When Every Second Counts
Chapter 1
When Destiny and Chance Meet
A gunshot. And then a second shortly after. Not that it could be thought about right then. Trying to maneuver around the giant phantom was hard enough.
"Deep Eyes, hard to starboard!"
Yeah, no time for thinking about whatever strangeness was going on with the passengers. And then they were in free skies. The tech praised himself for a job well done as the world grew smaller beneath the aircraft.
"Neil, get us back to New York," Gray's voice came over the communication device.
"Yes, sir," Neil replied cheerily, "No problem."
"We've got two problems," Gray replied, "Very serious ones. Get us back fast."
The tech sighed and checked the course headings. Why were people always in a rush?
The sky was darkening as the Copperhead made its landing on the platform of the Barrier City. Neil shakily got up and walked into the back of the aircraft. The words he was going to say died on his lips. The sight that met his eyes was not one he had expected. Nor was it one he had ever wanted to see.
One of the new recruits to Deep Eyes that he thought had survived the mission was crumpled against the metallic wall of the compartment. The other seemed unconscious, and was roughly tied to a piece of equipment used for monitoring energy traces.
The Deep Eyes' Captain was protectively cradling unconscious of Dr. Aki Ross. Ryan was crouched next to the unnaturally still form of Jane. The woman's armor had been removed and left in a disorganized pile.
"What happened, what is this?" Neil asked, almost disbelieving if not for what he saw.
"That bastard took a shot at her," Ryan said quietly, motioning to the bound man leaned against the bulkhead.
"Oh, God," the tech mumbled, "Is she going to be ok?"
"We don't know yet. Get that door open," Gray said. Neil moved slowly around the group of people and opened the hatch of the compartment to the landing platform. The tech watched nervously as the sergeant roused the injured woman as gently as he could.
"Hey, it's time to get up," he said quietly. Jane's eyes opened, though her expression didn't change. She tried to ignore the burning feeling that radiated from her neck but couldn't help wincing as the larger man helped her into a sitting position. Refusing to be carried, she leaned heavily against Ryan as he helped her down the ramp and onto the heliport. A lance of pain shot through her shoulder and she bit back a cry, only to turn the sound into a muffled moan.
"Oh, come on, it can't be that painful," Neil quipped. The look he gained wasn't one of friendship.
"Fuck you," Jane spat, almost collapsing.
"Neil," Gray said, "Go tell the medics to get help here immediately, and then go report the situation. Understood?"
"Yes sir," the tech replied, running over the large expanse of metal and concrete to the entrance to the Barrier City. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Neil couldn't help feeling lucky that he would probably be allowed to bypass the scanners for the time being.
