A/N: This is unbeta'd cuz my sweet pesty beta has been absolutely swamped lately. So we decided I might as well post it anyway. So all the mistakes are mine. Enjoy and don't forget to let me know what you think. BHG
Chapter 12 – On The Run
"Medic!" Cunningham hollered and one of their own team medics came forward to assess the situation. He released the pressure on the transhuman head wound as Corporal Davis took over.
"The bullet grazed him pretty good. Probably concussed. He's already stopped bleeding and he's gonna have one hell of a headache when he wakes up," Corporal Davis said.
"Well don't do anything fancy, just patch him up. We're going to have to move fast."
Cunningham didn't wait for a reply before he rose and walked over to where Colonel Foster was with 494. Squatting on his haunches, he took his first good look at the soldier and winced, he was a bloody mess.
"How's he doing, sir?"
"Not good. What's our situation?"
"The transhuman will be ready for transport in a few minutes. We've cordoned off this area more tightly. Jackson reported that the media found a way through our initial perimeter and have had a unit filming. They worked their way over to that building across the way. Apparently one reporter and cameraman actually filmed part of the fight and us taking White out. Do you want us to confiscate the film?"
"No, let them keep it."
"Sir?"
"You heard me, let them keep it. I want it aired and keep McKinley behind the line. I don't want him anywhere near these soldiers until we have them in a controlled environment."
"Yes, Sir."
Foster's attention returned to Alec who seemed to be in some distress. He was slipping in and out of consciousness now and his breathing was becoming very erratic. From the touch of his skin, he was burning up. The paramedics had worked quickly and efficiently dealing with his most immediate needs. They'd quickly and efficiently removed his flak jacket and shirt. Placed pressure bandages on his shoulder and side. Two IV lines had been inserted with lines wide open to increase his volume as quickly as possible. His vital signs were all over the chart, though. Blood pressure was dangerously low, temperature unreasonably high and his heartbeat was fast and thready. A normal human would have already succumbed by now. It didn't make any sense to the medics.
"How much longer before he can be transported?" Foster asked.
"We're about there, Colonel. I can deal with his less serious wounds in the bus, but I'm not sure what else to do for him. Normally we would try to stabilize him more before transport, but I just don't know what stable for him is. At any rate, we should be able to transport him to Harbor Lights pretty quickly."
Jan Stanton had been a paramedic for 10 years, but all her experience didn't prepare her for this. While she did her job effectively and quickly, she was frustrated because of her lack of knowledge in helping this young man. When Lt. Clemente asked her to help out, she let her own unfounded fears tell her no, but when she witnessed what happened here, her heart won out in it's need to comfort and give aid. She was totally confused after seeing what happened as to who the enemy was. Her partner, Ted, had refused to help and let his fears get the best of him. She gave him a quick glance, as he stood by the ambulance and he quickly looked away in shame, but not enough shame to make him move forward and help. Questions and doubts flew through her mind, but the answers would have to wait. She pushed them back and kept her attention on her job.
"Not Harbor Lights. We'll be transporting him to a secure location 5 blocks from here at Station 405."
Jan looked up sharply from her patient.
"A police station! He needs a doctor. He needs a hospital," Jan's voice rose with each word. She was utterly appalled.
"You can take care of him from that location, while in contact with a doctor."
Jan stammered at that. "He may have injuries that I'm not qualified to deal with. There could be internal damage from the beating he's taken. This lower bullet wound is close enough to have perforated his small intestine."
"That bullet would occurred hours ago, if it has caused severe damage he would have succumbed long before now. No hospital. You can keep track of his vitals and go from there."
"I don't even know what's normal for him. His vitals are all over the place now. Infection has set in. He needs a hospital, antibiotics," Jan tried to reason, "I'll get him ready for transport, but that's it. I won't be responsible… I can't…I can't." shaking her head adamantly.
"Once we're at the secure location," Colonel Foster continued, ignoring her rant, "I'll allow you certain information we have concerning their physiology. That'll be your reference."
She took a quick glance to where the other…whatever…and shook sat the responsibility Colonel Foster was trying to lay on her.
"I'm not a doctor," she protested again.
"But you'll be in touch with one and whatever you do will be on his head not yours."
A moan caught her attention and she looked into the pained hazel-green eyes of her patient as they fluttered open and looked directly at her. They were the eyes of a frightened boy in pain, not a dangerous soldier. Her determination deflated and her heart took over as she cupped his face with her hand.
"It's okay. I'm here to help you. I'm Jan, a paramedic. You're going to be okay. I promise."
"Don't…care…" his pain filled voice.
"Well I do. I'm Jan and I'm going to take care…" his eyes glazed over and closed again before she finished her sentence. Jan sighed heavily and paused before resuming her ministrations.
"Damn it," she whispered, then spoke directly to the Colonel. "Give me two minutes and we're ready."
"Good girl."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," her only sarcastic reply, then under her breath, "Ramon, you are going to owe me big time."
"As soon as he's in your bus, we'll lead you to the location. A Lt. John Gamble will be riding with you in the back along with one of his men. It's for your protection and his."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," she waved her hand nonchalantly at him never looking up from her patient.
Foster couldn't help smiling as he stepped toward his Lieutenant. John had just crossed the perimeter, his rifle flung over his shoulder and was headed straight for the Colonel.
"John, as soon as their ready for transport I want you in there with one more. No one gets near them without my express authorization. Understand?"
"Yes, sir." Lt. Gamble's eyes shifted to 494, a look of pained disgust on his face. "How…um…how is he, sir?" he stammered a bit.
"He's a mess, but holding his own. You did good, John."
"Right…sure." Gamble looked away at nothing in particular.
"You saved his life, John."
"Did I? For what? For McKinley to take away and exterminate."
"Do you trust me John?"
"With my life, sir."
Foster stepped in close to John forcing him to look directly at him. "McKinley will not get him."
John stared intently right back at Colonel Foster, his jaw clenched slightly.
"Yes, sir." Then he moved away with deliberate motion.
Clemente walked up to Foster. "McKinley's raising hell. He wants through the lines."
"Yes, I'm sure he does. Too bad, though."
"What do you want me to tell him?"
Foster noted that Ms. Stanton had moved Alec to a gurney and were loading him in the ambulance with the help of Corporal Davis. He turned back to Clemente, his face hardened.
"I don't give a damn what you tell him. No one crosses that line or they'll be shot on sight."
"Are you kiddin' me?" Clemente asked dumbfounded.
"Yes, but McKinley nor those reporters need to know that. Handle it Cunningham." Then turning away, Colonel Foster headed back over the ambulance.
"Yes, sir." Cunningham had walked up a few moments earlier. Issuing orders over his com, it didn't take long for his team to move into position along the line. Reinforcing the guards who were already there.
Clemente pinched the bridge of his nose, then turned to deal with a very angry Senator.
The team of X5s had no problem re-entering the City. It seemed people coming in were not the real concern as much as people trying to leave. They split up as planned to reunite at the warehouse. Biggs went with Logan to Father's house to be sure the location was still secure and not under any kind of surveillance. After a recon of the area, it was obvious that the location was still secure, so he and Logan moved together to enter. Once there, Logan immediately went to work digging up the necessary information about the Police Station security systems and hack in.
Biggs watched for a time over his shoulder, then scanning the room noticed something.
"Hey, does that work?"
Logan momentarily distracted looked in the direction Biggs indicated.
"Yeah, I think so. Alec said he bought it from some connection he had." Logan returned his attention to his computer screen.
Biggs noted the name Harbor Lights on the television and shook his head. "Sure he did."
"I think I can hack into the City archives and get a schematic of the Police Station."
Biggs basically ignored him and turned on the TV and sat down.
It didn't take long for Logan to secure the information they would need. He now had a three dimensional view of the Police station along with a layout of their security systems. He would be able to track the movements of anyone in the building and locate Alec and Mole's position.
"Alright, I've got everything we need here. Looks like your best bet will be to go in from the roof, there's a…Biggs?" Logan turned around when he realized Biggs was ignoring him, that's when he realized something big had happened as the reporter's words reached his ears. He stood slowly and stepped over to where Biggs was sitting.
"Senator McKinley, in view of the events that occurred here in the last hour, do you still believe the transgenics to be a threat?"
"Absolutely, more so now than ever. After the death of Special Agent White, it should be obvious to everyone what a danger they are and I will do everything within my power to see that justice is done. That X-5 soldier will pay for the crimes he's committed today."
"Senator, from what we witnessed today the death of Special Agent White was the result of his taking the X-5 as a hostage. If what you say is true, then why did Colonel Foster order his men to take down Agent White? And if Agent White was working in conjunction with the military, why didn't he just turn over the X-5 to Colonel Foster?"
Roseanne Dane realized that as soon as she asked her questions, there would be no more real answers from Senator McKinley, not that he'd given any to begin with, but as a reporter she knew they needed to be asked.
"Things aren't always what they seem to be. You'll get answers soon enough." Abruptly, McKinley turned away from the reporter and entered his Limo. The Ambulance had left the scene and he had every intention of making sure this abomination did not slip away.
Dane turned to the camera and continued her live report. "Well Senator McKinley is right. Things aren't always what they seem to be. It looks as if we will have to judge for ourselves to find answers. The following is a film of events that occurred here in the last two hours. Parents be advised that what you are about to see is graphic and may not be suitable for children."
Logan and Biggs stood rigid when the film began. Logan swallowed hard at the sight of Alec and White locked in combat. He couldn't help it when his eyes shifted to look at Biggs for a moment. The only visible sign that Biggs was affected by what they were watching was slight clench of his jaw. Logan looked back at the TV mesmerized by the sight. He felt himself tense when Alec seemed to refuse to lay down his weapon and then let out a deep sigh of relief when the Colonel removed it from his hand.
"Holy crap!" Logan was surprised as anyone when White seemed to rise from the dead and grab Alec. The cameraman had been too far to pick up voices, but it was obvious what White was doing. Biggs remained completely silent. Logan couldn't help it when he stepped closer to the TV as he realized…
"Christ! Is Alec doing what I think he's…"
The sound of the shot echoed in his ears and his eyes widened in shock at the sight of Alec and White being shot down. The unbelieving voices of the reporter and cameraman could be heard as the film continued, registering their shock at the events. The film suddenly ended with the sound of military soldiers entering the room and obviously putting a stop to the filming.
Roseanne Dane came back into view. "Enemy, threat, monster, freak? These are the names that have been used by all in reporting the events of the last 24 hours. But are the terms right? Are they a threat to our existence? Or are they just trying to survive? This is one reporter that's not so sure anymore. This is Roseanne Dane reporting to you live from the South Side."
Logan stood frozen staring at the screen as Biggs leaned forward to shut it off. Standing straight he turned dark eyes to Logan.
"You had something for me to look at."
"Yeah," was Logan's quiet reply. For the first time he was glad that Max wasn't with him.
Alec felt nothing as consciousness weighed in at the edges of his mind. He had no desire to wake up. Being awake was not a good thing. Sweet oblivion, he decided was where he wanted to stay, but it was not to be. Pain began to seep through, nagging at him in bits and pieces and then thoughts he'd shoved aside started to invade his mind as well. Faces began to appear and fade. Then it was on him like a runaway train. All the events of the last couple of days, the feelings, the anguish and the loss threatened to suffocate him. His only recourse was to wake up. His eyes shot open and he tried to move. Not a good thing to do. He cried out as sudden pain shot through his body in waves.
"Easy, lay still."
Alec felt hands on holding him down. He clamped his eyes shut and began to take in great gulps of air.
"Hurts," he rasped through clenched teeth.
"You need to try and relax. I know it's hard, but it'll help. I'm sorry I haven't given you any pain medicine. I don't know anything about your physiology. I'm sorry."
Alec managed to crack his eyes open and look at the person whose voice gave him reassurances. She was blonde with her hair pulled back out of her face. Her skin was fair, but there was a hint of pink on her cheeks. Her blue eyes looked intently into his, full of concern and compassion. It was unnerving.
"Morphine st…stick…m…pack," he whispered. He was too tired anymore to deal with the pain. The concentration he'd needed to deal with his injuries and complete his mission was gone. He had nothing left.
"Morphine? Is that what you said? You can take Morphine?"
Alec nodded slightly, "Pack."
Confused eyes stared at him. "Pack?"
"His pack ma'am. He's probably carrying morphine sticks in his pack," Gamble interceded.
Alec turned his head toward the new voice and recognized the face he saw and noted his rank. He was the lieutenant he'd saluted after taking a sniper out of action.
"Is his pack here?"
"No ma'am, but Corporal Davis is following right behind us. He has the pack of their supplies. Our ETA is two minutes. You can administer one at that time."
"I have morphine I just need a dosage and I can give it to him now."
"Yes, ma'am. Let me contact him."
Alec closed his eyes again as the Lt. and the medic conversed. He'd just have to ride it out while they figured out the rest. He soon felt a slight feeling of floating and opened his eyes to the medic injecting his IV.
Jan finished administering the pain medicine and gave her full attention to the hazel-green eyes that stared back at her. Her heart lurched the sadness she saw there.
"That should take the edge off. I'm sorry I couldn't give you anything sooner."
When he didn't say anything she continued, "I promise I'll do the best I can to take care of you." But the sad eyes just looked away from her as they glazed just a bit. Jan sighed and reached out a hand to wipe a lone tear that trailed down his cheek.
Lt. Gamble watched with concern, his own mind in turmoil over the events that occurred. He'd followed his orders implicitly and would continue to do so, but his heart felt heavy at having to shoot 494 down. John sucked in a deep breath and sat up straighter. He had new orders now, to protect 494 and Ms. Stanton.
They came to a stop just outside Police Station No. 23 and glanced out back as the rest of their military vehicles stopped. He moved out of the ambulance and immediately signaled his men into position before transferring their man. Then issued orders to Team 2 to cordon off the area. Cunningham moved up to him.
"No one gets through without permission from the Colonel or myself. That includes Senator McKinley. Until the Colonel clears him I don't even want him in the building," ordered Lt. Gamble.
"Yes, sir."
Cunningham signaled four of his men to take up positions between the ambulance and entryway into the Police station.
Once satisfied that they were ready, Lt. Gamble moved to let the medics remove 494. At the same time Corporal Davis was checking on his charge. They'd removed Mole from the vehicle, but had not advanced toward the station entryway, instead setting his stretcher on the ground and surrounding him for his protection. Their orders were that 494 was the priority and would be moved in first and secured.
Jan hopped out of the bus and with the help of her partner moved the gurney out. Ted stopped helping as soon as the gurney hit the ground.
"I'm done. You're on your own from here."
Jan glared at Ted. She always thought highly of him before now. Today she'd seen a side of him she didn't know existed and it disgusted her.
"I need you're help getting him settled."
"Sorry, I have a job to get back too." Ted's face showed no relenting.
Jan's eyes narrowed, "Fine, you can have the bus, but not what's in it." Then deliberately turning to Lt. Gamble, she told him to remove all supplies and equipment.
Ted grabbed her arm. "Hey, you can't take that stuff."
"Sure I can," she replied coolly. "Isn't that right Lieutenant?"
Gamble moved in close to Ted. His menacing face just inches away. "You can have anything you want ma'am."
"Good, I want it all. Leave the asshole a shell." Jan turned her complete attention to her charge and with the help of one of Gamble's man started to move inside.
"Yes, ma'am."
Gamble moved forward, forcing Ted to move back until he was completely out of the way. Then ordered everything removed from the ambulance. His admiration for Ms. Stanton rose considerably, while the look he gave her partner conveyed his contempt.
"You can't do this," Ted protested. Then turning his attention to Jan called after her. "I'm gonna report this to our admin."
Jan waved an arm, never looking back, "Yeah, yeah, yeah."
Alec had felt when they lifted him out of the ambulance and despite his feelings of sorrow, couldn't help enjoying the confrontation between the two medics. The enjoyment he felt was cut short when he spotted the stretcher with Mole's body on the ground. Despair and failure overwhelmed him and escaped his lips in the form of a half sob.
"Stop," Jan ordered, concern in her voice.
"Not until we're inside, ma'am," the soldier informed her.
"Then let's move more quickly, please." Jan's concern increased when the monitor showed his heart rate increase. Looking at his face, she followed his eyes to what he was seeing. Realization dawned on her and once inside, she moved to the side of the gurney to get his attention, but he just turned his head away. She quickly moved around to the other side. Determined to have him hear her. Alec tried to move his head again, but she stopped him with her hand on his face.
"No you don't. You need to listen to me. Your friend, he's alive. Quit trying to turn away and listen to me," Jan continued more slowly and deliberately, knowing that the morphine might be affecting his comprehension. "He's…alive. Your friend is not dead. Do you understand? He's alive."
Alec swallowed hard and his voice hitched, "Alive?"
"Yes," she said while nodding. She signaled Davis to move forward with his stretcher until they were side by side and watched as Alec's eyes followed the movement. "See?" her voice soft. Then lifting his right hand she placed it on Moles chest so he could feel his respirations. "As far as we can tell, he's concussed and will probably have a whale of a headache when he comes too."
"Alive." This time it was not a question, but a statement. A clipped laugh sounded from his lips and he stared up at the ceiling. He didn't even try to stop the flood of tears that came.
"Yes."
Jan felt her own tears well up as this young man's eyes spilled over. Then taking his hand back, she placed it carefully on the gurney and signaled the soldier to continue. Gamble stepped up and tried to hand her a handkerchief.
Jan glared at him and said matter of factly, "What the hell makes you think I need that?"
Gamble blinked, then smiled. "Not a thing ma'am." Then with exaggerated gesture, he blew his own nose, sniffed loudly and stuffed it back in his pocket.
Jan's own sniff followed his, as she ignored him and continued to move forward. All that mattered to her now was getting her patient settled.
Max entered what they now deemed their command center to get an update from Dix.
"What have we got Dix?"
"Biggs is now with his team at the warehouse. Logan was able to confirm Alec and Mole's position and the team will move in just after midnight."
"Any idea of their condition?"
Dix swallowed and tried to change the subject. "Logan's contacts in Canada will be ready to accept some of our people in three days. We can start moving them out in two days."
Max narrowed her eyes, placing her hands on her hips. "I'm pretty frustrated right now, and I haven't had Alec's ass to kick in a while. Yours is looking more and more available."
Dix jumped slightly, turning his hind end away from Max. "Oh no, you can have his back soon enough for you weird urges."
Max's face soften and she stepped closer, her face full of concern. "What are you not wanting to tell me?"
"There was a confrontation between Alec and White. Somehow White grabbed Alec after he was disarmed and held him hostage." Dix looked down and swallowed hard at this point.
"What? What else?"
Without raising his head, Dix continued, "Alec signaled Colonel foster to do what he had too and their sniper shot them both down. White's dead, but Alec is still alive. They hit White by shooting through Alec." The last part came in a whisper.
Max's blinked rapidly and her lip quivered in an effort to control her emotions. Anger mixed with fear just served to heighten her frustrations.
"I should've gone. I should be there."
"I know you want to be, Max." Dix spoke up, now looking at her. He placed his hand on her arm in comfort. "But I'm glad you're not, we need you too."
Max stared at Dix for a moment and for the first time could see the need in Dix. The same need in all the transhumans whose lives depended on the decisions she made. The X-5s could assimilate themselves into society, the ones like Dix, Luke and Joshua had more needs.
"Get the first groups ready," Max spoke with certainty, "We'll begin transport in two days."
Dix smiled and began to turn back to his station, then hesitated. "He's one of the best, you know. Biggs I mean. If anyone can bring them home, it's him."
Max smiled wanly, "Thanks." Then left in search of Joshua, the need to be near family strong in her heart.
End of Part 12
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