The characters belong to Top cow and TNT as do all their toys, accessories and appliances, including the Witchblade.
*Excuses and warnings*
************************** denotes change of scenery
*Swearing
*Mention of blood
Tenebrous
chapter 25
*****************************************************
After Ascertaining the location of the shooter, Nottingham realized he had no weapons capable of the range his assailant had attacked from. The other Sufult had only carried close range weapons, as did he. His targets needed to approach within range of the SMG in order for him to attack. However, the likelihood of them moving in to capture their prey without waiting for enforcements was slim. The long-range attack had been a cautious and calculated one. The shooter was obviously not risking his own life.
Determining the only option left was to flee, he swiftly moved to where Gabriel was sprawled on the floor. He placed the young man's backpack in Gabriel's lap before gently scooping up the limp figure. Pondering the irony of the boy's inexplicably loud and annoying phone having actually saved his life, the assassin shifted Gabriel into what he assumed was a comfortable position before carrying him across the barn.
As he squeezed through a tear in the wall at the far side of the building, careful not to come in view of the shooter, he felt Gabriel stir slightly. "Who called?" Gabriel murmured groggily against the assassin's shoulder. Despite the boy's semi coherent state, Ian was surprised that Gabriel didn't seem to have any issues with being carried. Due to his previous, petulant struggles and glares (when conscious), he had concluded the boy loathed the manner of transport.
"You were awake?" Ian asked, while scoping the array of possible transportation. Had Gabriel been playing possum or was he just that weak? Getting no immediate response, he shook him slightly as he headed towards his chosen vehicle. The assassin had decided to go with the nearest SUV. Due to the rising gas prices, the recurring threat of a gas crisis and rising discontent in relations with the country's main supplier of the commodity, the gas guzzling vehicles were becoming extremely popular. Once back on the freeway, they would be lost in the herd of SUVs and be harder to pick out, he reasoned.
"No," Gabriel mumbled in response to Ian's query, before passing out once more.
It wasn't the answer Ian had expected. Either the boy was incoherent and had misunderstood the question or there was something he didn't know about. Or perhaps, he had been right about the boy being too weak to move. For some reason, Ian found his answer disquieting. He decided to ask him about it later. The assassin suspected that Gabriel might throw a fit if he found out he had missed Sara's call, and since they needed to escape as quickly and quietly, he decided to let the boy sleep.
The doors of the abandoned vehicle had been left open. Nottingham remembered the armed Sufult bursting from the vehicle, eager to take him down as he systematically silenced them. He laid Gabriel in the back seat and performed a quick search for tracking devices. He regretted leaving his sweeping equipment in the makeshift cell/storage room of Gabriel's building, but there was nothing for it. He simply couldn't carry everything, nor could he predict the situation of hiding behind a barn while a sharp shooter lay in wait. Nottingham presumed his attacker had alerted his superiors to the situation and more Sufult would be arriving soon. His only hope was to outrun them.
Throwing his collection of looted weapons in the passenger seat, the assassin jumped into the SUV and tore off across the shorn field. It was late summer and whatever crop had been here had already been harvested, leaving the ground bare, making it easier for travel, but providing no cover. He kept the path of the SUV at an angle that placed the barn between him and the Sufult until he was beyond the long range of the cowardly shooter's rifle.
***********************************
"Are we going in to seize Mr. Bowman?" Brother Rason asked as Brother Nolan gathered up his equipment and headed towards their car.
Brother Nolan managed to suppress his urge to say; 'Are you insane?', and calmly replied; "No," as he began dialing his usual contact. *Fuck brother Pedious,* he thought. The idiot had no idea what they were up against.
"Report," Consul Damak's attendant greeted.
Brother Nolan was surprised Consul Damak had not answered but then remembered the hour. The Consul was most likely asleep. "The ambush has failed, I need agents to assist," he stated.
"The assassin has escaped with our target?" The attendant queried.
"May I speak with Consul Damak?" Brother Nolan asked irritably. He had no intention of trying to explain the situation to the Consul's powerless aide, nor of walking into a trap. If the hierarchy wanted a sacrifice for its goals, it would not be him. The next chain of command would be Banol and he definitely did NOT want to take orders from the aggressive Magistrate or his sadistic attendant, Brother Pedious. He knew either one would suggest he stupidly approach the barn, just to allay or confirm their doubts. At least the Consul was circumspect in his thinking and valued Nolan's skills.
"Hold on," the evidently affronted attendant grunted.
As Brother Nolan and his comrade reached the Nova, Consul Damak picked up the phone. "What is happening, Brother Nolan?" he inquired. They had lost contact with another batch of trained men and he was not anxious to hear Nolan's reply. A part of him wanted revenge on the assassin and his boss dearly.
"The ambush failed. The target and his protector fled to a nearby barn, where Nottingham managed to decimate the entire unit," Nolan stated gravely. Receiving no comment from The Consul, he deduced this was not a surprise to his leader. "Brother Rason and myself have monitored the situation per your request. I managed to get a clear shot of Iron's assassin, however, there was an interruption during the hit," Nolan relayed.
"So, what are you saying, Brother Nolan?" Damak demanded. "Is he taken care of or not?"
"I may or may not have killed him. However," Nolan stated. "I am NOT approaching the barn and request assistance. Brother Rason and myself are readying for covert pursuit," he reported. He could faintly hear The Prime Consul ordering a scout to call reinforcements to the area when something caught his attention.
The roar of an engine starting, carried across the night air. "He's leaving," reported Brother Nolan abruptly, while signaling Rason to follow.
"Who's leaving?" Consul Damak queried anxiously.
"I can't tell, they are not in view yet," Nolan replied. As he listened to the hum of the vehicle fade into the distance without catching a glimpse, he realized the driver was still taking advantage of the cover of the barn. He decided the assassin must be alive and knew where he and Brother Rason were. How else would he know to exit from the angle he had.
He knew the Bowman kid was smart, but the young businessman wouldn't have the skills to determine their location and choose the one direction of fleeing where they would not be able to see the vehicle. It had to be the assassin behind the wheel.
Nolan was suppressing another expletive when Brother Rason pointed excitedly at the homing screen on the dashboard. "He's taking one of our vehicles! Look, a blip is moving," Brother Rason declared.
Glancing at the screen, Nolan smiled as Rason's statement was confirmed. One of the vehicles was indeed departing from the pack of widowed Sufult automobiles. "So, our consummate assassin has finally made a mistake," Brother Nolan purred with a satisfied smile.
**************************tbc
.
.
.
a/n: I hope no one minds my a/n babbles. It's just simply the easiest way to give thanks and respond to the cool people who write responses to the story.
When writing a/n's, I'm a bit distanced from the story. So the tone has no bearing on what just happened or what will. Honestly, after all the final touches and mandatory but completely understandable disclaimers, I'm exhausted and a bit relieved to have the chapter ready to be sent out so that I can fully concentrate on the next. This is my little reprieve. Oh, and sorry for another G & I deluge. I'm still tinkering with the Sara & Jake end.
Roguegal - Yup, brother Nolan does have quite the pottymouth. I actually have issues with saying the f-word, so I don't know what's up with that. Guy came with his own personality from the beginning. I hope writing doesn't lead to multiple personalities.
Beck - Hee! love it! Especially Ian giving the 'V' with a wide grin. That mental image is priceless.
LaFemme - Ya, a bit injured, he is. I, um, will address that later.
Fae - Glad you liked it! :) The muses seem to have let up on him for the moment.
Dragongrrl - Hi! Unfortunately another hanger of sorts. Sorry. Work is taking up much of my time, making it difficult to write long chapters.
Earth - You described a less vocal version of my diabolical cat and I am 'afeared'. Sorry again for the lack of owies. Looks like he got practically cuddled instead. Weird. I have an agends but the muses apparently have their own, they seem to be dragging this out just to piss me off.
*Excuses and warnings*
************************** denotes change of scenery
*Swearing
*Mention of blood
Tenebrous
chapter 25
*****************************************************
After Ascertaining the location of the shooter, Nottingham realized he had no weapons capable of the range his assailant had attacked from. The other Sufult had only carried close range weapons, as did he. His targets needed to approach within range of the SMG in order for him to attack. However, the likelihood of them moving in to capture their prey without waiting for enforcements was slim. The long-range attack had been a cautious and calculated one. The shooter was obviously not risking his own life.
Determining the only option left was to flee, he swiftly moved to where Gabriel was sprawled on the floor. He placed the young man's backpack in Gabriel's lap before gently scooping up the limp figure. Pondering the irony of the boy's inexplicably loud and annoying phone having actually saved his life, the assassin shifted Gabriel into what he assumed was a comfortable position before carrying him across the barn.
As he squeezed through a tear in the wall at the far side of the building, careful not to come in view of the shooter, he felt Gabriel stir slightly. "Who called?" Gabriel murmured groggily against the assassin's shoulder. Despite the boy's semi coherent state, Ian was surprised that Gabriel didn't seem to have any issues with being carried. Due to his previous, petulant struggles and glares (when conscious), he had concluded the boy loathed the manner of transport.
"You were awake?" Ian asked, while scoping the array of possible transportation. Had Gabriel been playing possum or was he just that weak? Getting no immediate response, he shook him slightly as he headed towards his chosen vehicle. The assassin had decided to go with the nearest SUV. Due to the rising gas prices, the recurring threat of a gas crisis and rising discontent in relations with the country's main supplier of the commodity, the gas guzzling vehicles were becoming extremely popular. Once back on the freeway, they would be lost in the herd of SUVs and be harder to pick out, he reasoned.
"No," Gabriel mumbled in response to Ian's query, before passing out once more.
It wasn't the answer Ian had expected. Either the boy was incoherent and had misunderstood the question or there was something he didn't know about. Or perhaps, he had been right about the boy being too weak to move. For some reason, Ian found his answer disquieting. He decided to ask him about it later. The assassin suspected that Gabriel might throw a fit if he found out he had missed Sara's call, and since they needed to escape as quickly and quietly, he decided to let the boy sleep.
The doors of the abandoned vehicle had been left open. Nottingham remembered the armed Sufult bursting from the vehicle, eager to take him down as he systematically silenced them. He laid Gabriel in the back seat and performed a quick search for tracking devices. He regretted leaving his sweeping equipment in the makeshift cell/storage room of Gabriel's building, but there was nothing for it. He simply couldn't carry everything, nor could he predict the situation of hiding behind a barn while a sharp shooter lay in wait. Nottingham presumed his attacker had alerted his superiors to the situation and more Sufult would be arriving soon. His only hope was to outrun them.
Throwing his collection of looted weapons in the passenger seat, the assassin jumped into the SUV and tore off across the shorn field. It was late summer and whatever crop had been here had already been harvested, leaving the ground bare, making it easier for travel, but providing no cover. He kept the path of the SUV at an angle that placed the barn between him and the Sufult until he was beyond the long range of the cowardly shooter's rifle.
***********************************
"Are we going in to seize Mr. Bowman?" Brother Rason asked as Brother Nolan gathered up his equipment and headed towards their car.
Brother Nolan managed to suppress his urge to say; 'Are you insane?', and calmly replied; "No," as he began dialing his usual contact. *Fuck brother Pedious,* he thought. The idiot had no idea what they were up against.
"Report," Consul Damak's attendant greeted.
Brother Nolan was surprised Consul Damak had not answered but then remembered the hour. The Consul was most likely asleep. "The ambush has failed, I need agents to assist," he stated.
"The assassin has escaped with our target?" The attendant queried.
"May I speak with Consul Damak?" Brother Nolan asked irritably. He had no intention of trying to explain the situation to the Consul's powerless aide, nor of walking into a trap. If the hierarchy wanted a sacrifice for its goals, it would not be him. The next chain of command would be Banol and he definitely did NOT want to take orders from the aggressive Magistrate or his sadistic attendant, Brother Pedious. He knew either one would suggest he stupidly approach the barn, just to allay or confirm their doubts. At least the Consul was circumspect in his thinking and valued Nolan's skills.
"Hold on," the evidently affronted attendant grunted.
As Brother Nolan and his comrade reached the Nova, Consul Damak picked up the phone. "What is happening, Brother Nolan?" he inquired. They had lost contact with another batch of trained men and he was not anxious to hear Nolan's reply. A part of him wanted revenge on the assassin and his boss dearly.
"The ambush failed. The target and his protector fled to a nearby barn, where Nottingham managed to decimate the entire unit," Nolan stated gravely. Receiving no comment from The Consul, he deduced this was not a surprise to his leader. "Brother Rason and myself have monitored the situation per your request. I managed to get a clear shot of Iron's assassin, however, there was an interruption during the hit," Nolan relayed.
"So, what are you saying, Brother Nolan?" Damak demanded. "Is he taken care of or not?"
"I may or may not have killed him. However," Nolan stated. "I am NOT approaching the barn and request assistance. Brother Rason and myself are readying for covert pursuit," he reported. He could faintly hear The Prime Consul ordering a scout to call reinforcements to the area when something caught his attention.
The roar of an engine starting, carried across the night air. "He's leaving," reported Brother Nolan abruptly, while signaling Rason to follow.
"Who's leaving?" Consul Damak queried anxiously.
"I can't tell, they are not in view yet," Nolan replied. As he listened to the hum of the vehicle fade into the distance without catching a glimpse, he realized the driver was still taking advantage of the cover of the barn. He decided the assassin must be alive and knew where he and Brother Rason were. How else would he know to exit from the angle he had.
He knew the Bowman kid was smart, but the young businessman wouldn't have the skills to determine their location and choose the one direction of fleeing where they would not be able to see the vehicle. It had to be the assassin behind the wheel.
Nolan was suppressing another expletive when Brother Rason pointed excitedly at the homing screen on the dashboard. "He's taking one of our vehicles! Look, a blip is moving," Brother Rason declared.
Glancing at the screen, Nolan smiled as Rason's statement was confirmed. One of the vehicles was indeed departing from the pack of widowed Sufult automobiles. "So, our consummate assassin has finally made a mistake," Brother Nolan purred with a satisfied smile.
**************************tbc
.
.
.
a/n: I hope no one minds my a/n babbles. It's just simply the easiest way to give thanks and respond to the cool people who write responses to the story.
When writing a/n's, I'm a bit distanced from the story. So the tone has no bearing on what just happened or what will. Honestly, after all the final touches and mandatory but completely understandable disclaimers, I'm exhausted and a bit relieved to have the chapter ready to be sent out so that I can fully concentrate on the next. This is my little reprieve. Oh, and sorry for another G & I deluge. I'm still tinkering with the Sara & Jake end.
Roguegal - Yup, brother Nolan does have quite the pottymouth. I actually have issues with saying the f-word, so I don't know what's up with that. Guy came with his own personality from the beginning. I hope writing doesn't lead to multiple personalities.
Beck - Hee! love it! Especially Ian giving the 'V' with a wide grin. That mental image is priceless.
LaFemme - Ya, a bit injured, he is. I, um, will address that later.
Fae - Glad you liked it! :) The muses seem to have let up on him for the moment.
Dragongrrl - Hi! Unfortunately another hanger of sorts. Sorry. Work is taking up much of my time, making it difficult to write long chapters.
Earth - You described a less vocal version of my diabolical cat and I am 'afeared'. Sorry again for the lack of owies. Looks like he got practically cuddled instead. Weird. I have an agends but the muses apparently have their own, they seem to be dragging this out just to piss me off.