Chapter 3: Dead Man Walking

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

Edmund Burke

----------

"You sure this is the right place?" Asked Brennan. Shalimar looked at the address given to her by Emma.

"This is the place." As far as either could see, they were standing in an dead end surrounded by abandoned buildings.

"Em must have made a mistake." He spoke into his comring. "Emma, you sure this is the right address?"

"It should be. Are you at 10768 Wilmore Street?" He nodded even though she couldn't see him.

"Yea, but all we see is a bunch of run down buildings."

"That's the idea." He pair spun to see Orion leaning against a wall behind them.

"How?" They looked around but couldn't find were he'd come from. One minute the alley was empty, next he was standing there. Orion smiled, turned around and walked through the far wall. After staring in shock the two approached the spot where he had vanished. Shalimar reached out to touch the wall but her hand went right through. She shrugged and stepped into the wall quickly followed by Brennan.

"Welcome to Oz." Said Orion who was standing nearby holding a drink. Looking around, they realised the reference made sense. They had stepped into a different world. Brennan looked back behind them and could see back down the alley.

"Some kind of hologram?"

"Correct. Light gets in but not out."

"So what happens if someone stumbles in."

"Not likely." He threw a switch and a large metal door closed just behind the hologram. "Anyway, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"You free this evening?"

"At the moment."

"Not anymore, since we still owe you for dinner last time meet us at Old Nicks bar and Grill at eight." Orion shrugged.

"Sure. Anything else?" Shalimar shook her head.

"Nope."

"Actually you got anything to drink?" Orion smiled and walked towards his kitchen.

"Pick your poison." He opened the fridge and let them take their pick. Shalimar took her drink and wandered off to explore his place while Brennan headed over the Dodge.

"Making repairs?" He said noticing the tools laying on the floor.

"Yep. The jump wasn't exactly a good idea, even with the softened landing."

"Need a hand?"

"Sure."

After the meal the group exited the restaurant and headed back to the cars, as they approached both Orion and Shalimar stopped.

"What is it?" Asked Adam as everyone ground to a halt. Shalimar and Orion looked at each other.

"Gas." They answered as one.

"So someone has a leak, no big deal." He began to walk towards were both cars were parked.

"No!" Yelled Shalimar. She stepped forward and threw him back towards the others as the Dodge erupted in flames.

"Shalimar!" Screamed Brennan as she was flung across the car park and slammed into a nearby Jeep. They raced across to her.

"Shalimar? Talk to me." Adam checked her pulse.

"She's still breathing but there might be internal damage." Someone laughed. The group looked in the direction of the voice.

"You have got to be kidding." Remarked Orion. "You're dead." The shadowy figure walked into the light.

"Hello again Major." Brennan charged a bolt. "Now that's not very nice. Tell you friends to stand down Major." Orion grinned at the man.

"Or what Molnar?" In response armed soldiers appeared from their hiding places surrounding the group. "That's not really going to work." Molar stepped closer.

"Maybe not, but this is." A soldier stepped out from behind Molnar holding a young blond.

"Hi Orion." He slumped realising he was beaten.

"Hello sis." Deep thunderous laugher came from Molnar.

"So the great Orion Wolf is beaten by his own moral shortcomings." Orion walked away from his friends.

"Fine, you win Molnar but let these people go. You have no quarrel with them."

"Do you take me for a fool. I know who they are. Do you really think I'd allow such dangerous enemies to walk away when I have them. No they shall come with us." Eight soldiers approached the group. Four held governor guns. "I must admit, these devices are cruel but I is the best way to control you." As Orion was implanted looked up at Molnar.

"You will die before this is over."

"One of us will die." He pressed a small button and pain shot through every fibre of Orions body. "But not me. By the way, these governors also contain a small explosive charge that will detonate on a signal from me . Now come along we haven't got all day." The group was led off under way under heavy guard.