Macgyver tries to see trough the dense vegetation, while he remains close
to the ground.
"Do you see any of these guys?".
"No", whispers Sarah, "They're probably in the mine now.".
"What do they want?".
"Right now they want me.".
"I was kind of afraid for that.", Macgyver sighs, "How did you get here? Do you have a car somewhere here?".
"No. In this part of Europe chances are they'll stop you to steal it. Besides a car makes you more easier to trace and follow. I used public transport and walked the rest from the Shkodra-Durres junction.".
"That's about 10 miles from here. How did these guys end up here? Same route?."
"I doubt it. They probably used the old trade route to Macedonia.".
"Okay and do you know where it is from here?". Sarah nods and strikes nervously trough her hair.
"Don't worry", Macgyver tells her, "We'll try to reach their cars and head out before they do.".
"Easier said than done", Sarah says and she points at two armed men holding machine guns. They're checking out the stream. One of the men sees Sarah and enthusiastically shouts in the direction of the mine. The second gunman approaches cautiously, keeping his machine-gun pointed at her.
"Move out", he orders them and Macgyver and Sarah come out of their hiding place.
"We've got her!", the second gunman calls to a middle aged man coming from the direction of the mine. He strolls down the path and smiles blandly, when he sees Sarah.
"Finally. After all these years we meet again. Now the cards seem to be in my favor, he says with a little German accent.
"Kleitz.", Sarah hisses and her expression betrays her disgust of him.
"Who's your friend? I haven't seen him before. Kleitz says and comes close to Sarah.
"He's just a lost tourist.", she says.
"A tourist?", Kleitz laughs and walks up to Macgyver. "There are no tourists in Albania. Only thieves and beggars. You look like neither of them. What's your name?".
"Macgyver".
"Well Macgyver we'll deal with you later.". He takes a cigarette out of his pocket and lights it slowly with a match. His new suit contrasts sharp with the muddy surrounding and the shabby look of the gunmen.
"Take them to the mine.", he orders his men. The armed men push Sarah and Mac rough to the path and start walking behind them.
"Walk!", shouts one of them.
"Who's this Kleitz?", Macgyver asks and looks at Sarah.
"You don't want to know.".
"Wait. I'm getting harassed during my vacation, hold at gun point and still you think I don't want to know?", he says sarcastically.
"Good point. Kleitz is Asiz's boss. He's German originally, but moved to Saudi with his parents when he was twelf. They were working in the oil business. After a few years he got words with his father and he converted to Islam to take his revenge on his dad. No contact with his parents since.", she sums up, pretending to be bored.
"And how does that fit into this?".
"Kleitz didn't stop there. He got convinced that he should lead people to resist American presence in parts of the world he thinks they shouldn't be, especially in the Middle Eastern region. That was decades ago, pretty harmless. He only talked about it, but since a few years, he seems to have lost his religious thoughts and turned to action. Five years ago he planned the bombing at a nightclub in Cairo, killing 97 people.".
"I've heard of that. But what's the connection with you?".
"Last year he plotted a series of bomb attacks in Berlin. I just happened to be around to prevent it. I think he's still upset.".
"What is it exactly that you do?", Macgyver says, stressing every word. He looks at her and examines her critically.
"Never mind. Let's see how we get out of this mess.". They arrive at the mine and are forced into the storage room. One of the gunmen takes out a rope and ties them down.
"So.....", Kleitz enters the room. His appearance resembles more a classical European style than that of a devote Muslim. He places a barrel in front of Sarah and lights another cigarette.
"You're bothering me again. Thanks to you I've lost one of my best men.".
"Well that's life.". Sarah looks away from him and her expression grows darker. Kleitz gets up and slowly walks towards her. He kneels down, grabs her face and turns it towards his.
"Now you listen good", Kleitz says, over articulating every syllable. "This time you've really done it.", and he pushes her head backwards. He gets up and takes out a handkerchief to wipe his hands. "You know. After Berlin I thought 'I just kill her when I get the chance'. But now....".
"Now take it easy.", Macgyver says to help Sarah out. Suddenly Kleitz kicks Macgyver in his back, causing him to roll on his side. He bites on his lips and feels the pain spreading.
"Only speak to me when I ask you something.". Kleitz looks pleased as he walks back to Sarah.
"I'd love to see you bleed Sarah. But time is short, especially now we've lost another man. I'll have to leave it up to the guys here. At least I won't have to bother to bury you. You're already in your grave.". Macgyver picks up a knife from the floor and hides it in his boot. The floor is covered with cutlery from the drawer he pulled out before. The storage room is empty, apart from a few barrels, a gasoline lamp and some boxes.
Goodbye and a good trip to hell.". Kleitz says and he walks out to order the men to close the door. Noises from the shaft tell they're barricading the door. The iron door outside is closed and the sound of the doors meeting each other resonates through the mine.
"Are you okay?". Macgyver turns to Sarah.
"Yeah. I'm fine. How about you?".
"I've had better days.". Macgyver is trying to fetch the knife from his boot. Suddenly Sarah gets up and unties her feet.
"Wow.", Macgyver says, "That's quick.".
"Always carry one on you.", Sarah says and she cuts him loose with a Swiss Army Knife.
"An excellent choice madam.", he says and smiles at her. "Now let's see how we can get out.". Distant rumble, which shakes the room softly, disturbs him checking out the door. The rumble comes closer and sand and dust come down from the ceiling.
"What's going on?", Sarah asks nervously.
"I think they blew up a part of the mine.". Macgyvers words are drowned by heavy shaking of the room. Pieces of ceiling start coming down, the cupboard doors open and pieces of pottery scatter on the floor. Macgyver quickly turns over two barrels and places the cupboard on it.
"Come here!", he shouts and pulls her under the cupboard. Together they hide underneath it, while pieces of rock keep falling on the floor. The light at the ceiling flickers, but holds.
"When is it gonna stop!", Sarah shouts. Macgyver put his arm around her and tries to protect her head.
"Put your mouth under you shirt, so you don't inhale all the dust!". The trembling weakens and the noise gets less. When Macgyver turns on his side to check if Sarah is all right he feels his shirt getting wet.
"Oh no!", he says as he looks back at the door. "Water is coming in the mine."
"We're still higher than the stream outside. This should stop quickly. Right?", Sarah says and looks at Macgyver hoping he confirms it.
"Yeah, well.", he says doubtful. "They probably blew up the pumps which determine the water level inside the mine.".
"There's only a small stream outside and this mine is huge. It probably goes straight down in the shaft.".
"It's enough to kill us. The water can't go anywhere in this room. It's all rock.". He stamps with his boot on the floor, as if he wants to convince her. "The door is our only hope. We can't dig our way out and if we try to go through the ceiling, this whole place might collapse.". Macgyver sits down on the cupboard. Thinking. He taps with his fingers on the barrel below him. He sees that the shaking has caused a little opening between the door-post and the top of the door.
"That's it!". He jumps up, "I think I've found a way of getting out.".
"How?".
"Come on. Give me a hand.". Macgyver takes a tin from the floor and flips it in Sarah's hands.
"Can you open this?", he asks.
"Sure. You grave for beans or what?".
"Just open it.".
"Okay.", Sarah says skeptical. "It's your action.". In the corner he picks up the gasoline lamp and opens it.
"Good, still a little left. Did you open the tin yet?".
"Yes. Here it is.".
"Great.", and he throws out the beans and cleans the tin. He carefully fills the tin with gasoline and places the removed top back on the tin. "Sarah? Could you get a thin string of one of the ropes they used to tie us?".
"Yeah here.", she peels one out with here nails and hands it over to Macgyver. The mine starts shaking again and the light bulb swings round.
"We must hurry", Macgyver says and hangs the string in the gasoline. Using duct tape he seals the tin completely.
"Now, go under the cupboard and stay there.". Sarah covers herself quickly while Macgyver steps up a drum and places the tin in the opening between the door-post and the top of the door. He lights the string and hides next to Sarah. A small explosion and the wooden door still squeaks afterwards. Dust is blown through the room and Macgyver covers his face deeper in his jacket.
"Not bad.", says Sarah when she looks up. The explosion ripped off a part at the top of the door.
"It's a start.", Macgyver says and he gets back on the drum. "There's some rubble here, but we can climb over it. Another shaking of the mine puts the light out.
"Okay, we must really hurry now. I'll go through the hole to wait for you.", Macgyver says. He gets out and reaches for Sarah.
"Wait.", she says, "I can't see a thing in here.". She feels her way to the drum and climbs on it. Macgyver helps her out and both run through the shaft to the iron doors.
"Thank god, they didn't lock them!", Sarah yells when she pushes the doors open. They both run away from the collapsing mine and fall on the path outside. Macgyver gets up and looks to the cloud of dust coming out of the iron doors.
"Now what?", Sarah asks, "It's no use going to the trade route. They've taken all their cars by now.
"Lets go to my camp. I'll pick up my things and leave.".
"Where are you going after that?".
"Home. I have a better chance enjoying the rest of my vacation in peace there.".
"What? You can't leave now. Kleitz must be stopped!".
"I thought that was your business. Shouldn't you deal with that? Besides I don't go out and kill people like you. This would never work out.".
"I'll need you.".
"No you don't. You look like a lady that can manage her own stuff quite well.".
"I'm send here alone, but it's bigger than I thought. You're in it anyway, because Kleitz wants you dead as soon as he finds out you're still alive.".
"I'm not sure if I want to get involved. Who do you work for? What is this all about? And don't give me this crap story about him having a bonding problem with his dad.".
"Come with me to and I'll explain it to you.". Macgyver looks annoyed at her and hesitates.
"We'll see about that. Let's get out of here first.".
"Do you see any of these guys?".
"No", whispers Sarah, "They're probably in the mine now.".
"What do they want?".
"Right now they want me.".
"I was kind of afraid for that.", Macgyver sighs, "How did you get here? Do you have a car somewhere here?".
"No. In this part of Europe chances are they'll stop you to steal it. Besides a car makes you more easier to trace and follow. I used public transport and walked the rest from the Shkodra-Durres junction.".
"That's about 10 miles from here. How did these guys end up here? Same route?."
"I doubt it. They probably used the old trade route to Macedonia.".
"Okay and do you know where it is from here?". Sarah nods and strikes nervously trough her hair.
"Don't worry", Macgyver tells her, "We'll try to reach their cars and head out before they do.".
"Easier said than done", Sarah says and she points at two armed men holding machine guns. They're checking out the stream. One of the men sees Sarah and enthusiastically shouts in the direction of the mine. The second gunman approaches cautiously, keeping his machine-gun pointed at her.
"Move out", he orders them and Macgyver and Sarah come out of their hiding place.
"We've got her!", the second gunman calls to a middle aged man coming from the direction of the mine. He strolls down the path and smiles blandly, when he sees Sarah.
"Finally. After all these years we meet again. Now the cards seem to be in my favor, he says with a little German accent.
"Kleitz.", Sarah hisses and her expression betrays her disgust of him.
"Who's your friend? I haven't seen him before. Kleitz says and comes close to Sarah.
"He's just a lost tourist.", she says.
"A tourist?", Kleitz laughs and walks up to Macgyver. "There are no tourists in Albania. Only thieves and beggars. You look like neither of them. What's your name?".
"Macgyver".
"Well Macgyver we'll deal with you later.". He takes a cigarette out of his pocket and lights it slowly with a match. His new suit contrasts sharp with the muddy surrounding and the shabby look of the gunmen.
"Take them to the mine.", he orders his men. The armed men push Sarah and Mac rough to the path and start walking behind them.
"Walk!", shouts one of them.
"Who's this Kleitz?", Macgyver asks and looks at Sarah.
"You don't want to know.".
"Wait. I'm getting harassed during my vacation, hold at gun point and still you think I don't want to know?", he says sarcastically.
"Good point. Kleitz is Asiz's boss. He's German originally, but moved to Saudi with his parents when he was twelf. They were working in the oil business. After a few years he got words with his father and he converted to Islam to take his revenge on his dad. No contact with his parents since.", she sums up, pretending to be bored.
"And how does that fit into this?".
"Kleitz didn't stop there. He got convinced that he should lead people to resist American presence in parts of the world he thinks they shouldn't be, especially in the Middle Eastern region. That was decades ago, pretty harmless. He only talked about it, but since a few years, he seems to have lost his religious thoughts and turned to action. Five years ago he planned the bombing at a nightclub in Cairo, killing 97 people.".
"I've heard of that. But what's the connection with you?".
"Last year he plotted a series of bomb attacks in Berlin. I just happened to be around to prevent it. I think he's still upset.".
"What is it exactly that you do?", Macgyver says, stressing every word. He looks at her and examines her critically.
"Never mind. Let's see how we get out of this mess.". They arrive at the mine and are forced into the storage room. One of the gunmen takes out a rope and ties them down.
"So.....", Kleitz enters the room. His appearance resembles more a classical European style than that of a devote Muslim. He places a barrel in front of Sarah and lights another cigarette.
"You're bothering me again. Thanks to you I've lost one of my best men.".
"Well that's life.". Sarah looks away from him and her expression grows darker. Kleitz gets up and slowly walks towards her. He kneels down, grabs her face and turns it towards his.
"Now you listen good", Kleitz says, over articulating every syllable. "This time you've really done it.", and he pushes her head backwards. He gets up and takes out a handkerchief to wipe his hands. "You know. After Berlin I thought 'I just kill her when I get the chance'. But now....".
"Now take it easy.", Macgyver says to help Sarah out. Suddenly Kleitz kicks Macgyver in his back, causing him to roll on his side. He bites on his lips and feels the pain spreading.
"Only speak to me when I ask you something.". Kleitz looks pleased as he walks back to Sarah.
"I'd love to see you bleed Sarah. But time is short, especially now we've lost another man. I'll have to leave it up to the guys here. At least I won't have to bother to bury you. You're already in your grave.". Macgyver picks up a knife from the floor and hides it in his boot. The floor is covered with cutlery from the drawer he pulled out before. The storage room is empty, apart from a few barrels, a gasoline lamp and some boxes.
Goodbye and a good trip to hell.". Kleitz says and he walks out to order the men to close the door. Noises from the shaft tell they're barricading the door. The iron door outside is closed and the sound of the doors meeting each other resonates through the mine.
"Are you okay?". Macgyver turns to Sarah.
"Yeah. I'm fine. How about you?".
"I've had better days.". Macgyver is trying to fetch the knife from his boot. Suddenly Sarah gets up and unties her feet.
"Wow.", Macgyver says, "That's quick.".
"Always carry one on you.", Sarah says and she cuts him loose with a Swiss Army Knife.
"An excellent choice madam.", he says and smiles at her. "Now let's see how we can get out.". Distant rumble, which shakes the room softly, disturbs him checking out the door. The rumble comes closer and sand and dust come down from the ceiling.
"What's going on?", Sarah asks nervously.
"I think they blew up a part of the mine.". Macgyvers words are drowned by heavy shaking of the room. Pieces of ceiling start coming down, the cupboard doors open and pieces of pottery scatter on the floor. Macgyver quickly turns over two barrels and places the cupboard on it.
"Come here!", he shouts and pulls her under the cupboard. Together they hide underneath it, while pieces of rock keep falling on the floor. The light at the ceiling flickers, but holds.
"When is it gonna stop!", Sarah shouts. Macgyver put his arm around her and tries to protect her head.
"Put your mouth under you shirt, so you don't inhale all the dust!". The trembling weakens and the noise gets less. When Macgyver turns on his side to check if Sarah is all right he feels his shirt getting wet.
"Oh no!", he says as he looks back at the door. "Water is coming in the mine."
"We're still higher than the stream outside. This should stop quickly. Right?", Sarah says and looks at Macgyver hoping he confirms it.
"Yeah, well.", he says doubtful. "They probably blew up the pumps which determine the water level inside the mine.".
"There's only a small stream outside and this mine is huge. It probably goes straight down in the shaft.".
"It's enough to kill us. The water can't go anywhere in this room. It's all rock.". He stamps with his boot on the floor, as if he wants to convince her. "The door is our only hope. We can't dig our way out and if we try to go through the ceiling, this whole place might collapse.". Macgyver sits down on the cupboard. Thinking. He taps with his fingers on the barrel below him. He sees that the shaking has caused a little opening between the door-post and the top of the door.
"That's it!". He jumps up, "I think I've found a way of getting out.".
"How?".
"Come on. Give me a hand.". Macgyver takes a tin from the floor and flips it in Sarah's hands.
"Can you open this?", he asks.
"Sure. You grave for beans or what?".
"Just open it.".
"Okay.", Sarah says skeptical. "It's your action.". In the corner he picks up the gasoline lamp and opens it.
"Good, still a little left. Did you open the tin yet?".
"Yes. Here it is.".
"Great.", and he throws out the beans and cleans the tin. He carefully fills the tin with gasoline and places the removed top back on the tin. "Sarah? Could you get a thin string of one of the ropes they used to tie us?".
"Yeah here.", she peels one out with here nails and hands it over to Macgyver. The mine starts shaking again and the light bulb swings round.
"We must hurry", Macgyver says and hangs the string in the gasoline. Using duct tape he seals the tin completely.
"Now, go under the cupboard and stay there.". Sarah covers herself quickly while Macgyver steps up a drum and places the tin in the opening between the door-post and the top of the door. He lights the string and hides next to Sarah. A small explosion and the wooden door still squeaks afterwards. Dust is blown through the room and Macgyver covers his face deeper in his jacket.
"Not bad.", says Sarah when she looks up. The explosion ripped off a part at the top of the door.
"It's a start.", Macgyver says and he gets back on the drum. "There's some rubble here, but we can climb over it. Another shaking of the mine puts the light out.
"Okay, we must really hurry now. I'll go through the hole to wait for you.", Macgyver says. He gets out and reaches for Sarah.
"Wait.", she says, "I can't see a thing in here.". She feels her way to the drum and climbs on it. Macgyver helps her out and both run through the shaft to the iron doors.
"Thank god, they didn't lock them!", Sarah yells when she pushes the doors open. They both run away from the collapsing mine and fall on the path outside. Macgyver gets up and looks to the cloud of dust coming out of the iron doors.
"Now what?", Sarah asks, "It's no use going to the trade route. They've taken all their cars by now.
"Lets go to my camp. I'll pick up my things and leave.".
"Where are you going after that?".
"Home. I have a better chance enjoying the rest of my vacation in peace there.".
"What? You can't leave now. Kleitz must be stopped!".
"I thought that was your business. Shouldn't you deal with that? Besides I don't go out and kill people like you. This would never work out.".
"I'll need you.".
"No you don't. You look like a lady that can manage her own stuff quite well.".
"I'm send here alone, but it's bigger than I thought. You're in it anyway, because Kleitz wants you dead as soon as he finds out you're still alive.".
"I'm not sure if I want to get involved. Who do you work for? What is this all about? And don't give me this crap story about him having a bonding problem with his dad.".
"Come with me to and I'll explain it to you.". Macgyver looks annoyed at her and hesitates.
"We'll see about that. Let's get out of here first.".