Brains stood still in the centre if the immense laboratory and suddenly found he could not quite catch his breath.
It was everything. Pieces of half-complete equipment and endless files of theory and invention. Everything he had ever tinkered with.
Some of the patented items he could sort of account for; he knew that various government agencies monitored the ideas that were put forward. And copyright laws meant nothing to those that simply had the power to steal the best tools for the task.
And the presence of technology that he and Jeff had designed together was not a great surprise. They took the risk of encountering corporate espionage with each delivery that they requested. Despite the checks and double checks and dummy companies, the probability that someone somewhere would piece it all together had been ever present, no matter how small. Even with a one in a trillion chance, the existence of the one could never be ignored.
But it was the other articles that bothered him more. The notions that occurred to him deep into the twilight hours, inspiration that he would scribble down and contemplate later. Thoughts that he had assumed safe on his triple fire walled, non-networked laptop.
Brains sat down heavily on a soft office chair and hung his head. Aware of his guide quickly returning to him and watching him in concern, Brains tried to think of a suitable excuse for his dejected demeanour but the shock of his discovery had interfered with his usually lightning fast thought processes and he had to concentrate on the translation.
"I …" Ustin sighed loudly. "I … comprehend."
Brains looked up at the scientist and frowned in intrigue. He liked this guy. Ustin was older than him but there was a welcome familiarity about the man's energy and enthusiasm. And his animated tour of the facility had been conducted with pride and delight in finding a similar intellect. His disappointment now that Brains was seemingly so upset was obvious.
"(Please.)" Brains waved a hand dismissively, his distress robbing him of all patience. "(Russian is fine.)"
Ustin nodded in understanding. The American's somewhat limited knowledge of his language was still far superior than his of English and he shrugged in agreement, despite desperately wanting to be of better help to reassure his new friend. He pulled a chair close to the professor and sat down slowly. "(I thought we were designing a marvellous future.)" Ustin offered after a moment. "(But they turned our creations into weapons.)"
Your creations! Brains exclaimed inwardly.
"(Perhaps we were wrong to stop the destruction of this place.)" Ustin shrugged, "(I can reset the EM generator. Level all of it to the ground.)"
Brains' first instinct – "Absolutely!" – was soon replaced by a strong desire to use the stolen plans and materials to trace back to whoever had done this. They could sniff out the thieves and make them pay. It disturbed him a little that dwelling on such a notion was becoming pleasurable but the shrill song emanating from the comm. device that hung about his neck then interrupted his thoughts. He lifted it and frowned at the caller ID before then allowing the transmission to connect.
"Brains!" Scott urged hurriedly, "Where's Penny!"
Jeff peered nervously through the densely packed trunks of the pine forest and continued carefully forwards, aware of Penny close at his heels. There was enough light to see clearly about 100 metres ahead of them but that held its own hazard; they would be able to see him but he would also have a clear view of them.
Especially thanks to the bright reflection of them mainly white uniform Jeff wore. He had heeded the advice of one of the marines and smeared on as much mud as would hold on the bright material but he still felt like an oddly stupid and very obvious target.
And that had then become the plan. He would provide distraction and the team could advance from another angle. If the Hood was as single-minded as Jeff recalled then it ought to work like a charm.
His initial jog across the fair distance from the complex had slowed to a more cautious pace now that he was reaching the co-ordinates and Jeff forced his hard breathing to slow. No point in giving his quarry all of the advantage.
And suddenly there it was. A military jeep just as Alan had described, nestled off of a narrow, muddy road. And one apparent occupant.
Jeff scratched at the small device that had been 'glued' to his forehead and sighed in annoyance; he still wasn't totally convinced that the thing really worked and the itch it caused his sweaty skin was becoming maddening. But, he conceded, it must be of some use as he had now advanced within 20 metres of the jeep. And his heart pounded in his ears as he saw the familiar figure sat inside.
Glancing back at Penny, Jeff nodded grimly. He watched her grip the handle of the semi-automatic rifle she held and saw the determination in her eyes. She then looked away from him, peering into the forest and giving a quick signal to the marksmen who were expertly invisible amid the trees.
The snapping of twigs underfoot betrayed their presence about ten metres out from the jeep and Jeff froze mid-step as the occupant turned and saw him.
With a small smile and a slight shrug of acceptance, the man opened the door and began to climb slowly out of the vehicle.
"Halt!" Penny ordered angrily, raising her rifle and gripping it so hard that her fingers hurt. But she recalled all too well how easily this man could use the tiniest opportunity to his advantage.
The Hood's smile grew and he raised his hands in a gesture of calm. "Hello again." He offered casually.
"That's far enough!" Penny urged.
"Oh there's no need for the amateur dramatics." The Hood chuckled in amusement. "After all, I did look after your boys for you."
Jeff growled in fury and lunged forward, assuming the man's words to be some sort of sick joke. He then gasped as he slammed into an invisible wall just in front of The Hood and he found himself completely stuck, trapped in mid-air.
"Maybe I can't get in here …" The Hood tapped at his temple and smiled merrily, "But that wonderful little gadget of theirs doesn't stop all of my power."
And with a flick of his wrist, no amount of strength or determination could keep the gun in Penny's grasp and she yelped in pain as it was dragged free.
Jeff held The Hood's gaze and suddenly smiled in delight. Their plan was working perfectly.
The Hood's face fell as he was then aware of those that were approaching from the other side of the road and he frowned in annoyance.
"Your accomplice is dead." Jeff began sternly. "You're alone." And suddenly he was free of the invisible grip and staggered back a few steps to keep his balance.
"Really." The Hood retorted icily.
Jeff's smile grew and he retreated further, allowing the marines to surround the jeep and the prey stood beside it. "You lose."
The Hood's smile returned and was unwavering as he glanced round at the marines and saw them effectively enclosing him. His grin then suddenly spread and he sighed in sympathy as he turned back to Jeff.
"What?" Jeff urged in annoyance, nodding towards the group of marines. "You think you can stop them all?"
"No." The Hood replied coolly, "I don't have to."
Penny gasped as a gentle thud behind her betrayed the sudden presence of a small device that had landed amid the trees. She turned and watched in horror as the small black cylinder tumbled through the dead pine needles and came to a stop at the base of one of the trees. "Jeff …?" Penny looked back and saw him watching the device with equal fear.
They both made the instant decision to put as much distance between them and the ominous black object. With a shout of warning to the marines, they lurched away from the device and gasped as it suddenly erupted into thick smoke.
Another thud on the other side of the jeep and then two more at it's rear and within seconds the panicked group were engulfed in a thick white cloud. Jeff closed his eyes and covered his mouth but it was too late. He stumbled and fell to his knees, coughing and gagging as the acrid, stinging gas engulfed them.
Jeff could hear Penny close by and was aware of her also tumbling to the ground. Muffled cries of pain and panic made their way through the dense cloud. Jeff could do nothing but clutch at his burning face and force air through his tightening throat. And then suddenly, amidst the chaos, someone opened fire.
Eva was deep in conversation with two of the marines who had remained to help secure the site. She nodded as she listened to their instructions and tried again to establish a connection with her handler via the still working VHF radio.
The first she knew of the quiet approach of the scientist entering the room behind her was the sudden pain in her shoulder. She spun and clutched at her arm, glaring at him in shock and annoyance. "What the f - "
"N-n-nanites." Brains replied evenly, holding up the now empty syringe and shrugging slightly.
"What!" Eva snapped angrily.
"Nanites." Brains repeated, "Ingenious little th-th-th-critters." He smiled slightly and reached into the pocket of his jacket and lifting out a small black device. "They were designed for medical tr-tr-tr-diagnostics." He frowned and shook his head. "Never imagined some cr-cr-cr-lunatic would use them as a weapon." He glanced warily at the marines, seeing their initial suspicion fade as they recognised his authority and remembered their orders. They nodded in understanding and made their quick exit from the room.
Eva stared at him in open-mouthed horror.
"You see," Brains continued, "They can work their harmless little way to any or-or-or-body part. And once there … well …"
Eva rubbed at her throbbing shoulder and swallowed hard.
"Now." Brains smiled thinly and gave another apologetic shrug. "Who are you?"
Eva groaned in annoyance, "I'm CIA, you crazy motherf - "
"Any body part." Brains echoed calmly, gripping the small remote tightly in his hand (a hand that he hoped she couldn't see was trembling with fear).
"For god's sake!" Eva shouted in frustration (and more than a touch of terror). "I'm telling you the truth! God! What is it with you guys? I mean, there's paranoia and then -"
"Who's trying to destroy us?" Brains continued quickly, hoping to resolve this situation before his nerve turned tail and ran.
"I don't know." Eva sighed, "It's only dawned on me since talking with Scott and John. Really. I mean, that Trangh guy was pretty pissed at you all but there's been no other mention of any 'plot'." She watched his hand warily, seeing his fingers hovering over the controls. "Honestly. I was posted here to monitor the weapons technology. Nothing more."
Brains nodded slowly, considering her words. He then reached into another pocket and took out his comm. device. "Well?"
"99.9 per cent sure she's not lying." Came the tinny reply over the speakerphone.
"Because I'm not!" Eva urged.
"No stress, pitch or tone characteristics." The voice from the phone continued. "Other than she's somewhat pissed."
"What?" Eva gasped, "Wouldn't you be! I mean, for f - "
"Thanks, Thunderbird 5." Brains smiled and closed the comm. connection. He dropped the phone back into his pocket and held up his hands in a gesture of calm. "Sorry."
Eva frowned at him warily.
"We … umm … we had to be sure."
"Sure?" Eva demanded.
Brains nodded. "It seems we're in a bit of a fix." His smile faded and a frown creased his glistening forehead. "And we've no id-id-id-clue who we can trust." He sighed heavily, "Even people who we thought of as friends …"
Eva watched the concern fill his face and gingerly stepped towards him. "What's happened?"
"We've been betrayed." Brains replied quietly. "And I need to as-as-as-request something of you."
"Sure." Eva nodded. "Soon as you turn your nano-whatsit-buddies off."
Brains' smile returned momentarily. "They're not on yet." He watched the suspicion in her eyes and shrugged another apology. "They won't do any harm." He held up the device in his hand and showed her the familiar buttons of a television remote.
Eva laughed suddenly and shook her head in disbelief. "Good call, Professor!"
Brains nodded gratefully and tossed the remote onto the counter.
Eva rubbed again at her arm and watched the sadness return to his pale face. "So. What's the favour?"
Brains took a deep breath and his frown deepened. "How many gu-gu-weapons do you have?"
Scott had not realised quite how hungry he was until he took a bite of the sandwich Alex insisted on fetching for him. He sipped at his Coke and took small mouthfuls of food, feeling his butterfly-filled stomach lurching as the sustenance arrived.
"We'll sort this out." Alex urged softly, watching him in concern. "But you're no good to anyone in that state."
Scott smiled sheepishly between mouthfuls, aware of his hands beginning to cease their exhausted, adrenaline-fuelled trembling.
"What did your brother have to say?" Alex asked quietly, recalling the tail end of the conversation her return had interrupted.
"It's not Eva." Scott replied. "She's definitely who she says she is. Plus her voice doesn't match and … well … most of our access requires voice recognition."
Alex nodded thoughtfully and looked down at her hands.
"And it's not Penny!" Scott insisted, somewhat angrily.
Alex shrugged.
"I know her!" Scott urged, a little louder, "It just can't be true."
Alex looked back up at him and saw the pain in his tired eyes. "So someone is impersonating her."
"Yeah." Scott mumbled, returning to his sandwich.
"You're right …" Alex sighed and leaned back against the waiting room sofa. "This is a bloody awful mess …" She saw the amusement that brightened his face for a moment and it made her smile. "Don't you start! John's always …" Alex paused and turned towards the door with another sigh. "When are they going to give us some news?"
Scott finished his food and gulped down the remainder of his drink. "So … how do we sort out this 'bloody awful mess' …?"
Alex grinned and rolled her eyes. "First by you not speaking in that bloody awful attempt at my accent!"
"Touché."
"I dunno … maybe we should go straight for the big guns."
"Like what?"
Alex sat up straight again, unzipping her close-fitting Kevlar jacket and slipping it from her shoulders. "Well … it's pretty clear that somebody wants to put a stop to your organisation." She frowned and shrugged slightly, "But you guys have the support of so many powerful people. I mean, my government is always praising you, countries all over the globe are indebted to you, the people love you … surely we can find help somewhere …?"
Scott considered her words for a moment and then suddenly gasped. "Dude! You're a genius!" He peeled his sleeve back from his wristwatch and spoke into the comm.
"I am …?" Alex muttered quietly as they waited for a response.
"Alan!" Scott greeted the reply excitedly, "Hack in to IWN and find out where that annoying reporter is!"
"Hey?" Alan urged over the comm. "Why?"
"I've got an idea." Scott answered hurriedly, "Just find her, would ya? And where's Virg?"
"In a safe holding pattern above you, as ordered."
Scott nodded thoughtfully.
"How's John?" Alan asked quietly.
"Still in surgery."
"Crap." Alan groaned and then fell silent.
"How you doin', buddy?" Scott ventured.
"How the hell do you think I'm doing?" Came the husky reply.
Scott closed his eyes and dearly wished he could somehow click his fingers and make this all go away. He then felt a hand on his arm and looked up to see Alex nodding in reassurance.
"Found her." Alan reported after a moment. "But … hang on just a – oh shit!"
"What?" Scott urged worriedly.
"I've got two helicopters approaching Dad's position and … oh hell … this can't be good."
tbc …