Disclaimer: I do not own Jonny Quest or Resident Evil

A New Nightmare

Chapter 13

By: Sigokat

"Deaths that begin…now." Saddler smirked as he peered down over the balcony at the Quests.

Suddenly a terrible pain shot through Race's head. He gritted his teeth, but the pain only intensified. He felt as if razor sharp knives were being jabbed into his brain over and over again; each thrust causing more pain then the former. Squeezing his eyes shut, Race gripped his head in both hands as if he could force the pain out of his head. He began sweating and he dropped to his knees. The mind probing grew and with the pain, Race soon heard Saddler's voice inside his skull.

"Ah, Mr. Bannon, how easy it is to control you."

"Get out." Race managed to say. The others in the group looked at Race, their attention being pulled away from Saddler.

"Dad?" Jessie said as she approached her father's kneeling form.

"No, I seem to like it here, Mr. Bannon."

"Get out of my head." Race spat, but another red hot flash of pain shot through his head causing him to bite down on his lips, drawing blood.

"Mr. Bannon, you can end this all now. Make the pain go away. All I want is the girl."

"No."

"Look at them, Mr. Bannon, look at how they are all staring at you."

Race felt his gaze shifting to the others. At that point he realized that he was no longer in control of not only his thoughts, but also his actions. "Stop this." Race said.

"Race, what's wrong?" Benton asked as he saw his friend begin to convulse with tremors.

"Kill them, Mr. Bannon."

"No." Race resisted.

"Look at your so called friend, Mr. Corbin. He doesn't seem too concerned about you now does he?"

Race glared at Corbin who was watching Race as intently as the others.

"Doesn't it make you wonder, Mr. Bannon, what he had been doing alone with your lovely wife and daughter?"

"No…stop it." Race said, but he was beginning to understand what the voice was saying to him.

"You should kill him now. He's the one that got you all into this situation now wasn't he? Putting you and your family's lives in danger; kill him, Mr. Bannon, kill him now."

Race rose to his feet, clenching his fists at his side. He turned his gaze to Estella and it seemed to his eyes that she was standing awfully close to Corbin.

"Race, are you alright?" Estella asked.

Race did not answer; instead he strode over to Phil, raised his arms and swung at the agent. The roundhouse punch landed solidly; Phil, having no time to react to Race's move, went down.

"Race, what the hell are you doing?" Estella exclaimed.

"Yes, very good, Mr. Bannon, make him suffer."

Estella reached for Race's arm, but he shrugged her off; his only thoughts were of killing Corbin.

Corbin groaned as he pulled himself up onto his hands and knees. Race kicked the fallen man in the gut as he tried to get back up, flipping Phil over onto his back.

"Dad, stop it." Jessie said, but she too was shoved away from him.

"This is all his fault." Race spat through gritted teeth. His head still pounded from the mental intrusion, but he continued.

Corbin, shaken by Race's unprovoked attack, staggered to his feet. He was still dazed from the punch and as a result could not defend himself from Race's onslaught.

Race grabbed Corbin by his shirt and dug his hand into Corbin's wounded shoulder. Corbin grimaced and let out a cry of pain. He grabbed Race's arms, but the shock kept him from countering Race's attack. Race pulled the man closer and kneed him viciously in the groin; so hard that it lifted Phil off his feet. Still holding on to Phil's torn stab wound, Race ground his hand into the wound. Phil's entire body was flushed with pain. The only reason he was still on his feet was because Race held him up.

"We have to stop him." Jessie said. "He's going to kill him."

"What can we do? He's stronger then us." Jonny said as he stood by and watched his bodyguard slowly torture Corbin.

Race threw Corbin down, causing the other man's head to bounce off the solid floor. Phil's eyes rolled back in his head, but Race refused to let him pass out.

"Yes, yes, Mr. Bannon, hurt him, make him pay for what he's done to you. Finish him."

Race placed his boot on Corbin's wound and ground his foot back and forth. Corbin's eyes shot open and he grimaced from the pain. Blood flowed freely from the wound. Keeping his foot in place, Race withdrew his pistol, released the safety, and aimed it at Phil's head.

"This is all your fault, Corbin." Race said.

"Race," Corbin managed to mumble, "What are you doing? It's me."

In response, Race pressed his foot harder into Corbin's shoulder; eliciting a cry of agony from Phil.

"No, you're the enemy here." Race said.

"Race, stop, please." Estella pleaded.

Race shot her an icy glare, "Why? Why do you want me not to kill him, Estella? What did you two do together?"

Estella let out an audible gasp, shocked at Race's implications, "Race, no, he's your friend."

"Kill him now." Saddler's voice ordered.

Race shook his head and, leaning down to Corbin's prone body, pressing the barrel of the pistol to his forehead.

Jessie, releasing that if she didn't do something quickly that her father would murder Phil, grabbed the shotgun out of Dr. Quest's hands. She aimed the shotgun, pumped a round into the chamber, and fired at the balcony. The deafening blast echoed off the walls and Saddler and his bodyguard's ducked out of the line of fire. She had missed, but it appeared to work. She looked back at her father, who was shaking his head, and had pulled the pistol back from the other man's face.

"What the hell?" Race muttered as if he was finally aware of what he had done. Seeing that he was aiming his pistol at Phil he quickly withdrew it, decocking it as he did. He looked down at Phil; who was lying on the floor, blood seeping out of his wounded shoulder and from a cut under his right eye.

"Holy shit." Race said.

Phil moaned and shut his eyes. He had no strength to even stand.

Saddler regained his composure and frowned. "You weak minded fool." He barked.

"Nice try, Saddler." Benton said as he took the shotgun back from Jessie and aimed it at the man on the balcony.

"Enough of this." Saddler spat as he swept his hand in front of him. "Seize them."

At the order, the two bodyguards shrugged off their robes in one fluid motion; revealing their terrifying bodies; they appeared to be some strange mutated insects. Their large, black heads had two long thin antennas and large red glowing eyes. Their lower jaws protruded out below their upper jaw; two large fangs set in the lower jaws. Their thick, muscular arms ended in pincers, which they continually snapped open and closed. Thin, mosquito wings were attached to the backs of their massive torsos and they began to beat rapidly; lifting the predators off the floor.

Each mutant insect took flight and swooped down at the group. Dr. Quest fired at the closest, however it was too fast and it easily dodged the shotgun pellets. Race, also opened fire at the other creature, but it too dodged the rapid progression on rounds.

"Take cover." Race yelled, but he realized the only cover was below the balcony on the other side of the vast hall.

The first predator rose towards the ceiling and then quickly changed its course and dove straight at Dr. Quest. Benton attempted to outrun the beast, but he was quickly seized by the arms with its pincers. He dropped the shotgun as he yelled out in pain; the insect taking him quickly back into the air and up to the balcony.

Estella fired her 9mm harmlessly at the other creature, but none of the rounds found their target. The predator was too fast. She ran over to Corbin, who was still lying on the ground, and tried to pull his rifle off of him. He moaned, but did not move, effectively pinning the rifle to his chest due to the weapon's sling over his shoulder.

"Damnit." Estella said as she gave up.

"Just hide." Race said as he saw the first insect grab Dr. Quest. The other creature was hovering towards the ceiling, its head darting back and forth; Race fired, but the bug kept dodging back and forth out of the line of fire. Within moments Race's rifle clicked as the last round ejected from the chamber.

"Shit." Race mumbled as he reached for another magazine.

At the sound of Race's empty weapon, the mutant insect swept down at Jessie and Jonny.

"Look out." Jonny said as he grabbed Jessie's arm and dove to the floor.

The creature swooped down and grabbed Jessie by the back off of the floor. As soon as it had its prey in its grip it turned and flew back towards the balcony.

"No." Jonny yelled, "Jessie!"

Each insect landed in their respective places next to Saddler and promptly placed one pincer around the necks of their captives.

Race, Jonny, and Estella stopped in their tracks upon seeing the threat.

"Let them go." Jonny yelled.

Saddler chuckled, "I can't possibly do that."

"You bastard, I'm going to kill you." Race threatened.

Upon hearing the threat the creature holding Jessie tightened its pincer around her throat. Jessie's body visibly tensed; tears welling up in eyes.

"I don't think so, Mr. Bannon." Saddler remarked. "Thank you and goodbye."

With those words, Saddler stepped back into the shadows of the balcony, followed by his bodyguards. Moments later they were gone.

"No!" Race hollered and ran towards the stairs that led to the ledge.

"Race, wait." Estella yelled. "They're gone."

"No. We have to find them." Race said as he stopped.

"We will." Estella answered.

Race was awash with grief. That bastard Saddler had taken his little girl. Things just kept getting worse and worse. Race finally saw David, huddled in one of the corner, laughing to himself. Race took a step towards the man, but Estella quickly grabbed his arm. Race looked at her and followed her eyes to Corbin's body.

"Oh, shit." Race said as he went and knelt next to the man.

The stitches that Estella had used to mend Phil's wound were now torn. Race looked at his gloved hand and saw the other's man blood upon it. Race shut his eyes briefly, angered that Saddler was able to control him so easily. If Jessie hadn't of acted Phil would be dead by Race's hands, and Dr. Quest and Jessie would still probably have been kidnapped.

"I'm going to kill that fucker Saddler." Race said as he felt for the other man's pulse. It was strong. Jonny pulled a first aid kit out of his backpack and handed it to Estella.

Race shook Corbin's uninjured shoulder, he tried to be gentle, but he was forceful enough to wake the other man up. "Phil, hey Phil…"

Corbin groaned and lifted a hand to his head. "You get the number of that truck that just ran me over?"

Race exhaled in relief, Phil was alright, hurt and sore, but for the most part alright. "Uh, yeah, I'll give it to you later. Can you sit up?"

Corbin, with Race's and Estella's help sat up. He winced at the pain. "I am so going to write you up for this one when we get out of here, Race."

"Yeah, I guess I deserve it." Race quipped at his friend's remark. "But, right now we have a bigger problem.

Estella pressed a bandage to his wound, "We don't have time to stitch this back up."

"I'll be fine." Corbin said as he glanced around the room. He slowly rose to his feet. "Um, where are Benton and Jessie?"

"That's the bigger problem." Race said.

"Saddler took them." Jonny said.

"What?"

"Those insect things swooped down and snatched them up." Jonny answered and then lowered his head, "They were too fast."

Estella placed a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Where did he take them?" Corbin asked, his head, shoulder, and groin still hurt, but the severity of their predicament over road his physical pains and discomforts.

Race shook his head. "I don't know, but…" Race glanced back at David who was still sitting in the corner.

Race, now knowing that Corbin would be ok, turned and strode over to David. "Where did he take them?" He demanded.

David glanced up at him, but did not answer.

"I almost killed my friend because Saddler was in my mind, but I'll kill you of my own free will if you don't start talking."

"You can't do anything to me." David said.

"Oh yeah, why not?" Race asked as he kicked the man.

"You're a government agent, bound by rules."

"Your boss has my daughter and so help me God if he hurts her…" Race couldn't finish the sentence. "Tell me what he wants with them."

The others gathered around Race. Phil held the bandage to his shoulder with his opposite hand as he watched Race try to interrogate the Umbrella operative. "You better tell him." He said to David.

"David, if you have any shred of decency in you, you'll tell us what he wants with them." Estella pleaded.

David snorted in disgust. "He should have taken you, but he wanted a young, fresh…" David snapped his mouth shut.

Anger and rage boiled in Race, "What? What was that?"

David refused to answer; he just smiled wickedly back at them.

"What about my dad?" Jonny asked.

David again, refused to answer.

"Enough of this crap, we're wasting time." Corbin said.

"He knows something." Race countered.

"Fine." Phil said and ignoring his pain, he reached down, grabbed David by the front of his shirt, and hauled him to his feet. "I'll do what you can't, Race."

Estella looked from her husband to his boss, realizing what Corbin meant. Race, as angered and terrified by his daughter's kidnapping, could not bring himself to harm David in front of her and Jonny. She quickly realized, however, that Phil did not care. Looking at his pale, bloodied face and body, she once again saw the cold, emotionless eyes that seemed to appear whenever Corbin became enraged.

She watched as Corbin dragged David out of the corner, looking around the room.

"Race, are you going to let him do what I think he's going to do?" Estella asked.

Race watched his boss and then turned to Estella, "Yes, I am."

Even though she was scared for Jessie's safety, Estella could not imagine torturing someone for the information. "But…"

"No, buts, Estella. The longer this jackass pulls our legs the longer Jessie is at the mercy of that madman. We have no idea where to even begin, but he knows."

"What if he lies?"

"Believe me," Race said as he looked Estella in the eyes, "He won't."

Estella shuddered at the thought.

David struggled in Corbin's grasp, trying to escape. Even though the agent was severely wounded he still managed to restrain David effectively. Corbin led the man to the far corner of the room where he found a chair.

"Jonny, come here." Corbin said.

Jonny hesitated, but obeyed. "Yes?"

"Give me the tape in your backpack."

Jonny nodded and after removing his backpack, rifled through the contents until he found a roll of tape similar to the one Jessie had.

Corbin pulled out his knife and quickly sliced through David's binds. David attempted to flee, but Corbin held him securely and threw him down into the chair. David tried to get up, but Corbin pushed him back down and forcefully thrust the knife into the seat of the chair, between the man's legs. David's eyes went wide at the sight of the blade's closeness and he involuntarily wet himself.

Corbin shook his head and grabbed the tape from Jonny. Holding David's arms, Corbin quickly wrapped the tape around the man's wrists, securing him to the chair; the then did the same with his legs.

"You better go back by Race." Corbin told Jonny.

"But…I want to watch." Jonny heard himself say.

Corbin glanced at the boy, shocked by his statement, "I don't think that's such a good idea, Jonny."

"What…what are you going to do to me?" David squeaked.

"No less then what you deserve." Corbin responded, he turned back to Jonny. "Jonny, go. Don't worry; he's going to tell me really quick where Saddler took your dad and Jessie."

"Ha…that's what you think. They're probably already dead." David said, trying to muster some courage.

Corbin backhanded the man across the face. "Shut up." He grabbed the knife and wrenched it free; pain shooting up to his wound, he winced, but ignored it.

Jonny, finally realizing that Corbin would not do anything in his presence, turned and went back to Race and Estella.

"Mr. Corbin's going to torture him, isn't he?" Jonny asked.

Neither Race nor Estella responded.

Corbin placed the edge of the knife against David's cheek. "Where do you want me to start?"

"You…you can't do this; it's illegal."

"I can do whatever I want. Nobody's going to give a shit about a piece of scum like you."

"You're doing this because of what my father did to you, aren't you?" David said.

Corbin flinched at the mention of the older Krumlanski; waves of memories flooding into his mind, including Krumlanski's final words to Phil before he killed him 'You are my greatest creation.' Corbin sneered, not wanting to believe that what his wife's murderer said to him was true, however finding himself in this current situation, torturing this man for information, he was horrified that Krumlanski had been right.

Corbin shook the thoughts from his mind. "Your father has nothing to do with this." Corbin sneered and he brought the hilt of the blade down onto David's fingers, breaking his index and middle fingers on his right hand.

David cried out in pain.

"You want to tell me where Saddler took them?"

David was breathing rapidly, but he refused to answer. Corbin brought the knife down again on David's other hand, breaking another finger there. "This is just the beginning…"

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After fifteen agonizingly long minutes, filled with screams and cries of pain from David, Corbin returned to the others. Estella, Jonny, and even Race seemed pale and ghastly at having had to listen to the man's pleas.

"Well?" Race finally said.

"He said that there is an underground labyrinth of mazes and labs beneath the castle and that's where he's taken them. He doesn't know the quickest way there, so we are going to have to find it ourselves."

"What does he want with them?" Jonny asked.

Corbin glanced at the boy, almost thankful to see that Jonny's bloodlust had disappeared. Corbin hesitated, but he knew that the others had a right to know. "He wants your father to perfect the Las Plagas mutation and then…"

"Then what?" Jonny prodded.

"And then he would be bait for the creature that he helped create….to test its abilities." Corbin answered.

Jonny turned his head in disgust.

"What about Jessie?" Estella asked. She was squeezing Race's hand tightly.

Corbin shook his head. "He said that Saddler wants to transmit the Las Plagas to her."

Estella's face scrunched up in confusion, "What?"

Corbin sighed, his shoulders sagging, "Saddler wants to see if he can transfer the Las Plagas from one person to another…naturally."

"You mean?" Race said, anger coloring his pale face a deep reddish purple.

Corbin nodded, "Yes. He chose Jessie because she's a virgin. Saddler believes it will be a true test."

Estella gasped and began to cry. Race pulled her tight into her chest. He kept his eyes fixed on Phil, "We'll get them back. That's a damn promise."

Phil nodded in agreement.

"I can't think of my baby…" Estella sobbed.

"Don't think about it, because it's not going to happen. We'll get her back; Benton too. We're not going to let this psycho hurt them." Race said.

"If that bastard touches her in anyway…" Estella mumbled.

"He won't." Race said, "I promise he won't."

Jonny nodded, "I want my dad back and I want this thing out of me."

"We'll get them." Phil said.

Race nodded his head at David, who was still bound to the chair; his head slumped against his chest. "What about him?"

"Leave him for his friends to take care of." Phil said, "He's of no use anymore."

"He's alive?" Jonny asked.

"I didn't kill him if that's what you mean." Phil answered. "Come on, I suggest we head through those doors below the balcony. We don't have much time; he said that Saddler wants to perform the 'ceremony' tonight."

Phil gave the others a few moments to compose themselves while he reloaded his rifle. He took another bandage from the kit and wrapped it around his shoulder and under his armpit. It hurt, but it bleeding had almost stopped. When the others were ready they joined him by the balcony.

"Ready?" he asked.

They all nodded. Race hefted his rifle, "Corbin."

"Yeah?"

Race looked the other man in the eyes, "When we find them, Saddler is mine."

Phil nodded in agreement; not needing to say any words to the other man. They both understood what would happen.

Race nodded back and headed towards the door; ready to find Benton and Jessie and put an end to the horrors created by Saddler.

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"Do you have the package?"

"Of course, I told you it wouldn't be a problem."

"Where are you now?"

"Frankfurt, Germany."

"And you're sure the package is secure?"

"Yes, yes, of course. Just make sure you have my money transferred or else you'll never get it."

"That was our agreement. I wouldn't lie."

"You better hope not. Once I see the money is in my account I will bring you the package."

"No need for that. We are on our way to you now."

"What? That wasn't part of the deal."

"Well, I'm changing the deal and if want live to spend your hard earned cash then I suggest you cooperate."

"…Fine. I'll be waiting for your call."

"Yes, you do that. And keep the package safe."

Mr. Baker closed his cell phone. He really hated dealing with matters in this fashion, but it was the only option. He needed the package and he needed it now.

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To Be Continued…