<Episode 49>

Jack sat up with a start. With more practice than he wanted to admit he was able to keep himself from screaming out loud. Going into one of the breathing exercises Emily taught him he sat there until his heartbeat was back under control. After a few moments of silence he lay back down and stared at the ceiling totally disgusted with himself. One night, just one lousy night. Why was one night of totally uninterrupted sleep too much to ask for? Especially tonight of all nights. He glanced over at Rachel sleeping next to him, her bare shoulder and back not covered by the sheet. Yeah tonight would have been the perfect night not to have one of those damn nightmares.

“You had another one,” she spoke up.

“Sorry,” he said softly, “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“I was already up. For somebody who can keep me guessing,” she turned around, getting under his arm and rested her head on his shoulder, “your nightmares run surprisingly like clockwork. So what happened in this one?”

“Not a whole lot changed from last time,” he told her. Rubbing her arm lightly he added, “Richie looked a little apologetic this time around though.”

“That something at least,” she said. “It might be a step in the right direction.”

“Maybe. I just want this nightmare to stop already.”

“I know you do, and so do I. but Dusty and Emily both said it’ll go away when it goes away.”

“I know it’s just frustrating,” he admitted. “I’m almost thirty and a nightmare is kicking my ass and keeping me up at night.”

“Jack we’ll beat this,” Rachel assured him. “If I can promise you anything I will promise you that.”

“Sounds like a lost cause to me,” he joked. Giving her a quick squeeze he told her, “Go back to sleep, there’s no point in both of us staying up all night.”

“You know,” she said as she lightly traced one of the longer scars on his chest with a fingernail, “I might have a way to help you to go back to sleep.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes really,” she said smiling at him. Jack started to say something but she quieted him with a kiss. He didn’t resist as she moved on top of him.

***

She knew the alarm clock was a few minutes away from going off. Normally waking up before the alarm would have annoyed her to no end. But right now she couldn’t really complain. In fact she could get used to waking up like this. She tried to remain quiet as Jack lightly kissed her on the neck and shoulder. Trying hard not to smile, and failing, she asked, “What do you think you’re doing?” She wanted to sound annoyed but it wasn’t happening.

“Nothing,” was all he said. “But since you’re up you wanna go for round three?”

“Any other day and I might think about it,” she said getting out of his grip and turned off the alarm. Holding the sheet against her chest she sat up, “But Melissa needed to see me early this morning.”

Jack lay back down saying, “The moment she smells me on you she’s going to know what we did.” With a half grin he added, “Twice.”

“Which is why I want to get to the shower before there’s a line. Do you have any idea where my nightgown went?”

“No idea,” he told her. “I wasn’t exactly paying attention all that much when things went flying.” Sitting up he looked around, “It’s on the other side of the dresser.”

“Thanks.” She reached out and grabbed it. Out of habit she stood up as she put it on. Realizing what she did she looked back and saw Jack grinning, “Enjoying the view?”

“I got no reason to complain.”

“Smart man,” she told him as she pulled it on. Going over to the dresser she picked out a fresh batch of clothes. Jack started to get out of bed as well but she stopped him. “Lie back down and get some rest, you got nothing important to do this morning. Try and get some more sleep if you can.”

“I’ll meet you later in the cafeteria if I can’t.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.” Leaning down she gave him another kiss, “I love you.”

“I love you too,” he said in return as he lay back down. Luckily their room was close to the shower and there wasn’t a line. Rachel wasn’t sure how keen the average Drakan sense of smell was but they were still trying to keep their relationship quiet. And she did not want to give anybody any extra hints than necessary.

***

“Oh my God,” Melissa said the moment she looked at Rachel. Her friend looked really annoyed real quick but she didn’t care. “You two…”

“Have I told you how much I hate it when you read me like that,” Rachel quickly said.

“I didn’t read you,” she informed her. “In fact I didn’t need to.”

“I ticked off a couple of people already taking an extra long shower.”

“That’s not how I knew either, although,” she sniffed the air a couple of times, “that would explain the aroma I’m starting to pick up.”

“Oh grow up,” Rachel said sharply. Melissa started laughing, partially because she realized she just won the bet. God she was glad everybody agreed to move their target dates after Jack was of commission for a few months. Oh great how was she supposed to prove it. “Alright if it wasn’t either of those then what was it?”, Rachel demanded.

“You got a little extra bounce in your step,” Melissa explained. “So either you found one of the hidden liquor stashes around here or…”

“Alright, alright,” Rachel cut her off. “So much for trying to keep things quiet.”

“Hey I’m the only one around here who knows you guys are a couple now. So I know the meaning behind the act. Everybody else…,” she trailed off.

“Just shoot me now,” she said hanging her head. Trying to get things back on track she said, “So has Jaime’s guys broken the encryption on that disc yet?”

“Not fully,” she said. “According to him there’s a couple of different files on that thing. They were able to crack a couple of them so far, but it’s nothing but minor things. Schedules, work rotations stuff like that. The other information on the disc has a tougher encryption program that’s proving harder to crack.”

Rachel nodded, “Jack’s Uncle Petey’s first rule of locks: the more elaborate the lock the better the prize inside.”

“That’s what we’re hoping,” she said. “But right now I’m not keeping my hopes up. It could be somebody’s diary for all we know.”

“Then I guess we’re no closer to finding that secret base then,” Rachel said.

“Actually I think we’re closer than we think,” Melissa said. “Using some of the information we gathered so far we were able to pick up a convoy here and there heading into the mountains where we think it is. Unfortunately we lose sight of them by the time we hit the mountains.”

“Well I doubt whatever he’s using is going to be in plain sight.”

“I know. Every cell we have has been climbing over each other trying to find it. However he’s hiding it he’s getting his money’s worth. God this is driving me nuts. Something in my guts is telling me this is going to be big, whatever it is, and we can’t even find it.”

“I’m just hoping we’ll catch a break before it’s too late,” Rachel admitted.

“So do I, so do I.” Melissa guided her toward the cafeteria, “Come on, let’s get some breakfast. I can’t think right on an empty stomach.” When they got there Jack already had a tray and was heading toward their table. He saw them and waved, Rachel waved back. Melissa on the other hand noticed how Sparky and Arron were looking at him.

Following him to the table Sparky said, “Dude did you two…?”

“Shut up Sparky,” Jack warned him.

“You and Rachel…”

Jack hand shot out and grabbed him around the collar of his shirt. Pulling him close Jack looked him right in the eyes. “I am in no mood to be hiding from Angie. So don’t do or say anything that would make me hurt you.”

“Wasn’t going to say a word,” Sparky gulped. Arron quickly backed away with his hands in the air when Jack shot that gaze toward him.

Rachel buried her face in her hands, “We never stood a chance.”

“Nope,” Melissa told her. She tried not to smile but she finally had the proof she needed to claim the prize money. She was going to have to find a way to thank them without letting on why.

***

“The rebels are getting bolder,” Taylor said from behind him. Anderson stood by as Armstrong and his team tried to get their demonstration ready. This was the third time he had visited the complex, he was hoping this one was going to be fruitful. “They seem to be attacking our convoys at will.”

“Was Davidson with them?”, he asked only partially paying attention to him.

“For a couple of them,” he answered. “But that’s not the point sir. Their attacks are getting closer and closer to this location.”

“It was bound to happen sooner or later Mr. Taylor. The rebels know something is out here, naturally they are going to investigate. Personally, given their track record, I’m surprised it’s taking them this long.”

“I don’t know how you can be this calm,” Taylor told him. “We’re not ready to defend this place if they decide to go on a major offensive.”

“Trust me Mr. Taylor that thought is first and foremost on my mind. But I have a company to run, a million different things a day vie for my attention. One has to learn to be calm and prioritize. But if it makes you feel any better…” Waiting to catch the scientist in a calmer state of chaos he continued, “Dr. Armstrong, do we have an estimate for when the subjects are going to be ready for duty?”

“The first batch won’t be ready for another couple of weeks yet.”

“Somehow I doubt we have that much time,” Anderson commented, amused at Taylor reaction. “Which is why I do not like to rely on one thing at a time. That is something I should have remembered when we activated Davidson.”

“We’re ready to begin the test Mr. Anderson,” Armstrong announced.

“Excellent, you may begin Dr. Armstrong.” Anderson put his hands behind his back and waited. Armstrong directed his men as he stood by a diamond shaped device suspended in a crystal column. Giving the word a man by a set of computers punched in a command and the device emitted a multilayered squeal. After a few moments Armstrong ordered to shut the device down.

Anderson walked past the device and to a bare mannequin in the center of the room. As he looked it over Armstrong asked, “What do you think?”

He started smiling, “I am officially impressed Doctor. An excellent job. Install these around the complex. I do believe you are aware of where the more vital areas are.” Armstrong nodded and had two of his men unhook the device and move it elsewhere. Sometimes you had to know how to head off some of the things vying for your attention before it becomes too problematic.

***

“So what are we hitting this time?”, Sparky asked as they piled into the war room. Melissa waited a few more moments so everyone was inside before starting. Sparky turned toward Arron saying,” Five bucks says it’s another truck.”

“Now there’s a sucker bet if I ever heard one,” the youth commented.

“Smart move Arron,” she told him. “I know you guys are tired of hitting these trucks left and right. But we’re no closer to finding this hidden base of my cousins.”

“So they have nothing new from that disc,” Jack spoke up.

“So much for the ‘great’ find,” Jason sneered.

“At least he’s doing something a little more useful than whining about not being to be able to blow things up,” Jack shot back. Rachel hushed him while a couple of others were giving Jason the eye.

Ignoring the two of them Melissa went on, “But we finally have a good lead this time around. A lone truck with a two car escort is hitting the mountain trail this evening. Normally I wouldn’t bring this to your attention, but thanks to our wire taps we learned this man is in charge of the run.” At her direction Nathan activated a projector. By her an image of a portly, young man appeared.

Jack’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor, “Holy crap it’s Tim.”

“This is just a shot in the dark,” Arron said, “but I’m guessing you know him.”

“He worked in R&D,” Rachel said. “He was one of the scientists who developed the Fusion system. In fact he was the one who pushed for Jack’s particular weapons.”

“That’s why you don’t have a geek on the team,” Jack said dryly while he flexed his right hand.

“Quiet,” Rachel told him. “When we were there he wasn’t that high up the ladder.”

“He’s apparently rose in the ranks since then,” Melissa said. “He’s as high you can get in World Inc. and still be human.” For some reason Jack looked happy to hear that. “And personal that high up don’t do milk runs. You’re priority is going to be stopping that truck. If you can, question the people in the convoy. I don’t think you’ll be able to so don’t go out of your way to do so.”

“Are we going to meet up with Jaime’s cell on the way there?”, Rachel asked.

“They can’t make it for this one,” she informed them. “They’re following their own leads and I don’t want to stretch them too thin. So we’re going to go with a smaller strike team.” She listed off the names of the people she had in mind. Melissa pretty much guessed the reaction when she named the last two, “Jason and Jack.”

“What?!”, Jason exploded.

“Well this mission just went down the crapper,” Jack commented. Rachel wisely got him out of there. Sparky and the other soon followed, making sure Jack and Jason went in opposite directions.

Arron stayed behind to ask, “You sure putting the two of them on the same team is a good idea?”

“Why do you think I waited this long?”, she answered. “Right now I don’t have a choice in the matter. I just hope it doesn’t blow up in my face.”

***

The rain wasn’t helping the mood any. Despite the downpour Jack insisted on riding his bike to the ambush point. The funny part was nobody really argued with him. Although he thought she was crazy Rachel rode behind him on the bike. “You’d be dryer in the van,” he had argued.

“Somebody needs to keep an eye on you,” she shot back.

Fortunately the rain started to let up a bit when they reached the point, but it was still coming down pretty good. Arron hopped out of the van saying, “I think we’re a few minutes early.”

“It’s better than being a few minutes late,” Sparky quipped. Jack and Jason caught a quick glimpse of each other before he moved further inside the van. Sparky saw it and quickly told Jack, “Dude don’t start anything.”

“Tell it to the chimp,” he mumbled. Rachel slapped his arm. Jack couldn’t help but noticed that the others started to form a buffer zone between them. At least he wasn’t the only one expecting this to get ugly. Well on top of the usual fight with the World Inc. assault troopers. “Anybody have any idea what kind of security this convoy is going to have? If Tim is as high up as they think he should have a ton of guards.”

“We got a plan,” Arron told him.

“Does it involve what’s in the chimp’s bag?”, he asked.

“Keep your nose out of my belongings bug,” Jason warned form the van.

“Dude we all know what you brought,” Sparky informed him. “We worked out the plan on the way here. There should be a car in the front of the truck and one behind it. Arron figured our best bet would be to use the laser on your bike to take out the lead car. That should stop the truck, at least cause it to slow down.”

“That’s a pretty big ‘should’,” he said.

“It’s the best we got,” the blue haired Drakan told him.

Jack nodded, then he looked behind him, “Rachel…”

“Get in the van until you take out the lead car,” she said for him. She surprised him by getting off the back of the bike, “Sounds like a plan to me.”

“You’re not going to argue?”, Jack asked as she took off her helmet and tossed it in the van. “You always argue when I try to keep you safe.”

“Because I realize the guards might have guns and you’re the only one who’s actually bulletproof,” she told him. Before getting in the van she whispered in his ear, “Don’t get used to it, I’ll be disagreeing with you again before you know it.”

“I’m not betting against it,” he told her. Sparky grinned and was about to say something until a look from both of them shut him up. Very aware of the empty space behind him Jack waited for the convoy to show up. The rain was still going strong when Arron spotted it. Jack activated the system before jumpstarting the bike, “Henshin!” The armor formed around him as he speed down to the road. The van waited a bit before following him down. Once on the roads he headed straight for the lead car. Flipping a switch on the control two panels on either side of the headlight slid away and two laser emitters popped out. Hitting the triggers on the handlebars the lasers fired at the grill of the lead car. It took several shots but he was able to kill the engine. Like they hoped the truck stopped. World Inc. soldiers piled out of the cab, the trailers and the cars as he came to a stop. The van pulled up behind him as they got out and reverted to their Drakan forms.

“Let’s do this,” Sparky said as they charged toward them. Jack took the lead as he targeted the first trooper with a gun he saw. Dropping him with a punch he looked around and saw several troopers with the spike from their sticks already out.

“Oy,” he grunted. They came at him at once. Jack did everything he could to avoid those spikes coming at him. A couple tried to get behind him and he did everything to stop them. “I don’t need any more holes!”, he said out of frustration. Arron and Sparky were able to break away from their fights and tackle a couple of them. That distraction allowed him to punch out one and floor another with a kick to the chest. Tossing another one he saw the last one standing there with a smile on his face. “You ready to go smiley?”

“Like you wouldn’t believe,” his face extended into a snout and he grew red fur as he turned into a hyena, a smile still plastered on his lips. It dropped the stick and came at him. Jack was ready for him easily blocking or dodging what he could. Ducking under a lunge he turned around into a kick to the chest that knocked him back. That’s when he hit something and it took him a second to realize it wasn’t one of the vehicles. The hyena started laughing as it turned around and started fighting with Sparky. Jack slowly turned around to see he was eye level with some guy’s chest, some guy’s massive chest. Then he looked up to see a guy who had to be at least eight foot glare down at him.

“You’re a big sumbitch ain’t you?”, Jack said in amazement. Without a word he grabbed him by the throat and picked him off the ground before throwing him with all his might. Making a dent in the trailer as he hit it Jack plopped to the ground. “Oh yeah,” he grunted as he struggled to get up, “I felt that one.” The giant hunched over and flicked a forked tongue as his finger tips became claws and grew red scales as he changed into a komodo dragon. Getting to his feet he was swatted back down by a massive backhand. The dragon picked him back up and swiped it’s claws against his chest. Avoiding another grab Jack got to his feet and started attacking. Punches, kicks, elbows, knees anything he could think of. The giant Drakan just stood there and took it all without batting an eye. Jack stopped and looked at the dragon in disbelief, “Where in the hell was Anderson hiding you?”

The Drakan answer was to grab him by the throat again and pick him up. Holding him there Jack started getting desperate and started throwing knees at it’s head. One finally affected the dragon as it let go and grabbed at it’s mouth. Jack tried to tackle the Drakan to the ground after getting a running start. It didn’t budge. Instead the dragon reached down and grabbed him around the waist and easily picked him up. Squirming out of it’s grip Jack landed behind, turned around and quickly rammed his shoulder behind it’s knee. The Drakan toppled to the ground. Jack tried to get on top of the dragon but a massive hand pushed him away. Rolling backwards with the momentum he twisted the pod up. The mini turbines in his belt started spinning and a charge went up his side and down his right arm. Running at the Drakan he punched it with everything he had as he aimed for it’s chest. The dragon took exactly one step back before exploding. “Son of a bitch,” Jack moaned as he tried to catch a breather.

“We got to get out of here!” Tim yelled from the back seat of the rear car. One of the troopers broke away and jumped into the driver seat.

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” the hyena said as he got into the truck cab. Getting the truck going it pushed the lead car out of the way before turning to the other side of the road with the rear car following.

“We got to stop that truck!” Sparky said as he had a trooper in a headlock.

“This is going to suck,” Jack muttered as he got an idea. Running for the van he shouted, “Give me the bag!” Rachel tossed it to him and he changed direction to his bike.

“Let go of my bag!” Jason yelled as he punched out a trooper.

Jack ignored him as he slung the bag over his shoulder. Turning the bike around he raced off after the truck. Catching up to it he sped up and tried to pass it. The hyena tried to run him off the road but he was finally able to get in front of it. Twisting the accelerator as far as it could go he sped ahead. Getting a good stretch of road between them Jack turned the bike around and faced the truck as he took the bag off his shoulder. Patting the side of the bike he said, “I’m sorry baby,” before reaching into the bag. Pulling out some explosives with a timer he slapped it on the gas tank. Dumping the bag he set the timer for thirty seconds and hoped it was long enough. Waiting a bit he peeled out and raced for the truck, activating the timer. As they got closer to each other Jack grabbed the staff from it’s holder and positioned himself to jump. At the last second he jumped off and the truck crashed into the bike, getting it stuck under the bumper.

Jack flipped over the cab and landed on the trailer. The wet surface from the rain made him slip as he landed. Finding his footing he extended one half of the staff as he ran for the other end of it. Near the end he twisted the dial all the way and jumped off. With a scream he raised the staff over his head and plunged the end of the staff through the hood of the car as he landed. Squeezing his end he sent the full charge into the engine destroying it and making the car grind to a halt. A few seconds later the charge went off blowing up his bike and taking the truck cab with it.

Tim scrambled out of the back seat as Jack pulled the staff out of the hood. The driver came out and tried to attack him but Jack quickly took care of him. Trying to get away as Jack stalked him Tim fell in the mud. He was on top of him the next second. Twisting the dial he held the electrode over his chest and demanded, “Where are you going?!” When he didn’t answer Jack held it higher like he was going to jab it down and yelled, “Talk!”

“Anderson has a base in the mountains,” he quickly said. “There’s a hidden entrance, disguised as a closed road. It’s the first one you see, I swear!”

“Now what are you carrying?!”

“Equipment and plans.” Tim reached into his coat and pulled out another computer disc. “The code is E-11. Type that in and it’ll decrypt itself. I swear to God I’m telling you the truth.”

“If you’re telling the truth then so will I,” Jack told him. “This thing is set on stun.” Tim jolted a bit as he jammed it into his chest and passed out. Jack got up and looked around to see Arron staring at him. He looked at what was left of the truck and looked at him, “Don’t remind me.”

“So you let him live?”, he asked gesturing toward Tim.

Shrugging a bit he told him, “I’ve gave him a lot of crap back then but I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for him. He always how I thought Richie would be like if I wasn’t around. What about the truck?”

“You’re not going to like it,” he said. Deactivating the armor Jack followed him. The back of the trailer was open and the others were still looking inside. Rachel bit her lip as he walked up and looked inside. Among the various pieces of equipment that were thrown about he recognized one thing right away. He was in one of them more times than he cared to remember. While a few were broken five complete human sized tubes stood there. Jack was for a loss of words.