by Aline Riva
Now she got it.
“You fucking genius!” she exclaimed, and gave Riley a brief hug that took him by surprise.
“Go and get that communications device, we can set to work on it right away...if his power's flowing well enough we might even be able to link into his visuals, could give us an idea of exactly where he is.”
“And when we lock on to him?” she asked.
“I think maybe it's time to take the motor home for a drive over to Freedom City, if you take Flynn maybe the two of you can bust him out of there and bring him home – I want to be with you, I want to be there for Ash – but I have to stay here and work on getting Felix out alive. I won't bear any grudges, Joy. As soon as Ash is safe out of there, I'm messaging the Premier to warn him to expect repercussions from End Cyborg Life. It's his city, it's up to him to clean up his own trash.”
“I think we'll need Elise in on this too,” she said.
“I'm sure she would be only too glad to help but it's going to be painful to leave those gates and head back here knowing Felix is still behind bars.”
Joy's eyes clouded with sadness.
“I can't find that android you need, I really think the only android ever capable of carrying out the rescue mission would have been Elise – had she not become a hybrid.”
“But he still has time,” Riley reminded her, “And let's do this in the right order: Lynch has another week. Ash needs busting out of there now. Get the communications device, I'll make the adjustments, We'll take it from there.”
“I'll fetch it,”said Joy.
“I'll be in my study,” Riley replied, and then he left Joy to take down a box from the top of the wardrobe, a box where she kept all of her old memories – including the device that had once been her only link to Captain Murdock.
“I need a team. Me and Flynn can't take on the whole of End Cyborg Life and get him out alive!”
As Joy said those words, Riley was at his desk, tools spread out on the table with a lit up magnifier in front of him.
“I am fully aware of that,” he replied, taking the device, “Thank you, Joy...”
Then she said no more as she watched him crack open the back of the device and hook a wire to his own monitor, then he picked up a tool with a microscopic tip and began to fine tune the small electronic parts inside the device. He worked for a few minutes, then pressed a button on the device and as the cracked screen lit up and a red light blinked on his own monitor he smiled.
“We are in business...”
“You can reach him?”
“Is something amiss?”
They both looked around on hearing the well spoken voice of Del, along with a trace of the stink of Howler, to see he had entered the room and was looking at them with concern in his eyes.
“The ECL have Ash,” Riley said, turning back to the screen as he made some adjustments, then punched in a code and set it to run, “I've already had their leader telling me over my hacked private line that we won't get him back unless Lynch goes to the gas chamber... well, he won't be hacking me again, at least not for a while I just secured the line again...it might not last ...The fucker even introduced himself, Mr Jet Madison, proud to be the leader of End Cyborg Life. Spoke to me like a piece of shit...just give the code a second to start working...”
Del stepped closer to the desk, staring at Riley with his dark, strange eyes as an odd expression set deeply in the blackness of his gaze.
“I know that name...I know...”
He put his fingertips to his temples as if he wished he could tear the lost memories from his mind as he shook his head, closing his eyes as a face came to mind fleetingly, a face he now wanted to forget...
The message Channel Secure flashed up on the monitor, then Riley glanced at his mutant friend.
“What's wrong?” he asked.
“I...I know the name..I know his face...Jet is a dangerous man! He was always insane, even as a boy...”
Riley stared at him, suddenly seeing a great similarity between the polished tones of Del and the leader of the ECL.
“What do you remember?” he asked.
Del gave a gasp then drew in a sharp breath as memories flooded his mind, a grand castle, a wealthy and privileged youth..and Jet Madison with hate burning in his eyes... He blinked away tears as he let the lost memories fall heavily into place, and what he said surprised Riley as much as Joy:
“My name is Dorian Madison – I'm the younger son of the late Lord Oliver Madison. Jet is my brother...”
“You're a lord?” Joy said in surprise.
“No,” he told her, “Upon my father's death the title would pass to Jet before myself.”
Joy started to smile as she recalled that Melissa had been spending a lot of time in Del's company lately – she had decided she would only worry if her daughter started to smell like Howler too, but now those worries faded out.
“You're aristocracy?”
“Was,” he replied, “Oh, how I wish I''d never remembered! My brother...I always knew he would have survived these troubled times... his kind always do...You will need to be heavily armed to take him on... he's insane – always has been... My brother, the cause of all this trouble...I feel terrible!”
“And you don't get to choose your family,” Riley reminded him, “But you do get to choose your friends...now, let's get this line active...”
Joy watched as the screen stayed static and a message came up Visuals Off.
“Okay... so we can't get visuals,”Riley said, “Not to worry, Joy, with all the meds he's been on a lot of his extra functions will still be down due to low energy levels... let's try the internal messaging system...”
And he drew a keyboard from under the monitor and typed a message:
Ash, are you getting this? Please respond...
Jekel was on his back on the mattress as the pillow cushioned his aching head. He was jolted from sleep as he gave a gasp, snapping open his eyes and looking up at Violet, who looked down at him in alarm as she sat on the bare boards beside him.
“What's wrong?” she asked.
“Nothing...My internal messaging is up...Oh thank god - it's Riley!”
“What messaging?” she asked.
He found the strength to sit up, and the fact that he could now sit up gave him hope as he tapped the side of his head.
“It's all in here...I've got very intricate wiring...Wait...I need to take this call...”
She watched as he said no more, silently reading the message sent through by Blake.
“What does it say?” she asked quietly.
“Shh...Let me reply....I never did like this communication thing, but I'm so glad of it now!”
Jekel gave his reply quickly, thankful his power was running smoothly enough to send and receive:
Yes I hear you. ECL have me thirty minutes drive into Freedom but the old part... more to come wait...Ash
Then he turned his head, taking hold of Violet's hand as her blue eyes showed a look of surprise.
“Where are we, love? Just answer the question, please...You're not in trouble...”
She froze, looking into his hazel eyes as fear reflected in her gaze.
“My friends are good people, Violet...please trust me! Tell me exactly where we are.”
She studied his gaze and made her decision.
“Bell Street...it's the only solid row of old world stores still standing...we're in the third one...Perfect Fit, an old tailor's shop.”
Ash? Respond – Riley
The message flashed to mind and he quickly sent his reply:
Old shop ruins down Bell Street I'm in the third one Perfect Fit a tailors shop – in the attic...Old cafe next door...ECL group downstairs I reckon thirty to forty of them...standard guns no battle suits I was hit with a stun gun feel weak. Don't kill the girl she's keeping me alive her name is Violet please hurry – Ash
The reply came back quickly:
I have an old map and laying it over the new Freedom rebuild
I see where you are. We are getting you out – estimate early morning raid – do nothing, await rescue – Riley
Jekel breathed a deep sigh as he looked to Violet and managed to smile as hope shone in his eyes and he gave her hand a squeeze.
“They're getting me out. I've told them not to hurt you. Violet, you're coming with me.”
Then another message came through:
Where were you hit with the stun gun? – Riley
“Just a minute,” Jekel said, and he let go of her hand as he sent another message.
Back of my neck. Head hurts – Ash
The reply came back rapidly:
The charge might have damaged your weakened power line. Best be cautious – lie down if you can – Riley.
Jekel felt a flicker of panic as he laid back against the pillow once more.
I am laying flat head still aches I don't feel as weak as I did -Ash
Good, you stay that way. You'll be out of there by sunrise – Riley.
Jekel smiled as he sent his reply:.
Cheers mate – Ash
Then the messages ended and Jekel turned his head and looked up at Violet, who was still kneeling beside him as he saw a look of fear on her face.
“Don't worry,” he said to her, “We're both getting out of here. My people are coming to get me out and I'll take you with me. I'll make sure they know you're on our side.”
The thought of Jekel's cyborg friends coming to his aid filled her with apprehension.
“But they'll know I'm part of the ECL...”
“And I've told them you're with me, you're looking after me and you're not like the others. Don't worry, it's going to be fine – Oh no...no!”
Jekel gave a gasp as pain shot through the side of his head, for a moment his body went weak and he was thankful he was flat on his back. Then as he drew in air and waited for the pain to fade, he looked anxiously up at Violet.
“Tell me what to do,” she said.
“You can't do anything for me,” he replied as he breathed heavily, then the pain faded out and he wondered when it would strike again, “That stun gun your sister shot me with...Riley said it might have damaged my dying booster line....I'm getting scared...I don't want to die...not here, like this...What are you doing?”
As Violet laid down beside him he shifted over, looking at her in surprise as the two of them lay tightly side by side on the makeshift bed on the floor.
“All I can do is be here for you...so here I am, Mister Jekel...if this helps.”
And her hand closed over his as she looked into his eyes.
“You're not alone,” she added, and her words brought him more comfort than he cared to share aloud as he lay there on top of the mattress with Violet beside him, her hand linked with his as he looked to the night sky and tried to calm his fears with thoughts of the coming rescue as he silently vowed to stay alive to see Joy and Travis once more.
Chapter 9 : For Old Time's Sake
The Wired Circuit had been closed early. Now the shutters were down and the lights were dimmed as Joy and Riley explained the situation to Elise and Flynn and Kait, who listened intently.
“So the plan is, we use the communications device to lock on to the tracker in the motor home and drive over to Freedom,” Joy said, “All of us look human and will easily pass through security. Elise...you may not want to do this because of the situation Felix is in, but if you were driving it would look perfectly legitimate that his apparently human partner has come to the city to request to see him face to face.”
“That would be valid,” Riley added, “I can even patch through to Vice Premier Payton and she can have a pass waiting for you on the gate to admit you to the city. She doesn't know about Ash being abducted – this is meant to be kept quiet... it's best on all sides if it stays that way – the ECL would love to see a war blow up over this - and it's not happening. I will stay behind at the mansion, I can keep in touch with you via the Motor home's communications link. I'll also watch Travis. When he gets up in the morning – if it's before you return, I can tell him hopefully that his Dad got into a spot of bother but he's on his way home.”
“And let's get bullets loaded up and put the gang together one last time,” Flynn added, “Let's do this for Jekel.”
“I'll watch Fi for you,” Kait told Elise, “I won't say a word – you can tell her yourself when you get back.”
“I wish I could find a way to get in touch with Murdock,” Joy replied, feeling an ache in her heart as she recalled the battle for Sanctuary and the day she had called him in desperation and his voice had come through reassuringly as he told her to keep watching the skies... Now looking to those skies brought no hope at all – Murdock had left earth. There was no way to reach him and she needed him, because she was afraid without Lynch, their group would not be strong enough to get in there, out again and save her husband...
“Well Murdock's not here,” Flynn told her, “But I am and so is Elise – and we fought our way through many hard times together and there's no reason we can't get through this one. Jekel needs us.”
“I'd rather die trying than do nothing,” Joy said quietly.
Then the door to the Wired Circuit opened up and they all turned to see Melissa and Del – who now called himself Dorian – standing in the doorway.
“My mutant friend,” said Riley, “Dorian Madison – survivor of the Howler virus.”
And Joy noticed her daughter's hand was linked with Dorian's.
“We want to help – if we may,” Dorian said politely.
Joy looked kindly at the man who stunk like a Howler, although it didn't bother her now she had got to know him – and if her daughter wanted to date an aristocrat with a castle, she really could overlook the slight odour problem... But Dorian was clearly no fighter.
“You need to stay here, both of you!” she said firmly, “Melissa, I almost lost you once. I refuse to go through that again. This is a situation that requires experienced fighters. You have to stay here, I can't be covering either of you when the bullets start flying because I have to cover myself, my team and bring my husband out of there safely.”
Melissa nodded, then she fell silent.
“Sorry,” Joy added, “But I can't risk losing anyone else I love...And Dorian?”
The man with the alien features met her gaze.
“The reason we're going on this mission is because we all look human – those of us with cyborg parts have them concealed...we can all gain access to Freedom with no trouble at all. You, on the other hand...”
Dorian gave a sigh.
“A very valid point,” he agreed, “They would burn me on sight.... I wish you all the luck this world has to offer. I pray you all return safely.”
Then he and Melissa left the bar, and Flynn tutted and shook his head.
“Why didn't you warn me about him, Riley?”
Riley blinked.
“Warn you about what?”
“I could have at least covered up the pub mascot!” Flynn told him, looking to the mounted head of the dead Howler Angus the Fungus Head fixed to the wall over the fireplace, “For all I know, that head could be his friggin' uncle!”
His remark brought a smile to Riley's face as he shook his head.
“I'm sure he wasn't offended, Flynn. Remember, he didn't turn into a Howler – the virus did something else to him, so he's not going to look at that head and feel at all bad.”
“So, what's the plan?” asked Joy, “We drive in, we take Jekel and then what, shoot our way out?”
“I would guess so,” Flynn replied as he gave it some thought and scratched the back of his neck, “Easy to get in – devil of a job getting out again, though...”
“And we're still short on crew,” Joy added, “We need someone with high military experience – we don't have Lynch.”
“But you do have me.”
They all turned to the shadowy corner beside a wall were lights studded the dark woodwork, to see Kade Silk standing there. A
nd he wasn't in his usual attire of clothing so similar to Jekel's – now he was wearing his old uniform, the whites of the Freedom City guard, and there was a look in his eyes that she had never seen before – it was a look similar to that which she had seen sometimes in the eyes of General Lynch. This man had once been a fighter, and could be again...
“I'm at your service – if you'll have me,” Kade said as he went over to join them, “I had planned, after getting through the war without a scratch, to spend the rest of my days carving out a career in the entertainment business - but Ash has become a good friend of mine and I'll gladly take up arms for him. Plus, there's something missing from your plan, folks...”
As he joined them at the table Joy looked at him intently.
“Like what?” she asked.
“You want to go in using the motor home – good plan. But you'll never get out alive the same way – you can't smash through those gates to get out. You need to take the vehicle to Bell Street, move out, Elise drives around the back of the city to take up fifteen minutes then she's out the gates again and heading back to Cyborg Valley. Are you with me so far?”
They were all listening intently, wondering where this plan was heading.
“And how are we supposed to get out again? Jekel's in a bad way. They hit him with a stun shot to the back of his head, Riley thinks it's caused damage to the failing wire...Tell me how having no transport is meant to help us, Kade? Is there more to this bright idea?” Joy looked at him accusingly.
Kade didn't rise to her impatience and doubt as he continued to explain:
“Bell Street is two streets away from Cannon Road – there's a few surviving buildings up there, empty but they are structurally sound. The rooftops are where they keep the spare choppers – in case of emergency – I can easily get up there and get my hands on a former UNA Paramedic Skybird...They used to use them for the human wounded UNA in times of conflict...That would be the best bet as Jekel's not in good shape - Joy, if he needs help you can do the rest. Those choppers are very good for dodging enemy fire, too. I realise this is strictly a get in get out and don't cause a political disaster kind of mission – those choppers don't have weapons...” Then he gave them a dazzling smile as he added, “But as I said, you do have me – during my long and distinguished military career I was known as many things, including an ace pilot. I never got a chance to fly anything near as exciting as a war bird but yes, I can fly a helicopter and do it very well.”