Chapter 4

The Plan

Andrei and 99 stood together in front of some rather dumbfounded KAOS agents including Tara, Andrei's ex-wife and 99 supposed friend.

"So, I see, she took the bait," Tara said holding a gun on 99 as Andrei held 99 from behind also at gunpoint. "That figures. She always wanted you from the start and couldn't take it when you married me. Good work, love." Tara walked up to 99 and slapped her across her cheek maliciously. Tara, who was not as tall as 99, was more broad and curvy, wolloped 99 with a hard slap to the face. Tara's forceful slap almost brought 99 to her knees. Andrei held 99 up more erectly. If this was going to work then 99 was going to have to be tougher than she ever had to be in the past. Andrei had followed her career with Max and knew that if Tara could be tough then 99 was tougher.

99 snickered. "Is that all you got? It seems KAOS didn't know they seduced a creampuff to work for them."

Tara smirked. She had had her back to her ex-husband and ex-best friend. She turned around and with a crook of her finger the two dumb-looking KAOS agents grabbed Andrei and forced him back against the wall of the room. They stripped him of his firearm with which he had been holding 99 against her back.

"So, you see, Andrei, I'm not that stupid CONTROL agent you seduced and abandoned to worm her way to the top with KAOS brass. I heard everything you said. Kill him, boys."

"Wait a minute, boys!" 99 shouted startling the muscle with her noise.

"Hands up, Tara!" 99 said as she came closer to towering over Tara holding her captive with her own Smith &Wesson which Andrei had surreptitiously returned to her.

"I think you should let the boys let Andrei go before I shoot the lot of you. You see, I want to go home. I think I may have some exciting news for my husband and I don't want to spoil it by returning in a pinebox. You understand?"

Tara with hands raised waiting until 99 came close enough and then fought with her for possession of the gun. Tara was a strong girl, but 99 had the height advantage and leverage. They struggled for a small time while Andrei fought the two KAOS goons. Andrei received the goons' swats which was leading them into a weakened position. When the time was right he then drew his gun which was then summarily karate-chopped out of his hand. The gun went flying past 99 as she struggled with Tara. This drew Tara's attention away from the matter at hand. 99 took advantage of the moment and regained her gun immediately shooting Tara in the stomach.

Tara fell to the floor holding her stomach. 99 regathered her wits while Andrei laid out both the goons. As Andrei settled the unconscious guys against the wall of the cell, 99 knelt before Tara.

"I'm sorry, Tara. I never wanted it to come to this. You were always my friend. I didn't want to be the one to come after you, but the Chief sent me because we were friends once. Try to understand," 99 said trying to staunch the blood with her hands as it flowed from Tara's gunshot wound.

Tara's eyes misted over and a teardrop escaped down the side of her face.

"It's not your fault. I knew this whole scientist thing was wrong. I knew CONTROL would send you. I picked the wrong side…and the wrong friends. Go home. It's ok…" Tara said looking into 99's tearful blue eyes.

"Ta.., she's gone, " 99 announced to Andrei who stood in front of her. Ignoring the blood sticking to her fingers, 99 held Tara in her arms and could do nothing but kneel there and think momentarily of all the things she and Tara had shared as CONTROL agents and best friends. Tara had always known how much 99 loved Max. Tara had been the first one 99 told when she knew she was in love with Max. When 99 contrived to become Max's partner, Tara was the one who told her not give up. Tara told her that although Max had never said anything for years that he was as much in love with her as she was with him. Gathering her once best friend in her arms, 99 rocked back and forth with Tara cradled in her arms. Tara's blood was on 99 hands and splotched all over 99's clothes. Eventually after a silent vigil, 99 looked up into Andrei's blanched face.

Andrei helped 99 to her feet and told her to go back to the hotel. He would come later and they would discuss how they should now solve the case. It would not now go down as planned. If 99 and Andrei could figure out where they stashed the scientists then they could determine how to solve the case. 99 had been here for only a few days, but she was weary of this mission. It was odd for 99 who had known death, seen death, and even caused death in her profession that the shock never faded. One minute there is a living breathing person before you, and in the next moment there was nothing left of a life but a shell of a person sometimes bloodied or burned beyond recognition. 99 deseperately wanted to go home. She longed to be with the man and the lives their love created. Not death. 99 had been in and out of the game too much these days.