“Safety in numbers.” Ashira said, rubbing her finger on the trigger housing of the rifle. It a nice gun. Just before shooting the sniper she had switched the gun off of stun. She didn't know how long a stun would knock him out and they needed to take as many players off the board. She had been surprised to see Booker and then a little worried after whatever happened with Harlow. He didn't seem to be holding it against though. “We can get off this planet, that's not a problem. We've got one hell of a pilot when she's sober.” Ashira said, poking fun at Michael even if this wasn't the best place. “Michael's not half bad either.”
They started moving down the street sticking close to the walls and using alleyways whenever they could. Twice more they had to stop to take out snipers. About a mile from the bowling alley they stopped taking shelter in the gazebo of a park. Hikari wasn't a soldier like the rest of them and couldn't keep up with the pace Michael and Ashira had been going earlier. Booker and Michael took up watch on both sides of the gazebo while Ashira and Hikari sat down under the edge of the wall. The younger girl looked terrified obvious this was a foreign environment for her. Ashira wasn't sure what to say to the girl to claim her down. She was saved from the challenge as the Oleran took that moment to poke his head out of her jacket. Ashira had almost forgot her was there. She was glad he was safe though he looked just as scared as Hikari.
“Is that an Oleran?” Hikari asked, leaning in and was about to touch him when she stopped just short. “I've never seen one up this close. Well only in a zoo. I always wondered if they were as soft as they look.”
“He is the softest thing I've ever felt.” Ashira said, gently rubbing behind his ear. “He likes it when you scratch right here.” She encouraged Hikari to pet the Oleran it seeming to calm her down. “I had never seen one before coming here. I'm told they are usually shy creatures but this one seems to be quite a social creature.”
“It is very rare. Though I have heard stories of them bonding with people.” Hikari said. The Oleran looked up at Ashira who nodded it seeming like they could sense what the other was thinking. The Oleran jumped from Ashira's lap to Hikari. “Can you keep an eye on him?” She asked.
Hikari nodded hugging the Oleran tight and snuggling close to him. “We should get moving again.” Booker said, puzzled at where the Oleran had come from.
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