Chapter 11: Guns and cats and old bastards

There had been people visiting the room, he just knew it. A bucket had been placed there and a plate with some food had been left but he had been asleep and he hadn't seen anyone. The cat stayed however, it didn't appear as if the one visiting the room had seen it. Legolas was glad, he was afraid they would have scared it away. But he knew that Lindir had been there, the pretty young man had always used this rather odd perfume and Legolas did catch a whiff of it, every now and then. It had gotten a bit lighter as night changed to day and he knew that he in fact was locked in a crate, a huge crate. There were cracks in it and he had seen through them but saw little, just grey walls and a tiny window or rather vent high upon a wall. The little light there was could be seen coming from that. He wondered how the cat could have gotten into the crate but cats are very agile, there could be some hidden crack he didn't see. Anyhow, it did lay next to him, purring and comforting him and he held onto it and felt strangely protected. Someone had spoken to him early that morning, he thought it was Lindir but it was hard to tell really, the voice became muffled somehow. The person had claimed that his dad was dead, that he had burned, that they all had burned. Legolas knew it was a lie, he refused to listen to the voice, just listened to the calm purring of that huge black cat. The voice said that Legolas was on his own now, but that Lindir would take care of him and be his new dad. Like Lindir even knew what it meant to take care of someone? No way, Legolas knew that his dad was fine, and sooner or later he would come for his boy and then Lindir would pay for what he had done. He was not afraid, he could wait, his dad would come, sooner or later he would come.

Bard and the others had gathered in the livingroom and sat down to discuss the plans, Arwen had made some lunch and Bard hoped that he could repay their generosity by saving their farm. He knew a lawyer who was as tenacious as they come and if he did manage to get the right evidence no insurance company could continue to cause problems without being sued from here to kingdom come. It was actually a sweet though.

Dwalin sat there looking thoughtful. "So, this Lindir is in league with some shady people, do we know anything about them?"

Thran shook his head. "No, just what the attack on my home and the farm proved. They are ruthless and after my money. I doubt that Lindir will last very long, he may think they are trying to help him but in fact he is being too naïve. This sort of people are nothing but cutthroats and deceivers."

Dwalin pressed his fingertips together. "Then let us assume that they do have lots of resources available, people, guns and so on. The one thing we don't know is how well Legolas is guarded, it all depends on that one factor"

Bard nodded. "I bet she will let us know, I somehow feel that she already know everything there is to know about the situation."

Thran scoffed. "Of course she does, she is a deity. But what about that plan of Thor's? Will it work?"

Elisa smiled, she cocked her head. "I have already put Erestor in contact with Ori, they are co-operating and creating just the right amount of info. I bet that it will work just fine"

Bard frowned. "And that dude who is going to pretend to be an Egyptologist?"

Elisa shrugged. "Judith has gotten that covered alright? Don't worry, Erestor will make the right bait and then leave just enough clues to make them eager but not enough for it to be too obvious"

Thran looked uncertain. "Great, but this will be a very long day"

Bard embraced him, he didn't bother hiding what he felt, what was the point in that anyhow? "Go to bed, have a nap. I am going to do just that, I just need to make some calls first"

Thran smiled faintly, he returned the embrace. "You are right"

Elisa looked curious. "What sort of calls?"

Bard stretched and yawned. He felt tired after that trip, odd really for he hadn't used much strength, yet it had been draining him. "I know someone who may be able to help Aragorn and Arwen, I think that the same bastard who got Sophia killed also ruined their livelihood."

Elisa looked angry. "Really? Then do it, if there is something I can help you with let me know please"

Bard smiled and got up, Arwen had a phone and he doubted that the enemy would be listening in on that one for she usually only used that to call the other ladies of the local sewing club when there was a meeting. Bard knew just who to call, the bastard known as Bombur had lived in a city two hours from this one, not as big but one where the majority of the citizens were rather wealthy due to old money. Bombur had been one of those people, with a long family history and also a history of greed and betrayal. Bard had worked with one of the chief investigators of that county on two occasions, both cases involved tax fraud, murder and threats and Bard had liked the man. He had gotten his number and now he called it with a feeling of being a bit uncertain. He knew he could trust this guy, but could he do anything useful? Was there any evidence at all to be found?

The phone rang for a little, then he heard a very dark raspy voice at the other end and let out a sigh of relief. "Haldir Woods"

Bard took a deep breath. "Haldir, I don't know if you remember me, but this is Bard Bowman, from those cases five years ago?"

Haldir fell silent. "Bard? Oh God, what is happening over at your place, the news reporters are speculating so bad it is hard to tell whether or not it is a huge nasty prank or terrible truth?"

Bard swallowed hard. "It is the truth, unfortunately. Let's just say that I am in hiding so not word of this to anyone, but could you please try to help me with something?"

Haldir didn't hesitate. "Sure thing, you saved my ass back then, I do owe you one, a huge one. What do you want?"

Bard took a deep breath. "There was this one not so very clean citizen of your city named Bombur Dwight, I just found out that he is the one responsible for my wife's murder. He did also possibly ruin the livelihood of our neighbours here and I want to check if there is any evidence for any of it. Something connecting him to my wife and that farm. Could you check it?"

Haldir moved through a room, Bard could hear it. "I am on it, give me the details please, I have lots of informants, some dollars and I bet I can get something out of them"

Bard gave him the needed information and Haldir did write it all down. His voice was low. "Bard, I was so sorry to hear about Sophia, she was a wonderful woman and I wished I could have come to visit you and pay my respects but I was on this rather terrible case and the boss refused to let me go."

Bard remembered having read about it in the newspaper, some crazy stalker who had trapped two celebrity singers in their homes and played all sorts of nasty and creepy games with them. It had given him the shudders back then. "I remember that one yes"

Haldir seemed to hesitate. "So, how are you these days? How are the kids?"

Bard swallowed. "They are doing well, just…To be honest things have gone a wee bit to hell here and we have just lost everything except my mother in law's horses. But the kids are alright physically and well, I have met someone, and I hope that he is the one"

Haldir took a deep breath. "Bard, that is fucking wonderful, that you have met someone I mean, not that you have lost your home. But what is going on?"

Bard felt his neck muscles tense up. "Haldir, let us just say that some major shit has hit the fan of all fans. If someone claiming to be feds come and ask questions about me just forget this conversation, say you haven't heard from me in years."

Haldir's voice was tense. "Bard, are you kidding me? The feds? What have you gotten into now?"

Bard closed his eyes. "Something so nasty I cannot begin to tell, let's just say that anyone asking questions aren't who they appear to be alright? Just be discrete, and don't call back before you have real info. I can give you a number you can use safely"

Haldir hesitated for a moment. "Alright, I will be careful. Bard, take care, I mean it man. Don't be reckless"

Bard sighed. "I don't plan on that. Here is the number"

He read it out and Haldir did write it down and then they hung up. Bard just hoped that Haldir could sniff up something but if he knew that man right he would find something, useful or not.

The next call was going to be a more tricky one, he knew he had to explain the situation very carefully to make her agree on taking the case and he realized that he was too tired and too hyped up to be calm now. He had to wait until they were done with the rescue mission, perhaps wait until they were done with the whole shit. But if he did give her good evidence he was sure she would do it for free, she hated it when the big guys sort of trampled the little guys down without any remorse. Bard had never met a lawyer quite like her, she was known as the bulldog of the courtroom and she never backed down for anyone. In her eyes justice was sacred and she refused to represent bad guys, she would never try to coax the jury into believing that some bastard in fact was a good guy. She was as incorruptible as they come and Bard had the greatest respect for her, most judges shivered in their pants when her name was mentioned for she could make even the worst criminals turn into a puddle of water on the floor confessing every sin back to their childhood.

Bard would rather face a dragon than going up against Galadriel but if he did present this well she could be the best friend Arwen and Aragorn had ever had. He had to see what Haldir could conjure up and be as humble and apologetic as possible, she liked that.

He had some food and spoke to the kids, Sigrid and Bain were doing rather well, they had some bruises and cuts but were unharmed physically. Tilda was seemingly alright but she would burst into tears by the smallest sound and Bard started to get really worried. She was pale and he feared that she had gotten injured somehow. They had all gotten smoke in their lungs, and she was a fragile kid. But he couldn't take her to hospital, and he had no idea of what to do if she got ill. Jean was also in bed, overcome with grief and shock and she too should have seen a doctor. Bard was very worried and Arwen came to sit with Tilda. He did see that she had gotten some lines on her face which hadn't been there before, the financial problems were eating away at them. "She should have been checked up"

Bard nodded. "I know, but if we take her to hospital they can find us, we cannot use some fake name"

Arwen looked down. "Listen, there is a local doctor living some miles from here. He isn't working anymore due to an episode but he is very good at what he is doing. He is working a little as a vet, but he is a doctor"

Bard frowned. "An episode? What sort of an episode?"

Arwen sighed. "He lost a patient alright? And no, it wasn't his fault at all but the hospital he worked at chose to blame him so they wouldn't get sued."

Bard sat down again. "And he is our only choice?"

Arwen shrugged. "Like you said, you cannot go to the hospital and both Tilda and Jean do need medical attention."

Bard felt conflicted. "How did he lose that patient?"

Arwen seemed uncomfortable. "I don't have the details but it was some huge fat man who was in for a gastric bypass and I think there was an instrument failure. Anyhow, the dude died and the doctor took the fall."

Bard grimaced. "Alright, fine, call him. "

Arwen smiled. "I cannot promise that he will come but I can try, he is a bit grumpy but good as gold really"

Bard got up. "What is his name?"

Arwen pulled the blanket up around Tilda a little tighter. "Oin, Oin Dougal. He is rather old and doesn't hear very well but he is a good doctor"

Bard just sighed and walked over to the bedroom he and Thran shared. He saw that Thran already had fallen asleep, exhausted by the emotional turmoil. He got rid of his clothes and climbed into the bed, embraced the warm body which immediately grasped onto him and held him close. It felt like a blessing.

Thor and the others had used the day to rest and prepare as well, Beorn had showed up in the early afternoon with a van full of stuff and Judith and Faramir was a bit shocked by what they saw. The man had to have connections to the army for what they saw was bullet proof vests, guns and equipment which was top notch. This was what a swat team would dream of and Thor stared at the trunk of the car with narrow eyes. "I am not going to ask where you got this"

Beorn grinned widely. "Wise decision, for I cannot tell you that"

Beorn stared at them. "Righty, you do have some training I hope? For if not stay here!"

Duke was a bit pale and he held the rifle he had been given the same way a nun would hold a cock, with obvious distain. "I…."

Thor took the rifle from him. "You are to stay here and guard the perimeter"

Duke was visibly relieved. "Alright boss"

Thor stared at the small group, everybody were in disguise and Judith had done a good job with the makeup for Leonard did in fact look intimidating, if you were half blind and a bit drunk. Faramir had already found a west which fitted him and was putting on the equipment needed and Thor made a decision. "Listen up, the ones engaging the enemy will be me, Faramir and Beorn and those of Bard's group capable of fighting. The rest of you will stay back and make sure that nobody escape to spill their guts alright? We cannot let that group of bastards know that we can bite back."

Judith did look relieved too now, she sighed. "Alright."

Thor knew that they couldn't use public transportation dressed the way they were now. They had to get there somehow but without the risk of getting seen, since there were agents looking for them and surveillance cameras everywhere. Luckily the family they stayed with had friends who owned a small mini buss. It could take them all in one go and since it was dark they hoped that nobody would notice them. The old square was not a place where many would dare to go after dark and if someone indeed did see them and wanted trouble they had it coming. He had made sure that they had everything they needed, Beorn had been very creative and provided them with both shock grenades and some other surprises too.

"Now, let us eat and then we will have to go, the traffic can be nasty this time of the day"

Beorn nodded and they sat down for a meal, someone had ordered take away from several shops just so that the sheer amount of food ordered wouldn't make anyone suspicious and they ate in silence. This was so serious nobody really had much to say anyhow. When the meal was over there was a short rest and then they grabbed their gear and entered the buss. They all knew that this was it, they had to get Thran's boy before they could think about getting back at this new and strange enemy.

Bard and the others had left Jean at the house with the kids, the doctor had said that he would come sometime during the night but he didn't know when, he was helping some farmer with a sick cow and didn't know how long it would take. Arwen would be there to explain things to him but she had gotten a list of things she was allowed to tell or not. Bard was very worried as they left the building, Tilda was still very upset and she had started to cough. It could be because of all the crying but it could also be a sign of something sinister. But they had to leave now and Aragorn promised that he would keep an eye out for any strangers. If he sat in the living room by the window he could see the road leading to the farm. The car Elisa had used was too damaged to be used again, it had some serious dents and it did also have some more serious damages but Aragorn had an old van and they borrowed it. The car was ancient and looked like a wreck but it did run and the engine was good and very strong. He told them that had he had had a strong interest in cars years ago and this car was one of the projects he had worked on. It was rebuilt and the engine was that of a huge truck, a five hundred horse power diesel with turbo and he didn't use it because it drank diesel like a camel drinks water.

Bard didn't have many weapons, just the ones Aragorn had and they weren't that much really but he guessed that Thor and the others had a veritable arsenal at their hands.

Thran was shaking with nervousness and Bard just hoped that he wouldn't do anything stupid. He had to keep a tight leash on the man, just for safety reasons. The van had good seats and was comfortable and Dwalin did drive, he was an expert and knew how to drive even during a chase. The trip into town was long, way longer than normal for they didn't know what to expect this time. The old part of the city was rather dark and dank and the streetlights were giving just as much light as a dying firefly. Dwalin parked the car in a narrow alley and covered it with some tarp, it was dark and matted so it was hard to see. They walked towards the square and felt anxious and didn't really know what to say now so they all shut up. The old obelisk was placed upon a sort of dais and it was once a majestic sight but now it was just sad. The ground was covered with all sorts of garbage and Bard kicked an old empty bag from a take away shop away from the dais. Some cats were serenading each other and a rat scurried past them without even caring about the humans. It was the size of a possum and Thran hissed and Elisa cringed. This part of the city had gone to the dogs and done it fast too, Bard could still remember when it had been if not posh then at least respectable. But the huge malls and the shopping streets had lured the money away from these blocks and the money had never returned.

Bard did take a sigh of relief when he saw the group which approached them, it was Thor and the others and he had to grin. Faramir was wearing a very ugly wig and so was Thor and Leonard had gotten some make up on which made him look like the villain in some old fashioned western move. The only thing he was missing was a Stetson and a colt peacemaker. Thor bowed his head. "We are here, so, what's next?"

Bard took a deep breath. "First of all, we need guns. An old shotgun isn't all that efficient I fear"

Thor opened a bag he had carried and hauled out a lot of rather impressive stuff. "Take your pick my friends"

Dwalin grasped an assault rifle with glee and Bard went for a slightly smaller and lighter rifle. Thran grasped a 9mm Beretta and Elisa picked out two desert eagle pistols. They were heavy as fuck but kicked a serious punch and Bard lifted an eyebrow. "Why those two?"

Elisa grinned from one ear to the other. "Dhu, have you seen Charlies angels? Demi Moore just rocks two of these in that movie, it was badass"

Thor waited until they all were armed and had gotten vests on. "Where are we going?"

Bard swallowed. "I am waiting for someone to show us the way, or a sign to be given. A certain someone is on our side, she promised to help us"

Thor growled deep in his throat. "This is way over my understanding but alright, let's just accept that some ancient Egyptian deity is slaying murderers and other evil doers and that she is on our side"

Bard was about to say something when they heard a sound, a loud meow. A giant black cat came strolling towards them, wearing a gold collar and earrings and it was looking as if it had every right in the world to be there. It stopped and looked at them with anticipation in its gaze and Bard nodded swiftly. "She is here, follow us"

The cat meowed again and walked off and they followed it, if someone saw this they would probably not believe their own eyes, a group of heavily armed people following a huge black cat! The cat wandered through the narrow streets past old shops and apartment buildings ready to crumble and entered a small open space between two huge buildings. She stopped and Bard saw a faint light flickering in one of the windows of the building straight up ahead. A faded sign hang by the old door, "Jonathan Smartley & Sons Bakery"

The building looked as if it was the ultimate site to film some gothic horror movie, Bard felt a chill run down his spine and Thor picked up something from the bag. "Here, try this!"

It was a set of night vision goggles and they were high tech, he turned to the group. "Me, Faramir and Beorn from our group, Judith and Leonard guard the perimeter. Albert take the back and Fernando can help him. Don't let anyone escape, understand? I don't bloody care if you have to rip someone's head off"

The group nodded and Bard lifted the Goggles and realized that they were the type which sees heat. With them on he could actually see through walls and he saw that the building was rather full of people and when he paned around he did see something which caused great concern. "Guys, there is a meth lab in the basement"

Thor swore. "Seriously? Aw shit, that means we could have some very desperate people on our hands soon, but we can use it to our advantage."

Bard cocked his head. "How?"

Thor pointed at the third floor. "See up there? Few people, but there is some heat signatures there still. I bet that is where they keep the boy"

Bard turned the googles and saw that Thor was right. Thran was almost panting. "My son…"

Bard patted him on the back. "Easy there, we will get him soon."

Dwalin spat and his eyes were narrow. "I say we split up, one combat veteran for each group, I can go with Bard and Thran if Beorn goes with the rest."

Thor looked at Bard, "What do you say?"

Bard nodded. "Yes, we cannot be too many, three guys are easier to hide"

Thor smiled. "Alright, I say we create a distraction. The lab is vulnerable, a few grenades and the whole thing goes boom so you have to be fast Bard, in, out and nothing more. Get the kid and run for it!"

Bard felt his mouth go dry, he knew what could happen if such a lab went badaboom, it would be one hell of an explosion. Thran looked nervous. "How do we tell you that we are out?"

Thor grinned, a vicious grin. "Easy, you start firing"

Bard looked at the building, there was a fire ladder leading up to the third and fourth floor and he grimaced. "Alright, we do go up to the fourth floor, there is nobody in there I think. We go down, not up. I doubt that they will expect any trouble from up above."

Dwalin smiled. "Yes, and I will be the one to draw their attention away from the lad, I know how to do this."

Bard frowned. "You will be fired upon"

Dwalin showed them the long line of shock grenades and flash bangs he had attached to his vest. "Yes, by people who are more or less blind. We cut the electricity before we go in"

Thran tried to smile. "That is a good idea."

Beorn pointed at the wire entering the building. "If we cut it here they will suspect foul play right away, wait a moment, I can cut it half a block away"

Albert did toss him a set of tools and the huge man disappeared like a ghost in the night. Bard held his breath and stared at the dark windows. "Could there be traps and shit on the fire stairs?"

Dwalin shrugged. "I have no idea but I will go first, I know how to detect such deviltry"

He seemed to be as cool as a cucumber and he was grinning like mad. Beorn returned and returned the tools to Albert. "Here you go"

Thor smiled and cocked the shotgun he was carrying, it was a pump action gun and it had an extra large magazine. Bard suspected that he had loaded it with something rather nasty. "Everybody, get in position. Elisa, take the goggles and keep an eye on everybody, if Bard and Thran get in trouble you try to help them"

She nodded and hid behind a trash container. They spread out and Dwalin smiled at Bard and Thran. "This is it guys, be fast, be efficient and do not hesitate"

Dwalin listened, then he walked toward the fire stairs like he had every right to be there and felt the metal, seemed to sniff it almost. "It is okay, come"

The low whisper was almost inaudible, he started using hand signs instead. The stair was rusty and old and covered with leafs, moss and pigeon droppings but it was solid and it didn't creak at all. They made their way up the building slowly, avoided the windows for even if the inside was dark they would create a black shape against the lights from the city. Bard was glad Dwalin was so experienced, he knew just how to move. They had to stop as they passed the third floor, someone exited a door at the side of the building and started looking for the electrical wires, he was swearing and cussing and had a flashlight and Bard saw that something suddenly grasped the man and they heard a faint cracking sound. Then he was hauled off and hidden behind some dumpsters. It had to have been Beorn, he was more than strong enough to break a man's neck like that.

Bard knew that this they were doing was illegal, if it was discovered they would lose their jobs or even go to prison but what else was there to do? The stair ended by a narrow door which was locked with a padlock on the outside. Dwalin had tools and did cut it off without even breaking a sweat. The door was locked too and since they couldn't be discovered just yet they couldn't just kick it in. Dwalin tried to pry it open gently but it was stuck. He had a very small com link and hissed something into it. Bard could hear that Beorn answered. "Distraction confirmed"

Dwalin whispered. "Sorry, they have to go in, we cannot continue undiscovered unless they start the fireworks now"

Bard felt his heart beating like thunder, it was odd the bad guys hadn't heard it already. "Right"

This meant that they didn't have all the time in the world to get Legolas out of there, they had to be both brutal and quick. A few seconds went by, then Bard heard the sound of a door being kicked in and then a few seconds later the dump thud of a shock grenade. Then all hell broke loose, gun fire was cracking and people were yelling and Dwalin kicked the door down with one kick. They saw a narrow corridor and Dwalin pointed forward. "Go!"

There was a staircase leading towards the loft and the lower floors and Dwalin was running towards it, very lightly. Bard followed and Thran was straight behind them. He had no combat training and was just guarding their backs. They heard slamming doors downstairs and shouts and someone was running down towards the basement. Dwalin nodded and cocked his gun, he pulled the hood he wore down so only his eyes were visible and Bard knew that the guy had been in the special forces. To him this was probably just what he did every day before lunch.

The stair was full of debris and Dwalin moved slowly and with precision, he pointed at a door and signed that they should be silent. He moved forth and Bard took position behind him. Thran sought cover behind the corner and it was smart for suddenly the door burst open and a skinny guy in bad clothing and a dirty bandana burst out and he let out an angry shriek and raised a small machine gun of some sort. Dwalin swore and fired but the guy managed to send off some rounds before he was more or less cut in two by Dwalin's powerful weapon. One round hit Bard's vest and threw him backwards and one ricocheted off the wall just in front of Thran. The man was paper pale. Dwalin cussed again and sneered. "So much for being discrete. Go!"

He ran forth, kicked up the door and showed no fear, the room behind the door wasn't very large but it was filled with all sorts of stuff. Old sacks which probably had contained flour, metal grids which the breads had been placed upon in the ovens and other baking equipment. Two men came rushing towards them, both looked more scared than aggressive and Dwalin grunted as he emptied a full clip in them. They fell like rocks and he reloaded with a calm expression upon his face. Bard felt an ache in his ribs where he had been hit but he wasn't harmed. Thank Goodness for bullet proof vests. Downstairs they heard screams and shooting and there was also shooting going on outside of the buildings. Bard heard the distinct hard thunder from the desert eagles and he knew that the others were doing their best. Dwalin kicked some obstacles out of the way and they turned a corner carefully. The room they entered was huge, a hall with several pillars carrying the roof and someone had to be storing car parts there for it did smell like garage. A huge wooden crate was placed near the wall and it had been closed with a chain but now it was opened.

Bard swore, this was where Legolas had been held, he was sure of it but the boy wasn't there now. So where was he? Thran was wild eyed and Bard could only imagine how he felt now. Dwalin was moving around the room like a huge cat and his rifle was held in a ready position the whole time. It felt reassuring to have such an experienced man by their side. There was a door to the right, it could lead towards another corridor or even a staircase and Dwalin signalled towards it, he was going to move when the door slowly opened and Thran let out a sort of a sigh. It was Legolas, he was teary eyed and behind him was Lindir. The man was a mess, his hair looked like a pile of straw and his eyes were bloodshot. He was trembling and sneering and he had lost a lot of weight. Bard knew the symptoms, this was a person who had become addicted to the worst version of meth. Lindir held a gun against Legolas head and had a hand wrapped around the lad, he was obviously unable to get any further and had to return to the room Legolas had been held in. Lindir was growling. "Drop them shooters, or the kid gets it!"

Back in the basement a war was being fought, the criminals who ran the lab probably believed that they were being attacked by some rival gang but they hadn't anticipated that the attackers were well trained and also carrying weapons way more powerful than anything they could get their hands on. The lab had been a well kept secret and so they hadn't really anticipated any trouble of any sorts and thus few had been armed. About fifteen men had been in the basement minus the one guy who went to see what had happened to the electricity and some tried to flee while others tried to stand their ground. They were used to others like them, armed with cheap automatics and they had no real training. And above all, no body armour.

Faramir and Beorn were both former soldiers and Thor too had some army background. Those stationed around the building didn't have that sort of training but they did know how to shoot and anybody leaving were targeted quickly and brought down. Leonard was in fact a good shot and Albert too didn't hesitate. Elisa was firing the huge pistols with glee, she was almost panting with excitement and anger. She knew what these drugs would do to people, getting rid of it would be a good thing.

Thor had thrown several flash bangs into the rooms as they entered them, the stunned men were easy to gun down and the three moved forth methodically and with precision. No words were needed, training had taken over and they knew exactly what to do. The enemy had little discipline and the attempts at firing back were pathetic at best. If you do believe that aiming a gun at the enemy will be enough you are dead wrong, and dead too. There were fires raging down there and Thor fired at the lab itself, crushing everything he saw. This shouldn't be allowed to be rebuilt ever. He yelled at Beorn. "I hope that those upstairs get out soon, I fear that this may blow up"

Beorn just signalled ok and shot a small weasel like guy who tried to attack him with a machete. That only works in a movie, never in real life. They did fall back towards the entrance, there were nobody left alive down there and Thor gestured to the other two. "Keep your eyes open, could be someone left upstairs"

He hadn't even finished the sentence before they heard a gun and a man shot at them through a window in the first floor, he ducked and Thor swore. Faramir had taken a hit to his arm but it was just a scratch and Beorn patted his vest with a devilish grin. "Two hits, but this is solid stuff. "

He grasped a grenade and threw it through the window, there was a sharp bang and a flash and the huge man nodded. "Threat eliminated. Those grenades are very efficient!"

Thor had to grimace, no doubt about that, the walls were painted with red and it wasn't really paint. He just hoped that Bard and Thran were alright.

Bard stared at the obviously very dangerous young man, the eyes were those of a trapped animal and Dwalin hesitated, he didn't want to drop the gun for he knew that this person was very disturbed and that he couldn't be trusted. They couldn't shoot, there was a risk of them hitting the kid and an impact could make Lindir pull the trigger. That was when Thran revealed yet a new side of himself, one Bard hadn't anticipated. His voice had suddenly become smooth, sensual and seductive and the investigator couldn't believe what his lover was saying. He knew it was a trick, a rouse and a manner of throwing Lindir out of balance but it was disturbing to say the least. Thran was weaving a sort of image in their heads, of him letting Lindir have everything he wanted, do whatever he wanted. It seemed so real and suddenly Bard realized that this was something new, a gift from her.

He relaxed, allowed his instincts to kick inn, he could somehow feel that Lindir was buying it, he was too high and too naïve to see the deceit and Bard also saw that Lindir wasn't all bad. He was just a pitiful and somewhat tragic person who could have gotten far but lacked the willpower to go anywhere. Thran was talking sweet nothing, making promises that even a fool ought to see where hollow but Lindir stood there looking almost blissful. That was when it happened, Bard noticed movement and it was the cat, the huge black cat. It sauntered over to the two who stood in the doorway and Lindir didn't notice it at all. Thran's oddly hypnotic voice had put him into some sort of trance. The cat suddenly got up on its hind legs and grew and it wasn't a cat anymore. Bard recognized her but her face was different, sharper, angrier. The face of a true killer.

She bared her teeth and a long slender hand reached out, landed on Lindir's shoulder. He jerked, the eyes rolled back into his skull and he fell like a ragdoll. Legolas ran to his dad, almost screaming. Thran embraced him tightly and the tall creature stared at them. "He isn't dead, I just absorbed the wickedness which was inn him. He will be a different person when he wakes up."

Bard swallowed hard. "Why can't you do that to others?"

She shrugged, the head changed into that of a lion, terrifying and beautiful. "Because their evil is an integrated part of who they are, you cannot take it away without leaving only an empty husk, a shell. You may say that I am cruel, but I am not that cruel, that fate is something no living being ought to suffer."

Bard saw that she was fading, he felt oddly alone. "I will watch over you, worry not. Do the good work and you will be blessed."

The voice was gone and Dwalin was staring at them with wild eyes. "Oh shit, holy fucking…ducks! Now I have seen everything!"

Thran was almost sobbing with relief. "Let's go, hurry. I smell smoke"

They ran down the stairs and luckily there were no more bad guys there. The building was burning now and Thor resumed command, he gathered the troops so to speak, made sure that nobody were hurt and agreed upon taking care of the now unconscious Lindir. Dwalin had carried him with him and the man couldn't weight much at all, he was just skin and bone. Bard wanted to return to the farm and the rest of his family and Thran wanted that too, Legolas ought to have some peace and quiet to get over the traumatic experience. Thor took the guns and promised that they would be hidden, no fingerprints or anything which could be traced back to them now. The building was burning and Thor ordered them to spread out and be gone, there would be spectators soon and the risk of an explosion was still great, there were gas containers in the basement and getting rid of the evidence would be a good thing. They all ran towards their respective vehicles, luckily the few people who still lived here knew better than to look when there was shooting going on, nobody would have seen anything, and that would be the truth too.

Legolas was hanging onto Thran like a remora, but the lad seemed to be in good shape and he wasn't all that scared. Thran was caressing the narrow back and carrying him towards the car and Bard smiled at him. "You were very brave back there."

Legolas just blushed. "The black cat kept me with company, I knew things would be alright"

Bard sighed. "I start to feel that there is much for which we ought to be grateful."

Thran nodded. "Yes indeed, I have never been that persuasive before"

Bard had to snigger. "No shit, you almost made Lindir fall asleep"

The car stood where they had left it, and they got in and took off. Now it was up to Erestor and Ori, the second part of their plans had to go well!

Arwen had waited for some hours and she had gotten nervous when the old doctor finally arrived, he climbed out of his rather rackety car with difficulty and brought with him a very strong smell of cow and shit. He made a sort of grin when she came to open the door. "I apologize, darn critter croaked on me, heart failure. Had to do a necropsy, the poor sod of a farmer wouldn't have gotten any insurance money back otherwise."

Arwen frowned. "Was it heart failure?"

Oin grinned widely, there was manure in his hair and on his jacket. "Most certainly, you know, they breed these beasts to become huge lumps of beef and nothing more, it ain't natural, no, it ain't natural at all!"

He kicked off the soiled boots and Arwen did cringe, the old man coughed and grasped a box of equipment. "So, where is the patients?"

Arwen hissed, her clean home would stink after this but so what, she could clean. "Upstairs, follow me"

Oin walked behind her up the stairs, she knew that he had been a very respected surgeon and doctor and he had saved countless lives but he was getting old fast. The sorrow of what had happened had sort of drained the very will out of him. Tilda was awake, clinging to a teddy bear Arwen had found and Oin instantly changed from a gruff old man into a very sweet and loving grandpa. He was grinning and making funny faces and Tilda melted and let him listen to her chest and examine her mouth and nose and he tickled her and told silly jokes. The girl was laughing and giggling and when he was finished he smiled at her and gave her a lollipop. Heaven knew where he had kept it but she was obviously convinced that it was magic. Oin dragged Arwen out into the corridor, he was in obvious shock. "What in heavens name has happened here?"

Arwen stuttered. "What…what do you mean?"

Oin took a deep breath. "The child have inhaled a lot of smoke, she does even have burn damage to the back of her throat. Her lungs ought to be scorched but they aren't. Her cough is caused by light irritation, nothing more, A healthy dose of antibiotics, some bedrest and warm baths and she will be fine in a few days"

Arwen gaped, Tilda had in fact become much better just over a few hours. What was going on? Tilda called for them and Arwen opened the door and returned to the room. Tilda rubbed her eyes. "Where is the kitty?"

Arwen frowned. "The kitty?"

The girl smiled. "Yes, there was a pretty black kitty here, she slept on my chest and left when I heard you coming up the stairs. She made me feel better"

Arwen swallowed. "Uh, we have many cats in the barn but no black ones, maybe it was a stray"

Tilda yawned. "Maybe, she was pretty, I wanna sleep now"

Arwen stroked her hair. "That is good sweetheart, do sleep, it will do you good"

Oin cocked his head. "There is something you don't wanna tell me right? I respect that, but that kid ought to have been half dead by now, or even dead. Such injuries escalate, cause internal drowning and all sorts of hellish reactions."

She swallowed, feeling a bit faint. "A-alright. Uh, Jean is next, she isn't physically harmed though"

Oin smiled and bowed his head. "Alright, I am ready"

Jean was awake too but tired and red eyed and Oin did prescribe some anti depressants and much rest, there wasn't really anything else which would work. He was quiet as Arwen did follow him back to the car. "Young lady, I am a doctor, a scientist. I have seen a lot, and I have always had a strong belief in the fact that everything has a very natural and perfectly explainable explanation. Now I am not so sure anymore. There wasn't as much as a cat hair on that kid, and like I said, she should have been much worse than she is. Some blessings must be accepted for what they are, we would go mad if we tried to understand them"

He patted her on the back. "Tell Tilda's dad this, someone is most certainly watching over them"

Arwen remembered what Bard had told her and smiled, but the smile was thin and pale. "Yes, yes I will. "

She stared after the backlights as they disappeared down the road, then she went straight to the cabinet where they kept the booze and poured herself a very generous amount of brandy, she needed it, badly!

Erestor and Ori had sort of clicked right away, the two were suddenly best buddies even though they had never met and Ori was beside himself with zeal. With the help of his friends out there the news would be spread far and wide but in a discrete manner and they would make it look as if this had happened this very night, but that the artefact had been stored for years. Ori met with the guy Judith had contacted and they made a very believable mock report of a stolen artefact. The guy had in fact come up with some pictures and they were manipulated but it had been done so elegantly that nobody would discover this unless they really were looking for deceit. Now they were fabricating a story, and clues and they had the time of their lives.

A very small notification would be placed in the newspapers, nothing large, just a few words about a very unexpected theft and they would use a very bad photo, one which would trigger their curiosity. When everything was in place Ori did release the story online, now they could only sit and wait, it would be fun to see what this would unleash. Ori had been very careful when he asked the fake Egyptologist to choose an artefact for them, he wanted something which did look like an object capable of controlling the shrike and the man had followed his instructions. The missing artefact was in fact something which could make anyone believe it had magical powers. The internet would work its own magic now, the spies of the hidden group would pick up the scent of this soon enough and then the chase was on. Erestor had left the breadcrumbs they needed, if their bloodhounds were any good they would follow them to the source, which would be a nice little trap. Both Ori and Erestor had huge grins on their face as they sent messages to Elisa, things were happening, the show was on the road.

When Bard and the rest returned to the farm it was almost morning, the sun was rising slowly and Bard realized that he was hungry like a wolf and tired like a dead man. Legolas had fallen asleep in Thran's arms and the blond had been weeping with relief on the trip back. Bard didn't exactly hold that against him. Now they carried the sleeping boy to bed and made sure that he was comfortable before they went downstairs again. Arwen was a bit pale and obviously tired and Bard had seen the wheel tracks outside, it had to have been the doctor. "So, what did he say?"

Arwen sighed and leaned her head onto her hands, she had made some stew and it was soon ready, the smell made Bard's stomach growl. "Bard, know what? I have become a believer, I wasn't before but now I am, damn it!"

Bard frowned. "What?!"

She took a deep breath. "Tilda was injured Bard, smoke inhalation and possibly even some burns down her throat, but it was gone. When the doctor arrived just irritation was left and he left me with some antibiotics and stuff, she will be fine in a few days. "

Bard blinked. "That…that is wonderful, but…!"

Arwen made a sort of a smile. "She claims that a pretty black kitty slept on her chest, that it made her better. Guess who?"

Bard felt a surge of something extremely powerful, gratitude and shock and a myriad of other feelings all mixed into one. "Oh God"

Arwen took a sip of her cup. "More like –Oh Goddess-if you ask me"

Thran leaned his head onto Bard's shoulder. "We have much to be grateful about, so much"

Bard nodded and closed his eyes, if he had ever doubted her he no longer did. Arwen did find some plates and cups and prepared a meal and they all ate well. Bard had a sore spot where he had been hit and Thran kissed the bluish mark before they hit the sack. Both were too tired and emotionally drained to do anything but snuggle but Bard knew that it would come, sooner or later they would go all the way and he was starting to feel both excited and a bit nervous too. But first things first, Erestor and Ori had done their job, from now on it was a waiting game.

The huge room was filled with computers, buzzing and beeping and technicians were running around keeping an eye on them. These super machines weren't searching the net for clues regarding terrorism or tax fraud or anything else that those of the government worked with, no, these had only one goal. Finding the creature or the things which could control it. The workers didn't know who they really worked for, they didn't even know what the machines were searching for, they believed that their jobs were funded by the feds, that they were helping in the war against drugs and terrorists but the truth was very different. A small electrical plant was connected to this place, it would never lose its electricity and the machines were kept running twenty four seven. It was needed, they couldn't afford to lose a single clue, not anymore.

The hunt had gone on for decades, at first the reason had been a rather odd one, they wanted to see if this really was true for if it was then the history of mankind was different from what everybody had believed for centuries and that in turn meant that there could be powerful artefacts out there, remnants of technology long forgotten but potentially revolutionary. The creature could become an ally, or at least shed some light on the past, probably even back up their claim of being the chosen ones, the master race. They hadn't interfered, what was the reason anyhow? She killed a few people here and there and they did the same, they didn't bother with a few murders. They were mostly low lives and parasites anyhow and not among their ranks so good riddance.

Then it all changed, and the change was rather sudden. The old man had hidden his condition well, being weak was equal to being doomed, you had to be strong to rule. Now the chase was indeed on, the group had many eager young men, clawing to take his place and their great leader couldn't allow that to happen. His most loyal men were on the case, they had never before exposed themselves and used their agents in such a manner but it was needed. The darn reporter had hurt them a lot but it was only words and she was notorious for telling lies, that would blow over and be forgotten. She was a public figure, if they killed her now they would prove that she was right, they would have to wait and make it look like a normal accident. Those darn policemen had to be gone too, they knew too much. Nobody could know of the secret, of the one thing their leader now wanted.

The man who ran the facility was in his sixties, a man with a straight back, a rather strict face and thin white hair which was cut very short. His eyes were cold and blue and he was convinced that their great leader was the one who would create a better world for them all. With that creature they could rid themselves of enemies and take over the entire country and then nobody but the chosen would be allowed to stay there. It was a dream he had had for many long years. He sat in his office sipping his tea when there was a pling coming from a screen in front of him, one of the machines had found something interesting. He got up and walked over, opened the document and stared at it. His face didn't reveal any emotions at all but there was suddenly an odd sparkle in his eyes, he started to type, gave the computers new orders. Then he walked over to a phone which was mounted on the wall, it was only to be used if there was something real to be found and he swallowed the feeling of sheer thrill before he lifted it and pushed the button.

A voice answered at the other end and he kept his voice cold and calm. "This is Franz, we have something"

The call was received in a mansion, it was grand and elegant and a bit old fashioned compared with the neighbours but it was well kept and very luxurious. The people living in the area knew next to nothing about the owner, they never saw him but he did donate generous amount of money for their charity balls and they knew he was a retired scientist of some sorts. Discretion was a virtue in this neighbourhood, only the filthy rich could afford an address here and so nobody asked any questions. The building had hundreds of rooms, many were hidden and one was placed in the basement. It was more like a hospital room than a bedroom and the leader of the group couldn't leave it anymore. The reason was obvious, he was floating in a tank of some sort of fluid, only his head was above the surface and it kept the pain at bay and prevented it from driving him mad. He was being fed nutrients and painkillers through tubes and there were people taking care of him at all times of the day. The tank had been the only solution, without it he would have been dead years ago, he had managed to keep the severity of his disease hidden even from the experts he had consulted for he had a will like iron and an ability to push himself which was close to superhuman. His father had always done what he could to make sure that his son would become strong. That payed off old man was still razor sharp, still as determined as before. He would make sure that his father's legacy lasted and he was a fanatic who only saw the ultimate goal as worthy of his attention. A servant hurried into the room, he bowed his head and gave an envelope to one of the agents who were guarding the tank. "Sir, this came now, from Franz"

The agent opened the envelope and the old man hissed. "Bring it over, let me see"

The agent hurried and the man in the tank sneered with impatience. If Franz had sent this it was the real thing, not some false alarm. He stared at the news paper article and for a moment his mouth opened wide, then he grinned, a wide grin and the eyes were shining. "Marvellous, this is it, I know it is."

The agents didn't dare to say anything, the leader was merciless and hard hearted and he knew of many who had disappeared just because they had questioned some decision made by the leader. The leader turned his head towards one of the other agents, the man was high ranking and one of the commanders. "Give the order that this clue must be pursued at all costs, they must find this thing, soon. It will give us the power we so long for"

The agent smacked his heels together and walked out of the room, the old man stared at him. Once he had been so strong and young, so powerful. He had wasted that away, but whence they had her, oh he would make sure that it all would be his again. She would make him immortal, transform him into a God. The pain and the humiliation would stop and his father's vision of a new Eden would be fulfilled. Jon Wolf laughed, a low chuckling laughter which sent cold shivers down the spines of the servants and agents gathered. He was creepy and frightening and most were terrified of him. He knew everyone, had something on everyone and a word from him and even the greatest leader would fall. He stopped laughing and turned his head again, a doctor walked closer, reluctantly and with a sweaty brow. "Prepare for transport, when they find it I will be there"

The doctor stuttered. "But Sir, the pain? The damage will be irreversible, it will kill you!"

He bared his teeth. "It matters not, when I get her, I get everything I want. Do it, or face the consequences."

The poor man nodded frantically. "Of course sir, right away sir, it will be ready sir"

Jon chuckled. "Of course it will"

He ignored that little sting of worry, of doubt. His father had told him so much, and he hadn't believed even half of it but what he did believe was enough to make a normal person doubt his own sanity. This would be a triumph like no other, a day of true glory. Yes, he was ready to take his place among the Gods.