A/N: I do not own nor will I ever own anything by Falling Skies, TNT or Steven Spielberg. I will try to keep most of the characters and important events the same but most of these chapters will be original.
Also as a warning I realize the grammar is poor at best, so if you can read it and enjoy it then that's all I am asking.
Chapter 9
Karen Strikes Back
Slowly, Maggie felt herself waking up. She could feel the morning's sun glare on her face despite the fact the blinds were covering the window. Opening her eyes she brought up her hand to shield her face from the glare. Squinting, she pulled her other hand out from under her pillow and began searching for Hal's old pocket watch he placed on the worn night stand.
"It's 8:30 already,"she said sighing in disappoint before closing the watch and placing it back on the night stand.
They had spent the previous night and early morning hours training a few 1st Continental scouts on how to properly do some scouting. Most of the recruits and were greener than Hal's younger brother Matt. With a majority of them never having fired a shot in combat. Getting back to the Amtrak station a little past 3 in the morning, Margret almost fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Pulling the cover back over her shoulder, Maggie scouted back once again next to Hal's warm body. Even dead a sleep Hal instinctively wrapped his arm around her once more, pulling her body even closer to his. Despite the fact they both had to get up for 9 am meetings, she wanted to spend a few more minutes cuddling with her boyfriend.
It had been only a week since she found out that she was pregnant again. Just when she started to think her world was crashing all around her like it always did...Hal was there. Through him, Margret realized that no matter the situation, he was going to be there for her. His unconditional love for her gave her the courage to meet this problem head on, something she didn't do a whole a lot before him. While she might have come to terms with being pregnant, that didn't mean she wanted everyone in the 2nd Mass to know about that little secret for the moment. Currently, only 2 other people besides her and Hal knew about it, Doctor Glass and Priya.
It was then Maggie noticed Hal's hand had gone under her shirt to rest on top of her tummy. "How long have you been awake?"
Chuckling, he leaned forward and kissed the back of her neck, sending shivers down her spine. "Maybe a minute or two."
Looking down at his hand, she couldn't help but shake her head at him. Turning around, she found his hazel eyes staring back into her own brown ones. "You do know I am only 1 ½ months pregnant? That I won't be showing any signs for at least another 2 months right?"
"I know Mags. But that doesn't stop me from loving you and our unborn child."
Giving her boyfriend a half-hearted smile, she tried her best to be as excited as he was. Looking down at his hand, which was still resting on her belly she quickly looked back up to see Hal didn't buy it.
"You can't fool me Miss Walker. What's on your mind?"
Staring into his intense gaze, Maggie could see that determined look she always admired about him. It was part of the reason why she found herself opening up to him in the first place. Here she was supposed to be this tough, hard nose, survivor. But just one look from Hal Mason could get to spill her deepest and darkest secrets.
"Its...It's just that...Hal, I am scared. I know that your always going to be there for me, trust me, I will never forget that. But do you think it's fair to bring a child in this world? I mean...Tomorrow isn't promised to us. And with my pregnancy it makes things that just more difficult. How will we ever get through this?" She asked, letting her emotions pour out of her all the while Hal kept his strong gaze sole on her face.
Taking his hand off her tummy, the advance scout placed it on her cheek. "Maggie...I am scared too."
"Really?"
"Of course I am."
Sighing, she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. Taking his hand off her cheek, Hal pulled her on top of him as she laid her head in the crook of his arm. It was only then, laying there in his arms did Maggie truly felt safe.
"Listen sweetheart, your right. There are so many unknowns in our day to day life who knows what tomorrow will bring for us? But what I do know is...together, we can overcome anything. All we can do is take it one day at time. And soon those days would turn into weeks. And those weeks will turn into months. By then whose knows...a lot could have changed and maybe the world won't be such a bad place to raise a child,"he said to her before leaning down and planting a soft kiss on the top of her head.
Taking a deep breath, Margret found herself believing what her love had told her. She knew her rational mind would want to argue with Hal's logic. But in her heart and soul she knew he was right. Together, they would find a way to keep fighting and have a baby at the same time.
"Hal Mason, have you always been this charming or is it because I am crazy in love with you?"
Grinning back down at her, he gave her a quick wink. "I like to think it's a little bit of both."
Laughing at his comment, Hal quickly joined in with her. "Come on funny man. We need get dressed or else will be late for the meeting. And you know the captain loves his routine."
Arriving inside captain Weaver's office with only 5 minutes to spare, the two advance scouts took a seat towards the front. Taking off his AK-101 off his shoulder and placing it between his legs, Hal looked back up to see his father grinning back down at him.
"Busy this morning?" He asked him while leaning up against the nearby wall with his arms crossed against his chest.
Rolling his eyes at his father, Hal choose to ignore his comment. "Your silence speaks for it's self brother,"added Dai by leaning in from his chair that was directly behind him.
"Shut up Dai."
Chuckling at his comment, Dai once again leaned back into his metal chair with a small smirk on his face. Turning to his right, he spotted his girlfriend chatting with Priya and Sarah. After giving birth to her daughter Charlotte, Sarah decided to be a fighter for the 2nd Mass. Smiling at her, Hal turned his attention back on the empty chair that stood in front of them.
Maggie didn't make friends very easily. While he believe this was also true before the war, Hal was happy to see that she wasn't getting in her own way anymore. She often teased him for being the typical high school jock. But in reality, Hal was a very reserved person whenever he was home. It was the same way with the second Mass. Whenever he was out in the field he was the outgoing and outspoken scout leader of their regiment. But those nights when it was just him and Maggie, Hal truly felt at peace in his life.
He could forgot for those precious few hours that they weren't survivors of an alien invasion that nearly wiped out the human race. That he wasn't Hal Mason the advance scout, but instead just a normal man enjoying the company of the woman he loved. None of his other girlfriends ever made him feel like that, not even Karen. And while Hal still felt slightly guilty it was her and not him that the aliens choose to harness, he realized any romantic feelings he had for her were gone for good.
"Ahem,"said Captain Weaver getting everyone to stop talking,"it's time we get this meeting started."
"Now I know a lot of you are grumbling out having to train the 1st continental army on things they should already know. Trust me, I hate babysitting as much as the rest of you,"he said causing them all to chuckle at his comment.
"But I think it goes without saying, the more people we have in the fight the better our chances are,"he said walking over to a map that was taped to a chalk board that detailed the second Mass's movements since arriving in Charleston.
Studying the map for a little bit, Captain Weaver turned to face them once more. "Now for the past 2 weeks we have been fanned out in a 25 mile radius. Having made hit and run attacks on the enemy at Sumter, Bamberg, and Hampton. It's important that you remember these stalling statics serve two purposes. One, were bringing the fight to the enemy, letting them no one where they go is safe. Second, by harassing them in such a wide range we don't let them know were our home base is located at."
It was then, his dad unfolded his arms."Captain, before we expand our perimeter anymore, I think it's best we procure more supplies. Now that our long range communications are up, we could expect to see people flocking into this area."
Weaver gave his XO a quick look before turning his attention on Hal. "Hal, did you and your team find anything useable in Columbia?"
Three days ago, Hal, Maggie, Dai, and Anthony were charged with scouting out the capital city of South Carolina."Not really Captain. By the time we arrived we only scouted out a few locals stops before we need to head back. Like most major cities it was picked clean. But I guessing the farther we search inwardly will wield better results."
Weaver nodded his head in agreement. "I agree. Tom, what have your Berserkers said about that Water and Sewer treatment facility in Savannah Georgia?"
Sighing heavily, Hal's dad gave them a worried look. "They um...haven't return yet Captain."
"It's been two days the?"
"Yes sir. They were due back last night. None of our patrols have seen any sign of them."
Running a hand through his grizzled beard Weaver nodded back at 2nd in command. "Okay, I need a team whose up for a search and rescue operation?"
"I volunteer to lead this mission sir."
Immediately Hal felt all eyes on him. Taking a deep breath, Hal remained standing and gave the captain a determined look.
"Really?" Asked his father with a surprise tone in his voice.
"Yeah, me and my team can get in and get out within two days faster than anyone else."
Captain Weaver study both Mason men before turning his gaze back on Hal."I agree. Pick a team and get ready to move out ASAP."
Nodding back at Weaver, Hal turned around to see Maggie already standing up. "You know I am in."
"Likewise brother,"added Dai also standing up.
"That makes three,"replied Anthony with his own confident look on his face.
"You know your going to need me encase you run into a breakdown along the way,"suggested Priya with a smile on her face before standing up as well.
Grinning at the three of them, Hal turned back to Dan. "My teams ready sir."
"Alright, grab what supplies you need for a 2 day journey. If things get hot, I want you to make a detour before heading back home. Remember Hal...we can't let the enemy know where our home base is."
"I under stand sir."
"Good luck you guys...dismissed."
30 minutes later Hal's team was busy preparing up the military hummer for their 50 mile journey to Savannah Georgia. Carrying a crate of .308 armor piercing rounds for there M240 machine gun, Hal set them inside the back of hummer next to their spare food supplies. Right behind him was Maggie carrying two full spare gas cans and a bottle of used motor oil.
"Thanks,"added Maggie as Hal took the heavy gas cans out of her hands and put them inside the hummer.
"How much longer Priya?" Asked Maggie to the chief mechanic who was under the hood giving the engine a complete checkup.
"A couple more minutes! If you want to lend a hand I would greatly appreciate it!" She yelled back making Maggie came around and grabbed the flash light out of her friend's hand.
Looking up, he spotted Dai tightening the turret's brackets while Anthony loaded the machine gun with it's belt feed .308 rounds. Hopping into the driver's seat, Hal put his and Maggie's assault rifles on the bash board. Leaning back in the seat, Hal started to adjust it for the long drive ahead of them when he noticed his father heading in their direction.
"Coming to see us off Tom?" Asked Anthony shutting the feed trap on the M240 and pulling the bolt to chamber the first round into the machine gun.
"Something like that,"he said with a smile on his face,"Hal...can I have a word with you?"
"Sure."
Hopping out of the hummer, Hal made his way over to his father who began to lead them away from the vehicle. Once they were out of earshot of his team, Tom stopped and put a hand on his shoulder.
"You do know I should be the one leading this mission right?"
Chuckling, Hal nodded his head. "Probably...but it's time you old guys let us, the younger generation take over."
Sighing heavily, Tom simply shook his head at his him with an amused look on his face. "You know son...maybe your right."
"Really?" He asked with a surprise look on his face.
"You have more than proven yourself in this past year in a half son. And there's no one more more deserving than you."
"Thanks dad,"he said pulling his father into a hug.
Pulling apart, the advance scout could see a tears beginning to form in the corner of his father's eye. "You know as silly as it might sound...when you turned 18 last week, I kept wondering why I didn't feel anything. I mean, it's the day when your son becomes a man. It was then I realized that was because you've become a man a long time ago."
"Well that's because I had a good teacher,"he said making his father smile back at him.
Wiping his eyes, Tom reached inside his wool trench coat and pulled out two black and blue outdoorsmen's watches.
"I found them months ago. But it was only yesterday I managed to find the proper watch parts to repair them with. I wanted to give them to you and Maggie as a wedding gift, but with things moving as fast as they are now, I figured better now then later."
Hal gave his dad a confused look. "Wait? How did you know I want marry her some day?"
Chuckling, Tom began to lead them back to his team. "Please son. As a former professor of college students, I can notice these subtle things. All I ask is that maybe you wait to have kids? I am not saying I don't want to be a grandfather...but it might not be the best time for them?"
Trying his best to remain calm, Hal couldn't stop the nervous look that appeared on his face. "You alright son? You look a bit flustered?"
"Yeah...um, about that."
"Hey Mason, lets go!" Shouted Maggie honking the horn to get his attention.
Turning, he started to jog away from his father. "Wait a minute Hal. What do you mean?"
Hopping into the driver's seat he closed the hummer door behind him. Giving his girlfriend a relieved look, he started up the hummer and was about to pull out when his father appeared near his window.
"Not yet damn it! Hal, you tell what's going on right now?"
Looking at Maggie for a moment, he turned and leaned out from the window. "You might want to be prepared to be a grandfather sooner than later."
Immediately Tom let go of the door, allowing him to finally back up. Giving his father one last look, he could see the news was just starting to sink before he sped off kicking up a bunch of dirt in the same process.
5 hours later they finally arrived inside the city of Savannah having crossed the Savannah River only a 2 miles away from the city. Having heard about the beauty of this old city, Maggie felt sad to see it laying in a ruin mess. Fallowing the trail of beer cans Pope left behind they finally came across the water facility.
"Well we know they didn't leave in a hurry,"said Anthony spotting the military vehicle the berserkers used to get here.
Pulling in front of the vehicle, Maggie grabbed her M4 off the dashboard. "Dai...you see anything?"
Manning the turret the scout slowly scanned the area for anything suspicious. "No, were clear!"
"Okay people, it's 3:30 in the afternoon. I think 2 hours should be plenty long enough for us to search this facility. By then if we haven't found anything will search the surrounding area,"he said as Maggie set her new watch to go off in 2 hours.
Looking up, they could see the facility had seen better days. But despite the outward appearance of rust and neglect, it looked stable enough to enter. Moving forward, they went through a broken panel of a pair double doors and entered the front lobby section.
"Flash lights people,"whispered Hal causing all of them to pull out their own flash lights.
Besides the usually debris and trash laying around, the scouts couldn't find anything that showed the berserkers had been their at all. This was even more troubling, considering this was the first mission for two new berserkers. A balded head woman who had a large scar across her her left eye called Christine and a 16 year old Hispanic teenager called Young blood.
"Hey guys, I think I found some blood,"added Priya aiming her tactical shotgun down at a large grouping of blood that let towards a pair of double doors.
Coming over Maggie knelt down to get a better look at the blood. "The blood's been here for a while. Maybe a day or two."
"And look here,"said Dai bending down and picking up 7.62 spent cartridge near a side door,"well we know they put up a fight at least."
Running a hand through his short brown hair Hal turned to look at them. "Okay I hate to do this...but we can cover more ground if we split up. Me and Dai will take this side door. Maggie, Anthony and Priya go through the double doors. Just be careful you guys."
"We will Mason,"added Anthony taking the point.
Turning around, Maggie gave Hal one last look before mouthing a silent I love you. Smiling back at her, he mouthed back I love you too, as she was forced to jog in order to catch up with Priya and Anthony.
Fallowing a series of large pipes and for about 50 feet they came to a small fork in the round. "Which way?"
Flashing her light down the left tunnel and then back to the right, Margret couldn't see anything that could help them decided which tunnel they should take.
"Not sure really?"
"Alright, you two take the right one. I will take the left one. If we don't find anything in 5 minutes we meet back here,"replied Anthony before starting down the left tunnel.
Heading down the right tunnel, the only sound the two women could hear was the steady dripping of water leaking through the pipes. Feeling a little anxious, Maggie wanted to check on her friend as she turned around making her jump and point her at her chest.
"Whoa! You might want to watch where you point that thing,"added Margret pointing her shotgun away from her chest.
"Sorry Maggie. I guess I am kinda nervous."
Margret offered her a small smile before pushing some of her blood hair out of her face. "No need to apologize my friend. If you weren't nervous I would be concerned."
"Just keep your focus and you will be fine."
Nodding her head, they once again started down the tunnel for another 5 minutes finding nothing of interest. Right when she was about to turn them around and meet Anthony back at the fork, she heard something farther down the tunnel.
"What it is?"
Holding up her hand, the Indian mechanic went silent. Shinning her light farther down the tunnel they could see someone was standing with their back turned.
"Identify yourself!" She yelled pointing her M4 at the person.
Turning around, Margret could see it was Lyle. But something was off by the way he stood there covered in blood with a glazed look in his eyes.
"Hey Lyle! We've been looking for you,"replied Priya getting ready to take a few steps towards him but stopped dead in her tracks when she reached out and put her hand on her arm.
Looking down at the M-14 that was still in his hands, Maggie tried one more time. "Lyle, put down the rifle."
Giving them an evil smirk, he suddenly raised his weapon and started firing at them. On instinct Maggie talked Priya to the ground saving her life as bullets ricocheted all around them. Taking out one of her M1911's she fired one round hitting him in the right leg. Instead of going down, Lyle ignored his wound and was prepared to fire at them once more.
"Damn it Lyle!" She shouted firing again, this time hitting the large man in the right arm.
Losing the grip on his gun, she hopped that would be the end of that. Looking down at his wound, Lyle slowly brought his gaze back on her.
"Don't make me kill you!"
Unleashing a loud roar, he grabbing his machete off his belt and started sprinting down the hall at her. Giving him a somber look, the advance scout pulled her trigger once more. This time the bullet hit the crazed berserker right between the eyes, killing him instantly.
Walking forward with her pistol still pointed at his body, she could see that he was dead. Without warning a series of crawlers exploded from his gut.
"Watch out!" Yelled Priya firing her tactical shotgun at the bugs while they both backpedaled away from his corpse.
Farther down the hall Maggie spotted a side door. " Quick in here!"
Firing her M4 at the crawlers, she held open the door for her friend before diving inside it. "Fine something we can barricade against the door!"
"I am trying!" She yelled back frantically looking around for anything they could use to brace the door with.
"Here!" She shouted tossing her a long metal rod.
Catching it, Margret put it along the door handle affectedly jamming it place. Shouldering her M4, she began to help Priya push a small work bench over in front of the door to help reinforce it.
"I can't believe it...they used him like a parasite!"
"Hey, we need to find a way out of here."
"Those fucking bugs are going to eat us from the inside out!"
Walking over to her, Maggie slapped her across the face. "Priya...were going to get out of here! But first I need you to calm down!"
Taking a few deep breaths she finally nodded her head. Looking around, she could see they were inside a small pipe storage room. Walking behind around a large series of pipes, she spotted another door.
"Hey, we've got another door here."
Readying her M4, Margret slowly opened the door to find an M-14 right in front of her face. "Halt before I kill you!" Shouted Tector with a panic look on his face.
"Just shoot her!" Yelled Crazy Lee with her 9mm Beretta pointed at her as well.
"Whoa just everyone relax! Look, I am lowering my rifle now."
Out of the corner of her eyes Maggie saw Priya getting ready to enter the room. Shaking her head, the chief mechanic leaned back behind the door jam once again. Placing her M4 carbine on the floor, Maggie slowly came back up with her hands in the air.
"Listen...were here to help. Come Tector, you know me."
Staring into his eyes, she could see finally he was believe her. "Maggie, is that you?"
"Yes...it's me."
Slowly, he lowered his rifle before bringing up his hand to his head. "I am sorry Maggie. It's just that... it's hard to know what's real anymore."
Coming into the room Priya still had her tactical shotgun at the ready. "What happen here Tector?"
Walking over to Lee, he put his hand on her side arm and gently lowered it. "We got here 2 days ago and started scouting this facility like we were ordered too. But from the moment we entered the lower tunnels we found an ambush. Humans who have been infected with some kind of parasite started battling us the whole way."
"Then whenever we dropped them those damn crawlies started coming out! We got separated from Pope, Youngblood, and Christine while falling back. After Lyle started planting some C4 at certain key areas, those fuckers managed to get a hold of him. We could hear his screams, begging us to come and save him,"said Lee looking down at her hands before looking back up with tears in her eyes.
Studying the small office they were in, Maggie could see a series of steps which lead outside the facility. Picking up her M4 carbine off the floor, she had a plan.
"Look...we don't have a choice, we have to keep moving or else we risk being trapped in here."
Immediately Crazy Lee stood up. "No! We won't leave our friends behind!"
"Lee's right. They don't deserve that fate. Not even Pope."
Sighing, Margret had to agree with the two berserkers. "Wait, your not serious about this Mags. We need to meet with Hal's team."
"I know that, that's why you will led them back. I will buy you guys some time to regroup before joining you."
Priya shook her head. "No I wont' let you do that."
Immediately she turned her strong gaze on her friend. "Are you giving me orders now?"
"No, but I mean."
"Just do as I say will all make it out alive."
Walking out of the room, she closed the door behind her and slowly moved the work bench away from the door. Taking a deep breath, Maggie pulled the metal rod out of the door and went back inside the hall. With her M4 at the ready she quickly scan both sides of the hall finding nothing. Noticing that Lyle's body and the dead crawlies were also gone, the advance scout knew something was wrong.
Slowly, she started backing away from the door when suddenly she ran into something. Turning around, she fired her M4 at point blank range with her bullets easily ripping through the infected woman's chest. Looking past the dead woman, Maggie could see a series of infected humans making there way towards her. Letting loose another burst of .556 fire, she dropped another 2 before one from behind tackled her to the ground. Flipping over, Margret pulled out her Bowie knife and stabbed the man right in the heart. Pushing his body of hers, she managed to stand back up and was about to reach for one of her pistols when someone hit her in the back of her head.
Opening her eyes, Maggie could see she was in the heart of the facility with large machine parts all around her. Looking up, she could see her hands were tied above her head leaving her feet slightly dangling off the ground. Dropping her head to quickly, she felt the lump on the back of her head being to throb.
"Oh good your wake,"said Christine, who was also tied up on Maggie's right.
"What's going on?"
"There looking for someone,"she added with a scared look on her face.
It was then the advance scout noticed Pope dangling high above of them in the center of the room. He looked like someone had beat him within the an inch of your life. Looking down, Maggie realized that hadn't removed her twin 1911 pistols. Twisting her body, she tried with all her might to some how break free of her restraints.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you,"said the voice of Karen as she slowly descended down a flight of stairs with a pair of skitters right behind her,"I wouldn't want to you hurt herself before I got the chance."
Narrowing her eyes, Maggie felt her blood boiling at the sight of her. "I should have known you would be here."
"Why's that?" She asked twirling Maggie's Bowie knife in her right hand.
"Because...I can smell a bitch a mile away."
Chuckling at her comment, Karen slowly walked forward and cupping her chin in her hand. "I have no time for you bravado. You will serve your purpose and then be dispose of."
Bringing up her knife, she placed along side her neck and gave it a quick slash. Margret greeted her teeth in pain, but refused to scream out even as blood began to trickle down the side of her of neck.
Letting go of her chin, Karen turned her back on her. "Now my sweet little Maggie...I need something from you."
"Go to hell!" She shouted spitting into the harnessed woman's face.
Bringing her sleeve up, Karen calmly wiped the spit off her cheek. Smiling back at her she suddenly reached out and grabbing her by the throat. "I need you alive, for the moment. But don't think I won't snap your neck in a heart beat."
Struggling to breath, Maggie felt her tighten her grip on her throat. Right when she thought she was going to pass out, Karen let her go. "You will have to forgive me Margret. I am still getting use to my new strength. Unfortunately, there has be a few accidents. But those are to expected when a new species is on the brink of being born."
Looking to to the left, she was greeted with the dead body of Youngblood. His body hung limp on his restraints while his neck lay twisted in an odd angle. It was then the advance scout understood what this was about. Karen was using the Berserkers and now her as bait.
"So is this all about just pleasing your master? Being a slave, I am guessing he doesn't allow you to think for yourself?"
"Oh it's so much more than that,"she replied with a sick smile on her face,"my master wants to reward me for my faith and service. I am to be the mother of the new human race. And everyone mother needs a father. While any man would do, I can't help but wanting Hal again. After all...a part of me still loves him."
Something inside Maggie snapped. She didn't know what she was going to do, but she would be damned if Karen would ever touch the man she loved. "Now you listen to me and you listen good. I will never let you get any where near Hal Mason ever again! I don't care if it kills me...but I promise you...I will be the one that ends you."
It was then Karen narrowed her eyes and moved closer to her once more. Bracing herself, she felt her knife pierce her area between left shoulder and collar. Biting her lip, she refused to scream once more. Slowly, the overlords slave began to twist the knife in her wound making the pain Margret was feeling increase by tenfold. With a few tears failing down the side of her cheeks, Karen finally stopped twisting the knife in her shoulder.
"What's this?" She asked grabbing at the old silver heart pendant that Hal gave her.
Taking her hand off the knife, Maggie felt the tremendous pain slowly die down. Leaving the blade in her shoulder, Karen studied the pendant with great detail before looking back up at her.
"Well, I must say I didn't expect this. You think you can steal Hal away from me...your sadly mistaken. Remember, the only reason Hal gave you this, is because he was desperate and need anyone to cling too after I left."
Letting go of her pendant, Karen finally pulled out the knife from her shoulder. "That's where you are wrong Karen,"she said with a grin on her face despite the pain she was feeling,"Hal loves me. And I love him. There is nothing you can do that can stop that. All you are is a jealous ex-girlfriend who can't get what she wants."
The smile on Karen's face vanished immediately. Dropping the knife on the table, she picked up some type of staff which came to alive with electricity. Bringing the shock end towards her gut, Maggie began to panic. Trying her best to turn away from the weapon in order to protect her unborn child.
"What's a matter Margret? Where that tough attitude you always have?"
"Stop Karen!" Shouted Hal appearing at the foot of the steps.
Looking up, she noticed he didn't have his rifle on him, as he slowly descended down the small flight of stairs. The all time Hal was walking down the stairs Karen's eyes never left him.
"Look...I am here now,"he said with his arms raised up in the air,"just leave Maggie out of this."
Looking at her one more, Karen finally turned off the shock staff. Setting it aside, she beckoned Hal to go past the infected humans that surrounded them.
"Please Hal, you may lower your hands. I want this to be of your own free will."
Lowering his hands, he stopped once he was right in front of her. "Alright, what do you want Karen?"
"It's not what I want. It's what we can do together for the entire human race. My master has seen fit to correct the mistakes that humanity has done to themselves. And that starts right here and now. Don't you see my love. Together, we can create a new human race. One free of war, disease, poverty, and suffering. Don't you want that Hal. Don't you want peace,"she said reaching out and taking his hands in hers.
Keeping her eyes fixed on her boyfriend, Maggie watched as he looked up briefly from Karen to give her a quick wink before bringing his attention back on his ex.
"What's the catch?"
Karen shook her head. "No catch,"she added bending down and grabbing a harness of the table,"once you put this on. We will be linked more closely together than you ever were with Maggie. All your worries and pain will disappear."
Maggie didn't know what Hal was planning but she was started to get scared when Karen brought the harness closer to him. It was then she noticed her restraints above her started to shake. Looking up she was surprised to see Dai cutting through the black wires.
"Before I agree to do this. Can I say something?"
"By all means."
"Goodbye,"he said pulling out his navy seal combat knife Maggie gave to him out of his back pocket and cut the harness's head off.
Swinging around, he managed to cut Karen across the right cheek before she was able to back away. "Dai...do it!"
Cutting the last bit of her restraint, Maggie felt her feet in the solid ground when suddenly a series of explosion ripped through the facility causing everyone to stumble. Over the sounds of the explosions she heard her new watch's alarm going off, reminding her their two hour time had expired. Suddenly Tector driving the military vehicle and Priya driving there hummer came crashing through the back metal gates of the facility.
"Get down!" Shouted Anthony as he and Crazy Lee began firing there .50 caliber and M240 machines into the infected humans and Karen's skitter guard.
Pulling out her pistols, Maggie fired at Karen who easily dodged her bullets. It was then Dai started firing down at her with his M4 and Hal's AK-101 causing her to retreat back. Right when it looked like she was going to regroup, Hal pulled out his own two Smith and Wesson 9mm pistols. Firing, he killed a wounded skitter she was using as cover and forced Karen back into the open.
"Not this time bitch!" She shouted emptying the rest of .45 bullets at her.
Unable to dodge the barrage of gun fire that was all around her, the advance scout watched as one of her shots entering the young woman's gut on the right side. Unfortunately, it was a killing blow, but it did force to stumble to the ground. By the time she reloaded two fresh clips into her pistols Karen was back on her feet and some how was climbing up the one of the large pipes that led back outside.
"We need to move!" Shouted Christine using Maggie's M4 to fire at the crawlies that were coming out of the infected humans they were killing.
Running forward, she made sure to grab her Bowie knife off the table."Hal what the hell are you doing?"
"We can't leave him!" He shouted jumping on the table and started cutting Pope free while Maggie provide covering fire for him.
"Come on, this place is falling apart!" Dai yelled with building beginning to collapse inward on it's self from the C4 that Lyle had planted at key locations.
Finally, Hal managed to cut through the restraints causing Pope's body to fall onto the table. Putting away his knife, he put the berserker leader over his shoulder and starting running towards their cars.
"Hurry up! We've got to go!" Yelled Anthony firing another barrage of armor piercing .308 rounds into a Mech that smashed through the facility's wall on the right side.
"I swear Hal Mason if we die because of him!" She shouted back to her boyfriend as they placed him in the back of their military vehicle.
Ducking a barrage of Mech fire, Maggie reached the back seat of their hummer. Holding open the door, Hal sprinted across the space between the two vehicles and dove inside the back seat just as a series of shots hit the outside of the hummer. Sliding over the hummer's hood, Dai reached the passenger side and hopped in.
"Priya step on!" She shouted to the mechanic who suddenly put the hummer in reverse.
Backing out of the facility, Maggie could see the berserkers truck already speeding away. Looking out her window she got a front row view of the water facility collapsing upon it's self. All the Mech's and aliens that were still inside the building were now being crushed to death under piles of twisted metal and concrete.
"Keep going Priya. We need to put some distance between us and Savannah before we start heading back to Charleston,"said Hal leaning back into his seat and running a hand though his brown hair.
Closing her eyes, Maggie finally allowed herself to relax. It was then she noticed how bad her head and shoulder were killing her. Opening her eyes, she was greeted by her love already opening up a first aid kit.
"Your Jacket ma'am."
Being to tired and hurt to argue, she simply unzipped her heavy black jacket. Making sure to be extra careful when it came to left some antibiotic on a piece of gaze, he applied pressure to her knife wound causing her to wince a bit.
"Open up,"he replied placing a two pills inside her mouth.
"Wait Hal, what about our child,"she said whispering into his ear.
Hal shook his head. "It's just Tylenol my love."
Trusting him, she swallowed the two pills and let Hal start stitching up her stab wound. "That was close Mags."
Wincing slightly at his one stitch, Maggie nodded her head. "I know...too close to be honest. But we made it."
"You do know there was never any doubt who my heart belongs too, right?"
Chuckling, she smiled up at him. "I know Hal. But...it's still nice here."
Finishing up the last stitch, he pulled the string through and cut off the extra part. "Not as good as Doctor Glass...but it should hold up until we get back Charleston."
Feeling tired, Maggie crawled across the seat and laid her head in his lap. "It's okay sweetheart, I've got you."
Closing her eyes, she let herself drift off under the watchful gaze of her love.
A/n: These chapters won't be long and I am not sure how long I will make this story but then again I guess that's the fun. Feel free to leave any questions or comments!