A/n: Seeing as you asked so nicely, Maria656, I'll see what I can do.

I borrowed the Peter the SEAL idea from shywr1ter (who rocks, by the way). Hope you don't mind.

Sim's First Law: More reviews mean more updates.

Chapter 10: Long Story.

Logan looked up as his cell door opened, expecting Brin or perhaps Renfro. He was a little surprised to see Lydecker enter the room, alone.

"Wondered if I'd be seeing you again anytime soon," he remarked.

"Thought I should take the opportunity while I can," the colonel replied, casting a considering eye over the man in the wheelchair. "Seems Cale Industries are involved with some pretty serious people."

"By which you mean Renfro, I take it. What is it they're building she wants so bad anyway?"

"A new type of hoverdrone. One mounted with twin 45 calibre automatics."

"Perfect assassin. No accountability. How would it identify the target?"

"Facial recognition technology. Biometrics, basically. All you need is a photograph."

"No wonder Renfro's after it. She seems the type to kill anyone who gets under her feet." A flicker of amusement crossed the older man's features.

"You've got that right." He sobered rapidly. "I won't lie to you, Renfro is a double crossing manipulative bitch who'd kill her own mother for the sake of a promotion. Even if your family pays up your chances of survival are slim." Logan chuckled. "What's so funny?"

"Renfro really doesn't do her research, does she. Let's just say I don't expect my uncle to sacrifice something as big as this to save my life."

"Not a close family?"

"You could say that."

"You don't seem too worried."

"Worry accomplishes nothing, a good friend of mine told me once." Lydecker's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Well, I'll say this for you, Cale, you've got guts. This friend military?"

"For a while."

"Anyone I know?"

"I doubt it. Peter was an ex- navy SEAL who worked for me. So I take it this place is some kind of military base?"

"Something like that. Is that important?"

"Not particularly. Just wondering what an army colonel would be doing at a conference on genetic engineering."

"Doctor Tanaka's research provided an interesting technique for the treatment of wounded soldiers. Injuries similar to your own could be cured using his methods."

"Oh, so is this a military hospital? You seem more an active commander than one in retirement. And Renfro certainly isn't the type to hang around on the sidelines."

"I'm afraid the purpose of this base is classified."

"Oh, classified. So telling a journalist with… nineteen hours to live would be completely out of the question."

"Glad you understand. So how did you get away from the conference?

"The guys who were taking me up to throw me off the roof got disturbed, so they dumped me in one of the rooms while they checked it out. They never came back, so they must have got intercepted by some of the soldiers. I just stayed put until the stormtroopers found me. Not as good at dodging bullets as I once was."

"Then why did you go in there in the first place?"

"Like you said, Tanaka could have fixed my back, I figured some of his people could continue his work, maybe come up with something if I gave them a good enough reason."

"I see. Well, for what it's worth, I think it's a waste. Not many brave men left these days."

"Don't suppose you could see your way to helping me get out of here?"

"Sorry, Cale, if the Director found out she'd have me in a bodybag sooner than I could blink."

"Shame. Between us, we could really piss her off. I'm sure the powers that be wouldn't be too pleased even a disabled guy could get away from her clutches and deprive them of a brand new way of killing people."

"Are you planning something?"

"Let's just say I have a few ideas. No one'd ever know you were involved."

"I'll think about it."

"Don't take too long. If Renfro gets a hold of the stealth drone she'll probably have us both killed."

"True. I'll be back in an hour or so. Develop those ideas." He opened the door to leave.

"You bet I will, Lydecker." the colonel cast one last calculating glance at his prisoner before he left.

Well, thought Logan, that went better than expected.

Sim's First Law: More reviews mean more updates.

Tell me what you thought.

Sorry this update is late, my computer's been playing up. I've written the next chapter on paper but I'll have to get round to typing it out. It may take some time.

Due to technical difficulties, chapter 13 of blitz might not be up until the weekend. Bear with me, guys.