Chapter 10 – On The Run

A/N:  Want to thank my little angel for beta reading for me and making this flow so much better.  Don't forget to tell me what you think.  : )

~ ~  ~

"No…are you crazy!"

"Oh come on," Mole whined, "I just got it and haven't had a chance to use it yet."

Alec found himself again trying to shuffle away from Mole.  In his mind this was happening all too often. 

"No, no, no.  You are…not…using…the knife I got you…on…me.  No!"  Alec's words came in huffs as he struggled.

Grabbing Alec's pants leg Mole halted any progress Alec made.  Not that he was making much progress given his injuries.  "Look, it's nice and sharp.  A quick slice, a little jab and I can pop that baby right outta there.  Don't move." In one quick stroke he sliced the pant leg open at the point of the bullet's entry.

"Ah…stop!"  Alec's voice had risen an octave at the sight of a special forces knife coming so close to…well so close.  His hand blurred forward and grabbed Mole's wrist.  "I said no!" 

Mole stared at the pale face so determined to stop his particular style of field medicine.   Narrowing his eyes slightly, he shifted them slowly from Alec's face to the hand that held his wrist and back up again.  Chewing the stogie in his mouth he took a moment to contemplate just how far he thought he could go.   Shrugging his shoulders, he decided enough was enough, "You're so easy," and smiled.

Alec blinked.

"You can let go, pretty boy.  We'll do it your way and use that toothpick you call a pocketknife."

A nervous laugh escaped Alec's lips as he slumped back in relief.  

Mole retrieved Alec's pocketknife and began to ready himself for what was to come.

"It's all your fault you know," Mole said, "Can't help taking advantage of an X-5 sap." 

Alec lifted his head and stared at him dumbfounded.   Ignoring the fact that Mole had flipped a lighter open and begun sterilizing the knife.

"Sap?"

With the 'toothpick' now poised above the wound, Mole swallowed hard as he began to probe it. "Well I didn't used to think so, but you've been awful easy lately." 

"Well yeah!…after being shot…ugh…several times…uh…fal…falling out a a…window…and…Oh God!…losing…mmmmost of…of…my blood…Geez! What are…you do…doing in there?"

Mole glanced quickly at Alec's sweat soaked face.  He didn't think the boy could get any paler.  He was wrong.

"Damn bullet's wedged against the bone," Mole grunted,  "Hang on."

The scream that erupted from Alec was something Mole would never forget as the bullet finally broke free and came out with ease.  By this time Alec's breathing was coming in short labored gasps and his body trembled.  Mole wanted nothing better than to stop, but he wasn't through.  This would need cauterized if they were going to be able to move again and he still needed to check his other injuries. 

"Do me a favor?" Mole asked, "Why don't you pass out, so I don't have to listen to your pansy assed moans and groans?"

Alec turned a wry smile toward Mole. "Kay," came Alec's shaky reply and Mole watched with trepidation as his friend's head lolled to the side and his body went limp.

"Shit! You weren't supposed to be so willing," Mole sighed and reached over to check his pulse.  It was fast and he felt hot to the touch, a good indication of the toll the last day's adventure had taken and his body's efforts to heal.  

Mole lifted the lighter to the knife once again and did the deed once it was red hot.  Alec never flinched. 

~ ~ ~

McKinley's motorcade slowly pulled up to the warehouse, where their so-called elite were housed during this operation, an operation, which should have been an easy mission of eliminating the threat of 452.  After all, they were superior in every way.   Instead of the expected victory, he was now faced with having to deal with their complete failure.  Ironically, his arrival seemed to coincide with the return of Thula and what was left of her team.  McKinley watched with growing anger from behind tinted windows as they limped in carrying their wounded and dead.  Watching this sad procession was like a thorn in the side.    Stepping out of the limo, he was immediately surrounded by his guards.  As one they moved inside the warehouse.

Thula turned at the sound of footsteps.  Recognizing who it was, she immediately lowered herself to one knee, her eyes down in shame.  The rest of her team, who were able, mimicked her actions. 

McKinley approached and reached down with his hand.  Lightly touching Thula's chin, he coaxed her head up until she was looking directly at him.  The contempt on his face was very evident and he wanted her to see it.  This group of their elite had proved inferior.  There was only one option.  The Senator let go of her face and turned to leave.  Two of the guards turned with him.  The third stepped up, reached inside his jacket, removed his gun and systematically shot each member of their so-called elite. 

When the sound of gunfire had died down and his man had returned, McKinley pulled out his cell phone to make a call.

"It's done."

Severing the connection, he calmly sat back, brushing off his coat and signaled his driver to go.   He needed to get to the command post and take control of the situation before White did something stupid.  He too would pay for his incompetence. 

~ ~ ~

Brooks drove as quickly as he dared to the location Clemente had indicated.  As he pulled up to the scene, his mouth fell open at the intense activity that seemed to be going on.  Teams of Special Ops soldiers moved in very deliberate directions.  It was obvious to him that they were spreading out to specific points to enter the tunnels, while others were taking up strategic points around the perimeter.  In the center of it all was Ramon giving orders to Cooper's team.  'Where the hell was Cooper?' Brook's mind wondered.

He couldn't be bothered with trying to figure it out, things had just become more complicated with the arrival of McKinley.  Stepping out of the car, he stood and waited while Clemente finished with the team and watched as they dispersed. 

Clemente caught his eye and moved to join him.

"I know you didn't just show up here to see what was going on."

Brooks looked around and sighed, "We have a new ingredient in the mix.  McKinley arrived in town not more than an hour ago."

Brooks was surprised at the colorful string of words that issued forth from his superior.  It was way beyond anything he'd ever heard before and he wondered at the origin of some of the words.  

Clemente rubbed a hand across his face in an effort to gain some insight into what he needed to do.

But really there was nothing he could do on his own with this turn of events.  Turning abruptly from Brooks he moved swiftly toward Colonel Foster.

"Follow me Brooks," he commanded.

Colonel Foster was rapidly talking over his com system and then gave Gamble his final orders.

"Once your team is in place, leave them in the command of your second.  I want you to go high, my gut tells me that whatever is going to happen will be swift and I need to be sure we have total control of the situation and area."

"Yes Sir." 

Clemente watched patiently as Gamble left at a jog toward his position. 

"Colonel we need to talk."

"I'm a bit busy right now, Clemente."

"A situation has arisen that you need to be aware of before you proceed."

"A situation?"

Foster remained completely still and gave his full attention to the Lieutenant. 

"Colonel Foster, this is Sergeant Brooks and he has some relevant information."

Foster nodded to Brooks whose expression turned from one of awe to one of shock.

"But Ramon…"

"It's okay, he knows."

"He knows?" Brooks hesitated.  Clemente nodded.

"Sir, Colonel, Sir," Brooks stammered, "Senator McKinley has arrived in Seattle and is on his way here."

"And that should concern me, why?"

"He claims to have new orders from the President authorizing him to take over complete control of your operation.  Sir… I don't think you want to let him do that."

Foster's eyes narrowed and he tilted his head slightly to the side as he took in what Sergeant Brooks was saying.

"First of all, I doubt he has authorization for full control.  Although I can see the President allowing him a certain amount of authority, even some decision making.  However, this is a military operation, not political.  Second, why would this be a problem beyond the obvious headaches for me?"

"Well um…sir…you see…"

"He's one of them." Clemente interrupted, "He's connected with White's Cult.  We have proof."

Colonel Foster allowed the statement to penetrate and reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose.  Frustration was evident in the heavy sigh that escaped his lips.  Looking up he determined the need to know more.  The answers would affect his next move.  

"I have to ask this, does the proof you have connect this Cult to the President in any way?"

Brooks again looked from Clemente to the Colonel.  "Not that I could find, but McKinley was definitely connected as well as some other higher ups in the government."

"Good, then the proof we have should convince the President to proceed differently and with caution, but I doubt we can use any of it now.  I don't want to play our hand and expose our knowledge to McKinley or the cult.  We're going to have to play dumb and let him think he has control."

"If that boy is alive, he'll take him into custody and kill him.  You know that." Clemente exclaimed.  "He has preached extermination from the get go where the transgenics are concerned."

"Well then," Foster smiled, "We'll just have to make sure that doesn't happen."  Turning away for a moment, Colonel Foster issued new orders to his men.  They would move forward with less caution in order to achieve their objective more quickly.  Giving his attention again to Clemente, Foster issued new orders to him.

"Pull your men back in Lieutenant, I need you to delay McKinley's arrival.  Whatever is going to happen here has to happen before he arrives.   Once I have 494 in custody, I'll have better control.  Be aware that I will commandeer your police station to hold and debrief him.  That will afford me the time and opportunity to contact the President and decide our next step."

Clemente nodded a pleased look on his face.  "I think that perhaps some of the sector points are going to get more difficult to pass through.  What do you think Brooks?  Think you can handle that."

"Oh yeah, I can do that."

With a plan in the works Foster moved back into position for what was to come.

~ ~ ~

To any outsider the scene before them would be odd to say the least, if not impossible to some, the beginning of a nightmare to others, a monster hovering over an injured and bloody human.  Your first reaction is that the monster did it, but you'd be wrong.   First impressions are not always right.

Mole sat against the wall with his head tilted back.  His eyes closed for a moment after letting a very tired sigh escape his lips.   They wouldn't have long to rest, that would have to come later.  A soft moan reached his ears and Mole tilted his head to look at his friend.   Alec wasn't really awake, but turned on his side, pulling his legs up into a fetal position and began to shiver.    Mole reached down and touched his forehead.   It was cold to the touch, yet when he checked his body, it was burning up.   Leaning forward he removed his jacket and gently lay it across Alec's body.

Alec's eyes fluttered open watching Mole with glazed eyes.  "Th th thanks," he croaked out.

"Five more minutes," Mole stated plainly and watched Alec's eyes flutter closed as he nodded. The trembling didn't stop.  

Mole scanned their surroundings for the tenth time, listening carefully for any unusual sounds.  The stink of the place made him cringe.  There were three tunnels leading away from the direction they came, any one of them could lead to their freedom or death.   They hadn't encountered anyone yet, but the longer they delayed the more likely that would change.  Checking his gun again, he lay it on top of his leg, with his hand resting over the comforting, cool metal in anticipation for quick action.  Leaning his head back against the wall he once again released a tired sigh.

~ ~ ~

White hesitated for a moment to assess his position .  He was close he could feel it and almost smell it.  The blood trail had led him to a junction and then seemed to end.   Water from broken lines rushed across the area, washing away any evidence of which way they had gone, but he was so close.  Injured, 494 couldn't have gone far before he had to stop and deal with his wounds.   White looked up and then down the junction, his face firm and serious.   Finally he moved to the right.  He'd proceed in this direction for a time and if no signs showed, he'd head back the way he came.  He wasn't worried, he knew he'd catch up soon and then get what he craved, a way to find his son or 452.  If not, then he'd have the satisfaction of squeezing the life out of him.  Either way, he'd win. 

~ ~ ~

"Report," Foster commanded.

"We've reached the edge of ground zero.  Our approximate location is where X5-494 would have been forced to go.  There's a lot of debris, but no bodies…what?…Just a second sir."

Colonel Foster carefully noted their position in conjunction with the other teams on the map, as he waited patiently for his man to come back.  A systematic search had continually been hindered by fallen debris, but they had made considerable headway in spite of these setbacks. 

"Sir, we found a blood trail and no evidence of a body.  We believe they're alive and on the move."

"Okay, Cunningham, coordinate with the other teams and move in their direction.  If we do this right, we'll converge on his approximate location at the same time.  White is down there somewhere and he'll be the loose cannon.  It's highly probably that he found what you did.  Proceed with extreme caution.  Cunningham?"

"Sir."

"I want that soldier in my protective custody."

"We'll do what it takes Colonel.  You can count on us."

"I have no doubt."

~ ~ ~

Alec's eyes snapped open and in one swift move pulled his gun out and sat up against the wall with a grunt of pain.

"Someone's coming."

"Shit Alec! You scared the crap out of me."  Mole clutched his chest in an effort to calm down his heart.  "Are you sure?  I didn't hear anything."  Suddenly alert, he let his eyes scan the area.

"We have…to move."  Alec struggled to stand and failed falling back against the wall.  "Damn it." His breathing came in gasps as he tried again to rise.

"Just hang on a sec."  Mole grabbed the pack and swung in on his shoulder, then reached down and pulled Alec into a standing position, supporting him as before.  "Delta Force?"

"No," came Alec's shaky voice, "One person…only hear one…has to…be White.  Tunnel…to the right.  Go, go!" Mole and Alec began to move swiftly toward the next junction.

"White! It sounds like White? How could you possibly know it's him?" 

"Instinct…and the …fact that he…likes…to kill with…no no one around."  Alec looked intently at Mole as he spoke. 

"Annie, crap! That son of a bitch.  We should have let Joshua break him in two."

"I agree, but wishful thinking…won't help now.  Need to…keep moving.  Left here, two clicks, then out."

~ ~ ~

"We have barricades in place between the sector points.  It's causing backups in traffic all over the area.  McKinley will be tied up for some time."

Colonel Foster looked up from the map and nodded his approval.  "That was fast, I appreciate it Lieutenant.  Your men are very efficient," Foster pointed to a place on the map, "My men are converging at this point, proximately four blocks from our present location.  I have Gamble moving in that direction already.  Have your men who are holding the perimeter move out to these areas here, here and here.   I believe they will be surfacing there," Foster pointed to a specific alley that afforded a variety of cover and ways out through a series of small stores that were interconnected like a small mall, "It's where I would go to increase my chance of escape.  It's also a very good place to get trapped by an ambush, but it's the best chance they have, as I see it."

"Makes sense to me."

"I'd like to have some kind of medical assistance ready in the area.   It needs to be someone that will have no problem working on them, if need be."

"I know which paramedic units we can have on hand.  They do what I tell them to."

"Good! If White is on their tale the situation will become very dangerous very fast.  We'll have to proceed with extreme caution.  494 is a soldier, but he's also a wounded animal, very capable of killing.  If he feels cornered…"  Foster just let the point sink in.

" Colonel."

"Go ahead."

"Sir, there's heavy gunfire up ahead.  Looks like we found them and so did White."

"What is your location?"

"We are two blocks short of our expected objective."

"Move forward with caution.  You know what to do."

"Hu yah Sir."

Foster turned to Clemente, "Let's move."

~ ~ ~

Mole raised his arm and fired several rounds at White.  At the same time he shifted his weight and lifted Alec off the floor and pivoted, putting himself between Alec and White.   As White fell back, he moved them toward the next junction.

Alec shook his head trying desperately to keep from passing out.  Now was not the time to become deadweight. 

"What grid number is this?"  Alec grunted when Mole shoved him against the wall.   He was having trouble staying focused, his breathing came in great gulps as if he'd just run a marathon.

"Don't know.  Hang on!" Mole yelled, as he crouched and fired. 

"Give it up now 494 and maybe I'll let you die quickly," White shouted.

Dust and rock burst from the wall right by Alec's head. 

"You know that just really…touches my heart, White.  Stick your head out and…let me show you how much that means to me."  Taking aim, he returned fire, forcing White to take cover.  "Aw now see there…you moved," Alec continued, disappointment in his voice.   He and Mole both laughed at the string of expletives that reached their ears.

Mole craned to see the grid number, but it didn't do any good.  "I can't see the grid number from here."

"Doesn't matter…anyway…we'll have to go ...up here."

"Oh Yeah! How the hell are we going to climb up there with White using us for target practice.  That damn manhole cover is in the middle of the junction.  The ladders don't even reach it."

"We're not.  You are. You can make it over to the cover by swinging from that pipe."  Alec dropped out a clip and reloaded with precision, then fired several more rounds.  "Son of a bitch keeps ducking."

"What you do now could make it easy or hard on 452," White implored.

"Oh no!" Mole replied to Alec.  Completely ignoring White's ranting.  "No more staying behind by you.  We go together or not at all and we go up somewhere else. "  Mole leaned forward and almost lost his head to a bullet. "Shit!"

"I don't intend to stay behind, Two!"  Alec spoke strongly, his voice in full soldier mode so Mole would not mistake his command as a request.  "I'll cover you, then surprise White with…a couple of unexpected gifts," he held the grenades up for Mole to see, "I toss number one and you…go up top.   It'll either get him…or at least hold him off long enough for me to toss number two…and make a jump for it.  Right…into your tender lovin' hands, then pull me up."  Alec swiped the sweat from his face with his arm, his hands were trembling slightly as he leaned his head back against the wall.  They didn't have much cover, just a niche in the wall.  

"You expect me to catch your sorry ass in midair?  Do I look like some kind of trapeze artist to you?"

"Yeah, and today we…we're the flying freaks, don't miss."  Alec stared hard at Mole.  

"You my friend are certifiable."

"What…does that…make you?"  Alec couldn't help the maniacal grin that spread across his face, as he tossed the first grenade.

"Stupid!"

End of Chapter 10 – tbc  Ain't I a stinker                                 Review, review, review...please with sugar kisses on top