Disclaimer: I do not own Jonny Quest. I am making no money off of this and it is purely for fun and enjoyment.
Chapter 8
Race grunted as he slowly opened his eyes. He felt the warmth of the morning sun as it shone through the hotel room's windows, but he squinted against the brightness that accentuated his throbbing headache that pounded painfully in his skull as he became more and more awake.
He had spent the entire evening, and well into the morning hours, with the very seductive and very sexy Jezebel Jade. It was only now, as he woke up, that he realized he had probably drank more than he should have, but the alcohol had not washed away the memories of his other nocturnal activities.
Smiling as he sat up, he looked around his room, but found that he was alone. "Figures." He mumbled as he kicked off his bed covers and reached for his watch. Glancing at the time, he saw that it was already after Ten A.M.
"Shit," He exclaimed as he scrambled out of the bed. Naked, he headed for the bathroom, realizing he had to get ready quickly as Corbin was probably already pissed that Race was late. As the effects of the alcohol seemed to wear off, Race wondered why the other I-1 agent hadn't checked in on him yet, but he quickly remembered that Phil had gone off on his own as well, and where the other man had ended up for the evening Race wasn't sure, even though he had some ideas.
By the time Race made it down to the lobby it was quarter past Eleven. Looking around at the handful of patrons he did not recognize anyone.
Making his way towards the front desk, Race smiled at the older woman behind the counter. "Any messages left for me?"
"One moment," The woman replied. Then, "Yes, there is one." She handed him the envelope and he smiled in appreciation as he took it and turned away.
Thanks for the thrills last night. See you at the Symposium. Jade
Race grinned as he read the short message and recalled the time he had spent with Jade only a few hours ago. Lost in thought, he didn't see or hear Phil approach him from the side.
"You're grinning like a fucking idiot." Phil said.
Race blinked at the words, then shook his head and jammed the note in his pocket. "Sorry, was just thinking about something."
"Yeah," Phil replied. "I bet you were."
"How'd that paperwork go last night?" Race teased his partner in return.
Phil shot him a surprised look then laughed, "You should learn to mind your own business, Bannon."
Shrugging Race played it off, "What? I was just asking about the paperwork."
"Where did you and Jade end up?" Phil asked. "Your room or hers?"
"Now whose the one that needs to mind his own business?" Race laughed.
"You look hung over as shit." Phil said.
"I think I might of had a few too many that's for sure." He spoke as Phil's statement brought the dull pounding back into Race's head. He imagined his eyes were still bloodshot as well, a combination of being hung over and not sleeping most of the night.
"That's an understatement if I've ever heard one, however if we're done reminiscing about last night, you mind if we get to work? We are still supposed to be trying to stop a madman from killing a bunch of innocent people, ya know."
"Jade was right, you do need to lighten up, Phil." Race joked as the two men headed outside.
"Fucking unbelievable," Phil grumbled, "she's got you busting my balls as well."
" Yep, definitely need to lighten up." Race laughed. "So where are we headed?"
"I'm assuming you just got up, so let's go eat then we have to get our tuxedos for the Symposium." Phil explained.
"So your contact got us on the guest list?" Race asked.
"Yes," Phil replied. "You see, I did spend some time actually working last night."
"Only some time?" Race laughed. "Your contact, what's her name?"
"Her name is none of your business." Phil said.
"Any word from the pigeon man?"
Phil shook his head, "Nothing. I went by there this morning, but he wasn't there. The old married couple is gone as well. I don't like it, Race. This situation gives me a bad feeling."
"You think they've been found out?" Race asked. "They all seemed so careful."
"I know, so I hope not. That's the problem with these types of operations. A contact may be there to help with one piece of information one day, but called away the next and we never find out about it."
"You think that's what happened to them?"
"I hope that's what happened to them. The alternative isn't ideal."
"Agreed." Race nodded. Thinking back to the note, Race decided that even though it appeared Phil knew of Race's evening with Jade, he didn't want to bring up the fact that the woman had mentioned she'd be at the Symposium as well; he'd find out soon enough.
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"Is everything ready?" Vostok inquired.
Peter stood to address his superior, "It is, General. I'm just finishing the last few wires on the harness."
"What about the bio-agent? You're positive the detonation will cause it to spread and not destroy it?"
Peter nodded, "Doctor Arman's creation is quite resilient from what I can tell. The blast will not destroy it. The beauty of it is that it will spread in such a way that those who are initially infected will spread it to those that respond. By the time any survivors realize they are infected the bacterium will have spread beyond the point where any type of treatment would be effective."
"One hundred percent fatal." Vostok mused.
Peter nodded, "Yes and General, I have a suggestion as well."
"What is it?" The bald man asked.
"A failsafe, just in case." Peter set to explaining his idea to the General, whose face shone with excitement at the bomb makers words.
"Yes, yes." Vostok said after Peter was finished. "Very good thinking indeed, comrade. Now, finish your work and I will go speak to Doctor Arman and let him know about your suggestion. Ensure the bomb is ready within the hour. The Symposium's opening keynote speaker will be on stage promptly at six-thirty."
"Yes, General." Peter replied then returned to his work.
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Doctor Arman paced nervously in small bedroom that currently served as his makeshift cell. He'd been held prisoner by Vostok since the evening prior when he had arrived at the farmhouse and no one, save the guards, had come to speak to him.
Currently, an armed guard stood in front of the only exit door and watched the Doctor with an unconcerned look. Any thoughts that Askar had of escape were dashed when he realized that the young men that rotated guarding him were all much younger and stronger than he. They were also fiercely loyal to General Vostok and no amount of convincing speech would sway them to assist him. He glanced out the window, but since they had locked him up on the second floor there was no way his old body could manage a plunge from the window and not come away severely beaten and damaged, if not downright dead.
Askar halted in his frantic pacing when he heard the doorknob turn. Stepping aside, the guard moved as the door opened and Askar watched with dread as General Vostok and Colonel Yasimov entered.
"Why are you doing this to me?" Arman pleaded. "I've done everything you've asked."
"And you will do one more thing, Askar." Vostok grinned. "But I need some insurance that you will do as instructed, comrade."
Askar's eyes widened when he saw the needle in Colonel Yasimov's grip. "What are you doing?" He gulped as he stepped backwards, but there was nowhere for him to go.
"You know your instructions for this evening, yes?" Vostok asked.
Arman's headed bobbed up and down, "Yes, yes, of course."
Vostok inclined his head towards Yasimov, "This will ensure, for me, that you carry out your orders and do not run to the authorities."
"I would never do that, General. You can trust me." Arman's plea came out as a whimper as he watched Yasimov step forward with the syringe.
"It is not a matter of trust, comrade. It is a matter of making sure you do as you are told. When you succeed you will be remembered for your deeds and your works. All of mother Russia will know your name, Doctor Askar Arman."
Askar stared at the General, mouth agape. "You're insane. I see that now."
"Says the man that created his own plague." Vostok laughed. "Proceed, Colonel. It is time for Doctor Arman to get ready for the ball."
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Tugging as his collar, Race grumbled, "I hate tuxedos."
Race stepped into the entrance of the Aria Hotel and marveled at the building. Its grandness dazzling within its historical architecture and elegant decor. Earlier in the afternoon, Race had done some quick reading on the place, mainly in an attempt to learn its layout an had discovered the hotel had a rich history that dated back all the way to when Prague was the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia. It was, to say the least, an interesting place to hold a biodefense conference, but as he studied the rest of the guests that mingled about the lobby he realized that just because they were scientists, researchers, professors, and doctors some seem to exude an air of snobbish superiority over people like Race.
"You could at least try to fit in, you know." Phil said as he watched Race tug at his collar again. Both men were dressed in tuxes and both men were also armed.
"Like I said before, this is the part of the job I can't get used to." Race countered.
"You said that about the politicking aspect."
"Same thing." Race grunted a laugh. "Where's the bar?"
"You're a regular James Bond." Phil laughed. Following the crowd of scientists, they made their way to the hall that was reserved specifically for the conference and the opening dinner and speech.
Race's attention was drawn to the sounds of forced laughter, looking in that direction he saw four men gathered around Jade. She was dressed in an elegant black evening gown that ended just above her knees and hugged her curves. The black dress drew out the silkiness of her porcelain skin and her short, dark hair was made up in such a fashion as to accent the beauty in the soft, but also experienced features in her face and dark green orbs.
"Excuse me, boys," Jade purred as she saw Race enter. "My date has arrived."
Race watched as the men turned and glared at him. "I'm suddenly the most envious man here." Race choked as Jade made her way towards him.
"Hello, Gentlemen." Jade smiled as she met the I-1 Agents. "Fancy seeing you here."
Phil rolled his eyes, but smiling he said, "I'm not even going to ask."
"You're finally learning, Phil." Jade laughed as she patted her hand gently on his cheek. "They say this is the place to be this evening."
"I'm going to go find the bar." Phil said and headed off.
Jade looped her arms around Race's neck and proceeded to plant a delicate kiss on his lips. "Good to see you so soon, handsome."
"You took off on me again." Race smiled as he placed his hands on her hips and pulled her close.
"Get used to that, Bannon." Jade said before giving him another kiss then untangling her arms from him. "Buy me a drink?"
"What are you doing here anyways?" Race asked as he led her towards the bar.
"Working."
"You didn't get what you were looking for from Arman's safe yesterday?" Race asked, showing he knew that she had left him during the firefight for other reasons.
Jade smiled coyly at him, "Don't start asking questions like that, Race. Just know that, for right now, we're both on the same side."
"I hope so." Race grumbled.
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Thirty minutes later and mingling as best as he knew how, Race began to relax as the Symposium guests filtered in and out of the hall, socializing with each other in regards to their respective fields. He'd already overheard two conversations about quantum physics; a debate about the validating of a new project NASA was working on; a claim that the cure of the common cold would be found within the next ten years; and an argument about which biological agent would create the most devastation in a large urban area and how the results of such an attack would be fascinating.
Jade still clung to his side, swatting away eager men when they came in to make a pass at the young woman. "This is starting to bore me." Jade moaned as she motioned for the bartender for another drink.
Race scanned the crowd and saw Phil speaking with two women. "Who do you think Phil is talking to over there?"
Jade followed Race's gaze and saw Corbin speaking with two women, a blonde and a brunette. She could tell the man's attention was focused on the brunette; if Jade knew anything it was how to read a man' true intentions within seconds. "That's probably his 'lead' from last night." She smiled as they watched the blonde woman move off, leaving Phil and the brunette alone.
"Oh really?" Race grinned as he saw the blonde rejoin the duo and few minutes later. "Good for him."
Race noticed that the blonde woman must have said something that set Phil off because Race saw his partner straighten, then after a few more words, scan the room. As their eyes met, Phil nodded towards him and setting his drink down on the bar's countertop, Race said, "Come on, something's up."
"Finally." Jade breathed as a commotion drew their attention towards the entrance of the hall just moments before the gunshot.
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Sweat drenched his shirt as Doctor Arman entered the hotel and made his way towards the hall where the Symposium guests had assembled. He had waited, as instructed, until the majority of the people were inside the hall before he made his way inside.
Hefting the heavy black gym bag in his hand, Askar said a silent prayer for forgiveness for what he was about to do. His entire life had been dedicated to science and the pursuit of knowledge and only now, as his life was about to come to an end, had he realized that he had wasted his talents on evil instead of good.
If he could run away he would, but he knew he couldn't. Vostok, or at least one of his cronies, was watching. And even if that wasn't true, what did it matter? Vostok had made sure that Askar would never live to tell his tale. He had doomed him to the same fate as those within the hall; the best scientific minds in the world were all about to be wiped out and for nothing more than the sake of a test run.
Walking through the doors into the hall, Askar dropped the bag to the floor then pulled the two doors shut behind him. Quickly he reached down, opened the bags and withdrew a large metal chain and lock. He proceed to run the chain through the handles of the door, sealing the fate of everyone inside, including himself.
"What are you doing?"
Askar turned towards the voice. A man, probably in his early forties, with a hawkish nose and thinning hair had come up to Askar's side. He hadn't even bothered to set his drink down. The sight of the man sent a flurry of new emotions through the Kazakhstani; the man didn't even see Askar's actions as enough of a threat to place his drink on a table; Askar hated him immediately.
"I said, what are you doing, old man?" The man said again as he took a step towards the scientist.
"Unfortunately, you are the lucky one here." Askar sneered as he secured the chain with the lock.
"Excuse me?"
Turning towards his confronter, Askar unzipped his heavy jacket and the sight of him made the man's eyes go wide with terror. However, before the man could fully react, Arman pulled a semi-automatic handgun, provided by Vostok, from behind his back and fired.
The round hit him in the chest, dropping him to the floor. Askar smiled as the man finally let go of his drink.
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"Thank you again for the last minute invitation, Alena." Phil said as he took a sip of his drink. As he was scanning the room, he had seen the Czech MP and her friend, Doctor Rachel Quest, as they mingled with the crowd.
"Of course," Alena replied. "And I'm glad I did since you just rescued us from those dastardly, boring old men over there." She nodded her head in the direction of two overweight scientists who had earlier cornered the two women in order to engage them in conversation about marine biology and the mating rituals of whales.
Phil smiled, "The conversation appeared to be taking a turn for the worst."
"That it was." Rachel laughed. "I should go check on Jonny before my husband takes the stage. Sometimes I fear he drives his caregivers to the brink of insanity with his unending stream of energy. Besides, I should let you two, how do you say, catch up?" Rachel winked at Alena who blushed in response.
"Rachel!" Alena gasped.
Phil chuckled. He'd heard that Rachel was definitely the more out-going and spur of the moment of the Quests and she for sure wasn't shy; her antics now were proving just that.
"I've always told Alena, even back in college, that she needs to act more spontaneously, you know, live in the moment. It appears she finally took my advice." Rachel said with a playfulness that was impossible to get angry over. She gave Corbin a once over look, as if approving of her friend's impulsive choice in men.
Alena covered her eyes and lowered her head, "Oh my god."
"I'll only be a few minutes." Rachel beamed and made her way towards one of the rear doors of the hall before her companions could protest.
"I'm sorry about that, Phil." Alena said once her friend was gone. "I swear I didn't say anything to her about...us."
"It's alright." He smiled kindly, "She seems to be quite perceptive." He seemed to take the entire account in stride, not making a big deal about it all, which set Alena at ease.
"She's so intelligent, yet so carefree. That woman... I love her like a sister." Alena declared.
A moment later Rachel returned. "That was odd."
"What's wrong?" Phil asked, immediately keying in on the woman's dismay.
"I tried going through the back since it's closer to the stairwell to head up to our room, but both of the rear doors were locked."
"What?" Phil tensed then immediately looked for Race.
"What is it?" Alena asked when she saw his response.
"Those are fire exits, they shouldn't be locked." Phil replied. "Hang on."
As the crowd continued to socialize, Phil saw Race at the bar. Motioning to him, he went to take a step forward when her heard commotion coming from the entryway moments before a gunshot rang out in the hall.
A second of perplexed silence filled the hall before the screams and shouts of confusion erupted.
"Get down." Phil ordered to the women as he reached around his back and withdrew his sidearm.
"What's happening?" Alena was startled, reaching for the comforting arms of her friend, Rachel.
"Find some place to hide, quick." Phil said; their faces immediately flushed with fright.
"Be careful, please." Alena breathed as she reached out to grab Phil's arm.
Phil gave Alena a brief look of comfort then pushed past the startled and frightened symposium attendees he made his way to the where the gunshot had come; from his peripheral vision he saw Race doing the same.
As the crowd pushed backwards and cowered, looking for somewhere to hide behind them, Race and Phil moved forward. Coming upon the source of the scare, both men leveled their weapons at the threat.
"Drop the weapon." Race ordered as he came up to face Arman and cocked the hammer of his own firearm.
"No!" Askar replied. He didn't point the weapon at the men, but he did keep it in his hand.
Race's eyes drifted towards the man that Askar had supposedly shot; he was lying in a pool of his own blood, moaning weakly, but still alive. "Let us help him." Race said.
"It won't matter for him. It won't matter for any of you."
"Race, look." Phil breathed through gritted teeth as he nodded and moved cautiously towards his partner.
Race knew what Phil was talking about, Doctor Askar Arman was wearing a suicide vest under his jacket; the device was a network of intricate wires and blocks of explosives. From the bulge under the back of Arman's jacket, Race figured there was more to the bomb strapped to the scientist's back then could be seen.
"You don't want to do this, Doctor Arman." Phil tried to talk to the man down.
"I have to do this, Sir." Askar replied, his voice shaky.
"No you don't." Phil replied as he kept his weapon pointed at Askar's forehead. "Put the gun down and we can help you."
Askar laughed, "You have no idea what you're up against. This is my own creation."
"What are you talking about?" Race asked.
"These people," Askar jerked his chin forward indicating the scientists that currently cowered behind the two I-1 agents. Some attempted to open the rear doors that Rachel Quest had tried previously, but they found the doors locked. Everyone in the room was trapped. "They have no idea what this is about. They came here to talk about biodefense, but now, when faced with a real biological threat they run away like the cowards they truly are."
"Askar, stop this." Phil said, "these people are innocent."
"Not they aren't!" Askar screamed while partially raising his firearm at Phil. Race noted to the other man's credit that Phil did not react to the taunt. If they shot Askar they had no idea if it would set off the bomb or not. "They mocked us! Mocked the Soviet Union and caused our downfall. We could have destroyed all of you! We WILL destroy all of you now!"
Race could here whimpered cries from the people behind him, but he pushed the sounds from his mind and focused. "This isn't necessary, don't do this."
Askar's features slackened, "I must do this, Sir. I must."
"No, you don't have to." Phil replied. "Let us help you."
Askar looked at him and spat, "I would never accept help from Americans."
Phil ignored the taunt, "Vostok is making you do this, Doctor. Don't you see? He's using you. He's too much of a coward to do this himself so he uses you, just like his people have always used your people. Don't let him win."
Arman paused momentarily as if Phil's words had gotten through, but then he replied. "Vostok has killed me already. I just want my children to be proud."
"This is not the way to make them proud, Askar." Phil said. Race kept his weapon trained on Askar and watched as Phil gave him a subtle nod. Race returned the gestured then focused back on the deranged scientist.
Using his thumb, Phil slowly moved the hammer forward on his weapon, de-cocking it. Then in a show of trust, he parted his hands, weapon still in his right hand, and flicked the safety back to the ON position. "Look, Askar, I'm putting my gun away," Phil said, keeping the scientist's attention on himself. He reached behind his back and holstered the gun, then spread his hands again, showing Askar his hands were now empty. "Please, let us help. No one has to die today."
Arman heaved a heavy sigh and Race saw tears welling up in the man's eyes. "We all have to die today, Sir." He replied.
"No we don't, Askar," Phil said and took a step forward, "Let these people go. We can remove that vest and get you help. And you can help us get Vostok and make him pay for doing this to you."
"You don't get it," Askar shouted back as he stomped his foot. "I'm a dead man." He raised the handgun and pointed it at Phil.
Race tensed and took aim at the man as soon as Arman raised his pistol, but Corbin waved him off. Race saw the old Kazakhstani's eyes darting back and forth between himself and Phil. "Askar, focus on me." Phil was saying, "Don't worry about him."
"Tell him to put his weapon down." Askar demanded.
Corbin shook his head, "I can't do that, Doctor, you know that. He's doing it to protect me; to protect all of these people." Corbin made a deliberate sweeping gesture towards the people behind him. "But if you put your weapon down I promise I will order him to put his down as well."
Doctor Arman sighed again then took a step backwards.
"Phil, I can take him out." Race stated so both his superior and Arman could hear.
Shaking his head, Phil replied as he kept his eyes on the scientist, "No, don't. He's going to put his weapon down and let us help him. Right, Doctor Arman?"
"I didn't know," Askar whined, his eyes shifting, no longer focused on Corbin. He lowered his weapon, but only slightly. "I didn't know what he had planned. If I did,"
"Don't worry about that, Askar." Phil said, seeing he was beginning to lose the other man. "That doesn't matter. What matters is that we need you to help us stop Vostok from doing this. From hurting innocent people. Not only these people here, but the rest of the people in this hotel. Askar, there are children in this hotel."
The wired up scientist lowered his head for a moment, then raised it back up, looking between the two Intelligence One Agents. "You think this is it, Sir?"
"What do you mean?" Phil asked, genuinely confused.
"You think this is Vostok's grand plan?" Askar paused, then let of a pained laughed. "This is nothing. This is a test run." As if to drive his point home, Askar pulled a device from the front of his suicide vest with his free hand and depressed the plunger.
"What does that mean?" Phil asked as he watched Askar activate the vest, knowing he was running out of both time and options.
"It means we are all just test subjects, Sir." Askar replied as he shook his hand that held the plunger.
"Phil, this is dragging," Race muttered.
"Shoot me now and this bomb denotes." Askar laughed. "As soon as I release the button then BOOM!" Askar said the last word with an evil laugh that the I-1 men had yet to see. "Then we all die and you best pray that the explosion kills you, Sir."
Phil shook his hands at Race then turned his attention back to Arman, "What are you saying, Doctor?"
"I'm saying this is just the beginning." Askar grinned as he raised the handgun again.
"No!" Phil shouted as he lunged at the Kazakhstani.
"We all must die now." Askar declared then closed his eyes and fired.
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To Be Continued...