For The Love Of A Genius

by ObscureShadow

Ten years after Sherlock met John, things seem to have fallen into a normal routine. That is until he starts getting texts signed -JM. Quickly, everything goes downhill and Sherlock is forced to build a relationship with his godforsaken brother Mycroft in order to save his blogger and others. Can they take down the underground network of criminals before someone dies?

11. The Name of a Rebel

*Click* Sherlock folds his arms behind his back with a slight smile and looks around at the walls surrounding them. "Hm. Try again. I don't think that worked."

958 pulls the trigger again and again, each time it comes out blank. In frustration, he aims the gun at the ground and pulls the trigger once more, effectively shooting himself in the foot with the only real bullet in the entire gun. "Fuck! You have got to be kidding me!"

Sherlock laughs as 958 falls to the ground, cradling his injury. "Well, this has been a sufficiently interesting encounter. Shall I call the police now? Or would you like some help with your foot first?"

"I'm fine thank you!" 958 spits through gritted teeth. "What did you do to my gun?"

Sherlock shrugs, turning on his heel mockingly. "Snatched it from you while you were busy with my phone. Emptied most of the chambers and… actually, don't worry over it." Sherlock pulls out his phone and generates a text to Mycroft. "I really must thank you for all the time you gave me."

T ESTYV TGP LAACPSPYOPO ZFC XLY OZY'E HZCCJ LMZFE TE QZC YZH UFDE DETNV EZ ESP AWLY TWW SLGP JZF LWW QWJ SZXP HSPY TED NZXAWPEPWJ DLQP EPWW UZSY EZ QZCRPE ESP BFLCEPC T YPPO EZ NZYDFWE HTES WPDECLOP DZ TED RZTYR EZ MP L QPH SZFCD MPQZCP T RPE EZ ESP LTCAZCE UFDE RZ ZY HTSEZFE XP TWW DPP JZF DZZY –DS (S1)

"I could put in a good word with the DI for you. Maybe help clear your name and find out who you are. Or perhaps I'll just leave you to be tried with attempted murder. Your choice."

JZF DLTO...! DSPCWZNV! T LX RZTYR EZ VTWW JZF! ESLE HLD DEFATO! JZF WPQE XJ RFY ZY ESP CZZQ OTOYE JZF? QTYP HSLEPGPC RPE SPCP DZ T NLY DWLFRSEPC JZF XJDPWQ! –XS (M1)

DZ T WTPO NLWX OZHY TWW RPE JZF L YPH RFY TX APCQPNEWJ DLQP SZWO FA JZFC PYO ZQ ESP OPLW LYO QWJ ZFE ZY ESP YPIE QWTRSE JZF SPLC XP -DS (S2)

Sherlock receives a response almost immediately, but when he reads it, it's not from Mycroft.

I've been watching your every move.
Good work, you're still alive.
But unfortunately now you will have to choose
Between the bee and the hive.
-MidnightHowler.

958 who has now removed his shoe and sock and was applying pressure to the wound, looks up and grins at Sherlock's flabbergasted face. "By that look, I figure you've just received q a text from Midnight, am I wrong? She's always got my back, or she did, seeing how I'm about to die. But no matter. You should go. My people will be closing in on me." He turns back to his foot.

ESTD TD HSJ T SLCOWJ PGPC ECFDE JZF WPLGP ESP RFY T OZYE CPLWWJ NLCP TEWW SLCOWJ MP ZQ FDP LE ESTD AZTYE TQ HSLE JZFCP DLJTYR TD ECFP LWDZ ESPCPD YZ HLJ TX RZTYR LWW ESP HLJ EZ SZYR VZYR ZY L NZXXPCNTLW QWTRSE -XS (M2)

'You could probably use the exercise and reduction in calories.' Sherlock grumbles and pockets his phone. He looks up and around for possible vantage points. "Where is Midnight now?" There was the glint of a scope from the only rooftop with a view of this alley. "That's not her. She'd have shot me as soon as you hit the ground. Must be here for you then." The wall effectively covers 958 from prospective attacks so Sherlock moves into position to cover his front. The grit of the wall digs into his palm as he steadies himself over 958, his coat billowing over to cover him from the sniper's sightline. "You've come to terms with death rather quickly, despite having chosen this alley on purpose due to its hidden nature. I take it you want to live."

958 can't seem to withhold his emotion anymore and bursts, dropping his fake accented voice. "Yes! I want to live! I want to."

Sherlock nods. "Alright then." He pushes off the wall, careful to stay between 958 and the sniper.

DSPCWZNV! ESPJ UFDE NWZDPO ESP PYETCP LTCAZCE YZ ZYP VYZHD HSLED RZTYR ZY PGPCJ RLEP TD DPLWPO LYO YZ AWLYPD LCP OPALCETYR -XS (M3)

HPWW ESPY RPE ESP SPWW ZFE ZQ ESPCP RZOOLXXTE FDP JZFC SPLO XJP T SLGP ZESPC ESTYRD EZ OPLW HTES-DS (S3)

T NLYE PGPCJ PITE TD WZNVPO YZ ZYP NLY RPE TY ZC ZFE -XS (M4)

OTO UZSYD QWTRSE WPLGP LWCPLOJ YZ XLEEPC SPWW MP QTYP JZF YPPO EZ DELJ NLWX LYO FDP JZFC SPLO JZFCP DXLCE JZFWW RPE ZFE ZQ ESTD VPPA XP FAOLEPO -DS (S4)

Sherlock lowers his voice, "Listen carefully. I know you can't do much with your foot, but we need to come up with a plan, quickly. My understanding is that they won't shoot me while you're still on orders and won't shoot you until I walk away unscathed, yes?" 958 nods. "Here's what I want you to do. See that bookstore behind me? The owner always keeps the door unlocked. On three, I want you to run in there, do you understand? Run through to the back. There should be a door behind the counter which leads to the wine cellar. In the cellar is another door on the left which will take you to a hall leading to… well, you'll know it when you smell it. Go right. Take the first exit which will come out by the river. I'll meet you there and help you with your foot. Then you're going to help me with Midnight's message. Got it?"

958 nods. "I'll try, but I don't know how far I'll get." He inspects his still bleeding foot and tries to pull on his sock but winces and tosses it aside.

T NLY ECJ MFE ESP RFLCOD LCP ECJTYR EZ VPPA PGPCJZYP NLWX YZ ZYP NLY XZGP YZE PGPY XP TWW ECJ EZ XLVP FA LY PINFDP MFE T OZFME TE HTWW HZCV HTES LWW ESP APZAWP ALYTNVTYR WTVP ESTD JPD UZSY XLCJ LYO NLCZWTYP WPQE DLQPWJ -XS (M5)

"Weren't you a soldier? You'll be fine. Besides, I've got your back." Sherlock distractedly kicks the gun back toward 958. "Stand, aim that at me and go on my count." 958 picks up the gun and slowly stands while Sherlock texts back, pretending to be unaware of his surroundings. He aims the gun at Sherlock.

XLVP TE L ACPEEJ OLXY RZZO PINFDP T XTRSE YZE MP LMWP EZ LYDHPC QZC L XTYFEP ZC EHZ. OZYE HZCCJ -DS (S5)

"Alright. One. Two. Three." 958 dashes for the bookstore and Sherlock pulls Mycroft's gun from his coat. He aims at the sniper's position and shoots, of course missing but at least drawing their attention from aiming. A sharp pain courses through his dominant arm as a bullet hit him from behind. He whirls around and misses the shot at the would-be assassin. The man ducks behind the wall. Sherlock cautiously steps around the corner ready to fire again but gets shoved into the wall. One of the attacker's arms presses against his throat and the other hits his injured arm, causing him to drop the gun. The assassin's face is inches from Sherlock's and his breath is rancid. "Breath mint?" Sherlock manages to ask and stomps down hard on the man's foot, right at the ridge of the ankle. This gives him enough leverage to push him off. He dives for the gun right as the man lunges forward. He shoots and the man falls to the ground, lifeless.

Sherlock lies where he landed for a moment, choking for breath. As soon as he can speak, he calls the body in to Lestrade and leaves the alley, slipping between parked cars and buildings.

ECTPO SPCP ZY MFDTYPDD QZC ESP BFPPY TE HZCVPO ESPJ RLGP XP L MLORP DZ LE WPLDE T NLY HLWV LCZFYO YZH ECJTYR EZ QTYO L HLJ ZFE DZ QLC YZESTYR. DETWW ZY ESP DPLCNS -XS (M6)

No sooner does he read the text when the phone starts ringing. It's Mycroft. "Mycroft, I don't have time-" There's a gunshot on Mycroft's end. "Mye!"

---

958 runs to the back of the store as instructed, ignoring the jarring pain in his foot. 'I've had worse.' he keeps telling himself and enters the wine cellar. He sees the door to the left Sherlock spoke of, but before he can get to it, the smell of fermented fruit wafts over him and he's hit with a sudden flash of memory. Just finished a day of training. But not assassin training. Four other guys sat in their bunks holding glasses of fragrant wine. They were celebrating something. Everyone clinked their glasses together. All eyes fall on 958 and he smiles. "Three cheers for Sherrinford's new record!"

958's head starts pounding as the memories flood his mind. 'My name is Sherrinford?' He grabs his face in both hands and groans. 'Sherrinford… Holmes. Holmes? Holmes?' His eyes shoot open. "Sherlock!" He runs to the left door into a drafty hallway, closing the door behind him. He missteps on his injured foot as he runs and falls, screaming in pain. He crawls to the wall and lets the cold of the cement soak through his clothes, cooling his rising body temperature. His phone dings and he yanks it from his pocket, head pressed firmly to the wall.

They're after you. Trying to hold them off. I love you. I always will. –Midnight

He quickly messages her back.

Nigh, I know who I am. Also, I'm injured. Shot myself in the foot, would you believe it? Please stay safe. Follow Sherlock. I love you too. –Sherrinford

Sherrinford stands shakily and hobbles along into the sewer, one hand on the wall to hold himself steady. Sherlock wasn't kidding when he said he would know where he was by the smell. He glances down at his bare foot and sighs. Probably wasn't a great idea to go barefoot. 'Damn this hand' He could have carried his shoe with him, but he was forced to choose the gun. At least he would look armed. After considering the consequences for a good minute, he decides to deal with his foot getting infected later and shuffles along close to the wall. Just as he was coming upon the first exit, he hears the door to the wine cellar opening. 'Well, shit.'

---

Text Conversation: Cipher www. dcode .fr/caesar-cipher

(S1) I think I've apprehended our man. Don't worry about it. For now, just stick to the plan. I'll have you all fly home when it's completely safe. Tell John to forget the quarter. I need to consult with Lestrade, so it's going to be a few hours before I get to the airport. Just go without me. I'll see you soon. –SH

(M1) You said…! Sherlock! I am going to kill you! That was stupid! You left my gun on the roof didn't you? Fine. Whatever. Get her so I can slaughter you myself! -MH

(S2) So I lied. Calm down. I'll get you a new gun. I'm perfectly safe. Hold up your end of the deal and fly out on the next flight, you hear me? -SH

(M2) This is why I hardly ever trust you. Leave the gun, I don't really care. It'll hardly be of use at this point if what you're saying is true. Also, there's no way I'm going all the way to Hong Kong on a commercial flight. -MH

(M3) Sherlock! They just closed the entire airport. No one knows what's going on. Every gate is sealed, and no planes are departing. -MH

(S3) Well then, get the hell out of there! Goddammit! Use your head Mye! I have other things to deal with. -SH

(M4) I can't. Every exit is locked. No one can get in or out. -MH

(S4) Did John's flight leave already? No matter. He'll be fine. You need to stay calm and use your head. You're smart. You'll get out of this. Keep me updated. -SH

(M5) I can try but the guards are trying to keep everyone calm. No one can move, not even me. I'll try to make up an excuse, but I doubt it will work with all the people panicking like this. (Yes, John, Mary and Caroline left safely.) -MH

(S5) Make it a pretty damn good excuse. I might not be able to answer for a minute or two. Don't worry. -SH

(M6) Tried 'here on business for the queen'. It worked. They gave me a badge so at least I can walk around now. Trying to find a way out. So far, nothing. Still on the search. -MH

Song: Run Like a Rebel - The Score