<Episode 24>

He stared out the window of his office tuning out just about everything else. Three days, it had been three days since Logan said he would contact him if he found Davidson or not. And if Logan said if it was going to be two day it was always two days, no matter what. That could only mean one thing and that couldn’t be possible. That human could not be that good, could he?

Anderson chided himself, only a fool who believed in the Drakan killer legend would allow such thoughts to rule them. He knew better, he looked into Davidson eyes. The human knew how to fight, in that there was no doubt, but he didn’t have the warrior fire within him. If anything did happen to Logan then Davidson couldn’t have done it alone. Perhaps he and the rebels did come to an agreement of sorts. But which one, that was the question. Who would be able to keep something like that quiet for this long? And how did they convince the others to keep this secret as well. Christopher possibly, but he was dead. Anderson smirked to himself, whomever that person was belonged on his payroll.

The door open, drawing part of his attention. He waited a few moments before saying, “What is it Mr. Taylor?”

“I had Logan’s usual haunts checked out.”

Anderson turned around in mild surprise, “I didn’t ask for that to be done.”

“Rhodes contacted us sir,” Taylor informed him. “There was a situation that he required Logan’s talents for. We were the last ones to contact him. Since we were both looking for him I thought it was prudent to ask for his assistance.”

Anderson grunted, he would never have asked assistance for anything, it was a sign of weakness. The senior Allen taught him that. But the damage was already done, “What did the good General have to say?”

“Logan hasn’t been seen at any of his usual haunts. None of his contacts have heard from him in the past few days. Apparently he had a couple of assignments waiting for him after he was done with us.”

He let out a small sigh, “And I suppose none of his contacts knew who the mysterious Drakan helping Davidson was,” he already knew the answer, but he felt the need to ask anyway.

“No sir,” he said confirming his suspicion. “Apparently he only shared that bit of information with you. Logan told no one his target was the Drakan Killer. Then again who would believe him?”

“Quite,” Anderson returned his gaze to the city below. Although he kept his outside demeanor calm inside he felt an animal rage building. One of his own was helping Davidson, right under his nose. And that fool Logan had an idea who. In his younger days he would tried to force the identity out of him. Of course he would most likely be dead right now if he tried. Perhaps Logan was able to dispose of this traitor. “Is there anything else Mr. Taylor?”

“Senator Henning is trying to make some noise again. He demanding answers to why we haven’t located Davidson and Haily yet.”

That human was impossible to deal with. “Contact Jefferson and have him send something to the good Senator. If he didn’t believe my warning from last time he should after that.”

“Yes sir,” he started to leave, “I almost forgot. Dr. Parker contacted us, Apparently Dr. Armstrong is denying him some equipment he needs for the other Mark one.”

Anderson sighed again, this feud was getting tiresome, “I’ll talk to Armstrong about it. If there is nothing else.” Taylor nodded and left. His thoughts returned to Davidson. After a while he started to smile to himself. If by some small chance Davidson was able to defeat Logan then the Fusion system worked better than he ever dreamed. A small sense of pride started to grow inside of him. If he ever had the chance to meet Davidson face to face again he would have to tell that to him.

***

Jack sat on a barrel as Dusty stood by him looking at his house. The outside was pretty close to matching the inside. The old Drakan estimated they be done in another week tops, barring another Drakan showing up as he put it. Jack flexed his shoulder thinking about the last one, it was still a little sore after that. He wasn’t complaining, if Rachel and Dusty wasn’t around he doubted he’d be breathing right now. Come to think of it a couple of his last few fight he needed somebody help. Jack started wonder if he and Rachel would have to go on the run again if things became too dangerous for Dusty. He could take care of himself, but Jack didn’t want that on his conscious

“Not bad son,” the old Drakan said after a bit. “Never thought this dump would ever take shape.”

“Just glad to help out,” he replied. “It’s the least we could do after all of the things you done for us.”

Dusty grinned at him, “The least you could do is nothing at all. No, all I did was give y’all a place to stay, nothing important.”

“Considering where we were when you found us…”, he started.

“No need to finish son,” Dusty said as he sat next to him. “I’ve been thinking, I got a decent size basement. With a little work we might make part of it into a small bedroom. That couch can’t be getting any more comfortable.”

Jack started to smile, “And you’re bringing this up when we’re about done with the outside.”

Dusty snorted, “I know, I know, probably should have brought it up sooner. Actually Rachel’s been down there a few times getting some ideas for it. So you might wanna hurry up and get a say in the thing.”

“I just need a bed Dusty,” he told him.

“Good,” Rachel said as she came out to join them. “Because that was all I was planning on. Well maybe a dresser to put your stuff in, but only if you were good” she teased as he handed him one of the pop cans she was carrying. Jack didn’t notice she was looking at him with a strange glint in her eyes until he opened his. Pop sprayed him for a quick moment. He wiped it off his face with his hand as she started laughing, “I’m sorry I couldn’t resist.”

“Little lady that was a waste of good soda,” Dusty complained.

“Come on Jack it as just a joke,” she said as he remained quiet.

“That was pretty good,” he finally said, “I didn’t think you had it in you.” He got up and grabbed the can out of her hand before she could react. “But of course you realize,” he said with a slight southern drawl, “this means war.” Jack started shaking the can as Rachel started backing up, he slowly followed. She looked over to Dusty for some kind of help.

“That accent was pretty good,” he said after a bit. “That Cajun one couldn’t have been as bad as you said it was.”

“Dusty!”, she cried out. Jack looked at him then back at Rachel with a raised eyebrow. He started shaking the can harder.

“Was I suppose to keep quiet about that?”, the Drakan said innocently.

“Oh I am definitely gonna enjoy this now,” Jack aid with a evil grin.

“Jack,” she said sternly, “you don’t want to do this.

“Oh yes I do,” he shot back.

“I’m your mission operator and I’m telling you to put the down that can.”

“You stop being that the moment we left World Inc.”

“Jack I’m warning you,” she ran out of room as she backed into the side of the house. She screamed as he opened the can in such a way that both of them got sprayed. “Way to go genius, you got yourself too.”

“It was worth it,” he told her “You got something right there,” he wiped a drop off the tip of her nose with his finger.

“Oh thanks a lot,” she replied sarcastically. They locked eyes for a few moments before he turned away, blushing a bit. He didn’t notice she blushed a little too. Dusty looked at them with a knowing look on his face, he was getting really annoyed by that look. He was going to tell him to don’t even think it when a new voice called out.

“I’m surprised you guys are still together.” Jack turned sharply to the voice ready for anything. They all were when they saw who it was.

“Dr. Friedman,” Rachel called out and went up to him.

“Doc,” Jack took his hand. “Come to drag me back for a check up?”

“That would be a losing battle,” he laughed. “No I just came by to see if you two were all right.”

“I keep telling you they are Harry,” Dusty said. “Grab a chair and stay a spell.”

Friedman took a lawn chair to sit in. Rachel sat next to Jack on the barrel. “So has this old coot drove you two crazy yet?”

“Jack can be a pain in the ass at times,” Dusty joked, “but he’s bearable to be around. Personally I don’t see how the little lady here stands being around him all the time. Oh wait, he said ‘old coot’ didn’t he?”, they laughed.

“How have you been friends with him this long,” Jack asked Friedman with a wink.

“Beats me, I should probably be approaching sainthood by now.” They laughed again, “But I got to be honest with you guys.”

Jack and Dusty both went, “Uh-oh.”

“What is it?”,” Rachel asked, she sounded worried too.

“I have another reason as to why I’m here,” he looked back behind him and waved somebody foreword. An older man came foreword cautiously. Jack got a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach as the newcomer came closer.

“Nathan?”, Dusty asked as he got up. He stood between him and Jack, “What are you doing here?”

“Good to see you again Dusty,” he said before looking at them. “This would be Miss Haily and the rather infamous Mr. Davidson I presume.”

“You would presume right,” Rachel answered. “Dusty, who is this guy?”

“This, little lady, would be a rebel.” Jack immediately shot up and stood in front of Rachel.

“Hold on, we came to talk,” Friedman said quickly. “He has a proposition for you.”

“Then maybe we should take this inside then,” Dusty said. Jack moved to let Friedman and this Nathan character into the house. Before following he scanned the area looking for any sign of a trap. Rachel and Dusty did the same. Nice to know he wasn’t the only one feeling paranoid at the moment.

***

Dusty, Jack and herself were all understandably nervous as they looked at the other two in total silence. Jack never took his eyes off of Nathan as he stood next to her. Dusty asked if anybody wanted a drink but nobody said anything. They kept staring at each other for several moments before Friedman said, “Well this is getting us no where.”

“A little warning would have been nice,” Jack told him.

“I got to go with Jack on this one,” Dusty added. “I don’t mind you dropping in out of the blue, but if you’re gonna bring company I would have set something up.”

“Or give us time to get ready,” she mumbled. Jack grunted in agreement.

“I wanted to make sure you’d still be here when we came,” he explained. “Let’s face it, Jack and the rebels don’t have the best of relationships.”

“That goes without saying,” Nathan said finally. “I guess I might as well get to the point to why I’m here.” He took a deep breath. To Rachel it looked like he couldn’t believe what was about to come out of his mouth, “I’ve been asked to offer you an invitation.”

“To what?”, Rachel asked as Jack eyes narrowed a bit

“To join us,” he said. She and Dusty were shocked but Jack looked unfazed to her. “You don’t seem all that surprised Davidson.”

“Not the first time I heard it. Your leader made me the same offer when I faced him.”

She was shocked again, “You never told me that.”

“I try not to think about that day too much.”

“Hmm,” Nathan said, “knowing Christopher I wouldn’t be surprised. I hope this day will end better than that one did.” They all heard the edge in his voice. “But you might want to think about taking the offer. A Drakan or two already found you, judging by the smell around here. It’s only a matter of time before Anderson’s men find you here too.”

“I don’t scare easily,” Jack told him.

“I didn’t think you did Davidson, I’m just stating fact.”

“Why are you offering this all of the sudden?”, Rachel asked. “It’s a bit out of the blue.”

“I’d imagine it would have something to do with the other night. He did help our people out then,”

“I’d helped you guy out one time,” Jack said plainly.

“Well twice if you count the dart you gave me,” Friedman put in. “And you let the kids go too.”

“Still,” Rachel said, “it seems a bit strange.”

Dusty added, “It smells like a trap to this old man.”

“If I was in your position I’d be thinking the same thing,” Nathan admitted. “But I was told by my current leader to assure you that you’d be safe.”

“Maybe we better step out for a bit,” Friedman said getting up. “Give them time to think this over.” Nathan agreed and they walked outside. The three of them looked at each other.

“Any idea who this new leader is?”, Jack asked Dusty.

“I told you son, my contacts with the rebels is kinda limited. I don’t keep up on the coming and goings. Starting to wish I did though,” he sighed. “What do you two think?”

“I think,” Jack said as he started at the ceiling, “we’re back in the run again if I say no.”

“Not necessarily,” Dusty tried to argue.

“The rebel would know were we are,” Rachel countered. “There’s bound to be a few rebels with a grudge who would come looking for him.”

“And you want to walk into that?”

“Staying here might put you in danger Dusty.”

“Anything happens to me and they lost their free medical care,” Dusty told her flatly. “Hell if they do anything to you the same thing gonna happen.”

“I think they can here you Dusty,” Rachel told him pointing at the door.

“I don’t care!”, he said loudly. “You may have stayed here a little while but I think of you two like my own family. Hell it’s not your fault you’re in this mess, it’s this damn war! The two of you shouldn’t have to keep paying the price for their stupidity.”

“Dusty calm down” She tried to get him to sit back down. “Even you said we have to deal with them sooner or later.”

“I know I did darlin’. But I meant of equal ground, not like this.”

“I don’t want to leave either Dusty,” Jack said softly. Dusty tried to hide hat his eyes were starting to water. “But I don’t think we have much of a choice.”

“Then I’m going with you to check things out,” Dusty said after a moment. They started to protest but he cut them off, “No arguing, my mind’s already made up. Besides somebody gotta make sure they treat the two of you right.”

“Thanks Dusty,” she said. “I’ll let Friedman know our decision.” Rachel turned toward the door and saw Friedman standing there. He nodded and went back outside. Jack grabbed his backpack and started throwing his clothes in it. She figured she better do the same. Rachel took a quick look around the house, it seemed like it was just last night that Dusty found them. Now they had to leave when things were just starting to feel like home. She didn’t want to even think about how this was affecting Jack.

***

This entire situation sucked. Again, why was it that when everything looked liked they were going right something happened to knock it down again? Of course now he was dragging more people along for the ride. Jack didn’t think the situation could get any worse then Nathan said they had to be blindfolded. Now he had no idea where the hell they were going. Fortunately Dusty insisted that he drive them there in Bessie. That made him feel a little better. Dusty said that any of this felt like a trap he turn the rust bucket around and get them out of there. He should have insisted they bring his bike along too, just for the get away if they had too.

After what seemed like forever he felt Bessie come to a stop and her engine turn off. Jack was going for his blindfold when Friedman said they had to keep them on a little longer. Rachel let out a small curse as the door opened and they were helped out. Dusty guided them a little way before he heard a door open and they were led inside. The door was closed before Friedman told them, “All right you can take them off now.” Jack quickly ripped his off, all he could see was a poorly lit tunnel.

“Quaint,” Rachel said looking around.

“This is one of the tunnels leading to this cell’s base,” Dusty informed them.

“Cell?”, Jack asked with a raised eyebrow.

“As in more than one?”, Rachel looked surprised. “World Inc’s Intel never said anything about there being more than one group of rebels. But I guess that makes sense, if Anderson located one then the other could keep going.”

“I’m pretty sure Anderson thought it was need to know,” Friedman offered.

“This way,” Nathan took the lead. All three of them kept an eye on their surroundings. Friedman tried to make some small talk, find out how they been but he and Rachel pretty much ignored him. About half a mile later Nathan took a side tunnel, then another one after that and a few more yards stopped in front of a wall and knocked hard three times. There was a loud click and part of the wall swung in. As they walked in the guy on the other side stared at Jack, he gave him a quick glance before following the other down the winding set of stairs. A couple of flights and short walk later Nathan proclaimed, “The main square so to speak.”

Jack and Rachel were staring at the sight in front of them. Under a bunch of lights was an underground community. A couple of house like structures were set up. Everyone, they looked human but he had a feeling they were all Drakans, were dressed normally enough but a few looked a little ragged around the edges. Children were playing and running around. Several of the adults stopped what they were doing and looked at them. Soon all of them stopped and looked in their direction. “This is only a small part of the habitat,” Nathan explained. “Most of the tunnels lead to other parts, living area, eating area and so forth. I think I see her, come this way.”

He followed but he was paying attention to everybody else. Some of the Drakan looked at him in contempt, most of them had fear in their eyes. Several parents held their children close to them as he passed. Then his gaze fell on a man with short blond hair with a look of disgust on his face. “I think I know him.” he murmured.

“What did you say Jack?”, Rachel asked him.

Jack looked away and said, “Nothing.” He started shaking his head, “I can’t believe Anderson consider these people a threat.”

“Us, maybe,” a female voice said. “The idea we represent, most definitely.” Jack saw a dark haired woman with blue eyes walk toward them. She was followed by guy with long blond hair and an old woman. He recognized her almost immediately.

“I don’t believe it.”

“Hello again Mr. Davidson, it good to see you under slightly better circumstances.”

“You two know each other?”, Rachel asked in disbelief.

“You could say that,” Jack said.

“He saved my life once,” she answered. “Although I’m surprised you took me up on my offer so soon.”

“You’re the leader?”, it was Jack turn to be surprised.

“Thanks to you,” she said bitterly, “yes. When I talk to somebody I prefer to see their entire face.”

“Not sure that’s good idea,” he told her.

“We had the signal jammers in place for a while now so you don’t have to worry about being located.”

Jack turned to Rachel getting really annoyed, “Did everybody know about this bug in my head before I did?”

“In a way child,” the old woman spoke up. She turned around and pulled up her hair to reveal a scar on the back of her neck, “It was one of Anderson earlier attempts to control the situation. Several of us have similar trackers implanted in our bodies.

“Anderson had his people connect them to their nervous system,” Friedman explained, “in such away that if they were removed the damage would be permanent.”

“Like I needed more proof he was a bastard,” Jack mumbled.

“So… uh…,” Rachel looked at the leader trying to get a name.

“Melissa,” she offered.

“Melissa, why did you send for us? It seemed a little sudden. We could only think of a couple of reason why, but it didn’t seem like much to offer an alliance.”

“True,” she agreed, “but as they say the enemy of my enemy is my friend. If were both have a common enemy then we should consider joining forces.”

“If he’s really gone from Anderson that is,” the guy with her said.

Melissa turned her head and in a warning tone said, “Lance.”

“Trust me, I have no loyalty toward Anderson,” Jack told them. “He sent me after his own kind for crying out loud. He sent me after kids for God’s sake. Why would I be loyal to him after all that crap?”

“The incident with the children happened a while ago,” The old woman said. “Why did you stay so long then?”

“I was trying to figure out what was going on.” He looked at the floor before he looked back at them, “That and we had a deal. One of you was responsible for putting me in this position. I help him and he would help me find that damn mon…,” he trailed off as a light went off in his head, “monkey,” he said softly and turned back to the crowd as he scanned their human faces. In his mind he was back in the mountains on that day. His legs and left arm were crushed by boulders. The blue monkey landed by him and turned into a man with short blond hair. Just like the one over there with disgust etched in his face. Rachel and Dusty tried to get his attention but he didn’t hear them. Slowly the anger he was feeling started to show on his face. “You,” he hissed between his teeth.

Screaming he charged the man. The other Drakan quickly got out of his way as the man stood there. Jack tackled him to the ground and started wailing away with his fists. The others didn’t shy away from the fight. Dusty and somebody else had to drag him off the blond haired man. “Let me go!”, he screamed as he struggled to free himself.

“Calm down son,” Dusty told him, “you ain’t helping yourself any.”

“I told you he couldn’t be trusted around us,” Lance said but Melissa ignored him.

“What was that about?”, she demanded.

“That’s the monkey! Let me go damn it!!!”

Rachel looked at the man, who was being held back as well, then back to him, “Jack are you sure?”

“Would I be trying to kill him if I wasn’t?”, he shot back not taking his eyes off his target.

Rachel went to Melissa, “Listen to me, World Inc. heard some info on a rebel operative. A team was sent out but it was a trap. Jack and a friend of his was caught in that trap as well. The rebel was a blue Drakan monkey.”

“Really?”, Melissa asked as he stop struggling. “What was the date of this.” That day was burned into his memory and told her the date without hesitation. “Please tell me you didn’t have a operation that day.”

“I’m afraid so,” Nathan answered as she closed her eyes. “That’s pretty close to how Jason described it.”

Melissa sighed before speaking, “Then it appears we are partially responsible for the Drakan Killer existence.” The crowd started talking among themselves at the news. “We do seem to have a slight problem right here,” she said looking at the two of them.

“Perhaps,” the old woman started, “a call of honor combat is in order.” Melissa acted like she was surprised she even said that.

“Honor… combat?”, Rachel wondered out loud.

Dusty explained, “It’s an old tradition. When somebody is wronged, I mean really, really wronged, the person can challenge the other to, well, combat.”

“Does that mean I get to kill him?”, Jack turned away just long enough to see the old woman nod once. “What she said, I call that.”

“I accept,” Jason said before anybody else could say anything.

Melissa shook her head and walked off with the old woman following. The crowd slowly disappeared, buzzing about what just happened. Jason grinned and followed them soon after. Dusty let him go saying, “Think before you call for something like that.” He didn’t care, he was finally going to get his hands on that damn monkey.

***

“Honor combat?”, Melissa said as she paced Emily’s room. “I’m trying to do this as peacefully as I can. I probably could have worked things out between the two of them. But you had to give them an option to tear each other apart.” Emily just sat there tending to her plant. She hated it when she did that.

“I beg to differ child,” she finally said. “I doubt even your brother could even handle that.” That took her by surprise, to everybody else her brother could do just about anything. “Even I felt the hatred emanating between the two of them.”

Melissa looked away, she didn’t want to admit it but the power behind that emotion almost knocked her for a loop. “There has to be another way.”

“Perhaps there is child, but until you find it the strife between them would eventually spread to the others. Trust me child, there is no other way. This must be dealt with now if we are to continue foreword.”

“And if they kill each other in the process?” Emily said nothing. “I just hope this doesn’t blow up in our faces.”

***

“Maybe you can back out,” Rachel said. Jack just ignored her, he just paced like a caged animal. Dusty gave them a quick lesson about the thing before he left them alone. She could use him right about know to try to talk some sense into this knucklehead. “Jack we’re trying to make peace with these guys remember?”

“Not while he’s here,” he said. “We can talk about getting along after I kill him.”

“Killing him isn’t going to help us any.”

“I really don’t care,” and he went back to ignoring her. God he could be impossible when he wanted to. About then two men came walking in, one carrying a bowl of something. “What do you want?”

“Tradition says that those in honor combat must be marked for combat,” he gestured to the bowl the other was carrying. “Please remove your Jacket, shirt and gloves.”

“What ever you’re gonna put on me isn’t going to be seen for long.” They said nothing, just staring at him. “Whatever,” Jack bared his upper body. The two looked at the scars covering him then at each other. Then they began marking his chest with the grease like substance. She was expecting him to make a comment, a joke or something but he kept quiet. They lead them to an open area with a pit dug into the floor. It was already pretty crowded but she could see the human form of the monkey already in the pit. Without any prompting Jack jumped in and stood behind the line marked on the floor. Rachel looked around as the other Drakan were talking to each other as they pointed at Jack. A cold spot started to form in her stomach, dear God what was he thinking.

She could see Melissa raise a hand to grab everyone attention. “A call of honor combat has been made.” A hand on her shoulder made her jump until she saw it was Dusty. He smiled and squeezed her shoulder as Melissa continued talking. “It has been years since one has been called for, but today we must heed it’s call. Are the two ready?” The monkey changed into his true form and nodded, is marking could still be seen on his fur. Jack raised his left arm across his chest and the Fusion belt appeared. The Drakan started buzzing again as he moved his arm to the side and brought his right arm to his face. “No matter the outcome no one will do anything to the combatants after it is over, is that clear?” Nobody said anything. The spot in her stomach started to grow with each passing moment. They stood there in the pit just staring at each other, but she could see Jack finger on his right hand twitching slightly. Melissa raised a hand above her head, she didn’t look pleased as she brought it down, “Begin!”

Rachel closed her eyes as she heard Jack shout out, “Henshin!”