Into the Belly of the Beast
Genomex...
The lab was rather dark, just as Willow remembered it, except for a single light that shone down on her. She scrunched her eyes in response and tried to move. Struggling against the restraints, she tried to use her feral powers to break them.
"Don't bother wasting your energy. The restraints are designed to hold people of your...abilities. Your struggle will just make it more difficult for you." Eckhart stepped out from the darkness, satisfied that Willow was back were she belonged.
Willow said nothing but continued to stare at Eckhart. Her eyes flashed red as she continued to struggle against her restraints, snarling at Eckhart. "Now Ms. Fox, is that anyway to treat your family?"
"Family?! Huh, you're no family. You ruined my life! I'll never work for you, you hear me?!" Eckhart turned his back on her and walked away. "NEVER!"
As he left the room, he turned to the scientist observing. "Administer the xenocium as soon as possible."
The Double Helix..."We're directly over Genomex," Emma said looking at the others.
"Go to stealth mode and land us just beside the complex," Adam said.
The Helix disappeared from view. As soon as the Helix landed, Shalimar immediately rose from her seat and walked towards the ramp.
"Shalimar! Wait! I know you itching to go in there, but we go in as a team," Adam stepped in front of her. Shalimar looked at him and sighed in defeat. Adam looked at the others, "Should you guys be detected, Emma and Brennen will be the decoy, while you and Jesse search for Willow. Matt and I will stay here and monitor your positions from here."
Mattius stood up. "Wait! I'd like to go along." They all turned to him. "She's my friend and I'd like to help her."
Adam nodded, "Alright, I watch your back. Keep the channel open, I'll keep an eye on you guys from here."
They ran down the ramp towards Genomex. Coming to the side of the building, Jesse went to the front of the pack and phased the wall, allowing the others to pass through. Taking a final look around, he followed.
"You guys are in the clear. No guards around. Shalimar, Willow's in a room on the other side of the building. Emma and Brennen, you're the backup, if Shalimar, Matt and Jesse get in trouble, the two of you will draw guards away." Adam spoke through the com rings.
"Okay guys, we've got your back." Brennen walked up to Shalimar and put a hand on her shoulder. "Be careful."
She looked in his eyes and nodded. "You too."
Brennen looked on as the others disappeared out of sight. Emma gave him a small grin as he shook his head.
"Okay, Shalimar your gonna make a right at the next corridor. Your gonna take the second door down that hall." They quickly made their way, following Adam's directions to the door. "Okay you're in the clear. The nearest guard is 50 feet away. There are two guards around Willow's location, but the path is clear. Be as quiet as you can and this should be a walk in the park."
"That shouldn't be a problem." Shalimar looked around as the three of them entered the door Adam referred.
"Alright proceed to the second level down and within about twenty feet, you should come to another door. You'll wanna go through that, but be careful, there are two guards just around the corner and any noise made will tip 'em off."
Jesse turned to the two of them and smiled. "Don't worry, I'll handle this." Jesse phased through the wall. Peeking through, Jesse remained phased looking for the guard's exact location. Pulling himself back through the wall. He positioned himself in the area of the guards and re-phased through the wall. Grabbing the two guards, he butted their heads, knocking them out. Shalimar and Matt waited, when Jesse opened the door. "Like I said, it's all taken care of."
They ran into the joining hallway and approached another door. "This must be it."
"You guys don't have a lot of time. There are agents heading in your direction, so make it quick. Brennen, Emma, we might need you, move in."
"We're on our way," Emma replied, as the two of them ran further into the building.
Inside the lab...Having used a lot of her energy in a frivolous attempt to escape, Willow fell asleep. Having heard the door open, she opened her eyes and turned to see Shalimar and Mattius coming into the room.
A sense of relief and disbelief went through as they approached her. "Shalimar! Matt!"
Shalimar kissed her forehead and quickly released her restraints. "Hey, you alright?"
"Yeah." She looked at her. "You came for me. Why did you come for me?"
"I promised you I wouldn't let them have you. I always keep promises to my friends." Shalimar extended her hand.
Willow smiled and took her hand, as Shalimar helped her up. "When this is all over, you and I have something to talk about."
Willow looked at her in wonder and nodded.
Voice from the hallway called into the room. "Hurry up guys, we're gonna have company."
Holding Willow's hand, Shalimar led her and the others into the corridor. Brennen and Emma met them halfway, just as a group of GSA agents spotted them making a break for it.
Brennen and Mattius shot back at the agents allowing the others to get Willow away from the commotion.
"Brennen! Matt! Come on!" Shalimar looked back, seeing the distance growing between them.
Brennen glanced back towards them and looked at Mattius. "Come on."
Mattius fired of two more fireballs, taking out a bunch of approaching agents and turned to join the others.
"Jesse! We're gonna need a quick exit!" Brennen shouted.
"One exit coming right up!" Jesse phased out the wall and waited as the others passed through.
"Adam! We're on our way! Fire up the bird!" Brennen shouted as they approached the cloaked Helix. The engines fired up as the ramp dropped and everyone boarded just as a handful of GSA agents came bursting outside, firing their weapons. The Helix ramp closed and took off into the night, leaving Genomex in its dust.
Adam approached Shalimar and Willow, noticing she was slightly disorientated. "You okay?" He put his hand on her back.
She looked at him and nodded. "Yeah, just feeling a little woozy." Looking up at them, she shook her head. "Thanks, I don't know what would've happened if you guys hadn't come for me."
Adam smiled. "We're just glad your okay."
"I am now." She looked at Shalimar and felt a profound sense of relief.
"Jesse, bring the Sanctuary's main frame back on line. I think it's time we went home." Adam sat in his chair, silently thank God, for the incredible hand they'd been dealt.
"I'm on it. It's gonna be good to get home." Jesse smiled. "Okay, systems back online."
"Well done guys. And we have Willow to thank for a lot of it." Adam turned to a now blushing Willow. Shalimar and the others nodded in agreement.
"You rock, Willow," Mattius smiled at Willow.
Willow laughed and shook her head. "Thanks Matt."
End of Chapter 8
Nope, not over yet. We still have one important matter to take care of. Please review my story and let me know what y'all think.