DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY DEAD OR ALIVE CHARACTER. THOSE CHARACTERS BELONG TO TECMO, LTD. AND TEAM NINJA. I AM IN NO WAY INTENDING ANY COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT AND I'M NOT MAKING A PROFIT FROM THE USE OF THESE CHARACTERS. ANY CHARACTER NOT A PART OF DEAD OR ALIVE IS MINE AND MINE ALONE.

Chapter Thirty-one

9 Days Later...

Saturday, January 6

12:23 P.M.

Organization Compound 32

Shark plopped down into a nearby leather swivel chair and wiped his sweaty forehead with the back of his hand. The base was almost spotless and the room was now filled with the bright glows of the many restored computer consoles. "Done... Finally..."

Smith raised his fists high in victory. "Yes! We are finished! Now we must get moving. DOA recruiting starts at the end of the month and we have to get Polaris into the contest before the boss gets pissed. I'm not going to lose Kasumi this time."

Shark raised a finger. "Where's your British snob at?"

Smith shrugged. "Probably watching the entrance, like usual."

As his boss walked away towards the phone in the upstairs command module, Shark allowed himself a mischievous grin. Now was his chance to continue the snooping he had been secretly conducting behind Smith's back. He spun the chair he was sitting in around to face one of the computer consoles. He deactivated the screen saver and logged in under a stolen account. He had recently entered a drinking game with one of the network analysts from downstairs and he had won by a mile. It's too bad that the analyst got 'taken care of' for losing his ID. Poor bastard.

The screen flashed for a second and then he was in at the highest level without a hitch. Now all he needed to do was find something dirty. Something Smith couldn't bounce back from and he had only about five minutes to pull it off.

As he searched through the vast network of Organization protocols and files, a minute ticked by. Then two. In the middle of the third minute, something strange was found. Not quite the bombshell he was looking for, Shark was willing to settle on the seemingly unimportant file designated 'CYPHER' hoping that maybe he had hit pay dirt.

"CYPHER?" he whispered. "What the hell is this?"

"What are you doing?" Smith's voice echoed from the bottom of the stairs.

Damn! "Nothing, Smith. Just a few system diagnostics."

Smith drew closer. "I had the IT guys running all that crap an hour ago. It seems strange that you want to run the same tests twice, doesn't it?"

Shark quickly exited the file and logged out, and not a moment too soon. Smith stepped right behind him only to find Shark staring at a blank screen.

"Test's over. Everything checks out." Shark said calmly with an unflinching voice.

Smith took out his hunting knife and toyed with it. "Get one thing straight, worm," he hissed, "You are only alive because we needed someone with some mechanical skills and Thomas demanded I not kill you. But now that everything's fixed, your life is in my hands. Don't cross me, Shark, or I will dissect you like the maggot you are."

Shark stood up. "I'm not afraid of you. I'm not some poor helpless prisoner that you can just beat down and torment any time you feel like it. Keep that in mind when making your pathetic threats."

Smith returned the knife to its scabbard and glared at Shark as he confidently strode away. "Yes," he whispered to himself, "But unlike that girl, you can be broken."

He reached for a phone sitting next to a blank monitor. "Get me the IT department. I want to trace some activity on node 5."


Saturday, January 6

12:53 P.M.

Charity Medical Complex

"I thought you said he'd be out by now!" Kasumi practically shouted, her voice filled with worry. "Why isn't he here?"

"Hey, don't get all pissed at me! If he had listened a week ago, I'm sure we wouldn't even be in this mess. Why didn't you try to get him to come forward sooner?" Myamoto said as he pushed her wheelchair down the hall. "If you want to blame someone, blame yourself."

Kasumi crossed her arms and pouted her lips. "I thought he had already told the cops everything. During the interview I made sure to tell them it was self defense. I just don't understand."

Ayane slapped her forehead in irritation. "Duh! Are you weak in the upper story? It's the fact that he waited almost five days after our interview to tell them that makes him look more like a murderer than a rescuer. Are you blind or just plain stupid?"

"Ease off, Ayane," Myamoto muttered. "This isn't anyone's fault but Jack's."

Hayabusa shook his head as he turned Ayane's chair around a corner. "Still, he should be out by now. I wonder what the holdup is?"

"I just got back from visiting him almost ten minutes ago. He wouldn't say anything except that I should try my best to keep Kasumi out of danger. He wants you to stay with me back at my apartment until he finds a way out. He didn't say anything about you, Ayane, but you're more than welcome to sit tight with us."

"I'd rather eat a fistful of maggots than spend another second with you guys," Ayane spat.

Hayabusa grunted. "Actually you have no choice. It's either with them or the streets. I'm heading back to see your brother about something as soon as you leave this place."

"What! You mean that I have to stay with her?"

Hayabusa nodded. "At least until Jack can resolve this mess."

Ayane glared at the white plaster walls as she passed by, cursing Kasumi but not hating the situation entirely. "Hmph. Who knows how long that's going to be?"

They finally reached the front desk and Myamoto walked up to the daytime receptionist to sign a few discharge papers. After he was handed the clipboard, he turned to face the rest of the group. "You know, it could just be nothing."

"It's not nothing," Kasumi insisted. "Ryu's right. Something strange is going on."

Myamoto shrugged and handed back the clipboard. "Well, there's nothing we can do about it. And I f I know Jack at all, I know that he'll find some way out of it. He always does. We should get going back to my apartment. It's not safe for you guys out in the open like this."

"Wonderful," Ayane muttered.

Hayabusa wheeled the irritable kunoichi outside, but there was no vehicle to take her to.

"Where's that Jeep?" Kasumi asked. "You know, the green one Jack always drives?"

Myamoto groaned. "Damn, I forgot all about that!"

"What are you talking about?" Ayane asked grumpily. "You do have a ride for us, right?"

Myamoto laughed uneasily. "Not quite."

"What! You mean we have to walk!"

"It's not my fault! The police insisted on impounding the Jeep and searching it for evidence. I don't know anyone else that owns a car."

"Great," Ayane murmured. "This is just perfect."

Kasumi smiled at her younger sister. "Cheer up, Ayane. This is the perfect time to stretch our legs. We need to get stronger sooner or later. We might as well start sooner."

"You would say that, wouldn't you?"

Ryu let go of the chair. "She's right, Ayane. I must get going if I'm going to make it to your brother before nightfall. Goodbye."

"Bye!" Kasumi chimed as she waved her hand in the air. "See you later, Ryu!"

"Wait, Hayabusa. You can't just leave me alone with these two."

Hayabusa was already gone and Ayane's words reverberated throughout the empty parking lot.

Myamoto extended her his hand. "The sooner we leave, the sooner we get there."


Saturday, January 6

1:20 P.M.

Okashima Police Department

Jack sat in the small cell on his cot, just staring at the ceiling and cursing himself for ever thinking coming to the cops was a good idea. 'That damn doctor was wrong. This was a useless waste of time. I just hope that Smith doesn't find out that Kasumi is relatively undefended at the moment. She's almost as good as new, but that right hip of hers is still sore, not to mention her shoulders. I'd just feel better if I were there.'

"Guard!"

One of the Japanese officers walked over to his cell with an exasperated glare upon his face. "What do you want now, Mr. Wallace?"

"I want a phone call. I get a phone call, right? At least that how it worked back home."

The officer laughed. "You're joking, right? You used that phone call when we brought you in on Monday. The rule is you get one phone call, not two."

"Oh, c'mon! It's not like it can do any harm. I'll even let you listen in if it'll make you feel any better."

The guard answered by simply shaking his head.

Jack resumed staring at the ceiling. "Well, at least you could clue me in on when you plan on letting me out of this dump."

The officer burst into laughter once again. "You actually expect to get out of here? You expect us to just let you go after committing murder?"

Jack got up off his cot and sent a piercing glare towards the guard. "Let's get one thing straight, man. I didn't murder anyone! He helped torture my best friend for a whole week. He shot her twice and then laughed about it, damn it! It was self defense."

"Yeah, yeah. We have the report and the victim says it was justified, but if that's the case, then why'd you wait so long to show up, killer? How do we know that you two are in on this together? You're hiding something and the captain is going to find it. Until then you're just going to have to sit tight."

"But this is bull!" Jack shouted. "He shot her. That bastard almost killed her! And you dare to call me the murderer! Some detective you are, asshole."

"That's enough!" the officer yelled. "I don't have time to waste talking to you. I have paperwork to do. So long, Mr. Wallace."

"Fine," Jack said as he lay back down. He started counting the ceiling tiles to pass the time, praying that Kasumi would remain safe until he found a way out.

The more he thought about her safety, the more he longed to see her and missed her sorely. He hadn't seen her radiant smile or heard her delicate voice since last Sunday night and would give anything to be with her now. 'Too bad the cops are all morons,' he thought bitterly.

But there might be a way to fix this somehow. If he only could find a way to see Myamoto again. Sure, he had stopped by earlier before swinging by the hospital to get Kasumi and Ayane, but their visit had been cut short and he had no time to outline a plan of escape. Plus, at the time he figured the cops were going to free him sooner or later and he was just preoccupied with thoughts of Smith coming after Kasumi. Nothing else mattered.

But now that he had a few seconds to think things over, something occurred to him that just might get him out of this mess. But then what? All he'd do once he got out was start planning more trouble. It looked like he would have to find his own way out of this sticky situation.

Jack slowly sat up on his cot and popped his knuckles, closely examining his cell. The concrete floor was worn and cracked in the far corner of the room, but nothing helpful presented itself. The cinder block wall behind him was bare and the iron bars solid. It looked pretty dire.

He rested his head in his hands and sighed. "C'mon, Jack. Think. Think!"

But nothing came to mind.


The officer walked back to his desk and picked up his phone, already counting his money in his head. He dialed the number and smiled darkly. "We have him. Whenever you're ready."

"Good. Keep an eye on him. I'm sending someone over right now to deal with the problem."


Saturday, January 6

2:03 P.M.

Charity Medical Complex

Thomas swaggered into the front doors of the hospital for one reason and one reason alone: Security. Nothing else mattered and right now there was a serious risk that needed to be dealt with immediately. Ami had a big mouth and her conversation last week at the smoky night club had given her friend at the hospital some very unwelcome attention.

He had debated whether to kill the receptionist or not for almost two days and then came to the decision to watch her for a while and see what she did. If she showed any signs of interest in this complex affair, he would eliminate her. If not, well maybe he'd kill her for sport.

And unfortunately for Miss Kikyo Izumi, she had taken interest rather quickly. Ami would be crushed, but she should've known better.

However, Tom knew that she would never suspect him, no matter what the other people say. She was just too damn trusting and that was her major flaw.

"May I help you?" the receptionist asked.

Tom smiled. "That depends on your cooperation, Kikyo. Could you take a few minutes and step outside with me?"

Kikyo mouth hung open, instantly knowing what that thick British accent meant. "Y-You're that man that Ami told me--"

Thomas nodded as he leaned onto the counter. "The name's Wilson. Now you can either come along, or I can take you. The choice is yours."

No, no, no! This can't be happening! Kikyo thought. She began to sweat nervously and she leaned forward. "Just tell me what you're here about. Maybe you want to see a friend?" she asked hopefully.

"You wish." Thomas smirked. "That would make things easy, now wouldn't it? Come along now. I haven't got all day."

The receptionist stood on trembling legs and clumsily followed the British man outside. "What do you want? I have work to do."

Thomas reached inside his suit jacket. "You seem to have taken interest in matters that don't concern you. Tell me what you know about the case of a young Japanese woman who was staying here. She was suffering from numerous physical injuries consistent with beatings, electrical shock, and chemical abuse. Her name was Kasumi."

"I c-can't," Kikyo said as she adjusted her delicate glasses. "That's confidential, Mr. Wilson."

Tom laughed and pulled his hand out of his pocket.

Kikyo had no clue that she had been holding her breath until she saw what was in his hand. It was just an old scratched up chrome lighter.

"Forget Kasumi. She's not what I'm after, anyway. You must've seen the man that came to visit her, right?"

"There were a few of them. Be more specific."

"Tall, maybe 5'11." Had spiked brown hair and a leather jacket. Ring any bells?"

Kikyo nodded reluctantly. "You must be referring to Mr. Wallace. I'm afraid you're wasting your time."

"Yes, Jack Wallace, to be more precise. If you know his name, you know something else. Tell me everything or find out what if feels like to be gutted like a fish."

Kikyo gasped and her eyes widened. "Uh... he was angry. That's all I remember. He was mad at a man named Smith for hurting Kasumi and he was mad at her sister for making things worse. He didn't say anything to me and I didn't ask. I don't know anything else, I swear!"

"That's not what I heard," Thomas said casually. "Didn't you discover a little something about a colleague of mine who was watching them for me?"

"Yes, but I didn't tell anyone."

"Yeah, but it's not like you didn't try. I've been informed that you told the police, but they had a hard time believing you. After all, who would believe a thief? The only reason you aren't in jail for stealing those drugs from the hospital is because you managed to bribe a few of Okashima's finest."

"So you have nothing to worry about then," Kikyo insisted. "I'm harmless."

"The fact that you know makes you a liability. You must be silenced, love."

"N-no! If you leave me alone, I can tell you where to find Mr. Wallace. I swear he knows more that I do!"

Thomas raised an eyebrow and put away his lighter. "How interesting. Where can I find him?"

"The police department. I heard he was arrested this week for murder or something. It was on the news."

Thomas shook his head and groaned. Smith is going to try to take my target, that bastard! He knows I want Jack, yet he failed to tell me where to find him. And I'm sure he knows. He'd be all over that kind of information like stains on a mattress. I've got to get over there right away!

"Well?" Kikyo asked. "Can I go now?"

Thomas waved her inside. "Go ahead."

Kikyo practically jumped up and down from the overwhelming relief she felt flow through her. "Thank you! Thank you!"

Thomas smiled as he followed her inside. "One last thing, Kikyo."

The receptionist turned around. "Yes--?"

Thomas sank a small switchblade knife deep into her chest and twisted it hard to the right, ripping her lung to shreds and causing the other to rapidly fill with blood. A sickening gurgle came from somewhere inside her and the wound began to foam with blood as she desperately gasped for precious oxygen. Her large dark eyes filled with instant terror and Thomas smiled. "And just in case you aren't so good, tell the devil to save me a special spot at his right hand. I want a warm welcome when I get to hell."

As her lifeless body fell to the ground in a pool of dark crimson juices, Doctor Nikata just happened to be walking by. "You? What's going on in here!" he shouted as he ran into the lobby.

"Shut the hell up! Do you want one of the other staff members to know I'm here!"

Nikata shook his head and stared down at Kikyo's body. "What happened?"

"Don't play stupid you bloody quack. You're the one that told me she knew more than she should. What'd you expect me to do?"

Nikata dropped his clipboard. "What have you done! I only agreed to work with you if no one got hurt. Kikyo was harmless!"

Tom laughed. "Take a look around, moron. Kasumi was hurt, Ayane was hurt, and now this woman has been hurt. I appreciate your information and the fact that you agreed to talk to me alone and not to Smith. But the information you have fed to me is all but useless. Everything you know, I already know. You're no longer helping me and I'm afraid I'll have to cut you loose."

"Don't kill me!"

Thomas laughed and shook his head. "This place is already shorthanded as it is, and you might be able to do something right in the future, so I'll spare you for now. Don't make me regret this decision, Mitsuo."

"Sure."

Tom gave a slight nod and left, dropping the bloody knife on the ground and pocketing the gloves he had been wearing. "Get rid of this mess, doctor. I'm going to go get something to eat."

Nikata sighed and began to carry the receptionist down to the incinerator. Things were getting out of control.


Saturday, January 6

2:46 P.M.

Myamoto's Apartment

After almost two exhausting hours of hiking through the congested streets of downtown Okashima, Myamoto's building finally graced the sight of the two physically spent Shinobi sisters, and not a moment too soon. Kasumi thought she could make the four mile trip without a hitch, since she figured that her hip had been fully healed. But by the time she completed the trip, her right leg would barely respond and she was limping badly, wincing with every step she took.

"Are you sure you're okay? You look like you're about to faint."

Kasumi took a deep breath. "It's... nothing," she panted. "I'm fine... really."

Ayane scoffed. "You look it."

Kasumi glanced at her sister, but didn't have the energy to say anything as she continued to hobble towards the front doors.

Myamoto ran ahead and opened the heavy metal door for her. "You know, all you need to do is ask and I can carry you the rest of the way. Or at least let you use me for support."

She shook her head and winced as she took another pained step forward. "I... need to build... up my strength. Thank you... for the offer."

Ayane, having had no severe injuries to her legs, walked about freely and painlessly. She smirked at Kasumi. "Don't be an idiot. You're pushing yourself too hard." She crossed her arms. "All you're doing is hurting yourself more."

Kasumi insisted to do it herself, despite the advice of Myamoto and Ayane, but as she stepped inside the door, her right foot caught on the lip in front of the door frame and she went down hard and hit the cold tile floor with full force.

She cried out as her body violently slammed into the ground and lay there groaning with tears in her eyes, holding her right hip tightly as if to suppress the piercing pain.

"Are you okay!"

Kasumi nodded and stifled a whimper as she tried to push up off the floor with her arms. Myamoto reached down to help her to her feet, but she brushed his hands away. "No! Please... I have to... do this alone."

"Why?"

If she couldn't manage her pain and get along on her own, she would be toast when the next group of assassins came for her. Kasumi had always been able to survive on her own and she had to continue to be independent of other people's help. This was a test for her, and her life depended on how well she passed.

"Well?" Myamoto prompted.

"Personal reasons. Please understand."

Ayane stared down at her fallen sister with growing irritation. "Knock it off. You aren't proving anything to us. We know that you aren't going to make it any further on your own, so just give it a rest."

Kasumi wiped her watering eyes on the sleeve of her shirt and used the door frame for support as she sluggishly climbed to her feet, her face set with determination. "You're wrong, Ayane. I have to do this."

Myamoto threw his arms into the air in defeat. "I give up. My place is on the fourth floor. If you change your mind, let me know."

"The fourth floor?" Kasumi moaned. "Oh, man..."

Ten long minutes later, Kasumi was crawling up the last fight of stairs, gasping and struggling. Ayane had left her long ago and headed up to the apartment alone. Myamoto, however, stuck around to make sure she didn't get hurt any worse by falling down the stairs and to provide some encouragement. After all, he wouldn't be keeping his promise to Jack if she got hurt and since she wouldn't accept his help, the best he could do was keep an eye on her.

"Almost there. One more step, Kasumi."

'I can't do it!' she screamed in her head. 'It hurts too much!'

"C'mon, you can make it. You've come this far."

She grabbed the metal hand rail and hauled herself over the final step only to find that his apartment was pretty far down the hall. She was beginning to feel lightheaded but she had to do this. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead as she strained to climb to her feet, but she made it. Barely.

By the time she reached his apartment door, Ayane was busy trying to clear off the couch for her to lie on. "You can rest over here on this couch."

Kasumi was touched by this simple act and couldn't wait to plop down on the old couch. "Oh, thank you, Ayane!"

"What? You think I cleaned this thing off for you? I was going to rest here, but then I saw how sleazy it was. I'd rather stand."

Kasumi could see she was lying, but didn't say anything. She just smiled and slowly lay on her back, trying not to give away the fact that she was hurting. But even through her efforts, Myamoto could easily see that she was suffering.

"Serves you right," Ayane said. "We tried to help you, so don't come crying to us when you can't move in the morning."

Myamoto smiled inwardly as he heard Ayane's statement. She had used the words 'we' and 'us' without even realizing it, and it was easy to see that she didn't mind being with them, contrary to what she said earlier.

"I did it though," Kasumi whispered with a smile. "I made it all on my own!"

"Barely," her sister muttered. "You always were stubborn like this."

Myamoto walked off towards his kitchen, kicking three or four grease covered pizza boxes aside as he passed them and came back with a bag of ice and a cold refreshing glass of water.

Kasumi eagerly reached for the water and consumed it quickly, feeling better instantly. The she gladly took the ice bag and placed it on her now swollen hip, thanks to her little tumble downstairs.

"Myamoto, do you think Jack will get out soon? I miss him."

"I don't know, Kasumi," the hacker said as he switched on his computer. "Ayane, I know you're probably tired. There's an easy chair under those old boxes if you want to relax for a while."

Ayane muttered something under her breath as she went to work clearing off the chair.

Kasumi watched her feeling slightly guilty for taking the whole couch up by lying down, but it was too late to do anything now. Should I apologize? No, that'll only make her angry. It's best to keep quiet for now.

Suddenly Myamoto started laughing. "I can't believe this!" he said staring at the bright computer monitor. "Dead or Alive 4 starts this February. That should be exciting!"

"Really?" Kasumi asked, surprised.

Myamoto nodded. "Yeah. It says that DOATEC is partnering up with an anonymous second corporation to host the fourth tournament. The article says, and I quote, 'the finalist of this year's competition will face the most challenging combatant in martial arts history to fight for the title of world champion.' Pretty amazing stuff. I didn't think that there could be anything worse than that freak that DOATEC set loose last year. When I read about that fight, I thought Zack was a goner for sure."

Ayane dropped the armful of trash she was holding and whirled around to face Myamoto, her eyes filled with flames of fury. "Freak! Master Genra was not a freak!"

Kasumi took on an expression of alarm and motioned for her sister to calm down. "I'm sure he didn't know any better, Ayane. Besides, Omega was far from the man we once knew."

Myamoto froze, knowing completely what Ayane was and what she was trained to do, but trying to hide the fact that he had a clue. And in one respect, he actually didn't have a clue. Who's Master Genra? "Hey...uh...take it easy. I don't know this Genra guy, but I didn't mean any disrespect. I'm sure he was a really cool guy before he got messed up."

Ayane shook her head and collapsed in the chair, ignoring everyone else present in the room. "What did I do to deserve getting stuck with you two?" she complained. "As much as the guy annoys me, I actually want Jack to get out so I can ditch you guys and get down to business."


Saturday, January 6

3:02 P.M.

Okashima Police Department

Jack was sleeping soundly when he entered the room, silent like a shadow but deadly as a vicious predator. His target was a sitting duck in the cramped prison cell and when he was out of the way, things would be so much easier for everyone.

He turned to the guard. "Toss me the key. I want to get this over with."

The guard handed over the cell door key and nodded. "I'll be in the front office. Come get me when you're done so I can get rid of the body."

The assassin took the key and grunted in satisfaction. "There won't be much of a body left to clean after I'm done with him."

He waited until the officer left the area before approaching Jack's cell, making sure not to make a single sound as he drew closer. The man was dangerous and if he was awakened, this could get really ugly in an instant.

He slowly opened the heavy iron door and stepped inside, removing a gleaming 8" dagger from its leather sheath on his belt. Then he quietly walked up to the side of the cot and raised his arm high, the tip of the knife aimed squarely at the center of Jack's exposed chest. With a victorious smile on his face, the man thrust the blade downward like a shooting star racing towards the Earth below.

But then something totally unexpected happened. His target's left arm flew up from its resting position with almost precognitive reflexes and locked onto the assassin's wrist with bone snapping force. The hit man froze. "How--!"

Jack opened his perceptive brown eyes and smirked confidently as twisted the man's arm sharply to the side, making many delicate bones shatter like mere twigs inside his wrist. The elegant dagger clattered to the dirty concrete floor as the Organization thug howled in pain. But Jack wasn't done yet. Not giving the man any time to react, the ex-detective leaped off of the cot, instantly turned his back on his opponent, and swiftly brought the broken arm over his shoulder. Using the arm for leverage, Jack flung the hired killer over his head like a sack of potatoes and sent him hurdling down towards the hard floor below. But right before he made his landing, Jack quickly brought his foot up into the center of the man's chest with precise and brutal force, drop kick style. The kick was solid, violent, and easily broke two of his ribs.

The assassin was through. The force of Jack's toss had broken his elbow as well, and there was nothing else to do but stall and hope one of the others would come, but would they have time to get inside or would Jack realize what was going on?

Jack bent down and grabbed the goon's shirt collar, dragging him off the ground and slamming him up against the iron bars of the cell. "Did Smith send you?"

The assassin remained quiet.

"You know, you're pretty incompetent for a killer. Your boss must be a real penny pincher to hire such an amateur. Either that or you just suck and like to overprice yourself."

"Nice work, but you only won because I was caught off guard," the assassin hissed. "Next time--"

Jack laughed. "Next time? There won't be a next time, pal. You're done. But, if you tell me where Smith is hiding, I might just let you go."

The assassin responded by spitting at his target's face, but Jack whipped his head to the side to avoid the saliva. When he looked back to the man's face, he was shocked to find a large bullet hole in the center of his forehead, right where his head had been moments before.

"Bloody Yank! Hold still and let me kill you."

Jack whirled around and dived to the side just in time to avoid another bullet from Thomas' weapon. "You're that British guy that was in Smith's truck!"

As Tom lined up his gun for another shot, Jack reached for the fallen dagger. This was going to be a close fight, and only one of them was leaving the station in one piece.