The World Needs More Grimm

Chapter 23

Upper Hand

It's 5:17pm on Friday March 13th 2020.

Josh, Trubel, Irving, and Davis arrive at the designated meeting area, approximately ¼ mile away from the warehouse belonging to Ted Baxter.

There is another SUV following that has 4 backup HW members.

It is apparent that their plan of action is already determined.

Trubel, who is sitting in the front passenger seat turns to face him. "Josh—"

Josh, knowing what she is referring to, interrupts her. "Yes Trubel, Oscar Torres IS YOURS." He says with conviction.

Trubel gives him a slight smile. "Thanks." Is all she can say.

The SUV with the backup team parks. All 4 members exit the vehicle and disappear in the tall brush.

Josh, still in charge, hears static in his headset, then beeping, as if a communication device has been turned on.

"We are closing in Porter. Stand by." The unnamed male HW member informs him.

Josh speaks into the headset microphone. "Standing by."

Approximately 7 minutes go by.

The unnamed male HW member finally speaks. "Porter, we have assumed our positions. Beginning reconnaissance now."

Josh nods. "Affirmative." He says into the headset microphone.

10 minutes go by without communication.

At 12 minutes, Josh hears something.

The unnamed male HW member speaks again. "Porter, reconnaissance complete. Heading to pick up zone #1."

Josh nods. "Copy." He says into his headset microphone.

The 2 SUVs now park side-by-side in a new area. They are still approximately ¼ mile away from Ted Baxter's warehouse. The group exits their vehicles. The unnamed male HW member stands next to Josh, who has put his laptop on the hood of the SUV. He begins to download images from a USB onto Josh's' laptop. They both look at it together.

He points to the screen. "The heat sensors picked up a total of 13 signatures, on ground level and second floor." The unnamed male HW member informs him.

Josh looks at him curiously. "There could be more than that deeper inside the building, correct?" He asks.

The unnamed male HW member nods. "Yes Porter." He confirms.

Josh makes up his mind immediately. "Alright. We go ahead with plan A." He says as he nods.

The unnamed male HW member turns to look at Josh. "Plan A. Affirmative." He responds.

The backup team begins to do reconnaissance on the 3 warehouses that Matthews told the group should be empty.

Again, Josh hears the unnamed male HW member in his headset. "Porter, there are no heat signatures at warehouse A. Moving onto warehouse B." He informs him.

"Roger that." Josh responds, speaking into his microphone headset.

5 minutes later, the communication device buzzes.

The unnamed male HW member speaks. "Porter, there are no heat signatures at warehouse B. Moving onto our last target." He informs him.

5 minutes later, Josh hears him.

"Porter it's confirmed. There are no heat signatures at warehouse C. Returning to pick up zone #1." The unnamed male HW member informs him.

"Affirmative." Josh responds, speaking into his microphone headset.

They waste no time. Josh & Trubel are out of the SUV, with machetes drawn, and disappear into the tall brush with Irving & Davis following. They separate and close in on foot to the warehouse, at different vantage points. They slowly close in, aiming for the loading dock that appears to be vacant.

The 4 backup team members are following close behind the group.

Josh, Trubel, Irving & Davis enter the warehouse via the loading dock.

They form into pairs, Josh & Irving being pair 1; Trubel & Davis are pair 2.

The backup team follow shortly behind them.

As soon as they move deeper into the warehouse and open double-doors, they come upon the largest room where a huge lab is laid out in the center. Behind the lab, all against the walls are shelving units, stocked full of lab & medical supplies.

The figures, all men, surrounding the room turn at once to the group, and the fight begins.

The first 6 figures woge into Coyotls' and charge Josh & Trubels' team.

Trubel corners one Coyotl and looks at him straight in the eye, giving him an opportunity to surrender. "Tell me where Oscar Torres is, and maybe I'll let you live."

He does not accept the offer and charges.

After fighting with her a few minutes, he feels her machete.

She then joins Josh, Irving & Davis in the ongoing fight.

The 2 Grimms intuitively surround the Wesen and fight them side-by-side. Trubel is amazed at how Josh has come into his own as a Grimm. He knows how to use his machete effectively. He takes the lead and aggressively fights one Coyotl who feels his machete a short time later.

3 more figures woge into Coyotls' and join the fight. However, Trubel and Josh have already taken care of the first 6 with their machetes and help from Irving & Davis.

3 more figures woge into Klaustreich and join the group.

The fight continues. 4 more Coyotls', having come downstairs to see what the commotion was, woge and also start fighting.

The HW backup team takes on the second group of Wesen. All 4 woge into Pflichttreue, pick targets and join the group.

2 more Klaustreich, having come from upstairs when the fight began, now join in.

Even though they are outnumbered 2 to 1, the HW group get the upper hand in the fight.

Out of the corner of her eye, Trubel sees a figure moving upstairs. She leaves the group to take care of the rest and stealthily heads upstairs.

She moves quietly and quickly, heading for the door in the center of the building. It appears there is a separate room, or rooms behind the door.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Trubel sees a male figure woge into a Malin Fatal and run for the stairs.

Spinning around, she follows the Wesen close on his heels.

Trubel sees Ken Davis, downstairs, in the perfect spot to intersect the Malin Fatal. "DAVIS!" She yells.

Davis doesn't hesitate. "I GOT HIM TRUBEL!" He yells back, approaching the Wesen.

"I want him ALIVE!" Trubel instructs him.

Davis acknowledges her order. "Alright."

Trubel runs—leaps downstairs. Both of them close in fast, but Davis gets to him first. Jumping on him, face-to-face, Davis is barely able to get out of the way of the Malin Fatals' tusks from slicing into his neck. They catch his left shoulder instead. He starts to fall back, in shock and pain.

Trubel is on top of the Malin Fatal in a split-second. Josh & Irving follow. The 3 are able to subdue the Malin Fatal without getting injured. Irving ties him up.

Trubel gives him a brief opportunity to accept a deal.

Trubel leans over and stares him right in the face. "If you tell me where Oscar Torres is, I just might spare you from a painful interrogation." She says, giving him the out.

He refuses to speak to her.

Trubel, looks at him again with an unflinching gaze. "I'll give you only one more chance. Where is Stan Lewis?" She asks, forcefully.

He again gives her the silent treatment.

Irving grabs him, lifts him to his feet and starts walking him towards the loading dock.

Josh speaks up. "Irving we need his identification." He says.

Irving nods. "Absolutely Porter." He replies.

Irving then takes him out of the building via the loading dock.

Davis has been badly injured by the Malin Fatal. The wound, is short but has cut very deep. In a short time, he has lost a lot of blood, is pale and begins to drift in and out of consciousness.

Sitting next to him, removing her sweater and leaving on only a T-shirt, Trubel quickly uses her sweater and applies pressure to Davis' wound.

The group of Coyotls' and Klaustreich have all been killed.

Josh thinks fast—and smart. He finds a first-aid kit against the wall, next to a fire extinguisher.

Josh approaches them, and hands her the first-aid kit. "Trubel here. You want me to stay with you and Davis?" He asks.

Trubel accepts the first-aid kit and shakes her head. "No Josh, go with the others." She opens the first-aid kit with one hand. "This will work. We'll be fine." She says, reassuringly.

Josh hesitates. "Are you sure?!" He asks, puzzled.

Trubel nods. "Josh they'll need a Grimm with them. Go." She says forcefully.

Josh and the backup team quickly begin a sweep of the building, including the outside, looking for more Wesen. They leave Trubel alone to sit with a now completely unconscious Davis, still applying pressure to his wound with her sweater in one hand, and rifling through the first-aid kit with her other hand.

They do not find anyone else.

Now, the backup team, with one member driving the SUV that was ¼ mile away, pulls up and parks at the loading dock. Another backup team member brings out the fingerprint identification device. Irving uses it on the Malin Fatal, and a name comes up; Karl Borski. Irving then pushes Mr. Borski ahead of him and puts him in the SUV, in the back center.

The rest of the backup team enter the SUV and depart with the Malin Fatal. Irving heads back for the loading dock.

After 9 minutes outside, Josh returns to the center room, being the first of the group to return.

Josh approaches, with great apprehension, where Trubel & Davis are. As he enters, he is shocked to hear both of their voices, speaking in a peaceful, happy tone.

They haven't moved much from where he fell, and even though he's still on the ground in a semi-reclined position, the color of Davis' skin has come back, and a tired, yet relaxed look on his face has taken over.

His wound has been bandaged up by Trubel. It's clear in using what was available in the first-aid kit, Trubel really needed something more heavy duty because Davis' blood has begun soaking through it. In his right hand is a bottle of water, cap off and it's apparent he's being made to drink it. Trubel has already washed her hands of his blood, and is in the process of putting the first-aid kit back together. She doesn't move an inch; she wants to stay close to Davis—just in case.

At this point Josh can't contain his shock and elation that Davis is alright.

His eyes light up as he gets close to them. "Davis! That was incredible man! You made the heroes' list today." Josh praises him.

Davis forces a weak smile. "Thanks Porter. That wasn't the plan, but I'm ok with it." Being overcome with emotion, he woges into a Taureus-Armenta.

Trubel looks at him, somewhat sternly. "Davis, drink. You lost a lot of blood." She orders him.

Davis retracts and lets out a nervous laugh. "Yes mother." He jokes, as he takes another sip.

Irving joins them, having returned from taking the captured Malin Fatal outside.

"Porter, the fingerprint scan is confirmed. The Malin Fatal is Karl Borski." Irving informs him.

Josh ponders. "Interesting. Well, let's see what Matthews can dig up on him." He looks at Irving.

Irving nods. "Sure thing Porter. I'll call her right now." He says.

As Irving turns to go outside, Josh, who glances at Davis still drinking his water, suddenly remembers something.

"Irving—wait a sec." He shouts.

Irving stops in his tracks, turns and faces Josh, waiting.

Josh approaches Davis. "Hey Davis, you know I got a sports drink in the SUV. That's better than water, at least for you right now. It's my last one, but you can have it, if you want." Josh says, wanting to reward the hero.

Davis nods. "I'm sure mother would like that Porter, thanks." He replies, trying to lighten the mood.

Josh spins around. "Irving, while you're outside calling Matthews, would you please bring our hero the last sports drink from our SUV?" He requests.

Irving smiles. "I'd be glad to." He responds.

Irving is gone approximately 5 minutes. During that time, Trubel finishes up with the first-aid kit and starts looking around the room. Josh calls the clean-up team.

Irving returns from outside and opens the sports drink. He leans over and gives it to Davis. "Cheers man." He says, respectfully.

Davis accepts the open sports drink. "Cheers." He replies as he slowly begins drinking.

Irving approaches Josh. "Matthews said she'll call you Porter when she gets something on Mr. Borski." He says.

Josh nods. "Alright. Irving, the clean-up team is already on their way." He says.

"That's good news." Irving replies.

Trubel, who is still walking around, speaks up. "I want to get Davis to a place where he can rest as soon as possible." She explains.

Josh turns to face her. "We can leave just as soon as the clean-up team get here." He says.

Irving looks at all of them. "I already sent the backup team with Mr. Karl Borski to the interrogation facility." He informs them.

Davis can't help it. "I get first dibs." He says with a dark look in his eyes.

Trubel looks at him. "Easy Davis, you're still hurt." She warns him.

Davis starts pouting. "This really sucks." He adds.

Trubel turns and looks at Josh. "Hey, let's take a look at everything." She says.

Josh nods. "You read my mind." He smiles at her.

Irving speaks up. "While you guys are doing that, I'll be outside, keeping watch." He turns to go outside again.

Davis doesn't want to be left out. He attempts to get up, but instead weakly lays back down. "And-mother will want me to wait right here." He says, hoping she didn't notice.

Trubel did notice. "Yep. Keep drinking." She says, looking at him sternly.

Irving returns to the loading dock.

Josh & Trubel take half an hour to methodically analyze everything. They examine closely the shelving with all the lab & medical equipment.

Josh turns to Trubel. "Michael Zodkowski's inventory probably ended up here. There's no machinery like the place Ben Peters was running." He says.

Trubel agrees. "That makes sense." She says.

They return to everything in the center of the room where the lab was setup. It's clear parts of the lab are missing as well as other parts were in the process of being disassembled. Boxes are strewn, some half-empty, surrounding the lab at different points.

They also notice a bunch of electronic supplies, also on the shelving against the wall.

Lastly they check upstairs, inside the area that Trubel didn't enter.

It's one large room. It appears this was an office setup with computers. They have all been removed. Only the monitors with cords, as well as printers remain.

Flat spots on the carpet also show where file cabinets had been.

Trubel sighs. "Looks like they packed up in a hurry." She says.

Josh agrees. "Yeah, they must've known we were coming." He adds.

Trubel ponders. "Something like that." Is all she can say.

Josh is becoming frustrated. "There's just got to be a clue here. Somewhere." He says.

Trubel shakes her head. "I don't know Josh." She sighs. "I think our only lead right now is Mr. Karl Borski." She tells him.

Josh has a thought. "Or in the identities of our dead Wesen." He says.

Trubel walks around the room again. "Perhaps. Well Josh, at least we've confirmed one thing." She adds.

Josh is puzzled. "And that is?" He asks.

Trubel looks at him. "Your theory about Stan Lewis and his lab is proven true." She smiles slightly.

Josh nods. "Yeah, but it doesn't mean we are any closer to finding him. Or Oscar Torres." He says, still frustrated.

Trubel nods, then ponders a moment. "Josh, what types of vehicles are outside?" She asks.

Josh racks his memory. "A-A Hyundai Elantra. And a Dodge Caravan." He replies, remembering.

Trubel stops walking around the room and faces him. "There's a clue in those for sure." She adds.

Josh sighs. "I hope so." Is all he can say.

Irving returns and joins them again from outside.

"Porter, the clean-up team have arrived." Irving announces.

Josh approaches the stairwell. "Alright. Lets' help Davis into the SUV and head for the interrogation facility." He looks at Trubel. "There's a room that Davis can rest in."

Trubel returns the look. "Alright Josh." She responds.

The clean-up team enter and immediately get to work.

The 4 of them leave the warehouse via the loading dock they entered, with Josh and Irving standing close to Davis for support.

END OF CHAPTER 23