Todd sat back, he new the conversation they had had, he over heard the entire thing. The fact that they ahd that talk made him more than a bit edgy. Not because of what his reactions to the news might be. He knew Hawk would learn it all eventually. The fact was, he hated the memories he had of the city. That place was nothing more than a death trap. He'd lost a lost good men that day, and had almost been killed himself. He waited patiently, eventually the questions would come and he would answer them, truthfully, but only when he was ready.
"Todd!" Hawk then said at last.
The hall way wasn't to well lit; it was wide and stretched on a long way down. Hawk hid in the shadows in the corner. He was down in a crouching position his hand against his ear.
"So you knew this?" Hawk whispered telling Todd what Cynthia had told him.
"Hawk believe me, I don't want to talk about it.."
"But you knew?" Hawk then asked again.
"That's classified," Todd then snapped.
"Fuck it," Hawk then huffed, "Todd you're going to tel me eventually, understood?." Hawk said
"Eventually."
He ended the conversation in time as two guards began their approach.
"So you hear about that scientist chick?" a voice then came echoing through the halls.. Like the typical guards, they each wore snow camouflage gear, and carried with them assault rifles. Each guard also had on a white balaclava and had two grenades with a few clips slung around their waist.
"Oh yeah, I saw her just the other day," The guard then said a bit of anger in his voice, "bitch tried to take a shot at me."
"I would too, you have that effect on people." The other then said jokingly.
"That was funny." the first guard said sarcastically, followed by a sigh, "So, how much longer do you think this thing will take?"
"Depends," the other guard replied and then looked his friend right in the eyes. "You getting scared?" he then asked.
"Hell no…it's just, well, you know, the boss."
"Oh, yeah, he seems a little out there."
"I been thinking, and you know what, I think he's the type who would bomb that place no matter what happens. "
"What is going on here? " A gruff voice then cried down the hall. Hawk looked up ahead and saw a towering fellow then emerged, his muscles were big and well defined, his hair was jet black and in a crew cut, his skin pale, and he wore dark sunglasses, and while he wore almost the exact same gear as the other men, he wore a beret and carried with him an Ak-47 with him.
"Sir, we were just discussing our current status." One of the guards then said scared half to death.
"Well, get back to you post, we have an intruder, and we need to be on the look out.
"So, they're looking for me huh?" Hawk then whispered to himself. He watched the two guards begin to walk off, and then the superior officer called after them.
"Also, be careful," he then spoke low, "She's a tough one."
"She?" Hawk then asked confused.
The two guards then saluted him once more and walked off.
Hawk watched as the commanding officer stood there for a few moments. After a while, he then started to walk off. Hawk was intrigued by his actions, it was almost as if he was trying to listen for some very faint sound. Hawk's heart then started to pound as he saw the man stop. The large officer began to sniff the air and all Hawk did was look on oddly, as the man turned around. Hawk could see the man, and he was sure that he was staring at him, Hawk's heart began to really pound against his chest now. The man started towards his direction, he then stopped ten feet away, and looked directly in that area, "You can come out now." He spoke, his tone firm and somewhat demanding.
Hawk didn't move, instead he just stood still, he was scared he'd now been confronted and while he knew the logical choice, he wasn't able to move. Hawk wanted to take out his gun, and take a shot but if he missed it would be game over.
As Hawk plotted what to do, the officer grew impatient and then rushed over. Fear seized Hawk and in an instant he watched as the officer extended his arm out for him. Before Hawk knew it, he was being thrown over the man's head. Hawk did manage to pull off a landing though, and then got into a fighting pose. He was a little shaken up and taken by surprise at the quickness and strength with which the officer moved.
"You might as well surrender." The figure said, taking up his weapon.
Hawk instantly took out his gun too, and both men had their guns out.
"Just who are you anyway?" The man then asked, as he took another sniff of the air, you can't be her, he then said remorsefully, "And that's a pity, really it is."
"Do I look like a woman?" Hawk asked.
"But of course," the soldier then replied.
Hawk was trying to keep the gun straight, yet he was trembling, the gun was shaking about, he wanted to fire, but couldn't bring himself to do it, instead he was scared, and he didn't know what to do.
"Are you shaking?" The man then grinned.
"Can't you see that?" Hawk then whispered to himself.
"I can't see it, so I'm guessing by the rate of your breathing and how heavily your doing it. You see, I may not be able to see but I can hear exceptionally well."
"Can't see?" Hawk then whispered surprised by what he'd just heard. "Wow," Hawk then started up, trying to mask the fear now.
"Surprises you doesn't it?" The man asked, "allow me to introduce myself, my name is Gary Shaffer, a.k.a. Hunter."
"We'll I guess youre lack of sight explains you choice of outfit, and the skin…and the hair.
"Do you know who I am?" Hunter asked.
"Should I?" Hawk questioned and then it hit him. "Shaffer?" Hawk recognized the name yet he couldn't place it. "The war hero…" Hawk then whispered to himself finally remembering the name.
"I'm no hero." He then growled, "I'm only a man doing what does best, killing."
Hawk could hear the pounding of footsteps behind him, and then heard a guard.
"Freeze" He demanded. Hawk could then see Hunter grin a little. "Turn around!" The guard then demanded. Hawk did as ordered. "Drop the gun!" the guard cried out as he continued on towards him.
Hawk didn't move, he was frozen with fear and yet he knew he had to make a move. He was sweating heavily and all thoughts that he had at that moment lead to the same conclusion, "Game over." He said.
As the guard came within a few yards, he looked up at Hunter, "You idiot do something!" A voice then yelled out, taking the guard's attention away from Hawk. Hawk hesitated for a moment but then took the opportunity. In one swift motion Hawk dropped down to the floor and swooped up his gun. From there it all moved in slow motion. As Hawk pointed the gun up at the officer he could see the man's eyes widen as Hawk fired. Hawk then watched the man collapse and a pool of blood.
Hawk looked at the motionless body for a few seconds. That was the first man he'd ever killed. As Hawk had stared into his eyes seconds ago, he could feel quilt. Normally when he was nervous, there was a joke, or a snide comment. At that moment, he had nothing to say. As things returned to normal, he could hear a voice in the back of his head screaming for him to move. Hawk then rolled back onto one knee, aiming his gun directly at his enemy's head.
"You're better than I thought." Hunter grinned once more, "You can come out now Rachel. He's still alive."
"Rachel?" Hawk then asked himself, and looked on, holding his gun at Hunter. He watched closely as the grin on Hunters face vanished, and he began to listen out for something. After a moment or two, Hawk could hear footsteps echoing through the halls, and then he could see a woman come sprinting from behind Hunter. Hunter whipped around and opened fire on the lady. Quickly the woman threw herself hard against the wall to avoid the shots, as they whizzed by.
Hawk didn't know what was going on every thing happened so fast. A second later, Hawk was forced to dive to the left as Hunter fired back at him, and then dashed through, muttering something. Hawk took shots, but not one of them came close to striking him. Hawk then turned around and looked at the woman.
The lady seemed slow getting up and Hawk saw the perfect opportunity. Hawk quickly rushed up to her "Freeze," he demanded, pointing his gun at her.
"You idiot," she then barked.
"Huh?" Hawk asked confused.
"Do you really think I'm working with him?" She then asked, "He just tried to kill me."
Hawk didn't lower his aim; he kept his gun pointed down at her. She then slowly moved to scratch her shoulder. And then looked at him directly in the eyes.
"Satisfied?" she then asked.
"Just who the hell are you?" Hawk asked sharply
"Name's Rachel," She said extending her hand.
"Rachel?" Hawk asked, not bothering to do it. Rachel was Asian, her hair a dull brown, her face looked a little rough with fatigue but she still seemed attractive. Her eyes were a dark brown, and her hair was rolled into a ponytail. Rachel had a nice figure too. What really surprised Hawk was that her outfit was eerily similar to his, only difference was she had an insignia, one that read "Savior"
"Hey, you like what you see?" She asked noticing Hawk looking a little too hard.
"Not my type, nice rack though," Hawk grinned..
"Asshole," she said a stone cold glare.
"Why are you here?" Hawk then asked trying to stay focused.
"Well, if you want the truth I want to ask you the same thing." She then replied.
"What is going on here?" Hawk then asked a little surprised by what she just said.
The woman didn't go answer right away instead she looked at Hawk's hand, as they continued to shake.
"Never did this before have you?" She asked in with a smirk on her face. Hawk then tried to react but was to slow as she instantly pulled the gun away and aimed it at him. "You're way to slow." Hawk proceeded to put his hands up slowly, "Don't do that." She then said to his surprise, "I'm one of the good guys." She then handed Hawk his gun back, "Always be on your guard." She then added and pushed herself up. Hawk felt a tremendous amount of relief that she didn't pull the trigger.
"I let you take it," he then announced.
"Is that so?"
"You know that guy?" Hawk asked hinging the subject..
"We've gone a few rounds." She replied.
"Who the hell is he."
"Gary Shaffer, down in the Gulf War he lost his sight, he was one of the top officers at the time. He became a medical miracle that same year, amazingly enough, all his senses heightened dramatically. Unlike you or I, Shaffer only relies on his other four senses, his eyes can't play tricks on him, he's a lot more efficient than almost any other solider in the world, however there are exceptions though."
"Well thanks for the insight, now as I asked before, just what the hell are you doing here?"
"Business." She simply responded.
A voice that sounded like Cynthia then cut in on a radio.
"What is it?" Rachel asked, looking up at Hawk.
"Hey, I've got a new update, it appears, that we may have a shorter time limit than we expected."
"What do you mean?" Rachel asked, a look of concern forming on her face.
"Well, the terrorist were originally stalling, they didn't know how long it would take to get those missiles ready to launch, but now they're ahead of schedule, you may lose at least one or two hours."
"You can't be serious," Rachel replied shaking her head in disgust.
"Hey if you run into the company be sure to tell him that." Cynthia then added.
"No need to Rebecca, he's right here."
Hawk extended his hand out for the radio, but instead Rachel ended the conversation.
"Hey, I wanted to talk to her." Hawk said a little anger in his tone.
"Hold your horses." Rachel then replied calmly, "Listen, I know why you're hear, and judging by the conversation you know part of the reason I'm here."
"Are you suggesting I team up with you?" Hawk then asked.
Rachel was surprised, he jumped straight to the point, he wasn't as stupid as Rebecca had led her to believe. "Yeah, but only because of the news. I've got other agendas here, and I need to get those done. What I'm saying is that you take out those missiles, while I take care of business okay?"
Hawk hesitated for a second, she may not have shot him, but he didn't know her, didn't know whether he could trust her or not, Hawk thought for a moment and then ran his fingers through his hair.
"Fine, I'll do it, just where are the missiles?" Hawk said somewhat irritated yet also relived he wasn't on his own anymore. He wasn't going to tell her about the virus, that was his business. He was going to let her help him.
Hunter stood in silence after a brief explanation as to what had transpired nearly 20 minutes ago. With that a cynical grin crossed Nicholai's face.
"You're positive it was her?" He asked excited.
"Yes sir, I recognized the scent instantly."
"This is better than I could have hoped for."
"Sir, may I ask how much longer the preparations for the missile launch may take?"
"There has been a change of plans," Nicholai then wiped the grin off his face.
"What are they?"
"We're going to launch in four more hours, we'll be done sooner then expected."
"Has Karl informed the boss, and the United States?"
"He's informed the boss, but as for the U.S. his words were 'let them die.' So now he's become a liability, this could ruin all that we had originally planned."
"So does that mean he may have to be taken out?"
"Probably not now, but I do have one thing that I'd like you to do." Nicholai said, a grin once again forming.
"Here, if you need help finding the missiles, Cynthia will help you, she knows where you'd find the missiles." Rachel advised him, and offered a head set.
"Nah, I'm fine." Hawk declined, and watched as Rachel shrugged and put it on herself.
"I'll keep in touch." Rachel then said and left the area.
Right then Hawk tried to reach Cynthia. At first she wasn't there, and a feeling of dread came upon him. Hawk started off in the direction to get to her location but at the same time trying to contact her. As he came to the stairs, he finally got her.
"Something wrong?" Hawk asked as trying not to sound concerned.
"No, I had to go to the bathroom, is something up?"
"Just where are the missiles?" Hawk then asked.
"Scattered about, I'm not 100& sure, but I do know there is one on B2"
"There's more then Ten stories?" Hawk asked. He'd checked over the blueprints time and again, and there was no data on either of those two floors.
"I would think the revelation of the missile on B2 would get that reaction."
"Yeah I'm sure that's important, but my infor only tell me ten floors, I have no layout of those two."
As though ignoring the statement, Cynthia went on ahead, "in order to get there though, you have to find a special key card, at least one guard is supposed to carry that type of card, or at least that is what one of them said."
"Great," Hawk then murmured.
"Hey, you'll do fine." Cynthia then said, "Just remember when you find a guard see if he's carrying a blue key card, that will be the one you're looking for."
"Thanks." Hawk said.
"But when you get to B-1, don't worry about finding where the hell the elevator is, B-1 is just a large floor with nothing to offer, just a bunch of space no longer in use."
"What was down there?"
"Tyrant at one point, but then we moved it all up stairs."
Hawk then contacted Todd.
"What is it Hawk?" Todd asked.
"Tell the officials they've only got eight hours. I've just been informed by someone that that's as much time as they willing to give."
"eight hours?" Todd sounded shocked, "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, and speaking of which, are you sure this is a one man operation?" Hawk questioned his tone, calm yet stern.
"Yes as far I know you're the only one down there." Todd then stopped to take in the deadline change, "Hawk did they mention why the dead line had been moved up?
"No, only that in four hours they launch.
"Well then why hell did I run into some other agent?"
"Another operative."
"Yeah, that's what she claimed."
"She?"
"Yeah Todd, she. What should I do?"
"Trust her, if you're not dead she must be keeping you alive for a reason, but do watch your back especially around her." Todd then paused, and it made Hawk a little uneasy.
"Sir?" Hawk asked.
"Hawk, we don't have time to talk get back to mission." With that Todd then ended transmission.
Hawk cussed lightly, and got a move on, time was running thin, if he didn't move fast, he'd be responsible for the deaths of millions, and he didn't want that, didn't need that
As Rachel came to the tiny office room, she instantly smiled when she found Rolland inside.
"Trish?" he asked, as his eyes narrowed on the woman holding a gun at his head.
"Yeah, it's me, how are you, life treating you good?" She asked as she moved inside, her eyes carefully looking over the room. Rolland's office was nice, small but nice. The floor was tiled green with rugs under the chairs, painting hung from the wall, along with degrees. She then looked at his desk, a Macintosh rested on top humming lightly, along with a couple of penholders jammed with pens. As Rachel continued to look over she could see pictures of Rolland too.
"See anything you like?" he asked, his face showed that of a calm, and very strong man that appeared to be scared of nothing.
"Rolland you know what I want." She said lowering the gun.
"Why should I give you the disk, what have you done for me?" he asked curiously.
Rachel then raised the weapon and fired off a round. She didn't worry about the noise there was a suppressor on it. "Next time, it goes through you brain," she then threatened.
Rolland didn't move, didn't do anything but smile. Right then Rachel came at him throwing him hard against the wall. "Rolland, don't fuck with me, this isn't Raccoon, there is no Todd, nor some cop, or even Angel here to save you, now give me the damn files!"
Rolland's look had changed to that of fear, he nervously reached in his lab coat and took out a small circular disk. "Thanks babe." Rachel then set him down, and shot the phone on his desk.
As soon as Rachel left, Rolland stop shaking, he then balled up his fist in anger, and desired nothing but to see her die at that moment. Shortly afterwards, Rolland watched as Nicholai strolled in.
"Did you see her?" Rolland rushed up to him.
"See who?" Nicholai asked confused.
"Rachel you idiot." He spat.
"No," Nicholai became excited, "how long ago did she leave?"
"About three minutes ago, now she has the files,"
"You gave them to her?" Nicholai's sly grin was lost replaced by a look of annoyance.
"Yes, and by standing there like a moron, you're giving her time to hide." When Rolland got that sentence out Nicholai instantly felt the urge to take out his gun and shot him right now, no one, but his superiors could talk to him like that, not some overweight coward who became terrified at the mere sight of a mouse.
"Fine," Nicholai said sternly, and turned around to ext "I'll find her, and you make sure to change you pants when I get back." Rolland heard Nicholai mutter something else but his voice was too low to understand what it was.
Todd sat there in the tiny office, th receiver in one ear, laying back staring at the ceiling, a white glow on his face emitting from the computer in front of him. He was monitoring the conversation between Rachel now, Hawk was going about trying to flirt on the job. He smiled as he heard the remarks used. Rolland was still Rolland, and Rachel was still Rachel. Todd remembered how hard it was just to keep her from killing him through out that long horrible night in September. At the time, he was scared to death, keeping them quiet to avoid unnecessary contact with the enemy. As she pulled out of the room, he then came on.
"Why don't you just cut him some slack?"
"He needs to be brought back down to Earth once in a while." she then returned, "He's still alive right?"
"He's the exact opposite of Trevor." she then shifted gears.
"Hawk, you can hardly tell their related." Todd agreed. Speaking of which, he had to get back with the young man. "Listen, Trevor is countin on you, don't let the kid die, alright."
"You got it, how is Steph coming along?"
"She's already started disarming the missiles."
"Will she make it?"
"She doen'st have much of a choice, according to her, they all think that Hawk is the one behind it all."
Rolland showed the gurds his pass, and then procedded in. He was still nervous by the sight of Rachel, she was the same person. Still speaking to her as though she were actually his equal. The bio lab was his sanctuary. What to him, made everything right. First of all, he smiled upon th sight in front of him. He eyed the Tyrant though its holding facility. The Tyrant featured superhuman strength, its skin was a very light gray, and its head completely bald, it was extremely muscular too. On the Tyrants right side, of the arm had a long claw protruding and while it didn't look nearly as fierce as the last few models it was probably the strongest Tyrant out there. Rolland smiled at his creation, he had to commend himself, and he'd done an excellent job. Rolland then heard the door to the lab slide open. Rolland turned around to see Nicholai.
"Did you find her?" Rolland asked still preoccupied with monitoring the Tyrant.
"No," Nicholai replied, "She's gone."
Rolland then slammed down his pencil. "Jeez, Nicholai, can't you do anything right?" Rolland's voice began to rise, "every time I give you a simple task you always blunder it up, and I'm sick and tired." Rolland then walked over to a phone.
"What are you going to do?" Nicholai then grinned, and began slowly walking over to him, Rolland stopped and looked at Nicholai as he advanced towards him.
"What are up to? "Rolland asked nervously.
"Nothing," Nicholai then said, drawing his handgun.
Rolland instantly went weak in the knees, and stumbled over a chair, "N-Nicholai," He then said pleadingly, "You can't do this." Rolland continued to back up until he backed into a desk. His face went a very pale white, and he was scared half to death.
"Here." Nicholai then offered extending his hand to give him the gun, "Take it, it may come in handy."
Nicholai cocked a half grin. Rolland feeling anger well up, straightened up and snatched the gun away, examining it closely, "You fucking moron, everything is a game to you isn't it?" Rolland then scolded him and turned around.
"How much more work needs to be done on the Tyrant?" Nicholai then asked the grin still there.
"Well I can tell you that it's not much longer, in fact, my work is basically done."
Nicholai then grinned, and Rolland shook his head in disgust, "Now you've only got to wait until the machines do their work and then went you want to release it, just uh," He then walked over to a control panel and showed him a small blue button, "You need press this button." He then smiled at Nicholai, and at the same time the expression vanished. "Now get the hell out, you're distracting me."
"So all I would need to do is press this button?" Nicholai asked.
Rolland then turned around with a look of impatience in his eyes, "Yes you mor--" Rolland's jaw dropped as he saw Nicholai with a gun directly in his face. Nicholai then grinned, "Thank you Rolland," he then squeezed the trigger before Rolland could bring his gun up. The frail body then fell to the ground a dead heap, Nicholai's face wore some of Rolland's blood.
Nicholai then lifted up his radio, immediately. "It's Rolland," he said trying to sound somewhat shocked, "he snapped, and came after me, tried to shoot me, I-I had to take him down."
"Yes sir, will get some men down as soon as possible." Nicholai smiled at the corpse, the look of pure terror may have vanished, but he remembered it, savored it. He stared upon the body for several moments, only coming out of the stare as he could hear faint footsteps. He then turned and exited the room, as guards rushed in to find the dead body of Rolland.