Chapter 53
Presidential Palace, Macronesia
Kristin cried out in pain, feeling her arm being pulled in an awkward position behind her back. She was still having difficulty thinking straight.
"Leave her alone, please," Nathan begged.
Chankul brought a hand to Kristin's face, holding it under her chin and squeezing. "I'm afraid I can't do that, unless you do what we ask."
Bourne ushered Nathan to a desk. "Just disarm the missiles, and we'll let you and your family go."
Kristin struggled to remember what exactly had happened before she woke up. For some reason, she couldn't remember anything. But, just then, Paul entered the area, and that helped to jog her memory just a little.
"P-paul," she gasped, giving him a questioning look.
Paul ignored her and turned to Chankul. "The children are awake, Sir."
"Very well," Chankul replied. He turned to Nathan. "It looks like we're going to have a bit of a family reunion."
"I'm trying to disarm the missiles," Nathan said desperately. "Please leave them alone."
Chankul turned back to Paul. "Bring the children in."
As Paul left the room, Chankul released Kristin's arm, causing her to groan slightly. "Now, as for you," Chankul thought out loud. "I think we'll save you for last." He looked at one of the guards. "You'll tie her up over there."
The guard grabbed Kristin by the arm and instructed her to stand with her back to a decorative stone pillar along the edge of the room. Then, he tied her wrists tightly together.
Both Nathan and Kristin were relieved she was going to be spared for the time being. However, the relief was short-lived when Paul returned, Charlie in his arms and Michael holding his hand.
"Grandpa!" Michael exclaimed, trying to run to him.
But, Paul held out a hand, stopping him. "Whoa, not so fast."
Michael then noticed Kristin. "Grandma!" He turned back to Paul. "What's going on here? Let her go!" he demanded bravely.
At that moment, Chankul approached him. "You love your grandparents, don't you?"
"Of course I do!" Michael cried. He struggled against Paul, who was holding him back from going to either of his grandparents. "Let me go!"
"Sorry, but we can't do that," Chankul answered, taking Michael's hand from Paul. He led Michael over to Nathan, just standing in front of the desk. "Now, Bridger, how much do you love your grandson?"
"More than anything…please…I'm doing what I can," Nathan pleaded, typing furiously trying code after code. But every code he tried resulted in a negative result.
"Tsk, tsk," Chankul said, clicking his tongue. "Apparently, you're not trying hard enough." He ushered one of the guards over to him. "You know what to do with him."
The guard took Michael's arm and led him to the other side of the room, strapping him into a chair.
Kristin watched with baited breath as she realized what type of chair it was upon seeing the wires that were hooked up the chair and to Michael.
"Now, Mr. Bridger," Chankul continued. "As you can see, little Michael here is hooked up to an electric current. If you disarm the missiles within the next twenty minutes, Michael here will remain unharmed. But, if you do not produce any results, Michael will suffer a small electric shock every five minutes past the twenty minute mark. And, each time, of course, the volts will be increased. And, the longer you take, the more Michael will suffer."
"G-grandpa?" Michael questioned nervously.
"It's OK, Michael," Nathan assured him. "I won't let anything happen to you."
At that moment, Charlie began fussing, bringing everyone's attention to her. Chankul approached, taking her from Paul's arms. "And after Michael's finished, we'll think of something for her."
"Don't you dare hurt her, you monster!" Kristin shouted.
Chankul handed Charlie back to Paul and walked toward Kristin. "A monster, am I? You haven't seen monster yet. Just wait until I get my hands on you!" he threatened.
Meanwhile, Bourne, who had been watching the whole scene had decided things had gone a little too far. "I think you've made your point, Tak-sin. Bridger is doing as he was asked."
"And you really trust him? I've told you before, Alexander, you are way too trusting of people. And the only way to prevent that is to have leverage," he said, taking Charlie's hand and holding it up. "I just hope we have enough." He turned back to Nathan. "The clock is ticking, Bridger. Tick, tock, tick, tock."
Refugee camp, Macronesia
"…after that, I came here. Thank goodness I met an old friend," Katie explained her story to Cynthia, motioning to Robert. "This is Robert…Bridger."
"You're Nathan's son?" Cynthia asked.
"In the flesh," Robert confirmed. "And, you're Kristin's daughter?"
"You've met her?"
"Kind of," Robert replied, making a face. "Neither of us knew who we were at the time, but I've figured it out since, after meeting up with Katie again.
"So, you let everyone think you were dead too?" Cynthia questioned. "Is that a prerequisite for working for Section Seven?"
"No," Katie defended. "But most of the time, they like you to break all ties with family and friends. It's the easiest way."
Cynthia raised an eyebrow.
"If it weren't for the conflict, I wouldn't have ever done it," Katie responded, feeling the need to defend herself.
Cynthia waved a hand. "You don't need to give me an explanation. Believe me, I know what you're going through, the need to make sacrifices. My own mother probably thinks I'm dead too."
"You haven't had any contact with her?" Katie questioned.
"Not for months now," Cynthia admitted. "It's the only way we can stay hidden. I kind of never told her I was coming over here. She still thinks I'm in South America."
Bobby smiled. "Lies we tell to protect our parents," he muttered. Then, he said, "I guess it runs in the family."
"Yeah, you two are step-siblings now, aren't you?" Katie noted.
Cynthia and Robert just looked at each other and nodded.
"Well, you two can stay as long as you need, as long as you follow the rules," Cynthia continued.
"Rules?" Robert questioned.
"I'm sure you two know all about being stealth. We've managed to stay hidden from Macronesian forces for months, and we plan to keep it that way. The rules are simple; stay with the group, don't leave camp during the day, and don't do anything that would spark anyone else's interest. I think you two can handle that," Cynthia replied.
Katie and Robert nodded.
"We were hoping someone might be able to help us with our cause," Katie added.
"Isn't it the same as ours?" Cynthia countered.
"It is, but there's something else. My father is being held somewhere by Bourne. The last I knew, he was in the presidential palace." He looked at Katie. "There's no way Katie and I can plan a rescue mission on our own. Do you think anyone here might be interested in helping us?" he asked Cynthia hopefully.
"Well, there is one person for sure," she said thoughtfully. "I was going to wait until you two had gotten a bit of rest, but if you're willing to-"
"We're willing," Robert broke in, eager to get a rescue mission under way.
Cynthia smiled. "Very well; follow me." She led them through the small camp; they passed several small cottages along the way. Finally, Cynthia stopped at the last one. "I think you'll recognize this face," she said mysteriously. She knocked at the door.
Suddenly, the door opened, and a familiar face appeared in the doorway.
"Ben!" Katie cried, throwing her arms around his neck.
"Katie!" Ben responded.
"But I thought…" they both said at the same time.
"I think these two have a bit of catching up to do," Cynthia said, putting her hand on Robert's arm and giving a gentle pull.
"Huh?" Robert replied.
"Come on," Cynthia urged.
Robert sighed and followed her.
"There are a few other people willing to help too," she assured him.
Presidential Palace, Macronesia
Chankul continued to watch the clock as Nathan typed away, trying code after code, failing each time.
"I've told you, all passcodes have been changed," Nathan stated emphatically. "It won't let me in."
Chankul clicked his tongue several times. "That's just too bad, isn't it? And it seems your time is up." He turned to the guard standing next to Michael. "Turn it on."
"No!" Kristin and Nathan cried out simultaneously as Michael cried out in pain.
"Turn it off!" Bourne demanded after a few moments.
Chankul gave him a surprised look. "Don't tell me you're getting cold feet on me, are you? I thought this was what you wanted, what you agreed to."
"But, I never agreed to you torturing children," Bourne scoffed.
"It never bothered you before. Isn't it you who showed refugees being gunned down in cold blood? You seemed very proud of that," Chankul noted. "A lot of innocent people have died for the cause, many at your hands."
Bourne was silent for a moment as he looked at Nathan, Kristin, Michael, and Charlie. "You take the children away," Bourne ordered. "They're not part of this."
Chankul stared at Bourne for a long time, looking angered. But, finally he conceded. He turned to the guard. "Release the boy," he said though gritted teeth.
The guard unstrapped Michael and brought him back over to where Paul was standing.
"You keep an eye on them," Chankul ordered Paul. "And, be ready to bring them back if I say."
Paul nodded and took the children out of the room once again.
Chankul turned back to Nathan, an evil smile on his lips. "Well then, it seems your wife then must endure all the pain, unless of course, you have some results for us." He approached Kristin and ran a hand along her cheek, causing Kristin to shudder.
"Wait," Nathan cried. "If-if you let me, I can get your codes for you."
"How?" Bourne questioned.
"I can make a phone call."
Chankul laughed. "A phone call? To the UEO? After you've been missing for months? You'll rat us out. You can't possibly agree to that, Alexander?"
But, Bourne looked like he was considering it. "Why is that such a bad idea?" he questioned. "If we tell them we have Bridger in our clutches, they may just be willing to do anything to save him and his family from harm. We force them to disarm their missiles. I don't see why they wouldn't."
But Chankul shook his head in disgust. "Alexander, Alexander, Alexander; it is completely beyond me how you've managed to get as far as you have. The UEO can't be trusted; I thought that's why you started all this to begin with."
"But, if we have something they care about-" Bourne began.
"They will only tell us what we want to hear and turn on us at the last minute. It would be suicide. But, if that's what you're looking for, be my guest," Chankul said. "But then, our alliance is off. You'll find my armed forces are far more formidable than the UEO could ever think of being."
Bourne sighed. "Fine." He turned back to Nathan. "I'm afraid I'll have to side with President Chankul on the matter. I trust if you wrack your brain, you'll find the proper codes."
"And to ensure that," Chankul stated, untying Kristin from the pillar, a little incentive for you. He held Kristin tightly with one hand. Then, with his other hand, he reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a pistol. "I am not beating around the bush this time," he promised as he cocked the pistol and held it aimed at Kristin's head.
"P-please, don't hurt her," Nathan stammered, trying to remember every possible passcode combination.
"Tick, tock, tick, tock," Chankul stated, enjoying the fact that he was playing with Nathan's head.
"N-nathan, please…" Kristin finally spoke. "Please don't."
Nathan stopped. "What?"
"Don't do it," she repeated.
"Kristin, I…no, I can't." He continued trying the codes.
"Come on, Bridger; I'm getting impatient," Chankul stated after several minutes had gone by.
But, Nathan wasn't having any success.
No longer willing to wait, Chankul aimed his gun and fired.
A/N: I just can't get away from these cliffhangers, can I? Yeah, it's a weakness. Sorry.
