Part 6
Trapped in the temple, Skyler was reminded of one of her most feared and recurring nightmares as a child. She would dream she was locked in a box shaped very much like a coffin. It was small, narrow and very dark. Outside she could hear screaming, loud shouting and scratching on the lid. The sounds terrified her, yet so did being enclosed inside the coffin. She was afraid and she was trapped. Claustrophobia engulfed her senses yet she feared leaving the box for what might be outside. Those dreams would often wake a young Skyler from a fitful sleep, making her scared to close her eyes again. As an adult, she was able to easily identify her dream's general overtones of anxiety, but this was the first time Skyler felt anything close to the terror she felt as a child. The fear she could feel, combined with the increasing beat of her heart, made her fully aware of their situation. She tried to relax by concentrating on Addison's presence. She could feel the agent fidget beside her.
Addison brought her ankle behind her. She attempted to reach into her boot, but her movements were limited. Instead, Addison stretched her leg out in front of her, pushing it behind Skyler's back. First things first, she thought. "Sky, in my boot I've a knife. I've found it advantageous to keep one in there since Israel. Can you undo the laces and reach inside to get it? It's a switchblade so don't be worried about encountering something sharp."
"Okay." Skyler felt around for Addison's boot. She pulled apart the double tied laces with a little difficulty, but perseverance gained her entrance. With restricted range of motion she searched and found the knife. Shuffling around until she was back to back with Addison, Skyler handed her knife.
"That's great. Okay… you first. Let me cut through the cable tie." With one hand, Addison released the blade. Being as careful as possible, Addison sliced through the dense plastic in one swipe. Relief coursed through Skyler's limbs as her shoulders and arms were released. She groaned, moving her head from side to side.
"God, that feels so good. Thank you." Skyler turned around. "Now for you." She reached out in the darkness, feeling around for Addison's hands. Taking her knife she cut through the cable tie.
"Ugh, thanks." The agent turned to face Skyler. Their hands reached out, searching, finding and pulling one another into a strong embrace. Skyler tried to remind herself to remain calm, but the realization of their situation hit hard. She bit her trembling lip; her eyes squeezed shut. Addison felt Skyler's body shake in her arms as she fought against a frightened sob. "Hey, hey come on. It's okay."
"What are we going to do, Addison?" Skyler pulled away. Her hands travelled over Addison's body, up her arms and across her shoulders. She cupped the agent's cheeks. "I'm not exactly feeling comfortable with this. I used to be claustrophobic as a child, remember? The one thing I like about the darkness is that I can control it. Our flashlights are in the pack with our weapons on the other side of that… rubble."
As Skyler spoke, Addison kept her vision focussed upon what she hoped was the exit to the temple. Though shrouded by darkness Addison concentrated her vision upon where she thought the rocks would be. They were too far underground to expect natural light to cast any beams through the boulders and she was certain the artificial lighting, set up by Santos, had been either destroyed in the rock fall or removed after the exit was sealed. At that moment a sudden thought occurred to Addison. She smiled in the darkness. "Sky, when I was younger I had this habit of carrying what I considered to be useful items around with me. You know, I wasn't exactly the model kid! Most children my age had pockets stuffed with sweets, coppers and other generally useless items. Me… well I had anything and everything from a knife and fags to matches and a torch."
"A torch," Skyler echoed.
"Uh huh. Even today, on any assignment, I always carry with me my S.A.S. survival tin…" Addison fumbled down her right trouser leg, looking for a low side pocket. "… And a compact, but rather powerful…" Unsnapping the button she pulled the single item out of her pocket and turned it on. "… Torch."
Relief flooded through Skyler. "Oh god, thank you!" She took the light from Addison's hand and shone it around them. Skyler noticed the torch was a smaller version of the S.O. issued kinetic torches. Apart from being smaller, this one didn't possess the ability to turn from flashlight to lantern. "You could have told me you had this before," Skyler said with a smile of temporary relief.
"I had a lot on my mind," Addison replied.
Skyler smiled again. Even though the torch pushed back her feelings of trepidation, she knew it wouldn't last.
On her hands and knees, Addison crawled out from under the altar. In the beam of the torchlight she could still see many dust fragments floating through the air. She rose, Skyler standing beside her and together they surveyed the damage around them. Stray boulders littered the floor, but the majority of rock was completely filling the temple's exit. Addison swept her hand over the altar, clearing away small pieces of stone. She braced her hands on the surface and jumped up, twisting her body and sitting down. Addison gazed around, her mind working overtime as she contemplated a route of exit.
Skyler walked around the temple. She shone the torchlight over each of its six walls. Dust was still thick in the air and Skyler silently commended herself for remembering to get an antihistamine shot before she left on this mission. The dust from the underground chambers was one of only three substances she was allergic to. Without the shot she would be sneezing and snuffling constantly. The memory of the first time she'd encountered the tomb dust came to mind. Her reactions had been so severe, Skyler's face had begun to swell, itchy and red. She recalled it being quite an embarrassment at the time.
Turning her attention to the mound of rocks, Skyler directed her torch beam around the edges of the temple's exit. She was positive there had to be an opening of some sort. She shone the light around the top of the rocks and her hope of finding an area in which to begin removing them was unfortunately dashed. The flashlight highlighted areas of the temple's ceiling, which was held up by nothing more than the rubble covering their exit. With hope ever decreasing, Skyler turned to Addison. The agent remained seated upon the altar. She appeared to be staring into space, lost in a daydream. Skyler knew, however, that Addison's problem solving mind was hard at work. By the curious expression she portrayed, Skyler was sure Addison had the makings of an idea. The doctor didn't ask what it might be; she knew Addison would impart that information when she was ready.
The flashlight's beam began to dim and so Skyler turned it off. She shook it for twenty seconds, converting kinetic energy into much needed light. Unfortunately, finding herself back in the darkness reinforced their situation in Skyler's mind. They were trapped. Recalling her dreams as a child, Skyler didn't know what felt worse, being in the darkness or having the light on and seeing the walls surrounding them, blocking any escape. She felt her heart beat a little faster and a weighty feeling press against her chest. She turned the torch back on, needing to divert her mind's focus onto something less foreboding. The doctor approached Addison and sat beside her. "I could really do with a drink right about now," she said.
"I'm sorry," Addison replied, blinking from her thoughts. Pushing a hand into one of her many pockets, she pulled out a packet of chewing gum. "Here, have one of these. They are pretty strong. They will get the mouth watering in no time."
"Thanks." Taking a piece of the red, cinnamon flavoured gum, Skyler popped it into her mouth. She wanted to ask Addison what she was thinking, but feared her response all the same. Instead she remained silent, her own mind puzzling over their predicament. She tried to instil a feeling of hope based around Addison's positive attitude, but was having little success. Doubt had a habit of forcing hopelessness upon a person who was slowly being consumed by fear.
Bracing her hands on the edge of the altar, Addison adjusted her position. She crossed her legs, placing her elbows upon her knees and folding her hands together. She placed her chin upon her hands and continued to think in silence. Her dark eyes followed the beam of light cast by their torch. Addison sighed.
"Are you okay?"
The agent nodded. "Yes, just thinking." She jumped off the altar and approached the rubble. "These look bloody heavy."
Skyler held back her own sigh; afraid it would seem more like a whimper. She swallowed hard and placed a hand over her aching chest. "Yeah." A moment of silence passed before she spoke again. "Addison?"
Turning from the rubble, Addison looked over at the doctor who was shadowed in the torchlight. "Hmm?" Skyler didn't reply, but Addison could see her tension building. Her left fist was clenched tight, her right squeezing the small flashlight. Addison cursed herself for not paying enough attention to Skyler. At that particular moment there were things a lot more important than Special Operations protocol. She needed to be there for Skyler. "Sky," Addison called again, her head dropping to one side. The doctor continued staring at the ground. "Look at me," implored Addison.
Slowly, Skyler looked up. "Addison, please tell me what you're thinking. I need… something." She slipped off the altar. "Addison, I'm not… I'm not feeing too good right now."
"God, Sky, I'm sorry." Addison stepped over the rubble, taking Skyler in her arms. She hugged her firmly, closing her eyes. "I'm just... I'm going over everything I can think of in order to find the safest possible way out of here. I don't mean to shut you out, Sky. Believe me, I'm working on it." She pulled back, looking into Skyler's shaded eyes. "There's a lot in here," Addison tapped her head. "I'm searching for the answer."
Skyler stepped away from Addison's arms. She shone the torch around the walls once again. "What answer are you going to find? I'm trying not to panic Addison, but all I can see are six walls surrounding us and closing in on us." Skyler's chest rose and fell with increasing breath. "I need to get out of here." She felt her entire body infuse with heat. "Damn it, Addison, I need to get out of here." Skyler began pacing around the temple as she muttered, "I can't breathe; I can't breathe." She dropped the torch to pull at her clothing, which felt entirely too constricting.
"Sky." Addison approached Skyler, but stopped when the blonde held up her hand.
"Please don't touch me right now, Addison."
"What?"
"I mean it."
Addison could clearly see what was happening. She recalled Skyler once telling her of how she was claustrophobic as a child. Skyler had presumed that was long forgotten. "Sky, it's okay to feel scared."
"I'm not scared!"
"It's natural."
Skyler stopped pacing. She stood in front of the altar, holding onto her clothing to disguise her trembling hands. "Are you scared?"
"Ah… well…" Addison wasn't sure how to respond to that question. "That's not so easy to answer or explain."
"What do you mean?"
The agent stood beside Skyler, leaning against the altar. "Being scared isn't always as clearly defined as black or white."
"Addison, why don't you just give me a straight answer? Please?" Skyler scrubbed her hands up and down her arms. Her skin prickled with discomfort and she longed to feel free from her constricting flesh.
The agent turned to face Skyler, but kept a respectful distance. "For me, fear is a tool. It's something I use to push me harder. I'd be lying right now if I told you I wasn't feeling scared. I can feel it… like an immense pressure trying to weigh me down, but it only makes me want to fight harder. Feeling this… it's like a sign telling me I need to be as strong as I possibly can be. It makes me feel…" Addison paused, trying to find the right words to convey what she meant. "It makes me feel so alive!"
Skyler was silent as she pondered Addison's explanation. She tried desperately to switch off these feelings, but the more she thought about them the worse they became. She felt nauseated and her stomach flipped and churned.
"What are you thinking?" Addison asked. She could see Skyler's body tense further. "Sky?"
"Addison, I want to do what you do. I want to turn these feelings into a driving force, but I can't. Right now it's all I can do not to cry." She covered her face with her trembling hands and rubbed her eyes.
Addison didn't know if that particular moment was the right time to help Skyler deal with her claustrophobia. She watched as the doctor began pacing. She walked from one side of the temple to the other, kicking a wall in sheer frustration. "Skyler?"
"I'm so damn scared, Addison, I can't even think straight. What help am I to you or anybody if I can't shake these feelings? FUCK!" she shouted and kicked another wall. Skyler clenched her hands, throwing fists into thin air. "I need to get out of here!" The walls around her seemed to pulse and her vision blurred. She closed her eyes, shaking her head.
The agent knew of only one way she thought might help Skyler deal with her claustrophobia, if it backfired the consequences would be severe, but it was all she had. Whatever happened, she needed Skyler. Bending down, Addison picked up the torch off the floor.
"Addison?"
"Skyler, fear is a normal reaction to a seemingly uncontrollable situation."
"I know that." Skyler watched Addison toy with the flashlight. "What are you doing?"
"Showing you," the agent replied and turned off the torch. Darkness surrounded them. Addison kept her senses tuned to Skyler's position.
"Addison?" Mounting fear was evident in Skyler's voice. "Turn that light back on. Please turn the light back on. Turn it on. Maybe now isn't the best time for this. Addison…?"
The agent swallowed hard. "I think that response proves it is."
"How can you…"
"I want you to listen to what I say," Addison interrupted. She needed Skyler's logical mind to help her. She'd already realised they had a means to escape, what she needed was a way in which to carry out her plan. She needed Skyler's sharp mind, now more than ever.
"Addison?" Skyler reached out, but couldn't find her. "What are you going to do? Why wont you turn the light on?"
"I want you to listen to me, Sky. Just listen." Addison ran her fingers through her hair. She felt small fragments of dust and grit fall onto her face. "Can you feel it, Sky?"
"Feel what"? Skyler asked in an agitated tone, her heart ever increasing in pace.
"Can you feel the walls around us, blocking us in?"
"Addison!"
"No, Sky. I need you to really feel this." Addison heard Skyler's breathing pick up pace. "I want you to fully acknowledge our situation."
"No problem there," Skyler spat resentfully.
"No?" Addison walked around the altar, keeping a distance from Skyler. "We're trapped in a damn temple, which we might as well call our tomb. If we try to remove those rocks one false movement will cause the whole lot to topple down on us. Crushing us. The best we could hope for in that circumstance would be a quick and painless death. Maybe a decent hit over the head?"
"Addison!" Skyler couldn't believe what she was hearing. This wasn't helping her at all. She wanted to cover her ears, but on doing so she could hear her own heart beat, hard and fast. That was even worse. "Please stop," she whispered.
"We can't see a damn thing. Who knows what's behind us right at this moment?"
Skyler felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. She shivered and spun around in the darkness, holding out her hands… reaching… searching.
"What's so bad about the darkness is we feel we really have no defence against the unseen. What if we were being watched right now? Feeling those eyes upon you, behind you. That eerie feeling slithering down your spine, you can't help but look around. You see nothing, but the feeling remains. Unseen eyes upon you… watching you."
Skyler's breathing increased and she shivered once again.
"But you know what the worst part about this is? We're down here and we're trapped. It may be over a week before H.Q. sends out a search here for us, wondering why there's been no movement and eventually seeing our life signs fade. Trouble is, a lot can happen in just a few short days. No food and no water. What if we run out of oxygen in here?"
That thought never occurred to Skyler. The notion made her heart speed even faster. Even though she knew exactly what Addison was doing, the truth in her words was a slap of reality across her face.
"More rocks could fall and we'd be crushed. We could run out of air. We may not escape this place. Doesn't it feel like the walls around us are getting closer and closer?" Addison had to admit it, if just to herself, her words were even beginning to affect her own sense of reason. The nervous tension sent a rush of adrenalin through her body. "Imagine being so closed in by the walls that you couldn't move. Restricted. A binding feeling like a hand wrapped around your throat."
Skyler closed her eyes; a pounding echoed in her head. She tried to take deep calming breaths, but couldn't ease the increasing beat of her heart or the trembling in her limbs. Blood pounded in her ears. Her stomach tightened. "Please stop. I GET IT!"
"I'll stop, Skyler, but I want you to tell me what you're feeling."
"I'm feeling like I want to run the hell out of here, yet there's nowhere to fucking go! I feel sick and right now, I'm sorry Addison, but I hate you. I don't like this feeling and I want you to stop."
Addison pressed on despite Skyler's words. She had to do this. "Feel like you might pass out?"
"Not until you said that… thanks!" Pushing both hands through her hair, Skyler held a fist full of blonde locks in each hand. "I don't like this, Addison." She choked back a sob, her face contorting in frustration.
The agent nodded in silent acknowledgement. "Fear of dying, of being crushed alive. Trapped. Finding it hard to breath?"
Skyler fell to her knees, tugging at the collar of her shirt. Claustrophobia had always lingered deep within her subconscious, but now it was attacking full force. Her heart pounded, her chest and throat felt tight. She couldn't breath. Her legs ached and her body shook. Tears stung her eyes. She couldn't speak.
Hearing Skyler's panicked breath, Addison knew it was time. Fully aware of her position, the agent stepped behind Skyler. She knelt down, taking the trembling woman in her arms. At first Skyler attempted to struggle and fight against the encompassing, confining feeling. Anger at Addison drove her to rebel, however, Addison held firm and Skyler eventually stopped fighting. She released another sob, forcing Addison to caress her stomach. The agent hoped to god she was doing the right thing. No doubt it was a delicate situation, but Addison wouldn't stop until this was over. "Listen to me, Sky. I want you to listen to my words and think about what I say."
"I can't."
"Yes you can. Just block out everything, but the sound of my voice."
Skyler fought to focus her mind on Addison and whatever she was about to say.
Addison rested the side of her head against Skyler's. "Think about when we make love. Think of those wonderful sensations that spread through your body at the peak of ecstasy."
"Addison…"
"Just… think about it. That wondrous ache in your body, the way it trembles. How a single touch can make your breath pick up and fill your lungs faster. How your body pulses in desire to the rapid beat of your heart… All very similar to the sensations you are feeling right now, right? The only difference is your perception." Skyler remained silent and Addison knew she was listening to her words. "You can't fight the inevitable, Sky. What you can try to do is control the outcome and your actions."
Skyler was beginning to understand Addison, however, her mind was still warring between reaction and logic.
"Accept what you can't control, Skyler. These feelings wont stop, but see them for what they are and how many ways your body can react in the same way."
"How?"
"Can you still feel them?"
Skyler nodded. "Yes."
"Is your heart pounding?"
"God yes."
"Just like mine does when you kiss me. When I kiss you?"
Skyler was still for a moment and then slowly nodded.
"Good… relish it. How thrilling is it to feel that vitality pounding through your body? Don't fear it." Addison spoke low against Skyler's ear. "Feel it. Let it feed you." Skyler's breathing slowed and became deeper. "Feel the edge. This is what it feels like to be scared, but you know what?" Addison's hands stirred, moving around Skyler's body. "You feel so damn alive! These aren't bad feelings. They are the rawest form of energy. Your heart beating… your body aching and the way it trembles. It's so primal. Feel it, Sky, but don't fear it."
Skyler bit her lower lip. Her eyes squeezed tightly closed. "Addison, is this supposed to be… sexually arousing?"
Addison smirked. "Well not usually, but this might have something to do with it." She added firmer pressure with her right hand to where it was cupping Skyler's centre.
With a growl, Skyler turned, blindly seeking Addison. They met in a kiss burning with passion and energy. Still holding Skyler, Addison pulled her closer. Her left hand travelled up her body and stopped beneath her breast. She felt Skyler's heartbeat drum against her palm. When they parted, gasping for air, Addison asked, "Are you scared, Sky?"
"Yes."
"How does it feel?"
Skyler breathed evenly and licked her lips. "It feels… powerful." She smiled. "And right now… strangely arousing!"
Addison chuckled and removed her hand from its warm place between Skyler's legs. She took the torch from her back pocket and turned it on. They squinted in the direct ray of light and Addison moved the beam ahead of them. They were facing the cave-in of rubble. "That's what I feel. People have often said they think I feel no fear. On the contrary… I do feel fear, it is only natural, but I use it and don't let it use me. That's the secret." Addison caressed Skyler's cheek. "Are you okay?"
"Uh huh."
"Ready to help us get out of here?"
"Give me a moment." Skyler closed her eyes. She took deep, even breaths. "Addison, I'm sorry I started to freak out on you." She opened her eyes.
"It's okay. Maybe it was a good thing you did."
Skyler was confused. "How so?"
"Because do you think you'll ever allow those feelings to overtake you again?"
The doctor had to think about that. "I'm not sure." She considered how she was feeling now and the way that weight of terror had been replaced by a feeling of acceptance. "No… I don't think it will." She turned to face Addison. "Why am I not surprised you used sex to appeal to my sense of reasoning?"
"Don't start on me!" Addison defended. "It worked didn't it?"
"You're such a letch!"
"That I can't deny," Addison admitted. "But seriously, it did work?"
Skyler nodded with an eager smile. "It worked and boy can I feel this… energy inside me."
"You know what that is, don't you?"
"What?"
Addison climbed to her feet, pulling Skyler with her. "Two things... firstly, it's lust." She wiggled her eyebrows. "And secondly, it's the Skyler Tidwell I know and love just itching to solve the problem of how we get out of…" she turned, holding her arms wide, "The temple of the dodgy walls!"
"So much for Imhotep the master architect!" Skyler countered. Addison didn't reply. "Hey?" The agent was silent, her attention focussed upon the ceiling. "What are you thinking?"
Addison turned to Skyler. "I'm thinking I've just figured out how to get us out of here."
Chapter 23
Skyler hoped her ears hadn't betrayed her. "Did you say you've just worked out a way to get us out of here?"
Her attention back upon the ceiling, Addison nodded. "I sure have."
Noting Addison's line of sight, Skyler looked up at the ceiling. She searched for what may have prompted Addison's sudden idea. Nothing remarkable jumped out at her. The glimmer of hope she harboured for a trapdoor or hidden exit faded and she frowned. "Addison, what are you thinking? Are you going to let me in on this or keep me guessing? I may have lost the desire to kick my way through the walls, but I do still want to get out of here."
Taking a step backwards, Addison placed one arm around Skyler's shoulders. Using the torch she directed its beam where the top of the rocks met the temple ceiling. "You see along here?"
Skyler squinted. "Um… I think so. What am I supposed to be looking at?"
Addison took a step closer, bringing Skyler with her. "The ceiling… it's cracked and ready to fall, but only for about a foot back or so. The rest of the ceiling is still structurally sound. The pillar in the centre here probably aids its sturdiness."
"Okay." Skyler approached the rubble cautiously. From bottom to top it filled the exit and seemed to hold up the rest of the broken ceiling. "So we need some way to remove all this crap without being close enough to be caught in the rock fall. What do you suggest? Standing behind the altar and throwing pebbles from a safe distance until one might luckily hit a weak spot and there-by disturbing the boulders and the whole thing comes tumbling down?"
Addison pursed her lips and placed her hands upon her lips. "Are you being sarcastic?"
"Well you're not telling me everything, so I'm taking wild leaps!"
"Sarcasm!" Addison narrowed her eyes. "You need to give me a chance, woman. Okay... one step at a time. I need to know, in your expert and logical opinion, whether you agree with me on this… "
"What?"
"Do you agree with my opinion that the remainder of the ceiling will stay put if we attempt to remove the boulders?"
Skyler frowned and inspected the precarious rocks once again. "Yes I think so, but how?"
Slipping a hand into her breast pocket, Addison produced a clip for her Diemaco rifle. It held five of the new bullets Samuel had designed. "One of these." She handed Skyler their torch and removed a single bullet from the rifle clip.
"I don't understand."
"Remember the new ammunition Samuel designed? I told you about it on the plane."
"That's it?"
"Sam gave me a couple. Unfortunately I don't have the rifle, but under the circumstances I don't think it would be a good idea to use it anyway."
"According to what you said, the explosive power of a single bullet is immense. To fire a shot into the rubble would be way too much."
"Exactly."
When Addison didn't elaborate, Skyler winced. "Please don't say what I think you're going to say?"
"What do you think I'm going to say?"
Skyler studied Addison's expression. "I think I'm afraid to say."
Addison held the bullet with her thumb and forefinger. She gazed at the object, so small yet so deceptively destructive. "I want to take it apart. I want to see if we can…"
"I knew you were going to say that." Skyler forced a breath through her lips. She took the bullet from Addison and gazed at the casing. Shining the torch light over their only possible hope, Skyler was incredibly careful with the powerful explosive. "How does this work again? A two point detonating sequence?"
"Yes. I know, as is, the bullet is far too powerful and would cause too much potentially lethal damage. However, I'm thinking if we were able to decrease the amount of explosive inside we can… control the detonation and damage caused. It'll be a delicate operation and we don't have a whole hell of a lot of resources to work with."
"Not to mention Sam's nano technology!"
"Well yes, but I know Sam's work and I know if we can get inside one of these babies…" She took the bullet back from Skyler. "We can use it to control an explosion with enough power to disrupt the rocks and just enough to remove the danger."
"And create an opening for escape." Skyler scratched her forehead. "Addison, it's going to be more dangerous opening one of them up."
Licking her lower lip, Addison thought about the possibilities of success. "I know, but I'm positive I can do it, Sky."
Skyler turned, walking away from Addison; she needed to think. What Addison proposed was in no doubt a dangerous decision and one with the potential of being more catastrophic than their current situation. She bit her lip as she weighed the probability of success. It wasn't high. With no prior knowledge of the internal workings of Samuel's new ammunition there was no way to even predict what would be inside the shell. Skyler spun around. "Permission to speak freely, Captain Black?"
Addison quirked her eyebrow in confusion. "Huh?" Skyler had never addressed her by rank before. "What's going on?"
The doctor laughed. "Nothing. I just want to say I think this is an utterly insane idea, but… let's do it."
"Okay… okay." Addison nodded slightly and looked around. She approached the altar, placing the bullet on its surface. "We need to see what tools we actually have here." She began rummaging through her pockets, placing all available items on the table. "Two packets of chewing gum… wallet… knife… survival tin… lighter." She left the ammunition clips in her pockets; they wouldn't be needed. "Cell phone…" she flipped it open. "No signal… surprise." Addison looked over at Skyler. "What about you?"
"Oh um…" Skyler walked over to Addison. She placed the torch on the altar. "I don't think I have much." She searched her pockets. "My wallet… some coins… P.D.A… compass… oh, and a chocolate bar!" She squeezed it softly. "Melted… icky!"
"Anything else?"
Skyler shrugged. "I don't seem to have anything we could use."
"Don't be so sure," Addison replied. Placing her hands upon the altar's surface she stared down at the explosive bullet. She drummed her fingers upon the dusty stone.
"Did Sam tell you what was inside his bullet?"
Addison winced. "No, but by his description I have a pretty good idea. The only dangerous part is going to be getting inside. After that, I'll play it by ear."
Knowing it was a blind leap, Skyler asked, "Do you want me to do it?"
The agent gave her a sideways glance. "Sky, if I thought I had a chance I'd make you stand as far away as possible while I did this." She turned to look at Skyler. "Unfortunately I know how headstrong you are."
"Damn right."
"Uh huh." Removing the lid from her survival tin, Addison rummaged around its compact contents until she found what she was looking for; a small penknife with razor sharp blade. Removing the instruments, she placed it down beside the bullet. "Can you hold the torch while I do this?"
"Of course." Skyler took the flashlight and waited for Addison to begin.
Addison could already feel her palms beginning to sweat. She knew the most difficult part of the initial process was going to be the opening of the casing. That was when the possibility of jarring a detonator would be at its greatest. Even with the two-point detonation process, she didn't know what would happen once the seal was broken and she ventured inside. Picking up the penknife, Addison flipped open its blade. She sucked a breath through her teeth. "Okay… let's do this." Skyler shone the torch light over the bullet as Addison picked it up. "Come closer; I need as much light as possible."
Skyler stepped closer; her shoulder was flush against Addison's. She held the torch with her left hand and watched as Addison placed her knife against the base of the bullet. The blade was very sharp and its metal shone in the torchlight. "Be careful." Pausing, Addison turned and looked at Skyler. The doctor held up her free hand. "Sorry… just thinking out aloud."
"Uh huh."
"Oh she's so sexy when she's uptight!"
Addison arched her eyebrow.
"Damn it; happened again." Skyler smiled. "Sorry, I'm just trying to keep the tension to a minimum."
"It's okay." Addison held the bullet closer. She slid her blade against the base of the ammunition and twisted it around the seal. The blade moved slowly. "Keeping the tension low is probably a good idea." A bead of sweat rolled down Addison's forehead and slipped down her nose. She twitched her nostrils, forcing the droplet to fall.
"Is the seal breaking?"
Completing a second circuit, Addison nodded. "Seems to be." She twisted the blade around once more and then wedged it inside, prizing its base away from the bullet's shell. Addison held her breath. She didn't want to make any harsh movements, knowing they had to remain slow and fluid.
Skyler peered over Addison's hand. She bit the corner of her lip anxiously. With an ominous darkness surrounding them, her focus remained solely upon Addison's knife and the separating bullet casing. Unconsciously, she crossed two fingers of her free hand.
"Come on… come on, baby." Addison dropped her penknife and took hold of the base, pulling the internal explosive from the bullet's shell. "Holy shi…" Addison gazed down at the technology. It was like nothing she'd ever seen before. Within the unique mechanism was a small, moulded glass tube. Packed inside the tube was the explosive. It looked similar to C4, but Addison knew its power was much greater. She had seen the damage caused by such a small amount. Addison studied the two-point detonator. It was connected by a tiny circuit board holding one microchip; she turned the explosive around with her fingers.
"Would you look at that," Skyler said in amazement. She shone the torchlight closer. "A tiny watch battery! This is amazing!"
The agent shook her head in wonder. "I don't know how he does it. This is inspired."
"It's genius."
Placing the explosive carefully in the palm of her hand, Addison stared down at its intricate design. She sucked her bottom lip into her mouth and bit gently upon the flesh. "Sky?"
"Hmm?"
"I have an idea. This is a hell of a lot safer than my original thought."
"Which was?"
The agent smiled wryly. "Activate the detonation sequence then use those three seconds to run like hell to safety!"
Skyler cleared her throat. "I hope to god your new plan is better than that."
"Better… yes, but as easy… absolutely not." Addison pondered her idea. "I'll need your help and…" she paused, "Your P.D.A."
Now Skyler was curious. "What on earth do you have in mind, Addison?" She looked down at the explosive and then back at Addison. "And why do I have this bad feeling in the pit of my stomach?"
"It's not a bad idea, but it is risky. First of all…and most importantly, does your P.D.A. have infrared data transfer?"
Skyler nodded curiously. She was still uncertain as to what Addison had in mind. "Sure it does. I need it to transfer data to the main computer back at H.Q."
"Good." Addison turned her survival tin lid upside down and placed the explosive technology upon its shiny interior surface. "I need to cut down the amount of explosive inside this glass vial. I'll have to remove the detonation rod and break the glass as gently as possible. I calculate one eighth will be enough to cause adequate disruption within the rocks to let the remainder fall. Hopefully that should leave us in a better position to escape."
"Addison, I don't understand what…"
"Well the idea is to get the rest of the rocks to fall and clear a pathway for us to…"
"No I get that part," Skyler said. "What I don't understand is why you want to know if my P.D.A. was capable of infrared transfer." She picked up the handheld computer. "Why is that so important for this?"
"Ah yes." Addison held up her mobile telephone. "My phone is also infrared for sending and receiving data between other phones and computers."
"Okay, but…" Skyler paused as realisation dawned upon her. "A transmitter and receiver!"
A wide smile shaped Addison's lips. "Right. I want to use your P.D.A. as a transmitter and my cellular phone as the receiver… to detonate the explosive. It will mean a bit of tinkering around with the phone, but I'm figuring you could do that, right?"
Skyler's eyes studied the equipment. "I think so."
"Good. You do that and I'll change the two-point detonation sequence to just one detonator… one switch. I think the hardest part is going to be figuring out how to use the phone to trigger the detonator."
It was a plan, Skyler thought, but it wouldn't be as easy as Addison's 'run like hell' strategy. She wondered how best to use the phone's capability. "Your phone has a vibrating alert, right?"
"That's it!" Addison exclaimed. "We use the P.D.A. to transmit a signal to my cell phone which will cause a vibrating response that will trigger the detonation!" Addison cupped Skyler's cheeks and kissed her soundly upon the lips. "Did anybody ever tell you you're an absolute frigging genius?"
"Not today," Skyler responded, enjoying Addison's kiss. She noticed Addison's expression grow stern. "What's up?"
"Skyler, promise me you'll just agree to this one request?"
"You know that means I won't!" the doctor responded.
Addison growled. "Bad choice of words." She thought swiftly before speaking again. "Skyler, in division of task you have the hard job and I have the dangerous job. I want us to do this in separate sides of the temple. Me over there," she pointed to the temple exit. "And you furthest away from me as possible."
"Addison, are you serious?"
"Never been more so. Sky, if that thing detonates while I'm decreasing the charge I'd like for you to be as far away as possible and for me to be besides the exit in hopes that you will still, with luck, be able to escape."
Skyler knew Addison was deadly serious. She wanted to protest as adamantly as possible. Unfortunately, not only did she know Addison had a point, but personal feelings could not stand in the way of their mission… not now. Skyler frowned with a petulant expression forming on her features. "I don't like this, Addison."
"I know."
"You use the torch." Skyler took the single tea light from Addison's survival tin and her lighter. "I'll use this. You'll need the best light and I'm working with electronics and illuminated screens."
"Deal." Addison picked up the torch and then tapped Skyler's bottom lip.
The doctor frowned. "What?"
"Open."
"Okay?" Skyler opened her mouth. She watched as Addison's fingers ventured inside and felt her remove the chewing gum. "You could have asked!"
"I could have." Addison smirked. "I need something tacky." She waved the moist gum around in the air to dry it out. "It's the stickiest substance we have."
She had to ask, knowing she would probably regret it. "What would you have used if we didn't have gum?"
Addison pondered her question. "I really don't know. Hmm… ear wax?"
"Oh my god!"
"Or how about…"
"No! Don't say anymore." Skyler shook her head muttering, "I don't believe I kiss that mouth!" She picked up Addison's phone, her P.D.A and the agent's knife. "Can I use this?"
Addison was still grinning as she nodded. "Sure, I'll use the penknife. I need this particular blade anyway."
As she finished gathering her essentials, Skyler looked back at Addison. "You know… it really is fun working with you. One minute I'm freaking out… the next I'm being grossed out!"
The agent smiled proudly. "Thank you." She began gathering her own tools. "I'll take that as the compliment I'm sure it was intended to be."
Skyler rewarded Addison with an affectionate smile. "Meet you back here?"
"Count on it." With a wink, Addison walked to the corner of the temple. She sat beside the left corner of its exit and arranged the items before her.
Skyler lit her small candle. Once the wick ignited she carried it to the opposite side of the temple and sat down upon the dusty ground. Quietly, Skyler turned on her P.D.A and began programming the small computer to transmit to Addison's make of cellular phone.
Holding the sharp blade of her penknife, Addison gazed down at the vial of explosive. She had worked with C4 before, but knew this wasn't the same. However, it was similar enough for her to be positive she could carry out her plan. Over the years Addison had worked with many different types of explosives both in their creation and disarming. She was well aware of the dangers and how best to handle such materials. Unfortunately, she had never seen this particular type before. Samuel had stated it was more powerful than H.M.T.D and that had sat at number one on the explosives scale. It seemed Addison needed to rely upon previous knowledge and a little insightful logic for this task.
Remaining calm, Addison used only light pressure to break the end of the glass vial. It fractured with ease. She removed the sharp fragments and continued until she was left with its contents. The substance was no more than one centimetre in length and half that in width. Using her torch, Addison looked up at the rocks. Recalling it's explosive power she figured they would only need two millimetres of length. With an educated estimation, Addison sliced into the blue, puttylike substance. She removed the rest from the tin lid she was working upon and placed it inside the empty bullet shell. "Okay," she muttered and looked down at the materials. "Let's make this work." A sudden, muted curse caught her attention and she looked across the temple. Skyler sat in the candlelight, the glow of the P.D.A. screen shining upon her face. The flickering candle's orange flame cast her blonde hair in golden hues. At that moment, Addison decided Skyler had never looked more beautiful. She resisted an urge pushing her to go to Skyler. Instead, Addison turned her attention back to the task at hand
Thirty-eight minutes later, Skyler was the first to complete her work. She looked across the room at Addison. The agent sat with her legs crossed, pulling apart the gum she'd taken from the doctor's mouth. Sky smiled and looked down at the small computer and mobile telephone. The phone's silver casing had been removed and she had adjusted its vibrating mechanism to respond with greater force. Skyler altered the phone, making sure it would respond as and when required. Though limited in tools, she was able to use the tip of the knife as a screwdriver as well as a wire stripper. She had completed the alterations and was ready for Addison.
Working in such poor lighting, Addison's eyes ached. The intricate, detailed work she performed left her with a deep pounding across the front of her skull. Massaging her temple with nimble fingers she asked, "Do you have it ready?"
"Yes." Closing the knife blade, Skyler climbed to her feet, bringing the P.D.A. and cellular phone with her. She approached the altar, placing the objects down. "These are ready to go."
"Great." Exercising caution, Addison rose. She held the explosive in the palm of her hand. "Just one question left to ask… where on the rocks should we place it?"
Skyler considered the possibilities. "Well considering we'll be taking cover under this altar I don't think it should be too low down. I'd guess as high as we can reach is our best bet." She picked up what was left of the mobile telephone, taking it over to Addison. Only its internal parts remained and those had been 'tweaked'. "How do you want to do this?"
Shining the flashlight over the rocks blocking the temple exit, Addison picked an area flat enough and high enough to place the explosive. It was still within her reach. "I've rigged this to detonate as soon as the two wires, which will complete the circuit, connect. That will happen due to the phone's vibration. It still won't work until I place this…" Addison held the tiny, circular battery between her thumb and index finger. "Back in place."
"Sounds like it should work," Skyler said.
"It better," Addison responded. "I'm going to need glasses after this!"
Together they prepared and situated the explosive. As the final touch, Addison carefully connected the battery. She took two cautious steps backwards and then turned, dashing under the altar with Skyler. "Are you ready?"
Skyler held up her P.D.A. "All I have to do is send the data signal."
The women sat close, their legs intertwined, keeping contact. Addison twisted her body around so that her back was to the rubble wall. "Just in case," she said.
"I'm not even going to waste my breath," Skyler replied. She moved her index finger around the button. "Ready?"
Addison nodded. "Go for it." She wrapped her arms around Skyler. The doctor pushed the button. Nothing. She frowned and pressed it again. Still there was nothing. Now Addison was concerned. "What the…"
In confusion, Skyler removed the torch from the floor and looked down at her P.D.A. Maybe she was pressing the wrong button. "Oh… damn it!" she cursed. "Power save… it turned the thing off!" She switched the mini-computer back on. "Okay, this time… ready?"
Addison held Skyler tight. "Just do it before I…"
Skyler pressed the button. There was hardly time to register a loud vibration before the rocks exploded and, once again, commenced falling to the ground. Both women held each other tightly as rocks fell behind them. Addison felt something hit her back. It was painful, but she ignored the uncomfortable sensation. She didn't release Skyler.
Rocks continued to fall as the remainder of the broken ceiling hit the ground. For Skyler, it seemed over a lot quicker than the first time around. When the crashing and pounding of solid rock ceased, she looked up. Dust filled the air and for a moment it was difficult to see anything at all. "Did it work?" she asked in a voice filled with hope and anticipation.
Releasing Skyler, Addison turned. She cast the torchlight towards the exit. The mound of rocks was still present, but this time it was only three feet high. Though more of the ceiling had fallen the remainder of the exit was clear. "You Jammy Beggar… it worked!" She sprung from underneath the altar, pulling Skyler with her and they hugged in relief. "Are we good or what?"
Skyler laughed. "The best!" She resisted the urge to literally jump for joy.
Taking the doctor's hand, Addison led her to the rocks. "Come on, lets get out of here."
"You read my mind," Skyler replied and together they climbed over the heavy boulders and towards freedom.
Chapter 24
Xander looked out of the window of Phoenix Hawthorn's private jet. His view was unobstructed and spectacular to behold. There was something surreal about seeing the world from such a distance. It looked so innocent, beautiful and above all serene. Although he would never admit it, even to himself, a small part of Xander wished it really were all of those things. He turned away, relaxing back into his comfortable leather chair. They had been in the air for just over two hours and so far their plans were on schedule. Santos stretched out languidly; he was tempted to close his eyes. Zavren, Tim and the rest of his men who'd accompanied him in Egypt were happily dozing around him. All but Xander and Phoenix. Xander's younger partner was working in the aircraft's cargo hold. As soon as the diamonds had been carried aboard, Phoenix had set to work. Their flight south wasn't the only plan on schedule. Something far greater was rapidly reaching completion.
With little resistance, Xander closed his eyes. The hectic days were beginning to catch up on him. His mind slowly drifted. Santos thought back to the two women they had left trapped in the temple of Imhotep. Not a flicker of remorse shadowed his thoughts. He grinned nefariously and sunk deeper into his chair. An unexpected question entered his mind. How did they find us? he wondered. They certainly hadn't been aware of anybody following them. Alexander shook his head, placing his hands in his lap. The question remained. Until that point he'd had little time to really think about the events of the last few hours. They had unfolded so fast and unexpectedly. Xander had been too grateful to obtain Skyler Tidwell's assistance to stop and wonder how the women had discovered them so easily. Maybe they'd been on his trail all the time, he considered. Although he accepted this possibility it was a disturbing thought. Xander was sure he had been as careful as possible. But these women were smart, he thought, especially that blonde one. He smirked. Pity… she could have come in handy if she didn't work for the enemy! Xander knew most people would consider him and Phoenix crazy for attempting to stand against governments and world leaders, but none of them had what they had!
With a haughty smile, Xander unfastened his seatbelt and rose, stretching his limbs lightly. He turned and walked towards the back of the plane. Pulling a maroon curtain to one side, Xander stepped into a small cargo hold. Phoenix sat upon the floor. A crate of diamonds was open and he was busy inspecting each one individually.
"How do they look?"
Phoenix looked up in surprise, unaware he was being watched. "Amazing… absolutely freaking amazing."
Xander nodded. He strode further into the cargo area and picked a diamond out of the crate. He chose the largest he could find, which was almost the size of his fist. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine the diamonds to be so plentiful and so perfect. The one he held alone was worth millions of pounds. It was a mind-boggling concept. Xander squeezed the precious stone in his fist and closed his eyes. His father had died while on the search for these diamonds and Xander wondered if he was watching over him right now. He knew his plans for the diamonds were very different from his father's, but Xander hoped at the very least Dorian Santos would have been proud.
Placing the diamond back in its crate, Xander asked, "Have you selected the one for the first chip?"
"Have I?" Phoenix picked up a velvet-lined tray holding several large diamonds. "With the technology we have I'll have it complete within the day!"
Xander crouched down to get a closer look at the selected diamonds. "Magnificent."
"Do you realise what we're about to do? How close we are to…"
"Greatness," Xander finished.
Phoenix nodded once. "Greatness." He shared a knowledgeable smile with his partner and then continued with his work.
Santos rose to his feet. He pulled a packet of cigarettes from the breast pocket of his white shirt and placed one between his lips.
"Smoke those cancer sticks out there please," Phoenix muttered without looking up.
Xander looked down at him indignantly. Using a blue tipped match he lit a cigarette. Taking a deep pull of smoke into his lungs he released it into the atmosphere of the cargo hold before leaving. Santos strolled back down the main cabin. He approached his seat, but as an afterthought chose the aisle seat instead. It wasn't that this chair gave him more room, simply that it was a fraction close to the cargo hold. Before sitting, Xander removed his fedora from the luxurious leather. As he turned to sit the hat slipped from his hand and rolled onto the aisle floor. "Damn it!"
Hearing Xander's curse, Zavren looked round in sleepy confusion. He noticed Xander's fedora lying upon the floor and picked it up, handing it back to his boss. Santos took it without a word of thanks. He placed it upon his head, tilting it forwards to cover his eyes. Maybe forty winks before we land, he thought.
Behind heavy lids, Xander's active brain flashed busy thoughts through his brain. He thought of the diamonds and their worth. He thought of the ultimate and final part of their plan. Xander considered the possibilities of not completing their goals, but knew now that the officers from Scotland Yard were out of the way; he really didn't need to worry. Nothing would stop them now. Xander smiled as random images appeared in his mind, Imhotep's temple in Egypt and the surprisingly intelligent Inspector Tidwell. He saw Zavren handing him his fedora, followed by another, similar incident in Cairo International Airport. Xander's eyes flew open. He recalled the incident once again… the woman who knocked him over and the second who handed him his fedora. Xander tore the hat from his head. Wild eyes moved rapidly around the aircraft. Hoping he was wrong, yet at the same time hoping the answer to being followed was as simple as his suspicions, Xander felt around the inner lining of his hat. He found a tear. Slipping a finger inside he searched around until his fingertip came into contact with a small, metallic object. He pulled it out and looked down at the chip. Anger surged through his veins. "God damn fucking bitches!" He rose and threw the chip onto the floor.
In surprise and confusion, his men sprung to their feet, weapons armed and ready. Phoenix appeared from behind the curtain. "What's going on?" he asked frantically.
"What's going on?" Santos angrily repeated. "Want to know how those bitches were able to find us so easily?" He pointed to the floor. "A tracking chip."
"What?" Phoenix stepped forwards and looked down at the tiny implant. "Where was it?"
Xander opened his mouth to respond, but thought better of it. He didn't want to acknowledge he had made a mistake, let alone admit it was on him. "Not anybody or anything is leaving this plane until it has been thoroughly searched… got it?" As the men scrambled to do his bidding, Xander lifted his right knee and slammed his foot down upon the chip. He crushed it beyond recognition.
*********
Stepping over scattered boulders, Skyler used their torch to navigate a way out of the chamber. She stumbled on a jagged rock and quickly felt Addison behind her, keeping her from falling to the ground. They continued on, travelling through the narrow passageway in which they had entered the outer chamber. Slowly, natural light began to show. The entrance had been resealed and only small shafts of light were visible around the blockage. Addison knew she would remedy that.
"Look," Skyler said, shining her torch upon the ground. "They didn't take our things."
"Lucky us," Addison muttered. She knelt down to pick up her discarded Berettas. After checking each pistol she placed them back into their holsters. "Oh boy, are they going to pay for this."
"Addison," Skyler called from behind the agent. She shone her torch over Addison's back. "You're bleeding."
Addison turned, instinctively presuming it had been when she felt the sharp pain hit her during the rock fall. She attempted to look over her back. "Where?"
Skyler knelt behind Addison and pulled the shirt from her shoulders. The agent wore a black tank top and if not for the beige coloured shirt she probably wouldn't have spotted the injury. Un-tucking the black garment, Skyler pushed it delicately up Addison's back. "Damn it, Addison, didn't you feel this? You have a four or five inch gash right near your spine. That could have been so dangerous."
"I remember feeling something hit me earlier."
"Well it needs to be treated. I can do it, but we should get out of here first."
"Suits me." Addison continued gathering her belongings. She holstered her ankle pistol and then handed Skyler her weapons. "The sooner we get our stuff the sooner we leave this place."
Skyler picked up their pack and threw it over her shoulder. Beneath the backpack she spotted the location device and scooped it out of the sandy ground. Once all the gear was reclaimed, Addison studied the stone doorway.
"From what I could make out when we entered here, the entrance was simply a stone slab over the ground... or at least that is how Santos left it. I guess they didn't cover us over too well in the darkness."
"How are we going to move that?" Skyler scratched her head, irritated by the dusty, musky air.
Reaching into the pack on Skyler's back, Addison pulled out a steel crowbar. "Sheer determination and elbow grease."
"You're kidding!"
Mounting several of the steps, Addison reached up and slid her crowbar between the stone slab and ceiling. "Nope." Grasping the bar with both hands, Addison pulled. It didn't move. With gritted teeth and straining muscles she tried again. The stone shifted slightly. "Slowly, but surely."
"Can I help?" Skyler looked above them to where a little more daylight was shining through. She could see the blue Egyptian sky.
"Sure… try pushing while I pull this thing, okay?"
"Okay." Bracing her feet, Skyler placed her hands on top of Addison's. "Say when."
"Now!" Using short, sharp thrusts the women began edging the slab away from the opening. Golden sand fell into Skyler's hair the more the hidden doorway was shunted open. After thirty seconds they stopped and Addison surveyed their exit. "Well it isn't more than a foot wide, but I'd say we can slip through there. I'll go first and then you can pass the gear through and follow. Is that okay?"
Nodding, Skyler stepped backwards to allow Addison access to the narrow opening. The agent reached above the stone. Tiny grains of sand trickled down into her hair. With a jump she hauled her body through the gap and out into freedom. She wasted no time in turning around and, reaching back inside the opening, grasped her rifle and backpack from Skyler. She then took the doctor's hand and helped her through the exit.
"Fresh air!" Skyler exclaimed and laughed in relief.
Addison laughed with her. Shouldering the rifle she turned and blinked in surprise at finding a group of tourists staring back at her and Skyler. "Bugger!"
Skyler turned in curiosity to see over fifteen men, women and children looking back at them in varying degrees of bewilderment and confusion. She hadn't realised so much time had passed.
Adopting her best upper class accent, Addison said, "Bloody hell, so it really is true what they say. If you keep digging long enough…!" She singled out a teenage boy and asked, "Where are we, young fellow?"
The boy looked up at his father before answering. "Egypt, Ma'am."
"Egypt!" Skyler exclaimed and slapped Addison's arm. "You told me we'd reach Australia!"
"Slight miscalculation," Addison answered as the doctor coaxed her into a hasty retreat. They walked away in silence for several moments before Addison looked back. "So there's been a cover up."
Skyler nodded. "I was thinking the same thing. What other reason would there be for the lack of police here considering there were at least two murders last night."
"I think an insider on tourist commission must be involved here. Somebody knew to cover up what happened."
"You don't think Santos did it?"
"I don't think he would even care, but maybe to be assured of a hasty getaway he might bribe somebody to cover his tracks."
"Maybe." Skyler spotted the sign indicating an exit from the site. They took a wide path back to where they had left the Jeep. "It looks so much different during the day." Skyler looked down at the tracking device and turned it on. The screen was empty. "Um… Addison?"
"Hmm?" Addison looked at Skyler as the doctor handed her the tracker and pointed out its screen.
"No signal."
"Bollocks! Unless one of our satellites has gone down then the transmitter has been destroyed. That means in all probability Santos has found it."
Skyler clucked her tongue. "Now what?"
"Now we touch base. Is your phone still in the pack?" Receiving an affirmative nod, Addison reached inside and rummaged around for Sky's cellular telephone.
"Are you calling H.Q.?"
"The central mainframe will store the last known co-ordinates on all satellite tracking devices. Plus Mark will need an update on what's going down." Addison dialled a direct line to Daniel Sleet in the data centre. If she knew him as much as she thought she did he would be at work. Danny has as much of a personal life as any other agent for M.I.5. Special Operations. Addison waited as the phone started to ring. She dawdled slightly behind Skyler, the mobile telephone flush against her ear. "Come on, Dan, I know you are there."
Just before her call would have been diverted to another line, a tired voice said, "A.D.C., Danny speaking."
"About bloody time, Dan. I was beginning to think you knew it was me."
"Addison!" Danny said with enthusiasm. "Mark had us send three V.A. communications to you."
"Yeah? Well we were temporarily detained!"
"We saw you had been static for a few hours. What happened?"
"I'll tell you later. First of all, what did you try to contact us for?"
"Ah," Danny paused as he searched out the information he'd been ordered to transmit. "Skyler with you?"
"Of course."
"Good. Ask her to connect the data receiver to her P.D.A. I have some information for you both."
Addison tapped Skyler's shoulder and the doctor stopped walking. Their vehicle had just come into sight. "Danny is sending us some info."
"Right." Skyler commenced assembling her P.D.A. for a satellite uplink.
Noticing a very large boulder, Addison sat down upon the warm, smooth surface. "What are you sending?"
"Data on the possible contact stroke partner of Alexander Santos."
"Hmm… he wouldn't be a young man… approximately twenty-four years of age with white hair and bright pink eyes now would he?"
"He's the one. You've met him?"
"He's already on my blacklist, Dan." Addison patted the surface beside her and Skyler sat down. The doctor connected to the S.O. satellite relay and data began loading into her computer.
"The 'blacklist'." Danny whistled. "That's not a good place to be. Anyway… I'm sending you everything we have on him. Hopefully this will fill in the blanks. He's an interesting read, that young Mr Hawthorn. Crazy, but interesting."
"Crazy?"
"He has some interesting notions, put it that way. I'd say some of them are impossible, but Sam might be a better judge of that."
"Really?" Now Addison was getting interested. She looked down at Skyler's P.D.A. The data was still uploading. "Dan, do we use this same satellite for data transfer as we do for tracking?"
"Yes."
Addison cursed under her breath. That meant Santos had discovered the locating chip. "Dan, I activated a tracker in Cairo International Airport. We lost communication within the last couple of hours. Can you tell me its last known co-ordinates before the COM was severed?"
"No problem. Give me a moment, Addison." The line fell silent as Danny accessed the satellite. Addison heard him begin a low whistle to himself. The tune was unfamiliar to her. She looked back down at Skyler's P.D.A. The sun shone upon the small screen making her unable to see what Skyler was reading. She moved closer, placing her chin on the doctor's shoulder.
"There's our guy," she muttered seeing a student identification shot of Phoenix Hawthorn.
"What's that?" Danny asked.
"Nothing, just talking to myself, Dan. So have you found it?"
Danny was silent.
"Dan?"
"Yeah, Addison… I've found it." His voice held a definite tone of reluctance.
Confused, Addison pushed for further explanation. "And?"
"Addison… the accelerated speed of the tracer just before loss of contact shows it was moving at a speed of four hundred and three miles per hour."
"So they were airborne." Addison waited, knowing there had to be more. "Where were they going?"
Danny hesitated briefly. "West Africa."
"West…" Addison didn't finish as realisation dawned upon her.
When he didn't hear any reply, Danny continued. "Give me a minute and I'll access air traffic control." The agent waited, hoping Danny would discover the flight path led away from Africa altogether. "Okay, Addison... I have A.T.C. confirmation on the flight path. The plane was bound for…" Danny hesitated again. "It's Sierra Leone, Addison."
Addison closed her eyes. Sierra Leone, the one place in the world she had vowed never to return. "Okay, Danny… you better let Mark know where we're heading."
"Addison, you know there's…"
"Just let him know, Dan. You and I both know nothing stands in the way of a mission, not even a silly vow never to set foot on Sierra Leone soil ever again."
Skyler looked up curiously at Addison's statement. She frowned, but Addison didn't look her way and so she continued scanning the data Danny had sent them. The more she read the more she began understanding what was going on… and she didn't like it.
"Yeah. Okay. I'll get back to you. Right… bye, Dan." Addison disconnected the line. She rose from the rocks and rubbed her weary brow. "Great."
Shielding her eyes from the sun, Skyler looked up at Addison in concern. "Everything okay?"
"Just marvellous." Scratching her forehead the agent asked, "So what do we have?" She motioned towards the P.D.A.
Not missing a beat, Skyler rose to her feet. "Oh no you don't, G woman. You can't change the subject like that. I know we need to discuss this stuff, but I also know something is bothering you and I hope you can talk to me about it. That was a pretty strong statement you made to Danny earlier."
Gazing at the ground, Addison shuffled her right boot into the golden sand. "Later… okay?"
"Fine." Skyler handed the backpack to Addison and they commenced the short walk to their transportation. "The information Danny sent is mostly about Phoenix Hawthorn. Seems he and Santos met through the university. From what I can understand Hawthorn had already left after being recruited by some corporation. I don't know who they are though."
Addison pulled the key from her pocket. She unlocked the vehicle. "What's the name?"
"The Luis Lion Corporation," replied Skyler.
The agent paused mid-step of getting into the driver's seat. "You're kidding me!"
"No, why?"
"Because the Luis Lion Corporation was one of Agnes Brodie's seemingly legitimate company fronts! Brodie herself started the 'L.L.' corporation. Classic Agnes style, although we didn't figure most of this out until after she popped her clogs." Addison climbed into the vehicle.
"Classic Agnes style? I would have thought any company built by the great Brodie would have fallen when she did."
"It was bought out by a guy called Emerson Hollingsworth after Brodie died. It is now a major player in the computer industry and I believe they specialise in sound, graphic and network cards."
As Skyler closed her door she asked, "And what about 'classic Agnes style'? What does that mean?"
"Luis Lion," Addison replied. "Rearrange the letters and you get the word illusion."
"No way!"
"Yep, classic Agnes."
"Oh no… sorry." Skyler tapped the screen of her computer. "I was reading this. Although there isn't an awful lot of information, it says Hawthorn was hired to work in the research department." She tapped to the next page with her stylus. "A base situated in Africa."
Starting the engine, Addison put the vehicle in reverse and backed out of the dead end. "And?" She took the turning for Cairo, knowing they needed to head back to the airport.
"While you were talking to Danny, I was reading through a paper Hawthorn had written. It was about the future of microprocessor technology and the advantages of using diamonds to advance their speed and performance."
"Diamonds! Okay, bad feeling here. What do you know yourself about these diamonds, Sky?"
Skyler turned off the P.D.A. and slid it back into her pocket. "Quite a lot actually."
Addison gripped the steering wheel. "Give it to me."
"Okay… the silicon processors we're using today will soon reach the limit of manageable speeds. Imagine tar roofing... it can only take so much temperature before it starts to melt. This means the semiconductor makers are looking for new materials to build their processors."
"Diamonds," said Addison.
"Diamonds," Skyler agreed. "The hardest substance known to man with a superb ability to conduct heat. Silicon begins to show severe thermal stress at about one hundred degrees Celsius, but a diamond can withstand several times that with no negative effects."
Addison frowned. "But a diamond's base material is carbon and that's an insulator."
"That's right, but a lot of research was done on this. For some years now it has been known that a diamond doped with boron becomes a semiconductor, p-type or positive, similar to p-type silicon. What was a little more difficult was to make the n-type semiconductor… negative." Skyler stretched out her legs. She rubbed her eyes, feeling the onset of a desire to sleep. "Now obviously they need both the n-type and p-type semiconductors to form a transistor. Recent breakthroughs have allowed researchers to actually reverse the charge of the boron-doped diamond… and that was it. A p-type and n-type boron-doped diamond becomes a processor capable of speeds that will far surpass silicon."
Taking a left turning, Addison asked, "So that was it?"
"No." Skyler turned in her seat to face Addison. "First of all diamonds are not the cheapest substance to get hold of."
"But what about the accelerated process that makes diamonds in a laboratory?"
"A little better, but still not quite the quantity or quality needed. The purity of these diamonds is very important. Less impurities means higher quality and a higher quality diamond gives higher operating function. I believe so far they have it up to eighty-one gigs. The aim is two hundred."
"Holy shit!" Addison slammed on the brakes and pulled their vehicle to the side of the road. She was lucky there were no cars behind them. "Santos said the diamonds they found were the purest type in nature. Do you think he and Hawthorn have actually perfected the production process of this diamond processor already?"
"I think Hawthorn has. I think they teamed up because they could offer what each other wanted. Santos had a map to the purest diamonds in nature…"
"And one sodding shit load of them as well!"
"Yeah… and Hawthorn… well he's designed a computer so fast it has the potential of holding the world for ransom."
Addison pulled back onto the road. She continued their journey to the airport. "So the L.L. Corporation funded Hawthorn in his research. They offered him unlimited resources and his own research facility."
"In Sierra Leone, a Mecca in the diamond world. Hawthorn probably buckled down into his work, but discovered… as is the case… the diamonds offered weren't pure enough for his requirements. In his paper he was very clear in boasting the performance he could pull out of these processors."
"But he didn't have the diamonds."
Skyler shook her head. "No. So in walks Santos. He probably discovered the papers Hawthorn wrote while at the university. Now… he was sitting on the largest hoard of pure diamonds, but needed the funds and backing to get out here and locate them."
"And Hawthorn has the backing of the L.L. Corporation."
"So they partner up." Skyler brought out her P.D.A. She began reading through the data once again. "Addison, the potential this sort of computer would have is devastating. We are talking about a processor with the computing capacity of the 'Cray3."
Addison searched her memory; that name sounded familiar. "Oh that's the super computer that was designed, but obviously never built." Skyler nodded; she was lost in thought. Tapping her fingers on the steering wheel, Addison said, "A computer as fast as what we're imagining… my god, Sky, the possibility for chaos is limitless. It could do anything, like hack into and gain control of the military's missile launch system." Addison put her foot down on the accelerator, increasing their speed to the airport.
"Addison, how are we going to find them now that the tracker has been destroyed? I'm sure you have some sort of plan!"
"I have a few ideas." The agent offered Skyler a small smile. "There are a few contacts I have down there. We can find out what's been going on through the underground. Although it has been a while now, I'm sure I'll still have a contact for supplies. It may have been a few years, but I had an unconditional welcome. I just never thought I'd have a reason to go back there."
Skyler noted the hint of pain in Addison's voice. "Addison, what happened in Sierra Leone?"
Addison shook her head in an effort to clear her mind from some sudden and disturbing mental images. Sometimes she thought it was better to push those memories out of her head. However, Addison knew she had to, in some way, come to terms with those past events. They were some of the worst moments of her life, but they helped create what she was today. There was one person in particular whom Addison believed she owed her life to. Returning to Sierra Leone meant confronting that past.
Maybe it is time.
Chapter 25
Cruising at a maximum speed of three hundred and eighty four miles per hour, the borrowed Lockheed Hercules transported its two passengers on a direct flight to Sierra Leone. Skyler turned in her seat, fidgeting uncomfortably to find a relaxing position. It was difficult in a seat that wouldn't recline. She sighed and shifted deeper into the aircraft's furniture. Her head fell to the side and she closed her eyes. The need for sleep, which had been so strong only a few hours before, had abandoned her. Unfastening her seatbelt, Skyler rose. Scrubbing her fingers through her hair she growled through clenched teeth. Her mind was just far too active to rest and there was only one way to cure the problem. "Addison?"
"Hmm?" the agent responded. Even in a light sleep she was still aware of Skyler beside her. However, Addison's eyes remained closed. Her chest rose and fell with even breaths.
"Addison, I need to speak to you."
Addison's head rolled against the window. "What's wrong?"
"You!"
With that one word, Addison opened her eyes. "Huh? What have I done?"
Skyler sat back down. "Nothing really, I'm just finding it difficult to relax when I know something's bothering you. Addison… you said you'd 'part with the details' once we were in the air, but you're practically asleep. I know we need rest, but I can't. I trust you, Addison, I just need to know if whatever this problem is will affect you or the situation when we land in Sierra Leone." Skyler watched Addison's expression. She needed to know what the agent was thinking. It was obvious something monumental had happened there. She didn't so much need to know the details as much as she just needed to understand Addison's state of mind.
Addison nodded slowly. "I know… I suppose I was just delaying the inevitable. I'm sorry about that. I have every intention of telling you about this, but you need to understand I've never spoke about it before."
"Never?"
"Well no. For a start it was a clandestine operation. Mark knows because he's Director General of Special Operations and obviously knows everything about his operatives. Danny knows because he has access to all mission file, plus he worked in A.T.C. for the R.A.F. at that time."
Beginning to realise this may have been a lot bigger than she anticipated, Skyler said, "Addison, if you don't want…"
"No, Sky," Addison interrupted. "It's okay. I think maybe I should voice these memories if I'm about to go back there." Unsure of what she was about to hear, Skyler simply waited, as Addison turned a little more in her seat so they were facing each other. "During my time as a Marine Commando in 1996 my unit had been sent to Sierra Leone. It was a 'hush hush' mission in which certain government officials had called for help in controlling the rising violence against civilians by the R.U.F."
"R.U.F.?"
"The Revolutionary United Front, rebels against the Sierra Leone government. They believed the civilians should be punished for supporting the government and did so in the most inhumane of ways."
"I recall reading something about them on occasion."
Addison nodded. "The violence was getting so bad that the government called for help. I was a sergeant at the time and my unit was sent in on a sort of peacekeeping mission. A thankless task, but one very much needed. We came ashore in Freetown, a very low-key landing at zero two hundred hours on the Aberdeen peninsula." Addison paused and took a moment to gather her thoughts. "Our mission objectives were to cover three key villages targeted by the rebels. We split into three units and moved out. It was necessary to travel by foot, as we had to venture through the jungle. So we headed south of Freetown and had been making our way through the jungle for over a day when it happened. We were ambushed. An ambush was something we might have expected, but what was unexpected was the fact they seemed to know not only our positioning, but also our strength of manpower. They out numbered us three to one." Addison began to see the events unfold in her mind as though it were just yesterday. "It was a vicious, bloody gunfight which went on well into the night. By first light of the next morning I was surrounded by carnage. I could only see a few of my men and all were dead."
Skyler frowned. "Only a few?"
"Some had been taken hostage. They had put up a good fight though; I found a group of dead rebels who'd been killed by hand. I had to find them and started following their tracks. I didn't know where I was and my radio had been shot to pieces. All I could do was follow their trail. By the pattern I could tell that although they were at least forty-five minutes ahead of me, the layout showed many sets of footprints, eight of which were bound and walked with limited leg movements. Anyway… I followed the trail for over four hours when I came to a small clearing and a wooden hut to the left. Its door was open and smoke rose from a clay chimney. I could smell the scent of food cooking, but despite my hunger I had to move on. That was when I discovered several sets of footprints changed direction and moved towards the hut."
"They were inside?" Skyler asked.
Addison didn't answer directly. "I approached the small home… alert, with my weapon ready. Upon entering I found a table set and four untouched plates of food. I was so hungry I took a piece of fruit from a plate and made my way further through the three-roomed house. Suddenly I heard movement and turned to find a woman before me. She was older than I, early thirties and quite beautiful, but I was distracted by the blood splattered across her shift and her rifle aimed upon me. I had my S.M.G. on her instantly. She yelled in a language I couldn't understand. I yelled back, telling her to drop her weapon and that I wasn't going to hurt her. For a moment I thought she was going to comply as the rifle began to lower, but then she fired."
Skyler gasped. "She did?"
"I was hit in the thigh and knocked to the ground. I didn't want to fire at her. I knew she was an innocent. She was afraid. In reflex I positioned my weapon ready to fire, but she had dropped the rifle. She seemed to realise what she'd done and fell to the floor in tears."
"The scar on your inner thigh," Skyler said and absently placed her fingers over the reminder of the wound Addison was speaking of.
"The wound wasn't serious. It hurt like hell, but I believed I could still walk. I scrambled to my feet, keeping one hand on the bullet hole that was seeping with blood. She spoke then, surprising me when I understood her. She spoke in English, holding up her hands and asking for my help and that she was sorry."
"She spoke in English?"
"Yes. I remember taking a length of material from the tabletop. I actually cut it from a simple table covering. I didn't care. I needed to tie it above my wound to try and stop the blood flow. I wanted to help her, but in order to do that I had to help myself first. We watched each other cautiously."
Skyler spoke during a moment of silence. "Addison, I don't understand. She shot you and it was almost like you didn't listen to your instincts. If she had any intention of pulling that trigger you would have sensed it."
"I would now," Addison said. "Back then my only instinct was that Ona was…"
"Ona?"
"That was her name. She was afraid and hysterical. Shooting me pulled her from that."
"Pity you couldn't just slap her."
Addison smiled. "She said something to that effect herself later." Addison's mind travelled back to the tidal wave of events, which followed, and her smile faded. She recalled every detail clearly.
*********
After tying the material securely around her leg, Addison looked down at the woman still sitting upon the floor. It was then that the soldier realised this woman was pregnant. She had to be about five months into term. Addison studied the woman closer. Though tears still fell, large brown eyes glittered with determination. "What's your name?"
The woman rose slowly. "Ona."
"Ona, my name is Sergeant Black. How can I help you?" She stepped closer and placed a comforting hand on Ona's arm. The stark contrast of her pale hand against Ona's rich, dark skin drew Addison's attention to a cold, moist substance under her palm. She pulled her hand away and saw bright red blood. Instantly Addison looked back at Ona in alarm. "Are you…?"
"No… it was the rebels." Ona held back a sob. "They took my sons and they… my… my husband."
"What? What happened, Ona?"
Ona ran from the house, forcing Addison to follow. "He's dying," she called. "He sent me for help... this way."
Addison followed in confusion. They ran fifty yards back into the jungle before Ona stopped. She fell to her knees and Addison saw the body of a man lying in the dirt and leaves of the jungle floor. The soldier laboured for breath. The wound to her leg throbbed with a painful reminder of the bullet lodged in her thigh. Still, Addison knew there was no time to worry about herself and she quickly approached Ona and her husband. Just before she reached the couple, Addison felt something under her boot. She looked down, thinking it was a rock, but instead found a severed hand. Addison jumped in shock and a chill passed through her. Swallowing down a feeling of queasiness, she stepped around Ona and looked down at her husband. Both his hands had been severed at the wrist. Addison could see Ona had been successful in stopping the blood flow by placing tourniquets above the wrist lines. "Jesus," she muttered. "The rebels did this?" She knelt down.
"When he refused to join them. They did this and then took our sons."
Addison knew her sons would be recruited into joining the R.U.F. Children were drugged and forced into fighting against the government.
"Please… I can not feel breathing." Ona placed her hand under her husband's nose. "He has a weak heart."
Addison felt for a pulse, but found none. "Ona, was he alive when you left him?"
"Yes."
"What's his name?"
"Bem."
"Okay." Tilting Bem's head back, Addison commenced C.P.R. She blew two strong breaths of air into his lungs and then began chest compressions. Addison repeated this action four times and then checked again for a pulse. She felt nothing. "Damn it, come on Bem." She looked up at Ona. "Every time I say so I want you to do this." Addison showed her how to blow air into her husband's lungs. Without question, Ona followed Addison's order and again they used C.P.R to try and revive Bem.
"Wait!" Ona called as she leaned over her husband. "I feel something."
Addison felt Bem's carotid artery. She found a pulse. "He's back with us!" Relief swept through Ona and she hugged her husband in tears. Addison leaned back. She bit her lip and looked down at Bem's wrists. The sight was so disturbing she felt the need to look away, but forced herself to stay in control. Her heart broke for what Ona and her family had gone through. Little did she know it wasn't yet over.
Not allowing any time to pass, Addison said, "Ona, we need to get Bem out of here. He needs medical attention."
Ona looked up through glistening eyes. "You brought my husband back to life."
"We did."
"Sergeant Black, will you help me find my sons?"
"I was on the rebel's trail when I came across your home. I will continue and do all in my power to locate your sons, Ona and that I promise you. Right now though Bem needs medical attention."
Ona nodded. "His sister, Afia, is a nurse. She is his nurse. She lives there with her husband, Tuamanguluka. She is only one who understands Bem's heart."
Addison looked in the direction Ona had pointed. "How far away do they live?"
"No more than a walk for ten minutes."
"Okay." Rising, Addison scooped Bem into her arms. He was a small man, slight of build and weighed very little. "We will take Bem there and then I shall continue to follow the rebel's trail."
As Ona had accurately translated into English, it took only ten minutes for them to reach Bem's sister's home. It was a relief to Addison who found the added weight further increased the pain in her thigh. Afia was quick to help her brother and also dressed Addison's wound. The soldier stayed for no more than half an hour. She knew she needed to get back on the rebel's trail. As she was leaving, Ona approached her from behind.
"I want to come."
"Absolutely not. No way. I'm sorry, but that is out of the question. You must stay with Bem, Ona. I will return; I promise you."
Ona was persistent. "Bem is safe. My sons are my concern now."
"What about your unborn child?" Addison knew she needed to be tough. "Show him or her the same consideration, Ona. You must look after yourself as well." Addison walked back towards the trail, but Ona followed.
"My child is safe inside me. My sons, Chich and Sule, they are twins. They will not trust you. If they see me they will know you are a friend."
"It's too dangerous." Addison continued walking. "Stay with your husband, Ona, please."
Ona remained where she stood. She watched Addison stroll alone into the jungle.
********
"She followed you, didn't she?" Skyler guessed.
"Oh she followed me alright. She was good too. She kept a decent distance and it took over an hour before I discovered her."
"Women and their wiles!" Skyler took Addison's hand. "So what happened then?"
Addison continued. "It was getting late. The rebels wouldn't reach their destination by nightfall and they stopped to make camp. As stubborn as she was, Ona refused to stay put so she continued with me. We reached the camp by dusk. They had lanterns and two fires burning. The flames provided ample lighting." The agent saw the bright orange flickering flames in her mind's eye. "There were nine men around two of the fires and another seven talking by the far edge of the site. One tent had been set up between the fires. I could see my men. They were bound together on the edge of the clearing and tied around two trees. There were eight of them and they'd obviously been mistreated with bruised, bloody faces. However, they were alert and seemed able-bodied and that was most important."
"What about Ona's sons?"
"They were inside the tent."
"Alive?"
"Yes." Addison turned to recline back in her seat. She let her head fall back and recalled the following events with clarity.
*********
"Where are Sule and Chich?"
Addison surveyed the campsite. There was only one place the young boys could be. "They must be inside the tent." The soldier wished she'd kept her opinion silent as a man emerged from the shoddy canvas. He threw a knife to the ground and began wiping blood from his hand. He barked orders in the same language Ona spoke.
"No… they are dead!"
"What did he say?"
"He said the blade was blunt and asked for his food."
Addison shook her head. "They are alive." She pulled a knife from her leg holster followed by two pistols. She'd taken then from the site of the ambush. "Ona… I need you to do something for me. I need you to take my S.M.G. and the pistols over to my men. Go silently and with caution around and through the jungle. They're in partial shadow so you shouldn't be seen." She handed Ona the weapons and her knife. Ona hung the submachine gun over her shoulder "Use the knife to cut through their bindings. Give the weapons to my men and tell them to wait for my word."
There weren't enough weapons for every man, but Addison knew once her plan was in action and the rebels started falling, there soon would be. "You must…" Addison looked down at Ona's stomach. "What the hell am I doing?" She reached to take her weapons back from Ona. "You can't do this."
Ona pulled away. "I can," she said in a harsh whisper. "I need to do this for my sons. You must allow me to help, Sergeant Black. For all they have done, I need some kind of vengeance."
Ducking behind a tree, Addison pulled Ona with her. "This isn't the way, Ona."
"Sergeant Black, I worked until the day my boys came. I farmed and carried the water…"
Addison knew what Ona was implying. "That isn't the same."
"But my determination is."
Closing her eyes, Addison massaged her temples. "Okay. For your son's sake, keep wide of the clearing." Ona turned, but Addison took her arm. "Listen… whatever happens… I want you to stay back… no matter what, okay?"
Unsure of what Addison meant, Ona just nodded. She turned and made her way around the trees. Addison watched her leave and looked back into the clearing. The man who had emerged from the tent was eating by the fire. Addison could see a dark scar across his left cheek. She crouched among the foliage and placed her hand against a tree trunk. Something large with multiple legs crawled over her fingers and she shook her hand, not daring to wonder what it may be. She shivered.
Another five minutes passed before Addison saw slight movement among her men. She could tell Ona had arrived and cut one man free. In turn the knife was passed around, as each was cut loose. She couldn't see the dark woman and was thankful Ona was keeping back. She wanted her safe.
Addison checked the position of the rebels one more time. All seventeen remaining men from the gunfight were out in the open. "Okay," she whispered. "Let's go." Addison looked around upon the ground. She found a fallen branch. It was as thick as a 'Rounders' bat, but twice as long. "Perfect." Addison picked it up, holding the branch like a weapon.
*********
"You didn't!" Skyler stood and turned to face Addison.
"I had a plan," Addison replied in defence.
"Yeah, Addison, but I know your plans and they usual involve you ending up with a few cracked ribs!"
Taking Skyler's hand, Addison pulled her back down into the seat. "I'm almost finished."
*********
Crouching by the edge of the clearing, Addison waited. She gripped the branch until her knuckles turned white. Watching as a man slowly approached, Addison knew it was time. As the whites of his eyes came into view and she saw him focus upon her, Addison lunged into the clearing. With a cry designed to alert every member of the camp to her presence, she attacked him, thrusting the branch into his stomach and then across his head. He fell hard, but before his body hit the ground Addison felt somebody strike her from behind. She was attacked far too easily and didn't put up much of a fight as the rebels beat her to the ground. Addison kicked out, releasing a chain of precise blows before she was restrained upon the jungle floor.
The apparent leader of the team stood above her. Addison looked up at him from the ground. He placed a foot on her face, pushing her head to the side. Four separate men held down her arms and legs. Addison knew what they intended and hoped her men were ready.
The shrill of laugher echoed around her as Addison felt her pants being tugged roughly down her legs. She experienced the cold grip of fear, but fought to maintain her composure. This wasn't over yet. The pressure holding down her head was removed and Addison looked up to see the man above her drop his shorts. The sound of violent jeers and triumphant cheers continued. She struggled again at the sight of more men dropping their trousers. As the leader changed position and dropped to his knees between her thighs, Addison shouted, "NOW!"
At her word, the soldiers lunged at the rebels. Their attack was swift, deadly and they took down each man with skill and ease. By the time Addison had re-clothed herself the attack was over and her men stood in silence. An air of awkwardness hung above them. "Look at me," she ordered. The men did as told. "We do what we have to do." Addison looked each soldier in the eye. "If you have anything to say I'd rather you said it now, otherwise I never want to speak of this again."
Corporal Mathews, a man much taller than Addison, approached and saluted her with respect. "The only thing I want to say, Sergeant, is that you have reinforced my belief never to question your instincts."
With a nod, Addison returned his salute and then took his hand, shaking it firmly.
*********
"My god, Addison, how could you act so cold about that?" Skyler took Addison's hand and held it close to her chest.
"Because I was doing what I had to do, Sky. Believe me, if I didn't think my plan would work I'd never have given it a second consideration. I knew the rebel's reputation."
"But you…" Skyler studied Addison's dark eyes. They glistened with unshed tears. "That night haunted your dreams, didn't it?"
Kissing Skyler's hand, Addison nodded. "For almost a year and occasionally still today. It's always the same dream. I give the word for my men to attack, but nobody comes."
"Addison..." Skyler didn't know what to say.
To break the silence, Addison continued with the final part of her story. "Ona came into the clearing. She approached the tent, but stopped just short of entering. I think she was afraid of what she might find. I told her I'd go in. Through everything that had just happened there'd been no movement from inside. I didn't want to believe the worst so without hesitation I entered."
Hanging on every word, Skyler asked, "And?"
"They were alive. They'd been drugged, but were alive. Unfortunately the letters R.U.F. had already been carved onto their chests. The scent of blood was still fresh in the air."
"My god, why did they do that?" Skyler shook her head. "How old were they again?"
"They were nine. The initials R.U.F. were carved into the chests of every child they took to proclaim ownership by the Revolutionary United Front. They intended turning them into solders." Fully understanding why Addison was happy never to return to Sierra Leone, Skyler hugged her partner. Neither woman spoke. It was Addison who pulled away first and removed the armrest between their seats. "Want to get some sleep now?"
"I can try."
"Okay." Addison turned in her seat and leaned against the window. She placed one leg behind Skyler so that the doctor could lean back against her.
Relaxing next to Addison, Skyler closed her eyes. "Addison, what happened to Ona and her boys?"
Addison replied quietly. "We escorted them back home. Bem's sister took care of my men and then we had to leave to continue our mission." She wrapped her arm around Skyler. "Get some sleep, Sky."
"Okay." Skyler's mind started to relax, deciding she would ponder Addison's story another time. "Sweet dreams, Addison."
"Hmm." Pushing all thoughts from her head, Addison sunk deeper. She was determined to get as much rest as possible before they reached Sierra Leone. She had no idea what awaited them, but knew she was in for a fight.
End of part 6
Continued in Part 7