The Business of War
Orchestrated By C.M. Rich (Magnetman)
Red But Not Dead
By Anime Master
A Celebration rang out in Camp Cossack. All of those who supported
the Cossack cause drank in merriment. There were good times by
all.
Except the Cossacks Comrades.
All of them tried to comprehend what happened with Mesmerman. The
emotions were very different in all of them, with the most tears
coming from Bright and the most fits of rage from Dive. The most
neutral was Drill.
“Tha’ smiling bastard! We had a fuckin’ deal!” Dive yelled, breaking
an empty bottle of Vodka.
Drill just looked forward at the celebration. “A deal which was
obviously a trap. It was either Cossack’s death or that. It’s best
not to think about it.”
Dive moved himself so he was eye to eye with the “bossman.” He
grabbed his flask out of a jacket pocket and took a shot. “Bossman,
how da hell can you take this so calmly?! He fucked with us on
more then one time and used our goddamn bodies to save his life!
I know you are the wise an’ zen guy, but you have ta’ let reality
sink in!”
Drill pushed a button on his chest and waited as it raised up on
a hinge. He reached inside the newly revealed space and took a
locket. Clenching the golden trinket, Drill stared directly into
Dive’s eyes.
“This is all the reality I will ever need,” he said coldly. He
put the locket back into his chest and closed it. He faced the
rest of the Comrades.
“Team, we have been through hell. We lost two of our own, not counting
the one who is not here right now. I have never been more proud
of you. All of you have changed. Some more noticeably,” acknowledging
Dive, “and others in ways I never would have expected,” this time
to Bright, “My friends, we have emerged victorious at the temporary
loss of our minds. We will have to live with the knowledge of that.
However…it is time to move on. It will be hard, true, but if we
let the past run our lives, then what is the good of the future?
We are Comrades. We are strong. We are…”
His speech was cut short by a cry from Dr. Cossack. “BEER PONG!”
Dive cracked a smile. “Bossman, I’ll keep those words at heart.
However, screw you guys. I’m about ta’ kick the old man’s ass in
drinkin’!”
Drill watched them all go back to the party. He looked down to
the ground. “I miss you so much…all the things I did…I don’t think
I will ever be the same. Hypocrisy at it’s finest…oh well.”
And with that the leader raced down to the celebration.
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A few days passed since the party. The Comrades had just started
to adjust to the post war life. Dr. Cossack had managed to hold
on to most of his tools after the bombing of his home. Those were
the only important belongings he owned.
The group stared at the rubble that once was their home. A
statue was erected there at one point, but Dive had promptly
used it as target practice. In it’s place, a plaque was put
up with Zymeth’s and Rebel's name on it. It was the best way
to honor them.
"Father, this is a very nice service that you have preformed.
There is hope for you yet," Kalinka told her father.
The group had survived, but their house lay in ruins and two of
their own were not with them. The Comrades eagerly await the day
when their home becomes restored and their team becomes whole..
But until that day, the Comrades stand tall.
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