The sun was just beginning to rise when Root and Azuki reached the place where he was going to set his trap, a choke point on the way into the basin with a number of convenient outcroppings. It was the easiest path for vehicles to get into the basin and the most likely place to ambush said vehicles. If Faustman was still hunting them, this was where he'd do it. Root was sure of that.

In all truth, Root had only been in two sniper duels back when he was in the Legion and neither of them were anywhere near Faustman's caliber. He wasn't sure he could win, but he was the only one who stood a chance. He had one advantage, though. His eyes in the sky. If Azuki could expose Faustman's position, all his skill wouldn't count for much.

This time Root was wearing a set of the new winter camo belonging to a Blackamoor about his size. He wouldn't be nearly as easy to spot as an olive blob on the white snow, but Faustman seemed like the type who could spot a flea on a dog's back at a hundred meters. So long as he wasn't looking for a sniper, Root should be fine.

He spent nearly an hour scanning the slopes for any sign of Faustman's position. No such luck. Little surprise.

Then there was the sound of one of the trucks approaching. It looked a little unnatural for a truck to be driving without an escort, but anyone in a buggy or jeep would be too easy to pick off. Root didn't want any more blood on his hands if he could help it.

The driver killed the engine and let the truck slide to a stop. It was all part of the plan. Corporal Salmon volunteered to be the bait. He got out of the truck to make like he was checking the engine. He had steel plates strapped to him under his parka. They would be enough to stop a bullet so long as Faustman went for a torso shot. It wasn't 100% safe, but it was better than going out with no protection at all.

Salmon stood on the fender and opened up the hood to pretend he was working on the engine. Even if Faustman was out there, he might not fall for the trap. A single grunt wasn't worth compromising your position, but Root didn't exactly have the Marshal of Byrandia to parade around as a more tempting decoy. If Faustman didn't take the bait, a proper convoy was set to follow in two hours. He would be more likely to expose himself, but that was because more lives would be on the line.

There was the crack of a rifle shot. Salmon was knocked forward, then rolled off the fender. It looked like he was hit square in the back. He should have been fine, but he would have to convincingly play dead for a while. Judging from the angle Salmon was pushed by the bullet, Root followed it back to the general area he thought the shot came from. Azuki was circling overhead around the same area, trying to find him herself. He thought he saw a rifle on the ridge, so he switched from his binoculars to Martinique to line up the shot.

The binoculars actually had better magnification than Martinique's scope, but he was able see the target well enough. Yes, it was a rifle after all. Just one problem, though. It was pointed directly at him.

Root saw the muzzle flash and jerked his head away immediately. The bullet went through the scope—not the magic straight-through shot but but rather in the front and out the side—, clipping his ear as it went. Root grit his teeth to keep from shouting out. Before Faustman could fire off another shot, Azuki let out a screech and swooped down at him. Root wrenched the now worthless scope off his rifle and tried to use the iron sights while Azuki was distracting Faustman. Faustman fired off a shot, but he missed. She wasn't an easy target in her eagle form, after all.

Root took advantage of opening and fired off a shot of his own. The shot connected, but Root wasn't sure where he hit. He cycled the bolt and prepared for another shot, but before he could put another bullet in Faustman, he transformed. In his wolf form, Faustman was able to jump up and catch Azuki in his jaws. Her shriek cut through Root like a knife. He lost his head, firing off a shot without steadying his aim. It missed.

Faustman started to run off toward the crater, still holding onto Azuki. In his panic, Root started to line up a shot but stopped himself. It was challenge enough hitting a stationary target at that distance. He might hit Azuki if he wasn't careful.

It may have been suicidal, but he followed after Faustman, trying to keep his rifle at the ready while stumbling over the uneven terrain. He made his way down his slope and onto the opposite one where Faustman was, up over the crest and into the crater. The strange ship they had come there for was in plain sight, but Root wasn't thinking about it. Faustman was a couple hundred meters away. Azuki was still twitching but there wasn't much fight left in her. Faustman shook her violently, as canines do with their prey, then stopped to gently lay her on the ground. He bared his fangs red with Azuki's blood and growled at Root.

Though winded from chasing the White Wolf so far, Root raised Martinique with every intention of putting a bullet between Faustman's eyes. He pulled the trigger, only for it to make a strange click. He only fired two shots. He was supposed to have three more.

He tried cycling the bolt again, only it stuck. He didn't have time for this. He tossed the rifle aside and drew his Barkley. Faustman snarled and charged at full tilt. Root started shooting, but Faustman darted from side to side to avoid the shots. One or two hit, but that wasn't enough to stop him. Root held up his arm defensively as Faustman pounced. His fangs cut through Root's parka and sank into the meat of his forearm as he was knocked onto his back. Root screamed in pain while Faustman twisted his fangs around, his paws angrily jabbing Root in the chest.

Struggling to keep control of his senses, Root drew the bayonet from his belt and stabbed Faustman in the neck. Faustman yelped and let go of Root's arm. He wildly snapped at the empty air as Root tried to drive the bayonet deeper. When that didn't do anything, he pulled it out and stabbed Faustman over and over again, screaming every curse he knew until the giant wolf finally collapsed. His full weight falling on Root sent a fresh wave of pain through him. Faustman's body reverted back to its human form. Root didn't even bother to look at him as he pushed him off. He did, however, pause for a moment to look down at his arm, a twisted bloody mess. He could feel himself get lightheaded. He didn't have time for to pass out, though.

He was so exhausted that he could barely walk. It was more like he dragged himself over to Azuki. She too reverted to her human form. Her shoulder was all torn up and the red of her blood was soaking into the snow all around her. Her eyes were distant and dim.

Azuki managed the faintest hint of a smile.

Azuki shook her head.

Rationally, Root knew there was almost no chance of saving her, but he refused to believe it.

There was no fooling her, though, and in the end, he wasn't fooled either. Touching her lips, she said, "A goodbye kiss... please..."

Numbly, Root leaned down to kiss her. It wasn't a good kiss. She deserved better. Still, when Root broke it off, she seemed grateful. And with that look of gratitude for a final kindness, she closed her eyes.

The chill Root felt had nothing to do with the temperature outside.

She didn't respond. Root shouted her name again and again, but it didn't change anything. She wasn't the first person Root lost on this mission and she might very well not be the last either, but maybe losing her made him feel the weight of all those other lives in full for the first time. He couldn't take it. He broke down completely.

It was short-lived, though. In no time at all, the sensation drained from Root's body, his vision blurred and his mind became distant. Was this it for him too? Well, if nothing else, at least Azuki wouldn't be alone.