The Standoff

When Joseph returned home his mother was right where he left her, curled up on the couch sobbing. However she was not alone. But it wasn't Peggy or Minh keeping her company it was John Redcorn.

Nancy was crying into his chest while John Redcorn held her. That was the sight Joseph came upon when he walked into the living room. The two quickly propped themselves up when they saw Joseph standing in the doorway.

"Hey Mom." Joseph said half-heartedly." Hey Mr. Redcorn."

"Joseph." Said Nancy wiping her eyes." How did your search go?" Joseph was frozen for a moment.

"We've found some things." Was all Joseph said.

"Good." Nancy nodded her head.

"Joseph." Said John." I heard about Dale and I'm here to help in any way I can."

"Thanks Mr. Redcorn but I don't need any help." Joseph made his way across the living room.

"Joseph." Nancy spoke up stopping him." I called Mr. Redcorn over her because he's an old friend. And he's been a very good friend for many, many years. And given everything that's going on right now I feel you should know the truth about your father." John Redcorn looked at Nancy in astonishment.

"Truth? What truth?" Joseph asked. Nancy took a few moments to collect herself.

"Dale is-" But then suddenly John Redcorn stood in front of Joseph getting his attention.

"Dale is a good man." He said aloud." He's been a good friend to me, a good husband to Nancy and a good father to you." John rested his hand on Joseph's shoulder." And like I said before if there's any way I can help him or you, let me know." Joseph looked at John Redcorn the same way he looked at his mother. But Joseph was a simple boy and didn't think anymore of it.

"Thanks Mr. Redcorn, but I'm going to go bed now."

"Okay." John said. Joseph turned away and John Redcorn's hand slid off his shoulder as he walked away. John watched as his son walked away, the son he had with the woman he loved, the son who was fathered by another man, the son who would never know. But it didn't matter to him, after all this time Joseph was Dale's son and it could never be any other way.

Two days passed and the word spread to all the police to stop looking for Dale. Joseph did not go into work in all that time. He did not hear from Stryker though the older cop tried to get in touch with his partner but to no avail. The boy simply waited, waited to hear from his father's kidnappers.

And soon enough he did. The phone rang that day like it would on any other.

"Hello." Joseph said into it.

"You've called off the police, good." Said the stranger's voice." Everyone is off our trail. That leaves just you and me."

"Where is my father?"

"Your father is safe."

"Let me speak to him!"

"I'll do you one better. Would you like to see him?" Joseph went silent." Would you like to see him?"

"Yes."

"Good. Meet us at the Arlen Gun Club shooting range. Just you, no police, no friends, just you. If we get any hint you're not alone we will kill both you and your father, understand?!"

"Yes."

"Good." Then the line went dead. Joseph wasted no time in rushing out the door, getting into his father's van and driving off. But little did he know that someone was following after him.

Joseph drove to the destination to find it completely empty. There were no other cars around, no people, not even the sound of any wildlife around. He exited the van and began making his way into the building nearby, keeping his eyes and ears alert for anything around him. He walked up and gripped the doorknob and slowly opened the door.

The second he stepped inside all he saw was darkness but all he heard was "Don't move." Glancing over to his right Joseph saw the barrel of a gun looking him right in the face. The next second the door closed behind him and darkness filled the room but then the light went on.

There was the man next to him with a gun, in front of him was a man in a full body suit of metal and lastly there was his father tied to a chair.

"Da-"

"Stop." Kabal commanded raising his hand. Jarek stepped up and stopped Joseph in his tracks, reminding him that he held a weapon." Sit down." Jarek grabbed another chair and brought it over to Joseph and placed it down before Dale. Joseph did as he was instructed and sat down." You've come alone?"

"Yes." Joseph nodded his head. Kabal nodded his head. But just in case he had Kobra and Kira armed and doing rounds around the grounds.

"Let's get down to business." Kabal said." What do you know about the Special Forces Plans?"

"What?" Joseph said confused. Kabal nodded his head and the next thing Joseph knew Jarek jumped over and hit him in the face with the butt of his gun. Joseph crashed onto the floor holding his bleeding nose.

"Again, what do you know of the Special Forces Plans to move against us?"

"I-I don't know anything." Joseph got onto his knees." I don't even know who you guys are." Kabal nodded again so Jarek jumped up and punched Joseph back onto the ground. But they were so concerned with their interrogation of Joseph that they didn't notice Kobra or Kira disappearing on their security cameras. Jarek lunged forward and struck Joseph to the ground once again. But it had become all to clear to Kabal that beating Joseph was no way to get information, he instead turned his attention to Dale.

"I'm growing impatient." He grumbled taking one of his hooked swords from off his back. Joseph looked up and saw as Kabla put one hand on his father's head and aimed his sword at his throat." Tell me everything now or your father dies!"

"I don't know! I don't know anything!" Joseph cried. He held his arms towards Kabal. But the Black Dragon Leader didn't believe Joseph no matter what he said or how loud he cried.

"Enough!" He finally roared silencing Joseph." There's only one way to get the truth out of you!" He raised his sword up and prepared to swing forward to take off Dale's head.

"NO!" Joseph yelled but he was held back by Jarek. Kabal then swung his arm down, but at the same time he did something else rang out in the air.

"FREEZE!" roared man's voice. Everyone stopped and turned to the door where there was none other than Stryker. He was in civilian cloths but had his service pistol in his hands.

Ever since Joseph had reported his father's disappearance as a stunt Stryker had been keep tracking on him, following him wherever he went. And now his search proved true when he found his partner, kidnapped father and the criminals involved.

"You are all under arrest." Stryker began." For kidnapping and murder-" As he spoke Kabal nodded his head to Jarek. The loyal soldier did as he was told and aimed his rifle up and at the police officer. But he only had time to raise it before Stryker shot two rounds sending Jarek to the ground." You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law." He said as he advanced on Kabal. " You alright Kid?" He asked to Joseph as he walked over him.

"Yea." Joseph growled. He jumped to his feet taking Jarek's gun and aiming it at Kabal, with the full intention of killing him.

"No!" Stryker stopped him." Not like this." Joseph nodded and focused now on getting his father back. Together the two officers now walked closer to Kabal. The Black Dragon Leader dropped his one hooked sword and began backing away from them with his hands in the air.

"You have the right to an attorney." They said together." If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you." Kabal was now standing right in the doorway and to the two's surprise faster than any normal man Kabal turned and ran. He was fast enough to outrun the bullets fired at him from no more than two feet away.

"After him!" yelled Joseph. The two gave chase into the next room. But then the second they stepped foot in there the room was on fire. Outside Kabal had Molotov cocktails and flung them into the house, engulfing the wood structure in fire. After that Kabal made a hasty retreat.

"Get him!" yelled Stryker. He moved to the window to try and spot Kabal as he ran.

"No!" Joseph said grabbing him." What about my Dad?" Looking back there was Dale still tied to the chair. Stryker looked as if he was confused for a moment but then nodded his head. Then together they returned to Dale. Stryker cut Dale free and Joseph removed his blindfold and gag. The fire beginning to build up and roar around them. In only a matter of seconds the building could come down on them.

"Joseph!" Dale screamed. He turned around to see Stryker standing over him." Ah, the police I knew it! It was them the whole time!"

"Dad we're here to save you."

"Huh?" Dale said confused.

"C'mon Mr. Gribble let's get out of here." Stryker then led the way out as Joseph carried him on his back. They made it out just in time as the building was consumed with fire. Once they were at a safe distance they turned to see the structure burn and fall to the ground.

"Joseph, son you saved me!" Dale hugged his son.

"Dad!" Joseph said suddenly embarrassed in front of his partner. Stryker only stood back and smirked.

But Kabal had escaped. He and his Black Dragon would live to fight another day.