Chapter 8
Wrong Idea
Every time Archibald narrowed down his options, there's always one that will backfire. Scaling the building was the first thing that comes to mind. He knows which floor the Babylon Rogues may be hiding. Finding the boys never came to the man's head. "What the fuck is taking them so long?"
"There are young adults in that building," reminded Topaz. "The Destructix are the main threat."
"Your boys have no sense of thought. My men will approach those boys and they'll have-"
"They're in their twenties!" That cry showed that Topaz is in control of those trying to stand in her way. "Putting them behind bars, is more appropriate than killing them."
Archibald's radio received a transmission that his team of squad mates are en route. Archibald confirmed it and faced Topaz will a stern face. "You're about to be proven otherwise."
Rejoice squad were escorted by an armoured car. Archibald marched over to the team leader. They were equipping themselves, they look more efficient than the GUN soldiers.
"Archibald McOulen, hope you weren't impatient," said the leader.
McOulen didn't want to show that he nearly lost his nerve. "You know your objective?"
"Yes sir!" confirmed the leader. "Move men!"
Fiona Fox can see them heading to the east side. She reached in her breasts and revealed a detonator. All five men were engulfed in flames. Fiona and the Destructix know where they placed traps around the building.
"You should of seen that one coming," Topaz remarked.
Archibald took those words seriously. He wasn't about to be outspoken by a female. "Listen to my word Topaz; keep your childish smart-mouth talk to your mind, or you'll face demotion."
He sounded like his threatening her. Topaz now has to chance to express her hatred. "You never care at all; just your father, you think about yourself. I didn't spend five years working with an ex-jewel thief, just to be shafted by a controversial anti-terrorist organisation. As of now a lynx has been killed, while attacking the council; a canine with a hole in his skull; and based on what's happening now, a gorilla killed by gun play."
"How could you about this bullshit?"
"While you were occupied by the situation, I took the liberty of listening to the people I know."
Boris found a crate of rifles in the janitor's closet. He used a crowbar, breaking the wood and removing the nails. He was surprised it contained a 7.62x51mm M40. He thought it was a marvelous oppurtunity. He examined a map of the hotel, taking the rifle with some ammo. It was a room, where he can see GUN and Rejoice outside the entrance.
A reporter pushed through the crowd with a cameraman. They want to give an interview, with the son of the head of Rejoice. The reporter pointer the microphone to his mouth, while the cameraman filmed it.
"Scarlet Garcia of Channel 8 News. Archibald tell us how are you going to handle the threat."
"I'm not participating in your story Garcia."
Scarlet followed Archibald, who shoved aside the cameraman. Scarlet wanted the story more than any other reporter. "Archibald , do you realise that you're entering dangerous territory? Your team was picked off in one go."
"Leave the premise or you'll be taken in-"
A sniper fifle fired a bullet in Archibald's upper chest. Scarlet and the cameraman fell back on the asphalt. GUN soldiers were aiming their scopes to find where the shooter was. Archibald slowly got to one knee, right before another shot fired, hitting his back. The cameraman filmed the wounded and dying Archibald. A third bullet entered his right arm. Archibald leaned on his left side, crawled with his left arm. He stopped with his eyes open and a hole in his head.
Boris drew away from the window, placing the rifle on the floor. Stefan limped from the lift following the noise. Boris and Stefan walked into each other. They were exchanging friendly faces.
"Boris, you survived?" Stefan was surprised.
"I got a metal plate in my head after attacking cops in a riot," explained Boris.
"Did you fire rounds?"
"I killed Archibald McOulen."
Boris' confession was a huge news flash for Stefan. "You killed Bernard McOulen's son? It will cause hysteria."
"It was the only way for him to come. Kill his flesh and blood, he'll come taking the charge."
Stefan and Boris have different goals. Boris was more strategic and Stefan was more sentimental. Gabe observes the situation before making his move. Frank became unpredictable in different consequences.
"They will try to destroy this hotel before they take us in.
Boris didn't like taking on someone as similar as him. "You harassed women, I don't think that's going to get you very far. You should take the situation seriously, or you'll blend in with the background."
Stefan wasn't about to turn the other cheek. "I also happen to rape a female hedgehog; out of love."
"Love? More like pleasure. You always go for the goal, then skip the major prize."
Shadow ascended the stairs. He didn't use his hyper speed, as it will cause a distraction. He checked every floor, while skating across the carpet. He found Boris and Stefan, he noticed a figure in the airduct, it was Rouge. They can see each other. They didn't open their mouths or even speak. Shadow pointed Rouge to where Boris and Stefan were. Rouge had to provide assistance in case they spot Shadow.
"It was yearss prior Boris," complained Stefan. "I moved on."
"Not according to your parole officer," detested Boris. "Every Mobian and human didn't come near you. Both in jail and public."
Shadow stepped in, interrupting their talk. Stefan and Boris stared at the black hedgehog, they can't predict what may happen.
"Couldn't help noticing those shots you've made," said Shadow.
"Never liked Rejoice," said Boris. "Hope they will die like that corpse lying outside."
"Also heard that half of the Destructix got creamed."
Stefan still felt the painful wound in his leg. "That Simian was killed by accident, and Gabe beat a dog to death."
"Yet there's Predator Hawk, Fiona Fox and Drago Wolf. I should mention that Lightning Lynx was killed in a helicopter crash; after killing the council."
"Fuck me!" remarked Boris. "Was it part of their scheme?"
Neither of them knew. Rouge listened in with her earpiece, letting Agent Topaz hear the talk.
"Who the fuck knows," Stefan said slowly. He doesn't care about The Destructix one bit.
"Thought I let you know; you're caught between a rock and a hard place," informed Shadow. "Rejoice wants you terminated, GUN wants you aprehended."
Boris and Stefan looked at each other. They came to a relisation: they're in a losing opposition.
"We're both fucked," concluded Boris.
"Which is what you'll be, if you can't find a way of escaping."
Drago fired near Shadow, he dodged the bullet before it hit a picture. Shadow fired back, creating two holes in the wall. Stefan and Boris ran, and Rouge dropped from the vent and grabbed Drago's arm. She slammed it on her knee, the gun landed on the floor.
Gabe and Frank ran into Stefan and Boris. They ran to the lift and ascended two floors.
Nic slowly opened her eyes. There's a pain in her arm and back. They weren't broken, just bruised. It was a bit sore getting to her feet. It's very rare for a human to take her down with brute force. There were no lights on, she knows she's not alone. Fiona Fox was sitting across from her. The city lights were enough to show her shape.
"You said you wanted a quiet spot, you got one," said Nic.
"And it's not about your grudge against who killed your lover," reminded Fiona.
Nic just stood across from Fiona. A weasel near a door and a fox near a window. The femmes fatales each have an objective, even though they're on the same team.
"Those young men ruined our plans. Rejoice and GUN are intercepting us," said Fiona. "Unless you're useful in helping us, you'll be joing Lynx, Dawg and Simian."
Nic handed Fiona a digital camera. She browsed through photos of hostages held by St. John. "Geoffrey has some GUN agents following his demands. What you see are the passengers of the Kreilong train."
"You're working for me and that skunk?" Fiona wanted to make sure.
"You guessed it. I'll be getting my revenge after all."