From : Chihuahua
Date : 14th December 2003
Disclaimer : I don't own any of the TRA:JQ characters and neither do I own any of the characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. No money is made out of this fic. Don't sue me as I'm not sure I can afford Ally McBeal.
Category : A, DBN-HR, F, E, JQ/Buffy Crossover
Rating : Parental guidance is advised.
Author's note : This takes place after Season 2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This is my account on what happens and is based fully on my own creativity.
Archiver's Permission: Granted to those who want it. Just inform me on where it can be found.
RECON
"This just in. The Zin's chopped is in Toronto!" Hadji exclaimed. "A long way from Washington D.C. Guessing that's why the search didn't turn out any hits locally."
"Okay Hadj, keep working on locating Jade. We'll see you in a while." Jonny snapped his cellphone shut. "The chopper's in Toronto," he said. "Funny that I-1 didn't check it out though," Jonny shot at Race. He narrowed his eyes. "Why is that Race?"
Race turned away. "It's nothing that concerns you."
"Try me anyway," Jonny challenged.
"Not now, Jonny." Race waved the boy away.
"Why the hell not?"
"Because it's not something I feel like talking about now!"
"Humor me!"
Race glared at the boy. "You really have an issue with the word 'no' don't you?"
"No, I have a problem with people holding out on me!" Jonny snapped back. "Especially people I trust!"
Race deflated, defeated. "I-1, kid…"
Jonny's expression did a double-take, first exasperation, then disgust.
"What's I-1 got to do with this?"
"Everything!"
"Race… for the final time… I need to know what's going on!" Jonny cried, straddling a chair.
For an instant, Race saw the kid he once knew, older, but still vulnerable. Then Jonny turned his eyes him, and all he saw was an angry young man, jaded and cruel.
"Jade was once an I-1 agent too… a long time ago." Race paced the hotel room, peering out at the Washington D.C. skyline.
There was no comment from Jonny, but a knowing look.
Race continued, "She was one of their best agents, I frequently partnered with her on our assignments. But Jade… she always had a mind of her own, and she began to question certain I-1 decisions."
"So basically, she was a good agent, but a bad soldier?" Jonny quipped.
"You could say that. I-1 saw her as trouble though, and she was dismissed."
"You mean they tried to kill her…" Jonny prodded, his resentment reappearing.
Race only nodded.
Jonny laughed, a bitter laugh. Race shuddered slightly from it. The sound was harsh, mechanical and almost cold.
"She escaped… has been on the run ever since. I-1 just gave up after a while, her file was burned, and everyone just assumed she was dead. So now that Zin has her… I-1 is not going to stand in between them."
"It's amazing how I can still trust you! So what? You'd kill me too when I prove to be 'trouble'?"
Race was silent.
"Oh wait… you can't. If you do, no more Destined One. Isn't that right?" Jonny bit off. "With no known blood descendents still alive, you cannot afford to kill me off. Not yet anyway!"
"Kid…"
"Don't 'kiddo' me! I've had it, Race!" Jonny shrunk back. "I cannot keep playing 'Guess the Alliance' with you! If I-1 is that important to you… go now. Go before I snap your neck!"
"I've taken care of you since…"
"And for that I'm forever grateful, but I can't…"
"Shut up, and let me finish!" Race cut him off. "I've raised you… I've cared for you! My daughter was also raised by your father. You know who I'll stand with." His glacier cold eyes were moist.
Jonny was silent for a moment, before throwing himself onto the older man. He hugged him tight, his tears flowing freely, finally. "Thank you, Race…"
"Silence… this cannot be good," Benton commented, stepping into the suite. He wiped his muddy boots before proceeding further into the room.
"On the contrary, it could be the best thing that has happened," Hadji commented.
"Like what? They killed each other?" Seth said, noting the pristine condition of the room. "No broken furniture, lamps are all intact, no cracks in the walls. Nope, if they did fight, they took it outside."
All three glanced at each other, and then ran to the balcony and peered over the edge. Thirteen floors below, the swimming pool was abandoned, the weather too cold for anyone.
"Thank God, they didn't…" Benton said.
"We didn't what?" Jonny asked his father, coming out to look over the balcony as well.
Benton averted his eyes sheepishly. "Never mind."
Jonny grinned.
Hadji was suddenly alarmed. "Where's Race? You didn't…?"
"Kill me? No, I'm still very much here." Race emerged from a room too, and joined the small company at the balcony. "What are we looking for?"
No one said anything, and then burst out laughing.
"Have you two finally made peace?" Hadji asked.
"I'd say so, Hadj."
"Any more info on Jade, doc?"
"Managed to track down the Zins. It wasn't easy, Hadji probably broke fifty federal laws and Seth here violated about half a dozen just hacking into the airline databases. But we did it."
"So, where are they now?"
"Last checked, Istanbul."
"Turkey?" Race exclaimed. "Why the hell would they drag her there?"
"Three guesses," Jonny said, coming back onto the balcony wielding the Blade. "Zin wants what's mine." He smiled sardonically. "Let him try to take it."
***
ISTANBUL
"Ready to talk today, Jade?" Anaya asked, stepping into the dim room.
Jade raised her head to glare at the woman. "Yeah, untie me and we'll talk pain!"
"Still the stubborn Jade… Good to know that one night of tied-up captivity hasn't broken your spirit."
"It's a little kinky for my style, this bondage thing…" Jade drawled.
Melana stepped into the room. "Sister, let's do it my way this time."
Anaya smiled nastily. "I've failed. Melana will take over now, and I promise that you'll enjoy it far less than with me."
"Oh, I'm sure of that. Pity though… your father was always such a gentleman."
"Why, thank you, Jade!"
Jade strained to see the source of the voice, although she knew well enough who it was. The Oriental accent was subtle in the smooth voice, which could be both courteous and condescending. Right now, it was the latter.
"Father," both the twins said, bowing their heads slightly in deference.
"Girls," Zin acknowledged, nodding. Turning his attention to Jade, he said, "I hope my girls have been hospitable."
"Believe me, the treatment has been unbelievable," Jade replied.
Zin looked pleased. "Now, Ms. Kenyon, would you be so kind as to reveal the whereabouts of the Blade of Aefriol?"
"Can't help you there, Zin."
"Ahh… I see the price isn't right. How about this?" He snapped his fingers at a man who stood in the doorway, who immediately came over, bearing a briefcase. Zin snapped the briefcase open, revealing stacks of money, arranged neatly.
"Sorry Zin, I would love to help you, but even for such a pretty fee, I know nothing."
"You test my patience, Ms. Kenyon," Zin said, his smooth features shifting slightly.
Jade peered into his slitted eyes, and for the first time in some time, she felt real fear. It was nearly tangible enough for her to taste.
***
SOMEWHERE OVER THE ATLANTIC OCEAN
Jonny threw his biology book aside and stretched. He had an exam the next day, and he somehow knew that a rescheduling was in call for, but that would also mean no time to study anytime soon, and with all the classes that he'd been missing, he would need to ace the tests. Special exemptions were not acceptable, not by his own standards.
Where is everyone? He asked, looking around. It had just recently occurred to him that he had been left in silence for over an hour. He knew Race had to be piloting the plane, and his father was most likely with him, mapping out the best course of action. That left Hadji and Seth unaccounted for… and an hour of silence was slightly disconcerting.
Almost by instinct, he began searching the plane for any slithery guests. Since the last time some ass had thrown an Egyptian cobra into the plane to wipe them out, he had developed a fear of picking up any unwanted passengers along the way. Finally, satisfied that there were no venomous creatures around, he straightened himself.
Bandit whined at his feet, looking expectantly at his master's eyes, signing hunger.
"Okay, boy. Food we will get! How you feel about salami?" He picked the small dog up and carried it to the small kitcher.
Bandit whined softly and licked his master's face.
"I'll take that as a yes," Jonny laughed, as the small pink tongue flicked his nose. Looking at his dog now, so unchanged by time, Jonny longed for the old times. Times of less pain and responsibility. Times of less predestined duties. Happier times.
Setting Bandit on the floor, Jonny opened the humming fridge and scanned the fiberglass shelves for the promised salami. Spotting the meat at the back of the fridge, he pulled it out. Slicing the roll deftly, he set the slices of meat into a small bowl and placed it in front of his dog.
As he watched Bandit devour the thin slices, he was struck by his own mortality. He had always taken it for granted that Bandit would die before him, and he had spent most of his childhood preparing himself for the sad day. After all, everyone died. His mother had shown this to him. But now, with Bandit being immortal and him being a warrior of the times, he was positive that the roles had been reversed. Bandit would have to be the one to witness death.
"Old boy, you might just outlive us all!" he said, scratching the dog behind his ears affectionately. "And I might just go next."
Leaving the happy canine, he stepped into the vast cargo hull of the aircraft. The Quest vehicles were there this time, so that they would not have to waste time searching for transportation. There was almost absolute silence. Almost. He heard the slow rhythmic breathing of Hadji, most likely in one of his yogi positions, and the slightly sharper breathing of an inexperienced learner.
Stepping around the jeep, he saw both Hadji and Seth sitting cross-legged. Or at least Seth was sitting. Hadji had assumed a twisted handstand, his legs still in a neat bow. Hadji's forehead was coated with a film of perspiration.
Across him, Seth was working on his breathing, slowing it, making it steady. There seemed to be a glow about him, a somewhat radiance.
"Yes, Jonny?" Hadji asked, his voice unaffected by his obscenely impossible pose.
"I was just looking for you guys. I thought everyone had abandoned the plane and left me with no parachutes."
"Would we have left the Blade with you then?"
"Fair enough." Jonny ran his fingers down the hilt. He had since taken to wearing it strapped to his back, to ensure his permanent vigilance. "So, what are you guys doing? A little late for morning aerobics, isn't it?"
"Meditation is all about concentration, my friend, a fact that I've repeatedly failed to drum into that thick head of yours." Hadji slowly lowered himself from his stance.
"Yeah, whatever, Hadj. But meditation is not going to save any of us in times of crisis."
Hadji opened his eyes and stared straight into his brother's. "But what will save you?"
Jonny felt a shiver go down his spine, Hadji's words resonating in his mind. Shaking it away defiantly, he unsheathed the sword. "This."
"The weapon is mighty, yes… but it is not strong enough to save you."
"It'll do."
The loudspeaker crackled to life. "Hey, guys, we're expecting some turbulence, so it would be better for you to get back to your seats." There was a faint pause, and then Benton's voice came through. "And Jonny, please remove Bandit from the cockpit!"
Hadji got up, stretched his muscles and went on his way. Jonny looked at the still meditating Chinese boy.
"Hey, Seth, we gotta go!"
Seth blinked and then straightened himself. "What's up?"
"Turbulence. Or at least we're expecting some, so Race asked us to strap in."
The floor suddenly seemed to drop from beneath their feet, and even with his superior sense of balance, Jonny nearly tumbled forward. He reached out and grabbed Seth by his shirt, before the boy could smash his head on the numerous control panels.
"Come on!"
"Lead the way."
The plane was shuddering violently, and running was increasingly difficult. There was another violent dip. Seth fell forward and crashed into Jonny, and the two of them went down, rolling over with the turbulence. Seth ended up on top of the bigger boy.
Jonny was silent, but he pushed Seth off gently and hauled himself up, and continued leading the way back to the seats.
"Some turbulence," Seth muttered, steadying himself on a wall.
"Yeah, damn storm!"
Seth threw himself into his seat and buckled the belt. Jonny made his way to the front and collected Bandit.
"Rough ride, boy!"
"We're almost through," Race's voice crackled through the speakers again.
ISTANBUL
The streets were crowded, more crowded than Hadji had ever remembered. The sun was high, but the weather was thankfully fair, not intensely hot. They were now at the bazaar, streets lined with peddlers and stalls, and choked with sightseers and tourists. Studying his map, he grimaced at the number of crosses made on it. Divide-and-conquer was a good tactic, but it could also get very frustrating.
"Have I already mentioned that this is pointless?" Seth asked, after receiving yet another negative response from the locals.
"Keep trying… someone's gotta have seen Zin. Or at least his daughters." Jonny moved further down the crowded bazaar street to ask more people.
"Hadji, any response from Race of Dr Quest yet?" Seth asked, walking over to the jeep where Hadji had been left to man the radio.
"No."
"How the hell are we going to find them?" Seth cursed loudly.
"This would be one way. That would be another," Hadji said, smiling broadly. He nodded in the direction of a sharply dressed man, getting behind the wheel of a black Mercedes.
"Who's he?"
"I don't know, and I don't think I would care to find out. But follow him and I think we will find what we're looking for."
"How'd you know?"
"Call it a hunch… but a suit when you are on vacation does not seem right. And there's also that gun sticking out of his jacket."
He reached for the radio. "Jonny, I think we've got a lead. Get back to the jeep now!"
"Roger!"
Jonny appeared a few seconds later, leaping into the back of the jeep. "Seth, take the wheel!"
"But why?"
"If it's one of Zin's men, they're bound to recognize either Hadji or me, so you're our safest bet."
Seth shifted over without another word, and Hadji clambered into the back and slouched low. "Have you ever driven, Seth?"
"Do you mean legally?"
"Yes."
"No!"
Hadji made some sound of protest but Jonny shut him up. "No choice, Hadj!"
Seth shifted into 'drive' and followed the already moving car. "At least it's an auto."
There was another strangled sound from the backseat.
"What about Race and Dr. Quest?" Seth asked from the front, making sure to keep a safe distance from the black car.
"We'll radio them when we're sure."
"Why not now?"
"If this is a false alarm,
then it's better that they continue searching."
"And if it's not?"
"Then we'll deal."
"Keep your eyes on the road!" Hadji hissed.
"I've got this under control!" Seth laughed. He swerved slightly to avoid a mass of people.
"EYES ON THE ROAD!"
"Oh just shut up!"
"We're here," Seth said, stopping the car and shifting into park. Jonny and Hadji straightened to look around.
"Typical. Zin would have to use a building like this!" Jonny exclaimed, taking in the dilapidated appearance of the building. The walls were crumbling and it was barely more than a skeleton of a building. It did seem stable though.
"I'll radio them," Hadji mumbled, reaching for the radio. He flicked the tracking signal as well, to allow the others to trace them down. Seth peeked around the corner, to where the black car had parked. He heard a loud click and froze, he knew that sound.
"Don't even think about moving!" a raspy snarl hissed. A hard push sent Seth hurtling at a wall. "On your knees!"
Seth heard more guns being cocked, and he knew that the game was up; they were all down for the count.
"The Quest kids… how predictable."
Jonny grinned. "You know us, we never disappoint!"
"Shut your hole, wise ass!" Dour Face snapped, his gunpoint never really leaving its intended mark.
Seth counted five men, all burly and definitely armed and dangerous.
"He's new," Slick noted, pointing his pistol at Seth. Something about his greasy hair made Seth want to dip his head in a bucket of industrial strength detergent.
"Who cares? The boss will deal with him." Stone Face signaled with his gun. "Okay, maggots, on your feet. Try anything funny and I'll be leaving bits of you everywhere within a five foot radius!"
"No kiddin'," Jonny snickered. "That's gotta be big enough to…" He received a sharp punch to his face.
"Just move!" Raspy snarled.
"Get a lozenge!" Jonny spat. But he moved and the others complied accordingly.
"Kid doesn't have the sword," Slick whispered to Stone Face.
"The boss will get it out of him, no worries there." And a menacing grin spread on his hard face.
"Was this in the plan?" Seth whispered to Hadji.
Hadji shook his head, but motioned for Seth to shut up.
The stairs were rickety, and once or twice, Jonny heard something snap somewhere. Note, villains always choose the crummiest bases!
The landing was dim, only a few stray rays of light penetrating the dusty depths. There were doors on both sides of the narrow corridor, most were shut. Dour Face opened one of the doors and checked to make sure that it would be secure enough for the three teens before motioning for them to enter. He shoved all three of them into the middle of the room and stepped out.
"Try anything stupid, and I will spell 'STUPID' with your guts!" he threatened before closing the door and locking it.
"We got the kids. They turned up, just as you guessed they would," Slick reported.
Zin smiled. He had been expecting the Quest Team, but this was definitely earlier than he had anticipated. No matter, it was just a minor issue that could easily be taken care of.
"Excellent!" He rubbed his hands together in exaggerated pleasure and smiled at Jade. "Guess we won't be needing you anymore, Ms. Kenyon."
Jade struggled to open a bruised eye. "Glad to have been of any service to you. So, what're you waiting for? Kill me!"
Zin laughed. "All in good time, Jade. I'll deal with you later." He motioned for Dour Face to come forward. "She's anxious to join our other house-guests. Take her!"
Dour Face unbound the slender woman. Jade tried to struggle, but her attempts were futile. Her injuries and fatigue had left her severely weakened. So weak that she could barely stand without collapsing. Grabbing her legs, he dragged her from the room and dragged her up the flight of stairs to the next level. Picking her up briefly, he hauled her into the room.
Jonny tried to break her fall as she thudded heavily on the filthy floor.
"Jade, can you hear me?" Jonny shook the woman gently, careful not to aggravate any injuries.
"How is she?" Hadji asked, kneeling next to his brother.
"Unconscious, for the most part, but I think she's pretty much intact. Doesn't seem to have any broken bones, but lots of bruises." Jonny rose. "Give her some room."
"So, what now?" Seth asked, coming back from the barred window. "Place's rickety, but those bars are new. Guess Zin wanted a secure holding pen."
Jonny moved to the window, took a deep breath and landed a solid kick on the iron bars. "No budge. If that's our only way out, we're very screwed."
"So, are we screwed?" Seth asked.
"Not really. We could try the door."
"What about Jade? She will only slow us down in this state," Hadji said, pointing at the still form on the dusty floor.
"Let me try something," Seth muttered, kneeling next to Jade. He placed his hands over her, muttering to himself.
"What's he doing?" Jonny asked.
"Healing her… he did the same for you, back at the caves."
Seth's hands glowed with a luminosity that Jonny couldn't quite place. The colors were constantly shifting, and the light pulsed, growing in frequency and intensity. There was a sharp gasp, and then everything was shrouded with a light so brilliant that everything ceased to exist.
"Okay, doc, found the jeep. But no kids."
"If I know them, they're in trouble right now." Benton leaned over and switched off the tracking beacon. "At least Hadji had the common sense to switch that on."
"How'd you know it was Hadji?"
"Would Jonny have thought of it? And Seth probably didn't even know that the damn thing was there."
"Any ideas where they went?"
"I've got a pretty good hunch!" Bentom pointed above, at the window on the second floor. Pure light was pouring out of the window.
Race reached into the backseat and snapped open a box the size of a small crate. "Here, take this." He handed Benton a pistol. "Semi-auto, know how to work it?"
"I've watched enough," Benton smiled grimly. "Any extra ammo?"
Race tossed him an extra magazine. "Let's just hope that we don't need to be packing that much heat."
"It's Zin, Race," Benton reminded.
"Stay behind me, Benton."
"You know, I think it's time I demanded some heavy training in heavy-duty firearms," Jonny commented. "I mean, all this fancy footwork isn't gonna be of much use out there. They'll probably come at us, guns ablazing and all."
"Well, sweetie, you're just going to have to move faster than they can." Jade was leaning on Hadji.
Jonny turned his attention to Seth. "Can you walk?"
Seth looked up, feeling slightly dazed. "I'm not sure."
"What happened?"
"The healing… it takes a little out of me, that's all. I'll be fine."
"I need you to be able to walk, or better, run out of here. Can you do that?" Jonny asked, feeling genuinely concerned.
Seth nodded. "I'll be okay."
Jonny still looked a little dubious.
"I'm fine, go!"
"Okay." Jonny went to the door and began hammering wildly on it. "Hey! Hey! Some help here!"
"What the hell do you want kid?"
"Jade, she's not breathing! Help her!"
There was some laughing on the other side. "Yeah right kid!"
"I tell you, she's not breathing," Jonny cried, still hammering frantically on the door.
Hadji joined in too. "Please sir, we need your help here. She really needs help."
"Piss off!"
Zin stormed out of his room. "What is all the racket about?" he demanded.
"The kid, sir. He says that the woman is not breathing."
"Well, I could care less!" Zin stormed.
"Zin! Zin!" he heard the boy call.
"Shut up kid!" Slick yelled, laughing.
"Zin, if that's you, I propose a trade!"
"Shut…!"
"Let him speak," Zin snapped. "Very interesting strategy, Jonny Quest. I'm listening. What do you have to offer me?"
"You want the sword, don't you Zin? The Blade of Aefriol?"
There was no instant reply. "I'm interested young Quest. Now, what would I have to offer you?"
"Jade needs help. You help her, and I'll tell you where to find the Blade."
"You're a very intelligent young man," Zin said. "Anaya, offer your assistance to Ms. Kenyon, while I negotiate my terms with the young Quest."
Slick and Stone Face positioned their guns while Melana unlocked the door for her sister. Pushing the door open, they aimed their guns inside. There was a blur of movement, and Slick felt his wrist being wrenched so hard that he heard the bones crack. Stone Face went down, holding his nose, whimpering in pain. Blood was gushing freely from his shattered nose.
"Nobody moves!" Jonny said, pressing the gunpoint to Zin's temple.
"Anaya, kill them!" Zin yelled.
"I don't think she's in the position to obey, Zin," Hadji said smoothly, pushing Anaya forward, gun to her back.
Melana moved in for the attack, but Hadji cocked the gun. "I never liked guns, but that has never hindered my learning."
"Watch out!" Jonny yelled, kicking Zin aside as he vaulted over a table, releasing two shots. Hadji turned to find Dour Face clutching his hand. The moment of confusion was enough for Anaya to slam her head backwards into Hadji's face, catching him offguard while Melana wrenched the gun free from his grasp.
Raspy appeared from another room, his gun aimed at Seth when he felt a hard shove from behind. A hard blow to the back of his head and he was out for the count.
"Starting without us, boys?" Race said, leaping into a room to avoid shots from Melana.
Jonny, seeing his chance, leapt up and grabbed Anaya by her neck and slammed her head into a wall, while kicking out hard at Melana's wrist. He felt a powerful blow to the back of his neck and tumbled forward, disoriented by the blow.
"No one touches my daughters!" Zin glowered. He raised his foot to stomp on Jonny.
Benton caught his foot and flung is aside, punching Zin squarely in the jaw. "Nobody touches my sons!" He kicked Zin hard in the knee, felling the man.
"Thanks, Pop!" Whipping his leg around, he caught Melana and pinned her to a wall, before snapping a kick to her head. Melana collapsed in a heap with a low moan.
Grabbing Zin by the throat, Jonny slammed him hard on a wall, ignoring the bits of plaster that crumbled away. "Now, Zin, call off your men, and I won't snap your neck right now!"
Zin laughed. "You won't do that, Jonny Quest. You're too much of a good…" He choked on his last words as Jonny tightened his grip.
"Don't presume to tell me what I will, or will not do, Zin! I'm not sure if I'm that good." For extra measure, he tightened his grip, watching Zin squirm before loosening it again. "Now, we're gonna talk. I'm gonna ask some questions, and you're gonna answer them. Simple?"
Zin nodded, his smooth face contorted with pain. Race even thought he saw a tinge of fear.
"Now, call off your people!"
Zin waved wildly at his broken army.
"Good. Now we'll start. What do you want with the Blade?"
"My private collection!"
"Wrong answer!" Jonny slammed Zin against the wall again, taking care to not knock the man out.
"Lady… wants it… powerful," Zin slurred, looking a little disoriented.
"I see that pain is a very useful stimulus. Do I need to further arouse you?" Jonny asked, his lip curling back in a sneer.
"No… wait."
"Why?"
"There's more."
"Very good, Zin. I see that we're finally seeing eye-to-eye." Jonny glared at him. "Who's she?"
"A vampire. A stunning young woman, almost ancient in lore though," Zin offered, some of his old bombast returning to him, now seeing that he would have to be spared for this bit of information.
Jonny tightened his grip once more. "Don't play games with me, Zin. I want details. EXACT details!"
"Such as?"
"Her name? Description? Address? Anything that you know!"
"She never told me her name."
"Well, let's start with a description that shall we?"
"Tall, dark hair, porcelain skin. Very voluptuous figure…"
"Silken voice, elegant manners and brutal strength," Jonny finished.
"That's her, alright."
"Shit!"
"Face it boy, she'll get the Blade somehow. And even if she doesn't… you can't stop her!"
"What's that suppose to mean?"
"She's got this plan, very evil, plan, if you understand me here."
Jonny choked Zin again. "Try me!"
"Didn't get the whole thing, but it involved merging the realities, ripping through the fabric of time and space. It sounds very technical now, but it was very mystical when she enlisted our help."
"Our?"
"Didn't think that I would do this alone… did you?" Zin laughed. "You might want to put me down now, Master Quest. It would be unwise not to do so."
More guns clicking into position in the background. Far too many to have been manned by all the rest. Turning slowly, Jonny saw that they were guns sticking out of every door, and his back had been pinpointed with at least a dozen red dots.
"Bloody hell," Jonny muttered, dropping Zin.
Zin got up, massaging his sore neck tenderly. He smiled nastily at Jonny. "Looks like everyone else is on their knees, with their hands up, Master Quest. Why don't you join them?" Moving swiftly, he swept Jonny's feet off from under him, kicking him as he went down.
"Now, it looks like I've got the upper hand, Jonny Quest!"
"Don't get too cocky, Zin. The kid had you!" The redhead stepped up to Race. "Race Bannon, still so handsome… still so annoying!" She kicked him aside and came up to Zin.
"Nonsense! It all went according to plan."
"What was your plan anyway, Dr, Zin? Divulge all our plans to the Quest Team before dying?" A motorized wheelchair pulled up, nudging Anaya aside.
"No, it was to get the entire Team together, so we could properly manage them." Zin smiled. "And look around, we've got the renowned Dr. Benton Quest, his trusty muscle, Race Bannon, whom we all hate, and even the Sultan of Bangalore! And a new addition, I see."
Seth looked defiantly at Zin. "How did a dude like you end up with daughters like that, anyway?" He snickered. "Damn, the mom must have been fine!" His head snapped back from the hard punch Melana dealt him.
"Zin, why are we letting them live?" A cloaked figure demanded, pushing his way forward. There were ugly scars covering the entire expanse of his neck. A skeletal mask covered most of his face, but there was no mistaking the extent of scarring there too. His black trench billowed majestically as he marched.
"Rage?" Jonny exclaimed. "What happened? All of you just decided to form some kind of alliance?" he moaned.
"Silence, scourge of hell!" Rage slammed his book into Jonny face, knocking the boy back. "You will all burn in the eternal flames of hell for all your crimes. So it is written in the Book of Rage!"
"Patience, we will deal with them when the time comes, but first, we need the weapon." Zin patted the man on the shoulder. Turning to Jonny, he raised his finely arched eyebrows. "So, Master Quest, will you kindly tell us where you put the Blade?"
"I rather take my chances with him!" Jonny jerked his head at Rage.
"So be it. In time, you will see that I'm the most civilized negotiator here." Zin smiled and walked away.
"A madman, bedridden megalomaniac, or a bald clown… I'm not sure if that's much of a compliment." Jonny received another hard punch from Julia for his snide remark. "Although I think the clown had a point."
"How long has it been since they entered?"
"Ten minutes, sir."
"Too long. Arm your men, we're going in!"
"Roger that, sir."
Lieutenant Caine set aside his radio and signaled for his men to arm themselves. "Move it, move it! We're moving in, now!" He armed himself and rechecked his weapons. "We've to be fast and precise, boys. Clinical!"
"How many hostiles, sir?" One of his five men asked.
"The number is still uncertain, but we approximated the number at ten."
"But…"
"Look, shut up and do your job! Questions aren't going to get anything done!" Caine snapped. In a softer tone, he added, "It near enough to suicide, boys, but we have to get the boy out."
No one said anything but each man double checked his weapons.
"Move out!"
"Run."
"What?" Jonny looked incredulously at Seth.
"Run." It was a simple command. "You'll make it."
"None of you will."
Seth chuckled. "You still don't get it, do you? It's part of my package. I signed up for death when I came here. It doesn't matter to me."
"What about the rest?"
"Casualties."
"You're insane!" Jonny snapped. "No one's going to die."
"Very well said, Jonny Quest! Let's just hope that you're a better prophet than a thinker."
"Don't worry, I intend to keep that promise."
"So tell me where the Blade is."
"Does Surd walk in your delusions, Julia?"
Julia raised her arm to strike Jonny, and Jonny anticipated the blow. It never came. There was a loud shot, and a cry of pain, and the warm splash of blood on his cheek. He saw six armed men crashing in, M-16s ablazing. One by one, Zin's men were taken out. Jonny stared in shock as Slick collapsed next to him, his head blown open. His body was still convulsing, splashing in his own blood. Jonny turned aside and retched.
He looked around and saw Julia dive into a room. Then there was the rhythmic beat of a helicopter's blades. "They're getting away," he managed, weakly. He nudged Slick away from him. All around him, the smell of fresh death was pungent. Slaying vampires was one thing, watching men killing men was another.
"You okay?" Benton asked, turning his head away from the corpse. "It's not your fault."
"I'm death, Pop. I kill things… and people always die when they're with me." He looked at the corpses all around. "I shouldn't even care that they're dead, but I do. They're dead because of me! It's what I do. Kill!"
The rapid gunfire had ceased. "Hostiles eliminated, sir. Zin got away!" Caine reported.
"Zin, Rage, and Surd got away," Race corrected. "And you might want to throw in the twins and Julia too."
Caine gave Race a withering look. "Shut up, Bannon! You violated overstepped your responsibilities and put the kid in jeopardy!"
"You're here aren't you?"
"This never should have taken place!"
"The kid wouldn't have listened."
"Which is why we're taking him!" Caine shrugged Race aside. "Move it boys!"
"You can't take…" A heavy fist landed in his stomach and another blow clocked him hard in the face. Race fell on his knees, dizzy from the blow.
"Move!"
"You can't take him." Jade grabbed his arm and twisted it.
"Feel lucky that I'm not blowing you full with holes!" Caine spat, slamming Jade into a door, and kicking her into the holding room. He aimed his rifle at Hadji and Seth. "Be smart. Walk in."
Hadji cursed softly, but pulled Seth up from the ground. He shoved the protesting boy into the room. Caine slammed the door shut and bolted it.
Benton stood up and tried to shove the five men aside. "You're not laying a finger on my son!" he warned. Seeing that his words carried no weight, he lashed out furiously and caught two men by surprise. The other three secured him.
"Step aside, Dr. Quest!"
"Over my dead body!"
"That could be arranged, but it will take up too much time." Caine raised his M-16 and knocked the doctor unconscious with the butt. "I always thought he was a pain in the ass!"
"Not as bad as I'm gonna be." The voice was low, menacing. Caine looked up too see two of his men go flying down the corridor. The third one was less lucky as Jonny kicked him out of an open window. The man's screams were cut off by a loud crash.
"You want me, come and get me. But you will risk more casualties than you can explain." He whirled so fast that all Caine saw was a dark blur. Another man was dispatched brutally, rapid gunfire puncturing the ceiling. Chips of plaster showered down.
Caine raised his gun in panic.
"No!" Race leapt at Jonny. "Stop now!" He jammed a syringe into Jonny's arm and forced the contents down.
"What the fu…?" His sentence slurred off as his eyes glazed over. "You…" He fell senseless.
"Good work, Bannon."
"I'm going with you. The kid will remain in my custody!" Race pushed pass Caine. His icy glare convinced Caine of that fact.
"Fine." He barked a few orders to his struggling men and turned away. "We've secured the boy, sir. Send the chopper!"
Race hoisted Jonny and carried the still form down.
"Never thought you would be a traitor, Bannon." Caine chuckled.
"I never was."
To be continued…
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