Chapter 26

Slow to come I know, I am sorry, but I WILL finish the story, I just ask for your patience and understanding…

Eliot stepped out from the house his guns at the ready. He knew behind him Sterling would have the girls out and running for the fence. It was his job to make sure they got out safely. The majority of men were distracted now by the Interpol agents who were firing relentlessly upon them and after scanning the area Eliot realised that they the girls were no longer a priority for the group in the compound. He turned and look behind him to see Sterling and the girls had almost reached the fence when he felt a stinging sensation along his side. He swung back to face the compound just as another bullet struck him this time in his left shoulder causing him to drop his one gun. Eliot brought his other arm up and started firing. The three men who had been approaching him dropped to the ground as Eliot's bullets pierced them. The sound of the shots drew more attention and Eliot quickly retreated back into the building. The men honed in on him ignoring the back area where Sterling and the girls had disappeared through the fence.

Sterling ran behind the girls urging them on, he could hear the gunfire behind him but did not stop. The priority was the girls and he was going to get them all out safe. It did not take them long to get to the fence and once they were through and a fair distance from the compound Sterling stopped the group. He told the woman who could understand English to make sure they waited right where they were for him and Eliot, or an Interpol agent to come and get them. Once he was sure they understood he turned and ran back towards the compound.

Sterling arrived at the fence in time to see the Interpol agents take the upper hand with their adversaries throwing down their guns and surrendering en mass. He looked over at the building he had left Eliot at and saw the Hitter exit the building. Sterling looked the man up and down and raised an eyebrow at him, the Hitter looked decidedly the worse for wear.

"You alright?"

Eliot gave Sterling a grim smile. "I'll live…" He said tersely. "The girls?"

"They are fine. In fact I think I'll head back there and get them. What about Nate and the others?"

"They went off coms a short while ago." Hardison's voice came through the coms.

"What? Why?" Eliot asked immediately alert.

"I don't know man…they met with that guy and everything was going to plan and then…nothing…"

"Dammit Hardison…how long ago they go off?"

"About ten minutes ago." Hardison said quietly. "No, no, no, no, no Eliot there is no way you are putting this on me..." The Hacker said louder and with a little lilt in his voice which indicated the worry he was feeling for the others, especially Parker. "You and Nate came up with this stupid plan. We should never have split up in the first place. Now you are all shot up here and Parker…" Hardison's voice broke slightly as he said the name. "Parker and Nate and Sophie are in who knows what trouble and we can't even get there to help them and even if we got there we would not know where to go because, you and Nate decided to split us up and…"

"Ok…Ok Hardison it's OK." Eliot growled and held his hands up in surrender, knowing that Hardison was probably watching them through binoculars, bringing the Hackers rant to an abrupt end. He was fully aware that the Hacker was now in distress mode. When the Hacker got nervous or scared, and Eliot was sure he was both at the moment, he tended to talk too damn much.

"Sterling, you can sort this lot our right?" Eliot said turning to the ex-Interpol Agent.

"Yes, but you need some attention."

"I'll be fine." Eliot growled. He knew he was hurt, but not to the degree that he thought he needed a doctor, he could handle his wounds himself, besides he had other priorities now. "Hardison I am on my way to you, we need transport to Johannesburg now…"

"On it."

"And Hardison…"

"Yeah."

"Don't worry, they'll be fine. Nate will make sure they are." Eliot said softly.

"Yeah…" Hardison said but without any conviction.

Sorry for the long delay, out of my control. Thanks for reading and I hope despite the delay you are enjoying the continuation of the story.