The HVI

A ‘hound in his early 20’s, dressed head to toe in black held up a flashlight, shining the beam directly on the younger hound and Erinyes. “The fuck are you doing out here, pup?” He growled.

“Fucking dammit.” Vas said, wincing at the bright light. “Just ... Us … eating … marshmallows and showing the kid the, uh, stars, er, constellation.” He said with awkward stiffness.

“Like on a date?” The taller boy scoffed. “You know that’s against regs, double time it back to your bunk and I’ll consider not telling your lead. I’ll take the Erinyes back to the gym.”

“Date?!” Vas blacked making a face. “Mind in the gutter much.” He mumbled shifting uncomfortably. “I can show her back, no need to bother.” Vas said lamely as he ticked his head for Serena to come along.

“Yeah, I don’t think so,” The Hound replied. “You’ll just as soon sneak off somewhere else. I gave an order pup, unless you want me to tell that to your lead too. Look, I’m trying to be cool about it, but if you’re gonna give me flack, we can go talk to the topps. Your bunk. Double time. Now.”

Vas’s shoulders dropped. “Sorry sir … you're right, thank you.” He said in a small voice. “Go on Rabbit. Don’t eat ‘em all yourself or you’ll get a belly ache.”

“Moh kay,” Serena replied, through a mouth full or soggy marshmallows. She hugged the bag tightly to her chest. The tall hound smiled, and shook his head.

“Come on,” he chuckled, making a motion for her to walk with him. “Out on the grounds after dark?”

“No one said I couldn’t,” She told him, looking back over her shoulder towards Vas.

“Well, I’m saying it. Now let’s get you back with your friends,” he said, offering her another charming smile, this time winking one of his green eyes. “Before you both get in trouble.”

Vas gave a small wave. At least they weren't going to get in trouble. That was at least good. He about faces and started to amble to his bunk.

“Phantom lead, this is Phantom 7,” he said into his radio

“Phantom 7, go ahead.” Serena skipped along side to keep up with his long strides.

“Time check? I found a hen out of the roost.” There was silence on the other end for a good long moment.

“Am I the hen?” Serena giggled. “I’m not a hen. I’m a rabbit!” She made a rabbit ear with her free hand to demonstrate. The Hound laughed.

“Correction, one rabbit is out of the hutch,” he said, pretending to radio that in. Serena covered her mouth to laugh in response.

“Negative, Phantom 7. Time set. Rogue hen is HVI, proceed accordingly.”

Serena stopped laughing. She stopped walking, and stared at the soldier, her heart starting to pound.

“Come on, Bunny,” the hound said. “Hop hop hop this way. I heard they were giving out chocolates to all the Erinyes tonight. You don’t want to miss that.”

Serena took two steps away, shaking her head.

“Don’t you like chocolate little rabbit? They may have strawberries left too.” The Hound took a step towards her. “What’s the matter?”

“VAS!” she screamed, ducking out of his reach. “VAS!” She threw the bag of marshmallows towards the soldier, who ignored it and lunged at the girl.

“Hey, easy now,” he soothed, gripping onto her unicorn sweatshirt. Serena quickly wriggled out of it, trying to escape.

Vas paused, not sure what he had heard initially was right. He was about to pass it off as something he had misheard until Serena screamed his name. That seemed to be enough to confirm it. He knew something felt off but he couldn’t place exactly what it was but something was definitely wrong. His mission still stood. Vas whipped around and ran at a full sprint toward the elder Hound. Hell if he didn't have the element of surprise he wouldn’t have had a snowball's chance in Hell! Vas was tall but he was still considered just a pup. Still, this pup had teeth and he was not above a sucker punch.

Vas dipped down a bit thrusting up as plowed into his ‘brother’. They hit the ground hard, Vas letting his weight add more punch to the hit. His heart raced at the implication of what he just did but he was committed now. He wasted now time, taking advantage of the stunned Hound he rained down a few wild blows down on him. Vas stopped about scramble off when the gym the Erinyes made their temporary home in, exploded.

Serena screamed, her pitch blending in with the siren that had started wailing on base, as floodlights lit up the area.

“Phantom 7, Status of HVI,” the Phantom leader called through the radio.

Serena looked wide eyed at the now burning building, trying to make sense of what was going on. “I’m an HVI?”