Chapter 6: Nine lives
Sean Bean jogged one step behind Nic Cage as they raced from the jet. There was something he wasn't telling his so-called friend, so-called enemy. So far, everything was going according to plan. Just as Sean expected.
He had endless lives.
He didn't remember how it started exactly, whether it had been when he was shot with ar eal bullet on the set of Sharpe's Rifles or when he was actually stabbed in that one movie when ehw as young. Either way, he should have died, and he didn't. And then he just kept on almostdying, but not actually dying, when he should have. He was immortal. He was invicible.
Nic Cage, poor ignorant Nic, had no idea. Nic's attempt at a combover flopped against his head as they ran across the White House grounds. He was going to be a bit hard to betray, actually. Still bitter about his divorce and in denial—
Before Sean could finish his thought, he was jerked back to reality like a yo-yo on an upward swing. Something wasn't right here. "Nic."
Nic Cage didn't turn around. "What?" he said. "This better be important to be interrupting my determined jogging."
"I don't think the Declaration of Independence is in the White House." Honestly, where would Nic Cage be without the brains of this operation?
"But—"
"Just trust me on this. We filmed an episode of Sharpe's in the US once."
Nic did stop his determined jogging, clutching a stitch in his side. Too out of breath to argue, he waved Sean ahead. "Take—me—there."
Moved by his friend's trust, Sean started jogging in the lead. He really was going to miss this. Why did they always have to go from so-called firneds to so-called enemies? Couldn't they just—
Another interrupting. This time Nic Cage tripped and had to slow down the pace a bit. Typical.
Soon enough they were at the Smithsonian. They weaved through the crowds outside, cutting people in line, even pregnant ladies. Nothing was going to stop them from stealing the Declaration.
As they ran through security, the alarms on the metal detectors buzzed.
"Not even that will stop us!" shouted Sean over his shoulder. Nic got the idea and managed to keep up with his sprint as security guards descended upon them, but too slowly. Soon they were through the packed museum and unable to be chased.
"Why did the alarms go off?" Nic asked. He thought he was pretending to be innocent, but Sean knew him better.
"I know you brought a gun," he said. "I know you don't trust me." He managed to keep up his stride despite the intense conversation. He shoved some old women aside as they neared the Declaration. What he didn't tell Nic was that he was packing a piece, too.
Nic opened his mouth to respond, but there was no time. Sean collapsed on the glass case of the Declaration, bashing it open with his bare hands. They were bloody by the time the document was reachable. "No Sean, no!" but it was too late.
Nic took up the Delcaration, watching his friend sink to his knees. "Why did you do that?" Nic asked.
"It was the only way," said Sean, his bloody hands in his lap. "Bullet proof glass."
Unable to follow this logic, Nic still realized that he had to get out now if he was going to get out at all. "I'll distract them," Sean said, waving his friend away.
"But… you could die."
Sean almost smiled, but he managed to stop himself in time. "At least I'll know you made it out with the Declaration. And I'll know you're taking it back to our house. To keep it safe. I know you'll go there."
Nic nodded. Yes, this did seem logical. He saw the need for this sacrifice. He looked at his so-called friend, so-called enemy. "Goodbye Sean."
He raced away, too quickly to notice Sean's eyes glinting as his hands started to heal.
And over in the corner, helping up some old ladies who fell but listening to the conversation with his intense assassin's ears, was Desmond Miles. So this is who he would beat to get the Declaration for himself.