2043: Chapter Two

In the abyss,James saw swirls and images. He saw Neb,the team leader.He was mumbling. Or was screaming. It was hard to tell. What was he yelling about? And why was Neb slapping him? "Ouch!" James said. Then suddenly the world snapped into focus, He could see Neb and someone else he didn't recognize. The Stranger had a huge, nasty-looking burn on half of his face. "James!" yelled Neb, with a concerned look on his face,"Are you okay?" James looked around. he was lying on his back in a stretcher.He hurt all over." If I knew what happened, I could tell you." James moaned. He had a bandage on his left arm. Neb looked at him. "You were caught in a small nuclear explosion. The Sovereign Nations must have launched a missile at the Soviet States. The SS has been firing at them." Neb added, " If it weren't for that Officer's robot," Neb pointed at the smoldering wreckage of the machine, "In all probability you would be dead." James grinned. He hadn't planned the robot to save his life, but it did, and so good foresight for him, for once. "Who is this?" He said, gesturing toward the Stranger.
"This is Hikaru. He joined up recently. We tried to find you before the blast."
"what happened to his..." He wanted to say face, and he knew he had already been impolite in even beginning to ask."Appearance?" Neb said "he..." Hikaru cut him off." Thank you, master Nimajneb," He said, " I believe this conversation can be cleared up later." James blushed at his impertinence. Hikaru obviously sensed his uncomfort. "Do not worry, Mr. James, it is a perfectly valid question." Speachless, James said "uh... thank you?"
Hikaru just laughed.