Flint and his team emerged from the stairwell and onto the 38th floor spoiling for a fight.
At just the same moment, the Twin's Crimson Guards, engaged with recapturing the escaped Lady Jaye, turned the corner approaching the stairwell and ran headlong into Flint and his team. Recovering quickly, they backtracked slightly and began firing.
Flint yelled for Snake Eyes and Gung Ho to take cover and quickly ducked back into the stairwell, firing and ducking again repeatedly.
Snake Eyes was only a blur as he slipped out, untouched by the exchange bullets. With deft blows, he quickly dropped several of the guardsmen.
The Crimson Guards were at a disadvantage, having no cover to speak of in the bare hallway, and were quickly overpowered. Those few who remained standing surrendered, dropping their weapons to the floor with an echoing thud.
"That ought to teach those snakes some manners," Gung Ho chuckled in amusement as he watched them shaking their heads in disbelief.
He and Flint began gathering up the weapons as the guards lay prostrate on the floor, Snake Eyes covering them in cold silence.
Once everything was under control, Snake Eyes gave a quick nod and then turned left, winding his way through the long hallways to the computer room, the second part of Flint's plan.
He found Scarlett waiting for him, just outside the door.
At his appearance, her face broke into a glad smile. He returned the greeting with a nod and then motioned for her cover him. She instantly took position to the side. Quickly sliding a dart in place, she lifted her crossbow in readiness. With one swift kick, Snake Eyes knocked the door completely off its hinges and rushed into the room. Scarlett followed right behind.
The room appeared empty at first glance, with no one to be seen.
However, Lady Jaye was still there. She had ducked down under the computer desks and drawn her gun even as Snake Eyes made contact with the door. Holding her breath and praying she would not to be discovered, she suddenly recognised the familiar dark shadow followed by a flash of red.
"Scarlett, Snake Eyes!" she crawled out in relief and jumped to her feet.
"Lady Jaye!," Scarlett gaped in surprise, "Are we glad to see you. What are you doing here? Flint's out there looking for you."
Lady Jaye grinned and was about to give a cheeky answer when she swayed a bit and quickly pressed her hand to her head, the color draining from her cheeks.
"Hey, are you okay?" Scarlett's voice changed to concern as she hurried over and placed a gentle hand on Jaye's shoulder. She quickly glanced from Jaye to the two men on the floor tied up with an electrical cord, one still out cold by the looks of it, and raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"I'm just fine," Lady Jaye answered quickly. "Come on," she said, shaking off the dizzyness, "I could use your help. We need to get this information."
Snake Eyes took a position guarding the door as she turned to assist Jaye at the computer. Staring for a moment at the screen, she punched in a few keys and immediately hacked into the computer, a small smile of satisfaction on her lips. Pointing to the flash drive she asked, "This yours?"
"Yeah."
"Good," she pushed "copy."
"Remind me to have you teach me that," Jaye watched in amazement.
"Trade secrets," Scarlett smirked as she waited a few minutes and then pulled out the drive and pocketed it.
Lady Jaye grinned sheepishly and ran a hand through her already mussed hair, "I thought that was my line."
Duke's team had entered the building from the roof, as they had planned. Upon reaching the 38th floor, they immediately heard gunshots in the distance. Duke sent Scarlett to the computer room while he and Ace followed the exchange of shots to Flint. When the sound stopped abruptly, Duke exchanged a worried glance with Ace and the two immediately picked up the pace.
They met up with Flint a few hallways and a few turns later.
Duke took one look at the guards on the floor and froze, a slow grin spreading over his features.
"Nice work," he chuckled at he sight.
The Crimson Guards were in their boxers and tied up with their own pants, Gung Ho standing guard over them. Flint was holding the tracer, waiting for it to reconfigure Jaye's location.
He glanced up as Ace and Duke arrived, acknowledging their presence with a tight smile.
"Lady Jaye?"
Flint nodded, "I'm pinpointing her current position right now."
"Good. Ace, stay here as Gung Ho's back up."
"Sure thing, Duke," Ace mock saluted and took his place next to Gung Ho with a grin. "Not that I expect these chumps to be going anywhere," he chuckled softly, elbowing Gung Ho in the ribs.
"No, not very likely," he agreed with a wide grin.
Pulling out his gun once more Duke nodded to the device in Flint's hand. "Got it?"
Flint nodded once.
Okay, let's go."
Flint took the lead, hurrying down the hall, following the route designated by the tracker, Duke close behind.
Snake Eyes, followed closely by Scarlett and Lady Jaye, cautiously stepped out of the computer room. Immediately, he stiffened and held up his hand in warning.
"Someone is coming" he signed, urgently waving them back.
He slipped into the shadows as Scarlett and Lady Jaye retreated back into the room. Removing the knife from his belt, he tensed and readied to spring when he saw Flint and Duke round a corner.
He relaxed and smiled. Like a silent shadow, he stepped out into their path.
Flint's gun was immediately pointed at his chest. They stared at one another briefly then Flint gave a lopsided grin and lowered his weapon. "Sorry, Snakes."
"No offense taken," Snake Eyes signed, his eyes glittering humorously beneath the mask.
Scarlett and Lady Jaye stepped out quickly at the sound of Flint's voice.
"Flint?"
"Lady Jaye!," he cried excitedly, pulling her into his arms and swinging her around joyfully. "Are you alright?" he asked softly, looking her over carefully from head to toe, then resting his gaze on her face. He noticed her pallor as he brushed the hair from her eyes.
"Just a headache," she shrugged indifferently.
"I was so worried…," He pulled her tightly against his chest and buried his nose in her hair. They stood like that, unmoving, until Duke cleared his throat.
"Sorry, you two. I hate to break this up, but we've still got some bad guys to catch."
"Right, Duke," they quickly pulled apart, blushing slightly.