[ WP ] A high-stakes heist in an unusual location for an uncommon prize .

The sequoias rise as sentinels over the moonlit grass. Fraulein sprints from an aging oak to the sheltering shadowy refuge of a massive trunk. 
 
 17:45:20 
 
 High up in an elk sized branch, Comrade ’ s hand mirror reflects the moonlight for but an instant. 
 
 17:45:48 
 
 Now the game of waiting, waiting for Seppo. Quiet as can be, Fraulein sneaks deeper into the wood. The shifting shadows of the firelight flicker across her face. Soft and slow she sinks into the deep grass, watching the small campsite. The fire should be lower; visibility is higher than she ’ d like it to be. A custom build two person flexi-fiber tent is anchored against a large trunk, and three children quietly warm themselves at the campfire. Each child wears a standard issue grey jump suit, each equipped with a round metallic pressure pad on the chest. 
 
 17:45:57 
 
 A runtish figure stumbles out of the darkness into the full view of the firelight. It ’ s about time. At 4 ’ 4 the little northerner is a jarring sight. The children mutter to each other and seem interested. Seppo falls to his knees, blood dripping from his left ear, and his lower pant leg torn clean off. The keenest of the three, stands with his hand warily placed over his pressure pad, and slowly approaches Seppo. 
 
 “ Little stranger, why are you in the forest of freedom? ” 
 
 The beaten little man looks up earnestly and grins a dashing smile up at the boy. 
 
 “ I come for answers. “ 
 
 The boys hand gets closer to the pad. 
 
 “ You are of age, why are you within the forest? ” 
 
 Leaning down Seppo spits out a mouthful of blood. 
 
 “ Why does age dictate value? ” 
 
 17:47:57 
 
 The children ’ s expressions begin to take on a harsher form. Again the boy speaks. 
 
 “ Do you mean to violate the code of ethics of children ’ s rights? ” 
 
 Finally Seppo climbs to his feet. The boys hand trembles defensively, the other two following suit. 
 
 “ I said-. ” 
 
 “ Your pass code? ” 
 
 Seppo clenches his jaw. 
 
 “ I have none. ” 
 
 17:50:43 
 
 Fraulein digs her toes into the dirt, ready for the hustle. He always forgets the script. Must be drunk. 
 
 “ I have heard so much of your kind. Please, I will go. Just let me touch your hand. ” 
 
 The children ’ s eyes narrow. This time Seppo ’ s eyes bulge, his veins strain, his fingers fiddle. 
 
 “ Please, just a touch. ” 
 
 The boy hesitates, for a moment taken aback by the man ’ s sincerity. The boy motions to his fellows to place their hands over his pressure pad. Once he is sure he is duly protected the boy tensely extends his arm. In the child ’ s eyes there is a spark of desire. Their hands touch, a small gesture that has not been committed for over three quarters of a century. The small man does not yet let go of the boy ’ s hand. 
 
 “ Answer me this, boy. What about the rights of humans? ” 
 
 Off script, off script, pithy and dangerous, damn that midget. Comrade holds his breathe, finger to the trigger. The boy on the left, the most impish of the three, steps back with a jolt as a drop of blood trails down his soft face. Seppo snaps the boy ’ s forearm, and diving forward slips a sharp stone from his sleeve and cracks the pressure plate at its center. The suit emits a high frequency, summoning the Undone. 
 
 00:00:00 
 
 As the boy on the right stumbles to the campfire in a stupor of fear. The little man smiles in the face of the boy. 
 
 “ They are coming. ” 
 
 Seppo knocks the boy out cold. Fraulein sprints from the shadows and lifts the only unscathed boy, to cradle him in her arms. Swiftly Comrade descends from his perch. In silence they each strap their respective child to themselves. Comrade ’ s child dead, Seppo ’ s child unconscious, and Fraulein ’ s child wide awake with eyes shut tight. Comrade shoots a flare into the night sky, signaling the cargo is in transit. 
 
 As the Undone descend, the three sprint south, as fast as their legs can carry. One for organs, one for science, and one to return—just as she did. 

