Chapter 15. Sacrifice
Elsewhere, Maggie and Rose had their hands full with Marcus let alone, even if it only was his replica. Various guards fell victim to a falsely promised "endurance session" in a conference room mere minutes ago quickly succumbing to nitrous oxide flooding throughout the room from above vents. They'd be under for quite some time.
"We have to act fast, Maggie. You must distract him while I make my own move..."
The younger British woman rolled her eyes, sighing in exasperation.
"It's easier said than done since the last one had been used already on Krauser. Sasha should be just about finished with Heath and Brutus is probably already waiting for us with Sarene. If we're caught by Spencer then this is all over."
The pair dodged their foe's swift strikes but for how long they could last would be the real test. Rose spoke up after barely managing to evade an otherwise fatal kick which instead of making contact with her face left a major depression in the nearby metal table. They were fighting in a break room of all places located nearest to where Sarene temporarily resided, on the far east side. Getting underground may prove impossible unless Sasha arrived at their side and soon.
Apparently James knew they shouldn't be there at this time based off of their strict schedules. Sure it'd been an over-looked error, however, their allies were on a deadline. If failed to be accomplished, the world along with everyone else in it were doomed to a life of incessant misery.
Just then an unexpected figure crept up behind the doctor, stealthily injecting him with a sedative then rolling out of dodge when he attempted a fierce punch. He sneered before clutching against his recently pricked flesh falling to the ground, defeated. He couldn't speak as conscious faded, Ada now stepping forward.
"Thought you both could use some assistance."
Sasha bursted thru both doors, using a well placed kick. One fell off its hinges while the other hung on by a screw. Both Maggie and Rose had baffled expressions, shrugged then watched as Sasha confronted Ada.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same question, Sasha."
Sasha glared at their new "aide" taking a menacing step her way. Rose stood between the two while Maggie yawned out of boredom, eyeing the exit.
"Now now ladies, I understand we're all on edge here but she had to help us out for a reason; isn't that right, Ada?"
"But of course. This organization is crumbling and will soon be discovered by the general public for what it truly is. I obviously caught on to your plan. We should leave while the exit is still open."
"Yeah, sure that'd be great and all but before that can happen, we have to make it to where Sarene and now Brutus are."
"If we can bring down-"
Oswell, along with two hooded subjects at his side, interrupted Sasha, scowling menacingly.
"Little ol' me?"
Maggie eyed the one on the left while Rose took on the right. Ada reluctantly stood by Sasha, both women encroaching around Spencer.
"Let's get this over with already. This inhumane treatment has lasted for long enough."
"Ladies first, darlings."
He grinned wickedly Sasha's way, beckoning her to come at him first.
"I'll enjoy fucking you all one last time, hahaha."
She rushed at him throwing brutal kicks with everything she had, re-applying what techniques she'd learnt from Tae Kwan Doe and Capoeira. Ada covered for her, leaping behind him, trying to help her get the upper hand. She preformed skilled Jujutsu moves of her own, already starting to feel defeated as their menacing enemy continuously dodged strike after strike.
Meanwhile, Maggie and Rose were dealing with issues of their own, barely avoiding lethal blows from whatever it exactly was they were up against. Maggie learned everything she knew from Rose who mothered her for the majority of her life. Both knew Karate well along with Kung Fu and knew how to defend themselves. They only hoped it would be enough to subdue these foes for a brief time. Each woman looked over at the other making certain they were okay. Uncertainty grew the longer this went on til one unexpected ally came back to their side, catching Rose's temporary foe off guard. He punched the replica so hard- of Spencer no less- that parts of skull and brain fragments scattered against the nearby wall, a partial depression left in his head.
His figure slumped over as Brutus turned his attention towards the other threat, helping Maggie out now, taking him out with ease. Rose nodded in appreciation at Brutus followed by Maggie, now joining Sasha and Ada.
"Give it up already, Oswell. It's all over for you."
He sneered at Brutus, trying to throw some type of smoke bomb before becoming incapacitated by another unexpected ally in a last ditch effort. Hunk shot him once through the heart and another time straight through his head, Brutus barely managing to dodge both bullets. All stared in disbelief as his lifeless body fell limply onto the ground, fresh steam escaping from a hole between his eyes followed by two minute streams of blood. Cold, dead glacier eyes stared back at them, Sasha voicing what was on most of their minds.
"Glad to see you two are safe and...thanks Heath, for your unexpected help as well."
He nodded, holstering his gun.
"Brutus, where's Sarene?"
"We don't have much time left before these others get up, including this monster here. That's not our only problem either. Soon enough, a strong concentrated form of acid will consume this entire compound, disintegrating everything in its path. Sarene released the lethal substance from its enclosure shortly after I left, wishing me well. She wanted us to all escape and in case you don't believe me, I have a recording of her wishing the same for all of us."
He produced a brief voice recording from his phone, pressing play as the others gathered around. Sarene's voice sounded somber. Somber yet relieved.
"This isn't an easy choice for anyone to make...It has to be done though. You all need to go on and lead happy lives, far away from this misery. Don't worry about me anymore. Rest assured, I'll destroy whatever's left of this place along with those who still dwell from within. Goodbye is only temporary...After all..."
Right then the recent wounds began healing themselves, their once deceased foes seemingly living again. However, before any had a chance to come to, all followed Sarene's advice, running as fast as possible through winding corridors. None encountered any threats...Save for oozing sickly green acid quickly encroaching upon their space. They barely made it out in time, the compound which all were forced to call "home" now disintegrating before their eyes. Everything happened so fast, none could speak for quite some time upon exiting.
A beautiful sunset painted the tropical surrounding landscape, its fading glow of pink, yellow and orange putting everyone at ease. Brutus broke the tense silence.
"We should do what she asked. It's better this way."
Sasha crossed both arms, smirking.
"I feel like taking up a new line of work."
They turned away from the rubble, proceeding towards a large boat still tied to the dock. Before boarding, Sasha caught Ada in time just before she lost her footing off the dock's side, steadying her new ally with a gentle yet firm hold.
"...Or perhaps I could do something similar...working alongside of others who I may have misjudged."
Ada returned both her affectionate gaze and hold, walking hand in hand, boarding the boat first.
"You know Ada, I didn't properly thank you for earlier..."
"You'll have plenty of time now to make it up to me."
Brutus walked beside Heath (Hunk), watching the women board first. He turned to Heath as curiosity got the best of him, inquiring about future plans.
"What now? You still sticking to this kind of turmoil?"
A scoff followed a carefree response, "Of course. Wouldn't have it any other way. You?"
He looked at Rose who embraced Maggie in a motherly way calmly stroking her head. Ada leaned against Sasha who embraced with a different type of affection, both content.
"Sure. As long as it involves exposing lies and bringing those who did wrongly to justice."
Hunk patted him on the back, removing his hazard mask for a change, now waiting for Brutus who gave one final look at what could have been when starting the boat. If only she'd swallowed her pride...
'Wherever you now are Sarene, I won't ever forget you. None of us will.'
They sped off into the unknown, filled with hope for better days ahead. There may be troubles that came along at times but they knew these sorrows wouldn't be dealt with alone. All formed a bond from then on which could never be severed, perhaps not even by death itself. Little did this small group know however, death had not claimed all who they'd thought...
