Chapter 21: Flight of the Magpie
Jacobo met Bascombe at the exit into the courtyard. The helicopter was right there, right within their grasp. He clutched the book. They could get out right now and take the money and clean records. A few minutes later the others joined them, Phylidia for some reason holding a caged dog. Gibby was draped over Marcy's shoulder and clutching a bleeding arm.
"They've got gunmen on all the balconies out there. We'd never make it to the chopper."
"I can cover them with the suit but not forever and not from all sides" Meadow said.
Jacobo looked down at his own suit peeking out from beneath his shirt. "Sounds like what you need is some air support." He shoved the book into Bascombe's hands and took off up the stairs.
It looked like the gunmen were concentrated on the second floor balconies, which meant that he would have to get higher. He ran up the stairs, shedding his out layer of clothing to reveal the black wingsuit underneath. Jacobo kicked the door open on the third floor and ran at the edge of the balcony. He knew that if he stopped to think he would never go through with it. As a last thought he put on the magpie mask and jumped.
The wings spread out well past his arms, carrying him high into the hair. Metal talons sprung from his boots. They opened and closed as he flexed his feet. Down below the gunmen were scanning the ground around the helicopter. Jacobo swooped low and grabbed the nearest one with his claws. The extra weight put him off balance so he quickly dropped him. The other guards caught sight of him and when they stopped being shocked they opened fire.
Bullets bounced off the armor as he made passes at each guard in turn. Truth be told this was pretty fun. Before he had been in a glorified parachute, now he was flying. On the ground the others took advantage of the distracted guards and made a break for the chopper. Meadow blocked any stray bullets that came their way and swatted aside the few men guarding it from the ground. Bascombe was providing cover fire with the rifle.
Soon they were all in the helicopter. Jacobo swooped down and landed by the door. He tore off his mask revealing a broad grin.
"Dude that was amazing" Gibby said as Phylidia bandaged his arm.
Bascombe fired up the engines. The rotors started to spin and they were airborne.
"Where's Knudsen?" Marcy asked.
"East Roof" Bascombe answered. "Jacobo, you think you got one more flight in you?"
"You kidding" Jacobo answered as they sped off toward the roof. "I'm never walking again."
He spied Knudsen and Asa duking it out on the roof. Asa had Knudsen pinned to one of the generators and was very close to ending the fight. Jacobo leaped from the chopper, spreading his wings and soaring towards them. He kicked Asa away from Knudsen and locked onto Knudsen's shoulders with the talons.
"What the hell is this?"
"It's a rescue stupid." Jacobo beat the wings and swooped back to the waiting helicopter.
On the roof Asa stood up and started running at them. His footfalls actually made craters in the floor. Bascombe turned the helicopter around to face him. "Sorry Asa." He let the machine guns loose.