AN: This is the third and final vignette. I apologize for the ridiculous year-long delay, but this chapter was sitting in my computer ever since March of last year. It wanted out. Perhaps when I find time to reread Hard Contact, I'll get back on it.

Thank you readers and reviewers, it has been a pleasure.

Part Three: p. 87-88

I stood in the middle of a vast field, keeping a careful watch out for Omega squad (minus Darman). It was getting incredibly hard for me to keep on making runs between them, Darman, and Etain. Matters didn't improve once I found out that I had lost all track of Niner, Fi, and Atin all together.

However, I didn't despair too much. The problem was simple enough to fix. All I had to do was to get into a position between the last place I marked them at to their initial destination point. Since it was basically all open plains, there was a good chance I might be able to spot Omega squad on their way. To give me more height advantage, I fitted my form into a large tree with autumn leaves.

It turned out that I didn't have to wait long at all. A speeder zoomed pass me and out popped Omega squad in the distance. There was a quick scuffle with the expected outcome. The pilot of the speeder was now sporting a smoking hole in the head, courtesy of Omega's sniper.

All at once, I made out three armored figures. One of them was having a field day with the speeder's onboard computer. By the way their heads bobbed slightly every so often, I could tell that they were discussing their next move. I didn't need to read their minds. Apparently, the one messing with the speeder needed more time and the leader was obliged to give it to him. With simple hand gestures, he directed the idle member to stand watch near the hacker while he jerked his head towards my direction.

You have got be kidding me.

After some time, the squad leader made his way over to me and took a seat. Oh, for the love of-! He was sitting right between my branches. Not implying anything dirty, but it didn't feel good to be sat on either way.

I suppressed the urge to shake him off. I wasn't exactly rooted down like a real tree, you know. Without anything but a small twitch of a leaf, I patiently bore his weight and studied his features. I briefly touched his mind to identify the soldier.

Oh-ho…. So it was him again. That same clone who gave me a good clunk of the head with his DC-17. Why am I not surprised? He unconsciously hates me. Niner, was it?

We sat together all cozy like. Of course, the commando had no clue that he was sitting on a tree-shaped Gurlanin. I had to congratulate myself though. If I could fool the guy for this long, I could do anything. The minutes seem to have elongated and not a single thing happened. Sure enough, Niner didn't budge from his spot either. If trees were capable of shifting uncomfortably, I would've done so.

"Anything happening Sarge? Still swinging?" That was Fi over the private com. Charmer.

"Yeah. We could always wait until they die of liver failure. Save the ammo," Niner replied.

That had better be sarcasm. I listened to the commandos talk, trying to keep my branches from wavering.

"You okay?" Fi asked.

"My bladder's a bit full, but fine otherwise."

Woah, time out. Holding up a grown man with full armor on was one thing; being urinated on by one was definitely another.

Ah… fierfek.