Chapter Sixteen:
Streets made empty by a regimented curfew. Streets echoed of hard rubber tires rushing past to make sure there isn't anyone out past the curfew. The city was strict about one thing beside appearing to be sick. And that's being out past curfew. Not that any normal citizen would, these people are to afraid of their own shadow. But thanks to the uniform, I'm loving every moment the amenity the mask provides.
I can't stress how annoying it to carry around this gun. But I play my part with due diligence, because the situation calls for it. Dressed black and red combat gear, there are little bits and bobs that light up part of the torso and mask. The Launcher had to be the one flaw with the uniform. Although precaution is necessary to pulling this off. So I keep quite about the weapon.
"We should slip away from another for the time being." Thomas mentions.
Each of us though about how such a separation could work out. Thomas no doubt would be stringing Teresa along as her personal guard. It would be up to us to find a way in without drawing attention.
"So now we need," Newt started.
"A rendezvous point." Gally finished.
"Fine whatever, just stick close by to one another but not to close, we'll play it that way." I said branching out from the group.
I kept an eye out, but also did my utmost to blend in, the center square of the tower. The area was blindingly illuminated, how can anyone work in such close proximity of this? Yet distance chatter of workers, the harden boot which march like a funeral percussion, set the ambient tone. That this, here and now. Just a few meters away is the disgusting spire built by WICKED. Here was the headquarters of whom which we hate.
Still Minho and the other's are alll prisoners, shackled down below, who know just what they had to endure. Yet also waiting was our enemies. My Mother I wonder if she at the top of the tower, astound by all her works. Maybe so, but this was about saving lives, not taking any. The confrontation between my mother and I must wait. Now's not the time to settle scores and wipe the slate clean. This is a rescue first and foremost.
Diverging out of sight, I headed inside of the parking lot which lead underground. Buses and cars tightly parked waiting to be used. I smoothly transition into ten man group of soldiers who lead themselves deeper within. For a while, I follow heel until I find one of the sublevel parking lot entrance. No security measures down here so I can easily waltz right in.
I veer my head inside to see Teresa with two others. Another figure followed beside me. Alright I guess all that remains was to do the damn thing. No pressure, I lie to myself. No pressure what so ever. I say inside my mind linking up with the others.
Teresa pressed her thumb on a scan and voila a door opened up leading to a flight of stairs. I didn't know who was who behind the mask but I made sure to take the rear, holding my Launcher firmly scooping out the vicinity. The guy's had the same idea.
"Hold on, hold on." Gally voice said as he stop by a few lock electrical boxes. Thomas and Teresa were halfway down the first flight of stairs. "I can get in here." He claimed pulling off his mask as I stood aside of him.
"Throw me the walkie." Thomas called out.
Gally grab it free and tossed it to him as he eagerly awaited to crack open the box. By then I pulled up my mask and waited for Newt who was having another coughing fit. Teresa looked up to Newt as Thomas proceeded downstairs.
Her expression was puzzled to say the least. She didn't know it, but Newt wasn't an immune and he was losing the battle to the Flare.
"Easy Newt, wait here with Gally. Don't strain yourself." I called to him softly.
"No.. I'm bloody fine." He spit back over the sound of. Gally drilling into the box.
"Frypan we're in, how you doing?" Thomas called over to Fry through the walkie. But my attention was that of Newt who was sweating and still coughing. He wasn't about to turn back even if it meant his life. But the durations of his coughing fits kept extending after each one.
It took a while but Gally got the box open, I wasn't sure of the details regarding its importance. But by hell he was in alright. Teresa expression kept changing, she knew what we came to do. So why is she looking at us like we defiled some sacred temple. This is the headquarters of a massive conglomerate, who in fact rules our very lives. Or once did if I'm to correct myself.
Built on lies and deceit, if what been told to me the absolute truth. Ava Paige being my biological mother, then this makes me the heir to WICKED structure. I don't have the keys to the past.
I can't for certain be sure how powerful she is beside force and influence. How long the wide depths of my mother's reach extends. Did she tend to leave WICKED in the end to me. Or is their someone else in line. Till I have the truth I am an heir to a soulless pseudo provisional government corporation. And to my very core sickens me.
My life will always be dedicated to waging war with her and the whole of WICKED, till there's nothing left but smouldering ash and rubble. Fist clench in blood stains, what other path is there for someone like me? But what am I saying I'm mere inches from saving my friend's. Semantics can wait for later.
"This can work." Gally informs as he deals with the mess of wire hooked up inside the box.
Thomas then changes channel on the walkie.
"Brenda what's your status?"
"My status is working on it." She said over the walkie.
"Copy that. Make sure you're ready on your end!"
"Don't worry you know I'll be there." She said assured.
Brenda job was to sneak inside and commander a bus for the kids. Frypan would work a crane which will get the bus over and out the city walls. If all goes to plan it should be a smooth execution.
"Alright let's go!" Gally said rigging a device inside and closing the box shut." Quickly we filled down the stairs to a door which would lead us even further in.
"I really hope you didn't draw attention to us with that stunt of yours Gally?" I laughed lighthearted as we began running down a very long illuminated corridor. There were a enough surveillance equipment down here to shake a bat at. But nobody seem to be bother about the cameras as we went full steam ahead, me taking the rear once at the end was a metal door locked, needing a thumb scan. This had to be it, this where they had been keeping Minho and all the others.
Pressing up by it we stood and before anyone moved in a solider on guard duty walked up to the threshold just as Teresa finger finished scanning. And before I knew what was going on. Thomas fired his Launcher and the arc of electricity slammed into the man's chest sending him flying back and stunned. Next thing I knew we had engaged the other's in a small gun fight!
A/N: Been one hell of a month guys but I should be getting back into a swing of a daily or bi daily writing schedule the next coming days. Thanks for sticking around thus far.