The Enemy Within Chapter 5
By Lisa Leonard
Roxanne opened her eyes part way, after facing an exhausting day of running away from MASK and her own guilt. Today was going to be another long day to face it all over again. Her worries drifted from her mind, as the sound of the train against the track seems to slowly rock her back to sleep. She pulled the blanket over her head mumbling about sleeping in extra hours. She then panicked when she realized Scott was no longer sleeping next to her. Her eyes popped wide-open, "Scott?"
"What?" he replied sitting on a box examining T-bob's circuits.
She looked about a bit embarrass, "Nothing." She was already on the verge of losing her father; if she lost Scott too she would never forgive herself. Roxanne was starting to realize what a true family meant. A father who loves and cares for you, a brother who is always there and fun to tease, and even that silly robot had some meaning. Roxanne snapped out of her thoughts as she noticed the flashing light on T-bob circuit board, "What's that?"
Scott scratched his head, "I can't shut it off."
Roxanne walked over to take a glance. "Shit, that's a tracking device. T- bob, why didn't you say something?"
T-bob said somewhat embarrassed, "What oh that thing well ah.Bruce kind of rewrote my protocols."
Scott remained puzzled, "No kidding! He wired the tracking device to T- bob's battery. If we mess with that T-bob shuts down completely."
"How about we leave T-bob on the train and we take a different route," Roxanne suggested.
Scott glares at her, "We're not abandoning him."
Roxanne apologized, "I was only joking." She moved to the back of the caboose searching for any sign of Shark, "Well, she's obviously keeping her distance. They probably think I kidnapped you, and I'm going to lead them straight to dad."
Scott attempted to make her feel better, "Well they got half of it right, at lease we know, if we can't save dad they will."
She pondered as she spoke out loud, "That's a big if. As soon as we step off the train or get near VENOM's compound they might jump out and say surprise your under arrest. We don't even know where this train is headed."
"Who cares it was going in our direction. Besides where ever we are now, we're one step closer to dad," Scott said with pride. He picked up his tools and shut T-bob's lid, "Even when the train stops at its final destination, T-bob doesn't have enough juice left in him to carry us the rest of the way."
Roxanne suggested, "Then we hitch a ride."
T-bob crossed his arms, "You know how dangerous hitch hiking is? This one time on that twilight program."
Scott interrupted, "T-bob, you watch way too much crap on TV."
"OK ENOUGH! Were getting off the train," she ordered, "and yes I do have a plan."
T-bob grumbled, "Can't be a very good plan if you think we're seriously going to jump off a moving train."
The three of them stood at the end of the caboose admiring the fast passing scenery. Roxanne's eyes shift to T-bob, "Hey T-bob, since you seem to have the most experience with falling out of moving vehicles this should be a piece of cake."
T-bob turned to face her, "I'll have you know." Just as T-bob broke into his lecture, Roxanne kicked him off the train. "Ahhhhh mommy!" he screamed as he bounced off the grass a few times before coming to a complete halt. Both his arms were over his head and his eyes were rolling around in their sockets.
Both Roxanne and Scott gulped as they watched T-bob in the distance. Roxanne's eyes were wide with disbelief, "I didn't think it was going to be that bad."
Scott insisted, "Ladies first."
"Well what a gentleman," she remarked. "Just be sure you try to tuck and roll." She took a deep breath, "You chicken out I'll definitely coming back to kill you." She took a giant leap from the train. Her body crouched together as she rolled for what seemed to be forever until coming to a complete halt. She stood up cracking her back. "Ouch! I think I hit a rock."
T-bob walked over huffing, "You hit a rock? I think I hit a couple dozen! Look at me I'm dirty, dented, and scratched." He continued to whine, "I'll never look new again."
Roxanne wanted to laugh; yet her eyes looked around concern for her brother. "Scott," she shouted, "where are you?" Scott slowly made his way over the hill waving his hand. She ran over to him smiling, "Wasn't that fun?"
Scott sat down on the grass catching his breath, "Last time I follow you anywhere."
Roxanne smiled, "I'm glad to see you haven't lost your sense of humor." She gave him a hand getting up, "You sure you're up to walking?"
Scott gives her a tuff attitude, "Do I have a choice? Stop worrying about me. Now what's this plan of yours?"
Roxanne ordered T-bob, "Send and S.O.S to Shark."
Scott protested, "I'm fine! Gee I'm not dying."
Roxanne waited for T-bob to send the signal. "No, but you sure the hell better look like it!"
Gloria yawned as she set Shark on auto-drive. She had been driving all night, and what she wouldn't do for a nice hot cup of coffee. Most the time she was worried about the kids. She had hope by now they would reach a dead end and turn themselves in, yet as every hour passed her hope began to fade. The rest of the team left the crash site in Lille and constantly called in for updates. Gloria sighed, "At least they get to take turns getting some Zs." Her teammates were at least a day behind leaving her to chase the teenage runaways by herself. She pondered, "Even if the kids do lead us to VENOM's hide out, I'm not going to have enough fire power to take on a full force." Just as Gloria thought of future strategic moves, she heard T-bob's emergency signal. Gloria admitted she couldn't believe the kids would jump from a moving train, yet they had not moved from their position for a while now. She started to worry again, "I hope they're not injured." Gloria opened all communication frequencies, "Hey guys I'm picking up T-bob's emergency signal. I'm going to move in and check it out."
Dusty warned, "Just be careful it could be a trick."
She reassured them, "I'll do a long range scan of the areas, before I come in contact."
Alex added, "Very well Gloria keep us posted.
Gloria sped up Shark towards the location checking her scanners. "Hmm, nothing out of the ordinary."
T-bob was waving his arms around like a raving lunatic and driving around Scott in a panic, "Help! Help! Gloria help us!"
Scott laid on the ground trying to be completely motionless. Gloria stopped Shark about 20 feet away from the boy and burst out of the car running. She rushed to Scott's side checking his vital signs, yet his unresponsiveness concerned her. She look up at T-bob for answer, "What happened?" T-bob replied, "Roxanne threw him off the train head first."
Gloria shook him. "Scott, wake up hun." Scott continued to remain as still as possible, then he suddenly he stopped breathing. Gloria took off Aura immediately and threw it to the side without thinking twice. She tilted Scott's head back to clear his airways. She then pinched his nose and started to administer CPR.
Meanwhile, Roxanne sneaked up behind Shark and easily slid into the vehicle, since the car door was left wide open. She stared to program coordinates into the computer and lock the weaponry onto Gloria's back. As she nodded to T-bob in the distance, he picked up Aura off the ground.
Scott couldn't help it anymore he opened his eyes smiling and returned a kiss back. Gloria lifted her head up furious, once she felt his tongue in her mouth. She slapped him right across the face, and then suddenly it dawned on her it was set up. She turned around to see Roxanne in Shark's driver seat. Roxanne blew her a kiss as she hit a button sending a fish net right at Gloria. Scott rolled out of the way just in time; Gloria on the other hand was pinned to the ground by the net. She hissed, "Very funny you two let me out. NOW!"
Roxanne walked up to her and knelt down, "We're just going to borrow Shark and take it to. Salzburg, Austria to rescue dad."
Gloria looked into Roxanne eyes and could see the truth in them, "We can help, it's too dangerous for you two."
Roxanne continued, " I made a mistake and I need to correct it. I won't have anyone stop me. I know that net won't hold you very long. Aura is just over that Hill to the South. You can tell your teammates what ever you want; all I'm asking for is a chance. Come on Scott lets get going." Scott had his hand over his cheek, yet he had the biggest smile on his face. Roxanne rolled her eyes, "Oh will you knock that smile off your face lover boy, like you never had mouth to mouth before.
"Ah you not going to tell my dad about this are you?" he blushed as he looked at Gloria. Roxanne grabbed Scott by the arm and dragged him towards the car.
Gloria pleaded to him. "Scott, think about what you're doing?"
Scott answered before shutting the car door, "I have. I'm saving my family. I'm sorry Gloria."
Roxanne drove shark away from Gloria, "Shark pull up navigation system location Salzburg, Austria, and auto-drive." Roxanne doubled checked the navigational system, "Sweet we're only a half a days journey." She glanced over at Scott, "Ok how was it?"
Scott looked dumbfounded, "What? Oh, it was more then I ever dreamed it would be. It was worth getting slapped."
"So you like getting dad's hand me downs," she joked.
Scott defended her, "Hey dad and Gloria were never like that, just friends."
Roxanne snickered, "Sure.so when's the big date." Scott hit her shoulder and Roxanne just laughed it up.
Gloria pulled a knife out of her vest pocket, "I guess I deserve this. Dusty warned me, but I didn't think they'd stoop so low." Gloria cut the net as Shark drove out of range. "Definitely have to talk to Matt about teaching Scott some etiquette towards women. Then again I'll never hear the last of it from the guys. Eh, probably best to let him gloat about it, he's just a teenager after all." After freeing herself she headed over to pick up Aura, "I wonder if I can send a signal to the rest of the team. This is Gloria calling MASK please respond." All she got was static, "Must be out of area. Well better start walking and wait for my ride to show up."
Scott worried as he looked out Shark's back window, "Are we really going to leave her in the middle of nowhere?"
Roxanne sighed, "Fine, I'll tell the guys where they can pick her up. I'm just worried they're going to wring my neck over the line." She put a fake smile on her face and imitated a country trucker over a CB, "This is Shark calling in just to remind you gentlemen to buckle up and pick up your excess baggage along the rail way. Over."
"Uh is that who I think it is?" Brad said trying to identify the disguised voice over the radio.
Dusty said in a threatening voice, "What did you do with Gloria and Scott you little bitch?"
Roxanne's smiled disappeared, "Hey that wasn't nice. I was going to tell you where Gloria is at, but she'll do much better without you lackeys around to bother her."
Buddy scold Dusty, "Will you cool it. You can be as mad as you want with her later. Right now she has a hostage."
Alex ignored Dusty, "Sorry about that you were saying about Gloria."
Roxanne continued before she was rudely interrupted, "You can pick her up at these coordinates I'm transmitting. I suggest you guys hurry. I left a very important message with her."
"How is Scott doing?" Alex added. Roxanne immediately terminated the line after hearing Alex's question.
Scott protested, "Why didn't you let me speak?"
Roxanne confessed, "Cause I don't want them to think your involve. I know Gloria will spill the beans, but I want the blame. Plus you're not gong down just because you're helping me out."
Buddy questioned, "Do we think we can trust this little game she's pulling us into?"
"I think it's wise that we do. For the truth will be known once we reach Gloria," Bruce analyzed.
Alex backed up his long time friend, "You heard Bruce lets see where she's taking us."
It was an hour to sunset, when Roxanne parked Shark in front of a local pub in Salzburg, Austria. Scott looked to her curiously, "You going to ask for information?"
Roxanne shook her head, "Look ahead."
Scott looked to where the sun was setting behind a castle slightly overlooking the town, "You can't be serious? That's too obvious!"
She looked at him with disbelief, "Well it wouldn't be the first time Mayhem picked a palace to call home. Besides," She turned over the piece of paper that had Dagger's orders and handed it to Scott. The paper showed a flier for the museum at the Mauterndorf Castle.
Scott smirked, "Hey, why didn't you show me that earlier."
She shrugged, "You didn't ask, and I kind of like you following my lead. The castle is probably going thru renovations. While Contra World sends in a fix up crew, VENOM can use it for a base. That's why nobody would suspect anything, plus its not even tourist season."
Both of them exited the car once darkness blanketed the sky. Roxanne open Shark's trunk pulling out a bag filled with flashlights, a grappling hook, a flare, and several other usefully items she could savage. As the three of them walked towards the castle T-bob watched the two serious teens. "What's the plan now?"
Roxanne admitted, "There is no plan. We're making this up as we go along. If we fail tonight, MASK will be here tomorrow or at least I hope."
Once they reached the castle, they noticed the security guard at the front gate.
Scott suggested, "Maybe we can distract him with T-bob?"
Roxanne grabbed Scott as he took the first step forward, "NO, are you nuts? That ain't no ordinary security guard. He's a Contra World agent with a machine gun. He's not the only one. Notice all the small lights up on the castle walls. Their definitely keeping dad here, else they wouldn't need the extra security. Maybe we can find a back entrance."
The three moved into the shadows and behind any rock or tree they could find. The castle stood on a high hill and was surrounded by thick forest on three sides. They slowly trekked along the castle wall hoping to find another entrance. They then halted in a shaded corner along the wall disappointed. Roxanne concluded, "Well, Scott looks like we're going to have to take the hard way in." She pointed upwards and pulled the grappling hook out of the bag.
Scott looked at her with disbelief, "You've never used one before. They're going to hear it once it hits the wall."
"Yeah, well I don't see you coming up with any bright ideas. I'll just use it to get myself over the wall. Then I'll help you when the coast is clear. Or I could." Roxanne looked up at the wall. There was only one way in the front or over the wall. Even if she got over the wall, there was no guarantee Scott could make it up after her. Roxanne put the hook back in the bag, "This is a bad idea."
Scott was surprised, "You're backing out?"
Roxanne said with no doubt in her mind, "That's right here T-bob." Instead of handing the bag, she threw it at T-bob, causing him to lose his balance and fall backwards down the hill. He hastily rolled down the steep hill holding the bag. The sound of T-bob bouncing off the ground echoed loudly thru the silent night.
Scott eyes wide with disbelief, "They're going to hear that."
"I know," she acknowledged as she punch Scott in the face and rolled him down the hill after T-bob, into the dark surrounding of the forest. It was only a matter of minutes before the guards headed towards the noise, she just hope Scott and T-bob were completely out of site.
"FREEZE!" she heard as her eyes laid focused on the trees. Roxanne raised her arms in the air and turned around. The two guards on the wall had guns on her, and an a few more appeared on the ground to check the disturbance. One radioed in, "It's just a teenage girl, sir. False alarm." Roxanne could not make out the radio conversation, but she was sure it was Rax on the other end. The guard grabbed her arm and took her inside the front gate.
Rax walked out laughing as he saw whom the guards caught. He crossed his arms, "You know I kind of was expecting you to pop up again. Hey guys, I'll take care of this get back to your post." Rax put an arm around her shoulder, "I knew you had issues, but I never thought you'd turn in your old man."
Roxanne played along, "Well, daddy got just what he deserved. His job is a working hazard after all. I got no place to go and considering I gave you the leader of MASK its only fair I ask for refuge."
Rax nodded with agreement, "I'm sure we can do that. You know, Mayhem would like to have a word with you."
She slightly sweated as the mention of his name. "Uh well can we hold that off until tomorrow. I'm rather tired, I've been on the run for quite some time."
"Sure thing, kiddo. I'll just lead you to one of the guest rooms. Don't get any ideas of sneak'n off, ok?" Rax added.
"Don't worry I won't," she lied as she secretly pulled a set of keys out of his jacket pocket.
Rax lead her into a guest room smiling, "Sleep well, night kiddo."
Once Rax shut the door, she pulled out the keys she had just stolen. "This was too easy," she looked back at the door expecting him to walk back in any minute to retrieve his keys. "Maybe he's losing his touch, and I'm just better then him," she opened the door and notice the hall was completely empty. She kind of wondered if this was all a set up. Roxanne snuck around the inside of the castle, again nobody was in site, "Why would nobody be guarding the inside, maybe it's dinner time?" Roxanne made her way down a spiral staircase leading towards the dungeon. Every step she took it was dawning on her, "This could be a trap. Surely they knew I wouldn't let myself be captured on purpose." Yet once she reached the bottom the thought left her mind completely, as she stared at her father.
Matt's hands were chained to the wall, his face was cut, bruised, and in desperate need of a shave. His once nicely press uniform was ripped, dirty, and stained in blood. She thought with great horror, "What did I do to him?" Roxanne unlocked the cell; with each step her emotions grew stronger causing tears to weld up in her eyes. Matt appeared to be asleep, yet she didn't know if he was sick, knocked out, or just exhausted. Her lips started to quiver as tears started to fall harder down her face. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," she said repeatedly in a shaken voice. She wanted to wrap her arms around him, but she had no right. What sort of daughter condemns her own father to death? She continued to mumble, "It was never suppose to happen like this."
Just then Matt started to recover from Bruno's left hook. At first he thought he was hallucinating. Why would Roxanne be in front of him? "Roxanne?" he asked with confusion. The next thing he heard was a gunshot from across the room. Roxanne's facial expression showed she was in complete shock. Her body fell forward onto Matt, and then slowly fell to the ground crumpling at his feet. Matt's eyes followed her, and then looked up to meet the gaze of a rather amused Miles Mayhem holding a gun.
Miles snickered, "Don't give yourself a seizure Trakker. It's only a tranquilizer gun."
"God damn you Miles let her go!" Matt pulled at his chains even if they wouldn't budge.
Mayhem twitched his mustache as he threw the gun to Rax, "In case you didn't notice, that little brat was trespassing, so I have every right to shoot her. Now," he kicked Roxanne's body over so Matt could get a good look at her face, "I think your going to hand over everything I want to know or else those scars on her back are nothing compared to what I'll give her this time around."
Matt took another glance at Roxanne peacefully lying at his feet and gritted his teeth, "Alright, you win. Just don't hurt her. I'll tell you my agents and the satellite codes."
Mayhem smiled, "See we still can work together as a team. Rax get her out of here and be sure to secure the little punk. This time she better not escape."
Rax removed the keys from Roxanne's hands and picked her up, "Come on sleeping beauty, time to go."
Scott laid on the ground with his hand over his bruised face, "I can't believe she did that!"
T-bob huffed, "I know she thinks she can push us around anyway she pleases. Well once everyone has one look at your face, and they'll know she did it for sure. Then she'll be."
"T-bob, she did it so she could get inside. She never considers anybody else's feelings but her own. Now we have to go in and rescue her and dad," Scott looked up at the castle. "I'll get in there somehow. I promise you that, Roxy."
Mayhem growled as Nash recorded the integration on his lab top, "Is that everything, Trakker?" Matt turned away ashamed and nodded. Mayhem threw a questionable look to Nash, "Are the codes he gave us authentic?"
Nash looked like a giddy computer nerd, "Yeap, we have access to bank accounts, weapon sites, and pretty much anything hooked up to a computer."
Miles paced around the room a bit, "You know it is very foolish to betray your country and commit treason by conspiring with terrorists. A soldier is supposed to die first before revealing anything. This is punishable by life imprisonment or even death. Don't worry; Contra World will give you a fitting execution, along with your agents. Just for old time sake, I'll keep my word, I won't touch your children, but I'll make their lives a living hell, just like you made mine."
Matt threaten, "Don't you even dare, Miles, it's not my fault you are incompetent. You mange to screw up your own plans 9 times out of 10. Most of the time, my men are just there to pick up your mess. I'm well aware what faces me outside this cell, and you haven't won yet, cause my men will never give up on me."
Mayhem reacted with a swift punch into Matt's gut, "You think you're such a hot shot for having the upper hand in the past, well look where you are now and this time NOBODY is going to save you." Mayhem smiled evilly, "Roxanne didn't come back to save you, she came back to work for me."
Matt was growing angry about the conversation, "Stop making up lies."
Mayhem added, "You just hate the fact I know your daughter better then you do. Believe what you will, but she's actually the one who turned you in. I'm sure you remember seeing smoke fill your car, before I shot you out of the sky. I guess your sweet little angel left you a parting gift, one of Rax's homemade smoke bombs." Mayhem laughed at Matt's puzzlement, then him and Nash exited the dungeon.
Matt didn't want to believe it, yet he had to admit it filled in the blanks about what really happened. He recalled her sobbing words 'I'm sorry' just before she fell to his feet. Could she of been regretting, was it an accident, or cold hearted revenge. Matt never judged people so quickly, but Roxanne was difficult to interpret. Her cry could have been an act all along. She turned her back on her family; he should of let her die. Matt shook his head, "What am I thinking? That never even dawn on me. She's my blood, good or bad, she doesn't deserve to be tortured or killed. I'm never going to get thru to her." Matt felt like somebody had just stabbed him deeply in the heart. He wanted so badly to love her and make up for the lost time, that he never considered her a lost cause. Now he was sure she hated him, just like her mother.
Roxanne laid on a bed asleep with her feet and arms tied to its four corners. Lester popped his head into the room taking a quick surveillance of the room. An evil grin appeared on his face, as he realized he was all alone with the love of his life. Lester sat down next to her on the bed and removed his shades, "It's a shame you're not a awake, but I promise to give you a night to remember. I knew you'd come back to me." Lester's hand ran thru her hair, as he moved in closer. His lips locked with hers, yet his kiss was more like a vacuum sucking the life out of her.
Roxanne eyes popped open and nearly bulged out of their sockets once she realized prince ugly standing over her. Her teeth bit down hard on his lip, causing him to jump back in pain. His figures covered over his bleeding lip. She tried to get up, but she was restrained down; therefore she did the only thing she knew how to do. She screamed and yelled at the top of her lungs, "SOMEBODY GET THIS DIP SHIT AWAY FROM ME! HELP!"
She screamed at such a high-pitched voice that Lester had to cover his ears for a moment. He walked over to her and slapped her across the face, "Shut the hell up. You might enjoy this."
Just as Lester was going to move over her Rax, Vanessa, Bruno, and Cliff Dagger broke into the room. Vanessa observed the scene, "What's is meaning of this we were trying to get some sleep."
Roxanne continued to shout, "That bastard is trying to take advantage of me!"
Lester smirked, "Oh please, is this how the brat thanks me for getting her a glass of water? She was just having a nightmare. Yeah, that's it."
Vanessa's eyes narrowed on Lester as she gazed at the gash on his lip, "You know what, Lester, I think you should leave and let me handle this."
Lester threw Roxanne a wicked grin, "Sure thing, Vanessa. I'll just head off to bed."
Lester then left the room with haste. Both Rax and Vanessa exchanged a meaningful glance. It was almost as if they could read one another's mind. Cliff Dagger and Bruno just stood there confused about the situation. Vanessa nodded her head back to Rax and walked over to the bed to loosen Roxanne's restraints. Rax broke the awkward silence, "Come on guys. Let's go catch up with Lester."
Roxanne said upset, "I can't believe you let him off that easy!"
Vanessa undid her hands and feet, "Who said anything about letting him off? You shouldn't have come."
Roxanne looked at her confused, "What else was I suppose to do? I screwed up. I just wanted to take dad home, even if it means prison."
Vanessa shut the door after the guys left the room, "You don't get it do you? After we caught the leader of MASK, Rax couldn't hide your involvement in the plan. It's all fun and games until somebody you love gets hurt. Mayhem knew you'd foolishly try to rescue him, you never did think twice before leaping. You are aware your father told him everything he wanted to know." Roxanne's face was drained of its color. They were expecting her all along. This was a trick just to get her father to spill his secrets. Vanessa added, "I can't complain because you did us a good favor, but I think your conscious is going to eat you alive."
Roxanne pulled her knees to her chest as she sat up, "What's going to happen now?"
Vanessa replied, "Both of you will be taken somewhere more secure. Then your fate is out of our hands."
Roxanne pleaded, "You could let us go."
Vanessa shook her head, "NO can do this time around, the stakes are too high."
As Vanessa left the room, Roxanne buried her head into her knees, "How could I have been so stupid?"
"Hey Lester," Rax shouted with his two closes buddies at his side.
Lester turned around, "Yeah Rax?"
Rax put an arm around his shoulder, "So tell me did you get her?"
Lester laughed, "I was so close this time, at least I know her lips are nice and soft. Next time she won't make so much noise, ah then again she's probably will with." he started to do a poor imitation of Roxy's voice, "Ohhh, Lester, you're the man."
Rax nodded to his friends and stood with his fist clenched tight, "That's what I thought." Both Bruno and Cliff Dagger grabbed a hold of Lester and threw him down the stairs to the dungeon. Lester occasionally squealed in pain as he hit the stone steps on the way down.
It was kind of hard for Matt not to notice a red head rolling down the bottom of the steps at maximum velocity. Rax, Cliff Dagger, and Bruno followed down slowly behind him.
Lester picked himself up and shouted, "Hey, now I didn't do anything to deserve that! Wait 'til Mayhem hears about this!"
Bruno just cracked his knuckles with a smile, as if he'd been waiting for a day like this to come. Rax explained, "What makes you think he's going to come running? He's only going to think Blondie over there is the one screaming."
Lester backed away from the group and his voice showed a hint of terror, "Hey, come on now, we're all friends here, right? I mean, she was asking for it. I mean I didn't even. HEY! Why should you care? The last time you drugged her you said I couldn't lay a finger on her. This time she's not worth jack to you, so if I want to have some fun, as the boss's nephew I'm entitled to it."
"You hear that guys," Rax wanted to burst out laughing, "he's using his uncle for back up. When I said you couldn't touch her I meant if any piece of your body comes in contact with her, I'd personally beat the living crap out of ya."
Lester stood up tall smiling, "Well then, you have no proof that I even touched her." Matt's eyes narrowed on Lester. If he weren't chained to the wall he'd join his own enemies to teach him a lesson he'd never forget.
Cliff Dagger looked to Rax, "You know he's got a point, but just for being in her quarters is good enough for me." Cliff Dagger grabbed Lester's hair and banged his head against the bars of Matt's cell.
Rax added, "After this, I suggest you stay as far away from her as you possibly can. Cause I'd hate to disturb our guest any further." Lester screamed though most of the night, while the three men took turns using him as a punching bag. As Rax predicted, nobody came to investigate the noise.
Matt mostly watched with amusement, yet some of Lester's words stuck out in his mind. It was silly to remember the argument he had with Roxanne a few days ago, but maybe she was telling the truth to begin with. Matt thought, "Rax drugged her, but why would he unless he was going to use her, maybe to get to me? No, Mayhem was too shocked to find out my involvement. The peace summit, she used it as away to get back at me. Yet three of the most ruthless terrorists are protecting her, as if she were one of their own. The question is did she come here for me or did she come back to them."
Roxanne opened her eyes part way, after facing an exhausting day of running away from MASK and her own guilt. Today was going to be another long day to face it all over again. Her worries drifted from her mind, as the sound of the train against the track seems to slowly rock her back to sleep. She pulled the blanket over her head mumbling about sleeping in extra hours. She then panicked when she realized Scott was no longer sleeping next to her. Her eyes popped wide-open, "Scott?"
"What?" he replied sitting on a box examining T-bob's circuits.
She looked about a bit embarrass, "Nothing." She was already on the verge of losing her father; if she lost Scott too she would never forgive herself. Roxanne was starting to realize what a true family meant. A father who loves and cares for you, a brother who is always there and fun to tease, and even that silly robot had some meaning. Roxanne snapped out of her thoughts as she noticed the flashing light on T-bob circuit board, "What's that?"
Scott scratched his head, "I can't shut it off."
Roxanne walked over to take a glance. "Shit, that's a tracking device. T- bob, why didn't you say something?"
T-bob said somewhat embarrassed, "What oh that thing well ah.Bruce kind of rewrote my protocols."
Scott remained puzzled, "No kidding! He wired the tracking device to T- bob's battery. If we mess with that T-bob shuts down completely."
"How about we leave T-bob on the train and we take a different route," Roxanne suggested.
Scott glares at her, "We're not abandoning him."
Roxanne apologized, "I was only joking." She moved to the back of the caboose searching for any sign of Shark, "Well, she's obviously keeping her distance. They probably think I kidnapped you, and I'm going to lead them straight to dad."
Scott attempted to make her feel better, "Well they got half of it right, at lease we know, if we can't save dad they will."
She pondered as she spoke out loud, "That's a big if. As soon as we step off the train or get near VENOM's compound they might jump out and say surprise your under arrest. We don't even know where this train is headed."
"Who cares it was going in our direction. Besides where ever we are now, we're one step closer to dad," Scott said with pride. He picked up his tools and shut T-bob's lid, "Even when the train stops at its final destination, T-bob doesn't have enough juice left in him to carry us the rest of the way."
Roxanne suggested, "Then we hitch a ride."
T-bob crossed his arms, "You know how dangerous hitch hiking is? This one time on that twilight program."
Scott interrupted, "T-bob, you watch way too much crap on TV."
"OK ENOUGH! Were getting off the train," she ordered, "and yes I do have a plan."
T-bob grumbled, "Can't be a very good plan if you think we're seriously going to jump off a moving train."
The three of them stood at the end of the caboose admiring the fast passing scenery. Roxanne's eyes shift to T-bob, "Hey T-bob, since you seem to have the most experience with falling out of moving vehicles this should be a piece of cake."
T-bob turned to face her, "I'll have you know." Just as T-bob broke into his lecture, Roxanne kicked him off the train. "Ahhhhh mommy!" he screamed as he bounced off the grass a few times before coming to a complete halt. Both his arms were over his head and his eyes were rolling around in their sockets.
Both Roxanne and Scott gulped as they watched T-bob in the distance. Roxanne's eyes were wide with disbelief, "I didn't think it was going to be that bad."
Scott insisted, "Ladies first."
"Well what a gentleman," she remarked. "Just be sure you try to tuck and roll." She took a deep breath, "You chicken out I'll definitely coming back to kill you." She took a giant leap from the train. Her body crouched together as she rolled for what seemed to be forever until coming to a complete halt. She stood up cracking her back. "Ouch! I think I hit a rock."
T-bob walked over huffing, "You hit a rock? I think I hit a couple dozen! Look at me I'm dirty, dented, and scratched." He continued to whine, "I'll never look new again."
Roxanne wanted to laugh; yet her eyes looked around concern for her brother. "Scott," she shouted, "where are you?" Scott slowly made his way over the hill waving his hand. She ran over to him smiling, "Wasn't that fun?"
Scott sat down on the grass catching his breath, "Last time I follow you anywhere."
Roxanne smiled, "I'm glad to see you haven't lost your sense of humor." She gave him a hand getting up, "You sure you're up to walking?"
Scott gives her a tuff attitude, "Do I have a choice? Stop worrying about me. Now what's this plan of yours?"
Roxanne ordered T-bob, "Send and S.O.S to Shark."
Scott protested, "I'm fine! Gee I'm not dying."
Roxanne waited for T-bob to send the signal. "No, but you sure the hell better look like it!"
Gloria yawned as she set Shark on auto-drive. She had been driving all night, and what she wouldn't do for a nice hot cup of coffee. Most the time she was worried about the kids. She had hope by now they would reach a dead end and turn themselves in, yet as every hour passed her hope began to fade. The rest of the team left the crash site in Lille and constantly called in for updates. Gloria sighed, "At least they get to take turns getting some Zs." Her teammates were at least a day behind leaving her to chase the teenage runaways by herself. She pondered, "Even if the kids do lead us to VENOM's hide out, I'm not going to have enough fire power to take on a full force." Just as Gloria thought of future strategic moves, she heard T-bob's emergency signal. Gloria admitted she couldn't believe the kids would jump from a moving train, yet they had not moved from their position for a while now. She started to worry again, "I hope they're not injured." Gloria opened all communication frequencies, "Hey guys I'm picking up T-bob's emergency signal. I'm going to move in and check it out."
Dusty warned, "Just be careful it could be a trick."
She reassured them, "I'll do a long range scan of the areas, before I come in contact."
Alex added, "Very well Gloria keep us posted.
Gloria sped up Shark towards the location checking her scanners. "Hmm, nothing out of the ordinary."
T-bob was waving his arms around like a raving lunatic and driving around Scott in a panic, "Help! Help! Gloria help us!"
Scott laid on the ground trying to be completely motionless. Gloria stopped Shark about 20 feet away from the boy and burst out of the car running. She rushed to Scott's side checking his vital signs, yet his unresponsiveness concerned her. She look up at T-bob for answer, "What happened?" T-bob replied, "Roxanne threw him off the train head first."
Gloria shook him. "Scott, wake up hun." Scott continued to remain as still as possible, then he suddenly he stopped breathing. Gloria took off Aura immediately and threw it to the side without thinking twice. She tilted Scott's head back to clear his airways. She then pinched his nose and started to administer CPR.
Meanwhile, Roxanne sneaked up behind Shark and easily slid into the vehicle, since the car door was left wide open. She stared to program coordinates into the computer and lock the weaponry onto Gloria's back. As she nodded to T-bob in the distance, he picked up Aura off the ground.
Scott couldn't help it anymore he opened his eyes smiling and returned a kiss back. Gloria lifted her head up furious, once she felt his tongue in her mouth. She slapped him right across the face, and then suddenly it dawned on her it was set up. She turned around to see Roxanne in Shark's driver seat. Roxanne blew her a kiss as she hit a button sending a fish net right at Gloria. Scott rolled out of the way just in time; Gloria on the other hand was pinned to the ground by the net. She hissed, "Very funny you two let me out. NOW!"
Roxanne walked up to her and knelt down, "We're just going to borrow Shark and take it to. Salzburg, Austria to rescue dad."
Gloria looked into Roxanne eyes and could see the truth in them, "We can help, it's too dangerous for you two."
Roxanne continued, " I made a mistake and I need to correct it. I won't have anyone stop me. I know that net won't hold you very long. Aura is just over that Hill to the South. You can tell your teammates what ever you want; all I'm asking for is a chance. Come on Scott lets get going." Scott had his hand over his cheek, yet he had the biggest smile on his face. Roxanne rolled her eyes, "Oh will you knock that smile off your face lover boy, like you never had mouth to mouth before.
"Ah you not going to tell my dad about this are you?" he blushed as he looked at Gloria. Roxanne grabbed Scott by the arm and dragged him towards the car.
Gloria pleaded to him. "Scott, think about what you're doing?"
Scott answered before shutting the car door, "I have. I'm saving my family. I'm sorry Gloria."
Roxanne drove shark away from Gloria, "Shark pull up navigation system location Salzburg, Austria, and auto-drive." Roxanne doubled checked the navigational system, "Sweet we're only a half a days journey." She glanced over at Scott, "Ok how was it?"
Scott looked dumbfounded, "What? Oh, it was more then I ever dreamed it would be. It was worth getting slapped."
"So you like getting dad's hand me downs," she joked.
Scott defended her, "Hey dad and Gloria were never like that, just friends."
Roxanne snickered, "Sure.so when's the big date." Scott hit her shoulder and Roxanne just laughed it up.
Gloria pulled a knife out of her vest pocket, "I guess I deserve this. Dusty warned me, but I didn't think they'd stoop so low." Gloria cut the net as Shark drove out of range. "Definitely have to talk to Matt about teaching Scott some etiquette towards women. Then again I'll never hear the last of it from the guys. Eh, probably best to let him gloat about it, he's just a teenager after all." After freeing herself she headed over to pick up Aura, "I wonder if I can send a signal to the rest of the team. This is Gloria calling MASK please respond." All she got was static, "Must be out of area. Well better start walking and wait for my ride to show up."
Scott worried as he looked out Shark's back window, "Are we really going to leave her in the middle of nowhere?"
Roxanne sighed, "Fine, I'll tell the guys where they can pick her up. I'm just worried they're going to wring my neck over the line." She put a fake smile on her face and imitated a country trucker over a CB, "This is Shark calling in just to remind you gentlemen to buckle up and pick up your excess baggage along the rail way. Over."
"Uh is that who I think it is?" Brad said trying to identify the disguised voice over the radio.
Dusty said in a threatening voice, "What did you do with Gloria and Scott you little bitch?"
Roxanne's smiled disappeared, "Hey that wasn't nice. I was going to tell you where Gloria is at, but she'll do much better without you lackeys around to bother her."
Buddy scold Dusty, "Will you cool it. You can be as mad as you want with her later. Right now she has a hostage."
Alex ignored Dusty, "Sorry about that you were saying about Gloria."
Roxanne continued before she was rudely interrupted, "You can pick her up at these coordinates I'm transmitting. I suggest you guys hurry. I left a very important message with her."
"How is Scott doing?" Alex added. Roxanne immediately terminated the line after hearing Alex's question.
Scott protested, "Why didn't you let me speak?"
Roxanne confessed, "Cause I don't want them to think your involve. I know Gloria will spill the beans, but I want the blame. Plus you're not gong down just because you're helping me out."
Buddy questioned, "Do we think we can trust this little game she's pulling us into?"
"I think it's wise that we do. For the truth will be known once we reach Gloria," Bruce analyzed.
Alex backed up his long time friend, "You heard Bruce lets see where she's taking us."
It was an hour to sunset, when Roxanne parked Shark in front of a local pub in Salzburg, Austria. Scott looked to her curiously, "You going to ask for information?"
Roxanne shook her head, "Look ahead."
Scott looked to where the sun was setting behind a castle slightly overlooking the town, "You can't be serious? That's too obvious!"
She looked at him with disbelief, "Well it wouldn't be the first time Mayhem picked a palace to call home. Besides," She turned over the piece of paper that had Dagger's orders and handed it to Scott. The paper showed a flier for the museum at the Mauterndorf Castle.
Scott smirked, "Hey, why didn't you show me that earlier."
She shrugged, "You didn't ask, and I kind of like you following my lead. The castle is probably going thru renovations. While Contra World sends in a fix up crew, VENOM can use it for a base. That's why nobody would suspect anything, plus its not even tourist season."
Both of them exited the car once darkness blanketed the sky. Roxanne open Shark's trunk pulling out a bag filled with flashlights, a grappling hook, a flare, and several other usefully items she could savage. As the three of them walked towards the castle T-bob watched the two serious teens. "What's the plan now?"
Roxanne admitted, "There is no plan. We're making this up as we go along. If we fail tonight, MASK will be here tomorrow or at least I hope."
Once they reached the castle, they noticed the security guard at the front gate.
Scott suggested, "Maybe we can distract him with T-bob?"
Roxanne grabbed Scott as he took the first step forward, "NO, are you nuts? That ain't no ordinary security guard. He's a Contra World agent with a machine gun. He's not the only one. Notice all the small lights up on the castle walls. Their definitely keeping dad here, else they wouldn't need the extra security. Maybe we can find a back entrance."
The three moved into the shadows and behind any rock or tree they could find. The castle stood on a high hill and was surrounded by thick forest on three sides. They slowly trekked along the castle wall hoping to find another entrance. They then halted in a shaded corner along the wall disappointed. Roxanne concluded, "Well, Scott looks like we're going to have to take the hard way in." She pointed upwards and pulled the grappling hook out of the bag.
Scott looked at her with disbelief, "You've never used one before. They're going to hear it once it hits the wall."
"Yeah, well I don't see you coming up with any bright ideas. I'll just use it to get myself over the wall. Then I'll help you when the coast is clear. Or I could." Roxanne looked up at the wall. There was only one way in the front or over the wall. Even if she got over the wall, there was no guarantee Scott could make it up after her. Roxanne put the hook back in the bag, "This is a bad idea."
Scott was surprised, "You're backing out?"
Roxanne said with no doubt in her mind, "That's right here T-bob." Instead of handing the bag, she threw it at T-bob, causing him to lose his balance and fall backwards down the hill. He hastily rolled down the steep hill holding the bag. The sound of T-bob bouncing off the ground echoed loudly thru the silent night.
Scott eyes wide with disbelief, "They're going to hear that."
"I know," she acknowledged as she punch Scott in the face and rolled him down the hill after T-bob, into the dark surrounding of the forest. It was only a matter of minutes before the guards headed towards the noise, she just hope Scott and T-bob were completely out of site.
"FREEZE!" she heard as her eyes laid focused on the trees. Roxanne raised her arms in the air and turned around. The two guards on the wall had guns on her, and an a few more appeared on the ground to check the disturbance. One radioed in, "It's just a teenage girl, sir. False alarm." Roxanne could not make out the radio conversation, but she was sure it was Rax on the other end. The guard grabbed her arm and took her inside the front gate.
Rax walked out laughing as he saw whom the guards caught. He crossed his arms, "You know I kind of was expecting you to pop up again. Hey guys, I'll take care of this get back to your post." Rax put an arm around her shoulder, "I knew you had issues, but I never thought you'd turn in your old man."
Roxanne played along, "Well, daddy got just what he deserved. His job is a working hazard after all. I got no place to go and considering I gave you the leader of MASK its only fair I ask for refuge."
Rax nodded with agreement, "I'm sure we can do that. You know, Mayhem would like to have a word with you."
She slightly sweated as the mention of his name. "Uh well can we hold that off until tomorrow. I'm rather tired, I've been on the run for quite some time."
"Sure thing, kiddo. I'll just lead you to one of the guest rooms. Don't get any ideas of sneak'n off, ok?" Rax added.
"Don't worry I won't," she lied as she secretly pulled a set of keys out of his jacket pocket.
Rax lead her into a guest room smiling, "Sleep well, night kiddo."
Once Rax shut the door, she pulled out the keys she had just stolen. "This was too easy," she looked back at the door expecting him to walk back in any minute to retrieve his keys. "Maybe he's losing his touch, and I'm just better then him," she opened the door and notice the hall was completely empty. She kind of wondered if this was all a set up. Roxanne snuck around the inside of the castle, again nobody was in site, "Why would nobody be guarding the inside, maybe it's dinner time?" Roxanne made her way down a spiral staircase leading towards the dungeon. Every step she took it was dawning on her, "This could be a trap. Surely they knew I wouldn't let myself be captured on purpose." Yet once she reached the bottom the thought left her mind completely, as she stared at her father.
Matt's hands were chained to the wall, his face was cut, bruised, and in desperate need of a shave. His once nicely press uniform was ripped, dirty, and stained in blood. She thought with great horror, "What did I do to him?" Roxanne unlocked the cell; with each step her emotions grew stronger causing tears to weld up in her eyes. Matt appeared to be asleep, yet she didn't know if he was sick, knocked out, or just exhausted. Her lips started to quiver as tears started to fall harder down her face. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," she said repeatedly in a shaken voice. She wanted to wrap her arms around him, but she had no right. What sort of daughter condemns her own father to death? She continued to mumble, "It was never suppose to happen like this."
Just then Matt started to recover from Bruno's left hook. At first he thought he was hallucinating. Why would Roxanne be in front of him? "Roxanne?" he asked with confusion. The next thing he heard was a gunshot from across the room. Roxanne's facial expression showed she was in complete shock. Her body fell forward onto Matt, and then slowly fell to the ground crumpling at his feet. Matt's eyes followed her, and then looked up to meet the gaze of a rather amused Miles Mayhem holding a gun.
Miles snickered, "Don't give yourself a seizure Trakker. It's only a tranquilizer gun."
"God damn you Miles let her go!" Matt pulled at his chains even if they wouldn't budge.
Mayhem twitched his mustache as he threw the gun to Rax, "In case you didn't notice, that little brat was trespassing, so I have every right to shoot her. Now," he kicked Roxanne's body over so Matt could get a good look at her face, "I think your going to hand over everything I want to know or else those scars on her back are nothing compared to what I'll give her this time around."
Matt took another glance at Roxanne peacefully lying at his feet and gritted his teeth, "Alright, you win. Just don't hurt her. I'll tell you my agents and the satellite codes."
Mayhem smiled, "See we still can work together as a team. Rax get her out of here and be sure to secure the little punk. This time she better not escape."
Rax removed the keys from Roxanne's hands and picked her up, "Come on sleeping beauty, time to go."
Scott laid on the ground with his hand over his bruised face, "I can't believe she did that!"
T-bob huffed, "I know she thinks she can push us around anyway she pleases. Well once everyone has one look at your face, and they'll know she did it for sure. Then she'll be."
"T-bob, she did it so she could get inside. She never considers anybody else's feelings but her own. Now we have to go in and rescue her and dad," Scott looked up at the castle. "I'll get in there somehow. I promise you that, Roxy."
Mayhem growled as Nash recorded the integration on his lab top, "Is that everything, Trakker?" Matt turned away ashamed and nodded. Mayhem threw a questionable look to Nash, "Are the codes he gave us authentic?"
Nash looked like a giddy computer nerd, "Yeap, we have access to bank accounts, weapon sites, and pretty much anything hooked up to a computer."
Miles paced around the room a bit, "You know it is very foolish to betray your country and commit treason by conspiring with terrorists. A soldier is supposed to die first before revealing anything. This is punishable by life imprisonment or even death. Don't worry; Contra World will give you a fitting execution, along with your agents. Just for old time sake, I'll keep my word, I won't touch your children, but I'll make their lives a living hell, just like you made mine."
Matt threaten, "Don't you even dare, Miles, it's not my fault you are incompetent. You mange to screw up your own plans 9 times out of 10. Most of the time, my men are just there to pick up your mess. I'm well aware what faces me outside this cell, and you haven't won yet, cause my men will never give up on me."
Mayhem reacted with a swift punch into Matt's gut, "You think you're such a hot shot for having the upper hand in the past, well look where you are now and this time NOBODY is going to save you." Mayhem smiled evilly, "Roxanne didn't come back to save you, she came back to work for me."
Matt was growing angry about the conversation, "Stop making up lies."
Mayhem added, "You just hate the fact I know your daughter better then you do. Believe what you will, but she's actually the one who turned you in. I'm sure you remember seeing smoke fill your car, before I shot you out of the sky. I guess your sweet little angel left you a parting gift, one of Rax's homemade smoke bombs." Mayhem laughed at Matt's puzzlement, then him and Nash exited the dungeon.
Matt didn't want to believe it, yet he had to admit it filled in the blanks about what really happened. He recalled her sobbing words 'I'm sorry' just before she fell to his feet. Could she of been regretting, was it an accident, or cold hearted revenge. Matt never judged people so quickly, but Roxanne was difficult to interpret. Her cry could have been an act all along. She turned her back on her family; he should of let her die. Matt shook his head, "What am I thinking? That never even dawn on me. She's my blood, good or bad, she doesn't deserve to be tortured or killed. I'm never going to get thru to her." Matt felt like somebody had just stabbed him deeply in the heart. He wanted so badly to love her and make up for the lost time, that he never considered her a lost cause. Now he was sure she hated him, just like her mother.
Roxanne laid on a bed asleep with her feet and arms tied to its four corners. Lester popped his head into the room taking a quick surveillance of the room. An evil grin appeared on his face, as he realized he was all alone with the love of his life. Lester sat down next to her on the bed and removed his shades, "It's a shame you're not a awake, but I promise to give you a night to remember. I knew you'd come back to me." Lester's hand ran thru her hair, as he moved in closer. His lips locked with hers, yet his kiss was more like a vacuum sucking the life out of her.
Roxanne eyes popped open and nearly bulged out of their sockets once she realized prince ugly standing over her. Her teeth bit down hard on his lip, causing him to jump back in pain. His figures covered over his bleeding lip. She tried to get up, but she was restrained down; therefore she did the only thing she knew how to do. She screamed and yelled at the top of her lungs, "SOMEBODY GET THIS DIP SHIT AWAY FROM ME! HELP!"
She screamed at such a high-pitched voice that Lester had to cover his ears for a moment. He walked over to her and slapped her across the face, "Shut the hell up. You might enjoy this."
Just as Lester was going to move over her Rax, Vanessa, Bruno, and Cliff Dagger broke into the room. Vanessa observed the scene, "What's is meaning of this we were trying to get some sleep."
Roxanne continued to shout, "That bastard is trying to take advantage of me!"
Lester smirked, "Oh please, is this how the brat thanks me for getting her a glass of water? She was just having a nightmare. Yeah, that's it."
Vanessa's eyes narrowed on Lester as she gazed at the gash on his lip, "You know what, Lester, I think you should leave and let me handle this."
Lester threw Roxanne a wicked grin, "Sure thing, Vanessa. I'll just head off to bed."
Lester then left the room with haste. Both Rax and Vanessa exchanged a meaningful glance. It was almost as if they could read one another's mind. Cliff Dagger and Bruno just stood there confused about the situation. Vanessa nodded her head back to Rax and walked over to the bed to loosen Roxanne's restraints. Rax broke the awkward silence, "Come on guys. Let's go catch up with Lester."
Roxanne said upset, "I can't believe you let him off that easy!"
Vanessa undid her hands and feet, "Who said anything about letting him off? You shouldn't have come."
Roxanne looked at her confused, "What else was I suppose to do? I screwed up. I just wanted to take dad home, even if it means prison."
Vanessa shut the door after the guys left the room, "You don't get it do you? After we caught the leader of MASK, Rax couldn't hide your involvement in the plan. It's all fun and games until somebody you love gets hurt. Mayhem knew you'd foolishly try to rescue him, you never did think twice before leaping. You are aware your father told him everything he wanted to know." Roxanne's face was drained of its color. They were expecting her all along. This was a trick just to get her father to spill his secrets. Vanessa added, "I can't complain because you did us a good favor, but I think your conscious is going to eat you alive."
Roxanne pulled her knees to her chest as she sat up, "What's going to happen now?"
Vanessa replied, "Both of you will be taken somewhere more secure. Then your fate is out of our hands."
Roxanne pleaded, "You could let us go."
Vanessa shook her head, "NO can do this time around, the stakes are too high."
As Vanessa left the room, Roxanne buried her head into her knees, "How could I have been so stupid?"
"Hey Lester," Rax shouted with his two closes buddies at his side.
Lester turned around, "Yeah Rax?"
Rax put an arm around his shoulder, "So tell me did you get her?"
Lester laughed, "I was so close this time, at least I know her lips are nice and soft. Next time she won't make so much noise, ah then again she's probably will with." he started to do a poor imitation of Roxy's voice, "Ohhh, Lester, you're the man."
Rax nodded to his friends and stood with his fist clenched tight, "That's what I thought." Both Bruno and Cliff Dagger grabbed a hold of Lester and threw him down the stairs to the dungeon. Lester occasionally squealed in pain as he hit the stone steps on the way down.
It was kind of hard for Matt not to notice a red head rolling down the bottom of the steps at maximum velocity. Rax, Cliff Dagger, and Bruno followed down slowly behind him.
Lester picked himself up and shouted, "Hey, now I didn't do anything to deserve that! Wait 'til Mayhem hears about this!"
Bruno just cracked his knuckles with a smile, as if he'd been waiting for a day like this to come. Rax explained, "What makes you think he's going to come running? He's only going to think Blondie over there is the one screaming."
Lester backed away from the group and his voice showed a hint of terror, "Hey, come on now, we're all friends here, right? I mean, she was asking for it. I mean I didn't even. HEY! Why should you care? The last time you drugged her you said I couldn't lay a finger on her. This time she's not worth jack to you, so if I want to have some fun, as the boss's nephew I'm entitled to it."
"You hear that guys," Rax wanted to burst out laughing, "he's using his uncle for back up. When I said you couldn't touch her I meant if any piece of your body comes in contact with her, I'd personally beat the living crap out of ya."
Lester stood up tall smiling, "Well then, you have no proof that I even touched her." Matt's eyes narrowed on Lester. If he weren't chained to the wall he'd join his own enemies to teach him a lesson he'd never forget.
Cliff Dagger looked to Rax, "You know he's got a point, but just for being in her quarters is good enough for me." Cliff Dagger grabbed Lester's hair and banged his head against the bars of Matt's cell.
Rax added, "After this, I suggest you stay as far away from her as you possibly can. Cause I'd hate to disturb our guest any further." Lester screamed though most of the night, while the three men took turns using him as a punching bag. As Rax predicted, nobody came to investigate the noise.
Matt mostly watched with amusement, yet some of Lester's words stuck out in his mind. It was silly to remember the argument he had with Roxanne a few days ago, but maybe she was telling the truth to begin with. Matt thought, "Rax drugged her, but why would he unless he was going to use her, maybe to get to me? No, Mayhem was too shocked to find out my involvement. The peace summit, she used it as away to get back at me. Yet three of the most ruthless terrorists are protecting her, as if she were one of their own. The question is did she come here for me or did she come back to them."