Chapter 13: Out of Time

Eyes scanned around the camp as Tim noted the position of every one of his so called allies, even though no one knew of his plans. It had been only thirty minutes since talking to the two Rovers, and promising to help them escape, but no plan had be formed. But something else had come to mind, which is something that needed to be done first. Moving to one of the many tents, he made sure to look around to see if anyone was looking, seeing that no one was he quickly slipped into it. Inside various bags were stacked inside; this was where they kept all the spare equipment in case they needed more. But this is also the place he needed to look around.

Moving around some of the packs Tim carefully examined everything until his eyes spotted the objects he was searching for. It was Hunter and Axel's pack, which still had everything that was taken off of them. Rummaging through them, Tim searched for only two things, only because if he were to leave with the packs it would arouse suspicion. Grazing his hand against something Tim then pulled out the thing he was look for, smiling in triumphed before stuffing them into his vest and the turning to leave the tent, an idea of what to do coming to his mind.

Main Tent

Havoc smiled in awe, in his hands a glass contain with the Gold Spring safely locked inside. He had finally found it and it was in his possession, and it wouldn't be leaving any time soon. Eyes were locked on the plants features, the leaves, stem, petals; everything was almost resembled gold, like the name said it was. Placing the plant down Havoc looked up at Skeam, who had the same look upon his face, "We finally have it."

The lieutenant nodded in response, "I know; now we can tie up some loose ends, if you know what I mean."

"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time," Havoc laughed out as he placed the container in large brown sac, then tying the attached rope to close it. "Call one of our men into here."

Skeam nodded as he stuck his upper body outside the tent and flagged someone over, and then the two of them entered the tent. Tim was nervous as he was called upon, the feeling only grown as his colonel entered his sights. Heart pounded as to why he was summoned, were they suspicious, did they find out? Still he kept up a normal demeanor and saluted, "Yes sir?"

"Our scouts have found the plant, so now we're going to be moving forward with my next plan. I want you to grab someone else and prep the two Rovers for their demise, bring them to the center of camp," The colonel finished with a smile.

Tim's heart pounded even more, no he still needed more time, plus he still needed to visit both of the Rovers to inform them of what's going to happened. But now there wouldn't be enough time for that. He would need to get them both together in order for it to work, but there was no way it could be possible. Just then an idea came into his head, it was a longshot but he had to try. "Sir, I have a suggestion."

"And that would be?"

"Why not let those two Rovers say their goodbyes to each other," Sweat started to roll, but luckily it went unnoticed. "You know to make them fully realize that it's over for them."

Silence filled the tent as Tim waited for a response, hopefully it could work, but from the neutral face that Havoc was putting up it was hard to tell. Havoc on the other hand thought about it some more, it didn't sound like a good idea at first, but hearing the last sentence only swayed his judgment. He liked it, "That does…sound like a good idea, but only five minutes. Having them realize their ultimate defeat will only further break them. Make it happen." Tim nodded, turning on his heels and leaving the tent, mentally sighing as he realized that his plan worked.

Axel was still meditating as his ears flickers, eyes opening to see that Tim hastily entering, looking a little panicked. He wanted to ask 'what's going on?' but couldn't because of the rope muzzle. "Hurry, stand up, I'm going to take you to see your friend." That raised an eye on Axel, curious to ask what was going on. Then the thought of the other guards seeing Tim helping him might make things worse, but as if reading his mind Tim responded. "Don't worry everything's under control." That eased things a bit as he was helped up and the two headed out of the tent.

Hunter was brought out of the sleep he had fallen into as his body was shaken awake. Eyes' opening the retriever was surprised to see Tim sitting Axel next to him. Sitting up he tried saying something, only to remember the muzzle. The problem was solved as Tim quickly untied both ropes tied around their mouths, "Look we only five minutes so I'll be quick."

"What's happening?" Hunter whispered. "How were you able to bring Axel here?"

"Havoc found the plant you were looking for," Tim responded, ignoring the first two question temporary.

Both Rovers were shocked at what they heard, could believe that they were out of time. "But…you said you would get us out of here?" Axel claimed.

"There still may be a way," He responded, reaching into his vest and pulling out two objects.

Hunter and Axel gasped as they saw their shock pistols in their friend's hand. "How did you get those?" Hunter asked.

"I managed to retrieve them, you'll need them after all," He responded opening both of their vests and placing the weapons inside. "Look in a few I'm going to have to bring you two in front of Havoc, which you guys know what's going to happen, but something else is going to happen before hand."

"What do you mean?"

He smiled at the question, "You'll see, once my signal goes off, and yes you'll know what it is, you two break free and cause some chaos."

"How many men are there?" Hunter asked.

"Just a few short of thirty, not including Havoc. May be a long shot but I know you two can handle it."

"But what about you?" Axel asked. "What are you going to do?"

"Since they still believe I'm on their side I can use that to our advantage. All you two need to do is distract them."

"But how can we do that if we're still bound like this?" Axel asked, making Hunter agree.

"Don't worry I have it covered," Tim responded, pulling out a combat knife and getting behind the two, slowly sawing against the rope.

"What are you doing?"

He responded while keeping up his work, eyes not straying for nothing, "I'm loosening the rope, that way I'll be easy for you two to tear it." He explained as he moved on to Hunter's ropes.

The two let him do his work as Axel then looked over to Hunter, now that they had some time he needed to warn his stepbrother about his dream. "Hunter there's something I needed to tell you."

"What is it?" The retriever asked, with an eye raised.

"Remember a while back when I had that dream vision about Ariel?"

He nodded slowly in response, "Yes…why do you ask?"

"I think I had another one last night, but different." Axel then explained to him what he heard, while also expressing his concerns over the topic. Hunter on the other hand was shocked at what he heard; not knowing whether to fully believe it but them remembered that the same thing happened. As the Akita finished what he had to say Hunter sighed at him, "I'm not really sure what to say."

"I don't want anything to happen to you man," Axel expressing his concern. "This is something I don't want to happen."

Hunter then gave it some thought, debating something over and over in his head, always coming to the same conclusion. Sighing in frustration, the retriever knew what needed to happen, in a time like this the mission always came first. They continued their conversation as Tim started sawing away at the rope tied around their legs. "Axel I want you to listen to me very carefully, if what you say does come true, which I hope it doesn't, you have to go after the flower."

"What!" Axel shouted, ignoring the fact that they needed to whisper.

"Shh, keep it down," Tim warned.

"You heard me Axel," Hunter firmly responded. "The mission is top priority right now, and we need to save the others."

"But I can't do that…I mean how can I-"

"Please do it," Hunter cut him off, his voice almost pleading. "When it comes down to it the others are more important than me."

Axel was about to respond but was cut off as Tim put the muzzle back on," Sorry but we're out of time." He repeated the same with Hunter as he stood both of them up. "Remember when you hear the signal tear the rope and go crazy." Hunter and Axel mentally nodded as they were marched out of the tent, both unsure about things that were about to happen.

A/N: Hope you like, sorry for another short chapter, but again ideas were jumbled again so I really needed to think about some more material. I'll have the next chapter up soon.