Chapter Four:
When All Is Said and Done
Stone's voice came over the air, "Are you okay sweetie?"
I drifted for a second before saying, "Yeah… yeah, I'm all right."
"I just saw what happened. Look up to your right."
I looked up to be greeted with a metal-cased security camera.
"I managed to make my way to one of the security rooms," Stone said. "I'm trying to cause a big enough mess so that they can't coordinate a counterstrike against us. I brought down most of their communications so half the base still don't know we're here. Your family should be deep inside the facility near the main offices – they like to keep a close eye on their captors."
"Stone?" I asked.
"Yes sweetie."
"Is a member of the La-Li-Lu-Le-Lo here? Is it a member of my family?"
"I'm not allowed to say," Stone said firmly. "Only he can say."
"Oh…"
"Anyway, I pulled up a map of the facility here. You're in the library still, right? Head down the hallway that's connected to the one you're in now. Check some of the rooms on your way – we need to flush out any threats while we're here before we destroy this place – and take a right when you reach the end of it. You'll be in the administration department. They keep their network there so be careful; there's probably going to be some sentries posted and tight security. IT personnel are not even allowed in it on a regular basis. You should be able to find a map to where the holding areas are. I believe that's where your family is being held."
I nodded, "Okay."
"Oh, and Jessica?"
"What?"
"I know this sounds cold, but killing is just something that gets easier the more you do it. I can probably imagine that you want to vomit pretty bad right now."
"I can't; I don't have anything on my stomach."
"Well, find a canteen if you can and get something to eat. I don't want you passing out from lack of sugar. Well, call me if you need me. Got some people here that are not too happy to see me."
With that, Stone disconnected. I sighed and sat there for a few minutes, unsure of whether I had the emotional strength to carry on or not. Suddenly, the public address system came alive with Stone's voice.
"YOU SONS OF BITCHES! FUCK YOU ALL! WHY DON'T YOU COME GET SOME YOU PUSSIES! I'M OVER HERE IN ANAMALOUS MATERIALS!" he screamed.
For a minute, I almost laughed till I cried. Stone, in all his seriousness, was now going out on a limb to create a diversion to try and save my ass. Or, at least, save it some trouble.
I gathered my wits and stood back up. Looking down the hallway where the other fallen researcher lied, I took a deep breath and began my steady pace down into the depths of the facility. I peered into each room to see if it was occupied. None of them were; apparently, the two researchers I killed were the only ones around. That would explain why nobody had investigated the firefight that occurred. I walked down the hallway until I came to a small library.
Something beckoned me inside.
The metal doors slid apart quickly. After I stepped across the threshold, they shut back into place. The library was furnished with about five rows of books and a small desk equipped with a computer. I holstered my gun and started to examine the books. Most of them dealt with physics and robotics; a lot of Asimov titles. I turned and walked over to the computer. Whoever the last user was, they forgot to close their Windows session. I sat down in the small, highly uncomfortable swivel chair and brought up Microsoft Outlook. It was time to do a little poking around.
One e-mail I found was labeled "QUEST TEAM." I double clicked on it to open it.
TO: ALL PERSONNEL
FROM: EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT
SUBJECT: QUEST TEAM
Recently, it has been addressed on whether the possibility the Quest family poses a threat to the secrecy of our work. Dr. Quest understands that this project is classified and under airtight security.
However, should a security issue come about; it will be dealt with quickly. The main concern we have is Dr. Quest's bodyguard, Roger "Race" Bannon. Intelligence has led us to believe he may be working for the Patriots, better known now as the La-Li-Lu-Le-Lo. It is imperative that he be monitored for the extent of the visit. He should not be able to piss by himself.
Should Mr. Bannon take a course of action that poses any threat to the facility, please use every method possible to restrain and neutralize him. As a last resort, we may have to use his family as leverage.
Remember: it is our pleasure and honor to have Dr. Quest visit our facility to oversee the completion of our newest creation. Dr. Quest helped pioneer the research in advanced speed and acceleration of particles that made this weapon possible.
Department Foremen: please post this on your bulletin boards ASAP.
Thanks,
Dr. Jeffrey A. Parker, Ph.D.
Public Relations and Internal Affairs Director
The e-mail was dated about four days ago. There was another, flagged urgent. The title was, "CAPTIVES." Whoever this user was, apparently he or she was a member of security.
TO: SECURITY ADMINISTRATORS
CC: DR. YAEGAR; DR. PARKER
CLEARANCE: LEVEL FIVE
FROM: MAXWELL PRUPES, LEAD SECURITY ADMINISTRATOR
SUBJECT: CAPTIVES
ATTENTION ALL SECURITY ADMINS!
THE LA-LI-LU-LE-LO FOOLED US AGAIN. THEY HAVE INFILTRATED OUR FACILITY WITH A MOLE WHO HAS LEAKED INFORMATION BACK TO THEM. ROGER BANNON IS NOT THE THREAT. HOWEVER, WE STILL DO NOT KNOW WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE LA-LI-LU-LE-LO! WE'RE NOT EVEN SURE IF THEY ARE ON THE QUEST TEAM.
WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY CAPTURED JONNY QUEST, DR. QUEST'S SON, AS PER DR. YAEGAR'S DIRECTIVE. DR. QUEST HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO COOPERATE WITH US NOW. UNFORTUNATELY, BANNON'S DAUGHTER ESCAPED. MERCHANT AND GRAY HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THREE OF THE LAMBDA TEAM HAS BEEN KILLED. THEY ALSO REPORTED THAT SHE IS BEING ASSISTED BY STONE (PICTURE ATTACHED), A FORMER MARINE AND MEMBER OF THE LA-LI-LU-LE-LO. HE IS CONSIDERED ARMED AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. YOUR ORDERS ARE TO SHOOT ONSITE IF HE REFUSES TO COOPERATE PEACEFULLY. IF HE IS CAPTURED OR NEUTRALIZED ALIVE, HE IS TO BE BROUGHT TO DR. YAEGAR'S OFFICE FOR INTERROGATION.
THE GIRL HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS JESSICA BANNON (SURVEILLANCE PICTURE ATTACHED). SHE IS CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS ALSO. IT IS SPECULATED THAT SHE IS ASSISTING STONE IN TRYING TO RECOVER THE QUEST TEAM. SHE IS TO BE CAPTURED, PREFARABLY ALIVE.
NOTIFY YOUR STAFF MEMBERS TO REPORT ANY SUPSICIOUS ACTIVITIES.
MAX PRUPES
ASSISTANT SECURITY DIRECTOR AND LEAD ADMINISTRATOR
There was another… I think it was labeled "Hey;" a personal e-mail from a colleague:
TO: DR. DWAYNE L. MCGEE
FROM: DR. H. W. CARPENTER
SUBJECT: JESSICA BANNON
Dwayne,
I asked about Jessica what we can do to her while she's being held in the brigade. The LSA gave us the green light to do whatever our hearts desire just as long as it doesn't endanger her life.
You know what this means.
I know you've always had a thing for redheads. Say, why don't we fuck her in front of that Quest kid? The look on his face would be priceless! Hell, I've got my digital camera; we can take pictures, too. Her tits are fucking huge! Take a look at the surveillance photos if you haven't already seen them. She's got a sweet ass, too.
Try not to get too hard of a boner thinking about it. See you at lunch.
Wade
I cringed at the thought of being gang-raped by a bunch of researchers and security officers. However, it could become a reality if I wasn't careful. I stood up from the computer and turned towards the doorway.
The skinny, buzz-cut surfer-boy gone Gomer Pyle was standing inside the room with two uniformed guards behind him. He didn't look too happy to see me at first; then he began to look up and down my body.
"Reading confidential e-mails is against company policy," he said.
"God, you don't have to be so fucking corny," I snapped.
He smiled and started to advance. I could see in his eyes that one of my worst fears was about to become a reality.
"That company car came out of my paycheck!" he screamed as he lunged at me.
I sidestepped out of the way as he crashed into the wall behind me. The first guard – his uniform said "SCALLIONS" – performed a roundhouse kick. His heavy boot made contact with my neck; I lost my breath as I went sailing into the nearby bookcase. It fell over with me on top of it. Scallions jumped on top of me, restraining my arms as I wildly kicked and twisted. The other one, "OLIVER," produced a stun gun from his holster. I could see the 10,000 volts arch violently from its probes. I looked up into Scallions fierce green eyes as Gomer pulled himself up from the wall.
Scallions then shoved his tongue down my throat. Immediately I chomped down on it. Scallions muffled screamed was then followed by a swift knee to his crotch. I managed to break free of his hard grasp and knock his jaw loose. Scallions fell backwards into his leader and the two crashed onto the desk with the computer. Oliver stormed forward, tazer in hand and at full blast. He shoved it forward, attempting to get me on the leg with it. I rolled backwards and stood up on top of the fallen bookcase. I kicked Oliver in the head and sent him flying into the wall. I jumped down just as Scallions and Gomer got back up. Scallions punched me in the stomach; the other kicked me in the shoulder. I fell backwards in front of the door. Scallions made a dive for me; unfortunately for him, I rolled out of the way and got up. I scrambled out of the room, turned, and shot the control panel next to the doorway. It short-circuited, popped, crackled, and the door immediately slid shut. There was a lot of banging and screaming on the other side as they were trapped inside.
I turned and ran down the hallway. I was now going to have to play hide-n-seek with the entire staff of this place, it seemed. The PA system came alive with an unfamiliar voice. It was a woman's voice, although it was computerized and automated: "ATTENTION! WE HAVE A SECURITY BREACH. ALL AVAILABLE SECURITY STAFF MEMBERS PLEASE CONDUCT A SAFETY SWEEP NOW. ALL OTHER PERSONELL PLEASE REPORT TO YOUR RESPECTIVE POSTS." If I was to conduct a search of some rooms, it would have to be quick. These people were now officially pissed off.
I was about to come to the end of the hallway, which formed a T-shape with the corridor it connected to. I slipped into an open room a few feet before the entryway – numerous footsteps in a quick shuffle were coming. I found myself in a chemical storage room, the ideal place to hide. Shelves were lined with all sorts of fluids and gasses I had never seen or heard of before. I crouched down low to where I could see where I came from. About four guys in suits with small machine guns made their way down the hall, probably presuming I was still down there. I poked my head out and waited till they were out of earshot. Then I made my escape.
Bullets began slamming into the floor and wall beside me. Apparently I didn't wait long enough. I skidded around the corner and fired some returning shots. My codec began beeping again. I slammed on the button, "WHAT!"
Stone's voice came over the air, "I see you've met the elite squad."
"NO SHIT!" I screamed as I fired my last remaining rounds. The suits were taking cover at the other end of the corridor.
"I'll call back," Stone said as I slipped a fresh clip into the chamber.
"GOOD!"
The transmission ended.
I turned around and ran down the hallway into an open lobby area. I slammed shut two heavy green fire doors and looked for an object to slide through the handles that would keep them locked for awhile. I grabbed a nearby floor lamp, broke off the base, and slid it through the handles. I turned back around and examined this new area I stumbled upon. Stone said that a network control room was nearby which became my main objective. And, just as he said, three guards ran up. All three of them, however, weren't holding their firearms. Instead, they were armed with nightsticks and riot gear. I slipped my .45 back into its holster. These boys wanted to play rough, it seemed.
The lobby was in a square shape and was about two floors high. The tile was white like in the hallway; a blue outline ran around the outer perimeter. Four marble columns stood near each corner; two rows of seats and some potted plants added to the flavor. This was now my arena. It was time to dance.
I glanced at their uniforms and learned their names: Jackson, Haywood, and McDowell. Jackson was the first to step forward, trying to get sideways of me in an effort to get the upper hand. He swung his nightstick; I ducked. It slammed into the column next to us. I kicked the melee weapon out of his hand. It slid all the way up to the wall. I performed a leg sweep and tripped Jackson up, riot shield and all. Haywood and McDowell followed with their assault. I dodged a swipe by Haywood and kicked McDowell in the center of his shield. The force knocked him back into the column. McDowell landed on his knees and then forward onto the floor. Haywood swatted me across the stomach and then smacked me in the face with his heavy plastic shield. I went backwards and crash landed onto one of the end tables next to the benches. I rolled backwards off the small wooden table and onto the floor behind it. Haywood jumped up on the table and tried taking me down with another blow; he missed as I rolled out of the way. I managed to get behind him, grab the back of his collar, and throw him back over the seats. Haywood took three of the plush waiting-room seats with him as he landed on the floor. Jackson and McDowell threw away their riot shields because of their cumbersome weight. The two soldiers jumped over the seats. I blocked most of the punches and kicks they threw; Jackson got me in the side with a mule kick and McDowell punched me in the jaw. I sailed back and slid on the waxed floor. McDowell ran over and picked me up from behind; Jackson and Haywood approached and both took a shot at my stomach. Blood was running from my nose and corner of my mouth. I was now getting pissed. I pushed myself back into McDowell to get my feet in the air; I kicked Jackson and Haywood both in the throat. They fell backwards, coughing and cursing violently. I continued to run backwards with McDowell until I slammed him into another marble column. It took about three times but he finally let go. I flung around and punched him twice in the stomach; I then grabbed him by his short black hair and knocked the shit out of him with my right fist. He flew into the floor and rolled onto his stomach, motionless.
My hand hurt like hell, now.
Jackson and Haywood were now back on their feet, anxious to get another chance at beating the fuck out of me. I reached into my sheath and pulled out my survival knife. They did the same. Haywood was the first to try his luck with me. He came forward and began to take jabs as I jumped, ducked, and dodged his attacks. Haywood managed to slice my left arm and nearly get my face. I slammed my knife into his neck and withdrew it quickly. Haywood's blood sprayed everywhere like a geyser; his eyes rolled back in his head as he collapsed and died. Jackson ran forward with a primal rage that almost had me shaken. Unfortunately for him, my conscious had taken the hour off and the only thing left was my adrenal glands. I grabbed his wrist and hip tossed his ass face first into the column. Jackson slammed into the solid marble before hitting the ground motionless like his partner McDowell.
I looked around the area for anything that resembled a network closet. Suddenly I spotted my target: a room labeled "LAN ADMINISTRATION: AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY." I ran over to the door and peeked in: nothing but rows and rows of switches, routers, and PC terminals. I slipped in and shut the wooden door behind me, making sure to lock it. I flipped on the lights and tried to contact Stone on my Codec. He came on the air, "Jessica! Are you alright dear?"
"Yeah," I said. "I'm fine, Stone; just a couple of bruises and a gash on my arm."
"A gash? Ah shit… better get that treated soon. Try to locate a first aid room. Where're you at now?"
"LAN Administration; you said there might be a map of this place in here?"
"Yeah," Stone said. "They keep diagrams of network connections and pinout sheets to keep track of where all those cables are coming from. I can't remember correctly, but there should be a desk somewhere near the back of that server farm. See if you can find it."
"Okay."
I wandered through the maze of wiring closets. I pulled out my gun just in case I got any more surprises. My stomach began to growl – I hoped that whoever the network administrator was, he kept food in his desk. Near the corner of the room, I found the desk Stone was talking about.
"Okay, I found it. I'm going to search for a map now."
"Alright sweetie; I'll try to meet up with you later. I'll keep you notified if anything changes."
Stone disconnected. I rummaged through the desk and managed to find an onslaught of Snickers bars and gummy bears. I indulged myself, tearing through each package like a homeless person in a dumpster. It wasn't much, but it would have to do until I could find some real food. My glucose didn't need to drop any more. I ripped out drawers and moved papers, looking for anything that would give a layout of the facility. With a little luck, and a little time, I stumbled across one. I unfolded the map and laid it across the blotter. Apparently the facility was composed of five floors, number four being the one I was on and the loading bay. Number five was canteen and human resources. Number four was administration, reference, and loading bay. Number three was dispatch, test range, and conference rooms. Number two was R&D, specimen holding, brigade, and primary IT department. Finally, number one was executive offices, restricted laboratories, and classified reference. My family was more than likely on floor two. But first, I needed to visit the top floor for grub.
I managed to sneak to the elevator down the hall without interference. Nobody else appeared to face the wrath of me. I pressed the button and kept a watchful eye on the hallway around me. I was getting nervous: what new horrors awaited me on the floor above?
A small ding and the polished metallic elevator doors slid apart. As soon as I looked inside two researchers leapt out of the car and onto me. My surprise was soon replaced with anger and fear as I fought hard to free from their grasp. I needed to get back into the elevator and get the damn thing moving. I turned to the one on my right – an older gentleman with silver hair – and head-butted him in the mouth. He immediately grabbed his mouth as blood started to pour from his busted teeth and rolled away. I was dragged up by the other – a younger gentleman, but older than me, with dark brown hair – and grabbed him by his nuts. He let out a scream before I punched him in the side of the head and got to my feet. I threw myself into the elevator; strangely, somebody had already called it to the top floor. The doors slid shut as I heard more footsteps coming down the hallway.
I scooted up to the rear of the car and rested against the smooth wood paneling. I got out my .45 and cocked it. The excitement was killing me. I wondered about Jonny, about Daddy, and Hadji, and Dr. Quest… I desperately needed to know their status. The elevator car ascended gently; the level indicator changed to five. With an abrupt stop, the elevator doors opened slowly. I peered outside and looked around. I was now located in the canteen – it resembled the cafeteria at Rockport High School. A couple of tables with those God-awful hard plastic seats, serving lines, and some vending machines, it almost felt like home. I took a few steps out and kept my gun trained to my invisible opponents. I knew they were there. They were waiting… but for what? I slid behind one of the columns and peered out into the seating area. In the distance, behind the serving tables, not even God Himself moved. I crept over sideways to the vending machines. I took the butt of my gun and dislodged the hard plastic window. I managed to stick my arm behind it and grab a bunch of honey buns and potato chips. I tore into the packages and scarfed down as much as I humanly could. Afterwards, I rested for a few minutes at one of the tables. I was perfectly aware of the numerous footsteps that were approaching quickly behind me. I stared straight ahead as I felt the cold barrel of an M5 press up against the back of my neck.
A gruff voice said, "Stand up, slowly."
I slowly pushed myself up from the table. I felt two sets of hands grab my wrists and bind them together behind my back. My weapons were stripped from me as I continued to stare ahead.
"Turn around."
I slowly turned to see the other assailant that had attacked me and Jonny in Nags Head, the big guy. His massively strong physique made the assault rifle he wielded look unnecessary. Behind him was a group of about five grunts, all wearing camouflage uniforms and masks to hide their identity. I read the name sewn into the big one's uniform: Gray. Mr. Pyle must be the other one, Merchant.
"You're coming with us," Gray said. "The boss wants to see you."
Something caught my eye. The way the soldiers behind Gray were standing, they formed a V shape. The one on the left end seemed to have noticed something. The second I saw his shotgun go up, I leapt backwards and kicked Gray's M5 out of his hands. The gunfire erupted in the cafeteria almost instantaneously as I rolled over the table and into the kitchen area. I looked out of the corner of my eye and saw Stone diving sideways from one of the columns firing upon Gray and his goons with an AK-47. I got jumped over a stack of trays and crash landed behind the serving tables.
Things were about to get just a tad hectic.
My hands were tied together with a strong zip tie. How clever, I thought. I stayed low and made my way deeper into the kitchen. There had to be a pair of scissors somewhere. I could hear orders being shouted and more gunfire blasting outside. Next time I'd use some spare change to get something to snack on from the vending machine. I managed to stand upright and scout all over the kitchen counters and preparation areas. Not much of any sharp utensils were left out; OSHA would be happy. I finally found a pair of snipping shears used to cut into airtight packaging. With some tricky maneuvering and a little luck, I was finally free from my homemade handcuffs. Unfortunately, I didn't have any guns so I was shit out of luck until further notice. I wandered deeper into the kitchen and explored. The white tiled walls and poured concrete floors were very clean, indeed. All sorts of utensils hung diligently from their respective hooks, food items were labeled and organized inside the refrigerators.
I exited the kitchen and found myself inside another hallway. These walls were composed of tempered glass and blinds; a very office-oriented atmosphere. Walking by some of the workspaces and cubicle areas, men and women casually went about their business, paying little to no attention to me. Apparently, someone with my attire was quite common in this business. The glass ended and the smooth green wall began. I rounded a corner to see two guards coming my way. They were busy chatting so my presence was not known… yet. I quickly looked around for a place to hide and found the men's room.
It was better than nothing.
I pushed open the wooden door and slipped around the privacy wall. The room was unoccupied with the exception of me. Two urinals and four stalls lined the right wall; a counter with two sinks on the opposite wall from it. I entered the first stall and shut the door. Down my spine, a caterpillar of fear and anxiety crawled downward. I was visibly nervous; almost shaking violently. I sat down on the toilet and buried my face in my hands.
"Why me…?" I asked nobody.
My worst fears came to life when I heard the men's room door open and one of the guards saying to the other, "I gotta take a leak; hold on." I held my breath as I heard his combat boots squeak softly across the floor. He unzipped his pants and started to relieve himself into the urinal of his choice. I slowly arose and opened the door. I was insane for trying this, but it was worth a shot…
I stepped through the door and looked at myself in the mirror. My face was now pale, my red hair drenched with sweat and gun powder. My victim didn't seem to notice the fact that I was now stalking him. Without breathing, I grabbed the back of his head and smashed his face into the hard wall in front of him. He groaned the first time, but to be on the safe side I repeated the process about three times until the blood started smearing. I threw his body into the side of the first stall; he collapsed openly with his eyes shut. I reached down and took a combat knife and a nine millimeter 952 Smith and Wesson from the grunt. I cocked the first bullet into the chamber and crept up to the men's room door and peeked out. His partner was standing to the right of the door but far enough away from the door for me to get a good grasp on him. I opened the door completely and grabbed him by the shoulders and threw the poor bastard into the privacy wall behind me. The look of shock on his face was replaced with pain as I kicked him square in the balls. He fell to his knees and then I kicked him in the face. I left the men's room quickly and looked both ways down the hallway: nobody saw me, and if they did, they didn't give a rat's ass.
I lurked down the hallway. I needed some help getting to the lower levels, someone who would know where to go. I peered around the corner and looked into a small employee lounge. A girl about my age was standing with her back turned to me, sipping coffee from a Styrofoam cup. She looked rather timid; her dark brown hair was put into a pony tail and her outfit was more or less comforting than professional. She wore a flower-patterned skirt and a simple white blouse. It reminded me of a kindergarten teacher. I stalked up behind her and pulled out my gun. I cringed and put the gun up to the back of her head, saying, "Don't move." The young woman gasped and dropped her coffee; the cup landed on the counter and tipped over away from her. I tried to remember what Daddy had taught me about taking control of somebody.
I slid my arm under her left and pulled her close to me with my hand coming back up around to her right shoulder. Using this technique would make it harder for her to make an escape without taking a bullet. I didn't really enjoy this, mind you, but it had to be done.
"I won't hurt you," I whispered in her ear. "Just do what I say. Got it?"
"Y… yeah!" she shrieked.
I turned around with her in front of me. I looked around: nobody took notice. They were too busy working at their stations inside their offices to really care about the outside world. We stepped back into the hallway.
"Which way is the elevator?" I asked.
She pointed further down the hallway.
"Okay. I'm going to let go now. You're coming with me. If you try to escape, I'll shoot. Got it?"
She violently nodded. I slowly released my grasp. My captive didn't run. So far so good, at least. I allowed a few inches between us as we walked. The girl folded her arms and kept her head pointed downward towards her low-heel shoes. When we arrived at the elevator, she pressed the button as I took stance beside her. The elevator chimed and the doors slid open. We stepped inside.
"Number two," I commanded.
She obliged and pressed the second floor button.
The doors slid shut and we descended.
My codec started to ring.