by Stuart Keane
The man sitting at the desk had been assured that the clones would be provided with intelligence of their choosing. If he wanted them to kill anything on sight, they would. They could react if threatened, after all, soldiers had to, but he was calling the shots. He could call them what he wanted to. In fact, he could do anything to ensure that their previous identities remained lost. He had seen enough movies to ensure this was vital in the clone process. He didn’t want old memories returning. He was pumping millions into this. He wanted maximum rewards and no fuck ups.
His Choices were on the run. Abel’s death would put a spring in their step. Every second more they were in The Game, the closer they were to snapping, going crazy. Which is when he would step in. Delta sipped his drink.
He leaned forwards and watched. Phase Four was due any second. The Game, for him, was almost over.
THIRTY-THREE
“So what’s it going to be, Kappa?”
It had been ten minutes since Sputnik and Genghis had taken over the roof.
Neither Kathryn nor Iain had moved, not wanting to tempt their pursuers to gun them down. They were so close to their goal and yet so far. Running now would mean the entire evening’s efforts had been a waste, so they didn’t move. They had one pistol between them. The urge to use the gun was kept in check by the knowledge that they were short of ammunition, so they had held fire and kept out of sight.
Sputnik and Genghis hadn’t moved from their positions. As big as they were, and despite their advantage in firepower, they didn’t approach their foes. Although they were big men, they only needed one pistol shot to the head to bring them down. Yes, they were big and possibly dumb, but not plain stupid. Until the two attackers were sure of their prey’s location, they too would hold their fire. Both groups were at a stalemate.
An impasse.
Nobody moved.
Iain shouted, “No thanks.”
This was in response to Sputnik’s earlier request for him to join their ranks and hand Kathryn over to them so that they could then split the prize. He’d declined. Sputnik had repeated the question to him again, and, once again, he’d declined. This time, the prize had not been discussed. Sputnik knew The Game was now over. There was no Control, no more money, and no more prizes. Most people in his position would have given up by now.
But not Sputnik. The grudge was personal.
These people had killed his brother and Sputnik wanted revenge.
Joining Sputnik’s ranks would mean certain death.
Iain knew that he and Kathryn had just one option. One dangerous, suicidal option.
They would have to come out shooting. Firing against men with better, faster weapons. Suicide.
Kathryn looked at Iain. “We’re going to die out here, aren’t we?” she asked, not wanting to hear the answer. The whirring sound of the generators drowned out their conversation, muffling their words. Sputnik gave no indication he could hear what they were saying.
“I’m not going to die unless they shove a knife in my heart and get it over with.” Iain displayed confidence, almost arrogance.
“You have a plan, then? If you do, please feel free to share it.” Kathryn hadn’t taken her eyes off Sputnik. Iain didn’t respond. He knew Kathryn was right. If they didn’t play this correctly, their night would soon end. He looked around him for a possible inspiration, a possible exit, anything that could help them. He saw nothing. For the first time in a long while, he felt helpless.
“Shit, this is hopeless,” Iain muttered despondently.
Kathryn looked at Iain angrily. “What do you mean? For heaven’s sake, we aren’t dead yet!”
Sputnik started to holler from the other side of the roof: “I grow tired of waiting, Kappa. Sure, I haven’t got a date this evening, but wasting my entire night on this fiasco is a fuckin’ liberty!”
Iain said nothing.
Then an idea suddenly came to him.
Something which might just work.
He grabbed Kathryn’s arm and she looked up in surprise. “I have a plan that might just work,” he said, handing the pistol to her. “I need to pretend I’m turning on you. That I’m going to hand you over to them. But it won’t get that far. I need to walk you out there, hands behind your back. You take the gun and when we get close, BAM. You need to take both of them down with the pistol. Think you can do that?”
Kathryn gulped. She thought the practicalities through and agreed there could be a slim chance of success. But it was the only chance they had. It would give them a clear shot at Sputnik and Genghis without being fired at. Possibly. “I’m not sure,” she wavered.
“I know it’s risky, but if we can take these guys down, we’re home free. It just needs two clean shots. You walk out with the gun behind your back, I pretend I have you hostage and then you unleash your fire. I can distract Sputnik while you take out Genghis, then you take out Sputnik. It won’t work any other way.”
“But he’ll kill you.”
“Not if I tell him that you killed his brother. I can make him believe it. I just need a few minutes to persuade him.” Iain was sweating, but his ear had stopped bleeding.
“You realise that I’ll be in the line of fire?”
“I do. And I don’t like it, but it’s the only way we’re going to get off this roof. Unless you’ve got any other ideas?”
Kathryn was stumped. She knew it was the only option they had. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
Iain nodded. He wiped his forehead. “Get ready, Kathryn, the gun is loaded and ready to fire.”
Kathryn nodded.
Iain sighed. “Sorry, but I’ve got to do this.”
Then he slapped Kathryn across the face, hard. Kathryn’s eyes widened, taken by surprise. “Ow, you fuck!” she yelled out.
Iain nodded encouragement, and Kathryn realised why he had done it. She gave a tentative smile.
“Get the fuck off me. What are you doing?” she shouted out.
Playing up the drama, sowing the seed.
“Hey, Kappa,” yelled across Sputnik. “What’s going on over there?”
Iain gave Kathryn the thumbs up, her mouth was a hard line of defiance. Her cheek was throbbing from the slap and she hoped there would be some marks on her face for them to see. Convincing them that the charade was real would be crucial.
He raised his voice to shout, “Hey, Sputnik!”
“Kappa? What happened?”
“Listen, about your offer. I am willing to deal. On one condition.”
Sputnik smiled. “Name it.”
Kathryn’s protector swallowed. It was the moment of truth. “I join your clan and we kill the girl. I just handcuffed her. You know how prepared I am. I’m willing to hand her over, but I want a promise that I live and join your guys. I didn’t kill your brother, it was her. It’s only fair that you get your revenge. I can give you that. The bitch deserves it.”
Silence from Sputnik. No response.
“Do we have a deal?” Iain repeated, more determined this time.
“Sounds like a deal, Kappa. I knew you had the balls to do what is right. You know how The Game works. You have my word.”
Iain smiled. He looked at Kathryn. She was placing the gun in her rear waistband. His hand brushed her bare back, soft and warm, and Iain felt a sudden ache in his heart. He swallowed, shaking it off. He leaned in close. “Kathryn, if we don’t get out of this tonight, I’m sorry for everything. I want you to know that it was a privilege to meet you. It was an honour playing with you tonight, if you know what I mean.”
Kathryn patted Iain on the shoulder. “Likewise. Now, let’s get off this roof together.”
Iain’s eyes glinted as he prepared himself. “Ready?”
Kathryn stood up, still concealed by the generator. She placed her hands behind her back and practiced removing the pistol. It was easy enough to pluck it from her waistband “Yep,” she replied. “I’m ready.”
Iain climbed up and placed his hand on her back as she momentarily closed her e
yes. They both realised that this could go horribly wrong. Kathryn took a deep breath as Iain wiped the sweat from his brow. “Let’s do this, then.”
“I’m waitingggggg!” Sputnik hollered.
Kathryn stepped out from behind the generator, her eyes still closed. As she opened them, she saw Sputnik and Genghis. They stood a few feet apart, Genghis holding the shotgun by his side. Sputnik held the machine gun in his hands, aiming it at the ground, looking calm and collected. Genghis had his shoulder strapped up with bandages, and he still wore nothing but his thong.
Iain was standing behind her. He had his hand on her back, pretending that he was holding her arms immobile. Kathryn breathed out, her lips pursed. She walked forward slowly, with Iain right behind.
“Ahhh, justice prevails as always,” Sputnik called out to them. “I’m glad you changed your mind, Kappa. This makes things a lot easier.”
His opponent smiled and continued walking forward. Kathryn was two steps ahead at all times, her face was still stinging from the unexpected slap. Kathryn realised that the gun was slipping in her waistband, which could be a big problem. She stopped, and reached up to try and move the pistol. She found that she couldn’t grasp the gun with her hands in their current position. She hoped that Iain would notice and adjust the weapon so she could reach it. But he didn’t, he continued staring ahead, his eyes focused on Sputnik. Kathryn took one more step. They were now clear of the generator.
It was now or never.
“This makes things easier,” their enemy continued. “The problem is, The Game was over a long time ago. You said it yourself, there is no Control anymore. Rules are out of the window. Which means I’m driven by revenge. Kappa, I’m glad that you came to your senses—”
The pair of them stopped walking. Iain was sweating profusely. Kathryn gauged the relative positions of the two men. Sputnik was closer. She would have to get him first. Genghis started to tense. His muscles rippled. Kathryn sensed the tense atmosphere in the humid air.
Iain addressed Sputnik: “This is the best decision for all of us. In my game, all of those years ago, I chose you because I respected your integrity.” Iain could only hope that Sputnik believed his lies.
When Sputnik smiled, he knew he had been wrong.
Horribly wrong.
Sputnik threw a hand into the air. “Problem is this. Revenge to me is everything. Which means my word doesn’t mean shit at this very moment. This bitch may have killed my Boyd, but you were with her at the time. And you suggested joining my team, which means you would be replacing him. And no one replaces my retard brother. She may have killed him, but I didn’t see or hear you stopping her. Which makes you just as guilty as she is.”
Iain smiled. “Is that right?”
Sputnik licked his lips. “You bet your fucking life it is.”
The other man’s mouth set into a grim hard line. “Sputnik?”
“Yes, Kappa?”
“See these handcuffs?” Iain held up a pair of handcuffs. He dangled them in the air. “I only have the one set. Which means…”
Silence engulfed the rooftop.
Then Sputnik and Genghis both raised their weapons.
Kathryn reached for her gun, but it wasn’t there. She flapped about for a second as she turned around. Then she realised Iain had the gun in his hand, aiming at Sputnik - Iain fired first and, for a second, the muzzle flash blinded her, forcing her to close her eyes. As she opened them, she saw Sputnik’s head explode in a mass of brain and blood. The top of his skull disappeared, his eyeball fell out of his skull and the body collapsed backwards. He didn’t have the chance to fire his gun. She switched her gaze to Genghis.
And then she was falling, pushed from behind. She fell towards Sputnik’s fallen body as Iain pushed her away from him. As she fell, she noticed Genghis raise his shotgun. A flash exploded from the barrel. Genghis’s body was not knocked back by the blast, and she saw the recoil ripple through his muscles. As if it was in slow motion, she saw what happened to Iain. The blast ripped into his torso, and blood was erupting from his waist and arm. Iain squeezed off a round, which hit Genghis in the leg. Genghis didn’t move at first, then, realising that he’d been shot, he fell back. Iain had collapsed already.
Kathryn rolled on the ground until she stopped beside Sputnik’s machine gun. She picked it up, lay facing forward and aimed. Genghis was disorientated, still coming to terms with his injured leg. Kathryn lined up the gun’s sights with his chest. She squeezed the trigger, holding it there as it sprayed a volley of rounds into her target.
The big man’s body rocked with the shots, blood sprayed everywhere, and dripped from his mouth. He staggered for what seemed like an eternity. His eyes rolled into the back of his head. Then he toppled backwards. As he fell, Kathryn stood up and walked over, machine gun in hand. Genghis was choking on his own blood. His body was a tapestry of black bodily fluids and dark crimson. Blood was oozing wetly from his body, ravaged by bullet holes, a couple looked as if they might have penetrated his heart. Kathryn kicked the shotgun away from his side, watching as his breaths become shallower.
She turned and ran back to Iain, who had pulled himself up against the low wall at the edge of the roof in a seated position. A small pool of blood was forming below his body. Kathryn dropped to her knees. “How bad is it?” she asked.
Iain grimaced. His face was deathly pale. “It’s okay, I just got grazed. The real damage is to my forearm.”
Kathryn lifted Iain’s shirt. Shotgun pellets had embedded themselves into the skin of his torso, and blood was oozing from the surface; however, the injuries did not look too deep. The real damage was, as Iain had said, to his arm. A flap of skin hung from below his elbow. The bone was showing, dyed pink from the blood. Since blood wasn’t pulsing out under pressure, presumably no arteries had been hit or damaged. Despite this, they both knew that Iain was likely to go into shock at any moment.
She stood up and ran behind the generator. Grabbing her rucksack, she raced back to Iain’s side. Riffling through the bag’s contents, she eventually found the first aid kit. Opening the box, she found some painkillers and a syringe. Iain looked down at her, eyes wide in surprise. “That can’t be a standard first aid with pills—”
“—It is,” she replied reassuringly. “Those are the pills I found in a locker. What I wouldn’t do for some morphine right now. The syringe is useless.” She unwrapped a bandage and prepared it for use. She took the last two bottles of water from her rucksack. She popped a couple of pills into Iain’s hand. “Take them, drink this.”
Iain followed his orders. He swigged the bottle long and hard. When he took it away from his mouth, only half was left. Kathryn looked at the wound. “This may sting a little.”
Kathryn poured the water onto Iain’s arm, washing some of the excess blood away. Iain clenched his teeth and didn’t make a noise, but his hand gripped the wall beside him. Kathryn could see the tendons poking through his skin as he flexed the muscles. Once the wound was washed, she took a shirt from the bag and wiped it dry, even though blood was still oozing. She pressed the flap of skin into place and wound the bandage tightly around Iain’s arm. The bandage instantly absorbed the blood, but she continued to wrap the gauze around it several times until it was firm and rigid. Despite it being a temporary fix, it would have to do for the time being. “Right,” she said. “That should hold for now. How you feeling?”
He clenched his teeth against the pain. “Like some big black guy just shot me.”
“Well it’s not a perfect job, but it should last until we get off this roof. The pills should reduce the pain for a while. It could be worse, we could have died.”
Iain nodded, silent. He stood up, feeling a quake in his legs. “Right, let’s get out of here.”
Kathryn stood up too and examined the contents of the rucksack, the items now spread over the rooftop’s surface. She walked over to Genghis and bent down to look at him, relieved that he’d finally bled to death. His eyes were half open
, staring into the sky. Kathryn checked his body. Clipped around his waist, over his thong, was a gun belt. It held shotgun shells and a knife. Kathryn unclipped it. She placed it around her own waist and then bent down to pick up the shotgun from the ground. She returned to Iain, finding that he was holding their pistol in his good hand. Kathryn gave him a smile of encouragement, saying, “Let’s go.”
Iain hobbled along beside Kathryn, nursing his injured arm. “What about your bag?”
“It’s just a hindrance now, it doesn’t have anything useful left in it. Besides, I have a shotgun. Any fucker gets in my way and they lose a limb, a head or a torso. We’ll soon get out of here, Iain. Mark my words.”
The couple stepped past the generator. The roof continued for another few feet. A small metal walkway, complete with handrail, looked as if it led across to the adjacent roof. In turn, that roof then stretched for quite a way, and ended at another similar walkway, and it seemed to have similar looking generators to the ones on the roof where they were standing. When they reached the first walkway she stopped, letting Iain go first. He stepped gingerly onto the metal grating and hopped off at the other side. Kathryn followed, keeping pace with Iain as they crossed the second rooftop. “So what are you going to do when we get out of here?” she asked him.
Iain didn’t respond at once, he just looked at her and turned away. “I don’t know if I can get out of this situation. You see, I came here with a purpose. I wanted to make The Company suffer. And did they? No. I killed a few of their goons, but they will just replace them with others. This was a fruitless exercise. There’s nothing for me outside in the real world and nothing for me here. So I might as well stay.”
Kathryn bit her lip as they walked a few more steps in silence. “Well,” she said quietly, “if I’m not being too pushy, I would like to buy you a coffee sometime. It’s the least I can do for the man who saved my life on - well, throughout a whole evening really. Just coffee, nothing else, I don’t want to encroach on Jeanette’s place in your life or anything. I’m not a home wrecker.”