pt 10

'I can't wait any longer, Milla. I have to go. Dorian's coming this way and I need to find him before he storms into these streets and gets himself hurt.'

'You want to go like that?' John's leg was far from ready, but when he attached it, he could feel his balance returning and the leg began to run its' usual routine. 'Energy level at 13 percent, calibration incomplete,' the all too familiar female voice spoke out loud. John grinned at Milla. 'Now that's almost music to my ears. Thanks Milla, it feels good.'

'13 percent isn't very much,' Milla said with obvious disdain. 'Here, put this on. You stand out like a lighthouse in your uniform.' She handed him a navy blue hooded sweatshirt, a navy blue cap and a thick, brick-red scarf. While he put it on, Milla also put on a jacket.

'What are you doing?'

'I'm coming with you. You don't know your way here and people are likely to spot you if you're out there alone.'

'There's no need, I can take care…'

'Don't argue,' Milla said. 'You're unarmed, your vest is in the trash, you have no idea of where you're going. I'm coming with you. Let's go.'

John understood that resisting was futile, so the two of them walked down the stairs. When he saw the daylight in the hallway shining in from outside, he felt a pang of regret that he couldn't wait for the cover of night. He wasn't sure he was shot by Coltrane, it might have been someone else who pulled the trigger and who waited for him to resurface and finish the job.

'Can't you call him? Your partner?' Milla asked and guided him into a direction he would never have taken. She walked quickly, kept to narrow streets and avoided the roads where cars and more people were.

'Dorian? Nah, he doesn't have a phone. Apparently his comms are not functioning,' John said.

'Can't they put a message in his online RAM bank? That way the message will work as a bulletin board and he might see it pop up,' Milla suggested.

John stopped for a second to catch his breath. Damn, he was still sore and his stamina was far from what it should be. He eyed Milla more closely. 'You do know your tech stuff, don't you?'

'Are you alright?'

'Yeah, I'm okay.' He ignored the wobbly feeling in his good leg and hoped the synthetic would hold long enough to get out of this place.

Fifteen minutes later he knew he would have been lost if Milla hadn't been with him. The Swamp was a labyrinth and all the little streets and alleys looked the same. Maybe Milla took the same turn a couple of times, he couldn't tell. All of a sudden, abruptly, she stopped and pulled John back by his arm to coerce him into another direction. 'There's something going on over there. This way.' A little further, a whole bunch of MX's were charging in on a small establishment and apparently the squadron had ran into resistance. There was a lot of noise, screaming and smoke from a grenade bellowed from the building. In between the dark clad police bots and the smoke, John spotted a familiar figure: Richard Paul. 'This is the police! Come out with your hands up!'

And then, he saw another face he knew all too well, approaching the group from the other side. Dorian!

'Come on,' Milla urged him and ushered him to another alley. 'This way. Go. You're nearly there.'

But John didn't notice her anymore. If Dorian went into Harry's, he might not come out alive, Maldonado had told him. From where he stood, following the protocol and shielded by the MX's, Richard couldn't see Dorian approaching and he led the charge. At the same moment, shots were fired from inside the building and everyone ducked for safety. All, but Dorian who sped towards the entrance of Harry's.

John didn't hesitate for a second and ran towards the MX's and police officers. Forgotten was his bad leg, his lack of a vest or a sidearm. He had to stop Dorian. It was impossible to make himself heard over the racket in the small street.

A bullet hissed by so closely that he thought he could feel the heat grazing his cheekbone. 'Dorian! Dorian!' he shouted.

MX's were shot and blown apart like shattering glass. Blue liquids splattered over the walls and the pavement, part of the group was pushed back. Dorian elbowed himself forward, pushed aside MX's who were in his way and headed for the door of Harry's Bar. 'Dorian! Dorian! No!' John shouted and knocked an MX aside. Detective Richard finally saw John, looked completely taken aback for a second and grimaced oddly before he led his team further on. He gestured to Dorian, pointed in John's direction and focused on the raid.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned! Reactions, reviews, comments? Yes please!