“Ok, then. Just make it quick.”
“I don’t think so,” crowed a familiar, yet suddenly cocky voice from the door behind her.
“Roy?”
“I got your message,” said the same, walking into view, one hand raised menacingly. “That kind of stung, you know.”
“I should sting you more often,” she replied. “It seems to be good for you.”
“Whoa. Slow down, kiddo,” warned H, his hands raised in front of him. “This young woman and I were about to conduct a rather important experiment.”
“An experiment,” replied Roy, winking, “that I’m afraid I’m going to have to put on hold.”
Hawkeye ran into the room, gun drawn. She made her way to Akira, cutting the ropes on her arms. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, Riza.”
Roy gestured to the two of them. “Riza, get her out of here.”
“But, Roy. . .”
“No, Akira. Go.” Hawkeye grabbed her arm, and the two of them ran to the door and out into the street.
“What have you done?” bellowed H, his eyes wide. “That girl isn’t from our world! She doesn’t belong here, and you’re letting her run fee!”
“She might not be from our world,” retorted Roy, his eyes flashing hematite with anger, “but she’s a human being. And human beings should never be treated as means to an end. They’re an end in themselves.”
H laughed menacingly. “That’s high talk coming from a military cadet. You’d better have a better reason for acting so foolishly than that, boy.”
“Oh, I do.” Roy spun on his heels, snapping his fingers. A massive ball of fire engulfed the man before him, who howled in pain. “I love her.”
