Elizabeth drove down the access road and pulled into a small clearing. The Machine had directed her to her destination in under two hours. As the cargo van turned into the clearing and stopped, Elizabeth went over the plan one last time. It seemed simple and would only require flawless timing for the start of their attack.
That was in the hands of the Machine.
Fifteen minutes later Elizabeth was on her way to the target. The bike was slower and a little more sluggish than expected- the extra weight Elizabeth carried because of her weapons made enough difference to be annoying. It didn't add more than 45 seconds to the trip but Elizabeth could feel it and mentally urged the bike to go faster. It didn't work.
At the same time, Shaw was turning onto the road that led directly to the church. She had seen no vehicle traffic in the vicinity and assumed they were watching her electronically- maybe just to make sure she was alone in the truck. Hopefully, they're overconfident and won't consider the possibility of an ambush.
As she drove up to the abandoned church, the phone rang. Shaw connected the call, but said nothing.
"Park next to the church, get out and walk down to the building you see one hundred feet to the west."
"I am taking the ATV out of the bed first so the girl can use it to leave."
There was a brief laugh. "Fine."
Shaw went to the back of the truck, pulled out the ramps and drove the ATV down so Gen could get on and leave. Play the charade- I can't believe he thinks I think he's going to let Gen go. Where would she go anyway?
Once the four wheeler was on the ground, Shaw spoke into the phone.
"Where is she?"
"Walk toward the building. She will come out of the church when you've cleared the area."
As Shaw began to walk toward the building, Elizabeth spoke quietly in her ear.
"I'm set up about fifty feet behind and south of the building. I have one of the drones positioned above the church. If someone comes after Gen there the drone will take them down. I've been able to count three targets outside the building. Wait, door's opening…."
As Shaw continued up the path toward the building, she saw that the building was a metal shed about 30 feet long and fifteen feet wide. The door was about five feet wide and slid open and closed. Three figures emerged carrying an object that Shaw couldn't identify. Then she heard Elizabeth gasp.
"They've got Root tied to a cross Shaw. It looks like they intend to crucify her!"
Shaw's blood ran cold. Forcing herself to focus, she blocked it out of her mind and whispered into the comm.
"The leader will come out last, he needs to see everything, we are going to have a tight window but I suspect he'll come out right before the guy comes to get Gen. Everyone's fair game Elizabeth- and I don't care if we kneecap them or kill them- I want every threat down."
"Roger that."
Shaw watched in horror as three men appeared from the left side of the shed carrying Root who was tied to an approximately ten foot long wooden cross. Focus- and remember Gen. As the three cleared the building another figure appeared in the doorway. Elizabeth saw him in her scope and alerted Shaw.
"Target exiting shed now- looks like the boss."
The Machine chirped in their ears. Gen exiting church adjacent Sierra, there's an unidentified target behind building coming around fast. Target is alone.
Shaw turned to look at the Church. She spotted Gen and pointed at the ATV. Gen nodded and as she headed toward it Shaw saw a shadow at the southern corner of the Church. She heard a voice from behind her.
"Hey putana. Say goodbye to your little friend."
Shaw quietly said into the comm, "Now!" then turned to watch Gen.
As she reached the ATV the shadow became a figure in camo. He was raising a AR style weapon when his chest blew red and gray gore out the front. The crack of the recoiless .308 shattered the silence simultaneously. The target dropped his weapon and sank to the ground shaking as he bled out.
Elizabeth spun her scope to the targets near the shed, noticing the leader ducking back inside. The drones were deadly in their accuracy and all but one was down within three seconds. The last target dove sideways and as the first round from the drone hit his left arm, he raised his weapon one handed in Root's direction.
Elizabeth fired once. The target's head exploded.
Shaw yelled at Gen, "Clear the area- NOW!" As Gen nodded and hopped on the ATV Shaw sprinted toward Root. She dropped to her knees and quickly checked Root's pulse. It was steady if slightly weak.
"She's unconscious but I thinks she's OK Elizabeth. Can you have the drones monitor the shed for this guy trying to escape?"
"On it." Elizabeth pulled her iPad out and clicked twice. "It looks like he's trapped in there."
"Keep him inside while I get Root in the truck- then we'll deal with him." Then softer, "Is it clear?"
I have no targets save the one who's taken cover in the shed.
Shaw untied her love, then gently lifted her. Adrenaline made Root light as a feather and Sameen carried her to the Sierra and laid her gently on the open tailgate. She opened the rear driver's side door, returned to the bed and scooped Root into her arms and gently laid her on the back seat.
As Shaw turned to head back to the shed, the Machine spoke.
Ms. Ruben, move now, target is aiming at your position.
Shaw grabbed a weapon from the back and broke into a sprint. Elizabeth moved back into the small group of trees she had used as cover. As she reached an outcropping of large boulders the earth exploded from underneath her, hurling her into the air like a rag doll.
Shaw saw the explosion as she noted a huge flash from inside the shed's door. She stopped, raised her RPG and let loose into the shed. The resulting explosion sent fire and debris out both the door and two seams where the shed walls were joined. As she raised the weapon to send more grenades into the shed, a figure covered in soot stumbled out of the door.
Shaw stalked up to him and without a word raised her Nano. Two shots rang out and the figure fell, most of his brains exiting the rear of his skull. As her self control left her, she stood over the body and emptied the rest of the clip into him, sobbing as she fired.
Shaw collected herself and ran toward Elizabeth who was lying on her side stunned. As Shaw approached she saw Elizabeth was conscious and dropped next to her. From her knees she began a quick eval of her friends condition.
"Don't move Beth, I just need to make sure you're OK." Shaw's breathing was ragged and tears were running down her cheeks. Elizabeth looked up at Sameen and smiled weakly.
"You know, you hardly ever called me Beth, except…." Elizabeth left the sentence unfinished.
Shaw was beginning to regain control of her emotions and looked down at Elizabeth confused. Then her face cleared and she smirked, then shook her head.
"You know, in some ways you and Root are a lot alike."
"Ow, that hurt Shaw." Elizabeth's smile was getting stronger.
"Do you feel up to riding with me to the hospital? I can get a medical evac helicopter here if you need it. I think Dr. Tillman needs to check you out and I know she needs to see Root."
"Dr. Tillman? I know her- she patched me up after one of my mishaps? Hot brunette with figure to die for?"
"Exactly what I was saying, in some ways you and Root are a lot alike."
"Geez leave me alone will you? Get Gen back here and let's get out of here."
Shaw sent a message to the GPS unit she'd attached to the ATV. Five minutes later Gen rolled around the corner of the church. Shaw ran up to her, hugged her and checked her over.
"I'm fine Shaw, check Root out will ya?"
"We're taking her to the hospital, Gen, she needs to be checked out by Dr. Tillman. This is Elizabeth. She's a friend from way back- without her you guys might be dead."
"Hi Gen, nice to meet you."
"Hi, and thanks." Gen seemed a little confused by the whole situation. "What exactly happened Shaw?"
"Collateral damage from our little number adventure on the way to the Grand Canyon, Gen. I have to figure out a better way to keep our personal and professional lives separate from each other. You should never have been a part of this."
"Geez Shaw, I live with you. It goes with the territory. Besides, nothing happened to me the whole time. They kept me locked up in this building and never laid a hand on me. Maybe it would be smarter to keep teaching me how to defend myself, maybe even get me a gun so the next time I can help you guys."
"There won't be a next time Gen, even if I have to find some safe place for you."
"Oh no you don't." Gen's face darkened. "You two promised me I could come live with you. I'd rather die than have that change."
Shaw shook her head and smiled.
"We'll talk about this later. Right now we have to get Root and Elizabeth to the hospital to get checked out. Come on."
Shaw pulled the Sierra's ramps down and loaded the ATV, then headed across the battlefield to where Elizabeth had set up and retrieved the bike. As Shaw was loading it, Elizabeth tilted her head.
"Can you hear me?"
Of course Ms. Ruben, and you and your creations did well today.
"Can you please direct the drones back to the cargo van- I left the back compartment open just in case. We can send someone back to get them after we get the OK from the doctor."
Of course. They're already on their way back. I think I can even get them to close the door and I can lock the remote once they're secure inside. I can have someone come and retrieve the van and take it to a location of your choosing if you'd like. It can be back to Ms. Shaw's within six hours.
"Is that safe?"
They walked over to the truck and climbed in, Gen in back with Root's head in her lap. Shaw looked over at Elizabeth and smiled.
"I learned this from Root-
"Trust her Elizabeth."