Chapter 11 – On The Run
A/N: Gotta thank my little Pesty – She was so busy moving and getting settled and still took the time to get this beta'd for me. Whadda gal. Gotta love her.
Also this chapter is dedicated to my LBN. You know who you are. Months and months ago we joked in chat about doing this for her and Kiwichick. Already did Kiwi. This should be very obvious to some. : ) Okay, on with the story.
For the first time since they'd left terminal City Dix moved with a swiftness he didn't know he possessed. He had news for Max and for once it didn't have to be bad news, well most of it wasn't. He'd been monitoring various radio frequencies in the hope that they would get intel on what was happening with Alec and Mole. 'Finally…" his mind screamed.
"Have you thought of a name yet?" Max asked, holding the baby close to her. She smiled at the small beautiful face as the baby's wide curious eyes intently studied her.
"Not definitely yet. There is something that stuck in my mind, but…" Gem hesitated not sure she should broach this.
Max looked up at her, "But what?"
"It's just…" Gem shook her head and looked away from Max, "I didn't want to upset you."
"I don't understand, why would I be upset?"
Gem lowered her eyes, "A name…it was sort of Alec's idea."
"Alec's?" Max swallowed at the lump in her throat.
"See I shouldn't have said anything. Now you're sad again and you seemed so content a moment ago."
"No, no, please I don't mind. Talking about him…it sometimes helps."
Gem finally looked directly at Max and saw a look of pleading, like she was trying so hard to grab on to something, anything that was there.
"He'd come over to me shortly before we implemented our plan for evacuation. Actually picked her up and held her, a lot like you are now. He didn't say anything he just stared at her in complete fascination. He touched her face and ran a finger around her ear, took her hand in his and seemed to marvel at its size. Then he held her foot in his hand and rubbed the bottom of it with his thumb and laughed when she scrunched it up as if it tickled." Gem's face glowed at the memory and a smile graced her face as she spoke.
Max's expression mimicked hers and gone was the lump in her throat, replaced instead with a feeling of…of what? Contentment? Pride? Perhaps love? Max wasn't sure. All she knew was listening to Gem speak of Alec in this context both surprised her and made her feel good inside. Good inside because she'd finally allowed herself to see the real man he was inside and not what reminded her of all the things she hated. Instead she found herself hanging on to every word from Gem's mouth.
"He looked up at me with this big goofy smile and told me she was the most precious thing he'd ever seen. He said she was as precious as a Jewel like I was a Gem. I just laughed at him because it was such a corny remark and he clutched his heart in mock hurt." Gem and Max both laughed at the thought of puppy dog eyes and pouting lips.
Gem turned more serious, "Later on what he'd said kept repeating itself over and over in my mind and I thought…well…do you think I could call her Jewel?"
Max blinked and widened her eyes at her question, then looked intently down at the baby. Bending down she kissed her forehead, as the lump returned to her throat. A single tear escaped and made it's way slowly down her cheek, "It's perfect." Jewel squirmed a bit and cooed. "I think she agrees," Max laughed.
"Max! MAX!" Dix hollered.
Max handed Gem the baby and moved quickly toward Dix who slid to a halt and bent over, his hands on his thighs supporting himself as he took in great gulps of air. "…"
"What? What?" Fear invaded her voice.
Dix stood up straight still breathing hard, "He's alive, Max. They're alive. Oh God! I can't breathe."
Moving a hand on his arm, Max helped support him, "Say it again Dix. I need to hear it again."
Dix smiled, "They're alive, don't know what kind of shape they're in, but definitely alive."
Letting go of Dix, Max rushed forward in search of Biggs. Finding him with Joshua and Logan she issued a command, "Dix says they're alive. Assemble a team and meet me in the radio area with Dix and Luke to strategize. We're going after them."
Biggs stopped her progress by grabbing her arms. "Max…"
"Don't! Don't even say it. I know I have to lead, but I'm doing this."
"A good leader delegates. You can't leave all these people here without someone to…"
Max pushed past him, "I'm going, Biggs." But she was stopped again, by a larger presence.
"Biggs is right. Little Fella has to stay. Alec would want you to stay," Joshua pleaded as he raised his arm and spread it out away from them, "For us." Her eyes followed and met with the faces of all those around them, fear evident in their expressions. There were so many of them. She shut her eyes and turned away.
"Let go Joshua. Get out of my way." But he held her there.
"He's right, Max," Logan's calm voice added. He stepped as close as he dared. "You can't keep trying to do it all yourself. Biggs and the other X-5's have been trained all their lives for these type of operations. You have to start trusting your people to do what's needed and they need to know you trust them to do it."
Max stopped trying to push past Joshua and just stood completely still her eyes downcast. Her mind screamed at her that they were right, but her heart…just hurt. Raising her head, she moved into Joshua's arms laying her head on his chest. Biggs stepped closer, but remained quiet. Turning her head she looked imploringly at Biggs. Tears ran down her face unbidden now, "Bring him back, Biggs," her voice quiet and reserved, "Bring him back."
He stood at attention and nodded, then left to assemble his team.
"What the hell are you waiting for? Throw the damn grenade, already!" Mole yelled just before ducking from shots that pinged into the ceiling around him. Unfortunately, the first grenade hadn't maimed White as they'd hoped, but as planned, it did allow Mole to scramble his way up and out of the sewer.
"Nag, nag, nag, are you sure you're a soldier?" Alec pulled the pin and was about the toss the grenade when a series of shots smacked into the wall all around him causing dust and debris to break off and hit him. It wasn't hard enough to cause harm per se, but it was just hard enough for him to lose his grip on the grenade. All three men watched as it bounced and rolled out in front of Alec about midway between him and White.
"Oh Shit!" were the words that issued forth from three points and all three reacted simultaneously. White jumped back into a roll and barely made it around a corner junction while Mole braced himself and reached down as far as possible from the manhole. Alec turned toward Mole and stepped forward into a crouch and with a determined yell launched himself into the air, arms outstretched. Their hands connected at their forearms with a loud slap. Veins bulged and grunts could be heard as Mole pulled with all his might and just as Alec's body barely begun to emerge from the manhole the grenade went off. In a split second of time Mole let go of Alec's hands and grabbed him under his shoulders pulling hard. Once clear of the hole they rolled several feet away and came to a stop against a dumpster, Mole on top. Both lay unmoving for what seemed like an eternity.
Muffled sounds came from beneath Mole. Lifting himself slightly, he reached into his pocket. Pulling the stub he called a cigar out and with a satisfied smile, stuffed it in his mouth.
"Did you say something?" he asked in a nonchalant manner.
Alec face was just inches from Moles, he narrowed his eyes in disgust and in a strained voice repeated himself.
"That better be…your gun I'm feelin'."
Mole merely chewed his cigar and wiggled his eyebrows, but before he could reply, Alec clenched his teeth and with a loud grunt, shoved Mole off him. Then he collapsed back from the effort, with his arms stretched out and moaned from the pain that moved in waves along the length of his body. "Shit head."
"Hey," Mole replied with mock hurt, "What's with the all this foul language?"
"Must be the company," Alec barely replied with a tired breath.
Ignoring Alec for the moment, Mole sat up and patting his pockets until he found the object of his desire. Flipping the top of the lighter he ignited what was left of his cigar. Taking a few puffs he sighed with contentment and then looked over at Alec who lay outstretched with his eyes closed. Smoke curled up from his pant legs, but Mole could see no visible signs of injury. So reaching over he began to feel along his legs for any broken bones.
With the speed that only an X-5 series could show, Alec snatched his gun up and held it to Mole's…cigar.
"Move your hand up any higher and I blow that stogie right out of your mouth."
Mole instantly stopped and slowly removed his hand. Alec just laughed and let his hand with the gun flop back to the ground. "Sap."
"Well that's original."
"Fits," was Alec's only reply, "I go with what works."
"Hmpf!" Looking back toward the manhole Mole moved cautiously toward it. There had been no sounds of pursuit.
"You think it got him?" He asked.
"No," Alec rolled slowly onto his side and with effort and few grunts, propped himself on an elbow, "He made it…to a junction. He'll surface elsewhere. We need to…move." But instead of rising he collapsed back to the ground.
Alec never saw the look of concern on Mole's face; he only heard his words.
"This is no time for a nap."
"God, what I wouldn't give to be laying on one of our smelly bug infested mattresses with Joshua's wonderfully holey wool sweater draped over me," Alec sighed.
Mole paused in thought, "Yeah," came his melancholy reply, "Well enough wishful thinking, let's go."
Standing quickly, Mole jerked Alec up. Stumbling a bit, he leaned heavily on Mole, his head falling forward into Mole's chest. Mole stood for a moment holding Alec upright until he was able to get his bearings, while looking up and down the alley for any sign of White or soldiers. He frowned as he stared for a moment toward the street. It had just dawned on him that the two grenades going off should have alerted some type of activity, but there was no activity at all, yet this was supposed to be a busy section of town. "There's no one on the streets ahead."
Alec slowly raised his head and looked around. Realization hit him like a hammer and he felt his heart beat faster because of it.
"They've moved their perimeter back. We came up…too soon…Took too much time," in his voice was the sound of defeat, his shoulders slumped in disappointment and his knees seemed to give out.
"Oh no you don't," Mole responded as he pulled Alec back up, "We keep going until we get out or die trying."
Alec looked up into Mole's face and opened his mouth to speak, but his words were never allowed to come out.
"No!" Mole said firmly. "We've already had this conversation. I. Am. Not. Leaving. You. Behind. Besides, I value my life, if I show up without you, she'll kill me anyway."
"Kinda gives me…a warm fuzzy feeling inside knowing that."
"That's your fever, pretty boy," Mole replied. Then pulling Alec's right arm over his head they moved toward the end of the alley and for whatever awaited them there.
"Here," Dix pointed to a section of Seattle south of TC, "From what I heard over the radio, Colonel Foster expects to intercept them here."
"He's obviously moved his perimeter back to include this whole sector. Besides soldiers there are sector police holding back onlookers and news cameras," Luke added.
"What about our frequency, anything from Mole or Alec?" Biggs asked.
"No," Dix replied, "We know they're alive, so we figure the coms must have been damaged in the explosions."
"We know Clemente is in the area overseeing his part of it, mostly keeping the public and news cameras back. Three of the Delta teams went into the tunnels and began a grid search. The fourth team is above ground with Foster. Um…he sent one high Max." Luke said, with his eyes barely moving in her direction.
"That's standard procedure," Max said, her face a mask of calm from what it was a few moments before. She was through crying. That was not what Alec needed. He needed for her to do what was necessary for the success of this mission. Who would have ever thought that one, Max Guevera, would allow herself to be so influenced by that pain in the ass. That she would want to do what she knew would make him proud. No matter what happened, she was determined not to fail him. She would at least have that, if he didn't make it home.
"It'll be impossible to reach him…them," she corrected, "before the interception. We're just going to have to hope that Foster follows through with his orders and apprehends them and that those two idiots don't do anything to get themselves killed," said Max, sounding more like what they all knew and loved.
"There's a police station in this sector that is the most probable place at this point to hold them," Biggs said, "After entering the City here, we'll separate into twos and converge at this point just outside the cordoned off area. There's an old warehouse here we'll use for our little reunion. From that point we'll be in the best position to do recon and determine our next move."
"Logan, I want you to go with them," Max continued, "Get to Father's house, use the equipment there to hack into the police system. It'll give us a better line of where they take them."
"I'm sure I'll be able to get a floor plan of the station and tap into the security system. I should be able to keep you up to date on the location of guards and a possible way out," Logan interjected.
"Good, are we ready?" Max asked, but before a reply she noticed Dix and Luke looking at each other sideways and moving a bit nervously on their feet. "What? What didn't you tell us?"
Dix looked around nervously and just blurted it out, "White's there. Apparently he went rogue and…well he's there."
Max's stunned expression dug into Dix like a knife. Luke just stepped a bit behind him looking everywhere, but at her.
For a long moment no one spoke, letting this information sink in. Then Max's face took on a cold dark look. One not even Logan had ever seen before. She turned slowly to Biggs.
"Kill him."
"Max you can't…" Logan pleaded, but his words halted at the sight of Max's hand coming up in front of his face. Her eyes never left Biggs face.
"Go."
A very cold maniacal smile formed on Biggs' lips, he stepped forward and put his hand on Max's shoulder. But the words that came from his mouth were not for her. "Time to go Loggie." With that he turned and left.
Logan looked apprehensively at Max for only a second before following him out.
Lt. John Gamble waited on the sidelines until they pinpointed the location of the transgenics. Once he had that knowledge he would quickly move into position. He trusted the Colonel not to use his skills unless they were left with no choice.
Colonel Foster and Clemente moved along with Team One placing spotters at various strategic locations. Team Two formed a perimeter encompassing six square blocks covering the radius where they knew that White and 494 would have to surface. Once they had an exact location, they could converge on that location and hopefully take them into custody without doing anything drastic. From their position they heard two muffled successive explosions.
"Grenades," Foster informed Clemente.
Ramon Clemente watched and listened as Foster was contacted by a spotter. The suspects were three blocks from their present position and the Colonel issued orders for the teams to converge in that location. White was spotted nearby moving quickly. They would have to hurry.
Colonel Foster knew that John was listening.
"John you need to move quickly and get into position. With White on the scene," Foster hesitated, "I'm afraid it's going to get ugly."
"Already on the move sir." Gamble jogged in the direction of his objective. He had staked out the area thoroughly earlier and knew exactly where he wanted to be.
"Team One, move in. Team Four, you are right on their tail, follow them out with caution. Team Three surface and converge with Team One and Two. Proceed with extreme caution, gentlemen."
Foster looked intently at Clemente, they both knew the next few minutes would be crucial. "Where's McKinley at this point?"
"He's made it through several of the sector points, but the way my men have the last two tied up, it'll be at least an hour before he can get through."
"Good, this will all be over long before that and hopefully we'll have them in protective custody."
"I sure as hell hope so."
"Let's move," Foster ordered.
Mole and Alec hesitated at the end of the alley. Alec leaned with his back against the building taking advantage of the break to catch his breath while Mole moved cautiously to the end, his gun drawn and ready. The rush he'd felt earlier was waning and he could feel his body wanting to just give in to the exhaustion and pain he was feeling. He shut his eyes and took some slow deep breaths in the hope it would somehow revive him.
Sudden shock to Alec's senses caused him to jump with a start at the sound of gunfire. His eye widened with horror at the sight of Mole's head snapping to the side as blood splayed across the area. Some reaching Alec's face and neck, but he never felt it. He only stared and watched in shock as his friend's body slammed against the wall of the building and quickly crumpled to the ground. The stillness of the body threatened to yank his heart out.
"No…no," words that screamed out in his own mind, were too hushed to be heard by anyone else.
"I've made a decision today, 494," came White's harsh words, "It won't be quick for you, like it was for him."
Alec's wide eyes never looked up at White. He couldn't tear his eyes away, but it wasn't the body laying so still that he saw in his mind, it was the course of the last 24 hours that flashed and the bond that had formed, only to be ripped away. Something inside him snapped. Alec's eyes dilated black, taking on an animalistic hue. His face became a chilling mask of total unconcern for anything, completely devoid of any emotion. Ever so slowly X5-494 stood up and moved away from the wall to raise piercing eyes to White, hands clenched into fists at his side.
A sneer appeared on his lips and words spilled out, "You don't know what a slow death is White, but today…today you will learn."
White took a short uncertain step back when he saw what stood before him. In his dealings with 494, he'd never seen this part of him, but confidence was something White did not lack. Holstering his gun, White stepped forward into a fighting position.
"We'll see who does the learning," White bit back, but Alec noted that it lacked the confidence it initially had.
"Come on…you want me…come on."
White obliged by rushing forward, Alec sidestepped and grabbed White's oncoming shoulder. With a grunt he shoved him into the building wall using White's momentum to his advantage. As White came up and turned, Alec's right fist slammed into his face with a satisfying crack sending him back into the wall. Alec stepped back to view his handy work and resumed a fighting stance as White came back up again.
"What's the matter White? Losing your touch? Can't handle a wounded abomination?"
To a trained soldier control was everything. Alec realized a long time ago in dealing with White that his Achilles heel was his temper. Keeping White's emotions off kilter, forcing him to make mistakes was Alec's only hope of wiping this evil off the face of the earth.
"Seeing you in pain," White replied with a sneer, "only heightens the joy of watching you die."
White jumped, kicking out at Alec's head. Alec easily blocked the kick and stepped in with a flat-fisted punch to White's chest sending him back against the wall. But instead of stepping back, Alec moved in and delivered several quick blows to White's head and body. White grabbed Alec into a clench and quickly raised his fists, bringing them down on Alec's back, sending him to his knees. Alec grabbed White around the knees and with clenched teeth and a grunt lifted White up in the air and over sending him to the ground flat on his back. Looking down on White with contempt on his face, Alec goaded him more.
"You seem to be having a little trouble standing, White. A sign of too much in-breeding, I'd say," Alec sneered.
White came at him like a charging bull and they locked in fierce combat. Totally unaware that Delta Force had moved in.
Clemente watched in fascination and horror at the fight in front of him. Never had he seen two men trade blows in such quick succession. Neither would back off the other, leaving no clear shot for Foster's men. Colonel Foster was adamant about trying to apprehend X5-494 alive and since White had gone rogue his orders were to take him down, but their proximity to each other made that impossible. Colonel Foster was moving into a position that would allow him to gain their attention and afford them the opportunity to stop this fight.
It was also incomprehensible to Clemente that injured as he was, this transgenic was even able to stand, let alone fight. Lt. Gamble's words came back to his mind, 'He was created to be a superior soldier. His wounds, nor the pain would be allowed to interfere with the completion of a mission. They were taught to push it aside. Short of death, they're virtually unstoppable.'
Now both men stood toe to toe, their faces a bloody mess as it poured from nose and mouth. Each had a hand on the others throat locked to each other as they moved in a weird dance for the advantage. Slamming and moving each other into a dumpster and then a wall, neither one even remotely showing signs of relinquishing their hold. Grunts of effort arose and reached the ears of those around them. Foster had already, several times, issued orders for them both to stand down, but was ignored or not heard through the rage that seemed to engulf them. Then suddenly everything changed as 494 staggered from a series of blows to his side that was already dark with blood.
As Alec stumbled yet again, White grabbed his shirt in a fist and physically lifted him up and over, slamming him into the ground. Then he himself staggered back and it was at that point that Foster's words reached his ears and he froze.
Alec rolled awkwardly away while trying to gain his breath back. The pain that ran through him was almost blinding, but as he came to a stop, the sight of his friend so near and still moved him to one last action. Reaching with the speed of an X5, Alec grabbed the Special Forces knife he'd procured for Mole from it's sheath and with a roar launched himself from the ground at White. Grabbing his neck with one hand and shoving the knife to it's hilt into White with such force that his body left the ground. He slammed them both into the wall one last time, withdrew the knife and dropped White to the ground. Alec faltered a step as he stood above White's body, his breath coming in deep painful gasps. Flipping the knife in his hand, Alec dropped to his knees with a raised hand intent on delivering the finishing blow.
"You are ordered to STAND DOWN, 494!"
Foster's commanding voice finally reached a part of Alec's mind and he didn't move. His eyes darted quickly around him, realizing for the first time that he was completely surrounded by Delta Force. Ever so slowing Alec moved his hand out to the side, but did not relinquish the weapon, instead he stood and turned his face to Colonel Foster.
Without realizing it Clemente took an involuntary step back at what he saw in the dark intense eyes of this transgenic. His mind realized the full extent of what this boy could become given the right circumstances and it was frightening.
Foster, however, took a step closer and Alec moved into a ready stance, his eyes moving from one soldier to another around him. He showed no signs of wanting to end this.
Clemente didn't think it was possible, but Colonel Foster's voice took on a stronger authoritative tone in his effort to reach into his mind.
"Your mission is complete 494. Your unit is safe. Stand down."
But 494 didn't change his posture, instead he frowned at the words, confusion on his face.
"Not over, promised," his voice deep with emotion.
Foster stepped closer still, and Alec reacted by facing him completely. At that same moment Foster's hand came up and signaled his men to take no action.
"Promised? Who'd you promise, 494?"
"Alec…I told you…my name…my name is Alec."
Foster's voice changed instinctively to one that might reflect a Father to his Son in an attempt to somehow reach his confused mind.
"Who'd you promise, Alec?"
They all saw as Alec's eyes, so black in their intensity, began to change back to normal and take on a more dazed look. They shifted from Foster to look somewhere past all of them at something or someone no one else saw, his body swayed dangerously. The strength they'd witnessed was waning and Clemente could see him begin to sag.
"Max," came his soft reply, "promised Max…I have to…to go. She made me promise."
"What you need to do is lower your weapon," understanding had reached Foster's face, "Look around you son."
Alec's eyes focused and moved around again at the soldiers then back to Foster. He was completely surrounded, there was no way out.
"You can't make it," Foster continued, knowing he had his full attention now. "Lower your weapon and stand down."
No reaction.
Foster sighed, "Don't make me do this." He signaled his men who moved in closer. Alec stiffened.
John Gamble remained absolutely ready from his position. Their com links on voice activation had allowed him to hear every word said. His heart sank at the words that reached his ears from Colonel Foster. "Show him John."
Lt. Gamble took aim.
Alec couldn't help the slight tremble in his limbs at Fosters words. He knew…he knew even before the red dot from a laser site appeared, what those words meant. The red spot slowly made it's way up his body and he barely held back the bile that rose in his throat when it paused where his heart would be. Then at a slower rate continued an upward course. Alec knew the small dot would come to rest on his forehead. He dared not twitch a muscle.
Foster spoke more slowly and precisely, "Son, lower your weapon."
A clipped laugh escaped Alec's lips and his eyes welled up, "Son?" He asked incredulously, his stance showing continued signs of wear.
This time Colonel Foster signaled his men to lower their weapons and came right up to him. Reaching up, he gently placed his hand on Alec's knife welding one. "It's over," Foster whispered, "It's over." Foster took the knife in his possession. "Get a medic over here, now," he commanded, as Alec went to his knees.
Clemente never realized he'd been holding his breath until he saw 494 look at the body of his teammate, then close his eyes and tilt his head back slightly. He'd jumped slightly at the strangled cry that tore at his own insides and would not soon forget the look of utter defeat that took over the face of this young soldier. God he hated this.
Alec felt as if his heart had been wrenched from inside his chest. He'd failed and he could not stop those words from circling his mind over and over. The sight of Mole's head snapping to the side, his body on the filthy ground, blood pooling near his head, Max's face imploring him, forcing him to make a promise he couldn't keep. Wrapping his arms around himself, he slowly leaned forward until his forehead touched the ground.
"Forgive me, Max," he begged, his voice breaking.
All he wanted now was to let the darkness take him over. Sweet oblivion would be a welcome respite.
No one saw it when White moved. All attention had centered on Alec and it was believed that he was completely incapacitated, possibly dead, but he wasn't dead and moved to take his gun from his holster. Determination and anger fueled him, he would get away with 494 or he would at least have the satisfaction of knowing 494 would never return to his beloved Max.
Absolute surprise invaded Alec's thoughts and then pain as he was jerked upright with a gun pressed deeply into his temple. He was unable to hold back the cry that emerged and was unsure what was happening. He started to pull away when a hand gripped him around the throat, but the voice he heard told him all he needed to know and sent an unwanted shiver down his body.
"Don't even think about trying anything, Colonel."
White pulled Alec to an upright position against his chest and moved to position the building wall behind them, effectively using Alec as a shield.
"Tell your men to back off and move away. You too Colonel." He emphasized his position by digging the barrel of his gun harder, causing Alec to grunt in pain. "I know you want him alive, so back up."
"What is it you think you're going to accomplish here, White?" Foster asked, his voice stern.
"It's not what I think, it's what I know. I know what your goals are Colonel. I know you want 494 alive. Move. Your. Men. Back."
Foster turned to his teams and nodded for them to move back. Before turning back he spoke, "John?"
"Sorry Colonel, I can't hit him without getting 494."
Once the teams moved back a short distance, Foster addressed White.
"What do you want?"
"Oh you know the routine, a car, a clear route out of here. The usual," his voice flippant.
"Well we're going to have to come up with another solution, how about you let him go and I let you live." Foster countered.
White laughed jerking Alec up higher and cutting off his air completely for a few moments.
Alec's vision narrowed dangerously and he clawed at the vise around his throat to no avail. He could barely hear the words going back and forth. It didn't even matter. He knew White wasn't going to let him go no matter what was negotiated. White was just playing a game and in the end Alec would pay the price along with White. Something had to give and Alec knew what needed to be done so he shifted slightly against White when his hand loosened enough for Alec to finally take in air. Moving his hand from White's around his throat he slowly lowered it to his shoulder, then deliberately glared at Foster, whose eyes shifted to his. Alec tapped a particular spot and then let his hand drop limp at his side.
Foster averted his eyes and scrubbed a hand across his face. Turning he placed his hands on his hips and dropped his head in disgust.
"John."
"I saw sir."
Foster swallowed hard, "Do it."
Less than a split second later blood blossomed from Alec's shoulder as the bullet passed through and hit White. The force of which threw them both back hard causing White to let go. As Alec fell away a second shot hit White in the head ending his reign of terror permanently.
Foster moved forward and caught Alec before he hit the ground and gently lowered him the rest of the way. Clemente was right there with him, never having moved back with the teams. His mind completely in shock over what had just happened.
"What the hell did you do?" He fairly screamed.
"White was never going to let him go. The situation had to be extinguished. It was the only way to save him. The only way he knew we could."
"By shooting him down. My God!"
"I don't have time for this Lieutenant Clemente. Get your paramedics here, now!" Foster ordered as he removed his jacket and placed it behind Alec's shoulder, then placing his hand on the wound in front, he pressed down hard.
Alec was beyond feeling anything anymore. White would never be able to hurt anyone he loved again, never. A wane smile formed on his lips, he'd done something right. All the sounds and movements around him took on a surreal existence. Foster's face came into his view, but pleadings barely penetrated his mind. He was so tired…so tired. His eyes fluttered close and finally the protection of oblivion took him in it's hold.
"Alec, son. You hang on." Foster realized that his words went unheard. He moved slightly allowing the medics access, but he refused to relinquish his hold completely, moving unruly hair from his forehead and resting his hand there. Colonel Foster had a strong connection with all the men under his command and he felt the need to let Alec know he too wasn't alone, that he was protected.
Clemente had ordered Brooks to ready the police station, then turned to look around him in a daze as the teams secured the alley and took care of White's body. He turned to watch as Lt. Cunningham moved to the body of the transhuman. Clemente stepped over to get a better look. He cringed when the soldier turned the body onto it's back. He looked closely at this lizardlike man and paused.
"Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing?" he queried.
Cunningham looked up at him with a smile, "Yes sir, you are." Then looking over at the Colonel's position he continued. "Sir, he's alive."
But Cunningham's smile quickly left his face and he tapped Clemente's shoulder to get his attention and pointed. There was no way things could get any worse than they were, or so he thought. Just entering the area was the limo carrying Senator McKinley.
End of Chapter 11
A/N: Fooled ya didn't I? I have the same rule about Mole as I do about Alec. Hee. I have a lot of rules, "Don't I Roon?" ; )
Oh and if you're thinking "My God! She shot him again." Well…yeah I did. I thought 'should I or shouldn't I' and then 'What the hell.' No more bullets, though. Yeah…sure…no more. Hmmmm? HIT THE LINK ALREADY AND REVIEW!
LINK!