Disclaimer: Don't own Automan—wish I did. Please don't sue. Besides ya' wouldn't get anything outta me right now, anyway. All of the disclaimer see Chapter 1.
Ch. 6--Surviving Peril
Automan saw an outlet underneath the observation window he could use to heal his wound, but he didn't know if the energy barrier extended to the window as well. Still holding his left side, Auto carefully approached the window. When he didn't sense the same overwhelming pain he had felt before, he reached out his hand towards the outlet. Electricity jumped from the outlet into the palm of his hand instantly healing his wound.
Auto looked across the street and into the apartment. He saw through the wall a man with a six-shooter with a special scope, the sniper, set to fire again. Realizing the triggerman was aiming at him, Automan jumped back to his former position next to Walter. The bullet missed him by inches impacting on the wall behind him.
Automan still kept his gaze on the shooter. He saw the gunman set to fire yet again aiming at Auto anew. Auto knew that Walter would be hit. After seeing the damage done to Walter's shoulder already, Auto knew he couldn't allow Walter to get hit a second time. Auto grabbed Walter from behind below his arms around the waist and physically shoved him a couple of inches forward being careful to keep pressure off of Walter's injured shoulder before letting go.
"Auto, why... ?" asked Wally unsure why Auto had grabbed and pushed him. He quickly realized why when he saw another bullet hit the window and whiz past his and Auto's previous position colliding harmlessly against the back wall.
Auto looked to the apartment building. The sniper was set to fire again; his aim on Automan. Leaving Walter where he had pushed him, Automan quickly backpedaled in an attempt to draw the hit man's fire to him instead of Walter. The brief tactic worked and the bullet zipped right between them.
Auto kept a watch on the killer in the opposite building. By now, he suspected that the sniper was aiming for him as opposed to Walter. If he could keep the hit man's focus on him, Walter would have a better chance for survival. He knew his plan contained a lot of peril, but it was a risk he was more than willing to take. "Walter, stand on the opposite side of the room," instructed Auto.
"What do you have in mind?" asked Wally suspiciously, knowing he probably wouldn't like the answer.
"Increasing our chances for survival. He seems to be tracking my position. If I can keep his attention on me, you will have a better chance for survival."
"Auto, that's crazy! He'll kill you the first chance he gets!" protested Wally.
"It's our best chance for survival until we can think of a way out of this. It is easier for me to dodge the bullets than you," explained Automan simply.
Wally had to concede that Automan had a point. With his injured shoulder, Wally's reaction time was much slower. Also, Auto would be able to react much faster if he didn't have to also pull Wally out of harm's way as well. "All right. I don't agree with it, but you do have a point. Be careful." He positioned himself on the opposite side of the room from where Automan was standing.
"Always," replied Auto confidently. He saw the sniper's attention was still focused on him as the killer carefully switched aim again before firing. Auto easily avoided the bullet by stepping a couple inches to the side. He saw the assassin again aim at him and fire. He was easily able to avoid that shot as well with it impacting on the wall behind him.
Automan's plan had worked for the time being, but he knew his tactic would only work for a short while before the sniper realized he and Walter had separated. Once the hit man realized that, it wouldn't be long before he started searching for Walter's position and concentrated his firepower on Walter. Auto knew he needed to find a way to get help soon or Walter wouldn't survive their encounter with this killer. He wasn't even sure if he would survive this situation without help. He came up with an idea on how to send for the cavalry, but it would require split second timing. He saw the murderer was reloading his gun. 'Now's my chance,' thought Auto.
"Cursor," commanded Automan suddenly. A ball of light instantly appeared in front of Auto. "Go to Roxanne. Tell her in a letter: Walter and I are trapped in the old office building--378 N. Hill Street--in an old conference room on the fourth floor being shot at by a sniper in an apartment complex across from us; Walter has been shot and has already lost a lot of blood requiring immediate medical attention; and bring backup to arrest the sniper. Hurry, Cursor."
Cursor beeped his understanding and quickly took off easily phasing through the window. Automan saw the gunman fire twice at Cursor, but Cursor was way too fast for him and was easily able to avoid the bullets. Auto saw the sniper turn his attention back to his two captives in the conference room no longer aiming at Auto. The killer seemed to be searching the floor. 'He must be searching for Walter. If the sniper finds him, Walter could be killed. I have to do something,' thought Automan worriedly.