As always a big thanks to my one reviewer.
Its amazing that out of more than 100 hits and 3 people who have this story on their alert list I only get one review from the same person, who I adore by the way, on each chapter. Hmm isn't that weird? I think so.
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Logan felt Liz stiffen slightly and tighten her grip on his shoulders. Knowing something was up; he put the inhaler back in the bag and walked past them as quickly as he could without raising suspicion.
He had only taken a few steps when Liz heard one of the soldiers whisper to Renfro.
"Ma'am look!"
It was then that Liz felt a slight breeze on the back of her neck and remembered what Mel had said a few days ago.
"Oh God!" She gasped, just loud enough for Logan to hear.
"What?" Whispered Logan.
"One of them saw my barcode!"
Logan quickened his pace. The main soldier stepped forward from the group.
"STOP!" he ordered.
Logan turned around.
"What seems to be the problem guys?" he said with a nervous laugh.
"Hand over the girl and we can settle this peacefully."
Logan set Liz down. She stood with the support of a doorframe and Logan planted himself between her and the men.
"I don't think that is going to happen… Max!"
Max jumped out from her hiding place, her foot connecting with the closest soldier. He went down hard. Renfro glared at the X-5.
"452." she said condescendingly.
"Renfro, I thought you were dead." Max spat.
Renfro simply smiled smugly, andturned to the main soldier.
"Slone, take care of her."
She then pointed to the remaining soldier who was helping his fallen comrade up.
"You get the girl."
Slone advanced on Max slowly.
Max laughed and donned a sly smile.
"Do you even know what I am? You're gunna be on the floor in a second flat."
"I know what you are Max, because I'm one too."
With a lunge form the bulky soldier, Slone and Max were locked in combat. The two transgenics matched each other blow for blow.
The first soldier Max hit lunged at Logan, keeping him busy as the other one advanced on Liz. She pushed her self off of the frame taking a battle stance. Her legs quivered as she awaited his move.
He lunged and she gingerly sidestepped and planted a roundhouse kick solidly on his back.
At the same time Slone's roundhouse kick connected with Max's chin, sending her to the floor. Slone turned around and grabbed Liz around the waist and threw her over his shoulder.
Liz kicked and pounded on his back with her fists, but in her weakened state it was futile. The soldiers, Renfro, and Liz disappeared down the stairs as Logan and Max struggled to their feet.
After a few long seconds, Max finally made it to her feet and took off after them.
She burst through the door into a back alley just in time to see Liz be thrown in the back of an SUV at the corner. Liz saw Max and frantically called out to her before the door was slammed in her face.
Max watched Renfro and Slone climb into the vehicle and drive off.
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As they drove away panic and fear gripped Liz. This was her worst nightmare. The two men who were in the back with her struggled to control the young X-5 as she bitterly fought to free herself.
Whenthey reached the outskirts of Seattle, the men were bewildered when their captive froze in her seat, staring out the front window with panicked eyes.
A new fear held Liz in its icy grip. At that moment her chest began to feel tight and she had to start gasping for air.
"Oh God!"
Thetwo soldiers looked at her concern creeping into their eyes.
The younger one, who was sitting to her right, asked. "What?"
Liz tried to calm down and steady her breathing but was unsuccessful. Her inability to get air made her panic even more.
"Asthma attack . . . I can't . . . breathe." The clearly terrified girl answered between gasps.
The young soldier moved up to the front and leaned in between the seats.
"Ma'am we have a problem back here."
"What is it!" Renfro snapped.
"The target is in respiratory distress."
"What do you mean?" Renfro asked turning to face him.
The soldier gulped and answered quietly. "An asthma attack Ma'am."
Renfro turned around in her seat and glared at Liz, who now had her hand on her throat and was still trying to calm her breathing.
"You really have asthma?" Renfro questioned in disbelief.
Liz nodded her head.
"What do you take for it?"
"Albuterol." Liz answered.
"You wouldn't by some miracle happen to have your inhailer with you?"
"It was... in the bag... remember. I see...you haven't... gotten... any smarter with age."The transgenic quipped, rolling her eyes.
After glaring daggers at the X-5, Renfro turned back to the soldier.
"There is oxygen in the back. That will have to do for now."
The soldier got the oxygen, turned it on, and handed the mask to Liz. She took a few deep breaths and it helped a bit so she started to relax as much as her current situation allowed.
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Max rushed back upstairs to the apartment. She tore through the room looking for her keys and cell phone. Logan raced in after her.
"What are you doing Max?"
"Going after her! What do you think?" Max snapped at him frustrated.
She stormed into another room.
"How do you plan on doing that? They are long gone, you don't know where they are going, and you don't even know who's responsible."
Max stopped and glared at Logan.
"What do you mean? It was Renfro that means Manticore!"
She found both her keys and phone and rushed toward the door. Logan grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him.
"We don't know that. Manticire has been gone for years and what would they want with just Liz? Something just doesn't add up."
Max stared at Logan. What he was saying did make sense. He pulled her into the office.
"Let's get some more information, some backup, and maybe a plan, then we'll go after them."
"Fine" Max sighed.
"But make it quick."
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It had been over an hour and the oxygen tank that was stabilizing Liz's breathing was almost gone.
The younger soldier, who Liz had learned was called Gunny, looked at the air gauge. He met Liz's questioning gaze with a look of concern.
"Ma'am this tank is almost empty and we still have a solid three hours before we get back to base."
Renfro cursed under her breath and leaned over to Slone.
"We're going to have to take a detour."
"Where to Ma'am?" Slone asked.
"The hospital off 86."
"Yes Ma'am" Slone answered.
Liz slipped the mask off her face.
"How . . . far away . . . is that?" She asked still struggling for air.
Gunny pushed the mask back up over her mouth and nose.
"About twenty minutes."
Liz nodded, leaned back, and closed her eyes, focusing entirely on her breathing.
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Halfway to the hospital the oxygen ran out.
Panic once again overcame Liz as she gasped for air. She was slowly being choked to death by her own body.
Beads of sweat formed on her skin and she was beginning to feel light headed and tired from the lack of oxygen.
The X-5 grabbed Gunny's hand and held on tight while Slone pushed the vehicle on faster and faster racing against time.
