"Sylvester can you send Happy an updated version of the blueprints?" Walter asked over the coms. "We don't need David's notes and we'll attract attention if people see us carrying these hard copies." There were a few seconds of silence.
"Done."
"Thanks."
Happy discarded the blue prints in a local trash can and then took out her phone. "It's this way."
As the team waded through the crowd of civilians Cabe said in a low voice "give me a scenario where we have to evacuate the station. What are the odds that we'll be able to get most of these people out of he-."
"It's not good Cabe" Walter said talking over him. "We're still not sure exactly where the bombs are. Happy could probably give us a good idea after studying the blueprints, but it's still more efficient to get David since the terrorists are (presumably) going by his notes."
"It's also better because we have a chance of saving the lives of a Dad and son who are in trouble." Paige added. She turned her head and looked at him. Walter didn't have time to analyze what that meant, but he could guess she was disappointed in how he responded.
"Yes. Uh…that too." She shook her head and turned away. Another wrong response? Walter thought. "So to answer your question Cabe" Walter continued "we'd have to know where the bombs are and if there are any at the station. They could have just planted explosives somewhere in the red line, or they could be planning to hit both the line and the station although that would mean a large quantity of bombs which seems unlikely given the fact this terrorist group has slipped under the radar and probably doesn't have very many resources so accounting for the variables and-"
"Just give me the worst case scenario son." Cabe interrupted.
"Worst case scenario. Uh…okay so worst case scenario is that they bomb both the red line and the station which means they would wipe out at least half the city. So no Cabe, even if we ordered an evacuation we couldn't get the people safely outside the danger zone which is larger because an underground explosion means more buildings will be structurally compromised. "
"Here's the first access point" Happy said suddenly. "Just give me a moment to bypass the security card scanner."
"How long is a moment Happy?" Cabe asked.
"A moment. We're in."
"You look so attractive when you do that" Toby smirked.
"and you look so dumb when you do that" Happy motioned toward his face, causing Toby to grin wider. Cabe shook his head.
"Let's just focus on the mission alright?"
Once the team got inside the first access point Happy lead them down a series of tunnels, opened another access door then stopped, looking at her phone.
"The sealed part of the station should be somewhere behind this wall, but these blueprints don't have the older section so I can't figure out exactly how to get in there. Hey Sylvester?"
"Yes Happy?"
"Can you send me the oldest set of blue prints you can find? The copy David had must have been older."
"Should be able to send it to you in just a minute."
"It all makes perfect sense." Toby said thoughtfully. "They must of known the newer blueprints didn't contain the older sections so they knew not many people could find them."
"Okay Happy, I'm sending it to you now."
"Thanks Sylv" Happy opened the new file. "According to this—"she said as she starting walking toward a giant red pipe which had a cap on the end "the pipe goes right through the open section we're looking for. Bet we could crawl inside."
Walter and Cabe looked at each other, then stepped toward the pipe to open the cap. Though it was heavy, the cap was attached to hinges and swung open easily and quietly.
"I'm going in first" Cabe said climbing into the pipe. Walter went in next. They crawled for 30 yards when Cabe suddenly stopped and looked back at Walter. "There a hole in the pipe" He whispered. "Looks like it leads to the spot we're looking for." Cabe began to move slowly, taking out his gun and loading it. As soon as he stuck his head out of the opening to get a better look a shot went off. "Everybody back!" He shouted.
"Well, at least we know we're in the right spot" Toby shrugged.
"What's going on over there?" Sylvester yelled in everyone's ears. "Guys?"
Walter heard men shouting at each other "Let's go! Grab the boy for protection."
Cabe swung out of the pipe and started running. By the time Walter dropped out of the pipe Cabe had already moved across the room, just out of reach of someone in a mask dragging a little boy.
"You let him go now! Surrender!" Cabe shouted in his gruffest voice. The man pushed the little boy into Cabe, causing them both to fall. Walter was still running, but he knew the man would get to the door the others must have escaped from. Just as he reached Cabe the man had punched in a code and was gone.
"Happy!" Walter shouted.
"Right behind you!" As soon as they got to the door she took out her tools and started working on bypassing the system.
"Damn it! They double encrypted the code and rigged the door. I can get through but it's going to take longer."
"Keep working Happy. Maybe we can pick up their trail" Walter breathed. He turned to see Alex run to a corner, slide to the floor and start hugging his knees.
"He's got a gag on" Cabe said taking shallow breaths. "I couldn't get it off before he ran away."
"Toby search the other rooms and hallways. See If you can find David Fischer." Walter suggested. Toby nodded and ran off.
"Will everyone please be quiet?" Paige said softly as she was walking slowly towards Alex. "You're making a lot of noise." Walter opened his mouth to say something, but thought better of it.
As soon as Alex saw Paige, the little boys eyes got wide and he attempted to back further into the corner. She stopped and said "It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you. I have something of yours." Paige pulled the blank notebook out of her purse, which caused Alex to stop. She took a few more steps then very carefully sat next to him. "I brought these pencils" she said taking some out of her bag "which are yours too. If you let me untie your hands you can draw with them." Paige reached out towards Alex, causing him to pull away. Paige paused a moment and then did something Walter never expected. She began to sing. It was a soft, beautiful melody intended only for Alex but could still be heard as it echoed across the concrete. Walter closed his eyes and swallowed.
The melody seemed to amplify everything good about Paige and it gave Walter hope. Maybe, just maybe they all would arrive safely home tonight. And maybe….he opened his eyes. Alex seemed to have relaxed a little and Paige was untying the chords which held his wrists together. Once they were free Alex began to claw at his face, desperately trying to get the gag out. Paige gently pulled his hands away and untied the gag. She wiped the tears from his face and said "There. Everything's all right now."
Alex looked at her and grunted. He crawled over to her lap and began touching her face which caused Paige to smile. He ran his fingers through her hair, traced her cheekbones and ran a finger over her eyelashes. Then he sat in her lap, grabbed his pencils and notebook and started to draw.
"That's the most amazing thing I've seen all day" Cabe said under his breath. Walter nodded. Just then he heard two sets of footsteps running from the far side of the room. It was Toby with a man who Walter knew was David Fischer.
"Alex?" David called.