Sam knew something was up as soon as she stepped out of the 4x4 just outside the army base. The place felt strange, wrong, as though something was causing a veil of tension to settle over everyone. She was also pretty sure she would know what this feeling meant if she could access the right memories. Tom seemed on guard also as he followed her out of the vehicle, and they exchanged a worried glance before being led into the compound.

The place was quite literally a fortress. The outer walls must have been at least 15ft high, with another foot of barbed wire on top of that. The walls themselves were made of something that looked like sandstone so it would blend into the arid landscape, but Sam assumed it was a material far stronger. Beyond the walls there was something that would have resembled a prison yard if the ground wasn't a layer of sand, complete with floodlights.

She also spotted several turrets, complete with machine gun heads sticking out of holes that would otherwise be invisible. Sam frowned. There was definitely something not right here, as her limited knowledge reminded her that they were usually kept inside unless there was the threat of an attack, and there was a threat they certainly wouldn't be allowing visitors onto the base. The turrets were connected to the massive building they were walking towards with no windows and what Sam presumed made out of the same material as the outer fort walls.

They were lead through a couple of metal doors into something that resembled a shrine to the western world. There were computers with GIS maps tracking the position of other US bases and the enemy, and the place was illuminated by strip lighting. There were several exposed pipes running along the walls, most likely connecting to some taps, but what really got Sam's attention was the man she recognised standing a few feet away.

Sergeant Aston looked like the image she had of him in her head, except with a couple of wrinkles and a lot of stubble. Sam walked towards him, Tom close behind, with a smile on her face as if to greet an old friend. It was when she only stood a few feet away from him that she saw exactly how old he had become.

"It's good to see you in person." He said in a cheery voice, though to Sam it sounded forced.

His eyes had bags under them that Sam wondered where they were from age or tiredness, and his once jet black hair now had a couple of streaks of grey. The frown lines around his mouth had become more prominent, and he seemed to be standing with more of a slouch than she remembered ever doing.

"Good to see you too…" Sam said after a slight frown appeared on her face.

"Let's talk in my office." He said, without waiting for Sam to introduce Tom.

Sam and Tom exchanged confused glances before following him through to what resembled a lounge, complete with worn arm chairs. Sergeant Aston took at seat on the two person sofa in front of the coffee table, Sam taking the space beside him and Tom sitting in the living chair to the right of Sam.

"We have received some new intelligence as to the whereabouts of your brother's killer." He said jumping right in.

"Where is he?" Sam asked, sitting a little straighter and pushing any concerns she had to the back of her mind.

"She's about seven miles south of here and has joined up with the enemy."

"She?"

"Yes, Sam. The person who killed your brother was a woman. We don't know her name, but we managed to get her location out of one of her underlings."

"That can't be right…" Sam muttered.

"I know in the statement you gave after being kidnapped you distinctly said your captor had mentioned a 'he', but it appears he was leading you on." the Sergeant said in response.

Sam stared at him with a shocked expression for a moment. She had a feeling that the bizarre flashback she had of being chained to a wall meant that she was kidnapped at some point, but hearing Aston say the words still sent a shudder down her spine.

"I need to get to her." Sam said, standing up after hastily re arranging her features upon noticing Aston's suspicious look, for she had forgotten about her lie.

"Sam I am well aware of that, but she is guarded by a hundred or so men, maybe more! It would be a suicide mission!" Aston said, standing up along with Tom.

Just as Sam was about to reply a man burst through the 'office' door and came to a stop right in front of Aston.

"Sir!" He said in a heavily accented voice, "The woman! She's been captured and her base has been secured."

Sam turned to Aston and frowned at the look of sheer terror on his face.

"Er R-r-right." He stammered as his face turned as white as a sheet, "Sam I still think it would be too dangerous to go…"

"Sir it's completely secure!" The soldier said with what Sam perceived to be a meaningful look.

"Oh ok. Er.. Sam I'll send word to the base and tell them to expect you." Aston said, regaining some of his bravado as the solder, apparently satisfied with this answer, walked away.

"Sir, is there something else going on here? Locals were never allowed to join because we were never sure what side they were on…"

"Times have changed since you left, Sam!" He snapped, "And do you honestly expect me to let you use our valuable resources for nothing?"

"Excuse me?" Sam asked, taken aback at his sudden hostility.

"You said your accomplice was another doctor, yes? Leave him with us. We need some advice."

"Not a chance." Tom said flatly, taking hold of Sam's arm to reiterate the point.

"No? Well then have fun walking seven miles without knowing if you're going the right way." Aston said tonelessly.

"Tom." Sam said gently, turning to him and giving him a smile, "its fine. You heard Aston. Their base is secure, and if you can help out here I'd appreciate it as much as the soldiers will. You could save someone's life!"

Tom took a moment to decide.

"Fine." He said after the pause.

…

Tom watched as Sam was driven away in the 4x4 and said a silent prayer to the skies, begging them to keep her safe. She turned back and waved at him just before they turned a corner and were eyeshot which Tom quickly returned.

"So where is your hospital wing?" Tom asked, hoping the distraction of working with other doctors would be enough to stop him going mad with worry.

"This way." Aston said with a strangely stony look on his face.

The second Tom was back into the building he felt someone hit him over the head with the butt of a rifle and fell to the floor, barely conscious long enough to register what happened.

"There's an ambush waiting for Sam, isn't there?" Aston asked his captor.

"No. There is nothing. The three men who are travelling with her will simply stop the car once they are further away from the base and shoot her." The man replied. "Now get this one in a cell and keep him there until I am ready to talk to him."

"Why not just shoot him too?"

"Enough questions. Unless, of course, you want to end up like Dr Nicholls?"

…

Why is it that I am updating more now when I have even more work…?

….Anyway. Thanks for reading as always!