Headhunters

zTiamaTz

=H=H=

YOU GO AHEAD, I'LL BE FINE

=H=H=

++Xander POV++

(Ten minutes prior to the end of Chapter 11)

I made my way down the alley, just hoping I'd find something, since I'd already passed eight houses with no luck. There were footprints in the snow, but I didn't know for sure they weren't the Locust's at this point.

As I walked, I could feel the little pieces of shrapnel digging into the muscles of my back and legs. I didn't know how Cordy had made it all the way home with one in her butt, this shit was killing me.

The sudden sound of boots crunching in the snow came from the other end of the narrow alley. I opened a gate to my left, wondering how many fucking Locust I was going to have to kill today.

Peeking around the corner, I was surprised to see a helmet-less Gear, running down the alley. He was armed with a shotgun, and definitely in a rush. I sighed. After meeting First Sergeant Rodriguez, I had really been hoping they weren't involved in this.

I watched as he opened a gate a few houses down from me, and disappeared. After counting to thirty, I crept after him. Reaching the open gate, I saw that the back door had been left wide open.

It didn't make any goddamn sense, why go through that whole charade, just to leave themselves vulnerable now? The only thing I could think of, was the fight I'd just been in had stirred some shit up. Nearing the door, I heard voices coming from within.

"That's a lie!" Cordelia yelled. "We never even-"

"Shut up!" A nasty, male voice replied in kind.

I heard Cordy screamed in pain, and I growled as I made my way down the stairs to the basement. These cock-suckers were dead.

=H=H=

As I got closer, I was able to hear more of the conversation that wasn't being yelled. They were arguing back and forth about killing someone, probably me. It ended with the guy in charge dismissing the other one just as I reached the basement.

I was was waiting for whoever came out to take him by surprise, It was the Gear I had seen earlier that came through a door. Since he wasn't expecting me, I had the edge. I kicked him in the stomach, and it seemed to knock the wind out of him.

Before he had a chance to recover, I started the chainsaw and brought it downward into his left shoulder. Blood started spraying all over me, and I hoped he didn't have anything.

I continued down through his body and into his stomach. He finally stopped screaming, and dropped to the ground. That's when I saw a big Gear with nasty burns standing there with a rifle like mine in his hand.

To his right were a pair of bare legs clad in combat boots. The one I could see clearly was tied to a table leg. It didn't take much to figure out what had been going on.

"You're 'M'. I accused, as I stepped into the room with my gun pointed at him.

=H=H=

~~Cordelia POV~~

I watched as Xander stood there with the gun pointed at Mongo. I felt a pang for the young Gear who had just been killed, but he'd left me, so that didn't last long.

I could tell he was hurt, he had a nasty bruise forming on the left side of his jaw, and he jerked a bit when he moved. His clothes were torn, and covered in blood. I really hoped he wasn't injured too badly.

"You okay girl?" He asked, not taking his eyes off of that animal.

Tears welled up in my eyes, I was so happy to see him. "Yeah Xander, I'm okay." I whispered.

"Well, aren't you the bad ass." Psycho interrupted loudly, he casually held the rifle in his hand, not even bothering to aim.

"Aren't you a dead man." Xander replied coldly. "Now drop the fucking gun."

Mongo grinned. "I like that kid, you're tough. How many Locust did you take out to get here anyway?"

"Four."

"Only four?" He exclaimed haughtily. "It took you an awful long time to kill just four of them."

Xander spit on the floor. "Didn't have my partner with me."

"You did good Xander." I told him, trying to give moral support.

"Isn't that nice." Mongo said with a laugh.

"I thought I told you to drop the gun asshole."

"I don't take orders from Stranded, especially queer ones."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I asked angrily.

"He's wearing girly shit under his pants!" He exclaimed, followed by a barking laugh.

I closed my eyes. Xander must have grabbed the tights I had gotten for him, probably trying to make me happy after the fight this morning. This was the result, exactly the kind of reason why he hadn't wanted to use them to begin with.

"They're for warmth you idiot, not all of us have armor you know." I defended, trying to keep a shred of his dignity intact.

"Whatever you say, sweetheart."

My body jumped as Xander shot a few rounds off. Mongo wasn't screaming so he must have missed, but how?

"No more warnings." He growled.

"You think if I put a whole clip in her, she'll end up with a lead baby?"

I had a body shiver, that was really disturbing, whatever it meant.

Xander snorted. "You'd need to have an actual clip to do that."

"You fucking-"

"Like I'm too stupid to notice you just stood there, as I chainsawed your man."

I thought that was kind of weird too, so I watched him. As Mongo shifted, I saw something, hidden behind the Lancer, in his left hand.

"Xander, he's got a grenade!"

"What?" Mongo said with a snort. "The homo said it himself, you think I'd just stand here while he cut Perth in half? Give me some credit."

"The only thing I'm going to give, is your balls, after I cut them off you psycho!"

"Very scary." He mocked, before turning back to Xander. "Here's the deal pillow-biter. I'm-"

"No deals." I cut him off.

=H=H=

Mongo ignored me this time, keeping his attention on Xander. "Keep this bitch's mouth shut if you want to get out of here alive."

"How about I put a bullet in your ugly face instead?"

"I've got my thumb on the switch asshole. You shoot me, and I promise you, we all die." The Gear stated with a sick grin.

I could see Xander tense at this, he was pissed.

"You don't have the balls," Xander sneered. "If you did, you wouldn't have been playing all those bullshit games."

"I'm calling the shots here boy, you got nothin'." Mongo rasped at him.

"I might feel like trying my luck."

That twisted smile appeared on his face once again. "You know what kid, I'd believe you, if she wasn't here."

"Maybe I want you dead more." He told him as he stared the big man down.

"Bullshit. You drove yourself nuts for weeks over a dead girl you never even met. There ain't no way you'll risk her." Mongo started to step toward him.

Xander pulled the Lancer tight to his shoulder, ready to shoot. I watched as Mongo hesitated, before stopping dead in his tracks.

"C'mon kid, you know I'm walking out of here, give it up."

I knew Xander wanted this bastard dead, but he wasn't going to let anything happen to me to do it.

After some hesitation, Xander came to a decision. "Drop the gun, and get out." He ordered.

There was a click, we all knew what that meant. One wrong move and boom.

"I'm leaving with the Lancer, otherwise, I let go." Mongo growled.

"I'll be seeing you soon."

"Only in your dreams homo." He said with a smirk. "Try to go easy on me, I'm real delicate."

"I'll keep that in mind when your head's on a fucking stick!" I screamed at him.

Mongo gave me a wink before bolting for the door. As he cleared it, Xander turned to me.

Go, I mouthed to him.

Xander didn't need anymore spurring, he took off after him.

=H=H=

++Xander POV++

I entered the room and was about to go up the stairs, when something came clanging down the steps. I dropped to the ground, and covered my head, just as the two beeps sounded. It exploded and I was quickly engulfed in a thick cloud of gray smoke.

"Fuck!" I screamed as I got to my feet. The son of a bitch had faked us out with a goddamn smoke grenade. By the time the smoke cleared, I'd either be running into an ambush, or he'd be long gone.

Slamming my fist into a nearby cabinet, I realized he got away. As the nut-job made his escape, I went back into the other room to free Cordelia.

I could see her looking at me expectantly, I simply shook my head. I felt like an idiot for letting him fool me again.

A frown appeared on her face for a half-second, before disappearing again. I wished I had that kind of control.

"You okay?" I asked, finally getting a good look at the state she was in. She was naked from the waist down, and I had a sick feeling about what might have happened before I got there.

She must have realized what I was thinking. "He didn't..."

I let out a sigh of relief, it was the first good news I'd had all day.

I leaned over and gave her a kiss, careful of the large bruise that was taking over most of the right side of her face. Grabbing the knife that was embedded into the table next to Cordelia's head, I saw her flinch.

There was blood and hair on the knife. Checking her ear, I could see a small notch cut into it where the knife had been buried. I looked down at her as I started sawing into the rope on her wrist. "You sure?"

Cordy sighed. "I'll live." She told me, as I freed her wristb and I noticed she was missing a tooth. Luckily it wasn't one of the front ones, but it was still obvious.

I had wanted to kill him since he started all this shit, but seeing her beautiful smile messed up like that, just did something to me. That bastard was going to beg for death when I found him.

I moved to the other side to cut the rope from her left wrist, but Cordelia stopped me.

"Give me the knife and go."

I turned to her. "What?"

"I don't want Mongo to get away, go find him, I'll catch up." She held out her hand and I gave her the knife and stuck a comm in her coat pocket.

I dropped my pack on the floor, tearing through it for spare clips to my rifle. After shoving several into my pockets, I stood up and saw she was well on her way to being free.

"I don't have any pants in here for you." I told her. At the same time, I was doing everything I could not to stare, I really didn't want to take advantage of her like that.

"I'll find something, just do me a favor, okay?"

"Yeah, anything." I could tell she was pissed.

"Get him alive."

I gave her a nod and headed back out the door. I had every intention of sticking my saw right up that sleazy prick's ass, but Cordy got first shot.

=H=H=

~~Cordelia POV~~

Finally free, I swung my feet off the table, and dropped down to the floor. My legs immediately buckled, and I was suddenly laying face down on the filthy basement floor.

"Real smart Cordelia." I said to myself as I used the table to carefully pull myself back to my feet. I needed weapons, and a clean pair of pants.

Just looking at the bulging bag Xander had left me, the former wouldn't be a problem. The latter, based on my surroundings would be an issue. After waiting a few minutes for the blood to properly circulate again, I was able to get moving.

Ten minutes later, I was back in the basement, and a whole lot warmer. I'd had to go up to the second floor, which was luckily a house to find something relatively clean to wear.

The former man of the house had been a big guy, and I'd been able to layer several pairs of pants. I couldn't find a single belt though, and had ended up ripping down the cords from several sets of blinds to keep them up.

I tore through the backpack, wanting to get moving as soon as possible. Seeing all the stuff Xander had brought for me, my eyes lit up. Finding my assault rifle, I pulled it out and gave it a little kiss. I really missed my baby, and I didn't even mind the taste of the gun oil.

Since I couldn't wear the holster without a belt, I simply shoved my pistol into my coat pocket.

After slipping several clips for each into my newly acquired pants, I threw the pack on, and headed out the door. I was half-way up the stairs when I remembered it.

Turning back, I made my way back to the desk and snatched up Mongo's knife Lancer. After giving it a once-over, I tied it down to my pack and ran out of the house, eager to hunt down that animal.

When I got into the backyard, I stuck the comm in my ear. I wasn't sure which direction to go in yet. But as I went to speak, my tongue felt a gap.

Probing with my tongue, I realized that bastard had knocked out one of my teeth! It had hurt all the times he had punched me but I hadn't even realized it had happened.

I had never even had a cavity before. Mongo was so dead.

:Xander where are you?:

=H=H=

++Xander POV++

I started in the direction the Gear I'd killed came from, As I hit the street, I could see clear tracks going down the street both ways. Someone had been in a real hurry.

I took my time, watching windows and doorways. I wouldn't put it past Mongo to try an ambush, like he had with the smoke grenade. He had to know we weren't going to let him walk away.

Who the fuck called themselves Mongo anyways?

My search led me toward another alley, big surprise. As I neared it, gunfire started from somewhere ahead of me. I immediately threw myself against the wall to the right of the entrance, before realizing it wasn't directed at me.

Peeking around the wall, I saw some kind of fight was happening on the next street over. I crept down the length, and crouched behind a broken down car sitting inside, near the mouth with a groan.

I had to take a quick rest. There wasn't a single part of my body that didn't hurt at this point. After taking a few deep breaths, I leaned out from behind the car to see what the hell was going on.

Mongo was trading punches with a Mohawk, and I could see a Grenade and a Drone dead in the snow. He was an asshole, but he definitely knew how to kill Locust.

The big Gear finally dropped the Mohawk with a left hook. After a few seconds, the Locust tried to get back up. In the mean time, Mongo had picked up a fallen revolver by the barrel. As it struggled to it's feet, Mongo slammed the grip down on the back of it's neck.

Even from where I was, I could hear the sound of the bones breaking. Nasty.

:Xander, where are you?: Cordy's voice came across the comm.

:About two blocks over Cor.: I whispered, quickly giving her directions. :Mongo just took out three Locust like they were nothing.:

:Three less we have to deal with.: She replied evenly.

I was really surprised how well she was doing, I just hoped she wasn't going to break down when this was all over.

"You want summa this too?" Mongo screamed and started to fire.

:Shit.: I cursed, thinking he had found me. But then I noticed that no bullets had come my way.

:What's wrong Xander?:

:Mongo's shooting at something, it's gotta be the Locust.: He had picked up the Drone's assault rifle at some point, and was shooting down the street to the left of the alley.

"Grind!" A deep voice called out. A whining sound started, followed by the thunderous roar of gunfire. It completely drowned out Mongo's rifle.

I watched him dive behind a car as the bullets that were being fired destroyed everything they touched. This just got even better. Cordy wanted him alive, so I had to save his worthless ass from the Locust.

=H=H=

~~Cordelia POV~~

:We got some new kind of Boomer here Cor.:

Normally, I'd be thrilled, I loved taking them down. Right now though, I could care less.

:Where's Mongo?:

:Pinned down behind some cars in the street. The Locust are laying down too much fire for him to make it to the other side.:

He quickly explained where he, Mongo, and the Locust were located. Great, the Locust were going to get to kill him before I had my turn. I couldn't let that happen.

:I want to try and cut him off.: I told Xander as I ran in the opposite direction from where he was. I was hoping for another alley, but if I had to, I'd settle for the end of the block.

:That's too risky.: He told me, clearly unhappy with my plan.

:And dragging a lamp thirty blocks isn't? I'm not letting him get away!: Seeing an alley opening, I cut left and ran down it, dodging trash and debris. I slid to a stop, and put my back to the wall. I wanted to see what was going on, but bullets were flying past the alley like crazy.

The roar of whatever kind of gun that was finally stopped. I peeked around the corner using the small scope on my machine gun, It was nothing compared to my rifle, but it was what I had.

I couldn't see Mongo, there were just too many cars. I could barely make out several Locust, and I wondered how many more there were that I couldn't see.

A bullet hit the wall right above my gun, spraying me in the face with bits of stone. As I pulled away, I heard the shot.

:Xander be careful! They have a sniper back there!: I was really missing mine right now.

=H=H=

++Xander POV++

The heavy fire finally stopped, it was followed by a strange sound, like something being vented. It was hard to tell, since shooting from smaller guns was still going on.

:Xander be careful! They have a sniper back there!:

Perfect, that's exactly what we needed on top of everything else.

:Got it Cor. Don't worry, they don't even know I'm here.:

I felt kind of stupid sitting behind this car. Babysitting this jackass was not what I'd had in mind. But I owed Cordy, and I could honestly use the rest.

:If he's gonna make a run for it, he's going to do it now.:

:I couldn't even see him from here, there's too many freaking cars!:

"Grind!"

:Dammit.: This Grinder thing, was starting to really piss me off.

The shooting started again, an evil, baritone laugh accompanying it. I watched as Mongo fell back and out of sight. The car he'd been using for cover was in pieces, I was surprised it hadn't blown up.

:How much ammo does that thing have?: Cordelia asked in annoyance.

:He's moving down the street toward you!:

:Where? I can't see him with this tiny scope!:

The grind-fire stopped, just as I was going to retort. I didn't think much of it, until all the other guns stopped as well.

The street was now dead silent, that couldn't be good...

=H=H=

~~Cordelia POV~~

:Where? I can't see him with this tiny scope!: I asked Xander desperately, I was not going to let him get away after all he had done.

I was behind a car in the street, trying to simultaneously find Mongo's location, and keep out of the sights of that sniper. I'd moved because he already had my location in the alley pegged.

In a matter of seconds, all the Locust fire died off. It was eerie, how quiet the street had suddenly become.

:They might've got him Cor.: He replied, sounding as disappointed as I felt.

That didn't make any sense to me though. The Locust were the kings of overkill, they would have rushed Mongo to see who got to finish him off first.

:I don't know, but something is definitely wrong here.: I continued to scan back and forth when I caught sight of movement amongst the cars, it had to be him.

:Xander he's still-: I stopped when I heard this strange, gurgling growl from somewhere.

:What's wrong?:

:There's something growling, but I can't tell where it's coming from.: I had to stay low to keep out of sight from the sniper, so my view was limited.

:Cordy, you need to get out of there. I can hear the Locust heading in your direction.:

:I'm going back through the alley,: I told him as the growling sounds got a lot closer. :I'll meet you back on the next block.:

I needed to get out of there, right now.

=H=H=

++Xander POV++

With the gunfire stopped, I could hear boots, lots of them. They were pounding down the street toward Mongo. I was pissed, what had started out as some simple payback, had turned into a giant cluster-fuck.

:There's something growling, but I can't tell where it's coming from.: She told me, a note of worry in her voice.

I was pretty sure the Locust were trying to close in both ends of the street. That would explain why they stopped shooting, they didn't want to hit their own guys. I was kinda surprised they even cared though.

:Cordy, you need to get out of there. I can hear the Locust heading in your direction.: I started walking backwards as fast as I could, Lancer ready. I wasn't turning my back until I was clear.

:I'm going back through the alley,: She was freaked by whatever it was she heard. :I'll meet you back on the next block.:

:Got it Cor, see you soon.: I watched as a couple of Locust ran right by the alley without even noticing me. The sound of an assault rifle firing started, I was guessing Mongo was fucked.

A Mohawk running by happened to glance into the alley, and just like that I was caught. I put a dozen rounds in his chest. As he fell, more Locust appeared, alerted by his death scream.

Ducking behind a dumpster, I saw I'd still have to clear another twenty feet before I could escape this deathtrap. Bullets were screaming by my hiding place, keeping me pinned.

Desperate times as they were, I went to an old trick. I gave the dumpster a yank, but this one didn't budge, too much snow. Wanting to buy some time, I aimed the Lancer around the side of the dumpster, and shot off the rest of the clip. I heard screaming, but I wasn't sure if I'd actually killed any of them.

Looking around for anything else, I saw a door on the opposite wall of the alley about five feet away. Problem was, I had to dodge bullets to get to it. I slapped in a new clip, and decided I'd have to shoot my way to it, and hope for the best.

Once again, all the gunfire suddenly stopped. I quickly jerked my head toward the far end of the alley, it was empty. So what the hell was going on?

A loud hissing sound filled the alley. It would start and stop for different lengths of time. I peeked around the dumpster and saw the very large reason they had stopped.

:Oh fuck.:

Coming down the alley was a huge Locust with a flamethrower. It took up most of the alley, and was setting everything in sight on fire.

=H=H=

~~Cordelia POV~~

Taking a deep breath, I counted to five and ran from behind the car and into the alley. The Sniper's bullet hit the corner of the stone, and I breathed a sigh of relief when I was out of is sights.

With my back to the wall, I finally saw what was making the growling sounds. These two huge things were weaving their way between the rusted cars at top speed.

They were absolutely hideous, making the average Locust look supermodel-ish. Both stood about eight feet tall, most of it was a nasty hump which was a foot over their heads. Their very human-looking heads stuck straight out from their chests. Ugh.

I decided I'd seen enough, and made a run for it. I had gone about ten feet when there a big crash behind me. Looking over my shoulder, and I saw one of the things had slid into several garbage cans at the mouth of the alley.

As it picked itself up, the second one skidded to a stop next to it, barely avoiding slamming into his friend.

:Oh fuck.: Xander voice came over the comm, startling me.

Not paying attention, my foot hit something under the snow, and I found myself on the ground. Looking at my feet, I saw I'd tripped over an old, wooden board.

One of the things let out a screechy growl that caught my attention. They stared at me for a second before they both charged, arms straight out toward me.

I hefted my assault rifle, and started shooting.

=H=H=

++Xander POV++

I started to aim for the Flamer, but stopped. Remembering what happened when Cordy took out that smaller one with the sniper rifle, I didn't know if I'd get caught in the explosion.

That flamethrower didn't have a long range, I wanted to make a run for it down the alley, but I was afraid the Locust in back would start shooting before I could make it.

I eyed the door, I had to make a decision now, before that bastard got close enough to fry me. The Locust were grunting about something loudly, but who knew what they were saying?

As I jumped out from behind the dumpster, I saw the Flamer just standing around burning stuff. A Grenade seemed to be shoving it toward the dumpster, I guessed it was getting chewed out for not doing it's job.

"Ground walker!"

Shit. One of them had noticed me.

I grabbed the handle and twisted, nothing happened. I yanked on it, but it didn't budge. The Flamer was aiming the thrower at me, when I tried twisting it counter-clockwise, it finally opened.

I threw the door open and got in just as a flame shot past. I couldn't believe I'd almost been killed, because some idiot didn't know how to install a doorknob properly.

Turning to close it, I saw a Drone trying to shove his way in. As I tried to slam the door shut, he stuck his arm and assault rifle in the door to block it.

When I put my full body weight behind the door, he cried out, and pulled the trigger. I was hoping for at least a broken wrist as the gun wildly sprayed the hallway I was in.

I slashed at his wrist with the blades of my rifle, since I didn't have the leverage to turn it on. After several cuts, he finally yanked his hand back out the door, leaving the gun behind.

Continuing to hold the door shut with my body, I quickly locked it. The thump against the door let me know he didn't appreciate my lack of hospitality. Fuck 'em.

Looking for something to block the door, I saw I was in a bare hallway. From the numbers on the doors, I figured it was probably a hotel. This must have been a fire door or something.

After snatching up the dropped assault rifle, I took off at a run, wanting to get out of the building as quickly as possible. That door wouldn't hold very long, plus, they'd be trying to cut me off at another entrance.

If Cordelia was already in the street, they'd could run right into each other shortly.

:Cordy, where are you?:

=H=H=

~~Cordelia POV~~

I used the entire clip to take down the one in the lead, causing it to fall face first, just short of me. With the second on it's way, I crab-walked backwards, trying to get some breathing room.

It got it's foot tangled in the first one's legs, as I grabbed the pistol from my jacket. Aiming for it's massive torso, I shot it eight times as it came at me.

I wasn't so lucky this time though, the thing half-landed on me, part of it's body, along with it's thick left arm and legs ended up across my legs and chest. As I started to push it off, I saw how close I'd come to having those large claws dig into me.

Suddenly, I heard more growling. How many of these things were there?

:Cordy, where are you?:

:I'm trapped in this alley, underneath a freaking Locust!: I exclaimed, as I tried to shove the thing off of me.

:I've got a shit-load of them on my ass. I'll be coming your way as soon as I can.:

:Be careful Xander.: I told him, not sure what else to say. With a lot of effort, I managed to shove the upper part of the body off of me at least.

:You too beautiful.: He replied sincerely.

:Yeah right.: Not with the workout my face got today, but I'd take it for what it was.

Hearing the growl again, I saw the first one I'd shot, trying to get back to it's feet. I'd put seventeen rounds into the fucking thing, what the hell?

I was trying for the thing's head, but it kept moving around, I knew I only had four bullets to put it down for good. It got up, turning back and forth, the tubes hanging from it's back swinging wildly, messing up my aim.

Fed up, I decided to get it over with, one way, or the other. "I'm over here stupid!"

:Huh?: Xander asked, confused.

The thing turned to face me, letting out a loud screech when it saw me. I guessed getting shot that many times would piss off just about anything.

:Not you dork.: I told him, as I gripped the pistol tightly with both hands.

The claw thing started toward me and I fired, catching it in the side of the face, and stopping it in it's tracks. It's already labored breathing sounded even grosser with half of it's jaw gone.

It stood there, trying to make it's now ruined jaw to work to no avail. I just needed it to turn it's head toward me again, but it was currently ignoring me. Finally, I did a little whistle and the Claw turned to see what it was.

I pulled the trigger and the bullet hit it right in the bridge of the nose. It staggered back a step, before falling over dead.

I lay back in the snow, catching my breath, I was so glad Xander had the patience to teach me how to shoot properly. After taking a minute to rest, I noticed my legs were falling asleep from the weight of the Claw. I figured now was a good time to get moving.

As I sat up, the Claw started to twitch. Remembering what I went through with the first one, I stretched as far as I could and put the pistol to it's temple.

It began moving so I pulled the trigger. Since I only had one more round in the clip anyway, I put another in it's head for good measure.

Feeling safe, at least for the moment, I managed to slide out from underneath the thing. Standing up, I replaced both the clips for the guns, and brushing all of the snow off of me.

Wary I might be meeting up with more Locust shortly, I carefully made my way out of the alley and into the street. I decided it was time to save Xander for a change.

=H=H=

A/N: Locust

Grinder - Grinder

Flamer - Flame Boomer

=H=H=

END