AN: The final chapter! Apologies for the long delay, and thanks again for all the messages and reviews, it means a lot! Any comments and constructive critique is always appreciated.
Chapter 9
After leaving the jeep a small distance from the complex, Lara and Kurtis ventured into UPP HQ once more. Instinct took over, and Lara quickly armed herself with her trusty pistols. Kurtis put his hand on her arm.
"Lara, I just wanted to say that if we don't make it through, I care about you so much."
"Kurtis, that's loser talk!" She laughed, but noted the seriousness in his gaze. Her voice cracked a little
"I, do too…" she trailed off, not resisting the urge to kiss him. It brought back memories of the Louvre, and how she had been drawn in by his piercing gaze. She hadn't realised back then that she had wanted it so much. Their lips touched, and Kurtis ran his fingers through her hair. They parted, and her determination returned.
"Let's do this."
The doors of the warehouse were flung open, the operation felt to easy. Suddenly at least a dozen mercenaries emerged wielding truncheons and guns. Kurtis flung his Chirugai, beheading two of them. Lara backflipped and shot wildly, flooring three. Kurtis switched to a pistol, and another man was down. Lara swiftly loaded her machine gun, and another three collapsed. Only three remained, but they were the strongest. Lara's head was struck by one truncheon-bearing guard, and she fell back, her vision blurring. She rolled onto her front, sprung onto all fours, and then up. She kicked the man in the face, and he recoiled. She finished him off with her pistols. Kurtis meanwhile threw one mercenary against the wall, and he heard the crack of breaking bones. The mercenary collapsed, groaning for mercy. Kurtis quickly drew a pistol and shot him clean in the head. Lara finished off another, but quickly raised her hand as a signal to Kurtis not to kill the last one. The man shook, confused. Lara had a plan. She pushed him to the floor, grabbed his collar in one hand and pulled him close, her eyes boring into his.
"Right, you're going to tell us some things. First, how many more of you are there?" The man shook his head, but Lara reached for her pistol and shoved it into his temple. "We'll have none of that, now tell me."
"A...about a hundred, I think."
"Good boy. Second question, this one concerning your employers. Have they got any special talents we should know about?"
"I...I don't know." Lara's gaze became murderous.
"Ah...I mean that I don't know if you can stop them. They are all…proficient with weapons and obedient to their leader." Lara launched herself right into the man's face, but saw no hints that he was lying. She released her grasp, and the man breathed heavily. Lara finally drew a pistol from its holster.
"Thanks for your help, but I'm afraid that's all we need you for."
"No…stop! I have a wife, children…"
"Then you're in the wrong job." Lara heard voices a few yards away. She realised that other guards had gathered, and were planning to shoot the whimpering man for divulging information. She slid her pistol back into its holster.
"It seems I've changed my mind. It's your lucky day!"
The man exhaled with relief. Hurriedly Lara and Kurtis made their way into the complex. Seconds later they heard cries for mercy, and gunfire.
"It seems he did not make employee of the month!" Lara commented cheerily
"No, that's evident. Come on, let's get a head start on the rest of security."
Another door opened, and Kurtis realised that this was where UPP kept their arsenal of defense.
Stepping gingerly yet swiftly through the aisles of firepower, Lara noted the large quantity of explosive that was also stored. Footsteps and shouts echoed through the room, and the sounds of loading and cocking. Security had arrived.
"Duck!" Lara called to Kurtis, and the pair dove behind a crate containing shotgun shells. Bullets rained over them, and swiftly they crawled across the concrete floor. Lara noticed a grenade launcher and smiled, she knew just how to deal with the rest of the guards. She grabbed the weapon.
"On three, we sprint as fast as we can that way." Lara pointed to a door about twenty yards from where they sat.
"Okay, start counting. They're getting closer."
"One…" Lara centered the crosshairs on a tank of explosive.
"Two…" Kurtis sprang into a crouch.
"THREE!" Lara pulled the trigger, and a second later the room shook as the almighty explosion took shape. The pair bolted for the door, as the flames licked the shelves and sped towards them.
"Kurtis, quick!"
Lara kicked the door open, and grasped Kurtis' hand. They both looked behind them for a brief moment to see the walls crumbling. Adrenaline pushed them onwards as the damage spread. The corridors twisted and turned, until Lara began to recognize their surroundings. Sure enough, the five vats appeared, but they were not alone. Six robed figures appeared before them. Lara withdrew the serum from her backpack, subtly passing it into Kurtis' hands.
One figure stepped forward, laughing.
"Miss Croft, Mr Trent, a pleasure to finally meet you. My name is Mart Perio. My associates and I have some important business to carry out, so our meeting will have to be...brief."
The remaining five raised their heads, and Lara shivered. Their eyes were completely white. Then she realised they were under the influence of pareona! Suddenly information clicked within her mind, and was about to speak when Kurtis stepped forward. He had come to understand the same thing.
"Mart Perio, the Imperator. Clever anagram, but it's wrong. You've had to brainwash your 'associates' to obey you, not much leadership there in my humble opinion."
"Kurtis, what are you doing?" Lara murmured.
"Just follow my lead."
The Imperator spoke.
"You shouldn't underestimate my power, it will get you into trouble. Right here next to me I have a switch, and once I press that switch the new water system will be activated, and your attempts to stop me will have failed. You see, man's problem is that it is succumbs to its own selfish wants and feelings. The world is in crisis as those in power act with greed to gain more. Man can do anything he wants to please himself, but with this new order, man will finally bow to a leader, and all of our great wishes can be fulfilled. Associates, iubeo! Attack these intruders."
The five darted towards Lara and Kurtis, but they were ready. Lightning fast, Kurtis raised an arm and a phial of serum rose into the air. Once it was far above them Kurtis suddenly twisted his hand, and the contents spurted, fountain-like. The five were drenched in the serum, and they collapsed to the floor. The Imperator looked on, horrified.
"What the hell have you done?"
"Reverso serum, so basic yet so useful!"
The five arose, and turned angrily to the Imperator, unsheathing their swords. The woman spoke.
"You has us under your spell, that was unwise, my Lord. Once we five have defeated you we will complete the work and bask in its glory!" Simultaneously, all the five stabbed him in the chest, and gagging, he fell to the floor. Kurtis swiftly threw a phial in Lara's direction.
"The vats, hurry!"
Lara bolted, with two members close behind. Frantically she climbed a ladder, then flipped over one of the vats, pouring in a few drops of the phial's contents. The liquid turned to water. She landed and threw herself into a flip over to the next vat. Kurtis poured into the third. Angry screams could be heard, and one of the men hurtled a spear in Lara's direction just as she tipped the phial into the fourth vat. She was thrown back, the spear had struck her side, leaving a gash. Kurtis paused in shock, then furiously released his Chirugai, beheading the man. He poured the last of the serum into the final vat, then shot the four remaining members. Those who did not die were ended by the sweeping Chirugai. Once every member lay dead, Kurtis bolted to Lara's side.
"Oh God, Lara can you hear me?"
Blood had seeped from the wound in a trail down her hip, and was collecting in a pool by her side.
"Yes, it's okay Kurtis, I've had worse." She grit her teeth and moaned in pain. Kurtis grabbed for his shirt, but was shaking too much to unzip his jacket. His fingers had become jelly, and he was paralysed by shock. All he could use was brute force. He saw Lara's eyelids flickering, and pushing through his shock he tore off her shirt down the left side seam, and wrapped it around her. He was grateful that she had left her jacket in the car. Lara forced herself to move, and adrenaline allowed her to stand. She wasn't balanced, so Kurtis wrapped her other arm around him and they made their way to the jeep. He almost flung her onto the passenger seat.
"Lara, we've done it! Now are you sure you're okay?"
"Kurtis, despite the fact I'm only wearing my bra, I'm bleeding, and Moscow is bloody freezing, I feel fantastic!"
"You are joking?"
"No, trust me, I feel brilliant."
Kurtis could no longer resist the urge and held her close, kissing her with a fierce passion.
"I'm just happy we both made it. I don't know how I would cope if you hadn't survived."
"Let's not dwell on what could have been. We're alive, that's more than I can say for anyone else in the building."
"So," Kurtis smiled, "what now?"
"Well, as long as you don't disappear again and I don't impale myself on any more sharp objects, I suggest you stay with me."
"I like that plan." He smiled
"That makes two of us."
Morning light streamed through the curtains, and Kurtis was playing with Lara's hair. The duvet was entwined around their waists. He kissed her back. She turned to face him.
"Good morning, Miss Croft."
"Ah, Mr Trent! A pleasure to see you." Lara gazed into Kurtis' eyes, while he smiled his crooked smile.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Before waiting for an answer Winston emerged in the doorway. His eyes widened a little but he stammered on.
"Two teas, Lady Croft. I thought you would want some, um...refreshment."
Kurtis and Lara looked at each other simultaneously and burst out in a chorus of laughter. Once it had subsided Lara turned to Winston.
"Thank you, now please leave before I'm tempted to lock you in the freezer!"
The End.