Shaw made one phone call after talking to Elizabeth. The salesman who she had bought the Escalade from agreed to trade it in on a GMC Sierra with a ramp ("I need it now- as in inside of an hour). The salesman pulled some strings and the work was finished within ninety minutes. She also purchased a large cargo van and made arrangements to have it delivered immediately.

He balked at letting Shaw take the truck without signing any paperwork, but relented when she wire transferred the full cost of the cargo van plus $15,000 to the dealership and agreed to return within a week to complete everything. Of course it didn't hurt that she told him he could mark up both the truck and the ramp enough to equal two full retail sales for him.

….

Elizabeth set the Excursion's cruise control at 85. She knew time was of the essence, and she knew if any problems arose on the road she would get a text from an unknown source. As the miles between the cabin and Santa Fe flew by, she reflected on the danger ahead and the fact that she was looking forward to both seeing Shaw, and the possible excitement ahead.

Admit it- you've missed the action.

While in Colorado helping with her mother's recovery and rehab, Elizabeth had put her programming skills to work developing an AI-based weapons system. It consisted of arming drones and teaching them to attack only predetermined targets. The advantages were obvious but the obstacles were immense.

Months of development and simulations had resulted in apparent success- the only thing left for Elizabeth to do was field test the system. She had built several prototypes that failed and eight that had succeeded. Those eight were boxed and riding behind her.

She had called Shaw after getting on the interstate to strategize. Shaw's reluctance to agree to using the drones as back-up gradually turned to acceptance as Elizabeth chronicled her development process and previous testing results.

"I can instruct them to attack all human targets in an area except for those specifically identified to be ignored. That way, any hostiles are attacked and all allies can be ignored. I have currently ability to program in up to six allies in any situation. That's enough, right?"

Shaw hesitated, then responded.

"There should be only two people besides us- Gen and Root. As far as I'm concerned, anyone else can and should die."

"I don't count, Shaw, it considers me Admin and as such, I'm never a target."

"Sometimes you remind me of Root and Finch."

"That's high praise, coming from you."

"I didn't necessarily mean it as praise." Elizabeth could hear the smile in Shaw's voice.

"Whatever. I need every bit of detail on Root, Gen and yourself. Pictures, vitals, etc. Get the machine to upload all it has on all three of you to the number I'm texting you- it's a burner that will automatically transfer all data to each drone. Then I will activate them when we are provided a contact point.

"When we arrive, I will need approximately eight minutes to activate all drones. I will set the kill area based on the area where the meeting occurs. I can set the zone to anything from 100 square feet to ten acres so whatever we face should be covered. The hard part will be sneaking these drones to the contact point.

"As long as we have less than five miles to walk, I can direct the drones to follow me across any area I can navigate. The Machine should be able to direct us to the place offering our best ambush point. Depending on how much we have to separate, you may have to come up with a stalling strategy."

Shaw was silent on her end, processing Elizabeth's words. A germ of an idea began to form in her mind.

"I have three electric dirt bikes at home- they don't have more than a fifteen mile range, but you could take one and follow me in almost silently. As long as we stay within that five mile cushion you could either come in behind me or, ideally you could attack their flank if we can get you behind them. How fast do your drones travel?"

"They can cruise for five miles at 17.5 mph. If I stay at least a mile behind you, we would only be six minutes away. You can spend three minutes reconning your surroundings before you even get out of your vehicle. If what you said about this asshole is accurate, and I'm sure it is, he will want to draw out your suffering as long as possible.

"I should have time to get in position as long as we've read the situation correctly."

Shaw took a deep breath. "That is the wild card. I'm going to get the bike and our ATV- I need to bring something for Gen to 'escape' on- they need to think my first priority is trading me for Gen. That keeps him thinking he's controlling this- when he double crosses me and doesn't trade for her, I can appear hesitant about how to proceed. It gives us more time."

They each rode in silence for several minutes. Shaw was approaching the turnoff for home and began to go over her mental checklist.

"I'll call you back when I have the bike and ATV."

When Shaw arrived home she immediately loaded the ATV into the bed of the Sierra and loaded as much weaponry as she could reasonably conceal into the truck. She then retrieved one of the electric dirt bikes and set it where it could be easily loaded into the cargo van when it arrived. She tipped the driver $50 to put it in the van and awaited Elizabeth's arrival.

After the driver left, Shaw called again.

I'm sending you coordinates for our house. I'll meet you here if we don't hear from anyone before you arrive."

Elizabeth's phone vibrated. Glancing down she frowned, then reset the cruise control for 90.

"Got 'em. I can be there in less than two and a half hours."

"See you then." Shaw disconnected. She went over what little plan she had in her head, then decided to check on Bear. The Malanois lay where Shaw had carried him, on the bed Gen had insisted he have. He seemed to be recovering, but would need at least a day or two to fully regain his strength.

"Hey, Bear, I'm glad you're going to be OK." Shaw rubbed his head affectionately, then stood and checked both his food and water. Satisfied, she headed back to the finished basement, grabbed a bottle of water and headed out to the garage.

Shaw grabbed a cleaning kit and field stripped her Nano. Cleaning and reassembling her guns always allowed her to pass the time without worrying about what she couldn't control. Whether it was awaiting a go order from Control, sitting at the safe house awaiting Root's return or this situation, the simple act of maintaining her weapon was her therapy.

When the call finally came Shaw was ready. She waited fifteen seconds before answering, enough time to sow a small seed of doubt in the caller's mind.

"I hope this is the last time asshat. I am really getting sick and tired of having to help you deal with your impotence issues. Are we doing this or can I get back to watching Dirty Harry?"

"Perra! I will enjoy watching you bleed out- after I make you watch your girlfriend suffer."

"You don't get it, do you? I'm a sociopath, I don't do girlfriends- hell I don't do friends. If I didn't think you deserved to die as painfully as possible, I would've thrown this burner away the first time I heard your whiney voice.

"Look, I've got things to do. Either get this moving or I'm going back to my popcorn. Like I said, maricón, the only reason I answered is I figured you might trade the little girl for a shot at me. I don't think Cerdos like you should be allowed around children."

Silence. Shaw looked at the phone- he had disconnected. Nausea reared its ugly head as Shaw began to think she had overplayed her advantage. She finished the water in two gulps and wandered out of the garage afraid she might actually pass out.

Her personal phone rang. Elizabeth. Shaking Shaw answered.

"Elizabeth, Oh God, I may have blown it."

"What happened Shaw? I'm only a few minutes away."

"Shit, oh man, I ….." in the background Elizabeth heard what sounded like retching. After a minute or so Shaw's voice returned only slightly stronger.

"I played it just like I had when he first called- indifferent except for the interest I showed in coming for him in exchange for Gen. We insulted each other but then he hung up on me. That was several minutes ago- I'm afraid I may have gone too far when I called him a fag…. Oh God, please…."

"Breathe, Shaw, you did what you thought was right. Give it a chance- you don't know he won't call back. I'm almost there. I think we should continue like we expect him to call with a location. That way, when he does, we're ready. I'm coming up the access road- be at your location in less than a minute."

Shaw put the phone in her pocket and walked along the driveway until she saw the gate. When the Excursion came over the hill, she activated the gate with her phone. As the Excursion approached, Shaw pointed at the guest parking area. Elizabeth sent the driver's window down and Shaw walked up to it.

"Put it next to the cargo van. I had it delivered when I switched vehicles. I think it's the best alternative for you- there's plenty of room for your weaponry. It's not going to stand out too much no matter where we go and it's all wheel drive so it should go most anywhere."

Elizabeth parked where Shaw indicated, then climbed out of the Excursion. She stood facing Shaw, uncertain how to greet her. Shaw, noticing, took control by approaching, then wrapping Elizabeth in a brief but warm hug.

"Thanks for coming. Man you're a sight for sore eyes." Shaw's eyes widened briefly. "Oh shit! I forgot the burner in the garage." She turned and waving Elizabeth along ran back inside to the workbench. Picking up the phone Shaw frowned at it, then exhaled.

"There's a text message- looks like GPS coordinates. 34.0831N 107.2053W. Can you tell me where it is?"

Elizabeth looked at Shaw and shook her head. Shaw smiled faintly.

"Sorry, talking to Machine." As the Machine reported Shaw communicated to Elizabeth. "Kelly, New Mexico, ghost town 122 miles from here. Several roads in and out- may make our approach easier, may make locating Root and Gen a little more difficult."

Shaw was quiet for a minute listening. She smiled faintly and looked at Elizabeth.

"She says Root's alive. She located her in a building a few hundred feet from the abandoned church outside Kelly. She's unconscious though and can't tell how badly she's injured."

"That's great news Shaw- you talk to the machine?"

"There've been some changes, Elizabeth, and I'm glad you mentioned it."

Shaw turned to the workbench, opened a drawer and removed a phone and a small box.

"Here, open this- I'll explain how to use it."

Elizabeth took the burner phone and slipped in in her pocket. She opened the box and pulled out one of the two earwigs that were inside. Shaw reached over and touched the box.

"Put it in and I'll show you how to work it. Either one, one's a spare."

As Elizabeth complied, Shaw instructed her on the simple operation. Once she was familiar with the steps required to use the earwig, Shaw smiled faintly.

"OK, now for the fun part. Turn it on." Elizabeth reached up to her ear and flicked it on. Shaw resumed her instructions.

"Your communications are always enabled, only you can cut them off if necessary. You can communicate with any of us who have similar devices. Root has one as well, so if she regains consciousness we can communicate with her. Of course she may not be able to answer us, but we can warn her if necessary.

"Now, get ready I'm going to talk to the Machine. Can you hear me?"

Of course, Ms. Shaw, I've been here all along- as you know.

"Say hello to Elizabeth."

Ms. Ruben, thank you for coming. Your weapons research shows some promise based on what I've been able to ascertain. However, your encryption has made it extremely difficult to analyze much of it. It would be most helpful if you could link your complete work to me so we can complete analysis.

Elizabeth's eyes were wide and wondering.

"This is the machine? You're talking to me? I thought you only spoke to Finch and Root."

As you've seen, I talk to Ms. Shaw as well. I communicate with any of the team that needs to be in direct contact with the information I can deliver.

"You remind me of Finch. Not the voice, but the way you communicate."

Shaw jumped in briefly, "Until I asked her to stop, the voice she used was Root's."

"That might have driven me crazy," Elizabeth's eyes rolled, "no offense."

"None taken- it drove me a little crazy."

Elizabeth looked at Shaw. "I'll get my iPad. I can upload everything re my designs and testing immediately."

Elizabeth left the garage returning in less than two minutes.

"I'm uploading all my research. If you think it needs tweaking, please give me a heads up- I've noticed it can be a wee bit squirrelly if messed with the wrong way."

You need to get moving, I have uploaded a route for you, Ms. Ruben. You will arrive about fifteen minutes before Ms. Shaw, and will have time to activate your drones and still have time to get in position. You will set up approximately 100 feet behind the building that Ms. Groves is being held in.

When Ms. Shaw arrives and Ms. Zhirova is brought out you should be able to move in closer. I will direct you and help with any information the drones need that may be arriving in real time. When our counterattack begins, you should only have to worry about your targets- the drones will be totally self-directed, as you've programmed them to be.

"I need to get going. This will work, Shaw, we will get them both back."

Sameen smiled at Elizabeth. "I can't tell you how relieved I am that you're here."

Shaw had never said anything like that to her. In addition, she had never seen Shaw smile so genuinely. It made her heart flutter. I can see why Root's in love with her- I could easily fall… Stop!

"We'll talk on the way- I've got to get these drones packed and move."

They loaded the boxes into the cargo van followed by Elizabeth's arsenal. As Elizabeth was climbing into the driver's seat Shaw put her arm on her shoulder. As Elizabeth paused, Shaw drew her in, hugged her, and kissed her lightly on the cheek. Shaw's eyes shone with unshed tears and the gratitude in her face was obvious.

Without replying, Elizabeth nodded and got in the truck. Keep your mind on the mission.