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Post by Jordanna on Jun 18, 2008 22:06:32 GMT -5
Vance took Daws' hand in his. "Just hold on to me--and watch your step. The going gets rough farther down the tunnel."
Behind them, there came the sound of a minor detonation against the debris blocking the door. The enemy was getting close to breaking through.
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Post by skybright on Jun 18, 2008 22:13:36 GMT -5
Daws nodded and gave Vance's hand a quick squeeze. "Okay, then -- let's ditch this party before it gets crashed."
The group of fighters began moving deeper into the tunnel, and the noise of digging and scraping began to grow further away and fainter as they went forward.
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 18, 2008 22:24:35 GMT -5
Fifty yards down the tunnel, they met up with Nate and Scythe. The latter was once again holding the ravaged figure of Colonel Ashley in his arms.
Another detonation reverberated down the tunnel walls, causing a light shower of dust and loose chips of concrete to cascade down from the low ceiling above them. Vance muttered a curse.
"I don't dare try blocking the tunnel again--it'd bring down the roof for sure. We'll be lucky if they don't." He shook his head. "We can only hope we get to the other end before they catch up with us."
"If there is another end," Nate murmured.
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Post by skybright on Jun 18, 2008 22:33:34 GMT -5
"Only one way to find out, I guess." Daws said with a slight shrug. "At the very least, we can put a little more distance between us and them -- for whatever good that'd do."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 18, 2008 22:39:33 GMT -5
Vance nodded--perhaps somewhat wearily. "Alright. Let's--"
"Leave me, please," Ashley moaned faintly. "Let it end."
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Post by skybright on Jun 18, 2008 22:44:31 GMT -5
Daws turned her head in his direction. "It won't end if we leave you here, Colonel." She said quietly, gesturing back over her shoulder with her free hand. "They wouldn't let it."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 18, 2008 22:56:15 GMT -5
"Colonel, at this moment we're being chased by people who'd do a lot worse with you than those scientists ever did," Vance said firmly. "I've been fighting them for a long time, and I'm not gonna let them have you."
Ashley's eyes opened a little wider, and he spoke in a weak but clear voice. "The way I didn't let 'those scientists' have you?"
Vance's heart skipped a beat, and he leaned closer. "What?"
"After you turned... they were going to take you, Vance." Ashley closed his eyes. "I made a deal... gave them someone they thought was better."
"Yourself," Vance breathed, with a sickened feeling.
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Post by skybright on Jun 18, 2008 23:04:33 GMT -5
Daws' grip on Vance's hand tightened almost unconsciously. "Then that's all the more reason for us to make sure these guys don't get hold of you, sir." She said quietly.
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 18, 2008 23:15:37 GMT -5
"It's more reason for you to do what I ask, and let me die," Ashley said weakly. "I can't... can't hold it back much longer..."
Vance drew in a heavy breath. "Men have given their lives to get you free, Colonel."
"They gave their lives to stop what would have been done with me." Ashley gazed beseechingly at Vance. "I beg of you, Major... don't let anyone else have the chance. Not even your own people."
Vance was silent for a long moment. Then he turned away.
"Put him down, Scythe."
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Post by skybright on Jun 18, 2008 23:25:17 GMT -5
"Jerod . . ." Daws let her voice trail off, not quite sure if she had been trying to protest or not -- and not knowing what else to say, either way.
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 18, 2008 23:33:30 GMT -5
"We can't fix this," Vance said, quietly and futilely.
In wordless obedience, Scythe gently settled Ashley on the floor, leaning him against the wall of the tunnel. After a brief moment, Vance turned and bent down. He took his automatic from its holster, and held it out to Ashley--but the frail mutant gently shook his head.
"I won't need it," he sighed softly. Then he gripped Vance's hand. "You won't have to worry about the people chasing you, either. Get out of here--as fast as you can."
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Post by skybright on Jun 18, 2008 23:40:40 GMT -5
Daws took a deep breath, clenching her fists tightly. "I . . . thank you, Colonel." She said after a long moment. "And . . . I'm sorry."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 19, 2008 21:20:36 GMT -5
"Just hurry," Ashley whispered.
Nate put his hand on Vance's shoulder. "Dad..."
Vance brusquely shrugged off his son's hand. "Come on. Everybody out. Sid, help Regina."
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Post by skybright on Jun 19, 2008 23:53:28 GMT -5
Daws flinched slightly, then turned her head in Sid's direction and reached out for his arm.
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 20, 2008 21:52:40 GMT -5
"C'mon, Daws." Sid grasped the detective's hand. Miriam took her other arm, and together they led her after the others as quickly as they could. The floor of the cavern was piled in places with debris that had fallen, making their passage difficult.
Behind them, the loudest explosion yet erupted from the other side of the barricaded door, and Vance cursed as he translated the difference in the sound. "They've punched through. Let's go!"
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Post by skybright on Jun 20, 2008 22:11:10 GMT -5
Daws stumbled slightly as her foot caught against an irregularity in the floor, and she let out a growl of frustration. "This is ridiculous -- I'm slowing you both down."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 20, 2008 22:19:49 GMT -5
Vance, just ahead of them, turned back. He caught Scythe's arm and pulled the big mutant toward Daws.
"Scythe'll carry you," the Major said bluntly. "And if you argue, I'll knock you out."
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Post by skybright on Jun 20, 2008 22:27:42 GMT -5
Daws blinked at him, startled, and opened her mouth to protest -- but the tone of his voice suggested that his last statement hadn't been an idle threat.
"Whatever you say, Major." She said at last, spreading her hands in grudging acquiescence.
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 20, 2008 22:40:23 GMT -5
Scythe picked Daws up, carrying her as easily as he had carried Colonel Ashley. The group moved on, at a run or as close to it as they could manage, picking their way through a tunnel that was rough and crumbling but still clear.
At length Vance slowed for a moment, shaking his head uncomfortably. He exchanged a glance with Roger, who also paused and rubbed his temple.
Nate gripped his father's arm. "What's wrong?"
"That psychic static is getting worse." The Major glanced over his shoulder. "Are you okay, Doc?"
"Yes." Miriam's voice did not sound at all convincing, but Vance didn't argue.
"Ashley's building up to something..." Clenching his jaw, he pushed forward again. "And I'm positive we don't want to know what."
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Post by skybright on Jun 20, 2008 22:44:44 GMT -5
"Another shock like that last one -- or bigger -- could bring this whole place down on top of us." Daws pointed out quietly.
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