Lt. Haukea-Willow: Breathless.
Aly Drolet
((Sanctuary District - Virtual Lifescapes - Starbase 118))
As the boys’ Corey and Evan launched into their game, Haukea and Sasch moved in the opposite direction. Haukea moved at a run, feet slapping the pavement, heel-toe, hard, vibrating up her calves, thighs, hips, arms moving back and forth at her sides. The Risian’s movements were automatic, breath heaving, Sasch by her side.
Moving on autopilot, it was Sasch who thought best to pull out her communications device, the pair having reached the entryway of the building, pulling up the map feature.
No sooner, did a glitch appear, sending the pair into the basement as previously discussed.
Kreshkova: Keep it up, Corey and Ross! Ve may not be beside each ozher, but ve are definitely fighting on zhe same team.
Willow: I think the computer is trying to help them. Help us. We’re in the basement now.
Haukea’s breath heaved, chest squeezed tight like a singer running out of air at the end of a long phrase; Yet she gulped in mouthfuls of cool air. She had not run so hard in recent times. Nevertheless, as Sasch glanced over the cement divider separating the pair between the stairwell and the street, the Risian took a glance too.
At first all that was visible were several pairs of legs, feet moving with determination and purpose. Then out of the chaos was a set of heavy set calves, a colossal automatic hand held machine gun in his meaty hands, Sasch certainly spooked by the rattle. Haukea only continued to heave, lung capacity significantly less, by percentage than other species, developed by biological need, living on a planet that was majority sea level, requiring individuals to deliver less oxygen around the body; Sasch sharing her communications device with her, noting their target was behind the gunman.
Kreshkova: Ve need to get zhere.
Sasch swallowed out of nerves, pointing silently at the map, then behind the gunman, noting they had a slim but plausible chance at making it behind him.
Willow: We have to keep a lookout up the stairs. Make sure it’s clear before heading off.
Kreshkova: I zhink our best option is to vait for Corey and Evan to make zhe program freeze in another glitch, and zhen make our vay over zhere hoping ve can clear it before it unfreezes.
Willow: ::Peering up the stairs. Waiting in silence for a moment:: I think the coast might be clear. What does your communication device say?
Kreshkova: It still says zhat ve haf to get to zhat same spot. Right now ve’re behind everyvone, but zhe moment we run out zhere ve von’t be.
Willow: That sounds reasonable. Just give me a moment. Damn biology, still catching my breath. ::heavy breathing:: Did you know most of Risa is at sea level, meaning natives have a reduced lung capacity as less oxygen is required?
Normally Haukea was a short range sprinter, never one to run a marathon. Though back on Risa she could run for miles, biology working to her advantage. It was only through academy training she had been able to run at higher altitudes. Now, out of practice, adrenaline fluctuating, she had to make due, suffering the consequences later.
Ready the Risan, running alongside Ops’ pilot, focused on breathing, each step an inhale, large, then an exhale with the next heel slap against the pavement. The breathing pattern was practically ingrained in her from years of practice. Even then, concentrating hard, both were caught off guard, the gunman sending a shot into the still air, the program having resumed from its glitch.
Bullets sprayed, targeting ten or more enraged individuals, Sasch having gone down at the gunman’s hands, blow aimed at her chest. Haukea took an abrupt stop, nearly falling over, having to seize the pavement, lowering herself beside the fallen woman.
Willow: Sasch!? You okay?
Gasping for air, Sasch sat up and patted her midsection, discovering she was in one whole piece.
Kreshkova: Villow, zhe safeties … zhe safeties must be on again!
Willow: Breathe. We can’t have both of us out of breath.
Kreshkova: Response
Willow: But if the safeties are on, what’s that mean for our plan? You think we could still get an explosive to detonate the electric panel?
Kreshkova: Response
Willow: We just require some way to access the panel. Then I can get to the wiring and disable the program.
Kreshkova: Response
Willow: Unless you have a better idea, you ready?
Kreshkova: Response
