Chapter 9

Eric was sprawled out on a creeper, his upper half underneath K.A.I.S.Y.

At the moment, he was attempting to use a diamond tipped drill bit to make a hole in any part of the truck's undercarriage. He had already tried a cutting torch to no avail.

A string of curses flowed nearly ceaselessly from his mouth. He was absolutely certain the truck was laughing. Not just any laugh, though. It was the laugh of someone being tickled.

The laughter abruptly stopped, causing Eric to pause.

Two things happened nearly simultaneously.

First, something plopped to the floor from the truck near where his feet were sticking out. Craning his neck to look towards his feet, he saw a blob resolve itself into a set of feet and legs. The feet and legs, apparently connected to an entire body now, began running toward the house.

Second, he heard, "I'm on my way, Michaela," come from both his radio, and the truck.

Uttering a couple more choice cuss words, Eric picked up the drill and went back to work with renewed vigor on a new spot.

There was no more laughter from the truck.

* * *

Michaela emerged at the top of the stairs onto the main floor of the house.

Sweat was beaded on her forehead, and she fought to keep her eyes focused.

She knew she probably had far less than the two hours Drakon had given her, but she wasn't going to leave without Tilly.

She recognized where she was now, and knew Tilly's room was just around the corner.

Running full tilt, she had to run into the corner to stop herself.

Pulling herself away from the corner with an effort, she groaned as she looked down Tilly's hallway. Two of Drakon's men were standing guard at Tilly's door.

They moved toward her the instant they saw her. Exaggerating the effects of the drug, Michaela leaned against the wall.

The closer guard reached for her, but she was quicker. She grabbed his outstretched hand, twisted him around, forced him to the floor using his own body weight then kicked him in the family jewels.

His high pitched scream echoed up and down the hallway.

Michaela didn't give that guard another thought, after she saw that he'd curled into a fetal position, his hands covering himself protectively.

A wave of vertigo washed over Michaela. She staggered again, and shook her head, trying to clear it.

"You bitch!" the second guard exclaimed, pulling an extendible baton from his belt. It extended to full length with a snick when he snapped his wrist.

From the other direction, Michaela saw a blur, and sighed with relief. "It's about time, Casey!" she slurred, as she sat down heavily, unable to stay upright any longer.

Casey grabbed the baton from the startled guard. The guard punched Casey, and there was a sickening crunch as several bones in the guard's hand broke on contact with Casey's suddenly iron hard nanite skin.

The guard's astonished look turned to one of fear and excruciating pain, and he turned and bolted down the hallway.

Casey knelt down next to Michaela, taking in her vitals in an instant.

Michaela batted him away, as he tried to lift her. "Get Tilly! Can't leave... without her." It was becoming increasingly difficult for Michaela to stay conscious, but she managed it, just long enough to see Casey break down Tilly's door, and call out to her, "Tilly, I'm a friend, we've got to get out of here, now!" Then she saw Tilly come out of her room.

Michaela fell over, as she passed out.

Casey let out an unaccustomed oath, as he bent down and scooped her up.