Chapter Six: Change of Plans

Chapter Six: Change of Plans

Logan and Tinga moved swiftly down the darkened corridor headed in the general direction of the Manticore Base Camp. Logan carried two weapons, a riot shotgun and a sub automatic rifle for any heavy action, and all the rounds he could carry. Tinga carried nearly his load in weaponry but seemed less bothered by the extra weight jogging lightly next to him. Tinga had even had Manticore style infiltration suits enough for about four, including the riot helmets. They were each wearing one in the hopes that it would get them in closer to their objective.

Logan's limp was again becoming more pronounced, and he tried to both ignore it and hide it from Tinga, who already looked as if she doubted his voracity for the completion of this mission. He was determined now… letting his previous depression turn to anger aimed at Manticore in general and Lydecker in particular, giving him strength, drive and motivation to keep going. But that did not mean that he was not hurting, he knew deep down that there was a problem with his leg, and all the added exertion was only exacerbating the problem. He discounted it figuring in the next six hours or so it wouldn't matter, he would be joining Max, and sending Lydecker to Hell in the process.

They paused as the light started to bleed into the tunnel from the full moon peeking through the trees. They both listened hard for anyone about outside the rabbit hole, when no sound but the animals was forthcoming they shared a glance and slowly moved into the low lying shrubbery that hid the entrance from casual observers. Logan fell in behind Tinga as they moved more cautiously through the brush. Logan stretched his hearing to its limit trying to get some forewarning of approaching danger, his radar was active but told him nothing, which he took as a good sign.

Topping a small rise they stopped again Tinga crouching low barely able to see over the bush she concealed herself with. Logan moved up beside her his eyes narrowing as he took in the view, butterflies rose up in his stomach knowing the moment was near, that his objective was going to be achieved. Below them were half a dozen tents of various sizes, with black clad special ops soldiers swarming over the place. There were many soldiers present but Logan figured it was not nearly the number assigned to this operation. Surely the rest were still watching in and around the building that they had been first dispatched to, in case they came back. Logan readjusted his eyes looking over the temporary structures and estimating where they might be holding his captured partner. He locked his vision on the tent in the middle of the place, surrounded by soldiers with weapons at the ready. Logan tapped Tinga on the shoulder pointing silently toward the subject of his interest, "Is that it?" he whispered barely audible over the surrounding sounds of the night.

"Or that one," Tinga said pointing to another structure about five hundred feet from the one that Logan had been looking at. Logan's mouth thinned as he looked at that structure, it was as well covered as the first one, "We approach it from the back side and see if we can sneak in. Just act like you belong there and we should be alright," Logan nodded, "We'll hit the closer one first then move to the other."

Logan nodded grimly and Tinga peeled off to the right heading for the backside of the encampment, Logan followed closely. It only took them about ten minutes before they came to the periphery of the military camp, and they paused one last time looking to either side of their position. When the coast was clear they stepped out into the well-lit area around the largest tent. Logan and Tinga assumed airs of absolute confidence and purpose as they moved systematically toward the closer of the two suspect tents. Logan's nerves were jangling each time they passed by another of the contingent of soldiers, straight up nerves, but each time they were not even given a second glance. Logan had to make himself relax a bit so that he would not give himself away by acting like he didn't belong even as he looked like he did. By the time they had reached the first tent Logan's heart was beating uncontrollably and he was not entirely sure that it was just nerves, he was thinking that something was about to go wrong. But he was unable to say it for sure.

Tinga paused in front of the guard nearest the door, "Hey man," She said strongly, "how's it going?" Logan hung back smiling wryly, seeing a trick that would have made Max proud.

The soldier looked startled only momentarily then smiled a small smile, "Not bad. You know, these watches suck, but someone has to do it."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Tinga said easily, "If you need a change of scene, my partner and I got perimeter patrol. We been walking for hours and are pretty well ready to rest our weary feet, y'know stand in one place for a while."

The soldier looked up at Logan and then to the guy across the entrance from him then looked back at Tinga, "You know we're not supposed to do that…"

Tinga shrugged, "Who's gonna know? Just one circuit is all I ask, we'll take back over before the relief shows."

"Well," He looked to his partner yet again, whom shrugged and nodded, "I don't see where it would hurt anything."

Tinga traded places with him and Logan did likewise with the other soldier, "Man thanks, you're a lifesaver."

"See you in about twenty minutes," The guard said amiably. They both shrugged to each other as they walked away. Tinga and Logan shared a glance and Tinga nodded toward the entrance of the tent, Logan nodded also sliding into the tent.

Logan looked around the area sweeping with the shotgun, finding that no one was about. Logan slowly moved through the room. It was a single man's barracks as was told by the single neatly made bunk set near the one wall. The place was Spartan to say the least only the bed and a makeshift nightstand and a small private dining area, no personal decorations, and no pictures. Something on the nightstand caught Logan's attention and he slowly moved that direction. Lying on the nightstand was an older Tom Clancy novel, and cautiously Logan lifted it up. He opened it to the front cover where someone had signed it and his heart skipped a beat as he read the dedication on it:

"To 'Deck: Here's the latest of that Military drivel you like to read… X."

"Lydecker," Logan hissed. His head came up sharply eyes darting around the room, feeling the moment rushing up to greet him, "I am definitely coming back this way."

Logan quickly set the book back down again bringing up his gun and moving out of the tent. Tinga looked anxious as he returned from his reconnaissance, looking at him mouthing "well?"

Logan shook his head in the negative resuming his post to the other side of the door. He refrained from divulging the information about what was in that tent, not certain that Tinga would be supportive of his death wish.

Both wanted to move on to the next possibility in line, but to keep from raising suspicions they remained where they were until the two that they had made a deal with returned, totally unaware that they had been duped. They even thanked Tinga and Logan for the chance to get out and stretch their muscles.

As the two infiltrators moved away Logan couldn't help but say, "So much for 'military intelligence.'"

They moved on quickly to the next tent they had marked in their minds to check, this was the one Tinga had seen from the hill above camp and it was set nearer the edge of the surrounding forest. Tinga repeated her act from the first time and again the soldiers were glad for the break and moved off to assume the "Perimeter Patrol" for Tinga and Logan. The way that the rest of the soldiers guarding the tent were positioned was such that they would not be seen in what they were about to do. This time Tinga took the point entering the tent, Logan was not far behind. Here they did find Zach bound and gagged, and he looked up when they had entered. He had looked ready for a brawl when they had first come in but visibly sagged when he saw who it was. Amazingly he looked none the worse for his time in Manticore custody.

Tinga put one finger up to her lips as she took his gag off, "You OK?" She whispered and he slowly nodded licking his dry chapped lips.

He glared up at Logan, who was covering them, glancing around the tent to the entrance and back to the two of them, "You deserted me!" Zach whispered hotly as Tinga worked on unlocking his bonds. Logan's eyes came quickly back to the younger man's face, only half hearing what Zach had said to him. Logan's mind was on a totally different tent, and what he was going to do when he was sure that Zach and Tinga were free of here.

"Hold still Zach," She admonished him, "It wasn't his fault, I thought he was Manticore and dropped him through a trap I had set up in the house. If you want someone to blame for your being here blame me."

Zach looked at her his brow furrowed then back at Logan, reluctant to give up on the notion that Logan deserted him during the heat of the fight.

Logan moved over as Tinga finished with the locks helping Zach to his feet, "Let's get out of here," Logan said actually managing to sound like he meant it. Logan took the sub machine gun and handed it to Zach along with the corresponding clips. Zach loaded the weapon and chambered a round nodding to them both when he was ready. Tinga slid out the door resuming what was the position of the guard on the door. She looked about her and then motioned the other two out. Logan resumed his spot as Zach slid out standing between them. Without any kind of word they sprinted in unison for the beckoning forest just yards from them. They all heard shouts behind them as they were finally noticed for what they were… intruders.

They did not stop running until they had reached the rabbit hole where they had first come out. They had sorely outmatched the running ability of their pursuers and were fairly certain that they had lost them. Only when they were several hundred yards into the darkened tunnel did they slow to a stop.

"We should be able to get back to the vehicle by daybreak don't you think Logan?" Zach said turning to face his original partner in this gamble, "Logan?" He inquired again his eyes searching behind them restlessly. Logan was nowhere behind them, "Shit!" Zach swore angrily.

"You think he was captured?"

Zach was shaking his head, remembering their original deal, "No… he's gone back."

"For what?" Tinga said incredulously.

"To die…"