A/N: OMG, an update on TR? Seriously? I know, it's been like a thousand months since I have but with RL drama and a case of writer's block like the world has never seen, the story just wasn't coming out. I think it has some to do with the fact that I know in two chapters the story will be over. I've worked on this for so long to know it's coming to an end.... Anyway, enjoy and I promise to update again before another thousand months LOL. :) Take care.
Chapter 50: The Man Behind the Curtain
Faith was trailing behind Ben at a casual pace, Locke from beside her giving no indication he was in any hurry himself. She knew that was farthest from the truth. Finding out whatever or whoever Jacob was had become his number one goal, along with finding out answers to his questions. She couldn't fault him for that. She was curious herself and any step that brought her closer to getting people off the island was worth any possible ambush they were likely to find along the way.
Mikhail had spoken of newcomers to the island, newcomers that had a freighter. The mere thought of transportation sent her mind spiraling into a whirlwind of ideas. If they were trustworthy, she'd find a way to get them to help her with the survivors. If they weren't, well, she'd still find a way to get them to help her with the survivors.
"Remind me again why you're scared of these people?"
Ben continued forward, his gaze set straight ahead. "Because they work for Dharma and Dharma's controlled now by a very powerful man I've had the misfortune of getting to know, a man that will stop at nothing to gain control of this island again."
"That doesn't answer my question."
"We keep this island hidden from the world because if he was to find us again, he would order the death of everyone he deemed useless and turn you and the other potentials into lab rats. I'm going to assume that's not what you want."
"You'd be right about that but I'd be careful what you assume about me from now on Tripod." Faith readjusted the crossbow on her back. "What's this big cheese's name?"
"Charles Widmore."
Locke frowned. "Widmore? As in Widmore Corporations?"
"One in the same."
Faith looked between the two. "Should I know that name?"
"Besides the fact that Widmore Corporations is known throughout the world for their investments including one in OceanicAir, Charles Widmore was involved in the creation Dharma. They have other stations but this island has the one he wants control of the most; because there are people here like yourself." Ben looked over his shoulder at her. "If he finds this island, he'll stick you in a cage and all of your friends will become test subjects."
"You seem to know a lot about this guy Benny."
"Let's just say that we've had a few unpleasant run-ins in the past."
She snorted and her eyes remained locked on the back of his head. "Let me guess, he used to be a friend of yours."
"I wouldn't say that exactly."
"Then what would you say?"
"I-"
Faith stopped short, hand suddenly up, and Locke stopped. "Shut it."
Locke glanced around. "What's-"
She nudged her head at him before her eyes darted to the left and he nodded in understanding. Ben said nothing, only turned as she slipped into the bushes beside them and disappeared.
It was quiet in the jungle but the wind shifted and something inside her switched on. Within seconds she had the crossbow off her back and trained at the array of trees to her right. Her finger tightened on the trigger only a hair when the trees separated. The potential Kimberly stood out from them with Danielle's daughter Alex and a young boy following her. Faith relaxed her fingers and lowered the bow. "What the fuck are you three doing here?"
"I came to see if you needed assistance." Kimberly tilted her chin. "I discovered these two following me."
"I told you stay behind!" Faith glared at the girl and slipped the bow back over her head. "I don't need assistance and now you can take these two back to the camp."
"What? No! I'm not going anywhere!" Alex sputtered in protest. "And neither is Karl!"
Faith narrowed her eyes. "Look, I get that you want to see what Daddy Dearest is up to but this is dangerous and you being out here with your boyfriend is going to do nothing but get someone hurt." Her eyes flashed back to Kimberly. "Where's the other one?"
Kimberly frowned. "She has a name."
"Congratulations. Back to camp, now."
"We have the right to know the truth as much as you do!" Karl spoke up. He didn't sound as confident as Alex but the squeeze of her hand that held his seemed to give him just enough to continue speaking. "You wouldn't have even known we were following had Kimberly not caught us."
"I wouldn't have caught you if you hadn't been caught; good one." Faith turned on her heel and shoved back through the bushes, the three following. "Look what I found!"
The irritation on Ben's face appeared as soon as he saw Alex and it only seemed to grow the second he saw Karl with her. "I thought I told you to stay behind."
"I want to talk to Jacob! Perhaps he'll be honest with me since my own father won't!"
"You have no right to be on this side; I told you to stay put for a reason!"
Faith watched the two teenagers glare at the older man. She chuckled and readjusted the bow. "This is a touching Kodak moment but we have to keep going." Her eyes met Kimberly's. "Take point up ahead."
The other slayer nodded before slipping through the bushes again and disappearing from view.
"They cannot come along." Ben shook his head. "Jacob will not be pleased."
"Tough." Faith shoved past him. She stopped short when a flash of white caught her attention. "Anyone else see that?"
"No." Locke stepped forward. "What was it?"
"It was a girl."
Ben was the one to speak next, his eyes locked on her. "Don't. It's a trick."
"You saw her didn't you?" He shifted like he was nervous and red flags appeared. "When this is over I want answers damn it." She growled. "Wait here." She ordered before moving forward to chase the flash of white.
It wasn't hard to follow the giggling, white flash that seemed to always reappear just when she had given up. Faith shoved a tree branch out of her way and skidded to a stop at the edge of a large hole. The little girl was standing just on the other side, a small smile on her face, and Faith didn't look away for fear of her disappearing once again.
"Where have you been?"
The conduit smile grew. "Always here." She gestured at the hole. "This is what you seek."
Faith didn't look down. "I'm looking for Jacob."
The little girl shook her head. "This is what you seek." She tilted her head, black eyes steady and unblinking. "Jacob is the seeker. He will appear when he is ready."
"I think we both know I'm not a patient person."
"Patient or not, must you be so stubborn?"
"Let me think, uh, yeah." Faith took a step forward. "I'm not going to like what I find at the bottom of this am I?"
"Probably not."
It was Ben that spoke and she looked over her shoulder to see him hovering in the trees with Locke. When she returned her attention the conduit, she was gone. "Great." Faith took another step forward. "I'm not sure I-" Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the bodies, their exposed bones and tattered clothing all that was left of the people they used to be. She cleared her throat and ignored Ben and Locke coming up on either side of her. "Dharma."
"We had to put the remains somewhere." Ben muttered lightly his tone almost uncaring. "There was no time to bury them properly."
Faith turned on him with flashing eyes. "It's not like you would have anyway. They were the enemy."
"I didn't consider your father the enemy."
"Is he down there?"
"Faith-"
She grabbed him by the shirt and yanked him forward, bringing their faces inches away. "Is he fucking down there?"
"Yes."
"Faith…"
Feeling Locke's hand on her shoulder, she shoved Ben away and watched him stumble to his knees.
"You seem to care an awful lot about a man who abandoned you as a small child Faith." Ben rose to his feet and brushed at the dirt on his pants. "It was what he wanted."
"I highly doubt any of them wanted this." Locke remarked dryly. "They were people too. They deserved better than this."
"They were greedy and selfish and all they cared about was money."
Faith clenched her hands and turned to stare down at the pit. "Just shut up." She glanced over at Locke as he shifted to look down as well. "Where are the others?"
"Kimberly didn't find anything so she came back to stay with Alex and Karl until we returned."
"We should…"
They both stopped at the sound of a gun cocking. Faith glanced over her shoulder to see Ben holding his gun at his hip. He glanced between them, dark eyes ever so calculating, until he focused his attention on Locke. "This is as far as you go."
"Put the gun away before I make you eat it Ben."
"I know what you're capable of Faith but even you're not fast enough to stop a bullet." He smiled thinly. "We're all being tested by Jacob and unfortunately this is my task. You're a liability John and trust me when I say this will be doing you a favor. Following Jacob's orders is no small task and after a while it will eat you from the inside."
Faith stepped forward. "If you shoot him, it will be the last thing you do Ben. Put the gun away and tell me how you saw the conduit."
"The conduit is a trick! Annie, she wasn't real, and it was just another test of loyalty from Jacob."
"Annie?" She frowned. "Who is Annie?"
"Someone I knew a long time ago, someone that died here." Ben's gaze lingered on the pit. "Just another sacrifice I had to make in my life for this island."
She took another step forward. "She's in the pit isn't she Ben?"
"Stop talking and get out of the way."
"You killed her and dumped her in this pit and you've thought about it every day since. Isn't that right Ben?"
"I won't tell you again; get out of the way."
"Or what? You'll shoot me and put me in the pit as well?" Her eyes narrowed. "How many potentials will I find down there?"
His gaze lifted up from the pit to meet hers. "We all do what we must to survive."
"You're right. We do."
Another gun clicked and Ben lowered his weapon when he felt the end of a barrel press into the back of his head. Kimberly's face was somber, eyes serious, as she held the weapon from behind him. Alex and Karl lingered in the trees no doubt unsure of what to do.
Faith grabbed the gun from his hand and popped out the chamber. She tossed both items into the pit. "Don't pull anything like that ever again or it certainly will be the last thing you do Ben. I joined your little band of merry men in order to help get everyone who wants to leave off this island alive but it doesn't mean I'm on your side." She glanced over his shoulder at Kimberly. "Everything's five by five now, you can lower the gun."
"I felt… I felt as if you would need my assistance."
The urge to roll her eyes hit her but she nodded shortly instead. "Everything is fine. We need to keep moving forward."
"There is nothing up ahead."
Ben frowned at Kimberly's statement. "There's no cabin?"
She shook her head. "Nothing." Her eyes went to Faith's. "What would you have us do now Sister?"
"Is your brain warped? I'm not your leader and I'm definitely not your sister so you can quit with the nicknames." Without waiting for a response, Faith glanced at each of them. "If there's no cabin then we need to go back."
"Go back to what exactly? The people you deserted or the people coming to kill us all?"
Her retort was lost in the sound of an approaching aircraft. They all looked upwards as a helicopter flew over them, disappearing into the distance to which they were heading. Faith's gaze met Ben's again. "On second thought, I think we should go introduce ourselves to our visitors. I want to see exactly who or what we're dealing with."
"That's suicide!"
"Maybe." She fingered the handle of her blade in a gesture that could be considered almost loving in nature. "You can sit this one out if you want oh fearless leader. We'll pick you up on the way back."
His dark, beady eyes flashed at her impatiently. "I need to cut off Jack and the others before they do something foolish."
Faith glanced slowly at each person's face. "We'll split up. Anyone that wants to go with Ben here's your chance. The rest of you better keep up because I'm going to move fast." She watched everyone shift and when it was over, it was surprising to see Alex and Karl still hovering near Ben. Her eyes met the young woman's and saw the uncertainty lingering there. "You should go with Ben."
Alex frowned, obviously confused. "I should?"
"Your mother's waited a long time to meet you."
"My… my mother?" Alex glanced between Faith and Ben. "What is she talking about? You said my mother died during childbirth!"
Ben didn't look away from Faith. "I might have over exaggerated a little Alexandra."
"Funny how that seems to keep happening." Faith smirked at him. "See you on the flip side Benny."
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"So what exactly is the plan?"
Faith shoved a tree branch out of her face and continued to watch Kimberly scouting up ahead. The younger girl was meticulous, agile, and most of all, annoying. She refused to stop calling her Sister and continuously looked to her for guidance. That was the last thing anyone needed to look to her for; the mother hen act was Buffy's, it had never been her thing even when there had been no other choice.
"You do have one right?"
Her eyes slanted to Locke beside her. "Yeah, I got a plan." She nodded. "We find the helicopter, beat the shit out of whoever is flying it, and use it to get people off the island."
He actually chuckled and it caused her to smile for a split second. "Sounds easier said than done."
"It usually is but that's what makes it so much fun."
Locke glanced over his shoulder. "Do you think Alex and Karl are okay going off with Ben?"
"If you're asking me if I trust him the answer is no. If you're asking do I think he'll willingly put her in danger, I don't know the answer to that."
"He cares for her."
"He cares enough to steal her from her own mother and lie to her, how touching."
Kimberly stopped suddenly in her tracks, fist up in a silent motion, and it caused both of them to stop instantly as well. Faith slipped her crossbow from her shoulders and gripped it loosely, her dark eyes watching the younger slayer shift her body sideways so they both could see ahead. The conduit stood several yards away. She beckoned them forward with her small hand and smiled, dress swirling in a flash of white before she disappeared into the dense forest.
"Have I mentioned lately how much I hate that thing?"
"Before now I've never seen it, her, whatever that was. Why is that?" Locke checked the knife on his hip.
"Let's just say the forces at work here can be a bit picky as to when they show themselves and leave it at that." Faith gestured at Kimberly to move forward. "Keep your eyes peeled; it's never a good thing when children of the corn show themselves." With Locke pulling up the rear, she moved to follow Kimberly into the brush. It didn't take long to find out exactly what the conduit was leading them towards and crouching beside Locke and Kimberly, she studied the grounded helicopter positioned less than fifteen yards away. "Bingo."
Locke lifted up his binoculars. He studied the aircraft before passing them to her. "There's one man; based on wardrobe I'd say the pilot."
"That would make sense. They'll want to get out of here as quickly as they came." She took in the sight of the older man from where he sat at an open cabin door, his feet propped up on a landing skid. He possessed a gray, shaggy beard and as she watched he continued to look around. "You two stay right here."
"I know what you're thinking Faith and you should reconsider. He might not truly be alone or his friends could come back at any second."
She tossed back the binoculars. "I'm touched Locke, really, but there's no way in hell I'm deviating from the plan. I've been looking forward to cracking a few heads ever since I came up with it ten minutes ago."
"Faith, stop."
She glanced over at Kimberly. "If he tries to follow or interfere, you shoot him."
Kimberly frowned. "Sister?"
"Ok, well, maybe not shoot him but you get what I'm saying." Faith started to rise. "And don't call me Sister damn it." Crossbow in her right hand, she stood up and headed straight for the helicopter.
The man immediately spotted her but he didn't move, only his eyes growing wide as he took in the sight of her face and then the weapon. There was no turning back now and she propped the crosssbow against her shoulder as she came to a complete stop in front of him.
"Hands up. Do anything else and you're going to be breathing through a hole in your neck." He swallowed and lifted up a hand, empty palm facing her. She rolled her eyes. "I said hands genius."
"I would but…" He shifted his other arm and her eyes narrowed at the sight of him handcuffed to the bottom of the helicopter seat. "I'm afraid I don't have a choice."
"Who are you?"
"My name is Frank, Frank Lapidus. I'm the pilot."
Faith glanced around before focusing on him again. "And why are you locked up Frank the pilot?"
"I was hired to transport some scientists at first, but then I was told to transport mercenaries too. Apparently refusing didn't go over so well."
His words had her spine stiffening, the grip on her crossbow tightening. "Mercenaries?"
"A group of them, about ten, lead by a man named Martin Keamy. The scientists were supposed to take samples, pictures, that sort of thing but these guys…" Frank shook his head. "They're definitely not here to take samples."
"Did Charles Widmore hire you to come here?"
"No, a woman named Naomi Dorrit hired me. She's supposed to be on the island already along with the scientists."
Faith slung the crossbow onto her back and moved forward. "How many?"
"Three."
"This Naomi chick, she not a scientist?"
"No, she's head of the mercenary team." Frank watched as she grabbed onto the other half of his cuffs and yanked, the metal breaking clean in half. His eyes widened. "You're not going to kill me are you?"
She took a step back and motioned over her shoulder at Locke and Kimberly. "Not at the moment Frank but it depends."
Frank rubbed at his wrist. "On what?"
"On whether or not you're going to help me transport people off this island to your freighter."
He studied her face before his attention wandered to Locke and Kimberly as they appeared. "Of course. I want to help in any way I can. Are… are you survivors of 815?"
"What do you know about that?"
"I was supposed to be the pilot that day but…" He lowered his wrist. "It's funny how things end up."
"Yeah, real hilarious." Faith glanced around again. "Where did your mercenary buddies go Frank?"
Frank slid slowly off the landing skid. "They're here for a man named Benjamin Linus. Keamy is under orders to apprehend him and kill everyone else."
Immediately she began to secure her weapons. "How long ago did they leave?"
"I don't know; uh, five or ten minutes head start maybe? What am I supposed to do to help?" He glanced between all three of them. "Right now I can start transporting whoever is ready but with Keamy still in charge…"
"You leave Keamy to me. Just make sure this bird is ready to go up in the air when it's time." She started to turn and paused. "And Frank?" His attention snapped back to her. "I'm Faith and if you cross me, the things I'll do to you will make you wish you stuck with Keamy, do we have an understanding?"
He nodded quickly. "Crystal clear."
"Good." She motioned at Kimberly. "You stay with Frank. If you come across any issues, you radio me."
"Of course Sister."
Faith ground her teeth but turned away. "Locke, you're with me. We need to find the others."
"What happens if we run into Keamy and his men?"
"I'm still working on that part of the plan but they're not going to enjoy a girl kicking their ass, I can tell you that much."
