Prologue - Part 2

It happened three years ago. They had only met four years back, knowing each other for only a year.

He had never felt so torn or shattered. In fact, before he knew her, he had never felt before. She was his reason to live.

***

At that moment, it took much exertion to stop him from charging out of his hiding place to find her, to save her. The enemy must not know they're still alive. Max refused to believe that Lynn would die.

Gunshots were heard again. The firing resumed. Hidden behind the rock, he was safe. Max could only hope they would not get Lynn.

It took him two seconds. Two seconds to realize that none of the bullets came their way. None were aimed at them.

Peering above the rock slightly, Max was more than relived to find the enemy being shot down by men of his own - those of the RIN intelligence.

None were left to live.

When they came for Max, he refused to follow them. He made them help him search for Lynn. He did not care what the weather did to the safety of the craft.

All he cared for was Lynn.

Many of the boulders that rolled down had rolled off the cliff. There was nothing much left of the rubble. Yet, Max believed that beneath the rubble, his Lynn lies somewhere.

Then, he found her - barely living, and barely saved from a long fall down the ravine.

They immediately set themselves to work. Lynn was boarded into the aircraft, receiving medical attention.

Max refused to leave her side. It had been the very first reason for their separation. He refused to be separated again.

With every other breath he took, he called to her, whispering her name gently.

She never opened her eyes.

Reaching their base, Max was ordered to give a full report. Knowing his duties and where his loyalty is pledged, Max had to force himself to be separated from Lynn this short while. He wouldn't have, if it had been in any other a circumstance. Officers were waiting to escort him.

Lynn was sent to the infirmary, the casualty unit sent for.

Once Max returned, he searched for Lynn, without much patience. His heart raced and throbbed with such pain that it hurt when he breathed.

They led him to her. Though the doctor refused to let him see her, he forced his way in.

He saw where she was kept. Kept. Where she was kept. Where she is now placed.

Her wounds had been dealt with. They were still visible, and will heal according to the doctor. But her life they could not safe. Perhaps in at a later time: once the project is completed with success. Perhaps then, she could be brought back to life.

He spent his following days, without sleep, without food, staying by her side. He refused to call it her coffin. He refused to let her die. Not in his heart. He will aid that project succeed. He will bring her back to life.

Project REi.

She must live.