Chapter six finds everyone converging on Pierpont Lempkin's home.  Unfortunately for Pierpont he is the one lacking the most control in his own home.  Deck is left alone in Logan's penthouse with a stack of interesting papers.  Original Cindy seems almost too comfortable in control of a large group of men.

I'd like to thank everyone that has reviewed and praised this story so far.  I'd also like to announce that Twinkle has archived some of my stories as well as others at her new website .  She's got several archives including X-men, Buffy, CSI and Psi Factor.  It's worth a look and it's getting lonely in the DA archive as I'm the only one so submit some stories and keep me company.

Anyway, enough of the shameless plugging and the ego tripping.  You all know the drill by now.  Read, review and enjoy.  Always enjoy.

Counting Down to Zero Hour

          Logan and Max emerged from the bedroom.  Both were wrapped in black with their game faces on.  Logan marched directly into his office without looking at Eva.  He was making it clear that he didn't trust her.  A few minutes later, followed closely by Max he emerged from his office and placed a laptop and a large fuzzy glass screen on the coffee table.

          "This is for you."  Logan said.  Lydecker rolled over to the laptop and looked at it.  "My rig is off limits to everyone.  Only Max and I are coded into it.  Do not touch it.  You won't be able to get in anyway but I have logged an account for you here."  Logan explained.  He reached out to Max and she handed him a small roll of plastic.  Logan unrolled it and set the fuzzy glass screen on either edge.

          Deck looked down and realized the plastic was a keypad.  Logan plugged a USB line into the laptop and punched a few keys on the plastic pad.  The fuzzy glass screen came to life with computer programs.  Max handed Logan a padded glove.  He plugged a small receiver into his laptop.  Deck smiled.  He had heard about such technology and Manticore even had some of it but he had no idea Logan could be so resourceful.

          "The programs are pretty self explanatory.  I've set you up with all of my stuff on Lempkin.  The security panel is called security.  The Seattle Grid Map is Seattle grids.  Red dots are hover-drones, Blue dots are cops and green dots are keyed to our headsets.  Deck noticed Max was handing a headset to Jondy.  Original Cindy was fitting one in her ear.  "You can use the microphone on the desk if you want but the laptop should be able to pick up your voice.  Use the keypad sparingly.  The screen doesn't need to be physically touched.  Point the glove and the screen you're aiming at should highlight.  If it doesn't you aren't close enough."  He watched as Deck practiced with the glove for a minute until he had control of the vid screen.  "It will respond to vocal commands so if you want security, say 'security.'

          "Security."  Deck said.  The security screen expanded to most of the screen.  "Return."  Deck said and the screen returned to normal mode.

          "You've used one of these before?"  Max asked.

          "I've read the reports.  Manticore was only beginning to develop similar tech in the computer lab before, well… before Eyes Only destroyed the place."  Deck said.  Jondy was eyeing Eva and noticed her wince at the statement.

          "Vocal test."  Logan announced and the computer switched modes.  A new set of screens came up.  Deck watched as every sound in the room was picked up on the mics and showed in pattern on the wav recorder screen. 

          "Colonel Donald Lydecker.  Base Commander."  Deck said.  His voice was logged into the system.  He noticed that his voice pattern had already been logged.  He remembered the meeting with Eyes Only during the situation with Ben but didn't say anything about it.

          "This is Captain Mckeechan, Field Commander."  OC said.  She looked at Jondy.

          "Jondy the magnificent at your service."  She said with a big smile.

          "This is Max.  Let's get this bitch over with."  She said.

          "Everything checks out.  The transmitters seem to be in order."  Deck announced.  "What exactly is the plan?"  He asked.

          "We'll make it up as we go along."  Max said.  "Let's go."  She took the lead.  Logan followed close behind her.  Jondy looked at Eva until the older X-5 followed.  OC stayed behind with Deck while he played with the new toy sitting in front of him.

          Ten minutes later in the parking garage, Krit and Syl were just coming back in.  "I thought we were going to get some time off."  Krit said.

          "Sorry."  Max said.  "We have to do this tonight."

          "What's the plan?"  Syl asked.

          "Original Cindy will be Deck's Field Commander for the evening.  She was into special operations back in the army day so Deck roped her in and she seems to be playing along with the whole thing.  I want you two sticking like glue.  Don't leave her side for an instant."  Max said.  Logan's cell phone rang.  "If anything happens get her out of there unharmed and return to the tower."

          "We're on it.  What are you guys going to do?"  Krit asked.  He took a long glance at Eva.

          "We're going to take down Pierpont Lempkin's evil empire once and for all."  Max said.

          "I got it."  Logan said.  "Meet us in sector 10." 

          "Alec?"  Max asked.

          "Yeah.  He and Biggs ran a sweep of Lempkin's offices and found nothing.  Not even a security guard beyond what's usually in the building.  She has to be at his residence."

          "Then we should be going."  Max said.  She tossed Logan the keys to her baby and climbed on behind him.  Jondy and Eva rode on Jondy's bike.

          Krit and Syl watched them go before heading to the elevator and going upstairs.  Three minutes later they were walking into the office to see Lydecker was going over some documents on Logan's desk.  Original Cindy was yelling at him.

          "The boy told you not to touch his stuff."  She said.

          "I'm not going to mess anything up, Captain.  I just came in here for the microphone and noticed these papers.  I'm going to glance over them while I wait for my people to get into position.  When they do then you will head out and lead the back-up team in support of Max and Logan.  Do I make myself clear?"  He asked.

          "Yes you do and don't even try to play that military hut hut stuff with me here.  I agreed to back you up because my girl and her man need help and someone has to keep an eye on you.  As for Logan's stuff, you don't even know what that is."  OC said.

          "This is the attack drone spec and diagnostics."  Lydecker said.  "I have to ask myself why Logan would possess such information."

          "Cale Industries invented it."  OC said.  She reached down and grabbed the documents and discs from him.  "Now give me that stuff and you get to work.  Your men need to be linked into the system."

          "And you need to get ready to leave.  Your ride will be here in five minutes."  Deck said.

          "What ride?"  OC asked.

          "I've called for a chopper to take you to the base across the sector."  Deck said.  "It's already on the way.  They'll take you up through the sunroof.  We'll coordinate as soon as you arrive at the base camp."

          "Yessir."  She said sarcastically with an equally sarcastic salute.  She turned and walked away.

          "Where are you going?"  Deck demanded as Krit headed into the office.  Syl was no where in sight.

          "This girls gotta pee."  OC said.  She didn't stop but as soon as she closed the bathroom door she reached for her ear.

          "Did you get that?"  OC asked.

          "I did."  Max shouted.  "Nothing we can do about it now.  It's not like we didn't expect it."

          "Deck got into the hover-drone stuff, Logan."  Max asked.  "What'cha think?"

          "I think Deck's going to be disappointed.  I have the drone's chip stashed in a safe place.  There's no way he could get another chip that quick."  Logan said.

          "Don't underestimate him."  Max shouted.

          "I'm not."  Logan said.  They rode casually across the mostly deserted city toward sector ten.  Forty minutes and a delay at the sector checkpoint put them near the rendezvous with Biggs, CeCe and Alec.  When they arrived, Alec and Biggs were arguing about some weird ritual and twin dancing girls named Lora and Lera from some obscure Greek Isle.  CeCe was ignoring them and watching for Max and Logan.

          "So what's the plan boss?"  Alec asked.  "I've got work in the morning and would like to get this done.  Tomorrow's date night and the girls are going to be waiting for me."  He said.

          "Date night?"  Max asked.  She passed out more of the transmitters.  "Never mind.  I don't want to know."  She said.

          "Eva and I will walk in.  It's about a mile so you should have enough time to get on the grounds and get situated."  Logan said.  He turned to Max.  She nodded and took over the strategic and tactical planning.

          "I'm going to stick to Logan."  Max said.

          "No shock there."  Alec mumbled.  Max just glared at him.  Logan grabbed Eva's arm and pulled her away from the group.

          "Aren't you going to listen to the plan?"  She asked.

          "The plan doesn't concern us."  Logan said.  Eva listened for as long as she could.

          "Alec, you and Jondy move around.  Stay in the shadows and try to locate her.  You might want to check the corner room through the right hall of the main entrance.  There is an alarm system and bars inside there.  He also keeps his safe in there which is why he has the security."

          "How do you know this?"  CeCe asked.

          "I robbed him once."  Max answered.

          "Biggs.  You and CeCe secure an exit and keep an eye on the grounds.  There are usually ten men at least outside, probably more tonight.  Do what you have to but don't get caught."  Her voice was almost out of range.  Eva had to strain to hear the last statement.  "Remove all obstacles to the goal."  She said.

          Logan and Eva turned a corner and headed along the peaceful street.  They could hear four motorcycles in the distance.  The X-5s would arrive a full ten minutes before them.

          "So tell me about Eyes Only."  Eva said.

          "What do you want to know?"  Logan asked.  "He's an underground cyber-journalist exposing criminals in and around the Seattle area."

          "He took down Manticore.  Deck made it sound like it was just him."  Eva said.  "The Colonel made it sound like Eyes Only walked into Manticore and destroyed it from the inside."

          "I heard a few of his hacks about that place."

          "His hacks?"  Eva said.  She stepped in front of him.  Logan pulled up and looked at her.  "His hacks?  You say that like you don't know who he is.  You say that like you've never met the man."

          "I haven't."  Logan answered.  "I work for him.  I do maintenance on The Informant Net with a few other people that I have never met.  On occasion a story comes my way and I pass the information along and if it's interesting, Eyes Only contacts me for more but I've never met the man."

          "I don't believe you."  Eva said.  "Computers and a large amount of video equipment sit in your apartment.  You are surrounded by X-5 that seem to be loyal to you.  Everyone at Manticore involved in the hunt for Eyes Only knew Max had some sort of connection to him.  Lydecker speaks of you as if you have some inside knowledge of Manticore…"

          "I was the connection.  Who do you think hacked Manticore during the DNA raid?"  Logan demanded.  "It wasn't Eyes Only.  It was me.  I was the one sitting in the truck with Lydecker when Max and the others went in.  It wasn't Eyes Only.  Manticore had it all wrong.  They wanted me dead, not Eyes Only.  They were too blind to see it though.  They assumed that Deck went to Eyes Only for help.  Deck went to me for help and I gave it to him."  Logan stepped around Eva and started walking toward Lempkin's.

          "I don't believe you."  Eva said walking along beside him.  "I think you're Eyes Only."

          "Is that what your mission was?"  Logan asked.  "You were sent to assassinate Eyes Only."

          "Yes."  She said.  "You're Eyes Only."

          "If you say so."  Logan said.  "Just promise me one thing.  Promise me you'll let me save my cousin's wife first."

          Neither of them spoke the rest of the way to Pier's house.  Logan pointed it out at the end of the street.  It was huge and there were three men at the front gate.  They noticed the two approaching immediately as they walked along the deserted street.

          "Bella?"  A big hulking mass of flesh asked.  "Who is that with you?"

          "This is Logan Cale.  We're expected."  She announced.  The men eyed them suspiciously as the big one stepped forward and patted Logan down.

          "He's clean.  Go on in."  He said.  "Mr. Lempkin is in his study.  Mr. Martino is with him."

          They walked through the gate and followed the curve of the road to the front of the sprawling mansion.  It was almost as big as the Cale Estates.  It was bleak though, in comparison.

          "My family's place has so much more on the grounds.  My mother loved plants.  We had five gardens and she would tend to all of them herself.  She had a small staff to help but compared to this empty, barren…" He stopped.  Eva noticed a sad look on his face.  "This place is so, lonely."

          Eva watched him for a moment.  She felt something in his words.  Logan stopped and looked around the grounds for a moment.  Eva was watching Logan, not following his gaze.  A shadow twitched near the bushes along the side wall leading around to the back of main building.  Logan knew it was Max.  She wouldn't have moved otherwise.  Three men approached from the other side of the wall where she was in shadow.  They didn't see her either.

          "Where's Pierpont?"  Logan demanded.

          "He's inside."  One guy said.  Logan ignored them, pushing past and heading for the front door.  Eva was on his heels the entire way.  The front door opened as he stepped up to knock.  A young maid stood there.  She looked worried.

          "Mr. Lempkin is in his study."  She said.  She stepped aside opening the door wide to reveal two men.  Both were wearing black suits and carrying heavy caliber automatic weapons.  They were waiting for Logan.  Eva stepped forward and walked in front of Logan toward the direction of the study.  Logan followed as a shadow caught his eye on the second floor.  He smiled as he entered the hall leading to the study.  He did not expect to find what he saw there.

          "Good Evening Logan."  Pierpont Lempkin said.  Standing beside him and just slightly behind was Warren Martino.

          "I hope you don't mind Mr. Cale but I've decided I want control of your company."  Logan recognized him.  It was the same guy that ran the underground cage fights and squandered his earnings at Edgar Sonrisa's dirty little poker parties.  "The transgenic is yours to do with as you please."  The man said looking to a darker corner of Pierpont's study.  Logan followed his gaze.

          The twins CeCe had described were holding Eva's arms.  She struggled but she was no match for both of them.  She tried to kick one of them with a vertical split kick but he was fast and dodged her leg, head-butting her in the process.  She yelped at the unexpected avoidance of her attack.  Just before they pulled her through a door into an adjacent room Logan caught a glimpse of her face.  It was long enough to tell him one thing.  She was frightened.

          "Warren Martino."  Logan said.  He turned away from Eva hoping Max would go after her and ignore him for the time being.  "So you hired a couple of assassins to take me out.  Familiar assassins no less.  Are they Phalanx?"

          "What do you know of the Phalanx?"  Martino demanded.  He was visibly shaken by the knowledge Logan possessed.

          "I know a lot about the 7000 year-old cult you belong to."  Logan smiled.  "Here's a thought.  Cale Industries is mine.  No one will take it away from me."  He said.

          "What do you mean?  I have already taken it away from you."  Martino said stepping to the front of the desk.  "Pierpont is just a pawn in my little game and when I am through with him I will cut him loose just like the rest."

          Logan looked at Pier and could see fear in his eyes.  It was apparent that Martino had already planned to kill him.  "Don't worry Pier.  I won't let anything happen to you."  He said.  Pier looked relieved.  "If anyone takes your life from you it will be me.  As for you Warren…"

          "As for me what?"  Martino demanded.  "Do you honestly believe you have a chance at success in this little endeavor of yours tonight?  Pierpont's men are buffered by my guards here tonight.  Your little transgenic female is going to be tortured for any information she might have and then we will start on you."

          "Where is Marianne?"  Logan demanded.

          "She is alive for now.  When the bidding ends tomorrow and I control Cale industries and particularly the hover-drones… well, let's just say that I haven't decided whether to release the doting wife or not."  Martino laughed.  He looked into Logan's eyes and could see anger and frustration there.  "Do you really think I haven't researched your situation?  I've heard about your little Kunoichi, Logan.  I know you keep that transgenic as your bodyguard now."

          "You've done your homework."  Logan said.  "I see you have me at a disadvantage."  Logan said knowing full well that Pierpont had not told Martino that Eva worked for him.  "What about you Pier?  What's your cut in all of this?"  He looked at Lempkin.

          "I let him live after I kill you."  Martino said.  "It seems fair to me."

          "That's fascinating."  Logan said.  "Look.  I've got things to do and places to be so why don't we move this along."

          "In a hurry to die?"

          "Not exactly.  It just seems to me that you have forgotten one key element in all of this."

          "I have planned for every contingency.  Nothing has eluded me."

          "Oh but you're wrong, Martino."  Logan said.  "I understand you have this plan to make sure that my body and Pier's are found in such a way to lead the authorities to a conclusion that will leave you entirely out of the picture.  That way, you can sweep in and cover Pierpont's boosted bid for my company and everyone will think you are doing a good deed.  This will put you back in the good graces of the local authorities and you can go back to your underground fights and late night hooker/poker parties… or is that poking hooker parties?  You know I get the two confused."

          "You're a smart man, Logan.  Too smart for your own good.  It'll be a shame that I won't be able to enjoy your death more."

          "You just aren't looking at the big picture here.  You're only looking out for yourself."  Logan started preaching.  "And this is the fatal flaw in your plan."

          "There is no flaw in my plan."  Martino said.  He was growing more and more frustrated.

          Logan could see it.  He had no choice but to make the one move Martino wouldn't expect.  He had learned well from all those games of chess he played with Max in the candlelit nights during brown-outs.  It was time to move the useless pawn.  The one that had no bearing on the game.  The diversion.

          "There is a major flaw in your plan and you can't even see it."  Logan said.  He looked at Pier behind Martino.  Martino looked over his shoulder and smiled.

          "You mean Pierpont?"  Martino laughed.  "He's useless."

          "This has nothing to do with Pierpont.  This is about you and me."  Logan said.  He stared deep into Martino's eyes.  Martino stared back.

          "What about you am I missing?"  Martino asked.

          "I am not left-handed."  Logan quoted The Princess Bride.  It was his favorite film as a child.

          Biggs and CeCe made their way across the grounds.  Security was dropping like flies before them.  Biggs had taken out eight and CeCe had dropped four.  The last one however took both of the transgenics combined skill to kill.

          "What the hell was he on?"  CeCe asked.  "He was revved up somehow."

          "Colonel."  Biggs said.  "It's the Phalanx.  I think they are here."

          "The Phalanx.  What the hell is the Phalanx?"  CeCe asked.

          "Understood.  I have already sent the Captain to the base.  They will be on site in three minutes.  Proceed with caution."  Lydecker warned.  "Alec, Jondy?  You two in?"  He called.

          "We're in.  The place is mostly deserted.  We took out two guards in the interior so far and are heading downstairs."  Jondy reported.

          "Proceed with caution.  Biggs encountered Phalanx outside.  It would be safe to assume they are inside as well."  The Colonel said.

          "Noted."  Jondy said.

          "Whatever…" Alec added.  He held up a shiny, long barreled revolver and smiled.  "Look what I found."  Alec said.

          "Cute?"  Jondy said.  "Got any bullets to reload?"  She asked.

          "Six good shots to find another piece."  He smiled.  "Biggs.  What's going on out there?"

          "I've got eight?"  Biggs answered.  "You?"

          "Only two but I'm betting there's a whole slew of targets in the lower levels of this place.  We're hoping the woman is down there."  Alec said.

          "Stay frosty you nut."  Biggs said.  "I'll see you on the other side."

          "So these Phalanx warriors are highly trained special operations troops."  CeCe said.

          "As far as we know that is all they are."  Biggs said.  "I've been up against them twice today.  It wasn't fun the first time and now it's just getting annoying…"  He stopped and pointed toward the bushes.  CeCe pointed toward the gate.  Three military hummers crashed the front gate as a chopper flew overhead toward the roof top of the main building.

          Biggs moved fast as the two men behind the bushes were momentarily absorbed by the chopper above.  He roared in with a shout from the pit of his diaphragm screaming past the first guy leaving his head bobbling like a doll after the neck snapped.  He made it to the second guard disarming him as he passed and jammed his locked knuckles into the man's throat.  The man fell to the ground gurgling around his crushed Adam's apple.

          "That's ten."  Biggs said.  "The grounds are clear and the team has just arrived.  Alec, the drinks are on you tonight, I got my ten first."  Alec could be heard cussing over a fuzzy signal.

          "What's that, Buddy?  You're breaking up?"

          "Cut the chatter you two."  Lydecker ordered.  "Biggs, rendezvous with the team outside and support the raid.  Alec."  Lydecker called.  "Alec!"  He called again.  "Jondy?  Can you hear me?"

          "Not now."  Jondy whispered.

          "Understood."  Deck said.  "Captain.  You're up!"

          "Commencing sweep."  Original Cindy confirmed.  Krit and Syl stood on either side of her armed to the teeth and fully prepared for combat.  "Team one, secure the perimeter.  Team two, take positions on the doors and windows and secure the building.  No one gets in or out.  Team three, secure the outbuildings.  No resistance will stand.  Let's move people."  She shouted the orders like an old pro.  Biggs and CeCe ran up to her.  Krit and Syl helped them get outfitted with a full set of body armor and weapons

          "Where do we go from here?"  CeCe asked.

          "We're going in the front door.  Martino has Logan.  The twins took Eva somewhere else inside the building.  Max is trying to locate her.  Logan is alone in there."  OC looked around and snapped her fingers.  A fourth group of soldiers moved up awaiting orders.  "Where are we?"  She demanded.

          "We're wired and good to go.  Tracking all friendly and hostile troops.  The link is up and we are hot."  The specialist announced.

          "Coordinate with the teams.  Colonel!  We're good to go here.  We've got Phalanx and Martino with his twins on site."  OC announced.

          "Take them out."  Lydecker said.  "I repeat.  Take them out."  He confirmed.

          "Understood."  OC said.  "Let's move people."  She started to move around the hummer.  Syl stepped in front of her.  "I used to do this without four transgenics on my guard."  OC said. 

          "Just want you to be sure."  Syl called.

          "I am sure."  OC said.  "We go in when Alec and Jondy secure the girl."

          "Yeah," Alec said.  His voice was grinding and monotone.  "About the girl.  She's here."  He said.

          "What's the problem?  Is she alive?"  Lydecker asked.

          "She's alive but sitting on enough explosives to dig a crater that would swallow this entire building.  The room is a mesh of laser.  We can't get in until the laser is shut off."

          "Sergeant.  I want you inside the security system in two minutes.  I'm opening the channel for you now.  Analyze and get back to me with the possible."  Deck called over the comm.-link.  "Max."  He called.

          "Go for Max."  She whispered.

          "We need Logan."  Deck said.

          "I've almost got Eva."

          "We need Logan five minutes ago."  Deck said.

          "Eva is immediate.  I'm going in."  Max said as she dropped through the vent and launched into the room kicking one of the twins in the head as she landed.  He went down hard but rolled to his feet in a defensive posture turning to face Max.  The other twin attacked Max but she jumped up and over him coming down behind with a heavy kick to the small of his back, winding him.  Max reached up and pulled hard with Eva's help on the hook holding her hands bound over her head.  They yanked her loose as the first twin attacked Max.  She went down rolling over her shoulder and coming up into a crouched posture.  Her muscles tensed just before she launched into the first twin with a series of blows to his head and chest.

          Eva was working hard to undo her wrist cuffs but when the second twin regained his footing, she used them to choke him.  She slipped under his swing and came up behind him dropping her hands over his neck and pulling him back and down at an odd angle.  He tried to reach her but couldn't.  She was outside of his reach so he went for her fingers.  She let him break two before the pain got to her and she had to let go.

          Max turned in a series of three consecutive kicks forcing the first twin into the wall.  He smiled a bloody smile and spit out a tooth.  He laughed as he pushed off the wall and charged Max.  She sidestepped with a spinning blow to his back sending him into his counterpart.  Eva used her steel cuffs to bash the first twin on the back of the head knocking him out as they both fell to the ground.

          "Alec to the rescue!"  He shouted as he kicked in the front door.  Max and Eva turned to look at him when he entered.  The second twin had grabbed his brother and dragged the limp body through the second door into the room.  Eva and Alec followed Max to the door but it closed and locked before they could get to it.  The twins escaped.

          "The twins got away."  Max said.  "I don't think they can get too far though.  I'm going for Logan.  Alec, help Eva."  She said.  Eva held out her cuffed hands and Alec started to work the lock.  "OC.  Logan is in trouble.  Get in and take the hall along the right wall into the study.  I'm on my way."

          "Already on it, Boo.  We're inside and moving to the door right now."  OC said.  "Syl is heading down to take a look at the explosives."

          "I've got her."  Jondy said.  "She's in the hall now and on her way."

          "Hey Sis."  Syl said as she dropped to a knee beside Jondy.  "Hi.  You must be Marianne."

          "Marianne.  This is my sister Syl.  She knows more about demolitions than any of us.  Logan is going to shut down these lasers and we're going to get you out of here."  Jondy said.  Marianne nodded her head and gave a muffled response through her gag.  Jondy had at least got her to stop crying.  "What'd'ya think?"  Jondy asked Syl.

          "I think we've got a problem."  Syl said.  "Do you see that yellow wire?"  Jondy spotted it and followed its path.  The wire ran down the chair leg and across the floor to a corner of the room where it ran up the wall and across the ceiling.  "It's wired into the main sensor.  Shut off the laser and boom."  Syl said.  Marianne started to cry again.

          "Did everyone get that?"  Jondy asked.  "We need options."

          "Dummy Wire."  Alec offered.

          "Sensor block.  Mirror the main sensor within a reflective box."  Biggs said.  "It wouldn't be hard to rig one."

          "Can you extend some clips and cut the wires from the door without tripping a laser?"  CeCe asked.

          "Options on cutting power, Syl?"  Deck asked.  "Effects?"

          "Automatic detonation.  We'd all die."  Syl said.  Max and OC cut into the conversation and everyone listened.

          "I'm going in."  Max announced.

          "On your signal, Boo."  OC whispered.  She snapped her fingers once.

          Inside the room, Warren Martino was approaching Logan Cale.  "What about you am I missing?"  He asked.

          "I am not left-handed."  Logan said.  Martino cocked his head as a chopper roared over the house.  Distant thumps could be heard on the rooftop of the main building as soldiers dropped from the outside to sweep the upstairs.

          "What the hell?"  Martino reached into his pocket and pulled his weapon.  He turned it on Logan and fired but Logan had dropped to the floor and was using the power of the exo-skeleton to kick out his legs as Max burst into the room and launched herself at Martino's gun arm snapping it at the elbow with a full force kick.  She flew past him and dropped into a spinning stance in time to see Logan coming up holding his shoulder and lifting the weapon Martino had just dropped.

          The main door into the study burst open and OC rushed in followed by Biggs, Krit and CeCe.  Biggs and CeCe moved to secure Pierpont.  Pierpont surrendered immediately and sat down in his chair.  He was stunned.  That much was certain.

          Krit moved on Martino guarding his movements with his weapon.  Max and OC took up positions on either side of Logan.  "We've got Logan.  Pierpont and Martino are secured."  Max announced.

          "That's good news."  Deck said.  "Bring Martino to me."

          "Not going to happen."  Logan said.  "Is Marianne safe?"  He asked.  OC nodded her head.

          "She's been wired to a pile of C-4.  The room is guarded by laser and we need you to shut it off."  OC said.  She looked at Lempkin.  "Unless he knows something."

          Pierpont was shaking his head.  "They moved in earlier tonight bringing the girl with her.  They recoded my security and locked me out.  I can't stop the explosion."

          "What do you mean you can't stop it?"  Logan demanded.

          "It's going to blow at midnight no matter what happens.  Most of the grounds are going to go with it.  The only reason I'm alive is because you saved my life Logan."

          Martino started to laugh.  "Now what are you going to do?"  He asked Logan.  "What could you possibly do?"

          Logan stood deep in thought for a minute before looking at Max.  She nodded already knowing what he was thinking.  He looked down at Martino on the floor and smiled.  They both checked the time on Logan's watch.  They had forty-seven minutes till midnight.

          "Here's how this is going to work.  You're going to give me your codes…"

          "Or what?"  Martino challenged.

          "Or I'm going to kill you where you lie."  Logan said.

          "You wouldn't dare."

          "Are you going to give me the codes?"  Logan asked.

          "Never."  Martino said.

          Logan fired two shots into his head killing him instantly.