Chapter 22: Into the Sewers
Despite the crowd and the noise that goes with it, my eyes are immediately drawn to Max when we walk back into HQ. She's standing on the raised platform where the computer equipment is located. My eyes narrow slightly and I see that she's talking to Logan on the video-phone. I glance at Alec over my shoulder and see that he's gazing in the same direction.
"Come on." I say, taking his hand and leading the way towards Max's position, knowing that he wants to be closer so he can hear the conversation easier.
Apparently, Max just made the call because as we approach she's just greeting Logan.
"Hey." she says.
An uncomfortable silence follows her greeting and she glances about everywhere but at Logan. Finally, both parties speak at the same time.
"I'm sorry."
Max smiles slightly at their simultaneous statement.
"So," Logan says, also visibly relaxing as he removes his glasses and cleans them on his shirt before replacing them, "what's going on? How are you doing?"
"Well, that's why I called. We've...um...decided to leave Seattle." Max says, sounding more sheepish than I ever thought I'd hear her.
"What?" Logan exclaims.
"Logan, you know it's not safe here. You said so yourself. I have to do what's best for these people and I really think it's best if we get out of here. At least for now."
"And then what?" Logan demands, "Wait until White tracks you down one at a time?"
"I was actually looking for you to be a little supportive. You know, help me out. Not bust my chops. I really don't have the time or the patience." Max snaps angrily.
I lean closer to Alec and whisper to him, "Are you sure they used to be a couple?"
"Entertaining, isn't it?" he whispers back.
Logan lets out a long sigh, "Okay, Max. Okay. What do you need?"
"Well, we need to get the rest of these guys out of the city, but White's been on the police frequency, calling for a lockdown. I need you to find the best route for getting them through."
"Max, that's crazy. If White's trying to lockdown the city, there isn't going to be a safe way through." Logan protests.
"I didn't ask for a safe way. I said the best way." Max replies.
"Max..."
"Logan, please." Max interrupts, "I have to do this. I have to get these people out now. There's not enough of us left here to wait around. If White comes in here now, we're dead."
"Don't be an ass, Logan." Alec mutters.
Logan sighs heavily.
"Please, be careful." he says, giving in, "Give me a few minutes and I'll find you a route."
"Thanks, Logan."
"What's your plan?"
Max hesitates, probably worried that telling Logan about her plan will set him off again.
"Alec, Krit, Syl, Mole, Kira, Jess, and I are going to provide cover fire, try and maintain a perimeter around the street, while the rest move out. Sketch and OC are going to provide a distraction up the street to give us a little more time."
"Max..."
Max interrupts him again, "I know, Logan. But can you think of a better plan?"
Logan is quiet for a minute. Finally, he replies, "I'll come with you."
"Logan, no." Max protests.
"You're not going to change my mind, Max. Not anymore than I can change yours. I'll call you back."
The screen goes black, leaving a very frustrated Max staring at it. Joshua is the one to finally approach her.
"Little fella okay?" he asks.
Max nods slowly before turning to face everybody.
"Mole, Syl, divy up the firepower. Alec, break up the teams. We're going to try to push everybody through in quick waves. We'll probably be taking the sewers most of the way, but there's no guarantee that White doesn't have people down there, too. Keep together, keep your eyes open, and...be careful."
"Ugh, she's starting to sound like Logan." Alec grumbles under his breath.
I poke him in the ribs. Now isn't the time to antagonize Max. This is serious.
The video phone flashes, warning of an incoming call.
"Get to it." Max orders before turning back to the screen.
"Okay, people." Alec says, slapping his hands together, "You, you, and you, kid, with Joshua. Yeah, move it. Over there. Any day now. Now, you guys, I want you with Tep."
I tune Alec out and look around, feeling kind of lost. I know what's going to be expected of me when this goes down, but until then I feel kind of helpless. I wish Max had given me something specific to do. I catch sight of Syl and Mole and wander over to help them.
"What's up, Jess?" Syl asks as she checks the clip on a semi-automatic.
"Need any help?"
"Sure. Hand out these handguns to anybody who wants one. Team leaders need some of these babies." she tosses the weapon to me.
"Got it." I nod, catching the gun she throws me and holstering it against my back, glad that I'm being put to work.
I gather as many guns as I can carry and begin distributing them. I try not to notice the looks on their faces when I hand them the weapons. I try not to see the flash of memories in their eyes. Unfortunately, I can almost see Manticore reflected in them, the cold hallways, the units marching through them without speaking, without turning their eyes even a fraction to the side, tac leaders screaming at them as they pass. The cold metal is so familiar. Just like it was when CAT first started this. And I know that what I'm feeling is what they're feeling as well. But worst of all is knowing that while I never wanted to be back there again, I will need to be, at least in my mind, if we're going to make it through this. It's frightening to think that I actually need Manticore in any way.
I suddenly realize that I'm out of guns to hand out. I turn and head back to Syl to get some more, trying to shake the feeling that's come over me. I need to focus on what's happening now, not on Manticore. After collecting two more armfuls of cold steel, just about every transgenic in the building is armed.
"The rest of these babies are for us to play with." Syl says, sharing a grin with Mole.
"Guys." Max calls.
I turn to see Max still standing in front of the screen, Logan's face projected on it. Max gestures for us to join her. I follow Mole and Syl up the stairs.
"Logan, tell them the route." Max says.
"Alright. I found you a path through the sewers for most of the way..." Alec groans. Logan glares at him before continuing, "Anyway, you'll have to come up on Galup. There's never been transgenic activity in the area or much other activity for that matter. Plus, it leads away from the Canadian border. I don't think they'll expect you to go this way. Plus, it's near the docks so you'll only have to worry about them coming from one side. From the sewer exit to the border is about a mile and a quarter stretch."
"I think we should pair up and split the distance." Max says.
"That's an odd number, Max." Alec points out.
"I'm aware, Alec." Max snaps, "I don't play well with others. I'm on my own."
"Max." Alec and Logan both protest.
Max crosses her arms, "We don't have time for you two to argue with me. I know what I'm doing."
"Whatever." Alec says, obviously not pleased.
Logan continues to glare at him. Max ignores them both and quickly presses on, "We're going to set up before the teams get there so we need to move out right away. Mole and Syl, I figure you guys will have the most firepower, so I want you guys at the sewer exit. I'll be at the last leg. The rest of you split it up. Got it?"
We all nod.
"Jess." Alec pulls me aside as the others continue hashing out the details, "I need to tell you something. Max has stuck me with a crappy decision, as usual. I can do the smart thing and pair up with someone else so that I won't be trying to protect you the whole time. Problem is, I won't be able to stop worrying about you, which might be worse. Or I can pair up with you and maybe do something stupid that ruins this whole thing. I need you to tell me what you think I should do."
I stare at him, "You realize that you're putting me in the same position, don't you?"
He nods.
"You're an asshole for making me make this decision."
Again, he nods. I sigh.
"I wouldn't want anyone else with me." I finally admit. I glance past him at Kira, "I'll team with Alec if you want to pair up with Krit."
For a second I think I see hurt flash in Kira's eyes, but it's gone so quickly I can't be sure that I didn't just imagine it. I push it out of my mind and try to get my head in the game.
"Let's take the far half so I can keep an eye on Max and make sure she doesn't do something too heroic." Alec says.
I nod and follow him as he heads outside. He leads the way to a manhole, grimacing as he moves it aside and catches wind of the sewer vapors. He gestures for me to go first, but I shake my head and smile slightly at him.
"Why don't you go first and see if there's any piles I should avoid?" I suggest in a mockingly sweet tone.
"Gee, why not?" Alec replies, making a face, but lowering himself into the sewer, "It's been so long since I got to traipse around in a disgusting sewer."
I smile for a fleeting moment, then follow him. I wish belatedly that I'd gotten a chance to become more familiar with this city. Any advantage over our enemy would be nice right about now. But at least Alec appears to be rather well acquainted with the sewer systems of Seattle. I have no doubts that Max is responsible for that.
It takes a minute for my eyes to adjust to the dim sewer lighting. It takes longer to get used to the smell. Things have definitely died down here. That thought makes me pause. Hopefully, we won't be joining them. Max said White might have men down here. I follow Alec, checking my weapons as I move. Our feet make small splashes as we walk, which makes me nervous. Anything that might announce our presence in the sewer to a potential enemy makes me nervous. A noise behind us causes me to whip around, gun at the ready. I feel Alec do the same.
"Just me." Kira says, holding up her hands.
I relax with a sigh. Alec grumbles something unintelligible.
"Kira, what are you doing?" I demand in a whisper.
"We're all going the same way, remember? We were all kind of surprised at how fast you two moved out. Max wasn't done giving pep talks." Kira says.
"We're peppy enough." Alec responds.
"You sound it." Krit agrees, walking up behind Kira.
"The others on their way down?" Alec asks, ignoring Krit's comment.
Apparently, Kira sneaking up on us shook him up.
"Yeah. They'll be down soon. Max, Syl, and Mole are going to trail the groups moving out since you guys took point." Kira nods.
"She's not happy about that, by the way." Krit observes.
"Of course not." Alec agrees.
"Well, let's move." I press.
Standing around talking isn't going to make anything any better. I need to get this over with. I've never been excessively patient and I'm feeling particularly jumpy down here in this unfamiliar, enclosed space.
No one says anything, but everyone must agree because we all begin walking as silently as possible down the sewer tunnel. Alec goes first, I follow, then Kira, and finally, Krit. My senses are on high alert as I sort through the noise, trying to find any tell-tale sounds of ambush. The sewers in the immediate vicinity of T.C. will be the most dangerous.
I pause suddenly when I hear something that doesn't sound right. I can't tell if the others heard it so I grab Alec's shirt with one hand and hold up the other behind me to halt Kira and Krit. Alec glances back at me questioningly, but I'm busy listening hard to see if I can find that sound that disturbed me before. There it is again. A kind of shuffle in the water. I gesture quickly to the others, indicating the direction I heard the noise coming from. Alec quickly gives some orders with hand signals back and I nod. I move as silently as possible back against the wall and follow Alec's lead as he inches around the corner.
Suddenly, the dark world in the sewers explodes. A figure springs out of the shadows at Alec, sewer water flying. I force myself to hold back and not leap to his aid immediately. I wait, watching as the figure knocks Alec off his feet and onto his back in the tunnel, as his face disappears under the green water. I can't suppress a quick grimace for his sake before my attention snaps back to the mission as the second and third enemies who I knew had to be waiting in the wings finally appear. I launch myself out of hiding and at the closest target. Alec's orders were to take them down as quickly and as quietly as possible, just in case there are more hiding up ahead. We don't want to tip them off if we can avoid it.
I grab what must be a Familiar from behind while I still have the element of surprise. Pain or no pain, a snapped neck should stop them. As the body falls into the sludge, I side-step the splash and prepare to take on my next opponent who, by now, is ready and waiting for me. I slowly move sideways, waiting for him to make a move, wishing that the sewer water wasn't weighing down my legs and slowing me up. Then, suddenly I have an idea. I continue to slowly move back the way I came, a small grin spreading across my face. I exaggerate how much the water is weighing me down, laying out the bait.
The Familiar bites, quickly moving towards me. I dodge his attack at the last second, spinning around to see him run straight into Krit and Kira who are all too happy to dispatch him for me. As soon as I see that they've taken care of the situation, I turn back to make sure that Alec is okay. I can't help but smirk, barely keeping myself from actually laughing, when I see him standing there, dripping wet. He glares at me as he tries to keep his soaking hair from dripping into his face. He signs to me to keep my head in the game. I roll my eyes, knowing that's just a cop out to try and keep me from making fun of him, but I let it go and gesture for him to take up the lead again. He continues to glare before slowly turning around and starting down the tunnel again. I quickly glance back at Krit and Kira who are both grinning as well. I try to sign to them to listen to our soggy leader without grinning, but I can't pull it off, so I cover my mouth with my hand and simply follow Alec in silence.
We spring one further trap in the tunnels before we pass into a new sector of sewer system. I wonder briefly how long we'll be traveling in the sewers, thinking that the smell may never leave my nose. Then, I quickly decide that I don't want to know, that I should just focus on following Alec and ignore my discomfort. I give all my attention over to my other senses, but nothing strikes me as odd until Alec pulls up at a ladder. He signals to me that it's time to climb out. I sign back that I'll go first, which he immediately questions.
"You'll drip on me." I mouth quietly at him.
He rolls his eyes and starts signing back at me, but I ignore him and start climbing. I'm sure that I'll hear about this later, but for now Alec can't do much except possibly pull me off the ladder by force, which I doubt he'll do.
I slowly and cautiously push the manhole cover aside, pausing and waiting for some indication of danger before poking my head out and looking around. I'm happy to find that Logan directed us to come out of the sewer in an alley where we won't be noticed. I quickly climb out and move out of the way so that Alec can follow. Soon he, Kira, and Krit join me in the alley.
I sign, "Do you think it's safe?"
Alec holds up a hand for us to wait as he moves towards the street and peers around for any signs of an ambush.
"Looks clear." he says out loud, "And we should probably talk now since the four of us sneaking around, talking in hand signals, is going to look suspicious."
"And a parade of people coming out of this alley is going to seem normal?" Krit asks, but no one bothers to answer him. We all know the problems we're going to be dealing with.
"Well, shall we?" Kira asks, gesturing out at the street.
"You and Krit take the north side of the street. Jess and I'll keep to this side. Stay in eye contact. Signal if you see anything." Alec instructs as he wrings out his shirt.
"Looks like rain." Kira points out, glancing up at the sky.
I look up, too, noticing the gathering clouds. What was a day in Seattle without rain, after all? Well, at least Alec won't seem so out of place if it rains. And maybe he'll smell better, too.
"It had better." he grumbles as if his own thoughts are the same as mine.
He stashes his gun in the waistband of his pants against his back, pulling his soggy shirt over it and the rest of us follow suit before we leave the alley. I stick close to Alec, trying to make it seem to any passerby that we're just out for a stroll. Kira and Krit do the same as they part ways with us and head across the street. I shoot a glance after Kira, silently telling her to be careful. She nods slightly back at me before turning her attention to Krit. I have a bad feeling about this. It feels too much like I'm saying goodbye. Lightning flashes across the sky, drawing my attention upwards again. I count silently to myself as I wait for the thunder. When the rumble in the sky finally comes, it sounds like a growl, a dark warning of something about to snap.
Alec's hand on my arm pulls me out of my ominous predictions. His eyes find mine and I read the silent question in them. I nod in response, quickly pulling myself together and letting him know that I'm okay. Still, he stares at me for another long moment before slowly dropping his hand from my arm and starting to walk down the street. I follow, walking silently by his side.
"So," Alec says suddenly after a few minutes of quiet, almost startling me with his voice, "Kira and Krit, huh?"
I almost laugh out loud at Alec's out-of-the-blue comment. Trust Alec to keep me distracted from getting overly wound up.
"I guess so." I agree.
Alec leans in close to my ear without stopping our movement down the street, "We're a way hotter couple."
I roll my eyes, "Are you even paying attention?"
Alec looks surprised that I'd even ask that question, "Of course. I'm multitasking."
"How much farther, you think?"
"Can't be too far. Sewers should have taken us most of the way."
"Think there's more Familiars out here?"
"With our luck, probably." Alec suddenly stops in his tracks, his eyes looking somewhere over my head. I stop, too, turning my head to follow his gaze and spot a hover drone coming down the street. I turn back to Alec, who quickly grabs my hand and pulls me over into a nearby phone booth, "Stupid hover drones."
"You think they put heat sensors on them yet?" I ask, thinking back to some of the intel from the motel job.
"Hope not." Alec replies, but he doesn't seem too optimistic.
As soon as the hover drone passes, he leads me back to the street. He's moving much quicker than we were previously. I step up my own pace to keep up with him. More thunder erupts overhead. I wonder how much longer before the rain starts coming down, hoping that the storm will work for us and not against us.
"Hey!"
Alec and I both whip around at the sound of a voice yelling. I relax when I see Max running toward us. Alec remains tense, probably because of the pissed off look on her face. She quickly reaches us and doesn't waste any time punching Alec in the arm.
"You jackass!" she growls.
"Hi, Max." Alec gives her a pained smile.
"Can't you stick to a plan for once in your life?" Max demands, "I'm in charge of this party, remember?"
"Aw, I thought we were just one big, happy family."
"Guys." I try, feeling antsy to keep this moving.
"Alec, we can't afford any…"
"Any screw-ups? 'Cause that's what I do, right?"
"Guys." I intercede again.
Traffic seems to be getting heavier as the sky darkens and my instincts are screaming at me to keep moving. With Familiars likely combing the city and a hover drone that may or may not have tipped them off, we can't afford to stay in one spot.
"Alec, we don't have time for this!"
"No shit, Max! So lay off and let's do this."
"God, I hate you!"
"Guys!" I yell, drawing way too much attention. I quickly lower my voice, glaring at the people staring until they continue about their business, "Not here, not now. Let's go."
Both Alec and Max look stunned that I yelled at them, but it seems to get through to them because we all continue down the street. I catch Kira looking back at me from further up the road. She gestures a question at me. I shake my head back at her and gesture at Max. She nods and turns her attention back to her side of the street.
After a few more minutes of awkward silence from my group, the end is in sight.
"You guys set up here and I'll take care of the checkpoint." Max says quickly before taking off.
Alec opens his mouth and raises a hand as if he's going to yell something after her, but just shakes his head and lets his hand fall back to his side. The first few drops of cold rain strike my skin.
"Alec." I draw his attention to me, "Where do you want to set up shop?"
Alec examines the area before his eyes travel upwards. I follow his gaze to the top of the building next to us. A fire escape along the side provides quick access to the top and from there we can keep an eye on the whole street and the alleys leading up to it nearby.
"Care to be my sniper buddy again?" he asks.
"Gee, Alec. Are you asking me out on a date?" I tease, knowing I'll need to keep his mind off of worrying about Max too much, something their argument has not helped with.
"Dating Manticore style." Alec quips as we head into the alley to climb the fire escape, "After you."
I head up the ladder, glancing down at Alec as he follows. The rain is starting to come down harder now, making the rusty bars slick. I decide not to push it by climbing too fast and instead stick to being careful. A stupid mistake is the last thing we need tonight. Once on the roof, I push my slick hair out of my face and move over to the ledge. Alec follows me and we both crouch near the edge and look over.
"Alec, I've got a feeling…" I start to voice my apprehension.
"Me, too." Alec interrupts. He looks at me and offers me another one of his cocky grins, but for some reason it doesn't cheer me up as much as usual. Still, it doesn't matter how much I doubt that this will work. It's my job to help make sure that it happens regardless.
"Hey, there's the first couple of ours." Alec points out, nodding towards a couple walking down the street.
I follow his line of sight and notice two transgenics whom I handed weapons to earlier. They are moving fast and seem too openly nervous for my liking, but what can I do about it?
"Hey, is that Logan?" I ask, noticing a dusty blue SUV moving slowly down the street after our people.
Alec glances at the car, "Sure is. Looks like Logie dropped by after all."
I trail Logan's car with my eyes, noticing him scanning the streets, probably for Max.
"You see Max?" I ask, squinting down the road at the checkpoint.
"Uh…I think so. Well, either that's Max or a hot sector cop." Alec points out, gesturing at the cop waving people through the checkpoint who has a familiar haircut and figure.
A small smile flickers across my face at Max's ingenuity. Disguised as a sector cop, manning the checkpoint, she can not only get our people through with minimal fuss, she can listen in on the police radio at the same time. Nice work on her part.
I turn my attention back to the street. Rain is coming down with increasing steadiness, but it doesn't seem to discourage the night crowd on the street. The next few transgenics that I spot don't seem to stand out too horribly as they move quickly past. They mostly look like people looking to get out of the rain. My eyes follow them closely until they reach Max at the checkpoint.
"Hey, look. Working girls." Alec distracts me, pointing down to the sidewalk below us.
"So?" I ask, curious despite myself why he feels the need to point them out.
"So I can see down their tops from here." Alec grins, making a point to leer over the edge.
I shake my head at him, "God, Alec, you're so…"
I don't get the chance to finish my thought as a black car catches my attention. It's moving slowly, too slowly down the street towards us. Focusing on the windshield, I catch a glimpse of the driver and, more importantly, the passenger next to him.
"Shit." I breathe.
"What?" Alec demands, all humor forgotten.
For some reason I can't seem to speak, so I merely gesture at the car, feeling sick to my stomach as I realize how sideways this is all about to go. Familiars in the sewers trying to kill us, I can handle. Ames White pulling up on our escape route, I can handle. But Ames White pulling up with my own personal antiChrist riding shotgun is not something I can stomach at the moment. This can not be happening.