Fox and sloth

Chapter 7

Ron continued to crawl down the pipe tube. The area still shook from the explosions behind him and even in the tube he could smell a slight tingle of smoke. He came to a point where the tube turned upward. He slipped to a standing position and started to use a chimney ascent as he climbed upward. He made his way up two floors when he came to another tube going to his right. He slipped into the tube and slowly made his way down the tube to a certain spot. There was a hatch to his left. He tapped his commbutton.

"Okay Wade. I'm at the door. What now."

Wade's voice came over his headphones.

"Henry, that door opens into a supply closet on the floor where they are holding Karen. It is connected to Brotherson's main room. When you enter the room you will need to take a right. Go through the room and there will be a door. Go through that door and you'll find a hallway. There will be a door directly across from you. That is the room where they are holding Karen. You should be able to slip through his room and avoid some of the guards. I am going to start some false sightings on another floor to draw off the guards. I have also located the bomb."

Ron stopped for a moment. Kim was right across from him. He could be with her in seconds but those with the bomb could get away. He had to make a decision.

"Where is the bomb?"

Wade hesitated for a second not quite sure of Ron's reply. He too wanted to get Kim first but Ron had made the decision for him. But, maybe just maybe he could help out. His fingers flew over the keys for a few seconds when he heard Ron call again.

"Wade, where is the bomb?"

Wade tapped a few more keys.

"Listen Sloth, there are a lot of people around the bomb. You'll need help stopping them. I am not sure what shape Fox is in but you are going to need her help. I have locked down the building with new codes. No one is going anywhere fast. The bomb is actually on the same floor as you. It looks like the guys are trying to reach the same room Fox is in. It might work out to get to Fox then ambush them."

Ron smiled.

"Copy that. Moving out."

Jason waited with his men as they waited in their overlook position. The outside guards had already been spotted and noted. Yakov and his men were covering the other side of the estate and waited also. It was going to be an interesting night. They had been issued some new equipment. Since there would be two separate units with two different types of weapons would be assaulting a common target. In the midst of a firefight a friendly fire kill could be very possible. That was until they were issued the new equipment. Both teams were wearing a certain vest over their kits. All of their weapons had a laser on it that fired a certain wavelength beam. When the weapon was aimed at a target the laser would paint on the target. If the laser hit one of the vests everyone was wearing there was an interlock that would prevent their weapon from firing. If you weren't wearing a vest. Mourners please omit flowers.

But two of the most important members of the strike force would not be wearing those vests so they still would have to be really careful who they shot at. Especially once they got into the estate buildings. They had been given photographs of the two subjects and been rehearsed looking at them from different angles and lighting. It was hoped that the two would not be accidentally shot while doing what they were supposed to be doing.

There was a distinct rumbling from inside the building and smoke started to come from several places of the estate. The lights flickered as more rumbling came from deep within the main building. That was his signal. With a flick of his wrist he signaled his demolition expert who in turn triggered the explosives they had set on the perimeter fence. The heavy fence disappeared in a blast of smoke and dust. A similar explosion on the other side of the estate gave notice that their Russian counterparts were making their move also. Jason and his team moved quickly across the open ground shooting at any guards that appeared. The cackle of gunfire told him that the Russian team was making their move also. In moments, Jason and his team had reached the estate buildings. They had taken down a number of guards on the way in and prepared to enter the estate building. The Russian team would secure the exterior of the building and the small airfield nearby. Hopefully the three pronged attack would be a success. He motioned to his radioman to send the update signal showing that they were preparing to enter the buildings. He also knew that there was a drone flying high overhead updating everyone on what was going on.

Brotherson glanced around the room as several of the guards jumped back from the growing puddle of green ooze. More shouted at each other and into various radios as the sound of more explosions came to his ears. A fine mist of dust fell from the ceiling testament to the power of the explosions. He turned to Habari.

"Sir, it appears that those you have been having trouble with have followed you here. As you have already received your package we have not further business to conduct with each other. I would ask you to leave my home immediately and take your problems somewhere else."

Habari snarled as he pointed to Kim.

"What about her?"

Brotherson sighed.

"What about her? Her colleagues are not doubt responsible for what is happening. I shall deal with her in my own way in my own time. She has caused me no amount of trouble and she will pay for that."

Habari moved toward her.

"She has caused me trouble too and she is responsible for the death of my little brother."

Brotherson's man stepped in front of Habari with his arms crossed. Some of Habari's men reached for their weapons until they realized that they were not only outnumbered but outgunned. They slowly eased their hands away from their weapons as Habari backed away. Brotherson pointed to the door.

"You may leave through that door and take your package with you. I would suggest not to delay as there are limits to my hospitality and my guards. While they are quite capable I have my doubts of them holding off the forces coming into my home for very long."

Brotherson moved down the hall surrounded by his guards. Somehow his home had been invaded again and this time was different. The explosions and the excited chatter of his guards told him that this was a full invasion and not just a small visit. Two heavily armed groups were on the outside and would soon be entering his estate. So far only one person had been seen inside but that one person had already killed several guards and caused massive damage to in interior of his home. He knew that the one agent was here for one of two things. Either the bomb or the girl. At this point he knew where the girl was but his counterparts men had already taken the bomb from its storage place. He assumed that they would take it to their boss who was currently entertaining the girl. The fool didn't realize that his men were actually helping the agent by bringing both in close proximity to the other.

His group stopped at a security door and he typed a code into the pad. To his consternation, the door didn't open. He tried another code and that one didn't work any better. He realized that somehow his computer system had been hacked and the hacker was controlling all the access to the doors and the building. Brotherson pulled a small device from his pocket. He had hoped never to have to use this but he always had backups. The small box had a keypad and a button under a cover. He typed a code into the box and pressed the button.

In the main computer room a small box inside the computer came to life. The light started to blink faster and faster until a red light came on. It sent a signal out and small thermite charges in all the computers went off melting all the hard drives, memory banks and hard boards. The security doors around the estate went dead and popped open. All cameras went dead at the same time.

Wade sat helplessly as he stared at the screens in front of him. Everything he had was gone. Brotherson must have realized that someone had hacked his systems and had them mined. He could not be of much good now except to help where he could. At least he had downloaded all the maps of the property into his system before Brotherson fried his system. He could help Ron that way. He hit is commbutton.

"Sloth, Brotherson fried his own systems. I can't be of much help now. The last position of the bomb I had was just down the hall from you. Fox is in the room directly across from you. I have no idea of the forces around you. Know that the two raiding teams are hitting the estate right now."

Ron acknowledged the information with two taps on his mike.

Kim sat back in her chair and forced herself to hide her smile. If she knew Ron he was responsible for what was going on. Now she just had to bide her time and wait for the opportunity to get free. Habari cursed as he screamed orders at his men. They ran from the room after Brotherson and his men had left. It was just her and Habari now. He slowly stepped over to her and snatched her head back by her hair.

"I am going to enjoy this."

Kim smiled.

"I know I am."

She drove her free knee up between his legs literally lifting him from the floor. He gasped and squeaked at the same time as he slid to his knees. Rufus hopped up from his hiding place under her and pulled at the strap holding her right arm. Habari's eyes uncrossed for a moment and saw Rufus undoing the strap on Kim's arm. Before he could make a move or say anything Kim gave him a kick under the chin that flipped him on his back. Rufus finished with the strap and Kim pulled her arm free. She quickly reached over to release the strap on her left hand while Rufus worked on the strap on her left leg. Earlier, just about the time that the guard shoot the fake Ron and the lights blinked she felt the presence of her smallest friend. He had worked to undo her right leg just before Habari had ordered his men to leave and approached her.

Pulling herself free from the chair she turned and picked up Rufus. She gave him a hug just as she heard a groan. Turning to her left she noticed that Habari had gained his feet and pulled a knife from his boot. He hissed as he stumbled forward.

"You struck me. A woman! A woman's place is on her back accepting what a man chooses to give her. I will show you your error. Then I will take what a I want."

Kim turned to face him as she dropped Rufus to the floor.

"Go find Henry. I'll take care of this piece of trash."

She slipped into a fighting stance.

"Bring it."

Habari snarled as he rushed toward her slashing with the knife.

Ron made his way through Brotherson's main room. He remembered seeing it on the security cameras when they first raided the property. As he made his way through the room he noticed a large silver serving platter filled with candy bars. He smiled as he reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a candy bar that looked just like the ones on the platter. He placed his bar on top of all the others. Patting it gently he made his way across the room and slowly opened the door that lead to the hallway Wade had mentioned. There was a door directly across from him.

Ron glanced at the door that he knew Kim was behind. A quick glance each direction showed no one in the hall. He stepped out to make his way to the door when a group of men came around the corner. They yelled as they started to aim their weapons. Ron spun and pulled the trigger to his weapon. It hummed as it spit out its deadly cargo. The first three men were pushed backward into those behind them. The rest of the men fell the the stream of bullets that struck them in an unending hail of death.

One, pulled the trigger of his AK-47 as he fell. The weapon roared to life and filled the hallway with lead. One round hit hit Ron in the chest and threw him back. Ron gasped in pain but rolled to his feet and ran in the direction that the men had come. As he came to the corner he looked around to see a group of men carrying a large box that appeared to be heavy. Two of the men in the group saw him and fired their weapons as the group retreated up the hall. Ron was about to chase after them when a hand grabbed his shoulder. He dropped and drove the butt of his weapon into the figure's stomach. The figure rode out the blow but it still knocked their breath out. Ron spun to catch a head full of red hair in his hand.

"KP?"

Habari snarled as he rushed toward her slashing with the knife.

Kim stepped to the side and let the knife slip past her. As it passed she grabbed Habari's wrist and elbow pushing down while she brought up her knee. The knee struck his arm between where she had a grip on his arm. There was a wet snap as both of the bones in his lower arm broke. Habari screamed as the knife slipped from his hand. Kim let go of his arm and spun with a hard kick to the side of his head. The blow spun him around and into the far wall. Kim pulled back and waited.

Habari turned from the wall and glared at her. Pure hatred blazing from his eyes. He dove toward the knife and tried to grab it. Kim stomped on his hand pinning it beneath her foot. He kicked out hitting her in the lower back. The blow knocked her forward and into the chair where she had been bound. Habari got up and slashed at her again as she tried to spin away from him. The knife cut a slit across her upper back. She screamed as she kicked out and hit him in the chin. The blow knocked him back. Kim spun again and drove another kick directly into his chest. This blow knocked the knife from his hand and back into the wall where he slid to the floor. Kim winced as she tried to stretch her back. A shot rang out and a bullet struck her in the shoulder.

She watched as Habari glared at her from the floor across the room he got to his feet holding a pistol that had been in a holster hanging from the wall.

"Slut. You will pay for what you have done. When I am finished with you will beg for me to kill you."

Kim sneered at him.

"Not likely."

In a split second Kim dove forward, picked up the knife and threw it toward Habari. He shrieked and dropped the pistol as his hand tried to gather what was left of his manhood. Gurgling he went to his knees. Kim walked across the room and picked up the pistol that was lying in front of him. He looked up to see her aiming the pistol between his eyes.

"You know. All of your type seems to be the same. You want to gloat instead of finishing the game. So finish this."

She fired the pistol into his face at point blank range. His head snapped back and he slumped to the floor. Staring at the pistol she noticed that the slide was locked back showed the clip empty. Tossing the useless weapon to the floor she headed out the door. There was shooting outside the room and she opened the door slightly to see a figure up the hall. There was no doubt in her mind who that figure was. It was Ron. He turned and fired around the corner he was hiding behind. She ran up and touched his arm. Before she could react, he turned and drove the butt of his weapon into her stomach. Only her unnatural reflexes prevented her from catching the complete blow. As it was it still knocked some of her breath out. A hand grabbed her hand and a sweet voice she loved to her came to her ears.

"KP?"

Brotherson and his men moved up a darkened stairway that gave them direct access with his personal rooms. He pushed a door open and walked into his office. He pointed out where he wanted his men to go and they silently moved into position. He walked across the room and pulled back a picture revealing a safe door. He pressed his hand against the pad on the door and the safe hissed as it slid open. Reaching into the safe he pulled out stacks of currency from several nations as well as a number of passports all with his picture and several different names. He motioned for his man to put the money in a bag.

"My friend. I believe it is time for me to leave. However, I think there will be those that will attempt to prevent me from doing so. Will you please take the proper actions to allow to do so."

The large man nodded. Brotherson smiled and gave a slight bow.

"You have been a good friend and a fine employee. It is my hope and desire that you have the opportunity to escape yourself. Before we part would you please go into the main room and gather my supply of those fine nougat bars. I'd rather have them with my for the trip."

The large man nodded and turned to enter the main room. He walked over to the silver tray and picked up few of the bars from the top of the stack and placed them in another bag he had with him. As he passed the door that lead to the hallway where the girl was being held he heard gunfire and shouting. He walked quickly to the room where Brotherson waited. Handing Brotherson the bag of candy he walked over to the wall and pulled an AK-47 from the rack and pulled the charging handle. With a bow to his employer he walked back into the main room.

Brotherson watched as his man walked back into the main room to give him some time to escape. He turned to the other men with him. He noticed that one of was the computer guru who identified the girl for him. Brotherson motioned him over.

"Sir, I wish you to try and escape in a different manner. I need you to survive to serve me at a later date. I would suggest you wait here for those who are invading my home. I have no doubt they will wish to speak with you. Give them answers to the best of your ability there is no need to lie or try not to answer. You have been a good and true employee and I have made arrangements for payment to your accounts. I hope the future will treat you well."

The computer tech nodded and turned to sit in a chair nearby holding his case with all his data in it. Brotherson nodded to the other men with him.

"Let us depart before those invading my home reach the point of preventing me from leaving."

Brotherson followed the men as they led the way out of the room by another door. The computer tech waited while the sound of gunfire and yelling came from the direction that Brotherson's right hand man had gone. He could clearly hear the sound of the girl screaming.

"KP?"

Ron turned and let his weapon slide to his side on its harness. Kim went down on one knee as she reached out to grab his arm. After a couple of deep breaths she was able to gasp out.

"I thought I was on your SIDE!"

She quickly found herself the recipient of a hug that nearly crushed her ribs. She saw stars from the pain of her abused ribs. Taking her arms she peeled Ron's arms from around her and pushed him back.

"It's good to see you too but I like breathing too. And the ribs are sorta tender right now."

Ron knelt in front of her. One of her eyes was blackened and partially closed. Her lip was split and bleeding as well as her shoulder but he had never seen her looking as good as she did right.

"Sorry KP. I am just so glad to see you. I was so worried. Are you okay?"

Kim nodded as she reached out to grab his battle harness. His face had been blacked by camo covering but those brown eyes shone like two searchlights. She could see the concern and relief at the same time in those eyes. That was when she noticed a small dripping of blood from under his battle harness.

"Henry you are hurt!"

Ron shrugged.

"I took a pretty good hit. This body armor is good but it wasn't quite ready for a AK round at point blank range."

Kim started to reach over to check him when the door behind opened and the tall man that was always with Brotherson stepped into the hallway. He held an AK-47 in his hands. When he saw both of them his face contorted into a mask of hate and rage. Raising his weapon he screamed. Ron shoved Kim to the side as he raised his own weapon. Both of them fired at the same time. The roar of the AK thundered in the confined space of the hallway. The large man danced as the rounds from Ron's weapon poured into him. The high power AK rounds ricocheted down the hall. Silence reigned when the AK fell from the lifeless hands of the large man as he slid to the floor.

Ron took a slow breath as he watched the man slid to the floor. When the body came to rest on the floor he looked around to find Kim. He found her on the floor on the other side of the hall grimacing in pain. Blood was seeping from her hand covering her left leg.

"KP!"

He leaped across the hall to check on her. She moaned in pain as he checked her out.

"It's okay Henry. I think it went right through. We were so close to him it didn't even slow down. It hurts like hell but I'll be okay. We got to find the bomb and stop it from leaving the site. What kind of backup do we have?"

In seeming answer to her questions there were some explosions and gunfire in separate directions. Kim looked at Ron as he smiled.

"How about a full complement of Green Beret and Spetsnaz? We've got help like you wouldn't believe."

Kim studied Ron closely.

"Uh, Ron, wouldn't they be the last people we would want to team up with. If we are id'ed there would be hell to pay and we would have to pay it."

Ron looked seriously at her.

"I was told that that problem had been taken care of. We just need to finish this mission. After that Covington said he needed to talk to us. But right now let's get that bomb. Here let me take care of that."

Ron pulled a bandage from his pack and wrapped it around her leg. She moaned in pain and her face turned slightly white. Ron looked up at her with concern.

"You able to go on?"

Kim spoke through gritted teeth.

"Just try and stop me."

Ron passed her his weapon and pulled a extra harness from his pack and put it on as he gave his pack to her. She pulled an extra comm-unit out and put it on.

"Here you take this. It is set for both of us. I'll use his."

Ron cocked his thumb toward the AK on the floor next to Brotherson's man. Kim placed his pack on her back and watched as he put on the extra battle harness. He explained it's special use.

"It has a special feature on it, sort of like a plane's IFF. If one of the good guys happens to sight in on one of us a signal will show in their sights showing that we are good guys. This is sort of a free fire zone. Anything that moves is going to get shot."

Kim nodded.

"Let's go."

Rufus popped up on Ron's lap chattering and pointing down the hall.

Ron looked over to Kim.

"He says that the guys carrying the bomb are going down the stairs at the end of the hall. They seem to be heading for the water. I've got a shortcut."

Ron tapped his commlink.

"You there Wade ?"

Wade answered quickly.

"Got you Sloth. Do you have Fox?"

Ron nodded.

"A little worse for wear but I got her."

Wade gave an audible sigh as Kim answered for herself.

"It's good to hear you Wade. We need to get to the lower levels quickly. You got a way for us?"

Wade answered.

"Good to hear your voice Fox. Follow Sloth. Sloth, use the same way you used to get up there. You should be able to get to the lower levels before anyone going down the stairs."

Ron waved for Kim to follow him as he made his way back to the room where he had climbed up the pipe tube. He motioned for Kim to turn around and he pulled a rope from the pack and tied it off at the top. Taking the rope he attached it to a carabiner that he pulled from a space on his belt. He rappelled down the pipe and detached the rope. Kim took the rope and twisted it around her body. She slid down the tube and joined Ron at the bottom. Ron called Wade.

"Okay Wade. We are at the bottom of the tube. Now I know I toasted the level I was on. Where do we go now?"

Wade responded.

"Okay. You'll need to crawl down the tube that continues the direction you came from. About 60 feet down the tube there is a maintenance hatch. Go through the hatch and you'll be down the hall from the stairway where they should be coming out if they are trying to get to the ocean. For your info the teams have taken control of the estate but are still fighting for control of airstrip."

Kim responded.

"We got you Wade and we are moving out. Ron move "

Jason and his team worked their way out of the estate buildings and out toward the airfield. What they found out the hard way was that the owner of the estate apparently had planned for such and instance and that the area around the airfield was honeycombed with outfacing bunkers designed to keep people from reaching the airfield. He already had two wounded and the rest were pinned down. He keyed his radio.

"Archangel, Archangel this is Renegade one. We are pinned down by heavy weapons fire from several bunkers. We don't have the weapons to take them out. I have two WIA at this point that evac asap. Any chance of getting some fire support? Over."

His radio crackled back.

"Negative Renegade. Negative on the fire support. Archangel says to keep the pressure on but let plane leave. Repeat, let the plane leave. Bomb is confirmed not be be onboard but still on estate. Bomb is priority. Keeping the pressure on the airfield is tying up assets that could be used to assist in removing bomb from area. Keep the pressure on. Evac is on the way. Over."

Jason slid further down into his hole. Keep the pressure on and let the plane leave? He thought. Orders are orders. He keyed the mike to his men.

"Maintain fire and keep their heads down. Do not advance. Allow aircraft to leave, repeat let the aircraft leave. They have other plans for it I guess."

Just as he spoke a Learjet rolled from a hidden hanger and roared down the runway. JATO packets ignited hurling the craft down the runway and into the air. They watched as the plane disappeared into the distance.

Yakov and his men had cleaned out the upper halls of the estate and were working they way down into the heart of the estate. His men had suffered some casualties having one KIA and two WIA. However they appeared to have control of most of the estate and were working their way down the halls. Resistance appeared to have slackened now that they were moving down the hallways of the living quarters themselves. There were only the sporadic shootings where a gunman would remain hidden until his men had passed and then coming out of hiding and opening fire. They now cleared each room before proceeding.

The hallway they were in now had seen some action before they had arrived. There were several dead gunman and these gunman were different from most of the one they had been fighting. They were definitely from the group attempting the purchase the bomb. If they were seeing these gunmen now then the bomb had to be close. The other unknown team had to be close also.

The wounds on the dead gunman belied some new type of weapon. The bodies were literally shredded being hit by several hi caliber bullets. What ever weapon the other team was using it had a very high rate for fire. Yakov and his point man reached a corner in the hallway having already passed several bodies. At the corner he recognized the body of Brotherson's main man lying on the floor. He had been subjected to the same weapon as the other but for an expended amount of time and at point blank range. Most interesting was the lack of spent shells from the new weapon. There were many spend AK-47 rounds on the floor but no weapon remained. There was also spots of blood separate from the pool of blood from the dead man. The other team must have been wounded. The missing AK meant that they had also armed themselves with the extra weapon.

One of Yakov's men entered the door behind the dead man. He reported finding a computer technician who surrendered as soon as the soldier appeared. The prisoner reported that Brotherson had left earlier that the he the tech had all the information that the authorities might be interested in. Yakov ordered two of his men to escort the man outside and transport him to the ships offshore for interrogation. Yakov turned to the door on his right and signaled the point man to enter. They found what appeared to be a torture/interrogation room. There were two chairs with straps to bind someone to the chair. The first chair was empty while the other appeared to be covered in what appeared to be some type of shell of a man with green goo spread out all over the place. What was most interesting was the body of a man that they had a real interest in. It was the terrorist Habari. He had been subjected to a nasty beating before someone had shot him between the eyes. When Yakov rolled the body over it unrolled.

"Damn!" he muttered in Russian when Habari's hand slid from covering the disaster between his legs.

Yakov shook his head. This unknown team that he was cooperating with did not pull any punched. It was clear that they killed without hesitation and could be quite nasty in a fight. Yakov made a mental note not to get on the bad side of this team. He had already been briefed on what had happened to the American team when they had a run in with the other team. His men had laughed at the expense of the stupid Americans until the man giving them the briefing explained just what the other team was capable of. His advice. Remain on the good side of this team or stay out of their way.

The sound of heavy gunfire below him caught his attention. He left the body of the terrorist and lead his team to the nearest stairs and started their way down.

Kim grunted slightly as she had to put weight on her injured leg to look around the corner of the hallway. She and Ron had made their way out of the supply room where the pipe tube lead them. Now they were just down the hall from the door that the stairway being used by the terrorist with the bomb were using. They could already hear the yelling of the men trying to carry the heavy case containing the bomb. Everyone in awhile they would hear a metal on metal bang that could only be the group setting the metal case containing the bomb down. It had to be heavy.

She turned back and signaled silently to Ron to get ready. He nodded that he understood. Kim took a good look at the two of themselves. They were a mess. She had a black eye and swollen lip to go with several bruises. Add the two bullet holes in her shoulder and her leg and she must have been a sight. Ron for his part was bruised and cut up himself. Blood still seeped from under this body armor even after she had insisted on putting a bandage on the spot. She tried not to think about. This was what they were trained for and now was the time.

The door in the hall banged open and two armed men stepped out into the hallway looking in all both directions. Assuming thing were clear they called back into the open door. Four more men appeared carrying a large metal case. They clearly were struggling after having carried the case around for quite awhile and down several flights of stairs. Kim watched the scene though a small dentist's mirror that she and Ron had always carried with them. They were easy to use and were difficult to spot. They also had Rufus who had joined them in the hallway. He was hiding behind a box across from them. He was to give the signal for them to attack waiting for all the guards to be looking the other way.

The men and their guard shuffled down the hallway for several feet when a couple of those carrying the case muttered a few words. The group set the case on the floor and three stepped away from the case while taking the weapons from those carrying the guns. Rufus signaled. This was the perfect time while the group was distracted changing places. Kim leaned around the corner while Ron dove to the floor and rolled to the opposite side of the hall. Kim's weapon hummed is destructive voice while the AK Ron was carrying roared to life.

The men at the end of the hall didn't have a chance. The hail of bullets cut them to pieces within seconds. However in those seconds two of them had a chance to fire their weapons. The 7.62 rounds cut up the wall behind Kim and Ron. Kim ducked back slightly as one round cut a furrow in her arm. Ron grunted as another hit him in the shoulder. His body armor absorbed most of the blow but the pure force of the hit snapped his clavicle. One of the terrorist had dropped behind the case when the shooting started. He watched as his comrades were turned into chopped meat from the gunfire. Reaching down to his belt he pulled the first of two grenades that he had on his belt. Pulling the pin from the first he hurled it up the hallway.

Even after the intense fusillade of gunfire left her ears ringing. The "ping" of the arming lever told her more of anything that she would want to know at that second. She screamed.

"GRENADE!"

The small oval sphere bounced down the hall toward them. There was nowhere to go. From his hiding spot Rufus jumped out and grabbed the grenade and shoved it in the air vent he had vacated earlier. It detonated just inside the vent tearing a hole in the concrete wall. Shrapnel pinged off the walls and smoke filled the hallway. The man hiding behind the case glanced over the case and pulled the pin to his second grenade. Just as he glanced over to throw it Kim shot him in the face. The grenade fell on top of the case and rolled off into his lap. It detonated with a resounding blow that signaled his trip into the arms of Allah.

Kim and Ron waited for a second before moving forward. Rufus appeared out of the dust filled hallway and climbed up Ron's suit to perch on his uninjured shoulder. They both slowly limped up the hallway toward the case sitting in the hallway. When they reached the case they could see that the grenade blast had damaged it. Kim handed her weapon to Ron and started opening the case while he stood guard.

Brotherson sat back in his seat aboard his plane. After the rather rapid takeoff he relaxed as the aircrew flew that plane out over the Black Sea. Flying low they avoided most of the radar and he suspected that once they were in the air the forces attacking his home would leave him alone. They after all would most likely be more concerned over the bomb than anything else. Just in case, he would give them something more to be concerned about. Taking a remote control from his case he pressed a code into the keyboard. He smiled as he sat back. That signal would arm the bomb and set the timer for 10 minutes. Plenty of time for him to make his getaway. Sighing in triumph he sat back and look at the open briefcase full of money across from him. Taking a candy bar from the bag his man had given him he ripped the wrapping off the end and took a bite. He nearly gagged at the foul taste that filled his mouth. Something was in the candy and something was wrong with the candy bar. He pulled it from his mouth to look at it. His eye grew the size of saucers when he looked at the candy bar. The piece he had bitten hung by a piece of wire. He recognized the filling of the candy bar as C4 explosive. The metal he had bitten into was a detonator. His world disappeared in a blinding flash.

The President went back to reading before he closed the file and sat back rubbing his temple with one hand.

"Dear God."

The VP turned to his chief.

"Sir?"

The President glanced through his fingers at his friend. Glancing over to his CIA head he cleared his throat.

"Clear the room except for the VP, CIA head, Sec. Of State, Chief of Staff and Chairman of Joint Chiefs."

Several of the other glanced at their President only to receive a look that told them that he was more than serious. The other staff quickly left the room and closed the door. The President tossed the file to the Vice-President. He quickly opened it up and started to glance through it. His face went from curious to shock and total surprise.

"Sir? How...?"

The President turned to his CIA head.

"Who else in the room knows?"

The CIA head nodded to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

"Only he knows. We discovered the information together on the operation mentioned in that file."

The Vice-President tossed the file to the Secretary of State and the Chief of Staff. They opened the file together and read quickly. The same shock shown by the others was displayed on their faces. The Chief of Staff closed the file and set it on the table.

The Chief of Staff stood and pointed at it as he spoke to the CIA head.

"You're telling me that the same two kids that nearly got us into a war with Russia are now on a mission that could start a world WAR?"

Before the CIA head could answer the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs spoke up.

"Stuff that attitude Brian. I don't know why you are still carrying a chip on your shoulder for those two. They did a lot of good in their day and they are now better than anything we have put together."

Before Brian could answer the President spoke up.

"Brian listen up and this is a direct order. I want you and the others in this room to write up a full pardon in their names. Do you know that the Mrs. Dr. Possible is one of my closest health advisers and MR. Dr. Possible is one of my closest science and space advisers?"

The staff was silent as the President paused for a moment.

"Those two have done more to save this nation and this world than anyone else. They were crucified and condemned for being human and making a mistake. Doing a job that WE should have been doing. If they want, they will be welcomed back in this nation as the heroes that they are. If they want to stay as they are, then I am going to do everything in my power to protect them."

The CIA head pointed to the file.

"How about her parents? You say you are close to both of them. Are you going to tell them?"

The President paused for a moment.

"That I will leave up to them. If need be I will increase her parents security ratings so that they can be told secretly."

The CIA head bowed his head.

"There is another way also sir."

The President glared at the CIA head.

"No, that is not to be considered. They don't deserve that. Besides we may not have to worry about that."

The President pointed back at the screen and the group continued to watch the ongoing updates of the battle on the screen.

Covington watched the updates carefully for any information on his team. Wade had been keeping him updated with what little he could find out by talking to Fox or Sloth. He knew both of them were already injured. But most importantly they were heading off the group carrying the bomb away. The last report he had was that they had arrived in the hallway and were waiting for the group to appear. He had listened in on the radio and heard the gunfight and the grenade explosion. Then nothing. Wade had tried to contact Sloth but there was no reply. Wade thought that Sloth's radio had been damaged in the blast. So they didn't know what was happening.

"Sir?"

Covington turned to face one of the officers in the room with him.

"Yes Mr. Blakely, what is it?"

The officer pointed to a radar screen on another monitor.

"Sir, we have an aircraft leaving the scene of the firefight. Should we intercept?"

Covington knew that the only aircraft on the estate was Brotherson's and if it had taken off there was more than a fair chance he was abroad. This situation had already been discussed. Brotherson was not the target just yet. He could be found again. The bomb and the men wanting it were the ones that they wanted. He watched as the radar blip moved across the screen. Suddenly the blip disappeared. The officer hit several keys on his keyboard to see if he could get a signal back. Then he touched his hand to his headset. He turned and faced Covington.

"Sir, lookouts report a mid-air explosion just as the blip disappeared off our radar. Should be investigate further?"

Covington smiled.

"No Mr. Blakely. I think Mr. Brotherson just got a special message for Fox and Sloth."

Ron's eyes scanned the hallway in both directions as Kim opened the case. As the lid flipped open a muted curse came from her mouth. Ron looked down and didn't like what he saw. The grenade blast had dented the case and the concussion had done some damage to the bomb. Kim called Wade on her radio.

"Wade. Do you hear me?"

Wade answered quickly.

"I hear you Fox. What is wrong?"

Kim looked down at the bomb at the same moment several lights came on and a timer started up.

Kim took a breath.

"Wade the bomb has been armed. The timer is set on 10 minutes and is running. What do I do?"

Wade typed on his keyboard.

"Fox, either the grenade blast armed it or someone armed it by some signal. You will have to disarm it."

Kim took a deep breath.

"I hear you Wade, talk me through it. Do you have the schematics on this kind of bomb?"

Wade glanced at his screen which he had already called up.

"I got it. Unless they have made changes I should be able to talk you through it."

Kim looked closely at the bomb and remembered years ago.

"Wade this looks nothing like what I remember before. They have made a lot of modifications."

Wade's voice came back.

"I can't help you then. Should I make a call?"

Kim shook her head as she spoke.

"There is no time. I really don't know how big this one is but no one here would be able to get clear in time. But I am called a Code Black."

Wade began to worry. A code black meant that she was pretty sure that the bomb was going to detonate and that the two of them would do what they could to mitigate the blast. All personnel that could get clear were to take cover. Wade swallowed before he answered.

"Understood. Code Black."

Covington started to really sweat. Fox had called a code black. This was the worst situation that could be realized. The bomb was armed and active and detonation was eminent. He could hear the klaxon on the ship sounding "General Quarters". The ship healed over as they tried to get further away from the blast zone. All personnel were ordered inside and the ship was locked down. Covington's lips moved in a silent prayer for the two agents. It was all up to them.

The President gripped the arms of his chair when the notice of "Code Black" appeared on the screen. The whole room went quiet as everyone watched the screens. The President silently whispered to himself.

"Come on you two work your magic again."

Kim looked down at the bomb. For some reason she remembered the training in bomb disarming when she made a mistake and got covered in red paint. If she made a mistake this time she, Ron and whole bunch of other people would simply cease to exist. She wiped her hand on her pants and took a glance at Ron. He smiled.

"You can do it KP."

She confidence swelled under his watchful eye. Looking down at the bomb again her eyes started to trace all over the circuitry and wires running to and from the detonator for the bomb. Her eyes quickly noted a couple of false circuits that if she bothered it would detonate. She ignored the timer. It didn't matter. If she stopped it in time then all would be well. If not then she wouldn't know that she messed up.

A single circuit caught her eye. It looked very plain but it told her volumes. That was where she needed to start. Ron handed her a small toolkit and she took a small pair of snips from it. Reaching down she cut a couple of wires and pulled them aside. So far so good. Taking a screwdriver from its case she quickly removed the a small circuit board that was hidden under the wire. Turning the circuit board over and careful not to pull on the wires coming from it she looked for the circuit that she knew she needed. Finding it, she took the snips back out and cut the wire coming from the board headed for the bomb.

Slowly but surely she worked her way through the maze of wires and circuit boards to the last wire. Snipping the wire the bomb shut down. She gave a sigh of relief and looked around. Ron was standing guard over her. He gave her a wink and turned back to watching the halls. Kim cleared her throat and spoke into her mike.

"All clear. Weapon deactivated. Safeties back online."

Wade gave a sigh of relief.

"Affirmative Fox. Bomb is safe. You'll have some help there very quickly."

Kim stood up and stretched. Ron turned to speak to her as she glanced up the hall she noticed one of the guards she had thought was dead was rolling over and pointing his pistol at them.

"LOOKOUT" she screamed as the guard fired. All went black.

Well, another chapter down and the story continues. I hope you like this latest installment. Please leave a review. I would appreciate it.

thes left. He tapped his commbutton.

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