Blood Prize (32 page)

N
oah attempted to gain some control over his emotions, yet his chest heaved and his heart continued to race, he felt so furious.

“Nico. My God. Look what your idiotic truth has done. Put her right out in the open.”

“I’m so sorry, Noah. It’s my fault. I just couldn’t hold the anger in.”

“We’ll have to go back for her.”

“No. I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“Look, I know you’re hurting, Nico, but we can’t just let her run straight at our enemies.”

“The only way we can protect her now, is from up here. You know I’m right, Noah. She’s far safer in that hole with Tom.”

Noah’s face tightened into an angry grimace. He felt annoyed with his friend, despite the pain he must be feeling.

“Nico. I loved Emma too, but now we have to take care of the living.”

Noah tried to wrestle their vehicle over an outcrop of rocky ground and at the same time follow Isobel’s progress across the plain. With each of her ungainly loping strides, he silently urged her forward, but with a thud, they dropped down into the dry bed of Sancho Creek and his stomach clenched in fear as he lost sight of her.

Run, Isobel. Get down that hole as fast as you can girl.

They slid and bounced across the creek and headed directly south towards the wooded ridge. Noah knew it provided a view of the entire area and created cover for their vehicle and themselves.

As he approached, he made a quick assessment of their intended position.

“You’re right, Nico. From here, our spitters will cut down anyone who approaches Tom’s position. This’s the right place for us.”

Noah drove through the loose sand and up the bank, but he still couldn’t see the girl. Once they made the ridge, he jumped from the vehicle to get a clearer view of the events occurring back at the site.

“There’s a lot of dust to the north of us, Nico. The enemy are moving in fast.”

“Forget the dust, Noah. Look … Look at the entrance.”

“I can’t see … Wait … Oh no.”

Noah let out an anguished gasp.

“Isobel …?”

He could just distinguish her tiny frame contrasted against a taller and more powerful figure. Even from this distance, Noah could discern the woman’s cat like movements.

“Uta.”

_____________

Tom attempted to consult his father’s map, but it made little sense to him in this directionless void. He could determine down and up, but little else.

I’ll have to use my hands and slide them along the wall to see if I can find an opening into the next chamber.

He fumbled along, stepping first, then reaching with out-stretched fingers along the black, absorbent wall. He counted twenty-one as he stretched again along the chalky surface, but it vanished and he fell with arms flailing, into complete nothingness.

He attempted to twist and throw a leg out for balance, but he spun too far and his back smacked onto the ground, followed by his heels and the back of his head.

Keep calm … Breathe evenly and wait for a moment.

He stayed on his back for several minutes, in a bid to reorientate his senses.

Is everything different down here, or is it just my perception?

His senses seemed magnified in this strange cavern, especially the feeling of being lost.

He took a deep breath and raised himself up onto his right elbow. He could feel his composure returning. Then he noticed the glow.

“There’s light.”

I’ve landed in the hidden chamber. That must be it … The Prize.

Tom could see two rectangular objects, each roughly the size of a small toolbox, no more than ten metres from where he lay. Moments after he fell into the chamber, one of the containers began to glow an eerie green.

That’s weird. It must somehow be aware of my presence.

_____________

Uta raged, her strategy faltering before it got a chance to begin; her plan requiring the light from Fox’s torch to manoeuvre in the darkness. She didn’t see a light, only claustrophobic darkness.

Damn it. I could’ve sneaked up close to him before he saw me.

Uta grabbed Isobel by the hair; yanking it until she cried out in pain.

“Scream, bitch.”

She saw her scream, but heard nothing.

“Hey, Fox. I’ve got your girlfriend hostage. I’ll kill her if you don’t show.”

She roared her statement into the blackness, with little result. The sound of her voice seemed to vanish into the silence; sucked directly from her mouth.

“You hearing this Fox? Come save your girlie, before I slit her throat.”

Uta clicked her tongue in annoyance.

She growled in anger and gave Isobel’s hair another tug. Then she saw it.

“My God. It glows.”

_____________

Without thinking, Tom stepped out fifteen metres towards the middle of the cavern, which, when he thought about it, seemed like a fatalistic positioning, as if he intended to sacrifice himself on some unseen central altar.

Once there, he lifted the lid of the luminous container and looked inside. It contained only one item: a glowing metal canister, the size of a large test tube. He reached out and touched the object and immediately removed his hand. Instead of being hot, it felt cold and wet with condensation. Tom opened the remaining container and discovered an empty vial and a large syringe.

Just what I need to send me to hell.

V
ogel entered Raptor Park via a small and very rough tributary. He came in from the north-west to avoid open conflict; not wanting to fight any battles in gaining the field. Only the Prize mattered. He needed the easiest, protected access to that goal.

It took another ten minutes of travel up the tributary before they entered the larger, dry bed of Spring Creek. Here the captain stopped and pointed.

“We can take up a defensive position along the bank beside that fallen tree, sir.”

“Why here?”

“Because of the cover. It serves our needs for the moment, until I can find the best possible entry point for our team to cross the plain.”

“As far away from our competitors as possible?”

“Yes. I’m sure they’ll take the more direct route.”

Vogel followed him up the steep embankment and watched as his man surveyed the area.

“I can’t see any sign of the G11’s, or the motorcycle team. If there are any vehicles here, they’re not moving at the moment.”

Vogel snatched the glasses and studied the area for himself.

“If they’re not on the plain, then where are they?”

“On the far ridge or the adjacent creek bed, is my bet. They’re the best vantage points and the easiest places to defend.”

“How do we get to Fox, captain?”

“I saw fresh piles of earth out there, right next to an open metal-hatch. I’d bet it’s where Fox is. To get there we need the shortest approach. We’re too late to control the ridge, we’ll just have to take our chances utilising as much speed as possible, but we need to go now, before more forces arrive.”

The captain ran his men hard, before deploying them briefly along the banks of Spring Creek, some two hundred metres to the west. From here, they moved onto the plain, with one of the men remaining at the fallen tree and a second, scouting west to cover their advance.

No-one considered setting a serious rear guard. If they didn’t get there first, they could never fight their way out.

_____________

Wolf’s mouth twisted into a scowl as he tightened and bunched the pterygoid muscles controlling his jaw. He set standards and he expected compliance; nothing less, yet the cohesive communications needed to complete his planned encircling of two different enemies, lacked the precision he required.

“Sergeant. What in heaven is going on? I need you to confirm that our men are in place.”

“Yes sir. Group one has arrived from the east, through Hartree Station and are in place. Group two are coming up from the south along Vergemont Creek and through Highfields. They’ll be in position within ten minutes. From here we’ll hold the high ground, as you ordered.”

“Good. Keep me informed of every movement. Ours and theirs.”

Wolf felt relieved. The completion of his first goal set a trap that effectively out-manoeuvred Fox’s G11 squad, the mystery woman and Vogel’s team, simultaneously creating a crucible that couldn’t be escaped.

I have to keep my team focused on the plan. The key is to force the other competitors into tactically vulnerable positions, as far away from the Prize as possible and destroy them; quick and clean, leaving Fox isolated and helpless.

A beep from his communicator announced the arrival of a message from Rome. One name stood out in a page containing several hundred words.

“Uta.”

Reports from Albury airport indicated that Uta Cel Rău, the former SRP operative, may have boarded the aircraft containing the mystery woman. Amongst a ream of other information, he also discovered that the other woman resembled Uta in appearance.

Interesting. A coincidence? I don’t think so.

Rome didn’t seem aware of this anomaly and he decided to keep it that way.

I think I know who our mystery woman is; information that may prove useful. I might need some leverage with the Assembly before this’s over.
Whoever these women are, they’re bold and confident.

He knew from experience that non-fanatical soldiers, displaying this kind of persona, usually felt assured of a victory.

What’s the trick?

All of his projections indicated that only a surprise pulled from a magician’s bag of tricks, could save anyone once his trap closed.

So what do they have that I’m not seeing?

As he considered the possible threats posed by these women, he absentmindedly rubbed at his neck; his fingers massaging stiffening muscles.

And what should I make of this Assembly aircraft following us from Rome?

It smelt like a setup. He did the dirty work and another team cleaned up. He didn’t fancy being dead this early in his career. Only a fool played with snakes without some sort of antivenin.

His face expanded into a smile.

Owning the Prize should do the job for me.

_____________

Crouched behind her pile of dumped earth, Réz took note of the forces gathering around her.

“Damn it, Uta. Answer me.”

Nothing.

This can only be a communicator malfunction, or … Uta’s unable to answer because she’s dead or injured.

A sigh rasped from her lungs.

Surely I’d know.

Either scenario presented her with several blind choices: hold, make a run for it, or get into the hole and finish the job herself, but one big problem presented itself. If Uta remained operational, any advance by her sister compromised their entire plan.

She spotted the dust. As predicted, Vogel approached the site and Wolf couldn’t be far from making his entrance.

This isn’t going to be good.

The piles of red earth protected her from both groups, but she began to detect additional movement as another group of soldiers advanced along the southern ridges, leaving her exposed.

If I stay here I’m going to be target practice for someone.

Waiting meant death, which only left her two options. She could either make a run for the cavern, or pull back to the bikes and try to cover Uta’s retreat.

It’s an easy decision. I’ll never make it to the hole.

Réz ran, stooping as much as possible, as she covered the last twenty metres. Here she became visible to possible snipers at the western end of Spring Creek. She saw movement and increased her pace to a sprint; diving and rolling over the edge to safety.

She recovered quickly and attempted to stand, but flinched when something hard jammed into the back of her neck. She didn’t need to see it.

Damn it … It’s a gun.

T
om jumped backwards in surprise, as two ghoulish phantoms moved out of the darkness towards him; one with a face like a striped hyena, hideous in her triumph, the other its victim, terrified in her plight.

Misery grew large in Tom’s mind. A scarred Uta stood in front of him; one of her hands gripping Isobel’s neck and pushing her forward.

“Izzi …?”

How could this be possible?

He focused on Isobel’s pained expression, trying hard to connect. He understood her fear. Death seemed imminent.

Tom didn’t notice Uta closing in on him until he suffered her tugging his hair. Then another pain shot through his temple, as the barrel of her spitter collided with the side of his head.

He felt her breath on his cheek as she leaned in close; yelling directly into his ear.

“If you want your bitch to live, Fox, then start walking. We’re getting out of this hole, so I’m going to let go of you. Don’t do anything stupid, or I’ll kill her.”

_____________

For protection Vogel placed a ring of men around himself, with their captive, the auburn-haired vixen from Villa Dal Santo, acting as his shield against Uta and her spitter.

Ten metres from their destination, Vogel stopped the group with a raised hand and whispered to his captain.

“I want silence. Order them all to keep quiet.”

As they approached the entrance to the cavern, Frederick stiffened and pulled back in surprise. He could see a head emerging from its depths; a female, but not Uta and because they crossed the field from a different direction, she didn’t see them.

Vogel concentrated on the small, soot-covered feminine frame. It took him a moment to recognise her.

The Kite girl.

When she saw him, she backed away. He noticed that she seemed stunned, but complied with his wishes as he raised his weapon and placed a finger to his lips for silence. Then another head began to appear.

Fox … And he’s got it with him.

The skin on Vogel’s neck began to prickle. Fox carried the glowing object in front of him, with reverence.

The Prize.

Vogel started forward, but stopped when he spotted the barrel of a spitter extending upwards from the black hole.

Uta.

The barrel of every other gun moved from Fox to the rising woman, as she took the last step up the ladder.

No. Don’t move. Don’t give us away, Fox.

The young man stood as stiff as a corpse, but Vogel saw his eyes move and so did Uta. Before they could react, she bounded off the ladder and pulled Tom and the Prize, in front of her for protection. No-one fired; her instant change of speed defeating them.

Despite the tension, Frederick almost laughed at the woman’s stupidity. She began to yell, once out of the cavern.

“Don’t move, Vogel. Fox is the only one who knows what to do with this thing. I’ll kill him if you do. Tell your dogs to back away.”

“You’re in no position to give me orders, Uta. I’ve got five guns aimed at you.”

“You won’t shoot, Vogel. Not if it means damaging the Prize. Move your men back and we can make a deal.”

“How …? There’s only one Prize and only one outcome.”

Vogel quickly realised his predicament. A stand-off wasted valuable time, which brought Wolf into play.

He feigned interest, giving her a slight bow of agreement. At the same time he adjusted his position and winked at the captain. He saw understanding in his man’s expression. If a clear shot presented itself … Take her down.

“Alright, you’ve got a few seconds. Convince me.”

“I’ve seen the Prize, Vogel. There’s a syringe. We can share it.”

“How’s that possible?”

“There’s enough of this stuff for both of us. We can both win.”

“I don’t believe you.”

She shoved Tom’s head forward with the palm of her hand.

“Ask him, if you don’t believe me.”

Vogel prided himself on his ability to differentiate between the truth and a lie. Even trained subtlety rarely escaped him and he knew she told at least some of the truth.

Could he trust her? No way, but I still can’t take the shot.

While they negotiated, Uta placed Isobel in front of Tom, so she could protect both herself and the Prize.

Frederick felt frustrated and a moment of panic.

Damn it. I can’t risk open conflict.

He couldn’t allow it to be damaged, not unless their time ran out.

“Alright, how do you propose we do this?”

“We split the Prize and we trade. You can have Fox and his bitch and I’ll have my sister.”

“I’m not liking what I’m hearing, Uta. With only one canister and one syringe, how can we realistically share this thing? Come on now, your time’s up.”

“That’s easy. I’ll go first.”

Without waiting for an answer, Uta reached into the box and removed the canister, while continuing to maintain Fox and the girl as her shield.

Vogel could see her dilemma.

This’s our chance … Be ready.

Carrying the spitter left her only one hand to work with and she couldn’t trade security for efficiency; her gun remained pointed at him. With her free hand, she placed the canister between her legs and grasped it with her inner thighs. This allowed her to retrieve the syringe, but at the critical moment, she dropped it.

“Fox. Pick it up and hand it to me. Hurry.”

Vogel tensed. Fox didn’t move. He started to put pressure on the trigger, then he heard him speak.

“You can just drink it. It works the same. You only need a few drops.”

Uta looked like she didn’t believe him, but didn’t hesitate. She flicked off the canister’s latch and took a small sip of the Prize.

In that moment, Frederick noticed the slightest change in the wind’s direction and with it a warning that they all heard.

“Helicopters.”

Vogel took a firm grip of his weapon.

No matter the risk, I have to shoot her now … My time’s up.

He saw the sister move, but too late. In that precise instant, Réz jerked backwards into his body, recovered quickly and dived to her left. At the same time, Uta sprayed them with bullets. Without taking aim, he returned her fire.

Damn it, Wolf’s arrived … He risks killing Fox and damaging the Prize … Why?

The field around him erupted with noise, as projectiles from an Assembly helicopter cut through his men. With the wild swirling dust, the shooting seemed to be coming from points all around him.

Find cover … Get down.

He dived for the ground, landing hard on his stomach, as bullets whizzed around him. Through the clouds of dust, he attempted to search for a means of escape. In that moment, he spotted Fox falling to his knees with a look of shock on his face.

No. Not yet. I need you alive.

Fox stared down at a weeping green wound that frothed and bubbled where, moments before, a bullet exploded into his stomach.