Chapter 10

Alan Park had strict instructions, to find Colonel Abernathy and deliver the satellite radio to him in haste. He was supposed to be on this months resupply ship to the island, but one of Mr. Backers people discovered someone tailing him a few days ago. Mr. Backer got cautious and sent him a week early to deliver the radio just in case someone was trying to delay any form of contact or worse, cause trouble on the island.

Alan landed in the port town this morning and was making his way, on foot regrettably, to the town of Glendale to find any Association members who could take him to Colonel Abernathy, and with this feeling of dread he felt he needed to hurry. He had an eerie feeling he was being watched.

Andrew peeked out of from behind his hiding place, some rubble of stone and metal, and watched as the M6 continued driving along. He couldn't be spotted, not if he wanted to be questioned and harassed by Davis. Ever since young Timothy got shot Davis has been tearing the city apart to find and repay Commander Darjeeling. Andrew didn't want to know what that meant, and he hoped he'd never find out.

With the M6 gone Andrew leapt from his hiding place and ran across the street moving more westward, towards the battle line. He had to, the last attack of theirs was disastrous. Half of his force was taken out, but they were all ok, and half of S.G. was taken out as well. Including her tank. Andrew needed to make sure, so he went and placed his discreet sign, she'd have seen it and understood, with Davis on a warpath and his lack of care for his surroundings, this city wasn't safe anymore.

Andrew arrived at a small plaza nestled between two buildings. Lots of surrounding and overhead cover, out of the way, it's the place where he had met her. Both of them were sent out on foot to scout out any additional paths that could be used to flank S.G.

The sound of shifting rubble caught his attention and, when he turned to look, there she was. Brown hair disheveled but still beautiful, St. Gloriana's outfit dirtied and torn in places, but she still wore it well. She didn't look injured, and Andrew let out a sigh of thanks.

"Riri!" Andrew exclaimed moving towards her with haste.

"Andy!" She returned his haste filled movements and came into contact with him quickly. The two enveloped each other in a tight embrace and without wasting a second longer they pressed their lips together for a long and heartfelt kiss.

"You're not hurt are you!" Andrew said releasing her lips and examining her body for damage. He even got on his knee to check on her. Rukuriri blushed at his concern and placed her hands on his head to get his attention.

"I'm find Andy, a little shaken up from the hit we took but I'm alright." She said sweetly, soothing his fears a little. Andrew stood up and gave her another kiss, this one quick but affectionate.

"God I was so scared when I saw your tank get hit. I wanted to rush over and check on you right then." Andrew said.

"I know you did, but we both know you couldn't. Should Miss Darjeeling or Mr. Davis ever find us like this we both would be hurt or even sent home, away from each other." Rukuriri said a tear threatening to fall from the fear of being separated even more than they already are.

"Don't cry, I would never wish anything to befall upon you where you would stain your beautiful face with tears." Andrew said wiping her eye to stop the tear. Rukuriri smiled and looked up at him, gazing into his lovestruck eyes. She raised her head and kissed him again before resting her head on his chest, before confiding in him.

"I'm scared Andy. Miss Darjeeling is not herself. She's struck by paranoia, refuses to be more then ten meters from her tank for fear of being attacked, and she hardly sleeps anymore. I'm scared that we will be found out and that Mr. Davis would hurt you." Rukuriri said.

"He'd never hurt me. I told you before Riri, He and I have been friends since our freshman year, he wouldn't dare hurt me." Andrew said.

"But what about your other friend who suggested talking with us for a short respite in the fighting!?" Rukuriri said reminding Andrew of when one of the younger members of the team, a boy named Kenny, asked Davis if they could schedule a temporary ceasefire to have a rest. Davis gave the kid one good fist to his face and went off on a tangent saying that there would be no talks with the Witch of St. Gloriana.

"I'm not worried about that, but I am scared of what will happen to you." Andrew said thinking back to when they met. When they stumbled upon each other there was no fight, or fleeing, there was just two young adults who saw how tired the other was in their eyes. They talked for several hours that day, about themselves, home, school, friends, and then they left. Separating with the thought they wouldn't ever see each other again. Then they met again, in this same spot, they both ended up using it as a place to escape from their teams growing insanity. They talked about the wargame, the hatred, potential peace, and love. Then they scheduled another meeting the next day and found each other here where they both confessed they felt something. Love at first sight? Maybe, but they knew that they felt at ease with each other, and they gave it a shot.

"I want us to leave the city Riri." Andrew said shocking the lady.

"What?" She asked.

"I want to leave this city and I want you to come with me." He said again.

"Where?" She asked.

"North, to Homedale." He answered.

"Why?" She asked.

"Word has spread that the fighting up there is nonexistent, and we can finally get some real rest and come up with a plan to make Davis and Darjeeling come to their senses." Andrew explained. Rukuriri thought for a moment before looking him in the eyes, her own filled with determination.

"When!" She asked in a solidified tone.

"As soon as possible." Andrew said before he kissed her again.

Alan Park knew nothing about tanks, but he did remember the American Tankery Associations uniform. Two days of walking and he stumbled upon a tank with four men around it. they seemed to be taking a break from whatever they were doing, since they had bottles in hand as well as cigarettes, so Alan approached waving his hands to the men.

"Excuse me, but can you gentlemen take me to see Colonel Abernathy?" Alan asked.

"Who are you and why?" Asked the tank commander with some suspicion in his voice.

"My name is Alan Park, I came to the island two days ago with a message from Association head quarters for the Colonel." Alan said.

"From home? Well why didn't you say so, hop on we're ok with cutting our break short." The tank commander said. Alan watched as the four men snuffed their cigarettes, closed their bottles, and hopped back onto the tank before he climbed up himself. He entered and found a fairly comfortable spot on the left side of the tank commander.

"Lets go boys!" The tank commander said. The tank started up and began moving east towards the battle line.

Alan took the tank in, it was an amazing piece of machinery, and he did wonder how it worked, but for now knowing what it was would be sufficient.

"Hey, I'm not all that knowledgeable about tanks, what is this one called?" Alan asked. The tank commander turned and answered.

"This tank is called a Grille."