The Long Road Ahead

Act I

Episode V

Familiar Faces

"Hey…" An urgent voice whispered into Teletha's ear.

Tessa didn't respond. She rolled over, pulling the blanket she had gripped in her hand over her head.

"Wake up!" A hand grasped her shoulder, giving her a little shake.

"Just…Just a f-f-few…more minutes…" Tessa yawned, still half asleep with her eyes still closed. She rolled her body away from the hand.

The hand firmly grabbed ahold of the blankets Tessa hid under, yanking them out of her hands. "You need to get up…Now!"

As Tessa dozily turned her body on the bed she saw a hazy figure in her half-open eyes. Eyes slowly focusing she saw that the shadowy mass was David standing over her. "David…?" She mumbled loudly, still confused "…David, what's going on?!"

His hand was quick to grasp her mouth. He covered it with his hand. Slowly, he motioned Tessa to get up.

She pushed herself into a sitting position. Her heart began to race. "What's going on?" Tessa mumbled through his hand.

David gave no response but a simple signal. He brought his index finger in front of his mouth. It was the sign to be silent. He brought his hand away, placing it at his side right next to the black pistol and holster he had recently attached to his leg.

The look in his eyes was strange. Tessa could tell something was going on. He looked as if he had seen a ghost, and he was carrying a gun! Even small beads of sweat were starting to run down his face. Eyes nearly shut it was clear he had barely gotten any sleep. Slowly, Tessa peeled the rest of the bed covers off her body. She began to grow more concerned. "What's going on, David?" She whispered as quietly as she could.

"Get dressed…" He stated simply. The volume of his voice the same as Tessa's. "Get dressed and pack your things." David didn't answer her question.

Tessa kicked her legs out from the side of the bed and stood up. "David…?" She watched him reach toward the wall. Leaning up against it was a small automatic weapon, a submachine gun. David's possession of this shocked her. It must've been what was in the gun-safe in the living room. Tessa even recognized the model. It was a small black MP5K; a few soldiers at Mithril were sporting these weapons. She watched him pick it up and cradle it in one hand. His backpack was already strapped around his shoulder.

Once again David didn't say a word. His eyes just glanced toward the window, looking at it for a few moments before being brought back to reality by Tessa.

She grabbed at his white shirt, grasping the sleeve with her fingers, and yanking him back away from the window. "David…" She said gently. "What...Is…Going…On?" Tessa cut her words up, hoping David would finally answer her.

David didn't speak for a moment, but when he did there was a slight sliver of nervousness in his voice. "We have company." He backed away and left the room, his weapon gripped firmly in his hands.

Adrenaline fueled Tessa's swift awakening. After pulling her clothing, the ones she had bought the day before, onto her body she nearly stumbled into the hallway. She forgot where her shoes were. Barefoot, Teletha Testarossa staggered across the short corridor. "Company?" She uttered to herself repeatedly. "Company?" The clock on the far wall read "4:23 am." It had been a few hours since they contacted Mithril and set their location using Tessa's laptop. It might have been them, but the anxiety in David's eyes told a different story. If it was Mithril Tessa would know it, they would make themselves known pretty quickly in a rescue situation for her.

She almost tumbled over her own feet as she neared the main room. Tessa was furiously stuffing things into her suitcase. Walking by the shelves in the wall she paused. Looking around briefly to see if David was anywhere near she grabbed at the picture frame the held the picture of him and his younger sister. Tessa plunged it into her suitcase. If a firefight really broke out, at least she might be able to save that if things got bad. And by the way David had pulled out that weapon it seemed like things were going to get just that.

Tessa crept into the darkened living room where David waited. His body was pressed up against the wall next to the window closest to the door. He still held the MP5 in his hands. She could see his eyes glancing about and looking outside. David didn't greet her. Without hesitation Tessa made for her laptop that was placed upon the kitchen counter. From its screen came a faint blue light. It was from this device that she was transmitting her position to Mithril in hopes that they would find her before anyone else. Now it seemed her hopes might be in vain. When she closed the laptop the transmission of information stopped. Tessa now could only hope that it was up long enough for Mithril to be on their way. She might be full of holes otherwise.

Stuffing the portable computer into her leather suitcase, Teletha locked it shut. She looked to David once again. He hadn't moved. But from outside the window headlights began to shine through the curtains. Tessa watched as David pulled back from the glass opening. There was a group of them, about three to five cars in total. There was no other light outside. She couldn't tell how many men were starting to now pile out of the large group of SUVs.

David nervously side-stepped away from the window and moved towards Tessa. "It's going to get pretty loud here in a few seconds." He whispered. The look on his face was that of apprehension and readiness. "You going to be alright?"

"I've been around guns before, Mr. Reed." Tessa muttered, yet she could help but feeling a bit concerned at the odds. "I'll be fine."

The young man was quick with the reply. "Right…" He reached into his backpack and lifted out the gun they had looted from the man in the store. David held it out to Tessa. "…take it. If anyone tries gets by me or comes through those back windows…"

"I…I…I understand." She stammered as she stared down at the piece now in her hand. It was now Tessa was wishing she was back in her submarine. There she would've been much more useful.

"Stay behind the couch." David said in a hurry, noticing all the lights outside had stopped moving. They were now shining on the house like spotlights. "Get down, don't stand up. Keep your head covered. Remember, right now you're my mission. I can't have you getting riddled with bullets now." With his last comment he gave her a small wink.

Nodding eagerly Tessa crawled next to the couch and knelt beside it. She kept the length of it between her and the front of the building.

"Wish us luck. I hope your friends are on their way." David murmured finally, crouching down and stalking silently back to his place near the window.

Everything fell deathly silent. It seemed like minutes were going by with nothing happening. Tessa kept her eyes locked on the front of the room. She darted her eyes between David and the heavy front door. Still nothing. The only light in the room was a small blinking dot of red light on the security panel on the wall and the car headlights that shone through the windows. Tessa's eyes looked to David. He hadn't moved. Still his body was pressed up against the wall next to the curtain. His finger slowly moved on his weapon, flipping the safety off. David looked back at Tessa. His eyes softened for a brief second and a smile was in the process of creation of his face.

Like fierce hailstorm bullets shattered the windows. Glass began to fly across the room like little particles of snow. Even the curtains began to shred as the barrage of small arm's fire pierced through their fabric.

Both Tessa and David shrunk back when the bullets snapped by their heads. Tessa ducked behind the couch, avoiding most of the shrapnel-like shards of glass. David on the other hand was close enough to the windows to avoid the risk. Instead he shrunk down to his knees. There were faint thuds against the walls as bullets collided with the brick face of the home.

Eyes snapping shut there wasn't much David could do in those initial moments. Yet he waited for his chance to strike back.

It was the same for Tessa. She couldn't risk popping her head up or risk it being taken off. She could hear the rounds hissing by her hiding spot. Opening one eye and tilting her head backwards she saw the bullets tear into the kitchen like a twister. Bits of food from the torn open bags began to litter the floor. This attack was ruining David's house. She turned her head forward again. Even his shelf full of movies weren't spared the wrath of the attackers. The cases that held the films were quickly ripped to shreds.

The attackers made their first mistake. Seemingly in unison they each began to reload their weapons. They had expended their first magazines with their initial hail of gunfire. Air falling silent, David took his chance.

David stepped partially into one of the window openings. Swiftly he raised his weapon, eyes aiming down the length of his firearm, through the sights, and locking onto the attackers that were illuminated in front of their cars. Squeezing the trigger of his submachine gun David sent a quick burst of fire toward one of their assailants. At the close range his weapon was especially effective. The group of bullets stuck one of men directly in the chest. He dropped to the dirt in a heap. He then pivoted his body. Another soft pull of the trigger and another puff of red mist. The second body collapsed to the ground.

Bullets from the paramilitary group began to impact the house again. David returned to his cover.

Tessa peeked over from behind the couch. This attack and retaliation continued. When David saw a window of opportunity he would take it. If the chance came he would emerge from his cover and fire his weapon. Teletha could only assume he was being accurate with his shots. On occasion there might be a quick scream of pain from outside following one of David's assaults.

"Tessa!" David shouted, as bullet collided with the wooden frame of the window. Shards of wood flew by his cringing face. "Tessa!"

It took a moment to notice David's screams. "What?!" She shouted back.

David let loose another burst from his MP5. As his finger held down the trigger he slightly rotated his head to look at her. "I have a favor to ask you!"

"I don't…" A round snapped by her face. Tessa fell on her rear in shock. "…I don't think now is the right time for favors, David!"

The young man ducked behind the wall again. His fingers worked over the weapon and pulled the long curved magazine out of the bottom of the gun. Reaching toward his backpack and pulling out another he slammed the fresh ammunition in his submachine. David's hand worked over the gun. It was ready to fire once again after a 'click.' "Please, just hear me out!"

More bullets passed through the room, almost drowning out David's words. This firefight was quickly turning one-sided. It was pure numbers that were against them. David couldn't overcome their massive volume of fire. Both could hear the men screaming outside. They started moving in toward the building.

"What do you need?" Teletha shouted at the top of her lungs. Her own heart began to race.

"I want…" David was unable to finish is statement.

A body burst through the door. David had to adjust his fire. Immediately he turned his gun, holding it in one hand. As he fired the gun rose furiously, but the body fell to the ground in a pool of crimson liquid. David backed away from the front wall. He brought his gun to eye level, switching it from side to side as he fired through the opening in the house. Another body came through the door only to be quickly dropped as David emptied his magazine into his chest.

"David, watch out!"

One of attackers crawled through the open window. He brought a sawed-off shotgun to bear and fired.

David dropped to the ground as the shotgun's pellets passed over him. Without time to reload his weapon the young man drew his pistol. Two quick pulls of the trigger was all it took to eliminate the man crawling into the house. His lifeless body hung lazily in the broken window frame. From where he lay on the ground David kept firing his handgun, trying to keep the men out of the house for as long as possible.

Tessa watched helplessly as rounds impacted the carpet all around her friend.

The firefight was taking an even darker turn for the worst.

Out of ammo. David ejected the empty magazine out of his pistol. He started to push his legs against the floor in a feeble attempt to crawl backwards. Another fresh clip. David started firing again. But like a mother cat gripping a kittens neck he felt a hand grab at the collar of his shirt. He couldn't turn his head but he knew who it was.

Braving the hailstorm of bullets and shrapnel, Teletha Testarossa left the protection of her cover and reached for David. She scrambled out into the middle of the room. With both hands she started to pull David's body back toward her hiding spot. Even then she heard the rounds hiss and snap all around her. She gritted her teeth as she pulled at him. Teletha, while not physically strong, was trying as best as she could. Upon reaching the cover of the couch the air fell silent once more. Both could tell the firefight was nearing its end.

David breathed heavily. Looking down as his firearm he shook his head. "I'm…I'm empty…" He uttered in defeat.

Tessa propped him up against the couch, holding onto his white shirt as tightly as she could. "It's…Ok…" she stuttered in reply. "…I'll figure something out." She placed her body up against his, trying to hide herself in the small space as well. There as barely enough room to hide them both.

Although no more bullets flew by, both could hear the footsteps of the group of men approaching the house.

"I may have to make a rain check on that favor." David whispered, trying to laugh as he did. Through his voice Tessa could tell was struggling to stay focused. The lack of sleep was making this nearly unbearable to him.

"O-O-Ok." She replied, sounding as calm as she could, inching out a smile on her mouth. "When we get out of this alright?" Tessa mumbled shoving the gun David gave her back into his hands. It was only a few more bullets. But it could be something.

"R-Right." David sighed, looking the weapon over in his slightly trembling hands. Finally he nodded and repeated Tessa's words. "When we get out of this."

Tessa grinned at the reaction, even though at this point it might be hopeless. She began to wonder what might be in store for her if they couldn't escape or fight the attackers off.

There was a flutter of flashlights from outside.

Before David could lift himself to his feet a squad of bodies burst through the back door. They looked different from those attacking the pair, each wearing the same dark colored uniform. Like a well-choreographed dance they moved in. Gunshots rang out about the house. Yet they were not aimed at Tessa and David. Instead, the guns of these newcomers were trained on the paramilitary men assaulting the home. With extreme skill the squad entered the house; some immediately darted for cover while others began pumping shots at the visible attackers. Bodies collapsed to the group. David used his arm to shield Tessa's and his own face as more glass and debris began to fly.

Eyes shielded by David's arm Tessa couldn't see anything. But she could hear everything. A number of swift gunshots echoed about the main room of the now ruined house. Footsteps completely passed them by. Even from outside she could hear more gunfire ring out. There was a faint sound of a female barking orders and a sarcastic remark from another male solider who was close-by. Finally, as quick as it began, everything fell quiet once more. There was nothing. No more gunfire, only footsteps moving about in the building around them.

Tessa paused and waited. She kept her face buried in David's arm.

"Well-Well-Well…" A young man's voice joked, letting out a small laugh "…by the looks of things we got here just in time. Seems you had a party without me!"

The voice was familiar to Tessa. She lifted her head above David's arm and looked upward. Her face lit up with excitement and relief at the tall blonde man standing above her.

David let out a long strained huff of air. It was finally over. His body slouched back against the tattered couch. But he didn't know now what he was going to get into. The feeling of being thankful for being alive was all he felt.

"Cut the crap, Kurz." The female voice from before shouted. She drew closer.

Melissa Mao knelt down in front of the heaving Tessa and David. She looked between the two. For a moment she eyed David curiously, but soon her head tilted to Tessa. "But he is right…" Mao purred happily, eyes closing as she smiled at her close Mithril friend. "…Looks like we got here just in the nick of time…I'm glad to see you're alright, Tessa…Welcome back into the hands of Mithril, Captain!"

"A few cuts and bruises, but all things considered she is still in one piece." The doctor spoke in Mao's direction over the loud drone of the C-17's turbofan engines. . "The captain and her friend will be fine. I'll recommend a few days of rest at least. No sense in not being careful."

It had been a number of hours since the Special Response Team extracted Tessa Testarossa and David Reed from the safe-house. Mithril worked like a well-oiled machine in getting them onto a plane and on their way back to Merida Island as soon as they could. Seated against the interior walls of the transport were Mithril soldiers, some sleeping, others talking amongst themselves to pass the time. It seems that Mithril had dispatched multiple units in an effort to relocate their captain after the event at the airport. By a count of numbers there were more soldiers within the plane that were at the house. Their plane had picked up extra numbers on the way.

"Understood Doc…" Mao began formally with a nod as she looked to where Tessa sat strapped in next to David "…I'll take it from here. If you could, please relay that information to Commander Mardukas. I'm sure the old man would appreciate an update."

"Yes, ma'am!" The flight doctor turned toward the cabin of the plane and walked away.

Kurz Weber wasn't far behind. He unbuckled himself from his seat and crept up behind Mao once the doctor left. "So what's the word, Melissa?" He yapped light-heartedly.

Mao cocked her head toward Kurz and started in Tessa's direction. Weber followed closely. "Tessa is fine. The Doc wants her to get some rest when be land at base, but knowing Tessa she'll just get right back to it."

The blonde man chuckled, his hands going to the back of his head and dug into his blonde hair. "Telling Tessa she has to wait around after something like this probably won't go over well. You're right, knowing her she'll want to get right back to her duties."

The pair strode up to where Tessa sat next David. They were first greeted by Teletha. "Ms. Mao! Mr. Weber!" She began with cheer in her voice. "I trust Commander Mardukas has kept you all busy in my absence."

Kurz leaned in and whispered into Mao's ear. "See, right back to business." His comment wasn't heard by their captain thanks to the drone of the C-17's engines.

Mao simply ignored Weber's comment. "If by busy you mean tracking you down? Then yes!"

David fell silent as he listened in on the conversation. His head was propped wearily up against his seat's headrest.

"I'm sorry if I cause a little bit of a ruckus, Ms. Mao." Tessa admitted shyly, sounding just a little ashamed of the entire situation spinning out of control so fast and having them chase her down.

"Hey, don't worry about it!" said Kurz, jumping into the conversation. "What would be doing without our captain, anyway? I'd rather take orders from a girl like you than from than old Commander Mardukas any day!"

Mao's face turned an angry shade of red. She gave Kurz a quick jab in the ribs with her elbow. This was the kind of thing she put up with on a daily basis.

"Mr. Weber, I don't think that's entirely proper." Tessa giggled, she understood the joke, even though he was mocking a higher ranking officer.

"Yeah-Yeah, sue me." Kurz chuckled with a shake of his head. He got the message from Mao to shut his yap.

"But…" Teletha continued as her head turned to the seat beside hers. "…I was well taken care of." A smile beamed on her face in David's direction. "Mr. Reed, this is Melissa Mao and Kurz Weber. These two are some of my subordinates and good friends I work with in Mithril."

Kurz jumped in again, reaching out his hand which David shook in a friendly greeting. "It's a pleasure."

"I'm surprised someone like yourself who isn't in the armed force of a nation stayed off Mithril's radar, David." Mao purred and nodded, greeting David with a handshake of her own.

Weary, David gave a little shrug and smirk. His hands returned to his lap as he rested in his chair. "I have my ways." He stated simply. "But thank you for the warm welcome."

"Oooh, secretive…" Kurz cooed almost mockingly. "…I like this guy."

Tessa Testarossa continued on after the introductions were over. "Mr. Reed took good care of me after we escaped the airport. When we return to Merida Island I hope to return the favor."

David's head turned a little in question. "Merida Island?" He uttered.

The three Mithril members grinned to one another. "Seeing as you're most likely wanted for keeping me out of danger, I'll be arranging for you to stay with us at our headquarters until we see it's fit and safe enough to send you back home to the States." Tessa chirped. "As captain I believe it's in your best interest at this point."

David slouched in his chair, grinning to himself with a strange sly expression. "Is that an order then?"

Mao and Kurz looked questioningly at each other. Mao couldn't help but grin at Tessa's actions. But they both stayed silent.

"Actually, Yes, That's an order Mr. Reed. You're under my umbrella of protection now." Teletha "Tessa" Testarossa face seemed to glow as she began to feel the familiar power of being a captain return to her head.

Author's Notes:

Here is Episode V everyone!

Hope you enjoyed the familiar faces! (I assure you they won't be the last).

As we are nearing the end of Act I, I really am hoping you're enjoying the story so far and I hope you stick around for Acts II and III. Things are going to get pretty crazy up ahead so stay tuned!

I'll put it here now that the next two Episodes will be shorter in length compared to the usual. But I don't think ya'll will mind a break from the normal.

Anyway, please leave a review and tell me what you're thinking!

Stay tuned, incoming is something you'll not expect!

Mr-Watch.

P.S – As always feel free to PM me if you find any errors. I'll be sure to fix them ASAP. Also feel free to PM me if you ever wish to discuss anything or simply to meet someone new.