CHAPTER SEVEN
Johnny, Danny and Brandon stood in the middle of the hallway and looked back towards the door which had shut behind them. They could hear Murdock yelling behind it and Brandon was sure that his father wasn't going to be far behind.
Danny turned back to the door about to open it for them when there was a sound. He turned to see four or five guards up on the balcony, guns fully trained on all three of them. He looked at his friends. 'Guess.uh.guess they really don't want me to open that door.' He gave a stilted laugh.
'No.' Johnny said and Brandon could practically see the cogs working in his head. He was trying to think up a way of getting them out of here.
'What do we do now, man?' Brandon asked, feeling a little agitated. He was getting the feeling that he'd really like to pound the guard's heads into the floor and he didn't particularly like it.
Johnny looked round at the men and the guns. 'Well, I don't think we'll be getting a chance to open that door so they're going to have to find another way in. Now I think I saw Maria's Corvette outside so she and the others are already here. Chances are if we do what they want they'll take us to Mike.'
'Good plan.' Danny said. 'What if they just shoot us instead? I don't really want to get into a fight, these shoes are Gucci.'
Brandon just looked at him with an expression of disgust.
'What?' Danny asked. 'I take care of my clothes, unlike some people.' He looked Brandon up and down. 'Yeah.'
Brandon actually snarled and Danny stopped talking abruptly. He'd never heard Brandon do that before, he must be really worried about Mike.
There was a sound of someone hitting the door and the guns that had been aimed on the three boys suddenly moved their focus towards the front door.
'Guess your dad got tired of knocking Brandon.'
Brandon nodded. 'He won't get through that, solid steel. Windows are all barred too.'
Johnny glanced round as much as he could without giving the guards a chance to decide that he was making trouble and shoot at him. He saw it too, every possible entrance was covered; no one was getting in here without Stockwell's say so. 'He must have known something like this would happen. He's planned for this.'
'So what now?' Danny asked getting impatient. Johnny was saved from thinking up a good answer as a woman walked forward into the lobby.
'Gentlemen, a pleasure to meet you. My name is Carla.'
'Really.' Danny said with a charming smile, his tone had changed considerably.
Brandon glowered; he was fed up with this situation.
'Well, perhaps you can explain why these men seem to have taken a disliking to us?' Johnny asked, crossing his arms across his chest and smiling unsettlingly.
Carla only smiled pleasantly. 'A security precaution, I'm sure you understand. We don't appreciate unwanted visitors, now if you'll follow Christopher there then I'm sure that you'll get all the answers to your questions.' She turned and walked away, motioning for the guards to lower their weapons.
The three boys were left with the same guard that had welcomed Mike and the others earlier, the one that Nicky had dubbed Igor.
Christopher didn't bother with pleasantries just turned and walked away. With one glance towards the door where all had fallen silent, the three followed him.
*** Mike had been surprised enough when his brother's voice had come over the intercom and he was surprised when Brandon, Danny and Johnny entered the room.
'Hey man.' Brandon said, Mike looked alright which he supposed was as much he could hope for.
'Hey.' Michael replied looking at all of them.
'Thought we'd tag along, join the party.' Johnny said with a grin.
Stockwell motioned for the three boys to sit, Johnny and Danny did so but Brandon remained standing.
Michael could see the change in his friend, instead of his usual laidback manner; Brandon was tense and seemed ready for a fight.
'Now you're all here, we can begin business.' Stockwell told them, still perched on the edge of the desk.
'Business?' Nicky asked warily.
'Yes.' He gave a furtive smile. 'I have a proposition to put to you all. Michael you said you came here looking for answers. Did you? Maybe really you wanted something more.' He looked over all the kids who were staring dumbly at him.
'I have a job that needs doing and I think you seven are just the people to do it. Of course you'll be paid and you won't have to worry about travel expenses and such-like.'
Johnny eyed his suspiciously and finally caught onto the meaning of Stockwell's words. 'I see you want a new A-Team is that it? You want more lackeys running around doing your dirty work.'
Stockwell looked at him and raised an eyebrow. 'A new A-Team, yes you could say that is what I had in mind. Each of you possesses your own strengths and characteristics which would prove most useful to me.
Michael, your love of flying, a good pilot would be essential. From what I hear you are an exceptional pilot, close to surpassing your father even.
Nick, your stealth techniques could be enhanced and I know that you'd be excellent in any combat situation. An asset to any team I put together.
Daniel, like your father you're able to get information from just about any source, the Internet in particular.
Maria, persuasive and if you want it then you'll probably get it.
Brandon, you're an outstanding carpenter and just as good a mechanic. Talent like yours would not go unwasted.
And Jonathan, quick thinking and able to make snap decisions. Like your father you're good at getting out of tight situations.'
He looked round at the group. He hadn't mentioned Emily; somehow this didn't make her feel any better.
Nicky looked at the man in the smart suit and decided that he really didn't like him. 'You want us to work for you? And you think I'd be an asset?'
Stockwell said nothing, aware that Nick wasn't finished talking yet. He was interested to see what the youth's response would be. Something about him reminded him of Murdock when he'd decide to challenge his reasoning.
'Guess you forgot to add, hot-headed and stubborn. Those are usually the two things that my father never fails to remind me of. Besides I hate to fly.'
Stockwell smiled knowingly. 'Ah yes you do don't you. Why is that Nick? Because of air sickness as you tell everyone? Or because it was flying that brought your brother so close to your father in a way you never could be?'
Nick nearly choked; this man knew something that he'd never ever told anyone. He licked at his lips nervously and said nothing more.
'You seem to know an awful lot about us General.' Johnny said looking at him dead-on. 'I take it you think that Emily is not to be part of this team as you didn't mention her.'
Stockwell smiled again and this time it was almost callous. 'On the contrary.' 'He wants to get back at Dad.' Emily said before Stockwell could finish. She was looking right at him, trying to seem unafraid which was far from the truth. 'He never liked Dad and getting at his kids is a pretty fair way to go for revenge. Right?'
Stockwell's smile didn't fade. 'Very astute but not quite the truth. I can see why you skipped a grade. You're very good at seeing what people are really thinking and when they're lying.' Again his eye passed over all of them.
'What I'm offering you is nothing that you haven't though about before. I'm offering you the chance to see the world, to follow in your father's footsteps but you would have one advantage that they never had. You'd be free.'
'Free except that we'd have to do whatever you told us, right?' Johnny asked, beginning to understand why Murdock had been so eager to get here and get Mike out.
'You have the choice, I can't make you. You can get up and leave right now.'
Brandon observed him with doubt and a hint of mistrust. 'Just like that?'
'Just like that.'
Emily looked round at all of them and hoped that they'd take the option of leaving.
Johnny got to his feet. 'I'm sorry but I can't accept your offer, I'm not interested.'
'Really? Not even for the Jazz, Jonathon?'
Johnny paused and then shook his head. 'Not even for that.'
Brandon, Danny, Maria and Nick also rose.
'We don't want to be our fathers.' Nick said.
Stockwell shrugged. 'It's your loss although take a look at yourselves sometime, I think you already are your fathers.'
Emily stood up. 'Lets go home Mike.'
Michael raised his head and looked at all of them and Emily knew that he wasn't coming with them.
Nick saw it too. 'You gotta be kidding me! You're gonna stay here? With him?'
'I'm sorry guys but.I've got to. I can't explain it to you but I have to.'
'You blackmailed him!' Nick yelled. 'What did you say to him? Mike, please.'
Michael only shook his head and remained seated. Emily gulped barely able to keep back tears; she didn't want her brother to get involved with a man she knew was dangerous.
'I assure you that Michael is as free to leave as you are, I have not given him any other reason to stay that I haven't given the rest of you.'
Brandon laid a hand on Nick's shoulder. 'Come on brother.' He said. 'We gotta go.'
Reluctantly Nick went and as soon as the door had shut Stockwell turned to Michael.
'Well, I must say I'm impressed. I didn't think you would want to stay.'
Michael stood, a cold look on his face. 'I came for answers and I'm not leaving until I get them. I didn't say anything about working for you.'
Stockwell smiled. 'No, you didn't but you will.' He went to his desk drawer and pulled out a file, he laid it on the desk.
'Do you know what this is?' When Mike shook his head he continued. 'It's a contract, for you.'
'I'm not working for you.'
'Listen to what I have to say and then decide. 16 years ago I made your father an offer, the choice of getting his friends their pardons, if he did one simple job for me first. But he lied to me, made me think he'd done the job when he hadn't, by then it was too late. At the time there was no way I could retract those pardons. I promised him I would have payment. Kidnapping you was no easy task.'
Michael's head shot up, Stockwell now had his full and undivided attention. 'And it backfired on me. Today I want my payment Michael and I intend to collect it. Now, I know many people in high places, more than I did 16 years ago. And believe me, you will work for me. If you don't then I'll retract the pardons, they'll end up in prison and I'll ensure that your father spends the rest of his life in a mental institution and believe you me there will be no breaking out of this one.'
Michael stared at him and then at the contract.
'Your choice Michael.'
Johnny, Danny and Brandon stood in the middle of the hallway and looked back towards the door which had shut behind them. They could hear Murdock yelling behind it and Brandon was sure that his father wasn't going to be far behind.
Danny turned back to the door about to open it for them when there was a sound. He turned to see four or five guards up on the balcony, guns fully trained on all three of them. He looked at his friends. 'Guess.uh.guess they really don't want me to open that door.' He gave a stilted laugh.
'No.' Johnny said and Brandon could practically see the cogs working in his head. He was trying to think up a way of getting them out of here.
'What do we do now, man?' Brandon asked, feeling a little agitated. He was getting the feeling that he'd really like to pound the guard's heads into the floor and he didn't particularly like it.
Johnny looked round at the men and the guns. 'Well, I don't think we'll be getting a chance to open that door so they're going to have to find another way in. Now I think I saw Maria's Corvette outside so she and the others are already here. Chances are if we do what they want they'll take us to Mike.'
'Good plan.' Danny said. 'What if they just shoot us instead? I don't really want to get into a fight, these shoes are Gucci.'
Brandon just looked at him with an expression of disgust.
'What?' Danny asked. 'I take care of my clothes, unlike some people.' He looked Brandon up and down. 'Yeah.'
Brandon actually snarled and Danny stopped talking abruptly. He'd never heard Brandon do that before, he must be really worried about Mike.
There was a sound of someone hitting the door and the guns that had been aimed on the three boys suddenly moved their focus towards the front door.
'Guess your dad got tired of knocking Brandon.'
Brandon nodded. 'He won't get through that, solid steel. Windows are all barred too.'
Johnny glanced round as much as he could without giving the guards a chance to decide that he was making trouble and shoot at him. He saw it too, every possible entrance was covered; no one was getting in here without Stockwell's say so. 'He must have known something like this would happen. He's planned for this.'
'So what now?' Danny asked getting impatient. Johnny was saved from thinking up a good answer as a woman walked forward into the lobby.
'Gentlemen, a pleasure to meet you. My name is Carla.'
'Really.' Danny said with a charming smile, his tone had changed considerably.
Brandon glowered; he was fed up with this situation.
'Well, perhaps you can explain why these men seem to have taken a disliking to us?' Johnny asked, crossing his arms across his chest and smiling unsettlingly.
Carla only smiled pleasantly. 'A security precaution, I'm sure you understand. We don't appreciate unwanted visitors, now if you'll follow Christopher there then I'm sure that you'll get all the answers to your questions.' She turned and walked away, motioning for the guards to lower their weapons.
The three boys were left with the same guard that had welcomed Mike and the others earlier, the one that Nicky had dubbed Igor.
Christopher didn't bother with pleasantries just turned and walked away. With one glance towards the door where all had fallen silent, the three followed him.
*** Mike had been surprised enough when his brother's voice had come over the intercom and he was surprised when Brandon, Danny and Johnny entered the room.
'Hey man.' Brandon said, Mike looked alright which he supposed was as much he could hope for.
'Hey.' Michael replied looking at all of them.
'Thought we'd tag along, join the party.' Johnny said with a grin.
Stockwell motioned for the three boys to sit, Johnny and Danny did so but Brandon remained standing.
Michael could see the change in his friend, instead of his usual laidback manner; Brandon was tense and seemed ready for a fight.
'Now you're all here, we can begin business.' Stockwell told them, still perched on the edge of the desk.
'Business?' Nicky asked warily.
'Yes.' He gave a furtive smile. 'I have a proposition to put to you all. Michael you said you came here looking for answers. Did you? Maybe really you wanted something more.' He looked over all the kids who were staring dumbly at him.
'I have a job that needs doing and I think you seven are just the people to do it. Of course you'll be paid and you won't have to worry about travel expenses and such-like.'
Johnny eyed his suspiciously and finally caught onto the meaning of Stockwell's words. 'I see you want a new A-Team is that it? You want more lackeys running around doing your dirty work.'
Stockwell looked at him and raised an eyebrow. 'A new A-Team, yes you could say that is what I had in mind. Each of you possesses your own strengths and characteristics which would prove most useful to me.
Michael, your love of flying, a good pilot would be essential. From what I hear you are an exceptional pilot, close to surpassing your father even.
Nick, your stealth techniques could be enhanced and I know that you'd be excellent in any combat situation. An asset to any team I put together.
Daniel, like your father you're able to get information from just about any source, the Internet in particular.
Maria, persuasive and if you want it then you'll probably get it.
Brandon, you're an outstanding carpenter and just as good a mechanic. Talent like yours would not go unwasted.
And Jonathan, quick thinking and able to make snap decisions. Like your father you're good at getting out of tight situations.'
He looked round at the group. He hadn't mentioned Emily; somehow this didn't make her feel any better.
Nicky looked at the man in the smart suit and decided that he really didn't like him. 'You want us to work for you? And you think I'd be an asset?'
Stockwell said nothing, aware that Nick wasn't finished talking yet. He was interested to see what the youth's response would be. Something about him reminded him of Murdock when he'd decide to challenge his reasoning.
'Guess you forgot to add, hot-headed and stubborn. Those are usually the two things that my father never fails to remind me of. Besides I hate to fly.'
Stockwell smiled knowingly. 'Ah yes you do don't you. Why is that Nick? Because of air sickness as you tell everyone? Or because it was flying that brought your brother so close to your father in a way you never could be?'
Nick nearly choked; this man knew something that he'd never ever told anyone. He licked at his lips nervously and said nothing more.
'You seem to know an awful lot about us General.' Johnny said looking at him dead-on. 'I take it you think that Emily is not to be part of this team as you didn't mention her.'
Stockwell smiled again and this time it was almost callous. 'On the contrary.' 'He wants to get back at Dad.' Emily said before Stockwell could finish. She was looking right at him, trying to seem unafraid which was far from the truth. 'He never liked Dad and getting at his kids is a pretty fair way to go for revenge. Right?'
Stockwell's smile didn't fade. 'Very astute but not quite the truth. I can see why you skipped a grade. You're very good at seeing what people are really thinking and when they're lying.' Again his eye passed over all of them.
'What I'm offering you is nothing that you haven't though about before. I'm offering you the chance to see the world, to follow in your father's footsteps but you would have one advantage that they never had. You'd be free.'
'Free except that we'd have to do whatever you told us, right?' Johnny asked, beginning to understand why Murdock had been so eager to get here and get Mike out.
'You have the choice, I can't make you. You can get up and leave right now.'
Brandon observed him with doubt and a hint of mistrust. 'Just like that?'
'Just like that.'
Emily looked round at all of them and hoped that they'd take the option of leaving.
Johnny got to his feet. 'I'm sorry but I can't accept your offer, I'm not interested.'
'Really? Not even for the Jazz, Jonathon?'
Johnny paused and then shook his head. 'Not even for that.'
Brandon, Danny, Maria and Nick also rose.
'We don't want to be our fathers.' Nick said.
Stockwell shrugged. 'It's your loss although take a look at yourselves sometime, I think you already are your fathers.'
Emily stood up. 'Lets go home Mike.'
Michael raised his head and looked at all of them and Emily knew that he wasn't coming with them.
Nick saw it too. 'You gotta be kidding me! You're gonna stay here? With him?'
'I'm sorry guys but.I've got to. I can't explain it to you but I have to.'
'You blackmailed him!' Nick yelled. 'What did you say to him? Mike, please.'
Michael only shook his head and remained seated. Emily gulped barely able to keep back tears; she didn't want her brother to get involved with a man she knew was dangerous.
'I assure you that Michael is as free to leave as you are, I have not given him any other reason to stay that I haven't given the rest of you.'
Brandon laid a hand on Nick's shoulder. 'Come on brother.' He said. 'We gotta go.'
Reluctantly Nick went and as soon as the door had shut Stockwell turned to Michael.
'Well, I must say I'm impressed. I didn't think you would want to stay.'
Michael stood, a cold look on his face. 'I came for answers and I'm not leaving until I get them. I didn't say anything about working for you.'
Stockwell smiled. 'No, you didn't but you will.' He went to his desk drawer and pulled out a file, he laid it on the desk.
'Do you know what this is?' When Mike shook his head he continued. 'It's a contract, for you.'
'I'm not working for you.'
'Listen to what I have to say and then decide. 16 years ago I made your father an offer, the choice of getting his friends their pardons, if he did one simple job for me first. But he lied to me, made me think he'd done the job when he hadn't, by then it was too late. At the time there was no way I could retract those pardons. I promised him I would have payment. Kidnapping you was no easy task.'
Michael's head shot up, Stockwell now had his full and undivided attention. 'And it backfired on me. Today I want my payment Michael and I intend to collect it. Now, I know many people in high places, more than I did 16 years ago. And believe me, you will work for me. If you don't then I'll retract the pardons, they'll end up in prison and I'll ensure that your father spends the rest of his life in a mental institution and believe you me there will be no breaking out of this one.'
Michael stared at him and then at the contract.
'Your choice Michael.'
