by Gavin Magson
When the immediate threat was clear Ajax moved cautiously back to the desks, relieved that they were relatively intact. A click behind him had Ajax spinning on the spot, his gun trained directly on Miles' bleeding face as the man stood in the office doorway.
Chapter 14
Malik was cursing, unfortunately a sign that he was still alive, for the moment. Miles had crashed through the offices' desk, splitting it straight down the middle and collapsing to the floor in pain; it hadn't been his best idea to date. It took him time to get back to his feet, all the while he could hear more loud gunshots erupt from the room beyond.
He could taste blood in his mouth, the harsh metallic taste a familiarity to a man so steeped in violence. Miles just hoped that it was his own considering the vast quantity that covered him. When his vision came into focus Miles moved over to the felled man and picked Malik up by his thinning hair. He bounced the man's skull off the floor once, twice, and a final third time. Blood splattered the floor but the cursing didn't stop, he could not believe than Malik still lived.
Miles grabbed him by the jacket and swung Malik forward to clatter into the full length window, leaving the pane to vibrate, the light shimmering on its moving surface as cracks swiftly spread. Malik slumped to the floor as glass crashed around him, it's tinkling going on for an eternity.
“Why are you doing this to me? You mercenaries have no place in this sector.” came Malik's strained words, his hands scrabbled at the carpeted floor as he tried to push himself up. He was shouting to be heard over the whistling wind swirling inside the room, picking up dust and debris in its wake.
“It's my job, if it wasn't me someone else would be here in my place. It was only a matter of time before someone came to collect on you, Malik.”
Miles moved to the man's side and knelt to the ground with his other leg propped against the window frame. His hands grabbed the downed man by the throat, applying all the force he could muster. Malik began to choke as the chill winds whipped at both men, freezing them to the bone in an instance. The noise was incredible, but paled in comparison to the scary sight below; over a hundred storey plummet through dense cloud to the certain death that awaited any who left the high room.
As Malik struggled to fight off Miles his hands scrabbled at the cold concrete behind him and caught a thin shard of glass. He gripped the glass tightly and slashed it towards Miles' face, who narrowly managed to dodge its cruel edge killing him as it opened a jagged wound across his nose and cheek.
He screamed his rage as Malik went for another attack, the glass buried itself deep in his shoulder as Miles lifted the short man clean off the floor. The last words Malik would ever hear were the curses of his killer as Miles launched the man out of the window.
The sensation, though bitterly brief, was like nothing Malik had ever experienced before. Time seemed to slow as he watched the expression on Miles' face, soon out of view as he left the skyscraper. He could see the flash of gunfire from the room next to his office, the windows blew outwards as a small fireball exploded. All this he watched, helpless whilst moving ever further from the tower.
He saw the windows below catch the suns light and it nearly blinded him, before he passed through the clouds and felt moisture wash over him. When he emerged Malik had twisted in his flight, even through the fog he could see the rapidly approaching ground below. Too late he tried to scream.
Miles watched as the man disappeared through the clouds and breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Malik was finally dead, not even the finest augment could save someone from such a plunge. Blood dripped down his arms, snaking along his scarred skin as it dropped to the bare concrete below. When the explosion outside rocked the walls of Malik's office he went diving for cover, what little was left of it. When he looked back he found that none of the room seemed to be left damaged by the explosion, despite the deafening roar it produced.
Miles moved over to the doorway and opened the office door cautiously, immediately he raised his arms as Ajax trained a rifle at him. Miles smiled as the gun was quickly lowered.
“You look like shit, Miles. Where is Malik?” asked Rex, peering past his leader.
“Let's just say he took an express ride to the streets below. Have you guys been busy?”
Miles was answered by a round of gunfire that forced him to dive behind the counter beside Rex. Ajax returned fire, more to slow the attackers than injure. None of the men outside had the foresight to move the dead and dying out of their way in order to gain a better line of sight, all of which Ajax was relieved by; their numbers were threatening to overpower him. Rex added to the return volley and their combined force opened the doorway wider, turning the bodies below into a bloody pulp.
“How are we getting out of here?” Miles asked.
“I was kind of hoping you had a plan, Ajax has nothing. I don't think we are getting out of that door any time soon.” said Rex.
“That gives me an idea, keep shooting and don't die on me. I'll be back.”
Miles ran at a crouch for the office, narrowly avoiding adding several more orifices to his body as a round of bullets peppered the floor behind him. He cursed at the unseen attackers and heard a chuckle from either Rex or Ajax in the factory beyond.
He began upending the mess he and Malik had caused, searching for something he had seen just as he entered the office. When he managed to shift the broken wooden desk Miles found the coiled rope he noticed only a few minutes ago. It was thick and heavy, and required a lot of straining to knot around a plumbing pipe in the corner, opposite the broken window. Miles walked to the door, pausing three feet short of the entrance to call for his men from the relative safety.
“I think I've found a way out, you guys might not like it though. Rex, get in here whilst Ajax covers us for a minute.”
Ajax popped up from his counter, a double tap of the trigger downed one man and punched through his body to hit the man that followed in his wake. He continued to fire as Rex took the opportunity to run for the office. He swore loudly when he saw the rope dangling out of the broken window.
“I know you hate heights but I'm sure your fear of death is greater. Trust me that this is the best shot we have of getting out of here alive. We can climb down the rope, it should reach at least two floors below and all you have to do is shoot out a window to get back inside.” said Miles.
“Does that mean I am the fucking lab rat that tests this idea out?” Rex already knew the answer, Miles' devilish grin was all the confirmation he needed.
Rex handed both his own and Miles' guns to the man, grabbed the rope with both hands, and tested its tension. It was strong, and the anchor point showed no signs of give in it. There was no risk of either snapping under his load, but he didn't like knowing just how thin the anchor was; he made his thoughts known in a colourful way to Miles.
“Don't worry about it, I will be right behind you. Just make sure to shatter the window fast, I don't fancy dying today.” said Miles.
Rex gripped the rope tightly with both hands and backed towards the window until he was perched precariously on its edge. In his mind Rex recited a mantra, forcing himself not to think of the life altering chasm he dangled above. As he went through the familiar words, taking deep, steady breaths into his lungs. He could feel his erratic heartbeat begin to subside until it was a steady, rhythmic beat.
Rex held a large breath, keeping the rope taught between his hands, as he stepped backwards and was almost bowled over as a fierce gust hit his body. His arms and hands tensed until the rope almost strained in his grip, his shoulder muscles bulging under the jacket as he clung on. His stream of curses were lost to the wind as he started the slow descent.
Miles watched his progress for a while before moving back to the door and informing Ajax of their escape route. Just like Rex before him Ajax was none too happy about trying to rappel down a skyscraper, even if it was only a couple of floors.
Ajax watched Miles sling his guns around his back, grab the rope, and disappear
from sight without a last word. He emptied another clip into the walls and heard more cries, hopefully from injured rather than scared men.
When he saw the thick rope go slack Ajax packed away his few remaining magazines and slung the rifle over his back. He drew his handgun and pumped more rounds at the door whilst retreating into the office.
He quickly holstered his pistol and grabbed the rope with both hands, cursing Miles for his ridiculous plan. Ajax could hear shouts from the factory, followed by heavy footfalls when the gang members realised no one was home. As Ajax positioned himself facing away from the window, one foot just about to lower, he saw a small black orb roll through the office doorway. The orb was on a collision course with him, and he knew all too well what it contained.
Instinct took over, his body twisted away from the window as he loosened his grip enough to glide down the rope. The fibres tore apart his skin as an explosion erupted above, throwing shrapnel out into the thin air. The grenade set off a chain reaction, igniting the few chemicals remaining in the room adjacent. The resulting explosion blew out of the open window frames in an orange and purple fireball, hurling bricks and bodies out of the building. The rope went slack, severed above him, and all Ajax could do was watch his body fall away from the building out of control.
Ajax closed his eyes, expecting to share the same fate as their target had moments ago. He barely began to revel in the weightlessness before a hand caught his flailing leg and brought him back into the world with a sudden snap. Spine first Ajax slammed into the skyscraper upside down and opened his eyes in time to see the debris plummeting past him towards the clouds below. He let out a long scream of expletives, loud enough to be heard above the winds. Rex, eyes and veins bulging from the effort, started to pull the dangling man up as he felt muscles tear under the strain. Miles gripped Rex by the waist as his heels dug into the window frame, cursing more so than Ajax.
Rex, his teeth grinding as he bit down with the exertion, finally overcame gravity. Ajax almost soared into the room as Miles fell backwards and the cursing man was saved from a terminal flight. The trio landed in a pile of bodies, groaning from the pain and strain to keep Ajax from deaths hands. Ajax swore once more at the rope burn that left his palms in searing, bloodied agony. The other men showed no sympathy for him as they tried to pick themselves up from the floor, themselves covered in cuts and wounds that added to their bloodied clothes.
“You can lick your sores later, we still need to get out of here.” said Miles, gathering his rifle from underneath a groaning Rex.
“Fine by me, let's get this over with. Stairs or elevator?” asked Ajax as the men left through a wide doorway.
Ajax limped heavily as he covered the squad’s rear, behind he left a thin trail of blood in his wake. Several shards of glass had pierced his legs and torso as he landed on the floor, their jagged edges cut him deeper as he struggled onwards. Ajax stopped to lean against a wall and pulled them out one by one, swiftly forming a small pile at his feet. When done he sped up to catch the squad; he barely noticed the limp disappear in a handful of steps.
Miles was on point, rifle leading the way as he swept the corridor for enemies. They moved swiftly towards the elevators, which were only one floor below them, and hopefully would see them out of the danger zone momentarily.
“If we take the elevator down and someone on a lower floor calls it we could be boxed in our own coffins.” said Rex. “How do we know they haven't got men below and have radioed ahead?”
Ajax had to give it to the man, he had a fair point. It had not even occurred to him that their escape could be interrupted; perhaps the toll on his body had left his brain devoid of resources.
“It's either the elevators or over a hundred flights of stairs, which would take considerably longer to navigate. Are you prepared to walk all the way down this skyscraper?” asked Miles.
“It might be idiotic but I'm willing to take the risk that the elevator poses. If we use the stairs it gives them time to organise below us, and these guys are easy pickings when caught unawares.” said Ajax. Rex looked at both men, shook his head in disbelief, then followed Miles’ lead begrudgingly.
They climbed down the staircase one floor and stepped out onto a familiar corridor, only this time it was deserted of gang members. The blood trail from Ajax's decoy had soaked into the already filthy carpet and left a gory reminder of what had happened only minutes ago. Rex and Ajax took positions either side of an elevator, their shoulders pressed into the wall so that they could watch the opposite staircases; Miles pressed the call button.
When the doors slid open Miles brought his gun up, searching for any occupants that could ruin his day. Satisfied he wasn't at risk of being shot he entered, followed by Ajax and Rex as he pressed the lowest button. The doors closed and their elevator jerked into life.
“I hope you guys are ready to stand by your convictions, those doors open anywhere above the last floor and it'll be time to fight for survival.” said Rex.
Ajax turned around to look the man in his eyes, a mischievous grin on his face. “Don't worry about it, I have a plan if the worse should happen,” said Ajax, pulling a rifle bullet out of his jacket pocket and twirling it between his fingers.
The door opened and Ajax poked his head outside; he was relieved to find the corridor deserted and breathed out a heavy sigh. He signalled for the men to follow and moved for the stairs, his limp long gone and palms already growing fresh, pink skin. They passed more corpses, the far too familiar stench of blood and excrement hung heavy in the air.
Ajax lead the way as they descended the stairs, his footsteps silent and sure. When he rounded the corner he crouched down with his rifle extended and came to a sudden stop; two men stood in front of an elevator waiting for its doors to open. He signalled again and the squad inched closer, unseen by their prey.
Ajax waited for the quiet ding that signified the elevator had arrived. Its doors opened with a faint squeal as the two gang members waited for its occupants to depart. The rifle bucked ferociously in his hand as five men died on their feet, metal cut through flesh and bone with satisfying efficiency and left five lifeless bodies on the floor.
Ajax moved forward at a crouch, his gun aiming still at the open elevator. He was wary that someone could be hiding in either unseen corner of the elevator, waiting for the assailant to rush unprepared. Miles and Rex waited until the man cautiously inspected the potential threat and was satisfied they were safe. Hastily they entered the final elevator, the trio watched its doors close with trepidation.
No one spoke in the blood soaked elevator, there were more pressing matters to concentrate on. Each man began to check their weapons, counting rounds left and ensuring that they had not toggled a safety catch by mistake. Miles handed over a magazine of ammunition to Rex when he saw that the man was running dangerously low on munitions.
“Make sure every shot counts, I can't spot you any more after that. We should expect the foyer to be hot on arrival, shoot anything that looks human. Scrap that, shoot anything that bleeds! We are close now guys, don't do something stupid, like getting killed.” said Miles, so close to the two men that they could smell his breath.
The squad watched as their progress was tracked, yet more buttons bearing the floor numbers illuminated as they were passed. Each of the men mentally willed the elevator to not stop until the final number was highlighted. After what seemed an eternity their elevator came to a halt, thankfully on the ground floor.
Miles laid down along the elevators centre, Ajax and Rex either side crouching for better accuracy. When the doors opened they were ready for action, except there was no one to attack them. They caught up with the anti-climax and the squad moved out, counting their blessings with such good luck. Rex walked backwards to cover their retreat, scanning either staircase of the foyer for movement as Miles and Ajax swept the corners ahead.
Miles saw the small crowd gathered outside the ground floor first and almost tackled Ajax and Rex out of their
sight. When Ajax tried to struggle against the man he signalled for them both to be quiet.
“We have a problem, lads. There are a dozen men by my count outside and they look dug in for a siege. I'm pretty sure I saw a fucking turret out there as well.” said Miles.
The trio were all crouched up against a wall, with Ajax being nearest the buildings entrance. Their side of the skyscraper was separated into three foyers by thick walls, which had small arches in each to connect the entrances. Miles indicated at the nearest archway, which he had spotted the fortified group through.
Ajax swivelled his rifle onto his back and crouched before laying along the floor. Slowly he crawled forward until he could just poke his head out carefully from behind the wall and confirm what Miles had seen. It came as a surprise to neither men poised behind him when Ajax muttered a torrent of curses.
There was indeed a turret, its thick, rifled barrel aimed straight for them. Judging from sight alone Ajax guessed that the round it could take would be wider than his head, not to mention packed full of explosives. The equipment Ajax had seen men dragging out of the building earlier had been piled up as a barricade that several men could be seen behind, equipped with more substantial weapons than a mere handgun. A colossal man stood behind the cannon, its long barrel ready to turn half the skyscraper into rubble at the first sign of trouble.
“We are really fucked.” whispered Rex above him.
“Not necessarily, but I like your optimism. I think I can get us out of this.” said Ajax, ignoring the nervous half laugh from Rex.
Ajax ejected his rifles magazine and searched his pockets for his two remaining explosive rounds. These he used to replace the top bullets in his magazine, before slotting it back into his rifle.
“If this goes wrong then I won't be around to hear you complain, nor help you guys, so start planning a backup now. Wish me luck.”
Ajax did not wait to hear if they said a prayer for him, he did not believe that kind of thing would do anything for his chances. He rolled across the gap to the next wall as Rex and Miles rapidly backed away. They barely moved in time before a cannon shell crashed through glass and blew an enormous hole beside the archway that hurled masonry in every direction. Gunfire peppered the area almost immediately after, decimating the targeted area.