Demons and Friends

by srkensin

One wrong step can ruin your whole day. Drug runners and a psychotic scientist have Swain and Buffer running for their lives.

4. Chapter 4

Buffer shifted on the hard ground and watched the big man get increasingly agitated the longer that they were alone. The man began to pace more and he kept looking at the tree line.

He now watched the man stop pacing and run a hand through his dirty hair. He tested his leg again, wincing at the pain that shot through it. "Come on, guys." He whispered as he looked around for anything that could be used to defend himself, but just like the last time he'd checked, there was nothing.

Then, time was up. He slowly slid away from the log to allow himself room to maneuver, when the man spit a curse and advance toward him. He didn't need to know the language to know that the man was telling him that he was about to die. He didn't flinch when the man stood over him, smiling his revenge. He pointed the gun right at Buffers head and dripped one more lewd salutation.

Buffer watched the trigger, knowing that he only had one chance. Right before the gun fired, Buffer threw himself backward and kicked his good leg into the air, his foot making a solid connection with the side of the gun. It flew from the man's hand, who in a moment of shock, watched as it went airborne.

Buffer mentally took note of the direction it went but didn't watch it land. Instead, he was up and tackling the guy. He used all his strength to push the large man back. His momentum didn't trip up they guy as fast as he was hoping, but beggars couldn't be choosers. He landed hard on top, knowing that this was his best advantage. He punched the guy hard in the face and throat. Anywhere else on the body was too well built to be effective.

Blood poured from the man's mouth and nose, then spit when the punches to his throat caused him to gag. Buffer continued the assault until he felt himself lifted from below and tumbling headlong to the ground. He tried to twist and get up, knowing that he was most vulnerable on his back, but the man had rolled with the throw and had now reversed their roles.

Buffer grunted in anger. He may die here after all. Large hands went around his throat, cutting off his air. He punched at the bloody face, but couldn't get past the massive arms. He brought his legs up and attempted to use his knees, but the man shifted and dug his own knee into Buffer's wound. Buffer would have screamed in pain, if he'd have been able to move any air at all. He clawed in vain at the vise around his neck, desperate to draw a breath. The man lifted Buffer's head and pounded it into the dirt but by then the only thing he was aware of was his vision tunneling, blurring. Sound and then sight faded to darkness.

#######################

When they approached the clearing, they spread out. The man had said that there was only one person left, the one guarding Buffer, but they had no way to know how trustworthy his intel was. Charge was the first to get eyes on the clearing and his face clouded. "Son of a..." He bolted from cover, scanning the area for more hostiles as he ran but his focus was the giant that had his friend pinned to the ground. He let out an angry cry that drowned out the XO's shout of caution, and slammed full on into the man, knocking him several feet. Charge immediately got the upper hand and worked on finishing the job that Buffer had begun. However, like he had with Buffer, the man was able to eventually throw Charge off, but he didn't intend to stay and fight this time. With a speed nearly impossible for a man his size, he was up and running from the clearing.

Charged pushed himself off the ground as Spider and the XO ran past him and began the pursuit. He stumbled over to Bomber and 2dads. "How is he?"

Bombers hands shook as she felt Buffer's neck for a pulse. "He's not breathing...but I can feel a pulse. Weak." She tilted Buffers head and began rescue breathing.

2dads smirked at Charge. "Good thing Bomber is here, or one of us would be doing this."

Charge absently nodded his agreement, not quite appreciating 2dads humor at the moment.

"Come on, Buff." Bomber pleaded. She continued, watching for any sign of spontaneous breathing. Even 2dads was silent as they all prayed for a positive sign. After what seemed like an eternity, Bomber paused, and put her cheek close to Buffers face. "There. Come on. You can do it."

They all leaned in. Bomber pulled out some supplies and started wiping the blood from Buffer's battered face. Slowly the breathing became more pronounced and after a few awkward rasps, evened out and became deeper and stronger.

"Yes! Charge and 2dads high fived over their unconscious crewmate, all smiles. Their celebration cut short when the XO cleared her throat above them. She had apparently returned unnoticed. "Sorry, ma'am." The two still kept their grins. "Just..."

She patted him on the shoulder and smiled. "Understood."

Charge looked around. "I take it you lost him."

She nodded. "For now. We'll get a search party in here. There's nowhere for him to go." She noticed that their informant had not stayed put as instructed and had made his way into the clearing.

He slowly advanced on the group, his hands wringing in nervousness. He looked down at the still body. "Is he..."

Charge stood. "He's alive...thanks to you." He reached over and held his hand to the man.

At first the man looked at the hand, then slowly grasped it. Charged squeezed it with all the gratitude he could send. He released the hand and they both looked down when there was a deep gasp and Buffer's head moved.

"Buffer?" Bomber leaned in close again, setting aside the bloody gauze. "Come on, Buff. Wake up."

It looked as if he was going to ignore them, but slowly, the lids fluttered, opening just a fraction and there was a conscious effort to focus.

Bomber smiled. "There he is."

Another deep breath. "What...?" He squeaked out. He tried to move, his face pinching with pain. "Ah.." He coughed and brought his hand up to his throat, fingers then moving up to his face.

Bomber put a hand on his chest to stop him from moving around when he tried to roll. "Shh...don't try to get up or talk, yet." He nodded and looked around self-consciously at all the people staring down at him.

He closed his eyes as the ground tilted a little and concentrated on breathing through the rising nausea. He felt Bomber inspecting the wound in his thigh, clenching his sore jaw when she poked at it. Gradually, his face flushed and his breath quickened. "I'm going to..." He tried to move but felt so weak.

"Turn him!" Bomber's order gave them just enough time to obey before the little that was left in Buffer's stomach left him.

Buffer spit when he finished, disgusted that his friends had to watch that. "Ah..." He closed his eyes and pushed himself back, feeling a cloth wipe over his face. He reached up, weakly grabbing at the wrist. He opened his eyes, still self-conscious but overwhelmed with gratitude at being alive. He gripped Charges wrist tighter and looked at each one of them. "Thank you."

Charge patted Buffers hand and smiled. "Anytime, mate. You're just lucky Bomber was here or 2dads was going to have to put Swain's rescue training into practice."

2dads bulked. "Me? You're the one that..."

Buffer stiffened. "Swa..." He struggled to get the one word out. The ground still tilted when he tried to sit up and he ended up back on the ground.

"Stay down, Buffer." Bomber scolded.

"We have... find him." He cleared his throat.

"We will." The XO promised, handing Charge a canteen.

Charge helped Buffer take a slow drink. Buffer coughed again, but was able to speak clearer. "They...drugged him."

Bomber stopped fussing with Buffer's leg and pointed to the translator. "That's what he was saying. With what?"

Buffer shook his head. "Don't know. Said it was his own special mix." He indicated the translator. "He has seen it used... before. Really bad. We need to get to..." His voice faded again and he punched at the ground.

Bomber looked up at the translator. "What did they give him?"

He shook his head. "I don't know what is in it. Ivan likes to brag, but he doesn't tell anyone that. It gives them a high...until the fever comes...they see things. At first they can be what they want...family...other loved ones. Then they turn...becoming monsters and demons. The demons chase them, drives them mad. The only relieve is more drug, but the drug makes the heart beat faster with each dose. Too fast. The blood pressure goes very high. Then comes the pain. I've heard them say that it's the touch of the demons. Ivan said the drug attaches itself to the nerves and sets them on fire. The heart eventually tears itself apart from the stress, but the lucky ones, Ivan kills them, or lets them take their own lives before it gets to that point."

"What can we do? Is there an antidote?"

He again shook his head. "I'm sorry. Once the drug is in their system, there is no stopping it. If there is an antidote, Ivan has never used it."

"What if we can get him to hospital?" She pushed, not knowing that she was copying Buffers earlier inquiries. "If we can get him help..."

"Maybe. I don't know. It's never been an option to his subjects."

Buffer began struggling again. This time he was able to push himself up to sit. Charge helped steady him. "We...have to get to him. Once he leads them to what they want...either way, he's dead."

Bomber held his leg still. "You're not going anywhere but back to Hammersley. This wound is bad, it needs to be cleaned."

Buffer rolled and tried to push himself to stand. "After...I know where they're going."

Seeing that there was no talking him out of it, Charge took an arm and helped Buffer stand. "Now where? You can't walk where ever it is your going."

The translator spoke up. "There's a boat on the beach."

Buffer motioned to 2dads, who came and helped him from the other side.

The XO keyed her radio. "Alpha team to Hammersley."

Bombers eyes widened. "X, what are you doing?"

The XO held up her hand.

The radio clicked. "Go ahead, X. Any luck?"

"Nothing yet, Sir. We lost the trail and are circling back to see if we can find it again. All these trees look the same. We could really use a change of scenery."

There was a short pause. "Understood, X. Keep us updated. Hammersley, out."

Bomber opened and shut her mouth in confusion.

The XO turned a dial on her radio, then keyed it again. "Hammersley, do you copy?"

"We hear you, X. Give me a sitrep."

##################

"Damn these things to Hell!"

Swain pulled his hat down harder on his head and hugged himself tighter. He shivered and couldn't help but agree with the man's statement. He closed his eyes for a moments rest, checking his unbelievably high pulse rate for the hundredth time since they'd left. He could feel the blood pounding through his veins. He had thought that by now the drug would have been burned off somewhat, but it seemed to be having the opposite effect. More voices whispered into his head. The phantoms wailed for him, some having likenesses that were familiar, most not, but all tortured and damned. As much as he wanted to see them, Sally and Chloe were not among the visions. For that he was glad, he didn't want to see them change into the indescribable horrors that now plagued him. He put his balled fists over his ears and grit his teeth. "Go away!"

The man who had sworn, slapped at his face again. "Enough!" Ivan and the others stopped. "He's leading us nowhere, and you know it." He pointed at Ivan. "It's going to get dark soon and these blood sucking bastards are getting worse."

Ivan scrutinized his man, then turned to do the same with Swain. He calmly walked up to Swain, who had a hard time focusing on Ivan with all the other activity vying for his attention. He gripped Swain's arm. "Of course, I know it."

Swain shook his head. "No. I'm n..." He tried to pull away, but the grip tightened. He ducked when one of the demons swooped down, its hand brushing the side of his face. The burn that shot through him, made him gasp. "It's close." He stifled a groan when the pain grew.

Ivan released him and studied their guide. He reached into his pocket and removed the vile and the syringe. "You want another dose?"

Swain looked away, shaking his head no, but couldn't resist turning back when Ivan drew up the drug that would bring relief.

Ivan put the vial back in his pocket and toyed with the syringe, confident that he was in control. "This is yours when we see my drugs." He shook his head when Swain turned away. Ivan pulled Swain back around, holding the syringe in his face with a sadistic smile. "It won't be long before you're begging me for it. I promise."

Swain squeezed his eyes shut, not wanting him to see how close he was to doing just that.

A radio activated, interrupting the standoff. Ivan pocketed the syringe and one of his men handed him the radio.

Swain unsteadily took a step back, but his head snapped up when he heard his XO contacting the ship. He rubbed a shaking, damp sleeve over his face when the XO confessed that they were still searching the woods. The transmission made a couple of Ivan's men chuckle. Swain turn away from the group in despair. He felt his sanity slipping. If help wasn't near...then he heard it.

"...could use a change of scenery."

His eyes shifted and for a moment the ghostly terrors that flew past and through him were secondary. She'd used the phrase that meant that their frequency may have been compromised and to use the backup channel. He heard Buffer's voice in his head. 'Don't give up.' He put a hand over his face to cover the hope and sunk to his knees. If they knew the radio had been compromised, then they had found Buffer.

As if to curse his victory, the most intense pain shot down his spine. He sucked in a breath, practically unnoticeable between his already panting rhythms. When the pain finally ebbed to where he could open his eyes, he saw Ivan watching him, evaluating. He hung his head and pushed himself up on weak legs.

The light of late evening crept under the leaves, casting eerie shadows around every tree truck and outcrop. Swain couldn't help himself from skirting a particularly dark shadow that he swore was alive; its edges flowing toward him. He couldn't get a handle on what kind of drug he had coursing through him. Instead of running its course like most he'd seen, this one actually seemed to strengthen. He tried to logically analyze what was happening to him, but the only reality now was his regret of leading them so far off course. He'd picked up the pace, desperation was now a companion rivaling the demons that chased him. He licked at his cracked lips and glanced at the canteens on his captors belts, not even bothering to wonder if they'd share. With his brain as addled as it was he couldn't remember how long it had been since he had a drink. He rubbed at the pressure in his eyes and tripped, landing hard on a downward slope, rolling a couple of times before stopping his decent. He was so exhausted, physically and mentally, he curled in on himself, praying for the dead foliage to swallow him up. He played Buffer's words over again but he hurt so badly. Even if his friends came busting in right now...

"Get up!"

He was roughly hauled to his feet, that wouldn't stay under him. They lifted him again, and he was able to stay up this time, but not without effort. His face was grabbed by a cold hand and he opened his eyes, unsure what they were going to show him. Ivan's calm face was a comfort to the horrors that were everywhere around him. He could barely see his surroundings but he knew it was near. "It's there." Swain pointed toward the bottom of the slope.

"Show us." Ivan released Swains face. "Help him." He ordered his men.

Swain succeeded in carrying most of his weight and by the time they reached the bottom, he shoved at them, leading the way.

He passed through some trees and looked around. "Come on, come on." He pleaded when he tried to focus. He ran around the trees, dodging the mocking shadows. "It's here." It had to be here.

Ivan and his men followed close, careful not to lose him.

"It's here, it's here, it's here." He tore off his hat and ran a trembling hand through his hair as he spun in a circle. The other hand slapped the hat against this leg in frustration. He fell backward, tripping when one of the demons swiped through him, the pain blinding him. One part of his brain screamed that he needed to calm himself or he was dead, but the other part knew that he really didn't care anymore. If he died, the pain would be gone, taking with it the demons that ripped at his soul. He sucked in breath, hoping each would be his last, but when the pain eased with no sense of relief, he opened his eyes and looked up at the darkening sky. In a few minutes, they'd need torches to see. He pushed his palms into his eyes, and for the first time since he was a child, he was afraid of the dark.

His head pounded, when he was again hoisted up to his feet. "I'm at the end of my patience, Navy." Ivan frowned, but if Swain had been thinking straight, he may have caught something else along with the impatience.

"It's around here. I swear." That's when he saw it. "There!" He pointed, shook off the hand and as quick as his legs would work, ran to the rock formation. He shoved his hat back on and pulled the palm leaves away, revealing part of the first bag, moving out of the way when the other men went to check for themselves.

Ivan picked up a bag and inspected the contents. "Perfect." He smiled and moved aside also. "Not all drugs are created equal, Navy." He pulled out the syringe, sneering when Swain's bloodshot eyes shot to it.

"Please." He whispered.

"Are you begging me, Navy?" Ivan smiled.

Swain tried to turn away, but he couldn't tear himself from the syringe, disgusted that begging was exactly what he was about to do.

"It's all here." Ivan's man came up to them, shoving a bag into his pack.

Ivan frowned at the interruption, reluctantly turning his attention back to business. "Good. Call the clearing. Tell Jake there's been a change of plan. Tell Him to follow the plan, except for I want the other Navy man brought with him."

The man bulked. "What? Why? One is bad enough. Keeping both of them alive is too dangerous."

Ivan sighed at having to explain. "There's a warship out there. Do you think they're going to let us just sail away? We need a hostage."

"We have a hostage!" He pointed at Swain, but their hostage on hand looked like death. Even in the dim light, he could see the whites of Swains eyes were nearly completely red from the building pressure.

"Even with another dose, he'll probably burn out before we reach the boat." Ivan turned back to Swain just as a fist made solid connection with his jaw.

While Ivan was recovering, Swain grabbed at the syringe, prying at the grip. When the syringe refused to release, he changed tactics before he could be restrained. He dove to the ground and grabbed up a sharp stone a few feet away. In the same move, he brought it up to his throat and dug it into the skin next to the major artery that stood out to the point that it would be impossible to miss. He pulled, but his fist was pulled back and the sharp edge just skinned its target. "No! No! No!" He was pulled up to his knees.

Ivan rubbed his jaw then smiled down, easily prying the bloody stone from Swain's hand and tossing it away. "I tell you when you can die, Navy.

Swain pulled with every ounce of strength he had, shrugging at the hands that held him. "No! Please!" He couldn't stop the shame of begging. As if rallying against him, the wailing voices reached new crescendos and the demons sunk deeper into him, striking out, knowing what he'd done.

Swain looked up at Ivan, on the verge of sobbing. "I did what you asked. I brought you here. Please...I can't..."

"Did you? Do what I asked? Do you not think I know where we are?" He pointed in the direction of the water. "We could have taken the boat. Come right here...but instead, you chose to waste time dragging us around this mosquito infested island. I allowed it because I was curious as to how you would do. I must say, I'm impressed. All the others were begging me for relief long before now. Well, that, or for me to kill them. Still, all the others were weak. Users of their own product. Tainted. But you..." He smiled. "Having a strong, healthy subject to observe has been very...educational." He watched Swain very closely, moving the syringe to within reach then out again, disappointed when Swain didn't even seem to care about it anymore. "Where are your friends, Navy? Probably still stumbling around in the dark." He leaned in. "I hope you're not still under some delusional idea that they'll somehow come to your rescue?"

"Well, he's usually right, you know." Torches suddenly illuminated, surrounding Ivan and his men. "Maybe if you had better taste in friends, you wouldn't be so skeptical."

Ivan turned and raised a hand to block out the light. There was a moment of silence, then a smile split his face. "Well played." He nodded. "Well played, gentlemen." He looked around at the blinding torches. "And lady. I'm assuming your Executive Officer is with you. She has a lovely voice."

One of the torches moved closer. "Move away from him." The XO's torch waved. "Over there. Now."

Ivan shrugged and turned to his men. "You heard the lady."

The men holding Swain shoved him to the ground and followed Ivan.

"Bomber." The lights moved around the men, separating Bomber as she dropped down next to her crewmate.

"Oh, Swain." She kept from shining the light directly on him, but even in the limited light, his stressed features frightened her. He turned his back to her, curling in on himself, shivering. She felt the heat radiating from him as she opened her bag to dig out her supplies.

"All of you." The XO waved her torch again. "Drop your guns on the ground." She pointed her torch at Ivan. "The syringe, too. On the ground."

All complied with the order but Ivan held onto the syringe, then casually reached into his pocket.

Spider, who was the closest, stepped up, gun raised a little higher. "What are you doing?

"Relax." He slowly pulled out, what looked like, a fob for a key chain.

"What is that?" Spider demanded.

"Oh this..." He waved it at them. "...It's the 'card up my sleeve', sorta speak."

"Explain." The XO demanded.

"See, this button..." He put his thumb over one of the three buttons. "...this button transmits a signal. The receiver is attached to a small, yet effective, explosive on the RHIB that I left at the clearing. The RHIB that, I'm assuming, you brought here."

"What? You rigged your own RHIB?" Charge asked incredulously. Even Ivan's own men turned a dumbfounded glare at him.

Ivan shrugged. "I'm not the trusting sort." He smirked. "So, here's the way it's going to go. My men and I are going to take my merchandise and go. We're also going to take your man that you left on the RHIB...I'm just assuming, of course, that he's the one who directed you here...just in case you and your warship get any ideas of trying to stop us. When we're safe, we'll drop him off on a nice island somewhere."

"No, deal." The XO informed.

Ivan shook his head. "Didn't say anything about a deal." He nodded to his men. "Get the packs." The men hesitated to move through the circle of lights.

"You're not taking the drugs." At the XO's statement, her crew closed the gaps so they couldn't pass.

Ivan was silent, then frowned. "Fine then. A compromise." He waved his men back. "Let's go." He motioned his men into the woods, holding up the fob as he backed out after them. "Do not follow." He faded into the dark.

"Agh!" 2dads lowered his gun in frustration, stumping at the ground.

The XO tapped her comm. "Buffer! Get out of the RHIB! There's a bomb in it!"

"Swain! No!" Bomber shouted when her patient suddenly pushed himself up and took off after Ivan.

"Whoa!" 2dads was able to head him off. Swain weaved to try to get around but 2dads was faster. "Where're you going?"

The XO tapped her comm again. "Buffer, do you..."

"X, I read you."

"Ivan and his men are on their way to the RHIB. He plans to take you with him as a hostage."

There was a pause. "Well, he's going to be disappointed." The voice came from the darkness, startlingly close.

The XO pointed her torch at the ground and as her eyes adjusted to the dark, Buffer came limping up to her with the help of the translator. "What are you doing here? I told you to stay put."

"Well, ma'am...ah.." Buffer winced when he stumbled and put too much pressure on his leg. "...I believe I just heard you order us out."

"That was only when..." She huffed. "We're going to have a talk about obeying orders."

Buffer didn't appear at all contrite. "Yes, Ma'am." He nodded toward the others. "What's going on?"

"Let's find out."

"You can't take any more of his drug, it'll kill you." Bomber tried to keep Swains attention focused on what she was saying. "Swain. Think. I know you're scared and hurting, but we're going to get you help. You just need to hold on."

Swain hugged his arms around himself and nodded, but his eyes didn't look at her. Instead they shifted, focusing on the drug induced illusions and the pain that spasmed without warning.

"What's going on?"

"X." Bomber shook her head. "We really need to get him back to the ship." Her gaze shifted. "Buffer? What are you doing walking on that leg? You're going to start bleeding again."

Buffer looked down at the translator who was showing some signs of fatigue from carrying a lot of Buffers weight. "I tried to tell him that the X told us to wait, but he was having none of it."

The translators eyes opened wide and he shook his head. "No, that's not..."

Bomber held up her hand. "Relax. We know our Buffer."

Buffer faked a hurt expression. "What? I'm telling you..."

Bomber ignored him. "Let's set you down over here so I can look at your leg." She glanced at the others, making sure that they had Swain under control, then helped guide Buffer to a short rock and they lowered him onto it. She knelt to check the bandages. "These are soaked. You shouldn't have been up."

Buffer watched Charge, 2dads and Spider circle and keep a close eye on Swain as he paced around. "How is he?"

Bomber glanced over, then back to the bandages. "Not good. All his vital signs are dangerously high. He wouldn't hold still for a blood pressure, but his pulse was bounding. He's dehydrated. I gave him some water, but he choked on it. An IV might help, but I don't think he'll leave it in. Even if I could get fluids into him, what would more blood volume do to his blood pressure?" She sighed, her hands shaking. "I really don't know how to help him."

"Hey." Buffer looked her square in the eyes. "Just do your best, that's all you can do." She nodded. "I don't know if it will help..." Buffer reached in his pocket and handed her a vial. "...but it's the last of the morphine."

"You might need this."

"I might, but I think he does." They watched Swain drop to a knee from another spasm. Spider knelt next to him to help but was pushed away.

Bomber nodded. She finished changing the bandages and prepared the morphine. "Don't you move from this spot."

"Don't plan to." Buffer promised.

Bomber pointed at him sternly, then went and knelt next to Swain without touching him. "Swain, I have some morphine for you. It might help. Can you hold out your arm?" It took a long moment but he eventually held his arm out to her. She easily found a vein and injected the medication. "There you go."

Swain pulled his arm back. "Buffer. How is he? They shot him."

She put a hand on his warm arm, relieved that he didn't pull away. "It's okay, we got him. He's right over there." She pointed the direction with her torch. "We're going to get both of you to the ship and..."

Swains head came up. "Buffers...here?" He painfully stood straight and looked around until he spotted a dark figure that didn't move through the trees. His three guards followed close, when he made a beeline for it, shining light so they didn't trip over anything. "Mate. What are you...doing here?" He held a palm to his temple, squinting at the pain. "You...you should be on...the ship."

Buffer leaned toward him and tried to keep Swain's gaze when it wondered off. He frowned at the blood red eyes that refused to look at him. "I wasn't about to leave you. We're both going back together. Okay?"

The XO had quietly came up to them. "The CO ordered a team to Ivan's boat to apprehend him. They're also sending a RHIB for us. It won't be long. Spider?" He came over to her. "Get one of the packs and secure the weapons."

"Yes ma,am."

Swain took a step back but Buffer reached out and pulled him forward again. "Fight it, mate. We'll get back to the ship..."

Swain pulled his arm loose. "Then wh...what? We...we don't know...know what was in it. I've seen...drug reactions...before." He gasped. "Never...seen this."

Buffer tried to get him to keep his focus on him? "We'll figure it out."

Swain shook his head. "Remember..the promise...you...you made...at the clearing?"

"I do, but I told you...you're going to..." Before anyone could react, Swain suddenly shoved his way around everyone.

The XO shouted a warning as they all sprinted after him. "Spider! Stop him!"

Spider looked up from placing one of the guns in the bag just as Swain plowed into him. He hit the ground and his torch went rolling away, but all lights had turned toward them. In a heartbeat, Swain had snatched up the closest gun and turned to run into the woods. He almost would have made it, if Spider had not reached out and caught his foot as he ran by.

Swain landed hard and in the time it took him to get up, he was surrounded. He brought the gun up when Charge moved in on him. "Get back!" Charge backed away but the gun didn't point at him. Instead, Swain aimed it at his own head.

"Swaino?" 2dads put his hands up calmly and tried to move close. "What are you doing?"

"Get away!" Swain spun around, watching them. "I...I...let me go." He gasped.

"Where? Where are you going to go?" Charge took a step closer.

"I said! Get...back!" When they took a step back, he tried to skirt between Charge and 2dads, toward the woods again, but they closed in to block him. "Let...me...pass!"

The XO stepped closer. "We're not going to let you go, Swain. So you might as well just put the gun down."

"No!" He tried to hold back a sob. "Please. I don't want you to see."

"You don't want us to see?" Buffer hobbled up to them, once again using their rescued translator as a crutch.

"Buffer..." Bomber started chastising but Buffer quieted her with a look.

"Can you stop us from hearing? You can't go far enough for us not to hear the shot. And who do you think will be the ones that have to come look for you and bring your sorry arse home?"

Swain shook his head and pressed his free hand against his temple. "I can't...it's too...much." He squeezed his eyes shut and a red streak trailed from one eye, standing out from the sweat that riveted down his face.

Bomber looked at her crewmates and could tell that they'd seen it, too. She took a step forward.

Swain looked past the torches to where he knew Buffer was barely standing. "Just...keep your...promise." He gripped the gun tighter.

"Do you want me to tell Sally and Chloe that you love them before or after I tell them that you blew your fool head off in front of your mates?" Buffer pushed.

Swain impossibly got more agitated. "You...you...wouldn't do that!"

Buffer swayed a little and the XO moved next to him, concerned. "You do this and I will." He sounded so calm but she could see the fear on his face. "That's a promise I'll also keep."

"I don't...believe..." A spasm had him involuntarily folding in on himself. He gasped, but before anyone could move, the gun was pointed at his chest. "I'm sorry." He pulled the trigger, amid his friend's shouts of denial.

To everyone's shock, the gun didn't fire. Swain took his attention away from his surroundings to fumble for the safety, giving them an opening they couldn't let pass.

Charge was first to move. "2dads!" He jumped Swain from behind, wrapped him in a choke hold and pulled him up and away, while 2dads sprang forward and attempted to relieve him of the gun.

"No!" Swain eked out and held firm. The release of the safety was loud between them.

2dads pulled with all his strength to keep the end of the gun pointed away from either of them. "Swain! Let go!"

The gun wavered between them in the tug of war, and was only slightly muffled when it fired. Time appeared to freeze. No one drew a breath and despite the ringing in their ears, the sound reverb was loud and clear as it pushed outward.

"It's okay!" 2dads broke the spell and stepped back a few paces. "Ah! I got it...ah!" He held his right hand against himself as he handed the gun to the XO.

"2dads, are you injured?" A quick glance at Swain showed no blood on him, so Bomber's immediate concern now went to 2dads. She reached for his hand.

2dads shook his head. "I'm okay. It's okay." He showed her his hand. "Just some flash burns. I need a moment. Take care of Swain." She nodded and he stepped aside.

"Is Swain uninjured?" Charge had eased his grip but continued to restrain their squirming Coxswain.

Bomber looked closer, but aside from a minor burn to his shirt, he appeared no worse for wear from the gun discharge. "The gun didn't injure him."

Charge tightened his hold around Swains throat, lifting him and using his own weight against him. Swain struggled but couldn't get any purchase.

"Charge?" Bomber took a step back when Charge stumbled a little. "What are you doing?! Let him go!" Bomber tried to get close again. "Charge!" Spider stepped up to help her but wasn't really sure if he should.

"Bomber! Stand down!" Buffers orders were clear but strained.

"What?" She looked at Buffer, not really sure she heard right. "But, he's...we don't know how that might damage him."

"Bomber." The X's voice warned.

She turned away from the officers, covering her mouth in disbelief, but also to keep from speaking what she thought of the wreckless act she was witnessing. She glanced at Spider who lowered his eyes, not wanting to watch.

Charge held firm as Swain pulled and struggled to be free of the large arm that crushed the veins supplying oxygen to his brain and stole his air away. He almost released his hold when, in his peripheral, he saw the red in the frantic eyes pool and overflow from the pressure that was building behind them.

After what felt like a lifetime, the struggling began to lose its intensity. Charge sunk to his knees, exhausted from holding the weight. Swain weakly dug his heals into the dirt but it was a losing battle.

"Sorry, mate." Charge whispered into Swain's ear as the tormented body slowed and the hands that pulled for relief, slid away. He held until every sign of consciousness was gone. "Bomber." He called her to him as he slowly unwrapped his arm. "Spider, find something to put under his head." He held his friend while Bomber knelt next to them.

She glared at him in disgust while checking her patient, relieved to hear ragged breathing. "How could you?"

Charge returned her glare just as intently. "He just tried to kill himself, Bomber. If that safety hadn't been on, he'd be dead. At least, for now, he's out of pain."

Her eyes lowered to Swain and her face softened, she reluctantly nodded. Spider knelt next to them with a thin, wrinkled blanket.

Bomber took it. "Put him on his side." She slid the blanket under his head once they got him turned. "Maybe now I can at least get a blood pressure check on him."

Buffer hobbled over next to them and, with the help of the translator and Charge, sat on the ground.

"How's the leg?" Charge asked.

"Hurts like Hell, mate." Buffer managed a painful smirk. He scrutinized there engineer. "You did what you had to do, mate. You and 2dads...you saved his life."

Charge rubbed his face with a shaky hand. "Yeah. I just..." He took a calming breath. "I don't ever want to do anything like that again." He stood and left before Buffer could say anything more to make him feel more comfortable with what he'd done. He didn't want platitudes, he just wanted Ivan's head. He walked over to the XO who was just closing communications with Hammersley. "Ma'am, any news on how soon the RHIB will be here? He's not going to be out for long."

"They're on their way." The XOs words softened. "How are you? That wasn't an easy thing to do."

Charge looked over her shoulder. "No ma'am, it wasn't. Have they picked up Ivan's RHIB, yet?"

She shook her head. "It's not turned up on the radar, yet. There's no other boats in the area. There's no place for them to go."

They probably know that, too." Charge turned and stared into the darkness. "They're still out there."