One beast grabbed hold of the man next to it with its front paws and dug in. The soldier screamed in pain as his weapon continued firing, shooting wildly. The sounds deafened, as his shots hit the beast’s lower jaw and ricocheted off sending sparks flying into his face, ears ringing until his clip was empty. He expelled the clip and felt the beast’s hold go slack. As the soldier fell to the ground, the monster shook its head, disoriented from the close-range fire.
The soldier held his shredded midsection and scuttled along the porch. His ears rang loudly, and he only detected a vibration growing stronger under his body. His face and eyes burned from gunpowder dust that had singed his head. He squinted to find the doorway and grabbed the doorjamb to pull himself over the threshold. He raised his head to see his team inside running toward him, terror on their faces as they approached.
A solid metal slab fell with a thud, closing off the front entrance and severing his arm at the elbow. He screamed in pain as the beast regained its senses and bit down on his legs, dragging him away from the door and down the steps to finish him off. The soldier reached down, grabbed his one remaining grenade and pulled the pin.
The terrifying beast sank its teeth into the man’s chest squeezing the life out of him. His ribs cracked, and his chest crumbled but not before he was able to reach into the beast’s mouth and throw in the active grenade. The beast dropped the crumpled man and turned to help its partner.
The other soldier, who remained outside, fired on the beast’s twin. The mechanical squirrels tore into his legs, while cats leaped and attached themselves to his back and chest. Only feet away the free gargoyle prepared for the finishing blow when the grenade detonated, rupturing its head and sending shrapnel through the soldier, killing him instantly.
Chapter 71
Leo whispered frantically to Sarafina after Mr. Sullivan left them alone in the dining room, informing her of what he had found. He tried to calm her, even though the barrage of muffled gunshots echoed all around them like a war zone. Leo knew he had to act quickly as the battle was ending.
Leo had observed Mr. Sullivan limping and wondered if he was well and able to protect them. His concern did not last long as he remembered the man had lied to him and stolen his inventions. Leo did not know how his father had come to live here at Halaby, but he knew his father would not abandon him by choice. Leo believed Mr. Sullivan had kidnapped his father and held him captive, maybe even killed him. That was the last straw.
Loud rumbling vibrations behind the guard became louder. The guard appeared nervous, twitching at every sound, finger on the trigger of his rifle. He placed a finger to his ear, listened, and then said, “We gotta move.”
The guard escorted them through the door into a hallway, and Leo decided to make his move. He turned to the man and drove a knee into his stomach, knocking the wind out of him. Despite loss of air, the man grabbed Leo and his plan went up in smoke as the guard put his arm around Leo’s neck. Before he could turn, Sarafina drew the man’s firearm from his holster and pointed the barrel at the guard’s head.
“Dude I’d let me go if I were you,” Leo said. “Do you really wanna mess with her?”
The man tightened his grip on Leo’s neck and Sarafina fired a warning shot into the floor next to the guard’s feet. He released his hold and Leo drew back his fist and swung a roundhouse punch that knocked the guard unconscious.
Sarafina gave Leo an impressed nod of the head. “Dang, Leo, I wouldn’t wanna mess with you.”
Leo pointed to the pistol Sarafina trained at the guard’s motionless body. “You too.”
An explosion rattled the room. Leo grabbed Sarafina’s hand and they ran to the door Sullivan had locked after he’d left them alone. He tried to access the panel beside the door, but his face and hand scan did not grant them access. Leo growled with frustration and turned to see Sarafina, gun aimed at the lock, about to shoot her way out.
“Wait!” He ran back to the unconscious guard, dragged him to the door, and pressed the man’s hand against white square panel. After a moment, the display lit up green.
“Nice Leo, but I could have just shot out the lock.”
“We may still need those rounds for our escape.”
They ran down another corridor that ended at a sitting room with a large window on the opposite end. In the center of the room lay the body of the Butler, pockets of flesh eaten away, his head opened to ports, wires, and memory boards. Sarafina let out a scream.
“It’s okay, Sara. That thing’s a robot not a real man. Mrs. Sullivan’s Butler…or Butcher should I say. Huh, Mr. Sullivan told the truth about him after all.”
Leo was curious to see how the mechanical man ticked; he crouched down, reached into the gooey remains of the BOT’s head and pulled out what he thought was the Butcher’s memory. He shoved the card in his pocket and took ahold of Sarafina’s arm.
The shooting stopped, and he crossed to the window. Leo heard men discussing something frantically but could not see them. He knew it was now or never. Mr. Sullivan would finish with the insurgent soon and force Leo to tell him everything. Marty was right. Sullivan was bad news. Leo lifted a heavy glass vase from a nearby table and tossed it at the window. Glass shattered, tinkling on the hardwood floor.
“We need to avoid his spies,” Leo said. “We’ll get into the woods and loose them all. Then we’ll hoof it somewhere and get ourselves a car. I know just the place to keep us safe.”
They exited out the window carefully and slipped into the shadows of the mansion. As they scampered into the darkness of the woods Leo caught a glimpse of a man in all camo, missing an arm, blood covering his upper body. Leo was confident that with all the bloodshed, Stratus would not be bothering him any longer. He vowed he would disappear, and if provoked unleash a virus that would eat every byte in Sullivan’s data center.
Chapter 72
Inside the mansion, the two soldiers awaited a fight and remained prepared. This room felt like a prison, but not for long. An illuminated orb dropped from the ceiling and hung in the room twelve feet above the floor. They did not know what to expect so they remained vigilant. Four beams of light shot out from its surface and came to stop on each of them leaving a dot. The soldiers moved and scattered to avoid the beams, shooting at the orb, their rounds passing through into the ceiling. The beams of light traced their movement and the light intensified and pulsed before stopping all together. The four men dropped simultaneously to the floor with a hole bored through each of their chests and the air smelling of burnt clothing and flesh. The only remaining member now was Stratus.
* * *
Stratus had not heard any more movement, so he popped up from his crouch and eased forward, the barrel of his M16 leading the way. He found an empty nook to hide. He was sure this space housed the beast he had seen here the other day. It made him nervous waiting there, the beast was gone, and it might return, however it gave him shelter from the rain and concealment.
The second he relaxed a voice came from within the maze, someone he did not recognize.
“Stratus Lattamus where did you hide, you coward! I thought your kind were tough and tenacious. The men with no rules, take shit from no one and now you’re hiding like a frightened baby. Your men didn’t do so hot. It’s a shame you’ll meet their fate.”
Stratus hated to remain quiet but right now, it was in his best interest. The only radio contact from his four men had been when they were ready to breech the mansion. Radio waves apparently could not penetrate Halaby and all he heard from the outside was gunfire. A loud explosion blasted his eardrums and he hoped it took some of the robot bastards with it.
“That would have been you too, if you hadn’t ducked into this maze,” the voice said. “If you’d been there they might be alive.”
“You must be the shooter taking your shots from a distance too scared to face a man up front.”
“You’re alive! I was concerned. My shooting hit its mark didn’t it. Your team trespassed on private propert
y without a shred of proof of wrongdoing or a warrant. If you want to make this personal let’s do this face to face as you suggest. I’m not the one cowering.”
“Let me guess, you’re the absent Fox One that Mrs. Sullivan is missing. Whose side are you on, Mrs. Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan, or the United States military?”
Silence followed Stratus’s comment and then the sound of someone coming at a sprint.
“I’m on the winning side!”
Stratus braced for contact as the voice was close and from an unknown location. Fox One tore through the hedge colliding with Stratus from behind and wrapping him up while he tackled him into the maze path. Stratus had hoped to shoot the unsuspecting Fox One as he passed.
It’s a dogfight now. Stratus hit the ground hard, but the soft wet grass cushioned the fall and gave him wiggle room. Partially pinned, his free arm was able to fire rounds from his rifle that arced up towards Fox One’s face. The size of the weapon made the movement slow and Fox One slammed the gun down to the ground, taking it before Stratus’s rounds could hit him.
This left Fox One’s left side exposed and Stratus freed his other hand to hit him with a left hook and then delivered a kick to the chest. The solid mass of Fox One did not move far but Stratus was able to pop up to his feet and began to draw his pistol from his hip.
Still holding Stratus’s M16 by the barrel, the Phantom swung the rifle smashing Stratus’s hand, sending his handgun to the ground. Stratus grabbed for the trigger of the M16 the Phantom had swung at him, but before he found the trigger Fox One ejected its clip. Stratus now had his M16 back, but it was useless, he threw the weapon aside.
Fox One had not drawn his weapon yet, it was as if he wanted to savor this. Stratus considered pulling his knife, but he did not want to bring a knife to a gunfight. Stratus lunged downward for his handgun lying on the ground but Fox One anticipated it, stepped onto the gun and drew his knife. With Stratus in an exposed position, the Phantom swung the knife aiming at Stratus’s chest.
Stratus used his left arm to deflect his blow, but Fox One’s strength was too great, and the knife tore into his vest. Luckily, for Stratus his deflection had slowed the guard’s stabbing motion enough to only cut his vest.
Stratus forgot about the gun and used both arms to wrestle with Fox One’s knife hand. He twisted the guard’s hand and proceeded to punch repeatedly into Fox One’s midsection.
Unfazed, Fox One calmly shot his arm forward and clamped his hand around the front of Stratus’s neck and began to choke him.
Stratus knew he had to keep the Phantom’s knife at bay, but the man was rapidly choking the oxygen from him.
Stratus blindly reached up to Fox’s face to try to gouge at his eyes. The guard head-butted Stratus, only managing to graze his forehead and temple. Stratus used the momentum of the blow to grab Fox One and roll backwards, his legs wrapped around him causing the Phantom to release the knife. Stratus’s intention was to pin Fox One and gain the upper hand, but he was overpowered and they both tumbled to crouching positions next to each other.
Stratus gasped for air as the guard put all his weight into an elbow thrust to Stratus’s face followed by an uppercut under his chin rattling his teeth together. Stratus’s world went dim as he flew onto his back and thudded to the ground. Incapacitated by the blows, fighting back rain pouring into his eyes, he made out a blurry Fox One picking up his gun. During the tumble, Fox One’s forearm had been torn open.
Stratus watched as blood poured down the Phantom’s arm dripping from his gun hand and covering the barrel. The guard strode over while Stratus scrambled for anything he could use to slow him; he needed to regain his senses. All he could find was his spade knife; through his blurred vision he threw it toward what he believed was Fox One’s direction.
The knife found its mark in the brute’s shoulder and he let out a growl.
“Agh, you’re a nuisance. Damn you. It’s game over for you Special Agent Lattamus.”
Fox One grabbed Stratus’s hair and raised him to his knees as he battled for consciousness. He swatted away Fox One’s gun hand but could not maintain his coordination. The Phantom held Stratus’s hair and lowered his gun onto the top of his head.
“It’s nothing personal. It’s business. Stratus, you don’t know all the facts.”
Fox One slid the barrel to Stratus’s temple and eased his finger onto the trigger. Stratus drew his blade from its sheath. Blood from the guard splattered onto Stratus’s face. A metal clack and low thud caused Fox One to look up. Stratus struggled to see what had captured the Phantoms attention.
From the ground came a tall metal cylinder, it came to a stop and large gears next to it spun as a door slid open on its surface. Inside was Mr. Sullivan, he stood within the cylinder staring in their direction.
“Stop,” Mr. Sullivan shouted as he exited the capsule.
Both Stratus and Fox One froze, awaiting his next statement.
“Fox One, release the agent, he will live after all. Thanks to Fox One, your superior, Cromwell, is dead. Stratus, you will take his place, how lucky for you. You should be thanking Fox One here. Had he not killed Mr. Cromwell I would have allowed him to eliminate you. I have a use for you.”
Stratus reached up with his free hand and racked the gun in Fox One’s hand ejecting the last round, buying him time. At the same time, Stratus swiped his knife out at the guard. Fox One shifted his body backward dodging the blade, then raised his leg and kicked Stratus in the sternum, sending him backwards.
The Phantom walked over and stood above the barely conscious Stratus, blood covering his face and hair. Fox One stepped onto his knife hand and pressed down. The brute finally drew his own pistol from his holster and pointed it at Stratus’s head. A disproving look came across Sullivan’s face, as a frustrated Fox One slid the gun down to Stratus’s chest and fired three rounds into his vest.
“Welcome to the Team, asshole!” Fox One said. He pivoted, then walked away.
Chapter 73
Mr. Sullivan looked out from the upper floor of Halaby as quite descended over the mansion. Its rural setting drew no attention from the public despite the battle that had just taken place here.
Returning to the mansion, Fox One and Mr. Sullivan learned that Leo, the one they had battled for, was missing and out in the open. Mr. Sullivan knew he could still locate and get Leonard. After the shock and outrage of Mrs. Sullivan’s betrayal wore off, Mr. Sullivan seemed unconcerned that she may find Leo first.
Artemus was confident all was under control. Ghost Squad had been sent to pillage and contain them but was now eliminated. Stratus remained alive, captive at Halaby and was now their pawn to be played wherever or however they choose.
Stratus’s initial hesitancy to cooperate was eliminated when Mr. Sullivan smugly played all his recordings, the audio inside the Pentagon being especially persuasive. They gave Mr. Sullivan the inside scoop and made Stratus seem oh so cooperative. The ability to paint Stratus as a double agent who was guilty of treason was enough to coerce this pentagon man.
The Butcher’s memory board had been taken and Mr. Sullivan’s promise would remain unfulfilled to him, for now. Sullivan knew Leonard would use the Butcher’s memory board to do what he did best, create more code. Mr. Sullivan would be there to take what he had created and use it. You may think you’ve escaped, but you’re walking in my hands perfectly.
Chapter 74
Unable to return to the cottage for fear of their lives, Leo and Sarafina borrowed a car from a friend and set out to hide at New Wave. The drive was a bit of a bittersweet victory for Leo. Escape meant freedom but with a price. It would require them to give up everything they knew. Leo’s mind whirled with thoughts of his father and his possible captivity there at the Halaby mansion.
He had come to terms with his father’s disappearance and assumed death, but this now changed everything. He now believed anything was possible, even that his father may still be alive. Getting answers meant involving himself with the Su
llivan’s further and he was not prepared to do that yet.
Sarafina lay her head down on Leo’s shoulder as he drove down the dark country road. He did not know what the future held. Mr. Sullivan seemed to think he was the one who held their futures, but Leo was determined to make his own destiny. He would head to New Wave and come up with a plan.
“Leo, I just want you to know whatever happens, I’m with you all the way. Besides, it wouldn’t do me any good to go back to my old life now. They’d know right where to find me.”
“Good, Sara. I can’t image doing this without you,” Leo said as he smiled down to her. “I’ll do what I can to keep us safe. When we get to New Wave, I’ll come up with an idea.”
“Leo, do you think you father’s still alive? If the Sullivan’s held him at Halaby, isn’t it possible he might still be out there?”
“I don’t know. I wanna believe he is. It is hard to think he was alive, imprisoned all that time when I thought he was dead. It brings me hope, that one day I might find him.”
“I hope so too, cowboy.”
Sarafina relaxed and closed her eyes. Comforted by Leo, she soon drifted off to sleep. Ever since his father’s disappearance, Leo dreamt of creating a legacy, something that would make Patrick proud. He wanted to live in his father’s footsteps.
Leo looked down at the beautiful Sarafina asleep on his shoulder and he kissed the top of her head gently as to not awaken her.
I’ll settle for the present for now.
Epilogue
Lights popped on in the lab of New Wave as Leo walked across the grey flagstone floor. His entry into New Wave was difficult, as it did not allow for Sarafina on site.
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