"Alpha 1, this is Green 2." Jack paused before entering the stairwell.
"Go Green 2."
"Sir, we found yellow team three are down, four went to medical." Jack closed his eyes and shook his head trying to focus his rage. "There's no sign that Cold Storage or any of the vaults were compromised." Jack frowned. What the hell did Barrister or Gauric want if not the high-security labs? If it had been simply to kill Mac they could have done that and gotten out. Maybe they weren't working together? Jack shook his head and ducked down the stairs; he was down to B6 when a thought occurred to him.
"Alpha 1 to Green."
"Go for Green 2"
"Has anyone checked the nonsecure labs?" The long minute of static told Jack all he needed to know. "Meet me at lab 4." Jack kicked his butt into higher gear. It made sense that Gauric would want the analysis of the chemicals that Mac fell into, it speeded up the time of debilitation from over a year to two weeks making the pathogen much more marketable. Jack pulled open the door to the hall leading to the labs. A loud squawk sounded over his tac com.
"Shit!" Jack ran faster. During a lockdown, most of the alarms in the buildings went over coms to assist with friendly communication. Jack coughed as he saw thick black smoke filling lab 4. He heard boots behind him and whirled relaxing as he saw half of green team form up behind him. Jack knew the others were helping their fallen comrades to medical. One handed him a respirator. Jack nodded fitted it over his mouth and slid into the room. Even with the respirator, Jack knew they only had minutes inside the toxic smoke. He squinted through the mask. "Son of a bitch!" He swore, seeing the station where they were analyzing the chemicals from Green Bay melt under hot blue flames. Jack turned to leave when he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. Jack smiled a feral grin and chased after the tall blond man.
"All teams this is Alpha 1, I got Gauric heading for the freight elevator. Let's put that sucker in a rat trap." All the teams responded. Jack motioned to the other three men and took off after Gauric. Jack paused before going around the final corner that held the freight elevator. He glanced around the corner-empty. Jack frowned and crept closer. The freight elevator was empty, and there was no Halil in sight. Jack smiled. Gauric was smart, but he was no MacGyver. Jack silently motioned to the three following him. They nodded, two staying to lock down the elevator. The other one, Lewis, followed Jack into the elevator. Jack nodded and looked up. The emergency hatch was closed but not locked. Halil was climbing up the elevator shaft. Jack nodded at Lewis. The tall African-American stooped allowing Jack to step up to the roof from his back. Jack threw the hatch open and scrambled onto the ceiling of the elevator. Bullets peppered the hatch. Jack rolled away into the darker shadows on the side of the shaft. He aimed his M5 and fired in the general direction of Gauric. Gauric returned fire. Jack winced as a ricochet slammed into the back shoulder of his vest. He fell forward with a grunt. Another stream of lead flew up from inside the elevator.
Jack took advantage of the distraction to scramble to his feet and grab the metal ladder running up the shaft. Jack winced as the substantial bruising he'd gotten from impacts to his armor flared. Lewis kept up a steady barrage. Jack concentrated on climbing. His M5 bounced off his back rhythmically, the sound echoing loudly in the narrow shaft. Jack hoped that the din would hide his exact location from Gauric allowing Jack to get closer. Halil returned Lewis's fire. Jack recognized the snap of a UZI. Lewis cried out.
"Lewis?"
"I'm Oklahoma, but I won't be joining you." Lewis's voice was tight. Jack gritted his teeth.
"Get to medical."
"Affirmative, good hunting Alpha 1." Jack nodded and forced himself to climb faster. Jack's shoulders burned, and his burnt hands screamed at him to stop. Jack ignored it all and focused. Gauric had ceased shooting so he could climb faster. Jack muttered under his breath forcing himself to rise even more quickly.
Two floors above him, Jack saw a shaft of light crack open as the Bosnian mafioso worked to wedge open the door. Jack moved his left hand around the rung to hold him up, and with his right hand, he pulled his pistol from the small of his back. The door was open enough for the familiar silhouette of Gauric to step over to it. Jack snap aimed. He heard a scream and saw Halil fall through the entry. Jack paused long enough to holster his pistol then he attacked the ladder forcing his tired body into double time.
Jack peeked over the edge of the floor. They had come out at ground level. The freight elevator opened into a small square pallet room. Jack scanned the room carefully. The supply trucks usually came in on weekends, so there weren't many full pallets. Jack grunted and pulled himself up. He crouched panting a minute. Jack smiled in satisfaction. A puddle of thick red blood streaked off in the direction of the pantry.
"Target is headed for the cafeteria," Jack reported his voice barely above a whisper.
"Acknowledged Alpha 1, the doors are sealed, do you want-"
"No, Blue 1, I got this. If he gets past me, you know what to do." Jack could almost hear the sigh of disapproval.
"Acknowledged, pop a cap in his ass for Blue team."
"You got it, out." Jack alligator walked quickly to the entry of the pantry. The door was closed and locked. Jack crept across the hall to find the break room also locked. Between the corridor and kitchen were a pair of thick gray plastic swing doors. They were still swaying, and the blood trail ran through them. Jack stood up and carefully scanned the room on the other side. The kitchen was large and industrial. Jack could see the sinks, refrigerators, and prep-tables. As he leaned further and turned his head, he could see the blood trail, still thick and dark lead past the stoves and around a metal steamer. Jack had no idea if he was crouched on the other side out of sight, or had moved on to the cafeteria beyond. Jack didn't have time for any in-depth planning. He stepped back, set himself and dove out of the door holding the rifle close against his chest. Bullets screamed around him as he curled into a tight roll landing behind a mixer with a huge steel bowl two feet tall. Jack leaned around and shot back. He paused listening to the ringing in his ears.
"Dammit!" Jack hissed as he heard unsteady foot steps tap a path through the kitchen. Jack stood and darted after the man. Jack swung through the front prep area and ducked through another set of swinging doors. Bullets chopped deeply into the wood around him. Jack scurried to the side yelling as he got hit in his left leg. Jack dragged it behind him as he took cover behind a circular cement stair that held a thick clump of small green trees. The cafeteria looked bigger than it was due to the angle of the glass and the high open ceiling. All of the tables and chairs were stacked to the left side of the room. Jack could see Gauric crouching behind the carpet cleaner that always reminded Jack of a Zamboni.
"Let me go...I can give you the formula in time to save your friend." Halil gasped. Jack wiped the sweat off his face as he undid his belt and wrapped it high on his left leg. He didn't think the bullet hit anything important; he was bleeding like a stuck pig.
"You think I'm going to trust you after you tried to set my partner on fire." Jack didn't try to hide his cold rage. He stared at the carpet cleaner and smiled. Jack put away his M5 and drew his pistol. He took a minute to aim carefully then shot twice. The two tires facing him exploded, tipping the massive machine onto its side. Gauric screamed his lower right leg crushed and trapped. He dropped his UZI as he desperately pulled at his leg. Jack stood up pausing to steady himself against the cement for a second. Everything swirled around him. Jack crossed to look down at Gauric. The man was bleeding profusely from his side. Jack doubted he'd live long without help. He raised his pistol. Halil froze and raised his hands offering an oily grin Jack didn't like.
"Mr. Dalton…" Jack narrowed his eyes.
"How do you know who I am?"
"He knows everything about your lovely little...think tank?"
"Who? Barrister?"
"Barrister is a small fish in a huge pond." Jack eyed the man. His face was turning a sickly gray "I can tell you everything, help me!" Jack frowned.
"Where's the cure?" Halil coughed moist blood spraying from his mouth.
"There is no cure." Halil laughed. Jack recognized the tone. Gauric realized he is about to die and decided to go out playing games. Jack sighed.
"Who's your boss?"
"He's not my boss...we...made a deal."
"Who?"
"His name's Corydon. You should...should…" Halil flopped back smiling, mocking. Jack nodded.
"Ok, if that's how you want it."
"What are you going to do? Kill me twice." Jack raised his pistol and shot not at Gauric but the floor sweeper. There was a bright spark, and a small flame grew steadily larger. Gauric's eyes widened. Jack smiled and crouched facing the man.
"Yeah, something like that. You know my friend, the one that you tried to set on fire? Well, he's been working on a new kind of fuel made from lawn and garden clippings. He hasn't quite gotten the formula down; he's a mite upset. It's a little too flammable." The fire now spread across the top of the machine.
"No, no...do...don't leave me! You can't do this!" Jack wobbled to his feet and holstered his pistol. He limped across the carpeted expanse. Halil's yells soon disintegrated to inhuman screams. Jack sighed feeling a profound fatigue. It was no victory; he'd failed Mac.
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Riley gently ran her fingers through Mac's hair. Mac's breath was shallow and labored. The doctors had taken off the Bipap leaving him with just a nasal cannula. Mac's eyes slowly opened and focused on her face.
"Well look who's awake." Riley said softly managing a watery smile. Mac blinked slowly and managed a twitch of his lips. Mac's eye flicked up. Riley looked up to see Jack leaning against the wall behind her. Riley stood up. "Jack?" Jack looked like he'd been through the wringer a few times. Riley jumped to her feet. Jack had a thick bandage on his thigh. More worrying was the grimness of his tearful eyes. He shook his head. Riley hugged him. Jack stumbled, Riley turned and helped him slide into the chair beside the bed. Jack leaned forward and scrubbed his face with his hands.
"Barrister's in the wind and Gauric is dead," Jack said, his voice flat and grim. Jack forced himself to look directly into Mac's eyes. "I didn't find the cure. I failed I'm sorry brother." Mac managed a weak smile. Jack felt tears fall as Mac's eyes watched him with worry, not for himself, but for Jack. Mac managed to slide his hand out and wiggle his fingers. Jack held his hand. "Why doesn't he have that mask on?" Riley looked down unwilling to meet Jack's eyes.
"The docs said...they said that his lungs are cleared up from the smoke he inhaled. His problem breathing...they're metabolic, he doesn't have enough iron in his blood." Jack looked up at the IV bags which seem to have multiplied. Jack softly ran his fingers down Mac's thin arms. The skin was torn, bruised and dry as sandpaper. Jack closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead.
"Dammit," Jack muttered. Riley rubbed his shoulders. "Anything from Matty and Bozer?"
"Not yet." Riley tried to keep hope alive in her voice, but it came out empty and sad.
"Matty won't give up," Jack said. He rubbed his eyes and nodded. "And neither will we, right bud?" Mac blinked slowly and twitched the fingers in Jack's hand. "Riley the lab got blown up, when Matty gets back we're going to need a full working lab." Riley smiled.
"I can do that. You'll stay here?" Jack rubbed his eyes.
"I ain't going anywhere." Riley nodded and smiled at Mac.
"I'll be back soon, Mac. You just hold on, ok?" Mac managed a small nod. Riley left. Mac closed his eyes, and Jack saw a brief flash of pain cross Mac's face. Jack stood up and leaned out of the triage area. All of the wounded and Mac had been brought back down to acute medical until the smoke and debris upstairs was cleared. Doc Carl, Sally, and Chelsea ran among the other curtained areas helping the wounded members of the tac teams. Jack swallowed hard. He turned back into Mac. Jack repositioned Mac and gently applied the skin cream. Mac's body relaxed. Jack smiled. Mac began to shiver. Mac was normally cold all the time, losing so much weight didn't help. Jack bundled the younger man in blankets then kicked off his shoes. Jack stretched out beside his partner then gently rolled Mac over until his head was leaning on Jack's chest. Jack smiled as his partner weakly held Jack's T Shirt and tilted his head to Jack's side with a contented sigh. Jack gently ran his hand up and down Mac's back. Mac felt like a wounded bird.