A Dish Best Served Cold
Summary: Moriarty is out rule the world once again and he's had it with Sherlock Holmes's interference. He has a plan, but the detective's friends may pay the ultimate price.
Disclaimer All Publicly Recognizable Characters, Settings, Ideas, etc. are the Property of DiC Entertainment and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The Original Characters and Plot are the Property of the Author. The Author is in no way Associated with the Owners, Creators, or Producers of DiC Entertainment. No Copyright Infringement is intended.
Chapter 19 - Sacrifice
An Entrance to New London's Underground
"Well here we are." Lestrade said as the cruiser began to arc gracefully towards the ground, she was being more careful then usual, not wanting to annoy Holmes or Watson. None of them were looking forward to going back down into the underground. Capture meant endless torture for Lestrade and Holmes and for Watson it meant death or limbo.
The fact that they didn't have a good idea of what to expect, who to expect it from, or the security details—or even a map—didn't help matters.
Holmes walked on ahead and down into the underground, Watson and Lestrade followed. They walked for about ten minutes when Holmes held up his hand and they stopped as he turned to them.
"Moriarty took it upon himself to instate a high level of security round the premises of his last abode, and so, chances are that he has taken the same precautions in this instance, it would be prudent to be wary."
Lestrade and Watson nodded. They continued to walk keeping a close eye on the walls for any cameras, they saw none and hoped Moriarty hadn't had time to set them up. None of them wanted to consider the possibility that they were simply well hidden. Unfortunately for them, that was the case, Moriarty liked to have contingency plans and that meant having a fallback base that was secure and ready for anything. He was soon alerted to the presence of the detectives.
He stared at the monitors, a sadistic smile dancing across his face. 'Oh Holmes, my friend, you really have outdone yourself, now…how best to return the favour? Ah, I have an idea…'
Holmes, Watson, and Lestrade continued to walk keeping a weary eye on the walls and ceilings for any cameras, when Holmes raised his hand. He turned to the others and put his finger to his lips he then pointed to a side tunnel on their left and ran silently towards it. Lestrade and Watson followed, the compudroid slower in an attempt to remain silent.
They managed to turn the corner before Fenwick and ten of his fellow henchmen came into view. He put a finger to his ear, he had a small radio there he used to keep in contact with Moriarty. He then looked to the tunnel Holmes and the others had slipped into.
"Come out 'Olmez we know you are there we've got cameras set up all over ziz joint."
Holmes motioned for the other two to run then turned to confront Fenwick, A look of 'You Have Got To Be Kidding' spread across both Lestrade's and Watson's face and they each grabbed one of his arms and began dragging him with them.
If Holmes hadn't been worried about alerting Fenwick to their exact location and intention he would have protested. He saw the look they both gave him and realised there was no way they would let him give himself up to divert attention away from them. It was clear that he had no choice but to accompany them.
It took all of two seconds for this to happen and all of four seconds for Fenwick to shout: "Have it your way zen, after zem!"
The group ran for all they were worth. They managed to doge around a corner barely avoiding the ionizer blasts zesting through the air.
"We need a plan." Lestrade informed her fellow sprinters as she took a small smoke bomb from her side pouch, and tossed it at their pursuers. "'Cause that won't hold them off for long."
"How many of those do you have in your possession?"
"Now? Four."
"When did you acquire them?" persisted the Victorian.
"On my way back to the yard from Baker Street. I figured they might come in handy."
"Good thinking Inspector," Watson declared.
Lestrade smiled, "Maybe we should find a place to hide. Where are those cameras Fenwick mentioned? I don't see any."
"Either they are well hidden or - as is more probable - too small to see," Holmes replied.
"Great! How do we avoid them if we can't see them?"
"We will have to reach an area far enough out of reach of hospitable conditions that Moriarty would not have bothered to install surveillance equipment, but first I think it would be best to contact the Chief Inspector and alert him of Fenwick's presence in the underground, he may at last decide to permit assistance."
Lestrade nodded and was about to call Greyson when their favourite jaundiced henchman popped out from a side tunnel ahead of them.
"Did I not tell you, you could not hide?"
Lestrade got another smoke bomb ready as Fenwick reached for what appeared to be an EMP grenade. They both tossed at the same time. As soon as Holmes saw the weapon the opposing side had flung into the air he started to shove Watson back the way they had come.
The two ran as fast as they could with Lestrade close behind them. Fortunately Watson wasn't damaged, and with the cover provided by the smoke bomb the three were able to escape to a safe distance.
They ran for a good five minutes before stopping.
"I think it would be best if we contacted the yard," Holmes reminded his companions as soon as he had caught his breath.
Lestrade turned on her wrist communicator…or at least tried to. "Zed the blast wrecked my communicator." Holmes tried his palmer, didn't work. Both turned to Watson.
"I am afraid my uplink has also been damaged. Perhaps that grenade was designed to render our communication equipment useless."
"Which means Moriarty's toying with us." Lestrade thought out loud, a look of hatred scorched across her smoke blotched face.
"He does seem to be enjoying himself." Holmes agreed, "It seems we are once again on our own."
Lestrade sighed, "Well let's get moving. Uh… any idea where we are exactly?"
"If I may make a suggestion." It was not a question "We know Mr. Fenwick is in the direction from which we have just come," the detective pointed "therefore I suggest we go in the opposite direction. We are sure to come across some kind of landmark or exit which will assist us in regaining our bearings."
'He just doesn't want to admit he's as clueless as the rest of us,' thought Lestrade, grinning slightly.
Holmes noticed her tell tale expression but said nothing, as he began to walk in the direction he had indicated, Watson looked from one to the other of his companions and sighed.
The three continued to walk. After a few minutes Lestrade realised that the tunnel they were in did not look like a safe place to be in, in fact, it looked downright unstable—not as bad as the one she and Holmes had been injured in, but still.
They had been walking for about five minutes before Holmes raised his hand once more, motioning them to stop, which they did. Holmes looked around but apparently didn't find what he was looking for. He motioned to the two to go back the way they had come. The three had been moving as quickly as they could without making noise. Unfortunately it did little good.
"Not so fast Yardies," Fenwick called tauntingly out of the gloom.
Holmes heard ionizers charging, quickly, he turned and threw his cane at the henchman. This caused Fenwick to misfire at the ceiling, the ceiling in turn began to shake menacingly.
To make matters worse, while Fenwick had been firing or misfiring, the men and women he had brought with him had also fired. As Holmes had been turning to attack Fenwick, he had been hit with two blasts. Fortunately Lestrade and Watson had stopped when he had turned, both grabbed the detective, Watson picked him up cradling him in his arms. He and Lestrade then ran, narrowly dogging falling pieces of cement and other debris.
"That was close," Lestrade stopped and she turned to Watson "How is he?"
The compudroid was - at the moment - just finishing scanning Holmes after laying him down on the musty stone of the cavern. "He should make a full recovery but it will be some time before he awakes"
"How long?" Lestrade glanced at the collapsed tunnel they only had about five minutes, maybe ten before Fenwick and his friends found them.
"Thirty minutes to an hour."
"Perfect! We don't have much time before Fenwick doubles back. I'll lead him and the others away while you tend to Holmes."
"But Lestrade you'll be caught!"
"I'll be fine, look there's a side tunnel about 100 feet that way," she pointed, "We've only got about five or ten minutes before Fenwick gets back, and we're in no position to deal with him and worry about Holmes. I'll lead them away. You take Holmes to safety; here; take a couple of smoke bombs." She handed him two of her three remaining ones she possessed. Seeing the torn look on her friend's face Lestrade added: "I'll be fine Watson, just take care of Holmes."
And with that Lestrade rushed off to where she believed Fenwick would be. Watson watched her for a moment then decided the best thing to do would be to tend to his friend. He lifted his charge gently into his arms once moreand began walking towards the side tunnel.
It only took about four minutes before Lestrade caught sight of Fenwick. The rogue geneticist was accompanied by six men and four women, all of which looked rather trigger happy. She grabbed a rock from the ground and tossed it so it landed behind one of Fenwick's men.
"What waz that?" he looked around, "Hmmm they're 'round here somewhere they couldn't have gotten far, spread out."
Lestrade started to back away. Fenwick and his men were around a curve and she was just out of their line of sight, for the moment. 'Zed there's no cover,' she cursed, 'Perfect they're all armed with ionizers and now that they're spread out, there's no way I can get in close enough to make that advantage useless!'
All of a sudden Lestrade heard an ionizer charge she dogged to the side barley avoiding the blast. One of the men had managed to sneak up on her. Lestrade rushed him, she dogged another blast and using a jump kick disarmed her opponent. Only to be shot at by another.
She managed to avoid the blast, and as she turned she saw that Fenwick and his nine other cronies were pointing their ionizers at her. She looked around for an escape route and to her surprise found one. The first ionizer blast had caused a wall to collapse on the other side was another tunnel.
Lestrade could not believe her good luck she started towards it, and was forced to perform a few flips and acrobatic feats in order to avoid been blasted by an ionizer. She had long ago learned that it was a lot harder to hit an aerial target then a terrestrial one.
Once on the other side she shouted back to her pursuers "Come and get me!" and ran for all she was worth. She noted that she wasn't in a tunnel it looked like some kind of pumping station, good thing to as it provided far more places to hide. She just managed to doge another blast by ducking into a room. Unfortunately it was a small room, a small empty room.
"Zed."
"Come on out Yardie we've got you surrounded."
"Come and get me Fenwick."
Fenwick motioned for the two men on his right to do just that. Lestrade waited 'til she could pinpoint their location by the sound of their steps, then tossed her smoke bomb. As soon as she threw it she started firing blindly. It wasn't as if she had to worry about hurting anyone who wasn't trying to hurt her—she had to act quickly, the smoke would only last for a matter of seconds.
She heard a few fall and smiled she should be able to manage this. After the first few clothy thuds people began to panic and fire. The inspector smirked and knelt to avoid being hit, with any luck they would take each other out. 'Amazing what one can do with a smoke bomb and a few lucky shots.'
Lestrade was kneeling for all of three seconds before the smoke started to clear. She saw a few people still standing. She rushed at the nearest one and aimed a kick at their head knocking them out. She heard a cough behind her, not far, but still out of range.
She turned to her right and did a forward roll to avoid a blast, when she landed she didn't have time to orientate herself before a blast was fired right in front of her she looked up and saw Fenwick as well as four others two men and two women. While she had glanced up at Fenwick they had started to circle her and she was now completely surrounded.
She looked at everyone in turn before raising her hands and rising to her feet, just as she did she heard clapping from somewhere behind her. She turned and saw Moriarty with one of his military droids behind him.
"Bravo Lestrade, you never fail to entertain."
"Why don't you come closer and I'll show just you how entertaining I can be." Lestrade threatened as she got into a fighting stance
"Now Lestrade, do I appear suicidal?"
Lestrade glared: "Moriarty—you, your beauty queen, and your cronies are under arrest."
The master criminal raised his eyebrows, "How many times must I remind you inspector?" he smirked as he raised his ionizer and pointed it at her, "You have no authority here."
His smile broadened as he pulled the trigger.
Lestrade awoke a few minutes later in what appeared to be another security room. She was being held in a bear hug by the military droid she had seen with Moriarty, her feet off the ground. Moriarty had his back to her but had heard her moan as she came back to consciousness.
"Ah you're awake, good," he glanced at her before returning his attention to the monitor and consol before him. "Now that cave in you caused has damaged many of my cameras in that area, however the audio system is working perfectly. All one has to do is push this button and they can be heard by anyone anywhere in the area, rest assured Inspector, Holmes will be able to hear your melodious voice, I am sure it will bring him great joy."
"Now," said Moriarty as he pressed the button and turned to face her, "Call him."
Lestrade glared at the criminal. Defiance and fire in her eyes, her face clearly said 'Not a snowball's chance in Hell.'
Moriarty glared, this was getting annoying. His lips curled into a snarl as he reached up grabbing Lestrade's throat and hissed: "Call him!"
Lestrade only continued to glare.
Moriarty smirked and stepped back. "Very well."
He turned to the console, placed both his hands on it, and leaned down. "I do hope you are listening Holmes, rest assured Lestrade's life depends upon it. My men are combing the tunnels for you. I am sure if you were to look you would be able to find one of them in less then a minute, however to be on the safe side I will give you five minutes to surrender, or Lestrade dies, painfully I might add. Oh and I would like Watson to surrender as well, can't have him warning the yard as to our location. Your five minutes start now."
"Now, Lestrade, why don't you tell Holmes how much you would like to see him?"
Lestrade continued to glare, she hoped that if she didn't speak Watson would think it was a trick. Moriarty sighed.
"Very well Lestrade, D7," he said addressing the droid, "show our guest what happens to those who cross me." With that, the droid holding Lestrade began to squeeze, within seconds Lestrade could feel her internal organs being crushed. However the image of Holmes eyes glazed over and missing their fire held her tongue, she was determined that she would only ever see that image again in her nightmares.
…You'll be caught for sure. There's no way I'm letting you go through that again…
Her own words echoed in her head.
…never again…
Moriarty sighed, he placed his smaller, more portable torture device on his right hand, he walked up to Lestrade and placed it on her collar bone sending a level forty five shock wave to her oxygen starved brain, and this in combination with the fact that a rib had just cracked was to much for her.
Her pain-wrenched cry could be heard throughout the underground, echoing through the long abandoned tunnels.
Fortunately, Moriarty decided to remove his hand after thirty seconds and turn his attention back to the console, and Holmes.
"That was just a warm up Holmes I suggest you surrender or Lestrade will continue to suffer until I finally kill her out of sheer mercy." Moriarty waited a few moments and nothing happened.
"Have it your way Holmes."
He turned back to Lestrade who was grimacing; sweat was dripping down her forehead not only due to the strain on her body but also from the effort of remaining silent.
"Arrgh—" she could feel her vital organs being crushed, she struggled but nothing would loosen the droids grip.
"Must you be so obstinate Inspector? If you don't call Holmes I will make you scream and if you continue to remain silent I will be forced to cause further harm. Are you truly willing to sacrifice yourself for him? Is he truly worth it? Call Holmes and we'll both win. I'll get what I want and you will live, its a win, win situation, well… except for Holmes of course."
Lestrade didn't trust herself to speak, she simply glared at the criminal, her eyes seemed to be a flame, they were so full of hatred and defiance.
"Have it your way," he said and wrapped his hand around her throat.
Lestrade did not even attempt to stifle her cries.
"Ahhhh," her scream not only echoed through the tunnels but caused them to shake and vibrate. It was as if the very walls were shaking in anger, protesting the inspector's treatment.
Moriarty held his hand at her throat for two minutes before turning back to the console. "Now Holmes I would rather not be forced to kill my little pet, but rest assured I will. You have one minute left Holmes and my droid is crushing her. Her vital organs are being pressed against one another, twisting and contorting in an effort to prolong her very painful life. You have fifty seconds Holmes then I kill her."
At this point Lestrade was screaming not very loudly but one could tell she was in a great deal of agony.
"Arrgh!-…ahhh!" The moments of silence between Lestrade's cries became more and more brief.
"Twenty seconds Holmes… ten seconds… five." Moriarty raised his ionizer and pointed it at Lestrade. "Two…one."
The criminal pulled the trigger. Lestrade threw her head back and her eyes widened and watered as she registered the impact. 'I don't want to die'
Her cries stopped.
I am the evil cliffy Mistress kneel before me. Hehehe I suppose this is a bit of a cruel spot to leave off the next chapter has been edited. If I receive five request either thru reviews or email to post it early I will but then there won't be one on the following Sunday. At the latest the next chapter will be posted on the 6 of January before noon CST as normally scheduled