CAGED SOULS - CHAPTER FOUR
Discl: None of the known characters are mine, but Marvel's. No money.
Char: Sabretooth and others.
Timeline: None (I suppose you could call it Bolt's AU). Happening circa 2300. All characters apply, just in a more real timeframe starting from our reality.
In short: Sabretooth - Life as a Mercenary and the beginning of a beautiful enmity.
Rating: PG 13 - Language and violence.
Four!. I got to chapter four!! Unbelievable, isn't it? You need to read the previous chapters to understand this story. Please be nice and REVIEW :-) You can also write to me to boltlondon@hotmail.com.
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The present
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At the end of their fourth day in the jungle the three men sat around a small fire, two of them consuming a meagre dinner. It was not raining for a change but it was bitterly cold and both Foster and Raims were wrapped up in their bags. They had built a shelter with branches covered by a sheet of waterproof fabric over bed of leaves and moss also covered by waterproof material, and this was keeping them fairly protected. Creed, on the other hand, was sitting on one of the bags and leaning on a tree, looking up to the green roof completely oblivious of the reigning temperature . His fingers were laced over a knee and his eyes were semi-closed, the picture of relaxation. Raims was laying on his side, his head resting on his hand. Foster shivered in his bag, cold and exhausted, dark circles around his eyes showing the strain the journey had put on him so far. He was talking, as always.
*... all in all it looks mighty suspicious if you ask me*
*Is there any indication of what their intentions are?* said Raims, chewing his beans slowly.
*Nope. They have kept their cards very close to their chests so far, and neither Trevor nor me have been able to find anything in the information highway or in our special sources*. He put his beans down with a grimace.
*Seems we are in for some nasty times*
*What do you think, Mr Creed?* said Foster, turning to look at him.
Victor didn't move but answered a cold *Not interested* that also spelled a menacing -do not disturb-.
Foster swallowed hard. *Yes sir* he said in a small voice but Victor was not fooled by the apparent meekness. Over the past few days the little rat had grown accustomed to his mood and was rather successfully keeping out of his way. He had shown (and smelled of) fear only the first few times Victor had snapped at him, then coldness and calculation had crept into his scent. Creed was surprised at the fact that they were actually getting along quite well.
Victor relaxed again leaning his head back and staring once more at the treetops. In contrast with his apparent lack of interest, he was following the conversation quite closely, his interest aroused by the rat-man's knowledgeable insight. He was not giving it out though, it could give the little shit a hold for manipulation and he certainly didn't want that. As he seemed to become oblivious of the other two, they continued their conversation.
*Not that this is any news to anyone, but they apparently are connected with the old Russian Mafia too* muttered Foster wrapping himself more tightly in his bag and leaning down on his side.
*What spooks me is the alignment, if you know what I mean. Mutants and humans together in the same group? I mean, this has never worked in a permanent basis before*.
*There are only a few "powerful" mutants and they are in top positions, as far as I know*
*Times must be changing* Raims pushed the remains of his meal to the fire and also lay down.
Victor had looked down at the mercenary's last remark. Yeah, times are changing sure enough. He could still remember how it used to be in the old times: fire and blood. He made a conscious effort to keep his mind from wandering back and concentrated on the on-going conversation again.
*Why was the bunker undisturbed until now? Somehow I don't quite believe it could be just luck* continued Raims between yawns.
*Well, Mr Raims, as far as we could find out this was one of the so-called backup bunkers and almost all reference to it was erased from the system as a matter of security* Foster yawned as well and his similitude to a rat was all the more apparent *I suppose the only ones to know where it is are your employers of the time, and they probably had only just got wind of it, or they would have tried something before*.
*How did F have access? Her DNA was recognized*.
*I'm not sure*
*Out with it, Foster!* encouraged Raims.
Foster responded with some apprehension. *We dug deeply in the old files and run in the description of the woman we had from you.*
*Well?*
*Apparently she used to work there and had a legit pass*
Raims looked up. *What!? That was more than a hundred years ago, that's impossible!*
Foster shrugged *It fits in. Besides, we're not talking about a huge amount of time. She could have been put into stasis as were many of those connected (he yawned again) to the battle against the outsider. That could account for her apparent longevity. Now that I think about it, if the woman was "awaken" just recently, then she probably just recently let them know of the existence of the bunker too, and that accounts for the place being undisturbed until now*
Not impossible, thought Victor, not impossible at all. This confirmed a lot of rumours too.
*But she is not human.. Sorry, she is not normal.. Oh, WHATEVER, you know what I mean!* Raims said in frustration *Creed, you said she wasn't. Besides, they didn't employ mutants on those days, especially not in governmental hush-hush facilities!*
*According to the files she is an old born, before the split, so she has to be a "normal" human.* Foster looked at both men alternatively. *On the other hand, if she was sure to set off the second set of defenses..* he yawned for the umpteenth time.
Raims looked up *Creed?*
Victor lowered his eyes at them *She wasn't lying about that* he stated calmly.
*Well, I don't know what to say to that, this is very confusing* Foster was too tired to think and decided to leave it for later.
Raims gave Creed a look, to which Creed replied with a shrug. *Perhaps we will find out when we get there* said Raims.
Creed knew better but didn't share the information. Two. There were two different scents, as he recalled from their previous encounter with the woman. Perhaps she had acquired some "baggage"? It was not unheard of.
Raims fell asleep instantly and so did Foster. Victor sat alone in the dark, the reflection of soft light from the fire dancing on the wet leaves around him, and he wondered at the beauty of it. He could feel the murmurs of the night creatures and the soft dripping of water and closed his eyes in pleasure.
A wave of sounds and scents came over him in a flashback, triggered by his aroused senses. The scent was hot and thick and carried a remembrance of rapid jolts of pain on his right leg and across his chest in a sweep. The impact shocked him and he felt himself falling back in slow motion into water and sinking in the cool relief, only to be yanked back to the surface by a hairy hand holding on to his shirt's collar.
*No time for swimming, old man!* a toothy grin said, smelling heavily of relief, adrenaline and anger, and he shook his head trying to focus on the man's face. *This is one you owe me, for a change! I guess that makes us even?* "grin" continued while dragging him out of the water and dropping him on his back. The scent of blood, his own, overpowered all others. He heard himself answer a groggy *In your dreams, boy*. Opening his eyes wide he had a blurry vision of a dark haired man towering over him while waves of heat told him his healing factor was kicking in. Another figure came into view, taller and fairer. *We need to get him to a medic pronto* "grin" said to the newcomer and then both crouched as what seemed like a nearby detonation threw a spray of debris over them. Victor shook his head again desperate to overcome the shock and felt the other man's hand pressing down on his chest. *This is really bad, we have to hurry, he must have at least fifty slugs in* and then the vision disappeared. He realized he was panting, his breath coming out between clenched teeth in white shots of condensation.
He opened his eyes and let the cool darkness soothe him. He pushed the memories away with an effort and controlled his breathing. He put his arms around his knees and closed his eyes again trying to relax. The smell of moisture brought him another memory, this time all shadows, and he tensed in sudden anger at the thought of Sinister's lab. He had shred the place to bits before leaving, including every single living thing in it and had also managed to sabotage and destroy all data files, finally setting the place on fire. Nobody benefited from Victor Creed's misery.. NOBODY.
Need to do something to keep my mind occupied, he thought, and decided to use his first watch for hunting. The location was devoid of any major predators (except for him) and his own scent would probably keep most animals away from their camp anyway. In other circumstances he would have been more watchful, but the impenetrability of the vegetation made it impossible for anybody or anything alien to the place to sneak up on them. He sighed heavily and got up, stretching to his full height and arching his back, then started out into the jungle.
=======
The bunker's door was hidden by the moss and leaves that had crawled over it during the past year. They didn't have any problems finding the place, but had hardly recognized it. The circle of destruction around it had completely disappeared as the jungle had reclaimed its ground and there was almost no trace of any human passing. Almost, because Sugar was still there. His bones were knitted into the fabric of moss and lichen covering everything giving the place a surreal look.
Raims felt a cold shiver up his back at the memories this place evoked. They approached the site with caution, their movements slow and their senses alert. Raims looked at Victor and noticed with alarm that his eyes were narrow to a slit and his face showed intense concentration as he paneled their immediate surroundings. His guard went up too in a snap and he stood motionless, waiting for a cue from the other man. Foster was rigid in place.
Victor took two cautious steps forward and crouched, still scanning.
Without any warning sound Victor flinched and leaped back roaring, startling the other two, who crouched in automatic response. The whole place came alive with birds flying away and small animals leaping from tree to tree in frantic escape. Raims dropped to the floor and shot a round towards the apparent origin of whatever had hit Creed. The latter jumped sideways and disappeared in the vegetation and Raims heard his angry roar nearby, followed by the sound of crashing and branch breaking, then there was complete silence.
After an agonizing five minutes wait they saw him again, coming towards them in an uneven trot, scratching wildly his left shoulder and snarling.
*Rat trap?* Raims asked, still looking around suspiciously.
*Set up very nicely too. Aw FUCK, this itches like HELL!* he roared. *They probably put poison in it! FUCK, FUCK, FUCK!*.
Foster approached Victor and looked at his shoulder. Victor was still scratching and snarled back, but Foster got a glimpse of a thin gash under the ripped fabric.
*You reckon this was the only one?* he asked.
*Nobody sets up just ONE rat-trap, you asshole!* Victor breathed deeply to calm down. *OK, fun is over. Let's get down to business.*
=======
The interior of the bunker was pretty much like they saw it the last time, a slick black surface that reflected them over and over again. The bones were there too, undisturbed from the last time they had been there. Foster took out his kit and put on a weird looking glove over his right hand.
*I need silence for this* he said. He took out a muzzle looking apparatus and put it over his mouth *Acknowledge* and his voice came out softer than normal and definitely mechanical *Voice Reckon*
-ACKNOWLEDGED- soft generated voice said, blankly.-CONFIRM VOICE RECKON-
*Cyanea*
-VOICE RECKON NEGATIVE-
*Override and proceed with DNA recognition*
-STATE REASON-
*Accidental loss of voice. Use of mecha-voice*
The screen was lowered from the roof, but Victor noticed a new bright red rim over the doors.
*What the hell is going on?* Said Raims, snapping to a defensive position. Victor chuckled.
Foster removed his mouthpiece *Standard procedure, relax* then put it on again. The screen started to flash a hand shape and Foster put his gloved hand into it. A few seconds passed.
-DNA CONFIRMED-SECONDARY ID REQUIRED-PROCEED WITH CODE PROTOCOL-
Foster stared back towards Raims, eyes wide open. Raims' hair went all up. Oh shit! Foster's expression changed into a sardonic grin and Raims relaxed, glaring back.
*ID 5665-cyanea-0002310 code blue- a few seconds passed.
-WELCOME CYANEA-
*Voice off*
*How the hell..?* Raims' voice was a mixture of relief and anger at the younger man's prank.
*That is what you are paying me for, isn't it?* Foster started going around along the inner wall with a small device that Raims figured to be a sensor. He placed it in various different sections of the featureless wall and stopped by the human remains, which he kicked out of the way to have clearer access to the section of wall it had been leaning on. *I need some assistance here* he said and Victor started over, being the one closest to him. Raims automatically approached the outer door and stood guard, looking over his shoulder from time to time.
*We can't cut it open or the defense system will be triggered. Take this Mr Creed* he handed a long thin device to Creed *and put it against the meeting point of the wall and the ceiling, just above this point. Good. Now turn it on and keep it there while I put the other one in place* he kneeled down and put a similar apparatus where the wall met the floor. A small light flashed in both devices and there was a loud creaking sound. Two vertical divisions appeared in a meter wide section of the wall, and the panel swelled and combed outwards, leaving a gap of around 25 cm on the sides.
*Power field? Ingenious* was Creed's dry comment.
*Now please push the small blue button to fix it to the ceiling. That's it. You don't need to hold it anymore, Mr Creed* As the huge man stepped back and looked at Foster's handy work with interest the latter went to his bag again and took out a weird looking portable console which he plugged into one of the sockets that the gap had exposed on the wall. *I will need a few minutes* he said and sat down on the floor.
*Step on the gas, boy. We need to be out of here fast!* Creed hissed out to Foster and then approached Raims at the door.
*How long, do you reckon?* Raims asked him.
*Not long. We lost 30 minutes disarming the rat-traps and the kid took five to open the door. They should be here any minute now*
=======
*Are you sure?*
*The first flag went up five minutes ago, sir*
*Are you sure is not another false alarm?*
*The second flag went up two minutes ago. This is not accidental, someone is clearing the place*
*Send a twelve-strong team and keep me posted...wait.. call the praetor and ask for two of the warriors*
The young man looked up at him in disbelief *Two? What are we expecting to find, sir?*
*Bad news, corporal, VERY bad news*
=======
*I see no movement, Creed* said Raims over his shoulder and made quickly across the open door to the other side, but he didn't reach it. Creed heard the blast as he turned from Foster, just to see Raims fly three meters and land heavily on his back, half his right shoulder in shreds and a big burn mark on his chest armor.
*CLOSE THE DOOR!!* he shouted at Foster, who jumped up startled at all the commotion, almost dropping the console.
*But ...*
Creed jumped towards Foster, whose eyes bulged out in terror *SHUT THE FUCK...** he finished the phrase in complete darkness *..ING DOOR!!* It took him a second to adjust to the minimal light coming from the console screen.
They could hear the heavy thump-thumping of rounds being fired at the door in the outside, their echo reverberating all around them, mixed with a wailing sound which Creed identified as the bunker's red-alert siren.
*And turn that siren off! It's driving me nuts!* Foster busied himself and the siren was gone.
*What do we do now?* Foster's voice was shaky.
*Snap out of it punk. You are the genius, find us a way out of this place, and boy.. don't disappoint me*
Raims tried to get up and fell on his back again, shaking. Had he been with any other man he would had stood a chance, but his injury was bad and that was going to slow Creed down in his retreat. This meant Creed's next move was going to be swift and bloody, no discussion and no looking back. His mind raced to find a plausible reason (as per Creed's standard) for him to be spared. When his eyes finally adjusted to the minimal light, he found to his horror that the assassin was right on top of him, looking at his shoulder. He could not make the face, but saw the small glint in the yellow-amber eyes and felt more than saw the cold contempt and his hart stopped.
*Creed?* He tried to speak again, desperately buying time until his mind started working again amidst the pain and the shock.
*Mr Creed* Foster called, and Raims almost cried in relief as Victor went over to see what the other had come up with. *I think I found something* he said frantically.
They heard a faint whooshing sound and a small blue light made evident the small room that the sliding of the hidden door had just made evident. Raims recognized it immediately. Creed looked down at Raims again. Foster came from behind him and kneeled down besides the mercenary.
*Take the pack on my leg, there is a plastic cap there and medicated bandages and help me out of the shirt* Raims said.
*There is no time for that* Victor's cold voice stated as he grabbed Foster by the shoulder to get him out of the way.
*Mr Creed. We are going to need him* Foster said expectantly, looking alternatively at both warriors.
*Creed, I look worse that I feel. Once I get the cap on, I will be as good as new* said Raims in a weak voice.
*Fine. Just do it fast, and you better not be fucking with me, boy* Creed said finally and Foster sighed in relief. Raims knew better. He would have to think of a way to make himself indispensable, and VERY fast too or he would end up like the bunch of bones in the corner.
Foster busied himself with Raims' shoulder and managed a decent bandage, immobilizing Raims' arm to his torso. He also shot him twice with antibiotics and painkillers. They picked up all their gear and then Foster helped Raims up and on to the next room. There was a second screen there, this time on the wall. Foster studied the screen and the walls around it. He finally pushed on a section of it just below the screen and it popped out, showing another plug.
*Mr Raims, keep the panel open while I disconnect my console from the other room* he turned to Creed *Mr Creed, can you keep the door open?*
*No problem* Victor said, leaning on one side of the door frame with his foot on the other side. *Just make it fast*
Foster went under Victor's leg and over the opposite wall to retrieve his console. As soon as he unplugged Victor felt a sharp blow to his back and pressed with all his might to keep the door from closing. Foster ran back and slid under his leg again.
*Don't let go, Mr Creed!* he said hurriedly while plugging the console in again. He put in some instructions and the door seemed to go back in, but only for a second, and then started trying to close again in short intermittent bursts. Foster slid under Victor's leg again to the big man's surprise, and run to the wall. He switched off the bottom device of the force field and started jumping to get to the top one.
*Just leave them, you moron!* shouted Victor between clenched teeth. Foster used the long bottom device as a pole and clicked the top one off and then the release button, and as the apparatus fell in his hand he run towards the door again, sliding under Victor's leg just as the bigger man let go with a grunt and fell into the small room.
Foster sat on the floor again and got busy on his console. Creed looked over his shoulder and could make nothing of what the small man was doing, except that he was looking at a rapid succession of blueprints.
*So?* He asked, and his hot breath on Foster's neck made the latter flinch.
*Well, I jammed the outer door, which will delay them for some time. I think I found our way out too. I need half an hour*
*Wrong. You have five minutes* hissed Victor, his eyes blood injected. He looked down at Raims again and the mercenary froze. Foster, on the other side, was sweating profusely. The combined scent of both men's terror had set Creed off and he was slowly giving in to rage. In his last remaining shred of rationality he pondered his chances against the attackers outside and smiled inwardly. There was no chance in hell Victor Creed was going to finish his life like a rat trapped in a hole.
*Got it!* shouted Foster, relief oozing from him thick as molasses. He smiled wildly at Creed *and you are going to like this...*
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END OF CHAPTER FOUR
Discl: None of the known characters are mine, but Marvel's. No money.
Char: Sabretooth and others.
Timeline: None (I suppose you could call it Bolt's AU). Happening circa 2300. All characters apply, just in a more real timeframe starting from our reality.
In short: Sabretooth - Life as a Mercenary and the beginning of a beautiful enmity.
Rating: PG 13 - Language and violence.
Four!. I got to chapter four!! Unbelievable, isn't it? You need to read the previous chapters to understand this story. Please be nice and REVIEW :-) You can also write to me to boltlondon@hotmail.com.
========
The present
=======
At the end of their fourth day in the jungle the three men sat around a small fire, two of them consuming a meagre dinner. It was not raining for a change but it was bitterly cold and both Foster and Raims were wrapped up in their bags. They had built a shelter with branches covered by a sheet of waterproof fabric over bed of leaves and moss also covered by waterproof material, and this was keeping them fairly protected. Creed, on the other hand, was sitting on one of the bags and leaning on a tree, looking up to the green roof completely oblivious of the reigning temperature . His fingers were laced over a knee and his eyes were semi-closed, the picture of relaxation. Raims was laying on his side, his head resting on his hand. Foster shivered in his bag, cold and exhausted, dark circles around his eyes showing the strain the journey had put on him so far. He was talking, as always.
*... all in all it looks mighty suspicious if you ask me*
*Is there any indication of what their intentions are?* said Raims, chewing his beans slowly.
*Nope. They have kept their cards very close to their chests so far, and neither Trevor nor me have been able to find anything in the information highway or in our special sources*. He put his beans down with a grimace.
*Seems we are in for some nasty times*
*What do you think, Mr Creed?* said Foster, turning to look at him.
Victor didn't move but answered a cold *Not interested* that also spelled a menacing -do not disturb-.
Foster swallowed hard. *Yes sir* he said in a small voice but Victor was not fooled by the apparent meekness. Over the past few days the little rat had grown accustomed to his mood and was rather successfully keeping out of his way. He had shown (and smelled of) fear only the first few times Victor had snapped at him, then coldness and calculation had crept into his scent. Creed was surprised at the fact that they were actually getting along quite well.
Victor relaxed again leaning his head back and staring once more at the treetops. In contrast with his apparent lack of interest, he was following the conversation quite closely, his interest aroused by the rat-man's knowledgeable insight. He was not giving it out though, it could give the little shit a hold for manipulation and he certainly didn't want that. As he seemed to become oblivious of the other two, they continued their conversation.
*Not that this is any news to anyone, but they apparently are connected with the old Russian Mafia too* muttered Foster wrapping himself more tightly in his bag and leaning down on his side.
*What spooks me is the alignment, if you know what I mean. Mutants and humans together in the same group? I mean, this has never worked in a permanent basis before*.
*There are only a few "powerful" mutants and they are in top positions, as far as I know*
*Times must be changing* Raims pushed the remains of his meal to the fire and also lay down.
Victor had looked down at the mercenary's last remark. Yeah, times are changing sure enough. He could still remember how it used to be in the old times: fire and blood. He made a conscious effort to keep his mind from wandering back and concentrated on the on-going conversation again.
*Why was the bunker undisturbed until now? Somehow I don't quite believe it could be just luck* continued Raims between yawns.
*Well, Mr Raims, as far as we could find out this was one of the so-called backup bunkers and almost all reference to it was erased from the system as a matter of security* Foster yawned as well and his similitude to a rat was all the more apparent *I suppose the only ones to know where it is are your employers of the time, and they probably had only just got wind of it, or they would have tried something before*.
*How did F have access? Her DNA was recognized*.
*I'm not sure*
*Out with it, Foster!* encouraged Raims.
Foster responded with some apprehension. *We dug deeply in the old files and run in the description of the woman we had from you.*
*Well?*
*Apparently she used to work there and had a legit pass*
Raims looked up. *What!? That was more than a hundred years ago, that's impossible!*
Foster shrugged *It fits in. Besides, we're not talking about a huge amount of time. She could have been put into stasis as were many of those connected (he yawned again) to the battle against the outsider. That could account for her apparent longevity. Now that I think about it, if the woman was "awaken" just recently, then she probably just recently let them know of the existence of the bunker too, and that accounts for the place being undisturbed until now*
Not impossible, thought Victor, not impossible at all. This confirmed a lot of rumours too.
*But she is not human.. Sorry, she is not normal.. Oh, WHATEVER, you know what I mean!* Raims said in frustration *Creed, you said she wasn't. Besides, they didn't employ mutants on those days, especially not in governmental hush-hush facilities!*
*According to the files she is an old born, before the split, so she has to be a "normal" human.* Foster looked at both men alternatively. *On the other hand, if she was sure to set off the second set of defenses..* he yawned for the umpteenth time.
Raims looked up *Creed?*
Victor lowered his eyes at them *She wasn't lying about that* he stated calmly.
*Well, I don't know what to say to that, this is very confusing* Foster was too tired to think and decided to leave it for later.
Raims gave Creed a look, to which Creed replied with a shrug. *Perhaps we will find out when we get there* said Raims.
Creed knew better but didn't share the information. Two. There were two different scents, as he recalled from their previous encounter with the woman. Perhaps she had acquired some "baggage"? It was not unheard of.
Raims fell asleep instantly and so did Foster. Victor sat alone in the dark, the reflection of soft light from the fire dancing on the wet leaves around him, and he wondered at the beauty of it. He could feel the murmurs of the night creatures and the soft dripping of water and closed his eyes in pleasure.
A wave of sounds and scents came over him in a flashback, triggered by his aroused senses. The scent was hot and thick and carried a remembrance of rapid jolts of pain on his right leg and across his chest in a sweep. The impact shocked him and he felt himself falling back in slow motion into water and sinking in the cool relief, only to be yanked back to the surface by a hairy hand holding on to his shirt's collar.
*No time for swimming, old man!* a toothy grin said, smelling heavily of relief, adrenaline and anger, and he shook his head trying to focus on the man's face. *This is one you owe me, for a change! I guess that makes us even?* "grin" continued while dragging him out of the water and dropping him on his back. The scent of blood, his own, overpowered all others. He heard himself answer a groggy *In your dreams, boy*. Opening his eyes wide he had a blurry vision of a dark haired man towering over him while waves of heat told him his healing factor was kicking in. Another figure came into view, taller and fairer. *We need to get him to a medic pronto* "grin" said to the newcomer and then both crouched as what seemed like a nearby detonation threw a spray of debris over them. Victor shook his head again desperate to overcome the shock and felt the other man's hand pressing down on his chest. *This is really bad, we have to hurry, he must have at least fifty slugs in* and then the vision disappeared. He realized he was panting, his breath coming out between clenched teeth in white shots of condensation.
He opened his eyes and let the cool darkness soothe him. He pushed the memories away with an effort and controlled his breathing. He put his arms around his knees and closed his eyes again trying to relax. The smell of moisture brought him another memory, this time all shadows, and he tensed in sudden anger at the thought of Sinister's lab. He had shred the place to bits before leaving, including every single living thing in it and had also managed to sabotage and destroy all data files, finally setting the place on fire. Nobody benefited from Victor Creed's misery.. NOBODY.
Need to do something to keep my mind occupied, he thought, and decided to use his first watch for hunting. The location was devoid of any major predators (except for him) and his own scent would probably keep most animals away from their camp anyway. In other circumstances he would have been more watchful, but the impenetrability of the vegetation made it impossible for anybody or anything alien to the place to sneak up on them. He sighed heavily and got up, stretching to his full height and arching his back, then started out into the jungle.
=======
The bunker's door was hidden by the moss and leaves that had crawled over it during the past year. They didn't have any problems finding the place, but had hardly recognized it. The circle of destruction around it had completely disappeared as the jungle had reclaimed its ground and there was almost no trace of any human passing. Almost, because Sugar was still there. His bones were knitted into the fabric of moss and lichen covering everything giving the place a surreal look.
Raims felt a cold shiver up his back at the memories this place evoked. They approached the site with caution, their movements slow and their senses alert. Raims looked at Victor and noticed with alarm that his eyes were narrow to a slit and his face showed intense concentration as he paneled their immediate surroundings. His guard went up too in a snap and he stood motionless, waiting for a cue from the other man. Foster was rigid in place.
Victor took two cautious steps forward and crouched, still scanning.
Without any warning sound Victor flinched and leaped back roaring, startling the other two, who crouched in automatic response. The whole place came alive with birds flying away and small animals leaping from tree to tree in frantic escape. Raims dropped to the floor and shot a round towards the apparent origin of whatever had hit Creed. The latter jumped sideways and disappeared in the vegetation and Raims heard his angry roar nearby, followed by the sound of crashing and branch breaking, then there was complete silence.
After an agonizing five minutes wait they saw him again, coming towards them in an uneven trot, scratching wildly his left shoulder and snarling.
*Rat trap?* Raims asked, still looking around suspiciously.
*Set up very nicely too. Aw FUCK, this itches like HELL!* he roared. *They probably put poison in it! FUCK, FUCK, FUCK!*.
Foster approached Victor and looked at his shoulder. Victor was still scratching and snarled back, but Foster got a glimpse of a thin gash under the ripped fabric.
*You reckon this was the only one?* he asked.
*Nobody sets up just ONE rat-trap, you asshole!* Victor breathed deeply to calm down. *OK, fun is over. Let's get down to business.*
=======
The interior of the bunker was pretty much like they saw it the last time, a slick black surface that reflected them over and over again. The bones were there too, undisturbed from the last time they had been there. Foster took out his kit and put on a weird looking glove over his right hand.
*I need silence for this* he said. He took out a muzzle looking apparatus and put it over his mouth *Acknowledge* and his voice came out softer than normal and definitely mechanical *Voice Reckon*
-ACKNOWLEDGED- soft generated voice said, blankly.-CONFIRM VOICE RECKON-
*Cyanea*
-VOICE RECKON NEGATIVE-
*Override and proceed with DNA recognition*
-STATE REASON-
*Accidental loss of voice. Use of mecha-voice*
The screen was lowered from the roof, but Victor noticed a new bright red rim over the doors.
*What the hell is going on?* Said Raims, snapping to a defensive position. Victor chuckled.
Foster removed his mouthpiece *Standard procedure, relax* then put it on again. The screen started to flash a hand shape and Foster put his gloved hand into it. A few seconds passed.
-DNA CONFIRMED-SECONDARY ID REQUIRED-PROCEED WITH CODE PROTOCOL-
Foster stared back towards Raims, eyes wide open. Raims' hair went all up. Oh shit! Foster's expression changed into a sardonic grin and Raims relaxed, glaring back.
*ID 5665-cyanea-0002310 code blue- a few seconds passed.
-WELCOME CYANEA-
*Voice off*
*How the hell..?* Raims' voice was a mixture of relief and anger at the younger man's prank.
*That is what you are paying me for, isn't it?* Foster started going around along the inner wall with a small device that Raims figured to be a sensor. He placed it in various different sections of the featureless wall and stopped by the human remains, which he kicked out of the way to have clearer access to the section of wall it had been leaning on. *I need some assistance here* he said and Victor started over, being the one closest to him. Raims automatically approached the outer door and stood guard, looking over his shoulder from time to time.
*We can't cut it open or the defense system will be triggered. Take this Mr Creed* he handed a long thin device to Creed *and put it against the meeting point of the wall and the ceiling, just above this point. Good. Now turn it on and keep it there while I put the other one in place* he kneeled down and put a similar apparatus where the wall met the floor. A small light flashed in both devices and there was a loud creaking sound. Two vertical divisions appeared in a meter wide section of the wall, and the panel swelled and combed outwards, leaving a gap of around 25 cm on the sides.
*Power field? Ingenious* was Creed's dry comment.
*Now please push the small blue button to fix it to the ceiling. That's it. You don't need to hold it anymore, Mr Creed* As the huge man stepped back and looked at Foster's handy work with interest the latter went to his bag again and took out a weird looking portable console which he plugged into one of the sockets that the gap had exposed on the wall. *I will need a few minutes* he said and sat down on the floor.
*Step on the gas, boy. We need to be out of here fast!* Creed hissed out to Foster and then approached Raims at the door.
*How long, do you reckon?* Raims asked him.
*Not long. We lost 30 minutes disarming the rat-traps and the kid took five to open the door. They should be here any minute now*
=======
*Are you sure?*
*The first flag went up five minutes ago, sir*
*Are you sure is not another false alarm?*
*The second flag went up two minutes ago. This is not accidental, someone is clearing the place*
*Send a twelve-strong team and keep me posted...wait.. call the praetor and ask for two of the warriors*
The young man looked up at him in disbelief *Two? What are we expecting to find, sir?*
*Bad news, corporal, VERY bad news*
=======
*I see no movement, Creed* said Raims over his shoulder and made quickly across the open door to the other side, but he didn't reach it. Creed heard the blast as he turned from Foster, just to see Raims fly three meters and land heavily on his back, half his right shoulder in shreds and a big burn mark on his chest armor.
*CLOSE THE DOOR!!* he shouted at Foster, who jumped up startled at all the commotion, almost dropping the console.
*But ...*
Creed jumped towards Foster, whose eyes bulged out in terror *SHUT THE FUCK...** he finished the phrase in complete darkness *..ING DOOR!!* It took him a second to adjust to the minimal light coming from the console screen.
They could hear the heavy thump-thumping of rounds being fired at the door in the outside, their echo reverberating all around them, mixed with a wailing sound which Creed identified as the bunker's red-alert siren.
*And turn that siren off! It's driving me nuts!* Foster busied himself and the siren was gone.
*What do we do now?* Foster's voice was shaky.
*Snap out of it punk. You are the genius, find us a way out of this place, and boy.. don't disappoint me*
Raims tried to get up and fell on his back again, shaking. Had he been with any other man he would had stood a chance, but his injury was bad and that was going to slow Creed down in his retreat. This meant Creed's next move was going to be swift and bloody, no discussion and no looking back. His mind raced to find a plausible reason (as per Creed's standard) for him to be spared. When his eyes finally adjusted to the minimal light, he found to his horror that the assassin was right on top of him, looking at his shoulder. He could not make the face, but saw the small glint in the yellow-amber eyes and felt more than saw the cold contempt and his hart stopped.
*Creed?* He tried to speak again, desperately buying time until his mind started working again amidst the pain and the shock.
*Mr Creed* Foster called, and Raims almost cried in relief as Victor went over to see what the other had come up with. *I think I found something* he said frantically.
They heard a faint whooshing sound and a small blue light made evident the small room that the sliding of the hidden door had just made evident. Raims recognized it immediately. Creed looked down at Raims again. Foster came from behind him and kneeled down besides the mercenary.
*Take the pack on my leg, there is a plastic cap there and medicated bandages and help me out of the shirt* Raims said.
*There is no time for that* Victor's cold voice stated as he grabbed Foster by the shoulder to get him out of the way.
*Mr Creed. We are going to need him* Foster said expectantly, looking alternatively at both warriors.
*Creed, I look worse that I feel. Once I get the cap on, I will be as good as new* said Raims in a weak voice.
*Fine. Just do it fast, and you better not be fucking with me, boy* Creed said finally and Foster sighed in relief. Raims knew better. He would have to think of a way to make himself indispensable, and VERY fast too or he would end up like the bunch of bones in the corner.
Foster busied himself with Raims' shoulder and managed a decent bandage, immobilizing Raims' arm to his torso. He also shot him twice with antibiotics and painkillers. They picked up all their gear and then Foster helped Raims up and on to the next room. There was a second screen there, this time on the wall. Foster studied the screen and the walls around it. He finally pushed on a section of it just below the screen and it popped out, showing another plug.
*Mr Raims, keep the panel open while I disconnect my console from the other room* he turned to Creed *Mr Creed, can you keep the door open?*
*No problem* Victor said, leaning on one side of the door frame with his foot on the other side. *Just make it fast*
Foster went under Victor's leg and over the opposite wall to retrieve his console. As soon as he unplugged Victor felt a sharp blow to his back and pressed with all his might to keep the door from closing. Foster ran back and slid under his leg again.
*Don't let go, Mr Creed!* he said hurriedly while plugging the console in again. He put in some instructions and the door seemed to go back in, but only for a second, and then started trying to close again in short intermittent bursts. Foster slid under Victor's leg again to the big man's surprise, and run to the wall. He switched off the bottom device of the force field and started jumping to get to the top one.
*Just leave them, you moron!* shouted Victor between clenched teeth. Foster used the long bottom device as a pole and clicked the top one off and then the release button, and as the apparatus fell in his hand he run towards the door again, sliding under Victor's leg just as the bigger man let go with a grunt and fell into the small room.
Foster sat on the floor again and got busy on his console. Creed looked over his shoulder and could make nothing of what the small man was doing, except that he was looking at a rapid succession of blueprints.
*So?* He asked, and his hot breath on Foster's neck made the latter flinch.
*Well, I jammed the outer door, which will delay them for some time. I think I found our way out too. I need half an hour*
*Wrong. You have five minutes* hissed Victor, his eyes blood injected. He looked down at Raims again and the mercenary froze. Foster, on the other side, was sweating profusely. The combined scent of both men's terror had set Creed off and he was slowly giving in to rage. In his last remaining shred of rationality he pondered his chances against the attackers outside and smiled inwardly. There was no chance in hell Victor Creed was going to finish his life like a rat trapped in a hole.
*Got it!* shouted Foster, relief oozing from him thick as molasses. He smiled wildly at Creed *and you are going to like this...*
==========
END OF CHAPTER FOUR