. They followed a path made by scrunched bunches of high grass, something that should not have been left behind but Sheldon was too glad for it to complain. There was no evident areas to where she and her group may have went, no obvious interesting places – just grass, grass, trees and more grass.

At a certain point, the grassy paths seemed to split in two fainter paths. Maybe more. Did they split up? Or was this not them in the first place? Or were they joined by others..? He wondered, opting for the first option as it had come from their camp, making it obviously the quad and the flattened grass area wasn't large enough for more people to have come, no blood, no bodies either.

And WHY would they split up? Moreover, I sure hope she took a gunman with her, same with Demetry, not split the other way. But wait, why doubt her? She has skill. Sheldon shook his head nervously, he was apparently anxious to get to the end of this, and be on his way with his quad to Mashiba. He could not just abandon Mrs. Shyra anyways; she was defenseless until his troops got there. Well, they had their own army – but who knows how long it will hold. They did ask for back up after all.

Shacking off his thoughts, he figured that he mind as well try following the paths. He first followed the left one. This path continued in grassy areas for a long while before getting to a river. This river did not seem crossable easily and by looking both ways, Sheldon did not find an already made transportation, on the other side of the water bank either. Alright, so it's less likely anyone came THIS way. Making a 180-degree turn he noticed for the first time the faint other track that seemed to lead back the same way. Ok so, these two (I assume) came to the river, saw that it was the end of their path, turned around and walked back. They did not find what they were looking for. He was trying to fit the pieces of the present puzzle together.

Once the path had successfully led him back to his starting point he thought of difference varieties to that hypothesis. Perhaps because of his skill and he knew better, or maybe just his stress. On the other hand, maybe they were guards who went to the river to guard from anyone coming from that way, or meeting someone in the river. Either the quad has excellent timing and they just missed each other, or there were no guards. He argued to himself his ideas to single out the best one. His thoughts stopped briefly when the path led him out to a road, going from left to right. It was a dry rocky road and on the other side was a slight patch or grass and a big pond or lake. Studying the road, it did not seem in use by any vehicles for a while.

Small blurred footsteps were discovered though. Four distinct footprints trails actually. Examinating them closer he realized that no sets seemed to match, though. Two of the group seemed almost identical and upon looking at the other pair, they resembled each other as well. Okay, not good. That confirms guards. Or, maybe, they belong to civilians just taking a hike. Nah. Okay… two of the four of my quad met guards, or maybe once again they missed each other. Nevertheless, they did not come back, whatever they did. Both of them. Two left, two came… to the shack? Sheldon got up from his crouched position and went to the broken establishment.

It looked as bad inside as it did outside. It was obviously abandoned too. There was only really one piece, spacious enough to spread your arms side ways and just a bit higher then your head, but that is about it. The walls were in poor conditions and the window frames carried no glass. There was grass inside, where the ground of the shack was supposed to be. It seemed to grow with the shack's form, indicating it was present for a while. Someone had to have come and went in this or behind this shack, how so though? Crouching again, he looked at the grass for any abnormalities and found an unexplained bump. Petting it, his hand found some hard metal and his fingers slipped under it. A handle? Makes sense. Sheldon lifted it slow and he looked down to see a dark, very dark, room at the bottom of a wooden, poor quality, staircase.

Deciding to keep the "door" open for lighting purposes, he withdrew his handgun and walked down the stairs, taking in all the darkness of the room. He saw nothing. As much as a blind person would. His gut told him the room was not that big and to watch out for walls. How big can an underground, not lit room be anyways? Walking around, he kept his senses alert for any sound at all, any light source, any distinct smells, anything. Perhaps a door or light switch, if he found walls. When his gun hit something with a thud, he figured he had found just that: a wall! With his hand, he felt around it to a corner and then kept following to the right. This led him back to the staircase, then onto the continuing wall on its other side. Finally, he found where he assumed he had touched the wall first. The room was square and normal. He would have to do many more circles, or squares, like such to find things on the walls such as a light switch, picture frames, blood spatter, and a key of some sort. Assuming any of the objects could be present. Before he had a chance to engage his search of the room, he heard some voices. He froze to be able to tell their location, and it seemed to come from outside of this room, but still underground, confirming that this room connected to something.

The voices drew louder and the (at least) two people came closer to Sheldon's room. He decided to prone/crouch on the side of the wall, hoping that the door opens the other way so that no light were present on his side. No such luck. The door opened on his side and he only hoped that the figures were not looking for him in this room. Just as he had hoped that they had not seen him, as they were near the staircase by now (illuminated by the outside day light) they turned around and ran to him.

He was slightly surprised but as he had been fixating them with his eyes the whole time, he was able to react quickly. The one on the right side got to him first and Sheldon kicked him in the stomach before he was able to grab him. The other, though, had snaked behind him and put his neck in a lock. Tsk, beginners. He thought as he elbowed the guy (you could tell by his muscled body) viciously and ran to the first person who had now recovered. This earned him an other kick and then Sheldon took his silenced pistol to his head and shot the trigger. This earned him one less opponent and not much sound made so his presence was possibly still unknown. The fight itself was not very loud either; things were playing out his way. Next, his previous opponent surprisingly knocked him forwards and into the corpse. As the man fetched for his gun, Sheldon caught him with an elbow to the upper chest, effectively hitting a sensitive bone and the man backed off a bit. Adrenaline was flooding through Sheldon and he loved the thrill, it was one of the reasons why he decided to stay in the army forces. His body seemed to move faster then usual and pack more power. Deciding to be unfair, he ran to and kicked his opponent hard between the legs and he dropped to the ground gasping for air. Feeling around for this weapon, he eventually found it and then figured out where John Doe was with ease thanks to the heavy gasps he was letting out. Sheldon aimed forwards and walked to him until he felt his gun against his head before he let his shot go and yet another body fell.

Two. He had killed two so far. Maybe those two were just bums, though he knew better then that. Okay, so they were not good news. However, they were not certified evil people either. Self-defense was his excuse. They clearly jumped on him first. He had to do it for himself, and for the people he was looking for. Perhaps the two he killed had aided in capturing, killing, harming, or distracting his quad. He needed to avenge them, and he needed to find them. Quickly at that, because how long can you stay in enemy territory un-noticed? Not very likely that he could stay there 24 hours.

Pushing away his thoughts about his action, he knew with both skills and guts that he needed to move forwards in his little plot. He now knew that there was a door, problem was to find it. What if it opens only one way? That could be a problem too. His hands eventually found the wall again and he traced its texture with his fingertips. A small, almost unnoticed bump was felt and again about 3 quarters of a meter later. He found the door, now to open it. His hand felt the door's entire surface a couple times before he felt confident there was nothing on it. Then he moved to its sides and did the same thing. On its right side, he felt a hole the size of a card, and deep of about two decks. Feeling out its shape, he noticed that the bottom texture was different so he applied a bit of pressure. The door opened up, slowly, and Sheldon was immensely relieved. Now, for the harder part.

He swiftly and stealthily moved to the door side and proned, peeking his head out of the doorframe. After his eyes adjusted to the light in the opposing room, he figured out that it was in fact a hallway. It was monotone with shades of brown painted on the wall and not too many doors were found. At the end of the corridor, it took a sharp turn to the right and he could see nothing else. Listening, he could not hear any voices or footsteps, so Sheldon stepped out into the hall, silently moved forward, semi-crouched, and pressing his body to the right wall. Being careful to not press against a door, he reached the corner and once again proned. He could hear the distinct sounds of chatting but it did not seem too close so he peeked his head out to observe his path. It was more of the bleak brown hallway, but this one continued straight for about 3 meters and took a left but also continued further and took a left. Sort of like an "F", inverted and rotated.

The voices must come by one of the two hallways. He concluded, but as he was about to get up, he felt a foot on his back, effectively pinning him to the ground. His heartbeat quickly increased and he mentally cursed his error. Not giving his opponent, possibly opponents, time to move, he rolled onto his back. Staring up from the ground, he was met by two muscular tall men in dark outfits. More guards. As one of the two reached down to grab him, he rolled backwards over his shoulder and landed onto his feet. By the time he was able to get eye level with the others, a fist connected into his jaw, sending him stumbling on his right. The other kicked him in the stomach and he fell breathless. Damn. Not as easy as the other two. He was picked up from behind and he attempted to put an arm lock complimented by a neck lock on Sheldon, but he was apparently new to the procedure and Sheldon took his opening, elbowing him in the stomach and kicking the other man with tremendous power in his side. This one let out a yelp, indicating his pained state.

"Son of a bitch. You broke my rib." He managed to say between inhalations, grabbing his side.

Surprisingly, he rose and rammed him by his head into the other guard who fell over once again. Apparently, these two are more trained then the first two. I guess Kay does have a mind after all. He noted to himself. Adrenaline flowed once again; twice in half an hour. His body would be protesting these fights later on, but for now, he still had to clear this mess. Someone could probably hear this fight and wonder what was going on. He needed to kill them and quickly. Where did they come from, anyways? Remembering the footsteps he had seen leaving the shack, he figured the trail was made from these two guards.

Sheldon decided not to take a chance against these two men and pulled out his silenced pistol again. Quickly, he aimed and shot at the man who had rammed him and proceeded by dropping the second guard too. Four people today. He told himself, more shamefully then priding himself. If nobody heard the fight, then ill bet everything they heard those shots. He told himself and considered his options. Running back towards the first dark room, try to open a door in the hall and hide in that room or continuing down on of the hallways.

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"Sir, Sir." A man ran into the interrogation room, ignoring his order to knock first of all.

Kay stood, enraged at this and turned to face the intruder. Before he had time to speak, the man continued.

"We have an armed, unwanted enemy in the front halls. Shall I send out full security?" He enquired, enlightening his boss with the news.

Kay was not as shocked as he could have been. He expected someone to try to rescue their little princess of an agent. Possibly even Sheldon himself. Probably Sheldon himself. Okay, heck, most definitely him. He had even done the next step and come up with a plan of action if this scenario were to ever happen – as it appeared to be unfolding.

"No. Summon Jeff and Duran to me and you go with Maria to the army. Bring them to Mashiba. The girl comes with me. We are going to attack. Make sure the intruder does not see anyone here, that the place looks inhabited." He explained shortly to the man, who nodded and left the room as quickly as he came.

Kyrea, handcuffed to the chair she was sitting on, heard everything. He did not care for her knowing any of this.

"So your "hero" has arrived. He actually found you; I am honestly surprised. Well, your quad found us two – but your talent is surprising as well. Too bad though, really. Because your of no use to Sheldon and your army anymore. Your mine – my possession. A prisoner of war. You know what? You may even play a big role in this war. You may actually bring us to victory, and you sure will be rewarded when the time comes." He paused here and laughed a bit.

By the look on Kyrea's face, he could tell she was beyond disgusted and refused to believe the information given to her. A bit of regret was found in her eyes and a bit of hope. Damn, does she not know when to give up? Well. I guess she's doing what she should – but it is not making her life any easier. His thoughts were interrupted once again when the door re-opened and in came two tall muscular men.

"Ah, finally. Duran, you get the girl and prepare her, and yourself, for the journey to Mashiba. Ask one of the women around if you need some clothing help – she looks like she needs new clothes anyways. Jeff, do the same for yourself and grab my stuff too, other then casual clothing and personal effects and such. I have a couple of things to pick up. Meet me at the southern doors." He explained and left to his office/room.

He picked up the folders that lay on his desk which were composed of logs and pictures and descriptions and plans and notes and letters and other information. Opening the drawer at the bottom left, he picked up the bag and closed the drawer. Crossing the room, he packed himself some clothes and other effects before closing the light to his office and leaving it, possibly for a long while.

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Sheldon had not noticed how tired he was, physically, up until now. Hearing movement down the hall, and a lot of it, too, he figured he was too drained to fight again. He must retreat to a room, but which one? Turning around, he paced back to the first bit of hallway following the door that brought him in here. He tried the closest door to the dark room and it was locked. He proceeded to the second, locked again. Next to the third, not locked! Drawing his pistol for the third time that day, he quickly opened the door but was greeted by a toilet bowl and a mirror showing him his own reflection. His breath had hitched again and he violently tried to calm it down, closing the door behind him, locking it, then falling to the floor – effectively passing out, without his consent.

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Well – no reviewers to thank, but if you are reading this its 'cause you read this chapter! So Thank You a lot!

And sorry, I really don't know how to do cliffhangers! I know where I could stop my chapters to really kill you readers, but then it cuts my little chapter plot short and I want to know more.