Strange Times – by Charmaps
Disclaimer, I own nothing that you recognise...
So there was another long delay and another short chapter, Sorry. Have got the rest of the story plotted and roughly written, it's the making it readable part...
Chapter 10 – Sitting on crates of explosives...
Back in the mall...
"They went through the service entrance behind the burger stand" Eric said over the coms, he was desperately trying to make up for his momentary loos of concentration. Hetty equally feeling responsible for distracting the young man was practically sitting on his shoulder as they both reviewed footage to see where Nate had gone. The door had been barely five feet from the table that Claudice had led Nate too. This was all planned out.
The three agents hurried up to the food court again from their location downstairs where Kensi and Sam were dealing with local police regarding the dead man with a hole in his head whilst Callen was on the phone with Gibbs.
"Go home" Callen growled into his phone getting the attention of all those close by. Sam and Kensi approached the lead agent. Cautiously, he looked irked. "Nate has probably been shot, is well out of his depth and you want us to go home" he practically spat into the phone in a tone of total disbelief.
"No he can't" the one sided conversation continued. Kensi and Sam could not hear Gibbs' side but they were sure they were getting called off.
After another half minute of Callen arguing back the phone conversation ended. Abruptly.
"Vance is about to call Hetty and have us stood down" Callen announced.
As if on cue Hetty announced over coms that she would like them to return to base. A request not an order. "The corridors were part of an old sewage works system and a man could get lost in them very quickly without torches and caution" she explained. Not waiting to be told twice Kensi dashed off to the vehicles to retrieve torches and other supplies. Whilst Sam and Callen both lamented bad com signals and entered the corridors.
When Kensi returned she found them waiting for her just in the entrance deciding which way to go. The dust appeared disturbed in one direction and so they started that way cautiously and quietly with the torches guiding them.
Back to Nate...
At the bottom of the staircase Nate had been brought up short by a small stash of arms. Nothing big just hand guns, grenades and riffles. He had read about missile launchers and the likes on his computer and felt almost disappointed that the 'big' stuff was absent whilst decidedly relieved as well.
Unsure where to go he waited for instructions. The food and coffee along with the pain relief Hetty had given him were kicking in and he guessed he was feeling as good as he was going to whilst still putting on the affect of dopy and confused as best as he could. His little attempt to throw Emily had done him no favours and ruined his total element of surprise. Not to mention the landing on the concrete floor had done nothing for his aching bruises.
"Have a seat Dr Getz, you look like you need it" Claudice said pointing at a crate labelled explosives – Danger. Not his first choice of seating arrangements but Nate complied anyway. She was not about to blow herself and Emily up even if she intended to blow him up. He was safe while she was close. Now there was an irony. Nate smiled wryly to himself.
"Something you want to share Doctor?" Claudice asked noticing his smile. He was defiantly a strange man. If only she could of got the female agent. That would of been leverage and whilst she may not know as much, or how to use it like Nate did, she would still know some good stuff about agent Callen".
"No nothing to share, just waiting" Nate replied after a moment.
"If you are waiting for your rescue, you best settle in for a long wait and cover your ears" Claudice said enigmatically.
Worried by the implications of loud noises, which Nate could only assume meant explosives given his current predicament, Nate continued to smile good naturedly, it seemed to annoy her which was a good reason for him, and hid his worry and most of his curiosity.
"Tell me why we are just waiting? Why do you want to manipulate Callen? You seem to be going to strange and stupid lengths to get to him?" Nate asked, it always worked on TV. The baddie always gave up their plan and all their reasoning right before the final act. The one that upset all their planning and made everything right, Nate thought then decided he needed to change his TV watching after this too.
Meanwhile in the tunnel...
It had not taken the three agents long to find the trail of handprints and in short time they were standing beside the door to the staircase that Claudice had taken Nate down. Unsure of what was behind the door they were being cautious.
Sam was examining the door carefully as was Callen while Kensi kept an eye out for any company.
It did not take the Ex Navy Seal long to find the signs of the bobby trap explosives, unfortunately it was a catch 22. In order to disarm the trap that would be set off by the door opening they needed to open the door.
"Damn" said the frustrated Sam, "She knows her explosives, only way through this door is loudly".
The three exchanged glances. Unsure what to do next they set about planning whilst they set Eric and Hetty about finding them another route and the most likely exit point for Claudice and company.