Chapter thirteen- The Moment of Truth
Crash was thankful for two things. First, he was glad the Firefly was impressively fast, and secondly, he was happy that the Tigress was flying an ancient tub of rust and bolts. Whatever it was, it was as slow as it was ugly, and Crash was able to catch up with it within a half hour. They then spent the trip at a relatively close distance, following her to Cortex's new lab. She obviously didn't have any reason to anticipate followers.
The first leg of the trip went relatively smooth, until Isabella and Crunch began to get stiff. Isabella shrugged Crunch over, telling him that he was taking up at least three-quarters of their space. Crunch coldly retorted that he was twice her size, and so he was entitled to more room. Crash thought it was rather amusing at first, but then decided to intervene when it looked to be reaching violent heights. He twisted his head.
"Hey, quiet back there or I'll turn this plane around!"
"How much longer are we going to be trapped in this sardine can?" Isabella growled. "Can't this thing go any faster?"
"I could step on the gas, but it's so much more fun to watch you guys elbowing each other in the ribs while I enjoy oodles of room up here." Crash cocked his head. "I also want to avoid crashing into our little homing beacon, lest she turn her ship around and take the guns to us."
This was enough to subdue Isabella, but the two back-seat bandicoots continued to bicker until they finally were in sight of Cortex's laboratory. When Crash saw it, he gave a small whistle. He had to admit, he would never have located such a concealed hiding place without an ignorant tigress to follow. The lab was encased in rock, camouflaging into the cliff side. The Tigress's ship headed toward a small opening, probably a hanger dock. When Crash saw this he frowned. He couldn't just fly in and land beside her. Even if offered her a good-natured wave, he doubted the Tigress would allow them to pass through willingly. As he thought about this dilemma, he heard Isabella's voice speak out.
"Does this thing land on water?"
Crash wrinkled his brow.
"You know what, I don't know. Too bad we don't have an owner's manual."
"You mean something like this?"
It was Crunch who spoke next, and he quickly produced a little square booklet. It was an instruction book written by Coco. Crash cocked his head.
"Well, that looks useful."
"It's been poking into my back."
"Quit bellyaching and get reading." Isabella snarled.
With a snort of irritation, Crunch flipped open the manual and began glancing through it. As he did, Isabella leaned on Crash's seat, gazing out of the front window. After a moment she pointed to a small opening at the base of the lab.
"There. If this thing can manage a water landing, we can get through that entrance."
Almost as soon as this information left Isabella's lips, Crunch found the useful information.
"According to Coco, there are small pods at the bottom of this vehicle that will allow it to sit on the top of the water."
"So, I'm guessing that's a 'yes' on the water-landing question."
Crash tilted the nose of the Firefly slightly, and brought it down toward the hole with no trouble at all. He was actually surprised by the ease in which he brought the amphibious landing craft to a safe descending position. Then the inevitable occurred.
Crash lost control of the craft for a moment, and the entire vehicle went careening out of control. Isabella shouted in his ear to pull up, but everything was in such a whirl Crash couldn't think straight. They were heading directly for the cliff when Crash finally regained control. He slowed their sweeping arc, not enough to keep the nose from tapping the cliff side, and was able to bring them to the surface of the water. After the landing, there was only silence. Then Isabella's quiet, terrifying voice rumbled through the cockpit.
"If you don't open this door now, I am going to tear your ears off."
With a nervous gulp, Crash unlatched the door and kicked it open. Crunch crawled out first, then Isabella, and then Crash. Crash landed about five feet away from the dock, but both Isabella and Crunch easily jumped the gap. Crash, on the other hand, was too short to make it. After a failed attempt to implore Crunch to catch him, Crash made the leap and landed directly into the water. He hoisted himself onto the deck, shivering and wet. This brought a smile to both Isabella and Crunch. Crunch was especially pleased.
"Serves you right, you little jerk."
"Yeah, yeah." Crash snorted. "Yuk it up, muscle-head."
After Crash shook off and got as dry as he was going to be, the three of them entered the small cavern. It was odd. It seemed as though they were going into a cave, but upon entering it looked like a perfectly industrialized loading dock. Crash didn't like such drastic transitions. It always made him think he took a wrong turn. When they reached a series of halls, they halted. Crash scratched his head.
"Alright, now which one do you suppose leads to dear ol' Cortex?"
"This one." Isabella gestured to the left passage.
"That's a side hall." Crunch said. "We should take the main passage, and that will lead us in a direct route."
"Yes, but it will also make us open to surveillance." Isabella argued.
"They're going to detect us either way, so we should get ourselves as close to the main laboratory before that happens."
Crash knew where this was heading. Crunch was stubborn, and Isabella equally so. When two people of iron will have a disagreement, it's never a good thing. Isabella's expression darkened at once.
"I have lost enough time messing about with you two. I'm going to find Tina, and I'm going to try and catch her before she gets that toxin to Cortex."
Without another word, Isabella turned and disappeared down the corridor. Crash immediately took a few steps in the direction she departed. He had his hand out, ready to call her back, but he didn't. With a sigh, he dropped his arm. Crunch growled angrily.
"Let's go, we need to hurry."
Crash hesitated, and then glanced at Crunch. He shrugged.
"Maybe going under the radar might not be such a bad idea."
Crash shrunk beneath the heat of Crunch's enraged glared.
"What?"
"Well, I mean, why not try and get caught later rather than sooner? She's got a point."
"If you want to follow her, do it." Crunch barked at him.
Crash scratched his head sheepishly, and lifted his shoulders with an awkward grin.
"No hard feelings?"
Crunch stared at him for a moment.
"What are you, six years old?"
"Technically, I'm four."
"It doesn't matter what you do. All that matters is finding that toxin. Hurry up and go."
Crash smiled, and offered a nod. He gave Crunch a sloppy salute.
"See you on the flip side, bub."
Crunch sighed, and both bandicoots darted off down separate hallways.
Cortex was waiting patiently for Raze to return with the results of his task. He didn't imagine such a simple chore would take particularly long. As he did so, N. Gin scuttled quietly into the lab. Cortex gave him his partial attention.
"Speak." He demanded.
"Tina Tiger has returned."
"Does she have the toxin in hand?"
At that instant, the door at the opposite end of the laboratory flew open and Tina Tiger sauntered in. Cortex focused immediately upon her expression, and realized at once that she would report a success. Her lips curled back over her teeth, presenting a wicked smile. She fingered two vials in her claws.
"I believe I have what you desire, Doctor." She said with a sneer.
Cortex did not wish to reveal his excitement. However, it was perhaps the first time since the creation of the mutated animals he felt a tremor of success. The toxin was now his, and Crash Bandicoot was nowhere to be found. Cortex placed his hands together with a dark grin.
"Excellent news." He turned to N. Gin. "Start processing the toxin immediately."
N. Gin nodded, claimed the toxin and solution and exited the laboratory at a hurried pace. When he was gone, Cortex returned his attention to his prize minion.
"I trust you did not run into any difficulties."
It was here that Tina hesitated. It was not an obvious reaction, but it was quite clear that her task had not run completely smoothly. Cortex felt his anger pulse as he waited for her answer. She tossed her braids over her shoulder, and then grinned.
"A minor incident. However, you will be pleased to know that your greatest foe is no more."
Cortex narrowed his eyes. He had been attempting to destroy Crash Bandicoot for so long now, that he was incapable of believing that the wretched bandicoot could ever be killed. He crossed his arms.
"Indeed? And you saw him die?"
Tina shrugged absently.
"His death was inevitable. I didn't have the time to wait for the final result."
Cortex clenched his fists in anger.
"If you did not witness his dead body with your own eyes, it is very likely he is not dead. No matter. Once the target DNA is altered and the toxin released, there will be nothing he can do. Tina, I wish for you to take charge of security of this laboratory. If any intruders somehow make their way inside, I want for you to kill them. Understand?"
Tina nodded.
"Of course, I shall do as you command, doctor. Yet I believe this precaution is unnecessary. He and his allies perished in the Australian compound. Of that I am certain."
"You will soon learn that this particular enemy has possessed unnatural luck thus far, and despite your confidence of his demise I do not wish for you to let down your guard. Is this in anyway unclear?"
"You can count upon me, doctor."
Cortex clasped his hands behind his back, and offered a slow nod.
"Good."
Crunch was not one to grumble, but the longer he progressed down the endless collection of hallways, the more frustrated he became. He wondered whether Crash and Isabella had already reached their destination, and that concept filled him with an even greater irritation. He hated to be proved wrong.
As he continued down his chosen path, he noticed movement within one of the chambers. Erring on the side of caution, Crunch flattened himself against the wall and progressed very slowly within the camouflage of shadows. He peered into the chamber, and there he saw a lab assistant typing monotonously upon a keyboard. Confident he could bypass the assistant with relative ease, Crunch suddenly stopped in his tracks. His eyes fell upon one of the monitors. The screen that he was preoccupied with displayed two people he recognized. It seemed Coco and Kieran had arrived at the laboratory as well, and they'd managed to get themselves captured. Crunch noted the general vicinity of their imprisonment, and decided he would leave the tigress to Isabella and Crash for the time being. Despite how keenly he wanted to do battle with the beastly creature, he needed to free his friends first.
After noting their position, Crunch dashed down the hallway. Although he nearly rushed into several groups of lab assistants, he was able to evade detection. He made it to the containment unit in a relatively short time. He peeked inside, and through a tinted window he could see Kieran leaning against the wall with both hands pressed over his leg. Coco had her hand on his shoulder, her face drawn with worry. Crunch could guess from the puddles of blood that stained the floor and the fact that Coco was nervous that Kieran had somehow gotten himself wounded. That was going to make the escape a little more challenging than Crunch had hoped. He rapped on the window.
"Coco?"
Coco lifted her head, and glanced around with a puzzled expression. Apparently his voice wasn't coming through the thick glass very effectively, so he searched the console for a microphone. He was pleased to see that the buttons were labeled, making it relatively easy to find the two-way transmission. He clicked the button with his thumb.
"Hey Coco, how's it going?"
Coco's eyes widened.
"Crunch? Is that you?"
"It sure is."
Coco smiled in relief, but the urgency returned almost instantly.
"Crunch, Kieran's been shot. We need to get out of here."
"I'll work on it."
Crunch studied the panel, but although the levers were rather foolproof, there was no button that read "Door Open". As he searched, he could hear Coco's voice come over the communication console.
"There's a keypad to the left of the panel, the password is probably a six-digit code. If you systematically begin with a combination of numbers corresponding with-"
With a slight wind-up, Crunch slammed his iron fist onto the keypad. It shattered with a shower of sparks. There was a moment of silence, and then Coco's voice spoke again over the radio.
"You smashed it, didn't you?"
"I did."
"Why do I bother?"
The door slid open, and Crunch strode inside. Coco was already on her feet, trying to help Kieran balance on one leg. Through the grey fur on Kieran's face, Crunch could see how ashen he was. The blood he lost was not a dangerous amount, but he would not be able to walk. However, he appeared intent on doing just that.
"Alright, let's go." Kieran said.
He took a step and nearly crumbled to the ground.
"Careful." Coco said as she jumped to his assistance.
Crunch shook his head wearily. They didn't have time to wait for Kieran to realize that even if he could manage walking, he wouldn't be able to keep up. Crunch came forward and scooped Kieran up into his arm.
"Hey!" Kieran said in startled surprise.
"Don't bother kid, not worth the effort."
Crunch held Kieran tightly, knowing the poor guy was very uncomfortable at being carried. However, since he was wounded he wasn't in a position to complain. Coco fell into step beside Crunch as he began marching down the corridor. He glanced at his small companion.
"Did you find the kids?"
Coco's shoulders dropped in dejection.
"Unfortunately, no. This is where they were being kept, but when we got here it was empty."
"And how did this happen?" Crunch lifted Kieran slightly as he spoke.
Kieran heaved a sigh.
"A guy named Raze Potoroo got the drop on us."
Crunch furrowed his brow.
"Not that creep from the Oxide race?"
"Yep, that's the scum ball." Coco snarled, obviously miffed by the situation.
Crunch frowned. He wondered if Raze was here, if that rat wasn't also skulking around somewhere in the laboratory. Tawna didn't tell him much about Pinstripe, and he didn't like to press her. After all, every time she spoke about that time she would fall into a deep dejection. Therefore, Crunch, not wanting to place her in such a state, never brought up the past. However, he did know that Tawna's life did involve a suave potaroo named Pinstripe. He also knew that this guy also doubled as a gunman. Crunch felt a slight brightening of spirit at the thought he might be able to decimate two enemies at once. It would be very satisfying to defeat the tigress, and a bonus to pummel the stuffing out of that rat. As they continued on, Crunch regarded Coco once again.
"So, do you have any idea where the children are now?"
Coco sighed, and shook her head.
"They should have been there. I don't know where they would be if not here."
"Unless they found a way to escape." Kieran said thoughtfully.
Coco shot Kieran an impatient look.
"How could they have? We'd been sitting in that thing for three quarters of an hour and I couldn't find a way out."
"It is possible that they escaped when the doors were opened. These kids have survived a long time on their own, it's unlikely they wouldn't attempt some kind of getaway. And remember, Jag is with them. He's not one who would sit back and wait to be rescued."
"So, you're saying that these kids are somewhere in this facility?" Crunch snorted irritably. "That makes our job a little harder."
"But if their free from those despicable lab-coated cads then at least they're better off." Coco added. "We just need to find them."
Crunch wasn't looking forward to the search. Breaking into a laboratory in lockdown was challenging enough in itself, but with the added complication of combing through every cranny Crunch was beginning to get into a grumpy mood.
By a wonderful stroke of luck, hardly ten minutes had passed before their hunt was concluded. Coco had taken the lead, and was quietly calling out through the deathly quiet halls. This did not pose any immediate reaction, but then Crunch caught a familiar scent in the air. His sense of smell was stronger than his two companions, so he wordlessly followed his nose. They reached a narrow passage, and Crunch followed that until he reached a small storage area. As he continued down his path of choice, he heard Kieran's voice in his ear.
"Where are you going?"
Crunch was standing at the opening of the storage area, and after a moment of silence a flicker of moment appeared behind a large scrap piece of machinery. A small head poked out from behind the metal, and then quickly jolted back into concealment. Coco gasped, and gripped Crunch's arm instinctively. Crunch smirked.
"I think we've found what we're looking for."
Coco went forward and assured the hiding children that they were friends, and within seconds the dozen or so kids who'd been captured filed in before them.
"Are you all alright?" Coco inquired with a concerned expression.
The eldest of the group, a wombat, stepped forward with his features drawn.
"We're all okay, but they took Jag."
Coco's eyes flashed. "Do you know where they took him?"
The wombat shook his head, trying to appear brave but it was clear how frightened he was. Coco sighed loudly, and then exchanged a glance with Kieran and then Crunch. Crunch could guess what was going through her mind. The children needed to be guarded, and she wouldn't be able to carry Kieran if push came to shove. She would also be more useful in disarming the toxin once they got it back in their possession. Without waiting for the suggestion, Crunch flicked his head to one side.
"Get going, Coco. If the kid was taken, there's a good chance he's in the laboratory. We'll stay hidden here until we get a signal, and then we'll all get out."
Coco fixed him with a wide-eyed glance.
"But, Crunch…you've been waiting to get your revenge on Tina."
"Revenge is overrated. As long as Cortex's scheme is foiled that's enough for me."
Coco paused as she absorbed his words, and then she offered a resolute nod.
"Alright. Take this." She presented a small device. "I'll let you know what's going on across this radio. There's a ton of interference in this place, so I'm not sure how well it will work."
Crunch accepted the radio and shoved it into one of his pockets. He nodded to her.
"Good luck."
"You too."
Before Coco departed, she laid a hand on Kieran's arm. She appeared awkward, but there was a genuine concern in her voice when she spoke.
"Take it easy, Kieran. Promise?"
Kieran smiled in a somewhat discomfited manner, and offered a nod.
"I will."
Crunch found himself rather touched as he watched the scene unfold. He had never considered that Coco, a little tomboy who loved to tinker, was capable of developing a crush. It just didn't seem natural for her. But here she was, blushing before a scrawny boy who seemed just as unaccustomed to his feelings as she was. It was quite a sight. To encourage Coco, Crunch patted her gently on the shoulder.
"I'll keep an eye on him Coco, get a move on."
After a slight hesitation, Coco nodded and then turned on her heel. Crunch watched Coco sprint down the corridors, and then turned to the children.
"Alright, let's get a few things straight. You're safe when your with us, so be sure to stay close. No wandering off. We may have to move quickly, so it's important that you remain with us at all times. Who's the leader here?"
As expected, the wombat stepped forward.
"I am. My name's Camlin."
"Keep an eye on everyone. If anyone falls behind, let me know. Are you ready?"
Camlin offered a sharp nod. After a glance at the dozens of young eyes looking up at him, Crunch turned abruptly.
"Let's go."
A/N-
I can't believe it! I'm finally reaching the end! I honestly never thought I'd get here, but the story just kept unfolding. Special thanks again to my reviewers, I don't think you realize how much motivational power your comments have on me^^ I'm also finishing up my sketches for my most devoted readers, so keep an eye open for updates:) I think I have about three more chapters to go, so to whoever is still with me- BE BRAVE! This bit of scribble is nearly complete!
Abundant thanks, as always,
from ~Band-Cute~