Donovan Sykes? Gordon swore he knew that name, but the answer was floating behind the buzzing in his ears. Between the drugs in his system, the stress of having to watch his brother take all the risks, and then seeing the chaos crew walk into the room, he was having difficulty worrying about unnecessary facts.
The food he'd eaten rolled with the unsettling words coming from Sykes. Hunting ground? What was this guy's deal?
Before they could inquire, the red beams returned, four of them finding each of the figures. Gordon heard the pressurized blast just as something slammed into his chest and sent him stumbling back with a startled cry. Scott's grunt didn't go unnoticed and the blonde found his brother clutching at a small device stuck to his left side, just under his clavicle. Gordon found a similar one under his own hand that had come up to try and assuage the sharp, needling pain that had blossomed from the hit.
"I advise you not try and remove your tethers," the hologram warned.
"And why the hell not?" Havoc spat, already working at her own device.
"Because they will explode."
Simple. Precise. Just what was needed to get all four to comply.
"Now, it seems the games can begin!" Sykes cheered from his box, eyeing them down the bridge of his nose. "Silas, if you wouldn't mind going over to rules while I prepare?"
"Right away, sir," and with a broad grin, their host left them with the hologram. "The four of you have the privilege of being chosen by the master for an event that happens only once a year."
"Thrilled," Fuse interrupted with a sarcasm that Gordon would have liked to use himself.
"Truly, it is expected to be one of the most entertaining," Silas smiled and it was too obvious it would be solely his own enjoyment. "Once the door opens, the master will give you a half day to get as far as you can. After that, the hunt will begin."
"Hunt?" Scott found his voice, the aquanaut trying to stand a little straighter to offer support. All of his training was demanding he observe, learn, bide his time before there was an opening to take down - well, a hologram would be more John's forte. Donavan was another matter.
"Master Sykes has spent years tracking and killing the most dangerous animals in the world, but that has become to easy." Gordon felt the hairs bristle on his neck. Hunting for food or to reduce overpopulation was one thing, but sport… He decided then and there, this man would go down for more than just abducting them and as Silas continued, Gordon realized there was a great deal more that would lead to Sykes going to prison. "Now, he prefers humans. Far more innovative if a bit predictable. With all of your training and experience, he is hoping for a far more exhilarating challenge. Do try not to disappoint."
Gordon's throat felt dry and he wondered if the others were in the same predicament. They were going to be hunted like animals in some insane game. Hadn't he mentioned it's happened before? That thought sent a rage through his gut, fists clenching as he realized other innocent people had been here - had died being hunted by a madman.
"Oi! We're not some dogs. 'e's gonna wish 'e hadn't even heard of us when we get to 'im," Fuse's voice bounced around them with the threat and Gordon was suddenly hoping he could back it up. Without his armor, though, did Fuse have the skills to evade an experienced hunter?
"Will he?" And the smile on the hologram's face spoke volumes. They were in serious trouble. "The devices on your chest act as tethers. You will be paired to ensure you have an incentive to work together."
"You mean, make it easier for him," the words left his throat as Gordon glared at the man.
"I'm certain with your expertise, you should be more than capable to compensate. Last I checked, WASP demands their operatives be skilled in solo and team missions." The dark eyes met his, unblinking and Gordon felt the impact. They knew far more than they should.
Behind them, the bolts covering the only viable exit slid back and the door swung open. Four pairs of eyes watched it hit the wall with a resounding clamor of thick metal. When Gordon turned back, the hologram was gone.
"Great," he groused, finding his brother looked just as angry as he felt.
"Well, you two can feel obliged to keep Sykes' attention. Y'know keep us from gettin' shot. That's what you do right?" The woman's sneer was cynical at best as she made to leave to room. "C'mon, Fuse."
The demolitions expert was busy looking at the device attached to him, a green glow emitting from it. As much as Gordon didn't want these two around, their chances would be a lot higher if they worked together - that was a big if, though. He looked down to his own tether, noting the same green pulsating from it and turned to find Scott's. His brothers was a distinct red.
"Havoc," the aquanaut called, wishing he had the same depth as Scott to get people to stop and listen. The woman didn't even flinch, stepping through the door. There was a split second where he had to pick a priority, but his decision was made for him as his brother's tether flashed and he let out a cry. Gordon caught him as his legs buckled under the assault. He was aware of Fuse running for the door and there was the slight echo of Havoc's voice still floating around the room. "Hang on, I've got ya!"
Scott didn't respond as Gordon began to drag him towards the door, making it a few feet when the device stopped glowing and the pilot took in a shuddering breath. They kept going, however, Scott getting his feet under him as they moved through the exit and found the two villains, one helping the other stand.
"What the hell was that?" Havoc gasped, the bite gone from her voice.
Gordon looked at her tether and inwardly cursed at the red light. "You're connected to Scott. You got too far away." He let the anger slip through, annoyed at the woman for not waiting. "You good, bro?"
"Yeah," the brunette breathed as he tried to rub the spot effected. "Let's not do that again." Though his words were aimed at the aquanaut, they were meant for everyone. The commander straightened, pinning the chaos crew with a look Gordon had received far too often in his teens. "Looks like we're stuck with each other, so if you two want to get out of here in one piece, we need to work together. Make a plan."
"Alright, then the plan is you two follow us," Havoc grinned. "Unless you want Fuse 'ere to break your lil' brother?"
Fuse still looked a bit frazzled by the effects of the device on his sister, but as she gave his arm a jab, he turned to glare at the aquanaut, fist slamming into his palm for good measure. Even without his armor, he was still nearly twice Gordon's size.
Though the chaos crew seemed to be a problem, their immediate issue was the need to get some distance in the few hours they had been given. Gordon could already see his brother bristling at the idea of being prisoners in an already hostile situation and knew it would only delay their departure.
Catching Scott's elbow, he leaned in to whisper, "Let's just go. We'll deal with them when we can."
For a second, it seemed like the brunette might argue, but with the interruption, he'd been given the chance to suppress his initial reaction. With a deep breath through his nose and out, Scott turned back to the villains. "Fine, just try not to do anything that'll get us all killed."
"No promises, Flyboy," Havoc didn't wait to see if they were following, obviously not worried about what had happened moments ago. Fuse gave them a wary glance before moving in step with his sister.
"Come on," Scott urged Gordon in front of him as he took up the rear. The blonde was well aware of his brother's intent to keep him shielded, but now was not the time to protest. They were all in danger and if this Sykes guy was as good as the hologram seemed to imply, they were going to have to stay sharp.
Now that they were past the point of making a decision, Gordon was able to get a good look at their new surroundings. The door had led into another cave, nondescript except for the etched walls. They walked for a few minutes in silence until they made it to an opening and daylight. Specifically, late evening sunlight.
The cave had opened to the view of an expansive forest far below the mountain they were in. Beyond was an ocean, but it was difficult to tell just how far. Even growing up on an island, he and Scott weren't able to judge.
Their next problem came in the form of a winding mountain path, wide enough for them to have to traverse one at a time. Havoc went first, Fuse following and Gordon felt the urge to tell them to hurry. Regardless of what they'd been told about a head start, they were out in the open. One shot and one of them would go down, taking their tether buddy with them.
By the time they made it to cover, it had been a couple hours at least, the sun already making its way to the horizon. The chaos crew was looking a bit frayed, Havoc snapping at her brother as he questioned what their next move should be.
"Oi, Fishstick" she pointed to Gordon. "What are our chances if we get to a beach?"
He groaned at the nickname, but tried to find solace in the fact she was actually asking for advice. "What do you mean? If we get to the water?"
"No, I mean if we wanna make sand castles," the sarcasm was thick.
He bit back a retort, "Our chances wouldn't be great. Without a rendezvous with a ship of some kind, we'll be floating ducks. Up until the point we drown from exhaustion."
A curse slipped past her lips that Gordon figured she hadn't meant for them to hear. Scott took it as his opportunity to wedge his suggestion in.
"Our best bet is to find shelter until morning."
"I didn't ask for your advice, now did I," Havoc hissed, arms crossed over her chest as she paced. "Alright, we keep walkin'. The boss'll have a way to find us. Then it'll just be climbin' aboard his ship and bringin' the two of you as 'is prizes."
"That's a terrible plan," Scott growled back, but was forced to follow as she headed into the dense woods they'd stepped into. Gordon was a step behind, surprised to see Fuse keeping pace beside them. The man wore a scowl that could've read as the frustration he was feeling towards his sister's choices or fear for what lay ahead of them. Gordon hoped it was both. It meant Fuse might be more willing to talk Havoc into listening.
The path - if that's what it could be called - was more of a continuation of the ledge they had left. The forest clung to the side of the mountain, trees and stone merging along the slope to hinder their movements. The growing shadows didn't help either.
Somehow, Scott had taken up position in front of him, still trying to keep pace with the tether attached to the stubborn woman. Though Gordon would have preferred to stay closer to his brother, Fuse was lagging as his bulk worked its way through the crowded path of tree roots. Each slowdown would force them farther from the other two.
"Think you can get her to slow down?" The blonde finally asked while he waited for Fuse to shimmy around a tree.
The larger man regarded him a moment, but with the light fading, it was too difficult to tell if he was going to listen or not. But then, Fuse called out at an uncomfortable level. "Havoc! Wait up!"
It had the desired effect as the woman stopped, if only to glare at him, but she still seemed to be waiting. They hurried along as quickly as Fuse could manage, Gordon just glad to be closer to his brother.
"You slow pokes ready now?" Havoc let her fear and frustration turn into impatience, the snap including her brother.
Gordon heard Fuse sigh before answering, "Yeah, but it's gettin' dark. Shouldn't we find a safer place to hide?"
"Where could that possibly be? We're still on the side of a mountain!" She hissed as she turned to continue.
She had a point, but that didn't mean they couldn't find somewhere to hole up until morning. It wouldn't do them any favors for one of them to -
A curse turned into a cry and Havoc was moving - falling - quickly down the hill. Gordon's eyes shot up to find Scott already jumping down after her. He wanted to yell at his brother for literally throwing himself off a mountain for someone who couldn't care less about them, but the memory of the tether's effects flared.
"Havoc!" Fuse called loudly behind him as they ran to the spot their siblings had just been standing. Down below, they could still hear the sounds of limbs snapping and brush shifting after years of being untouched.
And then it all stopped.
Gordon tried to listen over the beating of his own heart and the breath in his ears from the man behind him. Nothing floated back up to them and he felt a sudden spike in his chest at the thought of losing his brother to this nightmare. Training kicked in next, spurred on by Fuse's harsh question.
"How are we gonna get to 'em?"
Eyes scanning the way ahead, Gordon squinted to see into the shadows. "Looks like we'll have an easier way to get down over there, but I hope you're up for some free climbing." He didn't wait for an answer as he took off down the path, content to hear the boots behind him.
Damnit, Scott you better be okay, Gordon thought as he reached the area and began the precarious climb down. If he wasn't, the aquanaut wasn't sure what they would do.