THE AWAKENING: BIO-GENETICS-Chapter 135: Aftermath [2]

"We came to the surface knowing the worst would happen, knowing we would face things beyond us," Anzai declared. This was a far greater loss than they had anticipated.

Kazuya gulps hard.

"Just a hunch but, what makes us think that’s the only Alpha we’re gonna face? What if there’s another pack out there, we’re at a liability here" she said with trembling eyes.

"Connect to base, I need to speak with the Prime Minister," Anzai said sternly as he rose to his feet walking away.

Kazuya sighs deeply, as her eyes land on the view once again.

"At this rate, we will..." her eyes trembled more. There was no way they could continue this, aside from this what of the trauma they have sustained? It would be difficult to keep going, some might not have the will to fight again or pick up their weapons.

She closed her eyes briefly, heartbroken about everything.

Only time would tell where they would go from here.

***

Rooftop

The skies were pitch black, illuminated with stars, the moon at its highest peak.

"I never thought I would see the skies again, it just seems like yesterday I was watching the skies with my siblings," Saho said, staring at the skies with a small smile against his lips, his eyes growing wistful with the memories of the past. What could have been if not for Black Storm? It changed many things for them and the effect was still fresh as the skies.

It was like staring at a dark beauty that looked down on them with sadness. Maybe the universe pitied their situation right now to show such wonder at night. To ease their pain.

"Keep your eyes on potential threats, we are not here to look at stars," Raiden said rolling his eyes, using his binoculars again, they had night vision enabling him to survey the area more clearly for any spark of movement. They were in the wildland so they had to be vigilant, who knew if that was the last of the Alpha, for all they knew there could be more.

"Relax a little, Raiden," Saho said. "The Alpha is dead, there are no more Kaijus" he adds with a shrug.

"I’m not entirely sure about that," Ryu said with a dull expression, his binoculars hanging on his forehead, he was seated on the edge.

"What if there are more Alpha’s and packs out there" he added, facing them. He finally voiced the question that had plagued them.

No one might have verbally said it but they all thought the same.

"I say you wish bad for all of us... we have literally been fighting a pack for almost a year and... did you see Commander Shino? He lost his hand fighting an Alpha, none of us wanna live through that again" Saho said with a slight shiver.

What that team accomplished, he wasn’t sure he could, it was a miracle they came alive but he could tell they weren’t the same anymore.

"Hmph... I guess" Ryu said with a shrug.

Raiden raised his binoculars to rest on his forehead.

"We lost a lot today" he began as the air grew tight around them, memories of the fight flashing in their heads.

"I can only pray for one thing" he adds, facing them with a stern look, the wind carrying his grey hair packed behind, his blue eyes laced with seriousness.

"That we don’t encounter a pack again or none of us is gonna survive it again" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

They gulped at his words. The reality of it slipping in and caused them to take the night patrol seriously.

***

Inside

"Why exactly are you measuring my arm?" Shino said with a twitching eyebrow as he watched Kazuya measure his amputated arm.

She brought the tape to his good hand measuring it also.

"You can’t expect to walk around with one hand when you have me," Kazuya said in amusement.

Shino stared at her puzzled. Having no idea what she had in mind.

"That was the point of getting my hand amputated, I’m a handicap now," Shino said.

Kazuya pounced a punch on his head.

"Why hit me?" Shino hissed moving back.

"You idiot, you can’t limit yourself like that, you say you’re a handicap then you’re a handicap, don’t let the laws of this earth decide the fate of your future, reshape your own" she snaps poking at his chest with her index finger.

She understood how he felt but she couldn’t let him belittle himself like that. He was a strong kid.

"Okay... I get it, it will still take a lot of getting used to" Shino said, looking away with sad eyes.

Kazuya sighed as she pulled away, placing one hand on her waist.

"I don’t have enough equipment to make a synthetic arm for you but... I will see what I can do" she states, turning to leave.

"Engr. Kazuya!".

She halts her steps.

"Are we still..." he gulps as his fist tightens.

"Are we still going ahead with the mission?" He asked.

He heard her sigh.

"At this point Commander Shino" she turns to him briefly.

"It’s left for the odds we have to decide... and the Prime Minister of course" she adds with a shrug before walking away.

Shino sighs sitting on a boulder.

He heard approaching footsteps, he turned to see Sumi, he hadn’t seen her since he was back so it took him by surprise.

"Sumi," he said stunned.

She folded her arms, leaning on the wall, crossing her leg on the other.

"Was it worth it?" She began in a serious tone.

"What are you-"

"I heard from Homura!" She snaps.

He froze at her words.

"Tell me Higa Shino... was it worth it?" She asked with clenched teeth.

Shino darts his eyes away from her, his gaze finds the ground.

"It was worth it because I was saving my friend," he states.

Sumi teeth clenched in response.

"You lost an arm... and you see you did it for a friend?" Sumi said, staring at him with furious eyes.

"That’s bullshit!".