16:00:03

16:00:02

16:00:01

16:00:00

Michael sat at the bench in the garage, soldering iron in one hand, the metal wiring in the other. Four magnets were positioned equal distance apart in a metal ring. Two north poles in the north and east points. Two south poles in the south and west points.

"Please tell me that's not what I think it is?" asked Sam from behind him.

"That would depend on if you think this is a Satan Ring," said Michael as he put the soldering iron down and reached for another aluminium ring. He placed it onto of the four magnets so that they along with the wires were enclosed in metal.

"Mikey, what are you doing making a Satan Ring?"

"You know why,"

"Yeah, to crack an electronic lock. The magnets will trick the mechanism into opening," Sam sighed. "I know why you would use one I just don't know why you need one today?"

"Hyun Yi."

"Mike, no."

"Sam, we don't have a choice," said Michael

"We have a goddamn list of other hits we could make. We don't have to go anywhere near that psycho!" shouted Sam.

"Yeah, we could Sam," said Michael standing up and facing Sam. "But we only have twelve hours. We don't have time to hit a dozen places when we can get away with hitting one."

"It's the getting away part that bothers me. No one's ever done it before," Sam threw his arms up in the air, trying to get his point across.

"There's a first time for everything," Michael shrugged as he picked up the Satan Ring.

"Damn it, Mike. This..."

"What?" interrupted Michael, his voice raising, "I'm all open to suggestions but I ain't hearing any. I've got a plan and it'll work. But you have to trust me on this."

Michael stared at Sam, waiting for a response. Out of all the people to not trust him, Sam was at the bottom of that list. They'd gone longer than six years in the past without seeing each other, but it never changed anything. Except now, something just wasn't the same anymore.

"Mike, I know why you left. And I understand, I really do. But being reckless like this is not going to change anything," said Sam barely above a whisper.

"I came here to save Nate, so that's what I'm gonna do. If that means I have to do the near impossible to achieve that then so be it," Michael stared at Sam waiting for his answer. Silence dragging out between them. Worry began to niggle at the back of Michael's mind; Sam had never backed out on him before.

"I'd like to think the impossible would be more achievable if you had my back," Michael was as close to begging as he'd ever come. If Sam backed out on him now, he didn't know what he'd do. The whole plan revolved around there being four of them.

Sam let out a long breath. He didn't like this, he didn't like this one bit. Stealing some guns from some low-life punks who thought they were all that was one thing. But Hyun Yi was the big time. There were no second chances. They didn't even have time to find an in, they just had go all guns blazes. Literally, if Fiona had anything to do with it.

But would he let Michael down now?

"I got your six, Mike. But you better have a damn good plan."

"I do," smirked Michael.

-BN—

"Right, all vehicles are in the pickup spots," said Nate as he bounced into the garage.

"Good," said Mike as he picked up the oxygen cylinder and checked the nozzle.

Everything was coming together. They only had a few hours left until the job really got started.

They had decided on five hits. By spreading out the number of crates they stole from each dealer, they would decrease the time they were there and decrease the load they were carrying.

They would hit two small time dealers first which they shouldn't have any problems getting in and out. Then the dealer Seymour had handed them, which, again they should not have to much of a problem with. Followed by Kuznetsov's place so they could get the heavy weapons. Then finally Hyun Yi's. If everything went to plan all fifty crates of weapons would be on the boat way before 08:00.

"Where do you want me?" asked Bly.

"Six feet under," muttered Nate scowling at the man. It was no secret that he didn't like him.

"At the docks. I want someone I know there, someone I can trust," Michael stared at Bly, weighing him up. This was the moment of truth. The moment Bly proved he really was one of them.

"Alright then," said Bly as he backed out of the garage. "Watch your back out there."

Michael didn't answer, only nodded. Sometimes words weren't needed, and sometimes they weren't any words that could convey what needed saying.

"Where's Fi?" asked Sam breaking the silence.

"She's picking up some last minute ordinance."

"I don't like the sound of that."

"Then bring some earmuffs 'cause she's going to firing it in our direction," smirked Michael.

"What?"

"What is rule number one of breaking and entering?"

"Misdirection and speed," laughed Nate, remembering all the times Michael had asked him that very question when they were kids.

"Right, well, Fi will be providing the misdirection, Nate will get us the speed for our exit and we, my friend, will be getting the clear run into Hyun Yi's lockup and back again."

"You're sure of this?" asked Sam, checking for the last time. Michael had gone from under confident to overconfident in the same day.

"I am."

-BN—

Michael was loading the last piece of the diving equipment into the back of the Charger when Madeline came up to him. She'd been watching them all day, never saying anything. It was out of character for her.

"You want something, Mom?"

Madeline scoffed as she dropped the butt of her cigarette on the ground. Her gaze piercing into Michael, he felt like he was eight years old again and under scrutiny for doing something wrong. And just like all those years ago he couldn't work out what he had done.

"There is a lot of things I want Michael, I just never seem to get it," a small smile playing on her lips.

"I'll bring Nate home, Ma," said Michael finally realising what his mother was getting at.

Madeline looked across the driveway, Fiona was standing by the front of the Charger checking the mag. of her gun. Sam was at the rear of the van they had acquired loading the last of their equipment on board. Then there was Nate. He was practically bouncing on his feet, his eagerness showing through.

The scene was too familiar to one six years ago. Michael had assured her then that he would bring everybody home safe. They'd all come home that day, but they hadn't been safe. Her two boys had been far from safe. She did not want a repeat performance.

"Be careful, Michael," she whispered. She turned away and walked back into the house without looking backwards.

Michael watched her go. Two people had told him that today. Neither had been with confidence. No one ever used to lack confidence in him before.

"What was that all about?" asked Fiona coming to stand next to Michael, bringing him out of his thoughts.

"Nothing," shrugged Michael as he closed the trunk of the car.

They had twelve hours until the deadline. It was time to go. Confidence or no confidence, everything was in play. There was no backing out now.

-BN—