~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 3
Francie and Sydney were busy setting the table, when a knock caused them to stop.
"I'll go get it."
"Ok, I'll finish up here then."
Sydney walked up to the door to find Will there with a young woman.
"Hey Will, who's your friend?"
"This is Katrina. I'm watching her for Abby."
"Oh…well, come on in."
Will and Katrina walked in the door to find Francie had finished setting the table.
"Francie, this is Katrina. Will's watching her for a few days."
"Oh, hey. Nice to meet you."
"Ditto."
Sydney smiled, "Well, my dad isn't here yet. Do you guys mind waiting?"
"No not at all. Katrina you like video games?" Will asked.
"Duh."
Sydney laughed, "Why don't you guys play Teckon or something."
"All right."
Francie pulled Sydney to the side, "How long will your dad be, Syd?"
"Not long. Let's just give him at least fifteen minutes. Then if he doesn't show, we can start."
"Fine."
Will was really starting to get frustrated. Francie and Katrina had beaten him twice.
"What the….you both are cheating."
"Whatever dude, you just suck."
Francie laughed, "Will quit being such a sore loser. She's kicking your ass….I mean….sorry."
"No biggie. I hear it all the time. In fact, I've heard worst."
"Ok."
"Would you two stop talking. I'm trying to concentrate here."
"Dude, I hope you know I already stopped trying, like five minutes ago."
"Whatever smart ass. Just keep playing."
They soon stopped when they heard the doorbell ring. Sydney opened the door to find Jack there, holding wine.
"Sorry I'm late."
Sydney took the wine from her father and motioned for him to come in.
"No, you're just in time."
She looked at the bottle, "Montrose…..Dad, isn't this a little fancy for us?"
"Yes, well I'd highly call it fancy. Anyway, it was either that or Scotch," he said, forcing a smile.
Sydney could tell that he was feeling uneasy, "Come in. Everyone's already here."
Jack walked in and Will quickly stood up.
"Will…Francie," Jack said, giving them a nod.
"Jack," Will said, shaking his hand.
Francie shook his hand as well, "Mr. Bristow."
"Please, call me Jack."
Francie was a bit hesitant, "Ok…Jack."
Jack turned around, "Well, who's this?"
"Dad, this is Katrina."
"Hi."
"Hello."
"So now that everyone's reacquainted we can get started."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Irina stared at the two-way window in front of her, "My, I look horrid. This place is really starting to ruin my complexion."
Devlin ignored her and got straight to the point, "All right you got what you wanted. You'll be transferred tomorrow."
Irina's face tightened and formed into a grin, "Thank you, Ben."
"So, what do you know about the virus?"
"Well, it's quite impressive for one thing. It can rid a city of its entire population, given the time."
"What else?"
"I wasn't given the exact details. All I know is that once it's complete, he'll sell it to Abu Nerhu."
Devlin looked at her for a moment, "Interesting…I thought he dealt in immigrant smuggling?"
"Well, now he's switched careers. He's now involved in illegal arms trade." Irina let out a short chuckle, "Honestly….and you work in intelligence?"
Devlin ignored her, "I was told that you know your way around his plant?"
"Yes, I've been there several times."
"What was in the envelope that you gave to Jacques?"
"Information on how to create an antidote. And I suggest you don't ask me anything regarding that. The only person that can help you on that subject is Kashinau….and he's dead."
Irina rubbed her throat, "Do you think it possible if I can get some water? My throats a bit dry."
Devlin signaled for someone on the other end of the mirror, "It's on its way."
"Thank you."
Devlin paused for a moment.
"Something wrong?" Irina asked him.
He knew he hated this decision, but he had no choice. The senate was desperate to keep this virus from getting out.
"You'll be joining Jack in Toledo tomorrow. But I assure you that we'll keep a heavy watch over you, and the place will be surrounded. So I suggest you don't try anything that will compromise you of your life."
Irina gave him a look of shock, "Is that a threat, Ben?"
"If you screw Jack over, you'll wish it was."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Everyone remained silent throughout the meal except for Katrina.
"This is really good, Francie."
"Thank you Katrina."
"You can call me Kat. Everyone else does."
"Ok."
Katrina watched as everyone sipped their wine, and wished she could be doing the same.
"Is that Montrose….1995"?
Jack turned at her and looked amused, "You know about wine?"
"Yeah, my father's English and he's pretty much into all that high class living stuff. Plus my mom's Irish, so wine to us is like milk."
Jack almost had to laugh at that remark, but controlled himself. He still wasn't comfortable dinning with other people. Not social wise, at least.
Francie made an attempt to at least speak to Jack, "So, Jack…how's the chicken?"
"It's fine, thank you."
Sydney gave Francie a look, which meant to continue their conversation. She left Will alone though, for she thought he might not want to speak to Jack after what had happened.
"How's the bank….busy, huh?"
"Yes, it is," Jack noticed Sydney nudging Francie under the table. "How are your parents?…Is your father still a DA?"
"No, actually he's a judge now. He got promoted six years ago."
"Well, good for him."
"Thanks."
Again everyone remained silent. Sydney just about gave up trying. She knew Francie still hated her father and Will was probably terrified of him. Katrina sensed the tension and decided to break it.
"Um….Sydney, you seem pretty fit. You too, Mr. Bristow."
Sydney smiled at her, "Thanks, Kat."
Jack, too, forced a smile on his face, "Thank you."
"And Francie, I love that necklace. You look really cute."
"You definitely have taste Kat…See, Syd, I told you it was cute."
Will laughed, "What about me? No comments…compliments, nothing?"
"Well, I would make a comment about you… but you wouldn't like it."
Jack choked on his chicken while everyone burst out laughing. Except for Will.
"You know, for a little kid, you have the mouth of a thirty year old."
"All right you two, break it up. So Kat, we hadn't heard anything about you."
"Yeah," Francie interrupted. "How'd you get stuck with Will?"
"Well, I was supposed to stay with my aunt, but she had to go to Vegas for awhile, and my parents are in the Philippines".
"Really," Sydney said, looking interested. "Where in the Philippines?"
Katrina thought for a moment, "Um, I think Toledo."
Jack and Sydney looked at one another, transfixed.
Jack turned to face Katrina, "Interesting. What do your parents do?"
"They're scientists. They travel all over the place for this plant they work for. That's….that's why I'm constantly stuck with relatives."
Sydney noticed Katrina had lowered her head while mentioning her parents. Jack on the other hand continued their conversation.
"Do they happen to work in Renoir Corp?"
Katrina eyed Jack suspiciously, "Yes, how do you know that?"
"Well, my bank did a little business with the plant that's all."
"Oh."
Jack continued to pursue their conversation, "I'm curious, Katrina…I mean, Kat. What are your parents' names? Maybe I've met them."
"My dad's name is William and my mother's name is Christine."
"I'm sorry, doesn't ring a bell. Do you mind telling me your last name?"
"No…um, my last name's Scott."
Jack thought for a moment and then something triggered his mind, although his facial expression never showed it.
"Syd, what's up with your dad?" Francie asked. "He's taken an interest all of a sudden."
Sydney just smiled at her while watching her father out of the corner of her eye, "See, I told you he's not that bad."
"Yeah, well….whatever."
Will sensed that something was wrong, "Um…you know what? It's getting late. Maybe we should go home, Kat?"
"Ok."
Katrina and Will stood up, and everyone else did as well.
"Thanks for the dinner, you guys." Will spoke to Jack with almost a sense of sarcasm in his tone, "Nice seeing you again, Jack."
Jack gave him the same reaction. Although tried to seem kinder, for a lack of better word.
"You too, Will. And it was certainly a pleasure meeting you, Kat."
"Thanks, you too…well, thanks again everyone."
Sydney and Francie both gave her a smile. "Anytime, Kat," Sydney said. "And I bet we'll be seeing a lot of each other, since Will practically lives here."
"Ok you guys. Then we'll see you both tomorrow?"
"Sure, come by."
Will and Katrina left and Jack was about to, when Sydney made him stay.
"Dad, her parents work for Jacques?"
"Yes and from what I've heard, you and Vaughn will be joining me tomorrow?"
"Dad, I was planning on telling you tonight, but…."
Jack cut her off, "It doesn't matter, Sydney. I have bigger things to worry about."
"Yeah, I know. So how do you plan on getting those people out of there?"
Jack looked confused, "What….I mean, we'll discuss this tomorrow morning."
"Ok."
Jack was walking away, when Sydney called out to him, "Dad….thanks for coming."
He nodded and walked to his car.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"David, it's been almost two days. No one's ever going to come for us."
He stood in front of her, tired and weak, "Tina, please. This isn't the time to lose hope. I'm sure someone will come for us."
This time she was hysterical, "Yeah right…for God's sake David! Quit being so naïve. No one's going to come for us until we're all dead."
"Shut up, they'll hear you!" he whispered.
"Good then let's get this over with! Hello Mr. Government people with guns. We're in here!" she yelled".
David dropped to his knees and knelt beside her. He held her in his arms while trying to calm her down.
"Shhh Tina...We just need to hang on a little longer. Someone will come. I promise."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Several men were patrolling the building, checking to see if anyone was alive.
A man geared up in army wears spoke into a transmitter, "Sir, West Wing's secure."
"Roger that, Alpha Team. Head back up."
"Copy that."
As they were about to leave, they heard a sudden thud. They quickly turned to find a woman there. She had managed to slip, causing her to be detected. The men ignored her for a moment, while the head officer spoke into his transmitter, "Sir, we found one. Although she seems to be unaffected, Sir."
"I don't care! Orders are to kill all possible survivors. You got that?"
"Yes, Sir. Right away."
He signaled his men, and moments later the sound of gunfire went off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jack, Vaughn and several men awaited Sydney's arrival. They casually went about their business, until Sydney arrived. She walked to where Jack stood and took her place among the men. It hadn't occurred to her that she was the only woman there.
Jack spoke bluntly when directing them. Even to Sydney.
"All right, now that we're all set, let's begin," Jack walked back and forth as if he were a General commanding his troops. Well, technically, he was.
"We all know that Jacques Renoir is quite a paranoid man. His security is no doubt impressive. So when we arrive to our drop point and into the plant, everyone be on your guard. We don't know what to expect."
Jack was about to continue when Vaughn interrupted him, "But what about inside the building's perimeter? How are we supposed to know where we're going?"
"I have a guide who knows their way around."
Sydney looked puzzled, "Who?"
Jack hesitated for a moment before answering her, "Irina Derevko."
Vaughn's forehead creased and Sydney bit her lip. The two of them stared at one another, not believing what Jack had just said. In fact, the two of them missed Jack's entire briefing. Jack didn't mind this. He knew better to leave them.
After the briefing, Sydney pulled her father to the side, "Dad, we're bringing her along?! This is insane…what if she gets away?"
Jack tried keeping his composure while around her. He didn't want to further complicate things.
"I had no choice. Devlin was ordered by the Senate to bring her along. She's the only one cooperating, and they were desperate."
Sydney spoke faster and faster, not even taking the time to breathe. She was completely outraged by the fact that Irina was to accompany them, and she clearly didn't have a problem showing it.
"I understand they're desperate, but bringing her along! Weren't they the one's who thought she was a danger to National Security anyway?! And why the hell didn't they just bring Jacques? I'm sure the CIA has ways to make him cooperate?"
"Because, Sydney, he's dead. We got confirmation this morning. I'm surprised you don't already know that?"
Sydney began to speak at a regular pace now, "How did he die?"
"Well, the guards watched him kneeling down, but they just though he was praying again." Sydney raised an eyebrow, "Praying?"
"Yes, well he was a Buddhist. So they watched, and then out of nowhere, he snapped his neck."
Jack paused for a moment and stared behind him toward a white van.
"She's in there, isn't she?"
"Yes."
Sydney turned her head while Jack tried speaking, but nothing came out. Jack knew it was a bad idea taking Sydney along, but for some reason, he wanted to. Somehow, Jack felt that all they really had in common was their jobs. For now, that is.
Jack soon broke the silence between them, "Sydney, I know how you must feel. But right now we have to put aside our personal matters, and complete this mission successfully. This is far more important than just an extraction op." This time Jack's tone was more sympathetic, "This is about saving lives."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 4
"Sir, I think we're finished here. There are no more survivors, and even if there are, they won't be for long. Let's just burn the plant down and seal the tunnel."
He shook his head and turned away from him, "No, Nehru would never allow that."
"Why not! I'm tired of this place, we could be doing so much more than this. This operation is for rookies, not for us Jim."
Jim gave him a tired look. Peter was always jealous of him. Ever since they were kids, he always had to top him. Now that he was on top though, everything's changed. Although Peter never accepted it, and his disregard for orders clearly showed it.
"Even so, we have to follow orders," he said firmly. "If anyone, and I mean anyone, ever got out…it would be a disaster. They could ruin all of us. And trust me, if we were ever found out…well, let's just say we'll be more worried about taking showers from now on. Now, can we please stop arguing?"
"Fine."
"Well then, assemble the team and get back down there."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When they finally landed, the sun had already set. It was now nightfall and the plant had an eerie silence around it. Vaughn watched Sydney. She had quite a look of uneasiness on her face. He slowly approached her and laid his hand on her shoulder.
"Hey…so, are you ready?"
She placed her hand on where Vaughn's was and slowly lowered him down next to her.
"Yeah, pretty much. I'm just not into the fact that…well, she's coming along."
"I know what you mean. But when you're desperate, you're desperate."
Vaughn sighed and looked at the stars above him. He could see the sky lit up with them. Sydney, too, looked at the stars, and was in awe of what she saw. She lightly and briefly leaned next to Vaughn, allowing their bodies to slightly touch.
"They're beautiful, aren't they?"
"Yeah, and you can really see them, too. I remember when I used to take Alice camping. We'd just lay together and watch them…but that was a long time ago."
"Oh."
Jack walked over to where the two sat. He knew deep down that Sydney secretly wanted Vaughn. This bothered him quite a but, but not as much as before. If anyone deserved Sydney, it would be Vaughn.
"All right, we're all ready. Once we're in there and we have a pretty good idea of where things are, we'll split up. Vaughn you'll lead one team and I'll take the other".
Vaughn looked surprised. Jack was actually giving him command?
"Dad, what about me?"
"You'll stay with me. I need a right hand," Jack then turned away from the two of them and called out to the men behind them, "Let's move!"
Irina led them to the back of the plant and by some dumpsters. She stopped by the third dumpster and walked behind it.
"There's a card swipe behind here. I assume you have a card splice?"
Jack didn't answer her and instead handed her the card. She swiped it and moments later the dumpster slide aside, leading to an underground tunnel. Irina handed the card back to Jack, and with his permission, entered the tunnel first. They closely followed behind her. When all of a sudden, Irina and Jack stopped. Sydney and Vaughn wondered what was wrong. Jack stared at open door as if confused.
"This door isn't suppose to be open."
"No, it's not," Irina said staring at it. "Although you probably already know that we're not alone."
Jack thought for a moment, "We'll split up now. That way we can search the place more efficiently." He now turned to face Irina, "Is there anything we need to worry about…any little surprises at all?"
Irina glared at him, "Yes, as a matter of fact, there is. As you already know, Jacques is quite protective of his things. So I suggest you walk very carefully and try not to trip," she said putting on a grin. "Although, since the plant is on shutdown, I think it'll basically be safe for you to wander."
Jack stared at Irina for a moment, then continued to order his men, "All right, my team, we'll take the North Wing. Vaughn you take the West. We'll meet back here."
"Got it."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*FlashBack*
An unidentified scientist was talking on a phone with his employer, "Sir, we've finished the last sample."
"Very good. I'll have my men pick it up right away."
"Yes, sir," he hung up while his friend entered through the door. "Hey, what can I do you for, bud?" he said, greeting him. His friend remained silent and looked around the room.
"Hey, man…what's with you?"
He turned to his friend, "Nothing…I think I'll just go," he turned to leave but then stopped and turned back again. "You know what? There is something you can do for me," he said, before knocking him out cold.
He walked to where the samples were located and picked one up. He placed it in his pocket and kept the rest in his hand. When he was halfway out the door he put on a gas mask and threw the samples to the floor. Moments later, the alarms went off.
*End Flash Back*
Jeff woke up in a cold sweat. He looked around the room and realized that the men weren't there.
"Jeff, are you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Bad dream?"
"Yeah," he said, then quickly placed a hand over her mouth. "You hear that?"
She shook her head no.
"I think someone's coming".
"What's in this room?"
"Nothing," Irina said.
Jack looked irritated and grabbed Irina's wrist, "I'll be the judge of that. Now tell me, what's in that room?"
Irina retorted bluntly, "It's just a staff room."
Jack took his hand off her and turned to one of his men, "Check the room." The man quickly did what he was told and removed a laptop and heat scanner from a metal briefcase. He scanned around quickly, missing Jeff and Christine's position. Luckily, Sydney saw what he had overlooked.
"Hey wait, go back."
He slowly scanned back. "Stop right there."
"Yes, there seems to be three, maybe two people. I can't really be sure with all this metal in the way."
Jack had a look of dissatisfaction on his face. He was pissed off with how incompetent his crew was. They could have left without getting those people out of there. He did, however, manage to compliment Sydney while scaring the other guy half to death.
"I don't want this to happen again," he said in a professional but firm tone. "And Sydney, nice job."
"Thanks."
"Sorry, sir. It won't happen again," he uttered. Irina laughed at this little scene. Jack ignored her and focused his attention on his men, "Nothing like this should ever happen again. Do your job and do it right, or I'll make it so that you won't have one. Are we all understood?"
Sydney watched her father take control. It amused her to see that he still managed to scare guys half his age and twice his size.
"Yes, sir…we understand."
"Well, what are you waiting for? Get this door open."
"Yes, sir, right away."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Francie patiently waited for Will and Katrina to arrive. Will had finally gotten his boss to trust him again. Well, at least enough for him to cover a real story. A knock caused Francie to jump and run to the door.
"Hey Will, hey Kat," she said motioning them inside. "Kat, there're some brownies on the counter, help yourself."
"Thanks," she said, running to the kitchen.
"Yeah, she's a bit hungry. She missed breakfast…apparently the kid doesn't like cereal. I mean, who doesn't like cereal?"
Francie laughed, "Well, maybe not your cereal."
"So what?…the box said it's only been expired for like….two days," he said jokingly. "Anyway, thanks for watching her for me, Fran. I promise I'll be back to pick her up tomorrow."
"No problem. So…where's this big story gonna be at?"
"Are you ready for this….New York. Huh, isn't that amazing?" he said proudly. "I mean, even though she made it clear to me that I was the only one available for the job…I don't even care. I mean, it's New York," he said excitedly. "And the story is pretty decent, too."
"What's it about?"
Will thought for a moment. He was having a hard time processing what was going on with all his excitement. "Um…I think an identity crisis, or something like that. Apparently, this woman like was married to this guy Ben who lives here. And then she told him she was going on some sort of vacation and never came back."
Francie seemed very interested with this story. Mostly because it reminds her of all the cheesy soaps she watches. "So, what next?" she asked eagerly.
"Well, she moved to New York and then met a guy there…"
"Oh no!" Francie shrieked. Her shriek caused Kat to choke on her brownie and run out from the kitchen to them.
Will laughed, "Calm down, Fran."
By now, Katrina was beside them, "What happened…Will tried to put a move on you, didn't he," she said, laughing.
Will looked surprised, "No…no, I was telling her about the story I'm gonna work on."
Kat apologized and smacked her forehead, "Oh….sorry," she said, half embarrassed. Will ignored her and continued with his story. "Well anyway, like I was saying, she moved to New York and met a guy there. Then they got married and had kids. Problem is, Ben thinks the eldest one is his."
Will had Francie and Kat hooked. "So, what happens next?" they said together.
"Well they had a DNA test and the kid really is Ben's. Now they're fighting for custody."
Francie laughed, "Sounds like you have your entire story here."
"Well no, I'm suppose to interview her. Get her side of the story instead of Ben's."
"Ohhh."
Kat laughed which caused Will and Francie to wonder why, "What's so funny?"
"Well, don't you think this sounds like Passions?"
Will looked confused, "Passions?"
By now, Francie had already picked up, "You know what, I think you're right. Like Sheradon and Louise…"
"…and Antonio," they both said out loud.
"Although not the baby part," Katrina said.
"Yeah, you're right," Francie agreed.
Will was still completely stumped, and decided to leave before anymore weird conversations came up. "Well, I think I'll go now."
"All right, have a safe trip."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As the door was almost starting to open, Christine and Jeff began to panic.
"Jeff, what are we going to do," Christine whispered. Jeff watched the panic in her eyes and decided to sacrifice himself for her. He walked over to a cabinet and removed several injections from the freezer.
"All right, Chris, it won't be long until they crack that code. Once they come in, I'll take on as many as I can. You just run and find some place to hide. You understand?"
"But Jeff…"
He cut her off, "Do you understand?"
She didn't answer him, instead she merely nodded.
"All right, and just in case, take this" he said, handing her an injection.
"Access granted."
"It's open, sir."
Jack gave the go ahead, and pretty soon the four of them had entered the room. As they entered, Jeff stabbed them, and Christine ran out. Unfortunately, Jack had caught her before she could even get past the door. But she didn't go without a fight. She had managed to kick Jack right in the family jewels causing him to fall down with her. She struggled to stab Jack, but found her efforts useless. Instead, her hand had been smacked to the side and the injection went flying with it. She had managed to stab one person, however. Irina. Sydney removed Christine from Jack's grip and had the men move her next to Jeff. They were both searched and then tied.
Jack got up and walked to Sydney. "You all right, Dad?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
As Jack was about to walk over to Christine and Jeff, Irina collapsed on to the floor.
He quickly walked to her and checked her pulse. She was still breathing. Jack picked her up and set down on to a chair. Fortunately for Jack and the rest, their gear had blocked the needles from puncturing them.
"What was in those injections?" Jack asked. Jeff and Christine remained silent. Jack repeated his question. "What was in those injections?"
Jeff stared at Jack and the rest that were in the room. He didn't know if they were there to help them, or if they were there to kill them. All he knew was that he didn't trust Jack and that was enough for him to be abrupt and unpleasant.
"Would you just get it over with, then."
Sydney and Jack looked at him confused.
"Excuse me?"
"Look, I don't know why you're here, but if you want to kill us then do it already."
Jeff turned his head and realized Christine was sitting next to him. He then regretted what he had said.
"Listen…you could do whatever you want with me, just let her go." Jack and Sydney looked at him, baffled. Sydney spoke to him, curious as to why he would think they were sent to kill them. "We're not here to kill you," she said, reassuring them. "We're going to get you out of here."
Jeff stared at her questioningly, "What?…If you're not here to kill us, then why are you here?"
This time Jack stepped in. "We're with the CIA, and we've been sent here to extract you."
Jeff didn't know why the CIA was here, but he certainly wasn't going to complain. Jack continued to speak, "As soon as we get back to the Sates we'll fill you in on further details, but right now, you have to tell us if there are any other survivors."
"I don't know…there might be. Everything happened so fast and…"
*Flash Back*
"Help us!
The man continued to ignore them. He headed straight to the door and found it locked. He continued down another passage to search for someone, a woman, through the crowd. Moments later, he spotted her unconscious. He picked her up in his arms and attempted to find another way out. Soon enough, he realized that it was too late. They were sealed in tight.
*End Flash Back*
Jack stared at him, wondering if he was all right. Sydney thought he might have been in shock with all that has happened.
"I think he needs medical attention. He might be suffering some sort trauma."
Jack looked back at Jeff, "Maybe you're right."
Jeff snapped out of his trance, "I'm fine. I just…I was just remembering something."
Christine looked concerned, "What's wrong, Jeff?"
"Nothing, nothing, I'm fine."
"Very well then," Jack interrupted. "Mr.…"
"Richards, Jeff Richards. And this is Christine Scott."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Francie and Kat sat watching movies.
"So, where's Sydney?"
Francie waited for the popcorn to go down her throat before answering, "Um, I think she's in Florida."
"Florida? What's she doing there?"
Francie didn't take her eyes off the television. She was too into Law and Order to face Kat.
"She works for a bank. They like send her all over the place to meet with clients and stuff."
Kat had a suspicious look on her face, "Oh, that's weird."
"What's weird?"
"I mean, she's in college…"
"Grad school," Francie interrupted.
"Right…grad school. I mean it's kinda strange that she flies all over the place for a bank. Do banks even do that?"
Francie removed her eyes from the television. Kat actually had a point. Sydney had explained all this before, but…
"Well maybe they send her to go meet with like…the rich and fabulous," she said, shrugging.
"Oh, well I just thought it was weird, that's all. But if you say so."
"Well, enough of this" Francie said, setting the popcorn down on the table. "Will tells me you got a call from your mom."
"Yeah, she called me a few days ago."
"I bet you're glad to hear from her, huh?"
Kat shrugged. She hated talking about her parents. They barely spent any time with her, and when people asked about them, what was she supposed going to say? Her parents were as much a mystery to her as she was to anyone else.
"Yeah, I guess."
From the look on Kat's face, Francie knew she wasn't telling the truth. Francie liked playing the mother role, so she had a sixth sense about these things.
"So, I'd take that as a…not really?"
"I mean, why should I talk to her? She probably called to say she was sorry about forgetting my birthday again."
"Oh my gosh, when was your birthday?"
"A month ago. It always takes her a month to remember she even has a daughter."
Francie knew all about this. Kat reminded her so much of Sydney at that age. Jack never remembered her birthday, missed all the parent teacher conferences, and even missed her graduation. Kat was definitely another Sydney.
"Don't worry, Sydney went through the exact same thing. You know, her dad was just like your mom. He always forgot about her. But look at them now," she said, rolling her eyes. "They're umm…closer."
"Yeah, but Mr. Bristow isn't my mom."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vaughn led his men quietly through the long corridors. As they passed another one, one of his men noticed something. Vaughn stopped to ask him what was the matter.
"Sir, I think there's someone on the floor," he said pointing by the elevator.
The hallways were dark, because there were no lights, so Vaughn instructed them to strap on their night-vision goggles. They were shocked to find a lifeless man cut in half. Vaughn was utterly disgusted at what he saw. He immediately contacted Jack.
Before Jack could even speak, his transmitter went on. He made his way to the corner of the room before he spoke into it.
"Yeah?"
"Jack, you're not going to believe what we just found."
"What is it?"
"Some scientist," Vaughn said, staring at the bloodstained lab coat.
"Is he all right?"
"No…he's dead."
Jack wasn't at all shock. From the look of things they definitely weren't alone in there.
"Check if he has any ID on him."
"All right." Vaughn walked up to the corpse, which reeked horribly. He could tell from the stench that the body must have been there for at least two days. Vaughn checked around him and found an ID tag in his shirt pocket. He read the ID out loud to Jack.
"William Scott."
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