The psychotic doctor plunged the thick instrument toward Reese's heart. John powerlessly flexed against the straps and inevitable pain. But it wasn't his scream or blood that spilled from his chest.
The deranged cry of dumbfounded shock and fury erupted from the vengeful doctor as the instrument shot across the room along with the blood from two stumps where his fingers used to be.
The Doctor hugged his mutilated hand to his white-coated chest and spun around with blind rage.
"Still think I'm inept, you skinny, fucking prick!" Major Keel lowered his pistol and crossed the room in ground pounding steps. "Get on you knees! Hands.., what's left of em'.., behind your head!" He almost laughed.
"My hand! You idiot, I'm a doctor! What have you done!" The Doctor's shrill whimpering both annoyed and entertained the heavily built, older man. "Pussy... That's what your worried about? Those days were over regardless." Enough was enough. "Shut-up!" With that Keel pistol-whipped White into unconscious silence.
Satisfied with the butcher's forced compliance, Keel made his way to Reese. "So you're the guy that kicked my guys' asses and blew this nightmare to hell? Can't say I appreciate the first part, but it was a fair fight and they'd have killed you just the same. Anyway, you certainly don't deserve to die at the hands of this freak."
Reese flinched as the broad man moved in, pulling a knife and sliced through the leather straps holding his hands and feet. "Major Keel, former US Army, gone private... A million years ago. You're what..? Ex-Delta Force? Black Ops? Disappeared and went private?"
Reese swung his legs over the edge of the table and chewed on the unexpected, yet fortunate turn of events and evaluated his circumstantial ally with a weary handshake. "Reese. Ex-Special Forces, Black-Ops... gone... other. And thanks."
"Hey, enemy of my enemy, ya know the bullshit... Actually it's me who needs to thank you. You gave this old bastard the kick in the balls I needed to do what I should have in the beginning. And dammit! I just can't get over that this sick-fuck was the head of WAR too. Thought they were entirely different entities and just figured the Death Dealer had something hanging over WAR like he did me." He paused for a moment just staring at the doctor sprawled at his feet. "This piece of diabolical shit had my balls in a sling for way too long, and when Lt Mathison told me what he'd done to our men...well, that was enough. I already thanked your partner."
Reese cast a dangerous look of warning and flexed at the mention of Finch. "Easy there, he's fine. He's the reason we're here actually.., let the Lieutenant radio-in and order the strike."
Not as steadily as he would have liked, Reese stood and moved to check Carter and Fusco. "How many men did Mr. White have?"
"We took down seven more, to your already damn good dent. My men are sweeping the cracks for any roaches that might be left."
John relaxed a bit, both relieved to find Joss and Lionel drugged, but unharmed and, after the last few days.., honestly glad he wasn't facing another battle. "What did he have over you?"
Reese observed the dark resolve grip Keel's face. "Had to save someone... and traded a piece of my soul, to this devil, to do it." He roughly kicked the doctor with his boot. "I didn't know the details at first. Can't say I looked to close either. That's not an excuse.., just the truth. Hated myself ever since."
Reese understood that more than he wanted to acknowledge. "Yeah I got that your men weren't happy about the deal either."
Major Keel caught the haunted shadows playing across John's eyes. "No, but they're good guys, and did what I asked." The Major shifted his stance. "So what now?"
Reese leveled him with a dark stare. "Leave. We'll take care of him. Get you're men, and don't come back."
"Fair enough." Keel turned to leave and paused. "Ya know son, whatever it is that you did in the past.., it's just that - past. Keep doing what you're doing and let it go. Life is too damn short not to be true to your gut. Not sure if you realized the true scope of what you guys did here today. God speed solider."
Reese looked down at Carter and knew all to well...