Chapter 9
Asset
The fish literally flew towards the explosion. It should have gotten scared and run away. Instead this one chose to do the opposite stupid thing.
A series of explosions are yet to come and the creature will definitely get killed if it got any closer. Animal deaths are Insignificant collateral damage. Asset should stay in the safety and leave. He should not work ahead of the protocol.
Still asset could not get his body to comply. The creature is very important. Asset must keep it from harm at all costs. It wasn't a mission parameter or an order. Asset just knew it like he knew how to breath.
Asset realised that he likes this creature and it's a strange feeling. Something like being handled very gently by some medic and wanting that one to be attending asset all the time. Someone who is exceptional in the team that asset will choose to rescue in a mission when there is chance for only one. An affection without distinct boundaries.
There wasn't time to waste thinking. Asset grabbed at the creature trying to stop it.
The creature responded violently scratching and pushing asset away. It probably thought asset is attacking. But asset didn't let go. He would not let the fish go get killed.
Being an aquatic creature and being very strong it had the upper hand of the fight. Assets experience in underwater combat was minimal. Most of his efforts went into preventing the oxygen mask getting pulled out.
Then the creature got a strong hold on asset and threw him away simultaneously as another wave of blast occurred.
Everything went blank.