Chapter 13
Was It Worth It
Traveling on the train wasn't Jason's favorite way of traveling... neither was the pick of destination they were heading to. One of the France and Germany's most secret joint projects almost like Area 51 in the United States. They were definitely going to have to work hard on this one. He didn't even know how they were going to make it into there but it didn't seem to bug Francis that much at all who said before that it was much harder to get out than it was to get in. Well... no duh he could only imagine what type of security they had there with a full house of experimental SH projects and other things they must have been working on.
One thing that made Jason a little nervous about the whole idea of busting in was when he remembered all the way back to the night when Francis had told him "There are things in there you have never seen before and probably will never want to see again... but don't let that fear you I came out just perfectly fine" at the time Jason would usually laugh but the way he said it and how told him was unlike anything he told him before. You'd think he'd describe like a war veteran when they make it sound depressing and tragic but this was different... instead he seemed to take the whole thing and turn it into a joke and laugh it off. Francis was definitely a unique man who had his share of horrid events but that never got in his way.
"Why you so quiet lad?" Marcus asked with his usual smirk. Who decided to sit next to him on the train to Germany. The other two Natalie and Francis sat right in front of them but they had been quiet the whole trip. "Oh its nothing just a little tired that's all" Marcus wasn't good at telling when people were lying but this time he could see that he was just saying that to cover up how nervous he was. Marcus didn't drag the conversation on instead "How about you take a nap it'll be another hour before we arrive" That was his way of comforting him but Jason was too much of a nervous wreck to do so "Already tried but this bloody train is so bumpy it wakes you up every time."
Marcus grinned "Yeah me too" then ended with awkward silence. Marcus was nervous as well not only could Jason hear it in his voice but he could see it. His hands couldn't stay still and would shake a lot but not horrendously, this was the side of him you didn't see too often or rarely ever did. "It'll be alright" He whispered into his ear while pretending to stretch. "Oh shut up I can see you shaking up in your boots as well" He whispered back. They all had to be careful of what they said on the public train. train Ha ha he was sure right about that and so was Natalie.
He reached out in front of him and patted her on the shoulder "You alright?" she turned around with a smile and said "Yeah I'm just fine how about you?" Oh yeah... she was nervous too. "Good did you happen to ever take a nap on this bloody train?" She nodded "Yep a little but not much at all" Then again came the awkward silence and instead of carrying on the fake conversation she turned back around and stayed quiet.
He knew this whole time she was thinking about his brother Jake but he did too, he was one of the only family members he had left other than his mother. Who knows what they were doing to him in that prison but instead of looking into the situation that deeply he kept his mind on the comforting mind set that "His brother was just fine and he knew how to take care not only others but himself in matters like this." and if he was the chosen one he sure as hell could settle it better than him after all he was the one who saved their asses back at Mans field prisoner camp now it was his turn to return the favor.
He sat back in his seat then thought, this had to be really hard for her... Nat was probably not only trying to fight off the fear but the tears along with that... that's Love... but he and Marla had it completely different not only was he imprisoned but she was too in the same camp. That compared to Jake and Natalie's situation made it look like a sugar coded cookie.
Then suddenly the trains brakes rocked the whole train "What the..." and then a few moments after that the intercom came to life "Please stay calm as the authorities search the train" AH BLODY HELL! He knew that they were looking for them... then it frightened him even more when some of the passengers near by them were saying "It looks like they got armored cars parked in front of the train in the track" people were out of their seats trying to look out the windows to see what was going on. This definitely didn't happen much to the normal pedestrians.
His comrades looked just as shocked as him but they stayed calm, the only one who didn't seemed surprised was Francis who sat there in his seat keeping to himself. Jason leaned to the side toward him and whispered into his ear "What should we do?" but even after asking him that all he did was grin then came out "Looks like this is where we depart" then "I made a mistake and now the bill has turned over to me for me to pay"
He stared back at him still sitting in his seat and smiled but managed to whisper "Make your way to the back of the train I'll take care of it" and then he held out his hand for a shake. He couldn't believe this was happening... his whole body felt numb "Come on now don't leave a mans hand in the air" Jake pulled of a grin then said "We sure had a great time" Held out his hand and grabbed hold of the other shaking it but while doing so he felt Francis slip something into his hand. "Let it guide you so"
As Francis stood up the world seemed to fall silent to Jason cause he knew after he had said that meant he was going to die but instead of sitting there Jason took the opportunity to stand up and take action. He didn't even had to tell the others cause they had been watching and knew what had to be done. "Lets head head out" while walking down the hall of the train toward the back for moment it didn't seem like he could hear the people rambling, the intercom, his steps or his friends but the steps of Francis heading toward the front.
He knew damn well the only way they could had found them was because of sensing Francis and the poor man knew that as well and now because of that he was walking down the valley of death then after moments he came back to reality and made his way with Natalie and Marcus to the back where the cargo was held.
That's when Jake opened up his hand and saw that Marcus had placed a chip in his hand. "You better keep that thing safe" Marcus told him. "Of course I will" He said back while gently placing it in his jean pocket. Everyone then kept walking until... the sounds of gun fire could be heard toward the front of the train then the right outside from where they stood they could hear men running to the front of the train.
They had to time it just perfectly "Ready" the running foot steps from the other side started to fade "Go" He opened up the sliding door checked the area outside with lots of luck watching all the guards run to the front with none to be seen toward the back. He jumped with the others following from behind. Once their feet touched the ground they made a break for it and headed toward the closure of the trees which were only a few feet away and after doing so they still kept running deep into the forest to get as far away as they could.
The gun shots grew more and more with a few screams of guards hollering out in pain. Jason knew Francis would never go down without a fight... none of them would. He ran and ran his lungs felt like they were on fire and would burst into an atom bomb but he kept running until. "Ahhhhhhhhh" The distinct yell of Francis could be heard as clear as day, everything fell silent including the gunshots and dying screams.
He stopped now deep in the forest without any sign of anyone following them. When realizing this he stomped over to the nearest tree and began to punch it over and over which after awhile transferred over to kicking. How foolish could they have been to take on something like that? The whole thing was a suicide mission from the start! Jason was so angry he felt like he could rip the whole trip he was kicking out of the ground including it's roots and throw it up in the sky.
Eventually his body told him to stop and collapsed down on his knees where Natalie had been the whole time in tears. Marcus was leaning on another tree looking down at the ground with doubt. Jason looked sown at his hands were now bloody and had scratches all over them from punching the tree his feet were numb but he didn't care. All he wanted to do was just lay there on the ground... For how long you ask? Until this damn bloody war ended that's how long but that would be a long sitting to accomplish.
That's when he began to feel the pain in his hands and feet... why couldn't he just cry like the others instead of doing what he did, pain was the last thing he wanted to feel but tears would be better. The clouds in the sky rumbled with thunder and before they knew it began to drizzle then rain. The dirt on the ground to turn into mud as the rain softened it up which also took away some of the blood off his hands. Wouldn't it be nice for rain to clean up everything including the war... the fantasy was soon cleansed away when he his clothes began to get drenched which began to cool him them make him cold but even then he didn't care.
And then came the thought of the others laying there in pain... sad... cold... and wet. Would Francis ever leave his comrades.. friends laying there in the cold rain like that... No, would Francis be crying at a moment like this... No, he would had immediately taken action and moved on... that's what he was going to do.
He got up from his took a look at the others, Marcus was still leaning on the tree with his eyes closed while Natalie who was completely drenched now still crying while lying in the mud. Jason walked over to her now looking down on her then held his bloody hand down to her and said "Lets go get my brother and the others" she looked up at him still with tears in her eyes then wiped them away "You messed up your hands pretty bad" she giggled trying to make the situation better. Then Marcus stepped over "Looks like we'll have to patch them up" Jason laughed "Yeah bruised them up a bit didn't I" now taking a good look at his hands which had good sized scratches but they'd heal.
"Well Marcus what should we do now?" He asked insisting that he was the leader but he only shook his head laughing "How about you lead the group for once" Jason was stunned by the response from the man that used to be a squad leader in his past military experience "You sure Marcus?" he nodded back with agreement "Sure lad it wouldn't hurt to mix it up a bit"
Well this is new but it definitely wouldn't be an opportunity he would let down. "Alright we'll see how it goes" after saying so he held his hand down to Natalie who grabbed it without hesitation. "Lets move out"
"First we should get further from this area" Marcus insisted. "Indeed lets keep moving on until we get a good distance away" And when we do I will set the journey to find you brother... I will rescue you.
The group began to move at a steady pace through the forest watching their surroundings cautiously to make sure the enemy had not called in search teams or soldiers after them. With great luck they may have sneaked out of the train without being seen. That still didn't mean they could take their time though or fool around.
The rain still poured on them setting the point straight that their clothes were completely wet and muddy. They would probably have to get new clothes after this and he knew the chip Francis had given him was just fine cause they type of chip he had given him was a regular GD card which were designed to be very durable and waterproof. He wondered what information it held but he knew for sure that what ever it was that it was really important and held very valuable information for them to be able to continue their work as the resistance since Francis had always been their informer...
When the rain finally came to a stop the environment around was solemn and misty with no fog but very peaceful like. The ground was very soft and with each step came the squishy sound of them stepping in and out of the mud.
"Really dirty out here in Germany isn't it?" Natalie was twisting her shirt like a wash cloth to get the water out which seemed to help out a lot. "Yeah it rained down really hard today" Marcus replied.
When Jason looked up ahead he could see that they were about to reach the end of the forest. "Looks like we're about to step out of the forest." Natalie sighed in relief "Maybe they'll be less mud when we get out of this bloody forest." "Yeah hopefully its not my most favorite of all things either" As soon as we get out of this forest it will be a new opportunity for us to restart the mission.
Marcus chuckled "You were one of the lads who always stayed clean during basic training" Remembering those days made Jason smile "Yeah those were the good times mate." This man was one of his greatest friends who went way back with him who also went through basic training with him. The end of the forest neared "We're gonna to rearrange thi..." "Halt!" A man shouted out with a German accent. Suddenly a whole group of soldiers rose from the bushes with their rifles aimed at them. "Through your weapons down to the ground!"
Jason was stunned and knew they were truly out numbered. Oh god his friends the chip! What were they going to do! He glanced at Marcus without turning his head. He stood there frozen as well "Throw your weapons onto the ground!" The German shouted out again. Jason also managed to glance over at Natalie who was also in the same stance as they were but glancing at him. He had a plan that everyone would get without having to talk. His hand which had been held out before he made all his fingers stuck out ready for count down.
Marcus and Natalie who had been watching knew exactly what he was going to do. He began to count down with his fingers 4 , 3 , 2, 1... then as the last one went down making his hand into a balled up fist they all hit the ground behind the bushes a the soldiers fired away mercilessly but missed their shots. "Fall back!" Jason yelled out to the others while firing off his pistol.