24. Breathless
Alec took out four sentries with four silenced rounds. He was actually a great deal faster than his rifle, an occupational hazard for X Series snipers. They always had to be careful their weapons didn't overheat. He was super alert, his senses keen. For the first time in days, he felt in good form. Now he was relaxing into muscle memory; he felt capable of anything. He secured his rifle and advanced quietly, until he heard a noise. He did a quick fade into the shadows, holding his breath. He even closed his eyes, so they wouldn't reflect and give away his position. The Familiar passed within half a meter of him. Moving with enhanced speed, he grabbed the big lug and strangled him with the garrote. Maybe they were stronger and faster, but they could still be ambushed.
Slitting the Familiar's throat would have been more satisfying, but he had a plan. He began to strip. He would have liked to kill them all, he was having fun for the first time in ages, but Alec was above all a good soldier. Infiltration was clearly the way to go, and this guy was just about his size.
"I'm so sorry," said Logan. They were sitting on opposite sides of the cell, backs to the wall, as far apart as they could get. Max had drawn up her knees, and was resting her head on them. Logan thought she looked like a little girl.
"White knew I would come," she said softly. "Like a dope, I'd come running."
"Max," he said, "it's the best thing about you, how brave you are." He slipped out of his coat. She watched him warily.
"Maybe it's the end of the line now. But you could still have a chance," he said.
"No," she said, with finality. "There's no cavalry. We're cut off, Logan."
"You might still get your chance," he repeated. "And when you see it, I want you to run like hell." He began to crawl toward her. "But you're never going to get that chance if White is using me against you."
Alec waltzed into the main building, unchallenged. He'd do a quick search, locate Max, and blast their way out of there. It was a good plan, practically poetic. At the very least they would go out in a blaze of glory, and that would be kind of beautiful.
"Don't touch me," Max said, stricken.
"Please," said Logan. "Let me do this one last thing for you. I love you, Max, and this is all I have to offer. Let me hold you, one last time."
Max and Logan were a pair of prize idiots, thought Alec. Any bozo could see this place was a trap. The entire setup was designed to let you in. Didn't he just mosey up to the door like a girl guide selling cookies?
Someone tackled him from behind. He went down hard and his rifle skittered across the hardwood floor. He managed to turn and kick the guy in the gut. It was one of the Familiars, a weird looking guy with pale blond hair and dark eyes.
Alec flipped deftly to his feet, and for a moment they exchanged blows. They grappled, and Alec was thrown. He hit his head on the wall and saw stars. Before he knew it, he was on his belly, and the Familiar was tying his hands behind his back.
Alec managed to squirm away. He rolled over. He didn't need his hands to jump to his feet. The Familiar came after him swinging, and Alec dodged. He jumped again, and got his feet cleanly through his bound wrists. He had his hands in front now, and he swung them together like he was going for a home run. He got the blond in the nose, and heard a wet noise as it splintered. The guy was dead before he hit the floor.
Alec got a knife from his boot, and cut his hands free. He collected his rifle. He looked at the dead blond guy, shrugged, and headed up the hall, checking all the rooms. He opened a heavy door, and discovered White and cadre sitting around a long, mahogany table, deep in discussion.
"Whoopsie," he said, slamming the door. He got a grenade off his belt, and pulled the pin with his teeth. He opened the door; no one had reacted yet. He threw the grenade and slammed the door, but this time he ran like hell. He took cover in the basement stairwell. There was a very big bang. After that, ringing silence. Then he heard the sobs.
"Please don't do this, please don't do this," Max was crying. Logan knelt in front of her, feeling very peaceful. Despite the gash on her temple, she was lovely. She took his breath away.
"Max," he said, because this time it really was the end, "I'll always be your guy."
He reached for her.
There was a snikt, and the basement door opened. Max rolled sideways, under Logan's arm, and jumped to her feet. She had to jump back again to keep from tripping.
Alec entered, dressed as a Familiar.
"Hey, boys and girls," he said cheerfully. "Did you pick up your room and put away your toys? Who wants to go for a ride?"
"He seems better," said Logan.
To be continued. . .