Title: On Deadly Ground
Chapter 7 – Team One – Hot Call
A/N: Okay so in RL The Chapleau Game Reserve is about 9-10 hours out of the GTA (Toronto) but for the purpose of this story its not lol so if you wanna flame why? I just said I know its not lol
Ed looks at the man before him, it was the same man that had stopped by the side of the road when he had got the flat from the bullet to see if he was okay and then sped off with a mocking laugh, telling him not to catch his death; the same man who did the same to Wordy – now the circle was complete.
"Did you shoot my tire and Wordy's?" Ed demands, not knowing that the team had already uncovered who actually shot the bullet; Leon Matthews, who Ed had taken out the day before.
"It was done…basically just to piss you off, but not by me. I wouldn't have missed," the man smirks, making Ed grit his teeth. "Your stubborn refusal to die might be admired by some but really is considered annoying to my employer."
"Happy to disappoint," Ed growls as he holds his ground, refusing to lower his weapon, his ears picking up the odd sounds in the distance once again, signaling him to stall for time. But that wasn't to be had as the four men loom in a bit closer, taking away fighting distance from the beleaguered team leader.
"But this ends now and you are coming with us. The easy way, with you lowering your weapon, means less hurt for you right now. Or the hard way – with us forcing you."
"And later?" Ed grumbles as two men march up to him and physically wrestle away the gun.
"Later? Later you'll be praying for death," the man quips as he looks at Ed with a firm gaze. "Bring them both. Lockhart awaits his captives."
"You'll never get away with this. My team knows where we are," Ed tries to bluff.
His final hunting captor merely snickers as he nods to his men to get on with their task. Ed struggles in vain as he's once again restrained and dragged toward a waiting van, Wordy's unmoving frame being brought along as well; telling him that his best friend was at least alive. But for how long? As they near the van, Ed's ears pick up the distinct sound of the chopper in the distance, his eyes darting over toward his captor's and noticing the narrowed gaze; his mind actually feeling a few seconds of elation at the fact that maybe team one did manage to find them and help was indeed on the way.
But that feeling is short lived as Wordy's unconscious frame is dumped onto the floor of the dark van beside him, the doors slammed shut, sealing out the light and the van and other car peeling away in haste. Come on boss…you hafta find us…
XXXXXXXX
After hearing more details about what Tony had found at Milton's house and upon learning that the DNA found on a small blood stained piece of cloth next to a bullet was a positive match to Ed Lane, team one left Shelly, Sophie and their families in the protective care of a few uniformed officers at the safe house, raced to the waiting helicopter and were on their way toward the Chapleau Game Reserve. Although Milton was alive, he merely said he didn't know what Tony was talking about and that his dog found a piece of bloody cloth hunting – there was no crime in that.
"Can't believe that old man is on Lockhart's payroll," Sam muses as he looks at the pictures of Milton's house in the kitchen where Ed and Wordy had been, the part on the table where the small blood speckled item was found.
"Well am glad that this Tony is on the up and up," Raf pies up as he looks at the pictures of the truck Tony had sent them. "They are putting up one hell of a chase."
"But the encouraging part is the chase is still on," Greg reminds them all. "That means we still have a chance of getting there before it's too late."
"Ed was shot," Sam ponders gravely, making the rest of the team look at him in wonder. "Just sayin'…that's gonna strain things even further and could slow them down depending on how bad the wound is."
"Yeah doubt Lockhart will go easier on them with Ed injured."
"Especially now that he's had a taste of their blood," Jules adds with a somber tone.
"I know that…I know but…" Greg starts only to be interrupted by another phone call. "Tony…good news?"
"Fraid not," Tony's heavy voice sighs on the other end of the phone that only Greg can hear, the option of putting it on speaker in the noisy helicopter not an option.
"What'd you find?"
"A few more bodies."
"A few…okay…have you…ID'd them?" Greg asks, drawing four sets of wondering eyes in his direction in an instant.
"Yeah none are your men…we've marked them and called for them to be picked up but it's put us back a bit. We are heading for the main road now as it appears that's the direction they are heading. So far we aren't picking up any more heat signatures but we aren't giving up yet. They might have gotten into a car or…"
"And if they did…they'd find a phone and call…if they could. Okay Tony thanks. Keep me posted."
"What's up?" Raf asks in haste.
"Three more bodies, two shot sniper style and one still unconscious but none our guys. Tony can't see their heat signatures; but it seems they headed to the road and might have made it."
"Hopefully picked up by a friendly," Jules sighs.
"They'd have called if they could," Sam mentions in truth, making Jules look at him and frown.
"It's a big park and they don't know their way around. We'll rendezvous with Tony as soon as we can and then…from all indications they survived the night and are still alive," Greg states firmly.
"Boss!" Spike exclaims excitedly, making everyone look at the small blinking text button on the phone in his hand.
"It is call from them?"
"No. I have a friend who I asked to monitor Lockhart's activity and he just picked up a small tidbit of Intel that said Lockhart was heading out to a meeting with some out of town guests…and the letters CGR follow next."
"Chapleau Game Reserve?"
"Spike when was that time stamped?" Greg queries before anyone else can.
"Two hours ago. Lockhart could well have gotten there, set another trap and…"
"Damn," Raf curses in anger. "If they were picked up by someone then…"
"Hopefully it wasn't by Lockhart…after all that…he'd kill them for sure."
"Unless he wants to toy with them first," Sam adds. "He's the general of the opposing army and they are the spoils of war right?"
"Torture?" Spike asks softly.
"But it could buy us some time," Jules ponders.
"Can this thing go any faster?" Greg's panicked voice bellows as he quickly calls Tony.
XXXXXXXX
"Ahhhhh…" Wordy's lips make a small, moaning sound as he slowly opens his eyes and tries to get them to adjust. As they tries to focus and work on stopping the dimly lit room from spinning, Wordy's mind flashes him images of his final moments before his world went dark. He had entered the building in search of a phone, heard some shuffling behind a door that was slightly ajar, went to investigate and walked straight into a trap. He didn't even have time to turn and warn Ed about the small army waiting to ambush them as his world went dark and he could only pray his best friend survived somehow.
Wordy forces his eyes open a bit more and then slowly tries to sit up, his chest aching, head pounding and overall frame in dire need of a hot shower and warm soft bed. As he rises, his right hand gingerly touches the bump on the back of his head, their newest location finally coming into view.
It was a cold, darkened dungeon like-cell, no windows, the smell of death, dried blood and mold all assaulting his senses in a matter of seconds. He frantically looks to the left and sees Ed's unmoving frame a few feet away – both of them now missing their warm jackets, boots and sweaters. Wordy notices the dried blood on Ed's shoulder and leans in closer to examine the angry wound; pulling back with a soft curse and a frown.
Ed's weary eyes look up into the familiar face and frown, his mind flashing back images of him in the van, his wrists crudely bound in front, Wordy unconscious frame at his side. He kept asking where they were going, but was only rewarded with a few harsh 'shut up's' before another hit to the side and his questions subsided. As he felt the van starting to slow his agitation surged, they weren't that far from the park. Lockhart had actually travelled to meet them? This wasn't good. Then it wall went black. Until reality was forced upon him once more.
"I look…that bad?" Ed's soft voice lightly quips, making Wordy look back at him in haste.
"Yeah."
"Wish I…woke up…at home," Ed grumbles as he takes another painful breath.
"Yeah me too. Just rest a minute," Wordy instructs as Ed's face winces heavily as he tries to sit up. "We aren't going anywhere, anytime soon."
"Where…are we?"
"Hell, Constable Lane," the smooth tone of the ultimate mastermind of their ill-gotten fate, Darren Lockhart is heard. Both Ed and Wordy turn to gaze upon their captor; a man resembling Eric Roberts and dressed smartly in an expensive dark suit, flanked on either side by two well-armed bodyguards. "You are both in hell, welcome to my lair."
"Guess that's fitting for the devil," Wordy replies with a heavy sigh. "What do you want Lockhart? Why these damn games?"
"I'd like a word with you Officer Wordsworth. You and your team have been a pain in my side for far too long."
"My team? Who on my team is on your payroll?" Wordy demands in anger. "Who set me up?"
"Well why don't you come with us right now and we'll have a chat about that."
"One sided?"
"I do prefer to hear my voice over yours," Lockhart smirks.
"Wordy…no," Ed states with a heavy frown, trying to push past the pounding in his head. Lockhart gives Ed an amused expression before he looks toward a darkened area of their dungeon like setting and both Ed and Wordy watch as two more heavily armed men arrive to do their master's bidding.
"Constable Lane, we are going to leave you all by yourself for a little while…please try to behave," Lockhart, continues as he pushes a button and the door opens, four of the men stepping into the cool, damp cell. Both Ed and Wordy ready themselves for another fight, pushing past the pain in their bodies, and both trying to keep the inevitable from happening. It was a losing, one sided fight.
"Wordy!" Ed grunts as he tries to pull his best friend free of the grasp of Lockhart's men; but his efforts are in vain as Wordy's struggling frame is dragged from the cell between two of the armed thugs, the other two wrestling Ed to the back of the cell and then leaving it; Lockhart pushing a button and letting it slam shut, sealing Ed inside once more.
"You'll pay for this…" Ed vows in anger.
"See you in hell Constable Lane."
"WORDY!" Ed shouts as he watches all of them disappear and the light is turned off, bathing him in eerie shadows and sickening silence once again. "DAMN YOU LOCKHART!" Ed yells as he hits the bar with the flat palm of his hand and then pulls back, cursing once more and praying for some divine intervention. He slumps back against the cold stone wall and closes his eyes for a few seconds, his heart rate starting to pick up. "Wordy…damn I'm sorry," his lips utter in anguish before he slowly opens them and starts to look around. He could rest later – now it was time to look for either a way out or way to help give him the upper hand when Wordy was brought back. He will come back won't he?
XXXXXXXX
"Okay I see them…set it down there," Greg instructs the helicopter pilot. The chopper barely touches the ground when Greg leads the way, the rest of team one jumping out after him and heading toward Tony and his small team at top speed.
"Okay we'll save the intro's for later. Tony what do you have?" Greg asks the man before him; a man with a sort of Sam Elliot-like resemblance.
"It seems like your boys were here and then taken by vehicle."
"You know where?"
"I think I do," Tony replies gravely.
"Darren Lockhart has a stronghold up here doesn't he?"
"He does and my guess is he's taken them here. About twenty minutes up the road for us; a bit longer by van, if that's what they used."
"What are we up against?"
"Fort Knox."
"You know we're going in," Greg nods with a serious expression.
"And my men are here to help out any way you need them. But just don't expect a walk in the park."
"Am more of a fort knox guy," Greg smirks as he looks over at Sam. "Sam, you'll run tactical here. You and Spike ride with Tony's team. By the time we land, I want an attack plan on every front, electronic surveillance included. Guys I don't have to remind you what's at stake. Lockhart has them and hasn't called it in…that means this is a fight to the death."
"Bring it on," Raf easily comments as he fist pumps Sam.
"Let's go get our boys," Sam remarks.
"Okay let's move out!" Greg calls as the small band of armed officers disperses to their designated helicopters; two trading places with Sam and Spike to give the rest of team one a heads-up of what they could expect. Time was indeed running out – for all of them.
Hold on Eddie…Wordy…we're almost there.
XXXXXXXX
Despite the throbbing pain from his shoulder, Ed pushes past the ensuing weakness, desperate to keep his mind busy and focused, away from the gnawing silence and what horrible things his best friend could be enduring at the hands of their merciless captor. At least in the woods they had a fighting chance; but he never saw the last trap, or if he did was too tired to anticipate Lockhart's evil countermove and spare themselves this tormented detour of which he fears the ending is already set in stone – a tombstone.
Ed slowly paces the small cell, not sure if he was being watched via closed circuit camera of if this place was too archaic to have that setup and was merely used for Lockhart's murderous diversions.
"Come on Wordy…" Ed's lips mumble as his left hand gingerly feels the chewed up wound on his right shoulder. The skin was hot and puffy around the wound and his fingers come away with sticky sludge, his mind cursing the fact that the wound wasn't healing properly but there was nothing he could do to ease the suffering. He didn't want to contemplate how the rest of him looked as the skin around and above his right eye was swollen and throbbing and blinking was difficult on that side. But there would be time to worry about his overall physical wellbeing later – escape was the only thing on his mind right now.
Ed's fingers feel every inch of the wall, hoping…praying…offering silent pleadings that he'd be able to find something he could use to even get himself out of the cell and find a way to get to his best friend who he is sure is suffering needlessly. Just as he reaches the darkest corner of the cell, his fingers brush against one of the bricks, then moving away and feeling the piece of stone shift under his grasp. With a renewed sense of purpose, Ed starts to dig at the brick until the modest sized stone comes away in his hand; it wasn't much but in an angry and concentrated fist it could do some damage. That's what he was counting on. Now to get their attention and hopefully get out.
"HEY!" Ed shouts as loud as he can, coughing slightly before he tries again, his chest sore and lungs dry but his brain urging every part of his body to just keep going – they weren't done yet.
"HEY OUT THERE!" Ed shouts once more, using the small stone to bang on the bars, hoping to get someone's attention so he could lure them into the cell and get himself out. He didn't care that it was winter outside and he was missing his boots and coat; he'd rather take a chance with frostbite and hypothermia than stay one more minute in the hospitality of Darren Lockhart.
A few minutes later Ed finally picks up an angry curse and heavy footsteps heading his way, hurries to the back of the cell with the stone fixed firmly in his grasp and slumps down, not moving. The man Lockhart sent enters the dimly lit cell area and looks at Ed's unmoving frame with a scowl.
"What the hell do you want!" The man demands as he bangs on the bars with the butt end of his gun; Ed not moving. "I said…hey are you listening to me?" The thug shouts in anger once more, Ed still lying in wait, praying for little rouse to work. Wondering if he was really dead and figuring he had a gun to protect himself with, the Lockhart thug opens the door with the electronic key and slowly heads toward Ed's still frame.
Not wasting one second, Ed's free hand shoots out, grabs his leg and gives it a good yank. The surprised man's frame slams to the ground with a painful thud, his lips uttering an angry curse as he tries to counter. But driven on by the fear of a very painful death and the welfare of his missing best friend Ed pounces, rolling his weight onto the thugs and using the stone fixed firmly in his right palm to hit the thug in the temple, sending his head snapping back onto the cold stone floor.
The man counters with a hit to Ed's side, causing Ed's frame to recoil slightly but doesn't dampen his determination to get the upper hand and win the first battle. He swings at the man's head again, clipping him in the jaw and snapping his head to the right. Resisting the urge to give up the stone and wrestle for the gun, Ed hits his captor's head once more, his time his opponent stays down. Ed rolls off his body, resting on the cold floor a few seconds to catch his breath, begging for his vision to fully clear and the pounding to stop so he could focus and get to Wordy. A few seconds later he's up on his feet, gun in hand and heading for the exit he saw the man come through.
Hold on Wordy…I'm coming.
XXXXXXXX
"Okay be ready everyone, as soon as we crest that hill our birds will be heard and Lockhart will go into war mode," Tony's voice is heard over all the headsets.
"Sam you ready?"
"Everyone has their task boss…we are," he looks over at Spike who gives him the thumbs up and nods. "Spike is gonna cut the alarm feed, but we need the power to see. That place has no windows, so going in blind won't be good for any of us."
"Our priority is Ed and Wordy…we'll worry about arrests and such later," Greg reminds the team. "He won't give them up to any kind of negotiation – we know that. But we don't want a needless blood bath either. Precision is the key here team."
"Greg, we're ready to land."
"Boss, I'm ready to cut the power."
"Here we go team," Tony looks at Greg and nods. "See you on the other side Parker," he states firmly, making Sam look up in somewhat surprise.
"The first soda's on me," Greg nods to Tony.
"Copy that," Tony agrees as the helicopters prepare to touch down.
"Okay team one…lets go get our boys. Spike…now."
XXXXXXXX
Ed slowly moves through the darkened hallway, cursing the fact that the pounding in his ears from his heartbeat was keeping his senses dulled rather than alert. He nears the bottom of a stairwell and pauses, his eyes quickly scanning the area up and around to see if there were any hidden cameras or surprises he wasn't aware of; not realizing both were watching and waiting.
With the loaded weapon fixed firmly in his grasp, Ed carefully starts up the stairs, holding his breath as he nears the top and praying for a break – any kind of break to find and rescue his best friend. But just as he nears the top destiny decides it was time to intervene and lend a helping hand. Loud, angry shouting is heard from the right; Lockhart's distinct voice heard over the newly forming commotion. A loud bang is heard followed by an angry rumble, slightly rocking the solid fortress and at once dimming all the little red security lights that Ed notices in the hallway he was about to venture down. Help had finally arrived!
"Team one…thank god boss," Ed utters in relief as he prepares to remove himself from his hiding spot. With help now there, he could concentrate on finding Wordy and getting him to safety; team one would keep the bulk of Lockhart's goons occupied. Not wasting any time, Ed removes himself from his hiding spot and races toward Lockhart, figuring that's where Wordy would be.
But as soon as he emerges from his hiding spot, he's met with gunfire and quickly darts back into the alcove protecting his weary frame. Ed fires back, determined not to give up now that the finish line was so close in sight.
XXXXXXXX
"Greg, my boys are picking up sounds of shots being fired inside, that's a good sign that your boys or at least one of them is still alive."
"I'm banking on both of them being alive!" Greg calls out as he hurries after Raf, the two of them taking the east side, Jules and Spike taking the west side and Sam going right through the front door with Tony at his side. Tony slaps on a piece of plastique with a few seconds timer, him and Sam taking cover before the heavy front doors to the fortress are blown wide open; the other three on Tony's team, coming in the back or south facing side.
"Come on Ed…where are you?" Sam's anxious tone, although whispered over the loud confusion, echoes loud and clear throughout every headset of those on the rescue mission.
Ed ducks behind the alcove as another shot is fired, cursing the fact that he was pinned down by a lone gunman; the real fighting seemed to be in another part of the fortress, not coming toward him – yet. Biting back his weariness, Ed steps out from cover, drawing out the gunman and firing at him before he can take another shot, rushing past the now fallen body toward the center of the breached stronghold.
"Wordy!" Ed calls loudly as he nears a large center opening and stops short, just as a few more automatic bullets start to decorate the stone walls around him. He utters a small curse but is thankful that his already battered frame wasn't sustaining anymore injuries; his mind, however, still determined to take on anyone between him and his prize no matter the physical cost to him.
Just before he can take out the man impeding his progress, a few shots are heard from behind the thug trying to shoot him, taking him down and out of the count. Not worrying to see which of his team members it was that had come to his rescue, Ed carries on, pushing himself past the large center opening and charging down another narrow dimly lit hallway, following the sound of who he thinks is Darren Lockhart.
But just as he reaches the end of the second hallway, a strong fist literally comes out of nowhere, punching him in the stomach and forcing him to stumble backward. He had finally found what he was seeking.
"Wordy!"
XXXXXXXX
"South side secured," Tony's men mention for all to hear.
"Boss, Jules and I have reached the main security room. I see you and Raf…two guys heading your way."
"Copy Spike…can you see Ed or Wordy?"
"Hold on. Sam you have…"
"Tony behind you!" Sam calls out as he and the Chapleau team leader start to tussle with their two attackers.
"Boss…I see Ed…he's fighting with…oh I see Wordy too…guys he's in bad shape."
"Spike, we have company!" Jules calls out as she watches two approaching their control room.
"Spike, where's Ed?" Both Greg and Sam ask at the same time.
XXXXXXXX
Not caring about the pain now ripping through his frame as he tries to get the upper hand over the man protecting Lockhart, Ed brings his right elbow up and clips the man in the jaw, snapping his head back and allowing Ed to put another elbow into his mid-section and sending him crashing backward into the stone wall, Ed's fist punching him in the nose, breaking it and sending him back yelping in pain. Using the butt end of the gun, Ed ends the fight and then pauses for a few seconds to catch his breath, his tongue rebelling at the taste of copper in his mouth, blood from his lip that the fight had produced.
"Wordy!" Ed calls again as he hears gunfire behind him starting to get closer. He hears some shuffling ahead and bolts, Sam and Greg reaching the large center area and eyeing the aftermath of Ed's firefight before pressing on. Ed reaches another staircase and slowly descends, the cool darkness, sending out loud warning signals to the determined team leader to turn back now. But that was a course of action he wasn't even contemplating.
"Foolish," is all Lockhart calls out as he grabs the edge of Ed's jean bottom and pulls, Ed unable to brace himself for the fall and taking a nasty tumble down the rest of the stairs, the gun going flying and his tired and sore body coming to rest in a mixed-up jumble of arms and legs.
"You and your friend…" Lockhart shouts as he marches up to Ed and kicks him in the stomach, forcing Ed's frame to recoil, his lips calling out in pain.
"Have caused me…" another, sending Ed retreating back and instantly impeding any rescue progress on his part.
"Nothing but trouble!" Lockhart shouts; no kick following this time.
Ed looks up and notices Wordy's slow moving frame a few meters away and instantly his mind flashes images of three little girls, three sad teary faces, all begging him for answers as to why their daddy didn't come home but he did. That was a future he wasn't going to help bring to fruition. He feels his teeth grit and summoning up every last bit of energy – waits.
"That ends right now!" Lockhart shouts once more as he prepares to fire and finish off Ed for good.
"Ed!" Greg's voice is heard, distracting Lockhart for a split second but long enough for Ed to push himself to his knees and lunge. Their bodies slam into the floor behind Lockhart, Ed now driven on by desperation. He punches at Lockhart and then rolls away just before Lockhart can pull him back.
"BOSS!" Ed calls out with a cough as he looks at the gun and tries to get it. Lockhart grabs onto his stocking'd feet and pulls, bringing Ed back to his knees and uttering a gasp of pain, but not deterring him for good. Despite the fact that he knows a boot would have made more damage, Ed kicks back, catching Lockhart in the side of the head and breaking his hold.
Ed claws at the floor, pulling free and nearing what he thinks is a loaded gun on the floor next to Wordy; Sam finally catching up to Greg and both of them starting down the stairs; the battle behind them starting to wind to a close.
"Wordy!" Ed shouts, desperate to have his best friend at least move and let him know he was okay.
"It's over Lane…prepare to die like your partner," Lockhart hurries for the fallen gun, grabbing it and turning to face Ed just as Ed makes his move.
"Never…" Ed heavily pants as his fingers grasp the weapon and he turns and fires, no waiting to reason – no hesitation. Although as his finger pulls back it seemed as though the odds were once again stacked against them and this really was the end. The gun was empty. Ed's eyes narrow in anger as he tosses the gun away and then reaches Wordy, putting his own battle weary frame in front of his best friend. Lockhart looks at Ed and utters a low mocking laugh, making Ed seethe.
"Admirable…but foolish."
"Bastard," Ed curses in anger.
"Ed…" Wordy's lips finally whisper as he remains on his stomach in pain; Ed still on his knees in front of him, shielding him body from certain doom.
"Ah prepared to die with your eyes open…defiant to the end. I really don't admire defiance Constable Lane, I hate it," Lockhart sneers as he cocks the trigger.
"Go…to hell," Ed lightly pants as he looks right at Lockhart, wanting to keep him distracted to the movements behind him.
"You first."
*bang*
For the second time that day, Ed's weary frame instinctively jerks in response to the sound of a bullet being fired, leaving the chamber and meeting its mark. But it was finally time for destiny to smile in their favor; Ed's somewhat watery blue eyes watching as Lockhart's dead frame slowly falls to the stone cold ground, Greg's figure with his gun raised coming into clear view; Sam on his flanking side – backup, just in case.
The battle was over – the right side had finally won the war.
A/N: *and repeat after me….deep breath* and again *deep breath* haha still with me? Okay so yeah had to squeeze in as much peril and tense action as I could into the ending but you know the fight was always fixed for team one right? Hehe again with so much action had to focus on only a few so hope that was okay. So up next a happy ending and then new stories so please do review before you go and thanks so much!