Ch 20: And then you die...

Disclaimer: Dun own PR!

A/N: There here you go. Coming up, Dead End. Please continue to show support.

Miranda heard the rush of footsteps in the hallway. She drew a breath and held it, listening, as the steps grew louder. She mustn't stay any longer.

Miranda backed quickly even before she can glance at the two figures lying in a pool of blood. Anticipation knocked against her eardrums as the door slid slowly. Mission accomplished! Jack was going to be all hers already.

Miranda was sure someone was standing outside the door—a shadow beneath the door. That was what she last saw before jumping off from the building, rope attached to her holstered waist. She had come prepared.

Her silencer tugged back in her holster and her laughter ringing in the dark like a banshee.

The footsteps came and go quickly, heading to the lift. The elevator stopped on the lowest level of the building. The lone passenger raised the pistol and aimed it toward the opening doors, but didn't have to use it. No one was waiting.

XXX

"Great." Jack muttered. "Just lost Sky. What was that man up to anyway?" Jack wondered, checking the time on his watch, fifteen minutes to eleven. He was tired but Jack decided a walk out would do him well, besides he was already outside.

XXX

"You pulled off that stunt really well, Syd." Omega sat up from the cold, hard floor. "I'm having quite a backache here."

"Yeah right, I have trouble getting up myself." Sydney said as she pulled the front of her blouse to survey the bulletproof vest she was wearing underneath. She plucked off the bullet and threw it on the floor. "I'm sick."

Omega offered her his hand and she tugged it, pulling herself to her feet.

"I almost thought I couldn't survive." Sydney said, trying to comb her hair with her fingers.

Omega grinned. "What motivates you to wear a bulletproof vest tonight?"

Sydney shot him a funny look. "I wear it everyday," she paused to stare at herself in the mirror, "even to bed."

"Smart thing. I don't think others do that though. It's stuffy thing."

"Real good thing you are morphed, Omega. Pistol bullets don't do any harm to those suits."

"I'm glad to live longer although if I'd die today, it makes no sense for Omega to appear here in future, now do we."

"Absolutely."

"Really, I must say that Miranda is a mad woman. Ah well, on second thoughts, she look pretty damn hot in those black tights, don't you think Syd?"

"I'll tell Nova that the next time she visits," Sydney paused giving some thought. "Hey, Sam, I'm glad that you had followed suit just now, or our cover is blown."

"I believe I do have brains but thanks for the compliment. It's not everyday one gets praised but a lady as pretty as you." Omega smirked. "Anyway, if not for Jack who rushed me here, I wouldn't have second guessed you were in danger. He tipped me you know, so you got to go thank him in the morning."

Sydney rushed out toward the door.

"Where you going at this time? We need to report this…"

"I'm looking for Jack."

Omega flew in front of her. "Not now, last I saw he's off in a hurry somewhere."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Sydney snapped. "Out of my way, sorry."

At that moment, Cruger's voice personally boomed into the speakers, "Officer Drew and Omega, report to the command center immediately."

Omega shrugged and watched Sydney stormed into the command center, then followed closely behind her. It was going to be one long night.

Somewhere behind a wall, stood a man. He was cursing silently at Miranda for not doing a clean job and letting that bitch go. He was going to have to do it by himself and he was going to have to strike the boy first.

"Sir."

"Officer Drew," Cruger pointed at the camera ahead of them, waiting for an explanation from either of them.

"I know, I was going to explain that intruder later but I need to get to Jack first, now."

"He's not in the building now."

"Then he must be in some sort of a trouble now."

"Not now, Syd."

"Yes, now, Cruger." Sydney stared straight into Cruger's eyes, adamant.

"Ah, if you two realize, something seems off tonight. Did any of you both see Sky?"

Cruger and Sydney turned to Omega, staring at him with fiery eyes.

"Just asking. No need for that atrocity." Omega commented, a trail of irony in his voice.

Kat stepped forward, a look of distress on her face. "Commander, you might wish to take a look at this now."

The TV showed what happened to Sky but anything after was cut so whatever happened to the red ranger later was unknown.

Sydney stared at the monitor, horrified. Omega had a blank look on his face while the Commander growled.

"Dispatch C squad out to deal with this matter."

Sydney muffled sobs. "I'm going."

"No, you may not. And that is an order."

"Sorry Sir, I need to… he's the leader of our squad."

Cruger stared at Sydney, his expression softened. Kat said, "Let her go, Cruger. She needs to lead the C squads."

Kat made a face and Sydney stepped out, then ran off towards the elevator. Cruger ordered Omega to follow.

XXX

Jack met Dr. Barkley when he was moving across the lawn. "Hey."

"Hi. What are you doing out here?"

"Was going to ask you that too. Thought I'd love a walk before going to sleep."

"Same here. It's an old habit already. What time is it now?"

Jack checked his wristwatch, "Close to eleven. Why?"

"Eleven's a nice time, don't you think. Mysterious and full of nail-biting suspense at this time of the night."

Jack looked at him quizzically.

Dr. Barkley laughed. "I read too much novels. Don't mind this old man. It's a good thing the rain had stopped. Love the moist feeling walking on the damp floor."

They continued walking and talking about the moon, the stars and the weather that seemed unrelated. Jack guessed that this doctor must be one lonely man.

Then they began discussing about Sydney and her recovery, which was a blessing to the both of them. However Jack started to find it odd when Dr. Barkley pressed him for the time again and again.

XXX

"SKY!" Sydney screamed when the elevator opened. But there was no Sky in it. No blood, nothing at all. It was just an empty box with no passenger at all.

"Where is he?" Sydney asked aloud, stepping in and paced around in the compacted area. She stared up and felt about.

"Syd, get a hold of yourself. It is evident that Sky's not here. Could it be he's in another lift?" Omega asked.

Sydney began to sob again silently. "Sky, oh god, where are you. I'm sorry, I have so many things to tell you. Please don't leave me like that, Sky." She sat on the floor, rubbing her head.

Omega ordered the C squads to check the entire building's lifts. "Syd, nah ah. Sky will be all right, S.P.D and half of New Tech City depends on him."

"Sir, ma-am, no sign of Officer Tate at all."

Omega nodded, "Keep looking, he must still be alive and can't have gone far."

XXX

"Did Syd…" In the middle of his question, Jack glanced across. He saw the pistol, but he wasn't given time to register the thought that it was actually being aimed straight at him. "What are you doing?" Jack asked slowly.

Dr. Barkley aimed the gun at Jack's thigh and he stumbledthen went down slowly, groaning in pain inwardly.

XXX

TBC-Pls R&R!