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The driver in the transporter was waking up.

'What happened? Who was that? A Person?' he wondered.

He smelled something strange. Something, or rather someone, he had not smelled for a long time. It was his friend.

'Can it be? Is he here? No, that cannot be. I thought he was dead.'

The driver climbed out of the transporter and saw his friends lying dead in front of it.

'Oh no! What's going on? Why do I smell him and find my friends lying dead? Was that him? That's not possible!' he thought.

Suddenly, soldiers appeared behind him.

"Shall we shoot this Lupain, private O'Hara?"

"Yes, kill him!" He ordered.

"Wait!" cried the Lupain.

"You speak our language?" O'Hara asked.

"Yes. What's going on here? Who has done this?" asked the Lupain.

"We call him Akira. He has done this here. Do you know him?" asked O'Hara.

"Akira? He has a different name in our language but I know that the people of the program had given him that name."

"You know the program? Have you ever been there or how does it happen that you speak our language?"

"I've taught it myself after Akira disappeared."

"What's your name?"

"You cannot pronounce my Lupain name but I gave myself the name Ari."

"Ari, is it? You're looking for Akira?"

"Yes I'm looking for him. If it really was him I have to talk to him urgently."

"Well then, get in the truck. We will bring you to Akira."

"I do not trust humans. You just wanted to kill me. Akira would never kill other Lupains. I bet this was your doing."

"No. Trust us. We arrested Akira. He is in custody. We have nothing to do with this."

"In your custody? Then why do I perceive his scent? Why does it lead me away from here?"

"Clever fellow. Get him!"

The soldiers tried to seize Ari but he could resist them.

"O'Hara we cannot arrest him!" yelled a soldier.

"No problem, I have exactly the right thing for that."

Ari tore himself away from the soldiers and followed Akiras track.

Then a shot hit him right in the neck.

It was not a bullet but a tranquilizer dart.

Ari was getting slower, more sluggish and his arms and legs were getting heavier.

"Must... find...... Akira." Ari said and fell to the ground. Within seconds he fell asleep.

"Good shot, sir."

"Thank you, soldier. Take him in the truck. We certainly have use for him."

A little later in the military base

"Bring Dr. Carol Witta to my Office right this instant!"

"What is it, sir?"

"Your lapdog, Akira, escaped. He managed to get away!"

"You mean 4021YX?"

"Do not play games with me. I know exactly you didn't call him this way quite often. Are you aware that Sergeant Major Pohl is dead?

"No, I'm sorry. What happened?"

"You tell me! The best sniper misses the target several times. Private O'Hara informed me."

"I'm sorry, sir. I definitely have nothing to do with it."

"If I find only a small hint that you have something to do with it, I'll execute you immediately. You understand?"

"Yes, sir general Myers."

"Now get out of my sight. I am obliged inform the family of this brave soldier."

"Sir, what about Akira?"

"I knew that you would ask. Do not worry about him. He is as good as dead. Pohl managed to hit him above the hip. He lost a lot of blood. He will die if left alone."

"What should I write in my report about 4021XY?"

"Just write 'Deceased'."

"All right, Sir"

"Oh, there's something else. Have you, by any chance, noticed someone who might have hacked our communication system? Akira was warned. Someone who behaved suspiciously and had knowledge of our communications?"

"No, I'm sorry sir."

"You may go now."

"Goodbye, sir."

After Dr. Carol Witta left the office private O'Hara came in.

"Good day, private O'Hara."

"Good day, general. How may I be of service?"

"Please close the door."

"Right away, Sir."

"You have known Dr. Carol Witta for quite a while, am I correct?"

"Yes Sir?"

"Report all irregularities regarding her to me. Do not let this woman unattended for even a minute."

"Is something wrong?"

"I believe she has poisoned Pohl, sabotaged the radio and warned that subject, Akira."

"Are you sure, sir?"

"No, it's just a guess. But if you see something suspicious report it to me. You have my permission to shoot Dr. Carol Witta immediately if my suspicions are confirmed."

"Shoot, Sir?"

"Yes, of course private O'Hara. We're speaking of high treason after all."

"I understand. This will remain between us?"

"Of course. Continue to work. You are excused."

"Goodbye, general."

Meanwhile, Akira woke up on a big, brown couch.

He found himself in a small apartment.

The windows were closed and the blinds were pulled down.

New bandages, medicine and water were laying on the table.

His armor and weapons were missing.

The human had apparently changed his bandages several times.

"Hello? Is anybody here"

"Finally you're awake." said the man.

"How long was I unconscious?"

"Three days. You puked several times."

"You've got something to eat? I'm so hungry."

"Yeah, I have something I just had bought."

"Was a Lupain in your apartment? I can still smell it."

"Ah actually, I had just showered this morning. But I will open the window."

"What do you mean?" asked Akira.

The man opened a window and put his scarf, which he had in front of his face, away. He then pulled the hood backwards.

Now Akira noticed. His saviour was not human but a Lupain. His eyes were blue, his nose and paws pink and his fur white.

"You're a Lupain!" shouted Akira and rushed toward him.

Before he could grasp the Lupain Akira collapsed in pain.

"Hey you need to rest, you've lost a lot of blood." the Lupain said, and wanted to help Akira up.

Akira however, pushed the Lupain aside.

"Are you crazy? What are you doing? I won't need any help from the likes of you."

"The likes of me? You are also a Lupain!"

"No, I'm not, I'm ... I'm ..."

"What are you? Injured is the only thing you are right now. You need to rest."

"Where are my belongings?"

"I hid them."

"Why? Give them to me at once."

"No, you do not need them. You need to rest."

"But I want to get out of here you dirty Lupain!"

"Is that the kind of hospitality from where you come?"

"I am not gracious to something like you! How come you speak our language?"

"I can speak only this language. How would it be if you stop addressing me as Lupain. I also have a normal name. I think so at least. Besides, you also speak my language."

"Uh-huh, and why do you think so?"

"I only have this dog tag that reads '4022XY'. A woman with a coat told me my name was Shane."

"Dog tag number 4022XY? Never! Shane? Tell me who you really are and what are your intentions?"

"All I know is that a woman freed me from the laboratory. She did not tell me her name. I didn't pay attention to her name anyway. She gave me money and the key to this apartment. She had paid the rent for a year in advance."

"That's what I should believe you? A woman simply gives you such an apartment for one year and money?"

"It's the truth!"

"I'll give you just one piece of advice. Just keep yourself away from me. When I get my strength back I will be leaving immediately."

"Do as you want."

"And another thing. If you ever come too close to me I will kill you."

"I see. Do you actually have a real name? '4021XY' is the only written on your tag."

"I'm 4021XY and you are supposed to be 4022XY? As if! Why have I never seen you during the exercises? Where is my dog tag? Give it to me at once!" he yelled.

"All right, calm down. I was only in the lab. I removed your dog tag so it would be easier to take off your armor."

Shane took the dog tag from a drawer and wanted to give it to Akira.

Akira pulled Shane with one hand to himself. With the other he squeezed Shanes neck.

"Please, please do not do that," Shane whimpered.

He tried to free himself but Akira was stronger. He further squeezed down on Shanes neck and looked into his eyes.

As soon as Shane got weaker Akira stopped. He could not kill him. Just as with the driver. He remembered the smell.

Shane gasped for breath: "You sick bastard. Get out of my apartment, right away!"

"Who are you? I know your smell. But from where?."

"I said get out!"

"No, I'll stay here for now."

Shane disappeared into the bedroom and took Akiras sword.

"Get out of my apartment!" he ordered. He bared his teeth and pointed the sword at Akira.

Akira stood up. "Look at you. You are trembling and you also cannot properly hold the sword. I smell fear."

He snatched the sword out of Shanes hands and, with his fists, struck Shane in the stomach.

"A Lupain and most certainly someone like you won't be giving me orders. I do not care if I smelled you before. I'll kill you if you try that again. Better not think about it."

Shane was on his knees. He felt so much pain he began to cry.

"I have an even better idea. How about you move out?"

"No, this is my apartment," whimpered Shane.

"First off, it apparently belongs to a woman you do not know. You most probably stole it from a human. Secondly, what are you going to do about it? I'm a soldier and what are you? You cannot even hold a sword right now."

"I'm telling the truth, believe me."

"Believing a Lupain? Never. You know, I'll kick you out of this apartment but first you show me the city."

Shane went, without saying a word, back to the bedroom. Akira followed him.

"Are you crying now? I would be ashamed to be such a coward."

"I, I ... thought you were a good one. A friend maybe. I just wanted to help. I did not know that you were such a monster!" Stammered Shane.

"Well, you were wrong. I'll tell you something about me. I have already killed hundreds of your race. The only difference was, they could wear a suit of armor."

"Then I was not wrong. This is Lupain blood on your armor!"

"Exactly. And now get out of my bedroom."

"Your bedroom?"

"Yes. Do you think I would like to leave the bed to an invader and sleep on the couch?"

"But...?"

"But what? Here is my equipment. I'll stay here. Get on the couch quickly before I beat you up!"

Akira sat on the bed. He looked at his hands which twitched constantly.

"Is everything ok?"

"Get out!" Akira yelled and slammed the door shut.

'What have I done? Was it a mistake on my part to help him? Is it true that he killed so many Lupains? He almost killed me. But it feels so good to have someone to talk to. Even if he hates me and beats me. I never want to be alone again.' Shane thought.

He hugged a pillow and fell asleep on the couch.

After a few hours Akira came out of the bedroom: "My stomach growls, I'm hungry."

"We have nothing left."

"Excuse me? Then get some food."

"I have no money to buy something new."

"You just bought something and now you have nothing? You're a damn bad liar. Should I beat you again?"

"I invested the remaining money in medication, bandages and something to eat. I have not eaten in 3 days myself. I gave you the last food I could buy."

"All gone? How much did you have?"

"$ 10,000?"

"$ 10,000? How can you spend so much money? Do not lie!" Akira shouted, giving Shane a slap.

"I'm not lying. I had to pay for your medication and food and ..."

"And what?"

"A few humans stole a lot of money."

"Humans? Who would believe that? You're a Lupain. You are more dangerous than humans."

"But I am not like that ..."

"Pathetic. You're a disgrace. No wonder that you were not able to become a soldier. How long have you lived here?"

"I lived here for 5 months."

"5 months alone?"

"Yes alone."

"You want me to believe that?"

"Believe what you want."

Akira grabbed Shanes snout.

"I'm hungry. Show me where I can get something to eat."

"We have no money. You'd have to steal it."

"I've done so much for the humans and what have I gotten for it? Nothing, except betrayal and a bullet to the hip. I'm hungry, so I'll take just what I deserve. So, where do I find something to eat?"

"10 blocks away there is a market. You will smell it when you're around."

Akira put on his armor and took his sword.

"Will you go like this? Without camouflage?" asked Shane.

"Camouflage, why?"

"People are not on our side. We are very unpopular."

"I don't care," he said and disappeared through the door.

Shane sat down for a moment.

'What if he does not come back? What if something happens to him? I can't take this place anymore. I want to be with him. I can't endure this silence any longer.' he thought and ran after Akira.

"Hey what do you want?"

"I'm following you."

"Why? I don't need you."

Akira tried to shake off Shane. He climbed onto a house and jumped over the rooftops.

Shane was close on his heels.

"Please, not so fast!" shouted Shane.

But Akira ran on and jumped across a gap between two houses.

"You will not make it, stay away from me," Akira said.

Shane stood before the gap. It was about 6 feet long.

'Am I going to make it? If he succeeds will I also succeed? What if I fall? It's most certainly 10 meters to the ground. He will not help me if I fall. What if I never see him again? Should I let him go or pursue him further?' thought Shane.

He gathered all of his courage as he walked slowly to the other end of the roof and took a deep breath.

"I can do this. I can do this." he softly said to himself.

His heart was beating louder. He took a deep breath, then started to run.

Meter after meter he felt more uncomfortable. His breathing was heavy and his fear almost did not let him continue but Shane knew he had to jump.

It felt as if time had stopped. Seconds became minutes.

'Finally!' He thought as he neared the other roof.

But his anticipation faded quickly when he realized that he lacked roughly half a meter.

He could barely clamp onto the roof with his bare hands.

He pulled himself up so that his arms were on the roof but then his strength left him. He couldn't pull himself up any further.

His strength was gone. He had to eat something.

"4021XY, you hear me? 4021XY?"

"Yes, I hear you," a voice said. 4021XY was coming closer.

"I warned you not to follow me. Why should I help you now?"

"Please. I don't know how long I can hold on."

"You should have considered that before."

"Please, 4021XY" Shane said.

He noted that he was slipping slowly, so he used his claws to buy some time.

"Tell me the truth. Who sent you?"

"Nobody sent me!"

"So the humans haven't sent you to kill me?"

"No, why do you think that?"

"Also did the Lupains send you to kill me?"

"No, I do not know any other Lupains, except you."

"So you met me by chance. Trying to build up trust and without working for neither humans nor Lupains."

"Yes. I was shopping and when I saw you I knew I had to help you."

"Why?"

"Because you are the first Lupain who only speaks the language of humans like me."

"You speak no other language? That's what I should believe? To sum it up again. You found me and had to help me, you live in an apartment a human gave you and whose name you don't know, you live five months alone in this apartment, humans took away all of your money and you have almost the same name as me."

"Yes, it's the truth."

"Have fun falling down." Akira said and walked on.

"I cannot hold out anymore." Shane said and began falling off the roof.

'Oh no, please no!' he thought before he was thrown upward.

Shane ended up atop the roof.

"There are two possibilities. The first, you're a damn good actor who would die for his role.

Option two, you're telling me the truth and I accuse you wrongly."

"I'll take the second."

"Tell me where the market is?"

"I think we shouldn't steal anything. You should be able to smell the market."

"Do you have any money? No. The only option that remains is stealing."

"But if you steal something they will look for you."

"That's why you are going to distract the salesman while I steal the food."

"No, I don't want to. That's not right."

"It looks like you have no other choice."

"I don't want to."

"I said you are doing it!" shouted Akira.

While Shane distracted the salesman Akira stole food.

"We'll have to do that more often, do not try to argue."

After they had enough they went back to the apartment.

"I'm so hungry."

"Hands off. This is mine, get your own food!"

"Why? We worked together."

"I stole it and you only distracted him. I would have done it alone anyway."

"I can't do it alone and I am starving."

"I said no."

"Please." Shane said.

"Fight for it. The stronger one will get the food."

"I can't do this."

"Then you will stay hungry."

"Please, 4021XY"

"No!"

Shane sat down on the floor and began to cry.

"Crying won't help you. This is a world in which only the strongest win." Akira said, throwing a piece of meat to Shane.

"Thank you." Shane said, wagging his tail.

"My name is Akira, so never call me '4021XY' again."