JOURNEY'S
END
BY: THE BARD
Chapter Eight
Escape
"It doesn't hurt, Alison. Stop crying. " Her father stood over her as she lifted herself up off the ground. She had fallen off her bike and had skinned her elbow. "Remember what I told you, Lass, Burnett's never cry"
She wiped away her tears and stood in front of the tall, muscular Scot, who to her five year old eyes looked like a giant. She adored her father. She worshipped the ground he walked on. She sensed, though, even at that young age, that he was disappointed. That he had wanted a son.
She was determined to prove herself.
"Virescit Vulnere Virtus."
He laughed and picked her up into her arms. "Latin now, love? Amazing. You pick up languages faster than your mother spends my money!" He kissed her on the cheek and she beamed back at him.
"Right, Lass. Courage Flourishes at a Wound. That's our clan motto. Strength in the face of adversity...remember it, live by it...it will serve you well." He turned and carried her towards the house. "Now, lets see to that cut. I bet you an ice cream would make it feel better..."
The images blurred and shifted she fought through the fog in a desperate attempt to regain consciousness. She opened her eyes and breathed in sharply as pain assailed her body...the residual effects of Mindbenders pain stimulator. Her nerves were still firing at an incredibly increased rate. She was so cold, so tired. She was losing the battle to stay awake...her body was going into shock.
Flint had stopped and was crouched in a corner, hiding from a Viper Unit that was making its way past in the corridor. He was alert, his gun cocked and ready in one hand, the other cradled protectively around her.
She had to get hold of herself. She had to warn him...but of what? Her mind was in a jumble...past and present, dream and reality...all struggled for dominance. She couldn't focus.
She leaned into him, finding some comfort in his warmth, his scent, his mere presence. His eyes grew distant...what was he saying? Who was he talking to? Why weren't his lips moving? Spirit? She slowly turned her head and froze. A large cat, some kind of Panther or Puma, was crouched silently by his side, its tail flicking back and forth as it observed the COBRA activity surrounding them.
Flint didn't even notice it. The two were intent on the enemy, sitting tense, muscles taught, ready to spring. Ready to kill.
Was it even real? Her mind must be playing tricks on her. She reached out slowly to touch the animal, fully expecting her hand to go right through it, for the image to dissipate like a desert mirage. The soft, warm fur took her by surprise, and she froze again as the cat turned and locked his eyes on her.
The eyes...there was power behind them...wisdom...but there was something more. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something familiar about the way they felt.
They considered her softly before the moment was broken and Flint turned to her, sensing that she was finally awake. His eyes passed over the cat as if it was not there.
"You ok?" he looked at her, concern and worry lining his face.
She nodded, not trusting her voice. Suddenly, her vision blurred and she felt herself falling. Flint's voice broke through the encroaching darkness.
"JAYE! Stay with me, honey. We are almost out of here. Lifeline will be waiting...hang on a little longer. "
"Not...going...anywhere..." she whispered, and felt Flint relax next to her.
The cat stirred at the sound of her voice but Flint still failed to notice. She must be hallucinating. She felt herself drifting off. She longed for sleep, for peace. She longed to let go.
Then she heard her late father's voice again, as clear as if he was standing next to her...
"Strength in the face of adversity...lass...A Burnett does not give up so easily. You know what you have to do."
Yes she did. She took a deep breath and pushed the pain down. Pushed the exhaustion away. She was a soldier, a Joe. She was stronger than this. She reached out and grabbed Flint by the arm.
"Wait. We can't leave yet."
He turned to her, confused. Then, ignoring her remark entirely went to gather her up.
"There is an opening coming up. We are going to make a run for it, so get ready. I will try not to jar you too much..."
"No!" she said as loud as she could, as loud as she dared, and pushed away. "Flint, we can't. We have to help the Joes outside..."
"What are you talking about," he turned to her, his voice impatient...worried, "You are in no shape to do anything. I cannot risk...What are you doing?"
He leaned in and grabbed her arm as she struggled to rise. The cat she had noticed before was nowhere to be seen. Good, her head was clearing. She was going to need her wits about her for the battle to come.
"There is a weapon...something...Destro was talking...he..." her breath caught in her throat as she attempted to put weight on her bad leg. The pain was excruciating.
Flint grabbed her arm as she lost her balance.
"Jaye...slow down...you are going to end up..."
"Fuel air explosives..." she forced the words out, and looked up to see Flint frozen beside her.
"What?" he hissed.
"They've got them...launch bays in the peaks of the mountains...mounted on long range missiles..." she steadied herself and pulled his side arm out of the holster at his hip. "They will use some on our friends and hold the world hostage with the remainder...we have to stop them."
Flint's eyes grew distant as he leaned up against the wall, looking up at the ceiling. He closed his eyes.
"Flint..." she looked at him warily, worried. He turned to her, his dark eyes piercing into her soul, and suddenly she realized what was familiar about the big cat in her earlier delusion. They were his eyes...the eyes she was looking at now. Completely open, vulnerable...full with love.
"And I always thought I was the strong one," he took a deep breath and turned away, "You shame me."
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Fuel Air explosives.
He could still catch the scent of burned flesh. He could still feel the heat, see the destruction, hear the screams of agony. His men, his friends...all killed in a flash of fire, a long agonizing demise.
And now COBRA was going to use them again. On his remaining teammates. On the world. What was he going to do?
He looked over to see Lady Jaye struggling to stay upright as she loaded the pistol she had taken from him. She knew the answer. She knew what had to be done. Even in her pain she was willing to risk her life to do the right thing. In her state right now she what she was about to try was suicide.
"I would throw my life away to do my duty as well," he thought to himself as he watched her, "But if it means losing you..."
He looked way and closed his eyes as the worst of the memories broke through the barrier set up in his mind. Mindbender's machine had thrown a lot at him, but this...this was the one that destroyed him.
Destro held his gun up, aimed straight at her. She had nowhere to hide, nowhere to run. He was too far away. He couldn't reach her. He was unarmed.
"Tell me what you know Flint, or this one dies"
"Flint...help me!" she cried, his heart wrenched. No. No. This is just a dream. This isn't real. She is safe. This isn't real.
Or was it? He was having trouble concentrating. He was weakening.
"Let her go!" he growled and took a step forward.
"Ah Ah Ah..." Destro tsked and lifted the rifle, firing. It blasted her in the shoulder and she fell.
"JAYE!"
"Tell me what you know or I will finish her off."
Her eyes met his, pleading with him, tearing at his soul.
"I..."
He fired again and she screamed in agony as the bullet tore through her leg.
"STOP! Stop...please..." he screamed, blubbering like a child. "Please...leave her be. I will tell you..."
And so he did. Told Destro where he could find his teammates. Betrayed them all.
And it was all for nothing.
"Thank you, Flint. Destro laughed, "Who would have thought your heart would be your weakness. I admit I am disappointed...all this time I had begun to think you were invulnerable. I was beginning to hope that I could turn you to our side. What a spectacular COBRA officer you would have made. Pompous, self important, haughty...seemingly impervious to all we threw at you."
He lifted his gun and fired.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" he screamed and ran towards her, watching as the bullet exploded in her chest.
He threw himself down beside her and took her in his arms. She was fading fast.
"You should thank me, Flint. I have revealed to you your flaw. Your weakness. Maybe if you come out of this alive you will be a better soldier for it. Too bad your men will have to suffer for your love-lorn foolishness."
He hardly heard him, he was too busy trying to stop the blood from pouring out of her body in a futile attempt to keep her alive.
"Please...Alison...please don't leave me." He cried as he watched the light fade in her eyes. "I need you...I can't loss you. Hold on..."
"Dash..." she whispered with her last breath...
"No....Ali...wake up." He shook he as sobs wracked his body. "Please...I can't make it on my own. I love you. I am nothing without you...Ali...ALISON!!!!"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
"Flint..."
Her quiet voice next to him brought him back to the present. Back to reality. He looked at her. God, he loved her. Even now, even after everything, after all he had done to escape it...he knew she still held his heart in her hands. He couldn't risk losing her. The pain. The loneliness. The despair. It was as though he had lived it despite even knowing it was a fabricated memory. The pain was so very real.
And yet she was willing to risk all to do her duty. She was about to collapse but she was ready to fight, while he, the 'strong' one, the bad-ass Warrant Officer who had spent the better part of his days risking his life without a second thought was hesitating.
He was afraid. He was afraid for her.
"You shame me." He finally whispered and turned away before she could reply.
"Spirit. Did you hear that?" he sent his thoughts out as the Shaman had taught him during his stay in New Mexico.
There was a pause, and then his friend's voice sounded in his head. "Yes...I heard. I am on my way to warn the others but it will take some time. The jungle is thick with the enemy."
"From the looks of things here, we can't afford the wait."
"Then you must try to stop them. You will be on your own, though. I cannot help you while I am moving." Flint nodded. Spirit had been guiding him ever since he had escaped with Jaye from the cell, leading him through the corridors, using his * sight * to find the path of least resistance.
What had he done to deserve such friendship. This man had saved his life, brought him out of the dark pit he had dug for himself and guided him patiently back out into the light. He had shared so much, taught him so much...Flint could never hope to repay him.
"I am a healer. That is my calling. I see people in need and I must help them." Spirit had told him when he had asked. "And to tell you the truth, I see a bit of me in you. When I came back from 'Nam, physically, I was whole...but my soul was empty. That is when I found Freedom and my true path." He sighed, "So many of my fellow vets never had a chance and fell into despair. I was determined to help all those I could."
And so Spirit had put him back on his true path. It took a year of introspection, meditation, and vision quests, but his totem animal appeared one day before the fire and spoke to his heart, to his soul.
"Cougar...a powerful totem. The totem of a leader. I expected as much, as before you lost your way you were very much like one who walks the road with this great cat. I have the utmost confidence that with him at your side you will find your way home. The journey will be long and hard, but I sense that your heart will find peace at the end of the road."
Flint brought up his gun and sighed.
She looked up at him and smiled, her arm encircling his shoulder as she leaned on him for support. She knew he had made his choice.
"God Ali. You can hardly walk..." She cut him off.
"But I can still shoot. And I know where the control room is. Let's give these Snakes some fireworks that they will not soon forget. And I think you and I both want a piece of Destro."
His eyes narrowed wickedly.
"He's MINE...." He growled.
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It had taken everything she had to make it to this room, every ounce of her strength. She leaned into the console, its original operator lying dead on the floor beside her, a bullet through his skull.
Flint stood behind her, guarding her back. He had killed four Vipers and a Crimson Guard single handedly, and she had to admit that she had been more of a hindrance than help. She had to concentrate on this at least. She had to destroy those missiles.
She heard the alarm sound as soon as she hacked into the control computer. She had only a few moments before reinforcements arrived. She had to work fast. God, why couldn't she clear her head!
"Any time now, Jaye!" Flint yelled impatiently from behind her.
"Hold on..."
The damn thing was encrypted...not well...but enough that it was going to take some effort to break through and unlock the self-destruct password. Computers were NOT her forte.
She tried a little trick that Mainframe had shown her, and watched as it ran though all possible permutations and combinations. Bloody Hell, they were going to launch before this thing finished the loop!
She turned as she heard Flint's gun go off, and saw that COBRA had finally responded to their presence. Crimson Guards were streaming in, and Flint was taking them down as fast as he could.
She lifted the gun off the counter next to her and took aim, dropping a burly guard as the bullet smashed through his knee. She was beginning to weaken, her vision was blurring, and she knew that she wouldn't be able to hold on much longer.
"What is the meaning of this!!!!" A familiar voice billowed in from the doorway.
Destro.
Flint turned and froze in rage as he turned to face his bitter enemy.
"YOU!!!!" Destro screamed as he recognized immediately who it was that challenged him. Flint fired.
The large arms dealer barely dodged the bullet in time, pulling out his own weapon and firing back as he dove for cover. Flint didn't even flinch.
"Not so easy when you don't have me tied up, is it, Bastard!" Flint snarled as he fired repeatedly at the area where Destro lay. He stopped to reload.
"So...Flint...it seems you have recovered from when last we met. A pity, really, I was hoping you would drink yourself into an early grave. After all...the blood of twelve lives on your hands..."
"Shut your hole..." Flint lifted his weapon and showered his enemy with bullets.
"Flint..." Jaye tried to yell over the clamor, but couldn't find the energy. There was something wrong. She was fading. She couldn't hold on. The numbers continued to flicker across the screen. She raised her handgun to help him but lost her balance and fell over.
He turned as he saw her go down and stopped firing.
Destro saw the opening.
"Look out!!!!" she screamed with all the energy she could muster.
The bullet grazed his shoulder. Too close. She looked up...the numbers were still flying across the screen.
Suddenly she heard a deep laugh coming from Destro's direction.
"You fool! Didn't you learn your lesson yet? Need I rid you of that parasite yet again."
Flint's face went red with barely contained fury.
"You will have to go through me first."
"I don't need to do anything...she was dead the minute Mindbender started his work." She turned, fear rising in her gut, oh god...
Flint's face fell.
"That's right. That pain-inducing machine has some 'unpleasant' side effects, one of which is death from heart failure. Already she is weakening. Her body cannot handle the increased nerve activity, the constant pain. She is shutting down even as we speak."
Darkness began to creep around the edges of her mind...the numbers on the screen were slowing...so close...must stay awake.
"No..." it came out of Flint's mouth as barely a whisper, but she heard. She saw his face, saw him drop his guard.
Destro, sensing the opportunity pulled out his wrist rocket. But this time he wasn't aiming for Flint. He was aiming straight at her.
That was his mistake.
"NOOO!" he screamed and suddenly, out of nowhere, a huge cat appeared and lunged, growling, at the arms dealer. Stunned, he barely stopped it from ripping out his throat. Flint raised his gun and fired at the now prone figure, hitting him square in the chest.
As Destro fell, Lady Jaye saw heard the beep as the numbers locked and suddenly a red button rose out of the console where it had lay hidden under a panel. With her last bit of strength, she raised herself up off the ground and slammed it down.
She fell to the ground as the building shook from the explosions high above.
Then darkness.
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Scarlett and Spirit stood watching the lone figure ahead of them as he stood silently on the makeshift dock off base ANACONDA, watching the river flow past.
"Should we..." Scarlett whispered.
"No...leave him be." Spirit shook his head. "He had to learn this on his own, nothing you are going to say is going to make him change his mind."
The shaman sighed.
"Even after what had happened, you still do not understand, Brother." He thought to himself.
Spirit had reached his teammates in time to see the peak of one of the Andean mountains go up in a huge pillar of fire and smoke. The Joes had been barely holding their position as they were vastly outnumbered, but the fireworks had turned the tide in their favor and they had defeated the enemy. Hawk was so impressed with Flint's performance that he was trying to woo the old soldier out of the CIA and back into the forces. So far the general had not received an answer, just told over and over that it was not him but Jaye that deserved the praise.
They had spent the last week on clean up...finding and capturing any remaining soldiers scattered in the area, salvaging what they could from the wreckage of the base. Unfortunately, Cobra Commander and the other COBRA leaders had managed to escape.
Flint had had an injured Destro in his clutches for a while, but let him go to save Lady Jaye, who he had barely gotten to Lifeline in time. The image of him walking out of the trees with her cradled in his arms was still with him. They had all thought she was dead.
Had Lifeline not been ready she might very well have been. It had taken them all day to stabilize her so that she could be airlifted to a hospital.
His friend, who had not left the woman's side for a moment while Lifeline tended to her, had stayed behind as the helicopter took off. Had let her go alone.
"She is not mine. These months together does not erase the three years we have been apart. She has a life of her own. There is someone waiting for her. I will not interfere...all I will bring her is pain." He had said when Spirit had asked why he was not with her on the chopper.
He had not spoken about it since.
How could he be so blind? The power he had wielded when he saw that she was in danger was tremendous. Spirit had felt it explode onto this plane and had * seen * the cougar totem materialize. Had seen what it had done. The strength and concentration it took to accomplish what Flint had just done out of instinct was beyond comprehension. And yet the man still could not see the truth that lay right before his eyes.
Scarlett's voice broke his train of thought.
"He is too stubborn, Spirit. He needs to have some sense knocked into him. " She insisted.
"I agree, Red, but it is not for us to do." I am finished here. I have done what I can. It is up to another now.
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Continued in Chapter Nine!
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