Chapter 7

Brittle Surface

Shadow lied on the floor, slowly coming to. He can feel the pain in nearly every part of his body including his head. He noticed that Boris is gone. He knew that no human can survive a fall from that height. It was painfully slow getting up, Shadow straightened his back and stretched his limbs. He fell in pain, he didn't have time to think. He wasn't the type of GUN agent to heal himself now that a serious situation is happening.

He can see a security camera on the ceiling. His foot clanged a piece of metal in the shape of a hallow oval. It was a metal plate used to fill a hole in the human skull. Not a single piece of flesh, brain matter, blood stains or bits of hair remained. He was convinced that this what saved Boris' life after that fall.

He wandered in the main corridor until he found himself in the main lobby. He noticed Sleuth Dawg's blood all over the floor. He didn't think of approaching the corpse with his bare hands. Doing it will make him look like he committed manslaughter. Omega retracted his Gatling guns, he wasn't sure that he created more damage than prevented it. Shadow gave the "all clear" signal to Omega.

"Move in," commanded Omega.

Two men brought in a stretcher. They lifted the corpse in the body bag. While watching the stretcher exit, Shadow showed no sympathy. "Omega, who sent in the coroner?"

"I ordered the GUN team to move in, then those guys came in. It's a huge risk in bringing in civilians," said Omega.

Shadow touched his earpiece; contacting Topaz. "Topaz do you who sent in to pick up Sleuth's corpse?"

"You won't like it Shadow." Topaz felt a bit worried. "It's Archibald McOulen, his father allowed him to take over."

"WHAT?" His reaction just became a live broadcast. Topaz was blown by the sound, she saw McOulen's son evading the press. He moves through like a raging bull during a fiesta.

"The press is going to disrupt the operation. Now I know why my father wants to shut down GUN permanently. Rejoice should be the superior anti-terriorist organisation," said Archibald.

"Yeah, whoever's in charge of keeping out the reporters, needs to have caffeine in their diet," Topaz said sarcastically.

"Report miss."

"Agent Topaz sir. I appreciate it if you address me in a more appropriate manner; like your father."

"I'm willing to take my father's place when it happens." Not only is he acting like his father, he soon becomes one with the wrong crowd. He can think of dramatic measures no matter what the consequences.

Tikal and Mina entered the GUN vehicle when the phone rang. Mina pressed the speaker button. They were shocked once they heard Geoffrey St. John's voice. "Agent Tikal, Agent Mongoose; It's been a long time."

They inspected their surroundings, St. John continued talking. "Glad you know that I'm watching every move you make. Better listen."

The girls can feel ice cold slithering down their spines. They fear that if they record the conversation, they will have holes in their temples or someone they love will have a deadlier fate.

"After you hear my voice, your lives are on the line. In the glove compartment there's a drive. Insert it in the computer."

Mina did what he said and found the USB stick. She jiggled it in the slot letting the file upload automatically.

"Play the video file." Geoffrey delivered his command like a pro he used to be.

The player revealed a group of citizens bound and gagged. They're the hostages from the Kreilong subway train. Several armed soldiers of Rejoice, holding automatic rifles kept them in order.

"Not only will it explain about the stolen arsenal Destructix had all this time. It shows who's been working behind GUN's backs while trying to stop Theobald Williams."

Geoffrey gave them more instructions. "Play the other video file."

Mina clicked the file. Security camera footage showed Cian and Saoirse entering the warehouse. All they heard was ranting and five shots. Not a single person left the building.

"Guess you won't see the twin dragons for a long time," Geoffrey said in a threatening voice. "They knew their mission was their last."

None of the girls said a word. All they can do now is listen to Geoffrey's demands. "The only way to prevent their execution, is to intercept the Cabelfone's main frame. Find some data on bank accounts and deliver it to the centre of Soleanna."

Aleena walked passed Sally and Bunnie. "I'm going home for the night. Not to worry someone's taking my spot while I'll sleep."

"Didn't know your position has shifts," Julie-Su said walking past.

She was heading for the parking and spotted Mina and Tikal. She was curious in what's going on. Aleena walked towards her and Julie-Su stopped her from going further. She can see her half-sister Lien-Da, stopping her car a few metres from the echidna and mongoose.

Aleena stood still while Julie-Su sneaked around the car and grabbed Lien-Da on the hair and slammed her on the asphalt. They were both equally matched in hand-to-hand combat.

"Came back for seconds?" Julie-Su remembered when Lien-Da broke in the GUN HQ building and stole dossiers of every soldier.

"Still have that grudge? Pitiful," smirked Lien-Da. "But not like the McOulens. They're crooked every time I see them."

"So you came to give me exposition?"

"I came to find St. John. I wanted revenge."

"For what?"

"Attempted double cross."

A Rejoice agent hid behind some cars. He was examining Tikal and Mina, he knew they were listening to Geoffrey's recording. He didn't see the two female echidnas arguing.

"What do you mean double cross?" Julie-Su knew Lien-Da will betray her allies for her needs; or for her boss depending on her objective(s).

"McOulen attempted to kill me, thinking that I may rat him behind his back," explained Lien-Da. "He mistook me for one of his own soldiers."

"Since when Rejoice recruiting soldiers?" Julie-Su asked.

"After he threatened to shut down GUN if he addressed it to the council. Too bad the Destructix killed them all; except for Sir Charles."

"Why would they attack the council?"

"After Theobald Williams was terminated, McOulen snapped. Lighting Lynx killed them all and his life was also taken. He was McOulen's turncoat, he couldn't refuse that human's greedy offer."

The agent got into his car and accelerated. Julie-Su fired, the Rejoice agent fell on the wheel and crashed into the wall. Mina and Tikal turned to see the wreckage.

"Julie-Su, do you know what happened?" Mina asked.

"Rejoice killed nearly every member of the council. That guy over is one of them," said Julis-Su.

"There's something you need to know," informed Tikal. "Geoffrey St. John has the missing hostages from the Triple Hijack Incident."

"He must of sent that agent to keep an eye on you," suggested Lien-Da.

She got to her feet and opened the car door. She took the radio from the guy's belt. "We got a rodent to humane."

Boris didn't bother find his missing head plate. His fall wasn't surprisingly painful as he thought. Once he and Shadow hit the ground, Boris laid still with his eyes closed. He didn't want Frank or Gabe to see him survive. He had his own reasons for doing so. He got to his feet and left the unconscious Shadow behind, leaving the metal plate behind.

He didn't bother look out the window. He thought the press won't bring any matters to him. He remembered the amount of reporters surrounding him after he left the hospital. He was hospitalized for 4 months after a street riot. He was bludgeoned by one of the demonstrators with a hammer. He too was hospitalized, he died due to severe brain haemorrhaging.

Nic the Weasel walked to Boris. She was expecting him to be in this hotel room. She followed him without detection. Her stealth skills were taught by her dead lover.

"I don't have time for this," argued Boris as he was about to exit.

Nic tried to stop him but he grabbed her head and swung his arm around. He didn't turn to see her lying near broken porcelain, fake flowers, smashed wood and glass shards. He slammed the door shut as he left.