Chapter 4
The girls chatted lightly about the success of the mission on the plane ride back to Los Angeles. Alex told them about how she had gone out to the van for more Windex when the alarm went off, and thus escaped first. They traded the different stories they'd concocted to keep the staff in the dark, and Sam and Alex laughed hard at Clover's increasingly elaborate lies.
"Well, first I told them that I wasn't really interested in anyone there, which was a lie because there was this one really cute guy who kept flirting with me."
"He didn't happen to be a little shorter than me with blonde hair did he?" asked Jacob from the back of the cabin.
"Yeah, how did you know?"
"That was Gary. He was a counterspy working against me a few months ago. I ended up nearly killing us both, and we've sort of had a major rivalry since then.
"You two have a run-in at the embassy?"
"Yeah, but I gave him the slip."
"Anyway, where was I? Oh, right. So like, this Gary person keeps coming back. He's really nice, complimenting my cleaning –"
"He said you were doing a terrible job."
"Why that no-good little…anyway, I started with me being so poor I have to hold that and another job to pay my expenses, and ended up saying I was a teenage bride and my husband and myself could barely afford to live in the city but I loved him anyway so I wasn't interested in any other men."
"I guess I was lucky then," said Alex through her laughter. "The guys on the third floor were really nice, but weren't creeps like that guy. Too bad I'll probably get arrested if I ever try and visit them! How about you, Sammie? Any guys giving you the eye?"
"Well, there weren't many people at all on the fourth floor."
"Aww, poor Sammie. No one to pay any attention to her!"
"Shut up." Sam crossed her arms and glared at the others as they laughed.
The plane cruised over brilliant white clouds and endless plains stretching into blue infinity. Jacob relaxed in the back, content to let his mind wander and stare at the clouds. After a few minutes, Sam turned around and asked, "Hey, what was in the data you found?"
"Details on the terrorist we're after."
"How much did you find?"
"More than enough to bring him in." Sam noticed a shadow briefly pass over his face.
"That's a relief," said Alex. "The sooner LA's out of danger the better."
"It won't be easy. From what little I read of the file, this guy is good. Real good."
"Surely the four of us can handle it," said Clover. "WOOHP's best super-spies and the NSA's best agent? He doesn't stand a chance!"
"I hope you're right, Clover. This guy is extremely dangerous. I wouldn't be surprised if you find this guy's in a class all by himself."
The flight continued in silence for a while after that. Jacob had just decided to take a nap when Sam spoke up.
"So, how long have you been an agent?"
"Well, I've been working for the government since I was fourteen, and I've been with the NSA for four years. I keep forgetting that I started when I was your age."
"Why did you start so early?" Clover asked. "Jerry never recruits anyone under sixteen."
"It's a long, sad story Clover, and I'm not at liberty to tell you most of it."
"What's "not at liberty" mean?"
"It's classified information, and you don't have the clearance to know it."
"Oh. So, what kind of things do you do?"
"Most of that's classified as well."
"Then what can you tell us?" asked Sam.
"I will tell you that I've broken more international treaties and agreements than I can keep track of. I've taken apart drug rings, busted smuggling operations, stolen sensitive information from most of the major world powers, fought clandestine wars, man, what haven't I done?"
"Geez, you're a threat to world peace," remarked Clover.
"Heh, yeah, that's why they keep me on such a short leash." The girls wondered what exactly he meant, and then Jacob turned to Sam. "You put that disk up, right?"
"Yeah, it's in the strong box." The strong box was a reinforced titanium cabinet in the back of the plane. Should the plane go down, it would be one of the few things to survive.
"Good. Let's concentrate on lighter things for the time being, shall we?"
Clover yawned. "Or we could try getting some sleep that we didn't get last night."
Jacob yawned. "Yeah, we could do that."
Alex yawned. "That sounds like a great idea. I'm tired."
Sam yawned. "That sounds like the best plan I've heard all day."
They all slept the rest of the way to Los Angeles.
Metro Train Station – The Next Day – 9:40 am
"Are you sure this is the best plan?"
"MacDonald, this is the best shot we've had so far at nabbing this guy."
"I don't like it. He uses one of his known aliases in a series of easily traced transactions, and then he takes the train? It sounds like a trap."
"It's the first and best chance we've had this whole case. If it is a trap, we'll have to risk it. We just can't pass up an opportunity like this. We may not get another one."
"I understand how you feel, but please be extremely careful. You know this guy better than I do, and I have a plenty good idea what he's capable of."
"We'll be careful." Jacob turned the communicator off. It sat in the center console like a cell phone in a charger. Alex and Sam sat in the back, while Jacob drove and Clover sat in the passenger seat. They were parked near the station, waiting for the terrorist.
Jacob pressed a button on the unit and the LCD display on the dashboard lit up. Sam and Alex leaned in to look at it from the back seat. "This is the guy we're after. His name's Stephen Kiereig, age forty-seven. He made the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before the new Russian government axed him after the Soviet Union collapsed. He was known as a brilliant tactician and excels in combat with firearms of all types. Also proficient in a little-known martial art form the KGB invented, making him dangerous at any range. Apparently he was in charge of security at a nuclear weapons facility towards the end of his career, which would explain why he was able to invade it and steal the warhead."
"He knew the place well, so it made the job easy, huh?" said Clover.
"Exactly. Combine that with the fact that the facility had changed little in 15 years and you get a recipe for disaster."
Their earphones crackled as one of the other agents came on. "The suspect is moving down Metro Avenue on foot."
Jacob touched his earpiece. "Roger that. Keep us informed."
A minute passed and the mikes came on again. "Suspect is approaching the station right on schedule."
They had parked in the back to keep out of sight. Jacob removed his gun and said, "Check your weapons. We're moving in." They all made sure their guns were ready to fire and holstered them underneath their jackets. They got out as another report came in. "Suspect has entered the station."
They left the car and entered the station. They walked quickly and calmly to the west wing and headed down to the platforms. Jacob showed the guard his badge and the guard turned off the metal detector to let them through. Another report came on. "Suspect has entered the platforms. He's heading for the train as expected."
The suspect's train was at the other end of the platforms. They hurried across and were almost there when the agent said, "Suspect has boarded train."
"Copy that. Over and out." The station was full of people, and the four of them pushed their way through the crowds as fast as they could. Alex checked her watch.
"Two minutes!"
Jacob swore and redoubled his pace. The girls picked up the pace and knifed their way through the crowds. Clover wondered where so many people came from so suddenly. Alex though it might be an omen. Sam tried to follow Jacob. Jacob never took his eyes off the train.
They reached the train just as the last boarding call went out. Jacob touched his earpiece. "Which car did he enter?"
The other agent came on. "He went into the center car. He's probably moved toward one end of the train."
"Roger that." Jacob removed his earpiece. "Take off your communicators. We don't want to cause a panic."
They jumped onto the train just as the doors closed. Jacob showed his badge to the conductor. "We believe a terrorist is on board this train."
"What do you need us to do?" asked the elderly conductor.
"If you see anything suspicious, tell us immediately. But don't let the passengers know, whatever you do."
"Right." The conductor left the car and the train began to move.
"Which way did he go?" asked Alex.
"I don't know. He's still on the train, and there are only two directions. You three head that way," he indicated the forward-moving end, "and I'll go this way." He indicated the other direction. "Above all, don't underestimate this guy." He started to exit the car when Sam stopped him.
"Jacob, do you know this guy?"
mission. We proceed as planned." With that he left.
"Well, let's go." Said Sam.
They turned to the left and started moving up the train. The passengers paid them little attention as they walked up the aisles. They looked over each and every passenger, but none matched the portrait they saw in the car. When they reached the end of the first car, they asked the conductor if he saw anything, but he reported that all was normal. They continued up the second car, which was packed with passengers. It took them a long time to check each and every one, but they found no one resembling the suspect. They moved to the end of the car, passed through it without any luck, and then found him walking down the aisle in the fourth car.
He was a tall man, and well built under his trench coat and suit. His dark hair was speckled with flecks of gray, and he walked calmly and deliberately, like he was waiting for something to happen. The girls didn't need to see his face to know this was their man. They drew their guns simultaneously and pointed them at Stephen.
"Stephen Keireig, you are under arrest for suspected terrorist activity." Said Sam "Put your hands behind your head and come with us!"
Stephen stopped and turned around enough to look over his shoulder. His steel-blue eyes froze the spies to the spot, and they felt that this was the last place on earth they wanted to be.
"So, you're the underlings they sent to arrest me?" He stared at them for a moment. "I'd heard they used children these days, but I didn't think the rumors were true." His voice made him sound even more threatening, like that of a man who sees no distinction between life and death.
"Yeah, we're here to bring you in.," said Clover. "We're not about to let you get away with your sick little scheme."
"Let me? You can't stop me. None of you can."
"Huh?" said Alex.
"Between the four of you, only he has the skill to stop me. This much I know."
"You're not making any sense." Said Sam. "There's three of us and one of you. You're kind of outnumbered."
"It's not a question of numbers, my dear." He turned to face them. "The simple fact is you are children and he is a man. This fight is between men."
That remark put Clover over the edge. "All right, buddy! We're here to take you in, now give it up!"
"All right then." He put one foot back. "Come on, try and arrest me."
Clover accepted the challenge and launched herself over the seats, stepped across the headrests and lunged at Stephen with her right foot. Stephen stepped back to avoid the kick, and Clover landed and followed up with a series of punches and kicks, and Stephen blocked every single one with ease. The narrow aisle only permitted one person to fight him at a time, so Alex and Sam stayed back, not sure what to do since Clover was in their line of fire. Clover threw another punch, which Stephen dodged and grabbed in an iron grip with his left hand. He hit Clover in the stomach with his other hand; backhanded her across the face, and his third punch launched her down the aisle. Her head clipped a seat as she went down, and she knelt on the floor clutching her head in pain.
"Is that the best you've got? What's wrong with you two?" he asked Sam and Alex. "You've had your guns on me this whole time and you haven't fired a shot. As long as you hesitate to fire you'll never be as good as he is."
"Who are you talking about?" asked Sam.
"Isn't it obvious? The man with no life of his own? The man who's every form of identity is tied to the government? The man with the killer instinct whom you've been working with?"
"Jacob? What do you mean "killer instinct?"
He grinned. "Hmph, I guess he hasn't shown it to you yet. It's the one thing that will always separate him from you three."
His gun was out so fast that Sam didn't notice until the bullet has already passed her head. "Take cover!" She and Alex dove behind the seats as Stephen fired three more shots as he retreated down the car. The passengers ducked and started screaming, and they ran towards the back once Stephen was gone. Sam and Alex got up to chase him, but the flood of passengers hindered their progress. Once they were gone, Alex bent down to check Clover.
"Clover, are you alright?"
She was still holding her head and was starting to stand up. Alex helped her up, but Clover was still unsteady, so Sam told her to sit down and wait for them. Clover sat down in a seat while Alex and Sam ran for the next car.
Stephen was waiting for them and fired just as the door opened. Sam and Clover ducked aside and then rolled into the car. Stephen was heading down the aisle amid the confused passengers, and turned and fired three more shots when the girls tried to rush him. One of the passengers snapped and ran from his seat toward the back of the car. The other passengers suddenly thought this was a good idea, and they started panicking and rushing for the back. The girls tried to force their way through them, but there were too many people in such a small space. Stephen stood at the front of the car, smiling at the panic he'd caused. He hadn't shot anyone yet, even though he wanted to. He decided he would receive enough punishment in hell after nuking Los Angeles.
The seats were empty except for a girl frozen to her seat with fear. Alex and Sam stayed behind their cover in the back. They saw the girl and noticed she looked about their age. They beckoned her to come to the back of the car once Stephen turned around and started for the door. The girl swallowed, climbed from her seat, and started running to the girls. Stephen spun around and fired two more shots. The first one hit a seat, but the second found its mark. The girl's shoulder exploded in a spray of red, and she fell. The girls saw Stephen reload his gun and leave the car.
They ran to the girl, who was clutching her wounded shoulder and crying. Sam made a decision. "Alex, stay here and take care of her!"
"What? How?"
"Bandage her shoulder and stop the bleeding!"
"Sam, you're the biologist! You stay!"
Sam didn't hear the last part. Her mind was so clouded with anger she couldn't hear much at all. She held her gun with both hands and ran after Stephen. Alex feared for Sam. She'd never seen such a look on her friend's face. Something wasn't right with her. She turned her attention to the wounded girl. Blood was everywhere, and her shoulder was still bleeding. The girl looked at Alex with eyes full of fear and pain.
"It's okay, we're here to help." She said in a soothing tone. Alex found a first aid kit beneath one of the seats and started bandaging the wound.
Sam emerged into the empty car with her gun ready and found Stephen pointing his gun at her from the other end. She dove behind the seats as he started firing, and she raised the gun over the seat and fired a few rounds at Stephen's direction. When she stopped, she heard him speak again.
"Good job, you've finally fired your gun at me. But you're going to have to face me if you want to hit me."
Sam was breathing hard and she was furious as ever. "Shut up, you murderous lunatic!"
"Ooh, anger! How unprofessional! You'll never beat me if you can't control your emotions in battle, child."
Sam rolled out, fired down the aisle, and then dove forward behind a row of seats. Stephen responded with another volley of bullets, and then Sam heard a metallic chink that made her uneasy. She took a deep breath, stepped into the aisle with her gun ready, and froze. Stephen held a grenade in one hand, his fingers holding down the lever, which held the firing cap in place. The pin dangled from the middle finger of his left hand.
"Too late, child. You shoot me and I drop the grenade. Don't shoot and I might drop it anyway. Either way, you lost your chance to stop me."
Sam was speechless. He wouldn't drop it, would he? There's no way off this train, and we're already way outside the city.
"This is a battle between men. Children shouldn't get involved." He dropped the grenade at his feet and kicked it down the aisle. Sam turned and sprinted back to the door and hit the floor once she was in the other car. She heard the grenade explode and felt the train shudder from the blast. She felt the train buckle beneath her and her screams became indistinguishable from the screeching metal grinding against itself and twisting out of shape. Everything after that was a blur.
Sam!
Sam!
Sam!
Sam!
Sam!
Sam!
Wake up!
up!
up!
up!
up!
up!
We're not finished yet!
Yet!
Yet!
Yet!
Yet!
Yet!
Sam? Sam!
Sam!
Sam!
Sam!
Sam!
Sam!
Sam felt something cold on her face. Then she noticed it was wet. Her senses slowly coagulated back into their original states. The swirls and spots she saw slowed and congealed into an image of Jacob kneeling next to her with a bottle of water. She noticed that the air reeked of oil and smoke and dust. She felt the hard, uncomfortable surface beneath her. Jacob poured more water on her face, and she sputtered and coughed and sat up.
"Whew, thank God you're alright!"
Her vision improved quickly, and she noticed that the car was on its side. The lights were out and dust and debris were everywhere. She noticed that Jacob and her were covered in dust and scratches, plus her jacket was torn in several places. She tried to speak, but no words came from her throat.
"Here, drink some water." Jacob handed her the bottle, but her hands were shaking so violently Jacob had to hold the bottle while she drank. After a few mouthfuls, she found she could talk again.
"Wh-what happened?"
"The train derailed."
"Wh-where were y-you?"
"I was halfway back up the train when it derailed. I just got here."
"What about the others?" Her voice had calmed down and her hands were shaking less.
"Alex is over there with that girl." He indicated the other end of the car where the girl was helping Alex sit up. The girl's shoulder was bandaged and her arm was in a makeshift sling, but the bandages were already turning red. Alex got up and they noticed she had a bad cut over one eye.
Jacob got up and walked over to them. He checked Alex's cut first and then the girl's arm. "It's still bleeding. We'll have to redo the bandages." Clover stepped through the sideways door. The side of her face was bruised and she had minor abrasions like the rest of them, but she was fine otherwise. "Clover, go take care of Alex's cut and make sure Sam's okay. I'll take care of this one." The girl winced as he started unwinding the bandages.
"Did I not do it right?" Alex asked, still dazed from the crash.
"No, you did a good job. The bandages weren't on tight enough, that's all. Hand me that first aid kit." Alex handed him the kit and he removed an alcohol swab, a patch, and cut a length of gauze and handed them to Clover. "Here, patch up Alex and go check on Sam." He removed another swab and cleaned the wound on the girl's shoulder before wrapping the bandages back on. Clover tended to Alex.
"You okay?" She too sounded distant.
"Yeah, I've been hurt worse playing soccer."
Sam felt the strength returning to her legs, and eased herself up and walked over to the others, using the seats as supports. "Where's Stephen?"
Jacob sighed. "Got away." He sounded calm, but Sam caught the furious undertones in his answer.
"I…I'm sorry."
He looked up at her. "Don't be. You guys were just unlucky and got in way over your heads. I should be the one apologizing for splitting us up." Jacob reclined against the seats and heaved a great sigh.
After a period of nervous silence, the girl spoke up. "Who are you people?"
Clover was about to answer, but Jacob cut her off. "No one. We don't exist, and we'd appreciate it if you forget we were even here." With that he got up and climbed out of the train.
Clover watched him leave, gave the girl a frustrated look, and then climbed out after him. Sam and Alex helped the girl up and they climbed out of the train after Jacob and Clover. They climbed out through the hole the grenade had blasted open and surveyed the damage. Most of the cars were lying on their sides at various angles, and some had clustered up in the wreck. People were standing on and beside the cars, helping others climb out. Jacob sat at the edge of the car, and Clover was giving him a tongue-lashing.
"She's just a teenager, though! And she's not even a spy like the rest of us! She's been shot and been in a train wreck! How on earth can you be so mean to her?"
"Don't you see this is bigger than that?" snapped Jacob. "Think about it! Stephen is target number one. He knows the location of the bomb, who's working for him, where his funds came from, and when he's going to set the bomb off! Our little SNAFU may have just handed everyone in LA the death sentence!" The last sentence hit like a hammer, and everyone fell into a deep silence. Clover stood back and thought about his words. Jacob stared off across the plain. The four spies felt like the world was on their shoulders now. All the girls wanted to do now was go back home. They didn't want to be part of this scheme anymore.
At length Jacob spoke up. "I've already sent for a lift. They'll be here in a couple of minutes." He looked back in the direction of the city, where a small dot was moving and getting closer.
"What about all these people?" asked Alex.
"They'll have to wait for EMS to get here. Nobody's hurt too bad as far as I know, besides her." He glanced at the girl. "What's your name, anyway?"
"Lana." Replied the girl.
"Lana, we're about to leave. I want you to go wait for the EMS with the other passengers. Remember, we were never here."
"Okay." Replied Lana.
Jacob slid off the car to the ground and turned around with his arms out. "Jump down Lana. I'll catch you!"
Lana looked cautiously down at Jacob, and then looked at the girls, who assured Lana he'd catch her. Lana stepped off the train, and winced when her shoulder was jarred when Jacob caught her. He set her down and motioned the girls to follow him. He then checked Lana's bandages one more time before sending her down the line of wrecked cars. The girls lightly hopped down from the train and they all walked out into the field and stopped two hundred feet from the wreck. The outline of the helicopter was quite visible now and getting closer.
Jacob turned to the girls. "I've decided to give you all a choice. You can either stay with this mission until the end, or you can step out now. I'm giving you a chance to walk away from this whole thing, and I'm going to hold you to whatever decision you make. If you decide to walk away, you will no longer be part of this mission, and any further involvement will be considered interfering with the operation and will be dealt with as such. If you decide to stay on, you must see the operation to completion or until you die, whichever comes first. I'll give you until 0700 tomorrow to make your decision."
The grass rippled as the helicopter descended. It carried the WOOHP markings, but seemed no less inviting. They boarded the helicopter and it lifted off into the cloudy sky to carry the tired spies back to the city.