chAPTER 14

As the helicopter neared the warehouse, I saw a DARPA agent waving us down. The motion made Heller frown, as though something was wrong. Now more than a little concerned, I waited anxiously for the chopper to land. The four of us stepped out of the helicopter and followed the agent inside. I saw a large group of agents gathered around the television. I stepped over to then and saw what they were looking at.

On the screen, beaten and bloodied, and utterly exhausted, was Nix. "We have captured one of the bio-terrorists," General Albert Heller explained into the camera. "And are currently interrogating it for the location of the others. I promise all citizens of Washington, D.C. that this conflict will soon be over." With that last sentence, a shot of electricity suddenly hitting Nix, making her cry out in pain.

Anger hit me like a brick. I turned around and headed straight for the door. "MacGrath," Tom Heller said in warning. I heard him jog to catch up with me. "There are over a hundred thousand troops stationed on that base. There is no way you'll get anywhere near her." I didn't answer, making him grab my arm and turn me around. "Hey!" He shouted. "You try blasting your way to her, she'll be dead before you get close."

I glared at him. "What the hell do you expect me to do? Let them kill her? Or torture her?"

"Damn it, Cole, just stop and think for a second," Heller tried again. "If they wanted her dead, they would've done it by now. They're using her," he pointed at the television screen, "to get to you. You're the one they want."

I paused, and in that pause the doubt and fear hit me all at once. Sighing, I conceded Heller's point. There was no way I was getting in there. Not without some serious planning. I turned and pulled away from Heller, moving toward the door. "MacGrath, where are you going?" Heller demanded.

"To make a plan," I replied, throwing open the warehouse door and storming outside.

Once on the street, I ran. I didn't even think, I just ran. Maybe somewhere I was hoping that I would be able to run far enough all of my problems would be fixed somehow. Or maybe I just didn't know what else to do, so I ran.

By the time my mind was straight again, I found myself on a rooftop in front of the base. Crouching, I watched the base closely, staying out of sight while committing their patterns to memory. But Heller was right. Running right in was a death sentence, both for Nix and for me. I noticed a few DUP soldiers going around the side, probably checking the perimeter. I followed them quietly, sticking to the rooftops and keeping out of sight. The patrol reached a construction area of sorts, and I had to jump on a crane to avoid losing them. Patrolling on the catwalk was another sentry, I guess keeping his eyes on the rooftops. He wasn't doing a very good job.

I reached behind my back to grab the Amp, but I forgot that I was in a Motor City Tigers jersey. I hadn't had time to change between finding out about Nix's kidnapping and running here to figure out how to get her back. I'd have to do this the hard way. Sneaking behind him, I quickly put my hands on the sides of his head and ran a small current between them to knock him out. I continued to move quietly along the crane, avoiding or knocking out more guards along the way while keeping the patrols below in view. Unfortunately, the side entrance to the base was just as well guarded as the front. Admitting defeat, I moved to go back to the warehouse, maybe get a change of clothes while I waited for a plan.

"MacGrath," the Truth's voice came through my phone. "I saw what happened with that other Conduit. You gonna get her back?"

"Not unless I can find a way into the base," I replied bitterly. "DUP's got it locked down so tight, I'm surprised anyone can breathe."

"I might be able to help with that, actually. Meet me at the TV station and I'll clue you in."

I ran to the station, stopping to help a couple of people on the way, and was surprised to see Brandon on the roof. I landed in front of him and frowned. "Figured you'd be hiding right now, what with Slade wanting your head on a platter."

"Relax, we're on a rooftop. What's he gonna do, climb up the stairs to get me?"

I shrugged. "He could have snipers."

The Truth's eyes widened, and his face paled. "I... hadn't thought of that." He ducked down behind the ledge of the roof.

"What are you doing?"

"Ssh! Get down!"

I rolled my eyes and crouched down next to him. "You said you could get me into the military base?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes."

"'In a manner of speaking'?! What the hell is that supposed to mean?!"

"Ssh! Keep your damn voice down! Look, I've got a plan, but it's not exactly ready yet, okay?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Look, the way I see it, there are at least a few thousand troops in the city, right?"

"I don't know. I didn't get a good chance to count them as they were shooting at me."

"Well, what are the chances of them knowing each other? We could sneak you in and you can get your girlfriend out."

"She's not my girlfriend, and how exactly are you planning on getting me in there?"

"She's... available? Hey, you think she'd go for a guy like-," he stopped himself when he saw my glare. "Not your primary concern right now. Look, all we need is a DUP truck and a few uniforms. Now, my guys can handle the truck, but I need you to get the uniforms. You show up with bullet holes in them, people start asking questions. You use electricity, not bullets, so that shouldn't be a problem for you. Just take a few DUP guys out, don't burn the suits, and bring them back here. Got it?"

I sighed. I already didn't like this. "Yeah, I got it."

"Good. Better get going. Shift change is coming up."

I jumped from the station rooftop and onto another, then ran along the roofs while looking around for a squad of DUP troops. Unfortunately, I wasn't having much luck finding any. Remembering the patrols in the construction area, I ran back toward the military base, hoping that they were still unconscious.

Luckily, they were. I ran to the first one I saw and started pulling him out of his uniform, emptying his backpack to put the uniform in. Seeing the others still on the catwalk, I ran to them and took theirs as well. The last guy groaned as he began to wake up, but a quick punch to the face sent him back to dreamland. The uniforms in the army pack, I started running back to the station, only to get another call from the Truth.

"Damn it all to hell. MacGrath, the guys I sent to get the truck botched it up. I need you to help them out."

I sighed. "I'm on it," I muttered.

As if I needed any more problems.