A/N: After much deliberation I have decided to continue this story instead of my other story, until School is over which will be in about two weeks from now. I hope you like this chapter. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own splinter cell or any of the characters in it.
Chapter two: Old Friends0300 Hours, Jan 1st, 2008
Third Echelon HQ
Washington DC, United States
"Fisher, is that anyway to treat a friend?" said the man at the table in the center of the room.
"Your suppose to be dead," Fisher said thickly
"True, True but people can be deceiving, you should know," the man said coldly
"What are you doing here?" Fisher said
"Lets just say that a ghost from your past has come back to haunt you," The man got up and exposed himself to Sam; his face was severely damaged. Sam winced as soon as he looked into his face.
"Yes fisher, after you shot me and I fell down all those stories I came out looking like this," he said callously. He took a gun from the table and pointed it at Sam.
"You see Sam, I came back to collect the debt that you owe me. As you can see this gun that is in my hand is the one that you shot me with, a poetic justice of sorts," he laughed evilly. He pulled the hammer back silently and aimed the gun at Point Blanc range.
"And remember Sam, your friends can be your worst enemies," he pulled the trigger and the last thing that Sam saw was Douglass Shetland's smiling face.
0150 hours, Jan 12th, 2008
Langley Military Hospital
Langley, Virginia, United States
Sam looked up from his hospital bed and watched as lighting strike outside his window. As the lighting flashed he noticed that his arms and legs were braced in leather straps. He tried to free himself by pulling on them but the straps wouldn't budge. He tried to remember what happened after Shetland shot him but he drew a blank. He couldn't believe that Shetland was alive and that he almost killed him. There were so many questions that remained unanswered, like why Lambert let him in that room or why Shetland was alive or even in the briefing room. Well this was not the time to think about those questions; he needed to figure out how to get out. He maneuvered around to see if he cut or loosen the straps on the bed itself but the bed had no sharp points and the straps wouldn't budge an inch. Before he could attempt anther breakout a nurse burst into his room suddenly. Sam quickly closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep. The nurse came immediately to his clipboard and flipped through the pages while musing to herself.
"Let see who has the pleasure of my presence… Tortellini, Johnny… what a strange name!"
Tortellini? Thought Sam.
"Hmmm… his vital signs seem to be a little high for a comatose patient. Well it doesn't matter anyway, I'm not his doctor or anything, I just give the sponge baths," she said as she looked at the machines next to Sam's bed.
Sponge bath? Sam thought.
"Let me take off these leather straps so I can give you a good bath,"
Now's my chance. Sam thought. The nurse removed the straps and turned around to find her bucket. Sam opened his eyes and slowly positioned himself behind her. He put his arm around her neck and pulled it taunt. The nurse, wide eyed, dropped the bucket and sponge and submitted to Sam. "Hello there," Sam said in a raspy voice."Umm… hi," she said nervously
"Now I'll need you to tell me a few things, do you understand or should I break a few appendages," Sam stated. The nurse, now afraid for her life, shook her head yes.
"Good, now what is the date?"
"It's January 12,"
"Where are we at?"
"Langley Military Hospital, in Virginia,"
"Why was I strapped to the bed?"
"I don't really know Mr. Tortellini,"
"I think your lying, now let me ask you again, why was I strapped to the bed," he said in a rough voice
"I swear other than that you're some sort of political prisoner," she said tensely
"Is there anything else I need to know about?"
"There are a lot of guards in this building and around the courtyards,"
"Thanks," Sam said. Sam squeezed his arm causing her airway to become temporarily blocked, which caused her to become unconscious. Sam placed her limp body in his hospital bed and placed his blanket over her. Now that he took care of her he could now escape. The door was the only way to escape other than the window…
Two Hours Later
Lambert took his cigar from his mouth, looking at the round table before him. Five people sat before him, their faces blocked by the shadows. The room was the center of darkness for third echelon. It was like poisonous cancer, infecting everyone that came into the room, even more specifically whoever comes in contact with group of people.
"Is everything going according to plan?" said a man in a Caucus accent.
"Yes it is," said another man.
"But we have a problem, Sam Fisher has escaped," Lambert said
"Don't worry, leave him to me," one of the men said. His eyes literally glowed like embers in an open fire. They expanded even more when he started to laugh the iciest laugh, contrasting from Lambert's wavering frown. Lambert slammed his cigar on the table, putting it out in the process.