by J. P. Sumner
The one on my left looked down when they noticed me moving. They said something to me that I couldn’t hear, but they didn’t look frightened or angry or concerned, so I figured whatever it was couldn’t have been that bad.
I closed my eyes again.
When I came to, I was in bed. I looked over at the clock on the wall and saw that almost three hours had passed since I was blown up. I felt a lot better than I did the last time I was awake.
I looked around the room, trying to get my bearings. The window was on my right, overlooking some trees and, I’m guessing, the parking lot - I could see lots of flashing lights reflecting in the window and a thin plume of smoke rising into the evening sky. At the bottom of my bed against the far wall was a TV, and next to that on the left was a man dressed in black with a balaclava on, stood holding an automatic submachine gun. Then there was the door on the left hand wall. There was a metal stand next to my bed with an IV drip hung on it, which I realized was attached to my left hand. On the table next to my bed was a...
Hang on.
Window. TV. Man with gun. Door. IV drip.
That’s not right.
I looked over at the man in black. I could only see his eyes, which were brown. He was stood casually, holding his gun loose - not primed for action. He waved at me.
What the hell is in this IV?
I slowly waved back with my right hand, not convinced that I wasn’t hallucinating or something. He walked over to the door and opened it. He stuck his head out to the left and whistled, then stood holding the door open. After a few moments, Robert Clark entered the room.
‘Hey there, sleeping beauty,’ he said.
I sighed.
‘Come over here so I can hit you,’ I said to him, groggily.
‘How you holding up?’
‘Been better. Let me ask you: is that guy in the black with the gun real?’
Clark looked over his shoulder at the guy stood guard by the door.
‘He’s as real as it gets,’ he replied.
‘That’s alright then. Thought I was going strange for a minute.’
‘Adrian, what the hell happened?’
‘I don’t know. I got off the phone with you, walked over to Clara’s car and it exploded. My guess would be that Pellaggio’s got a head start on trying to make me dead.’
‘That was a serious explosion, Adrian. You’re lucky to be alive. I’ve got a couple of guys working on the car now. Or, what’s left of it at least. It’s a shame – that was a sweet ride.’
‘It really was. Clara’s gonna kill me.’
‘Not if someone else does first. We think it was a remotely detonated C4 bomb. It had been attached underneath the car near the driver’s door. From what we can determine, it was set to blow via a cell phone transmission. My personal guess is that for some reason, our conversation triggered the delayed explosion early. Your phone must use the same frequency as the device programmed to detonate it.’
‘Well, they do say cell phones will kill you.’
‘Look, if this was Pellaggio, you need to be careful. He clearly has the means to get to you whenever he wants. And he definitely seems intent on killing you. Maybe you should -’
‘Let me stop you right there,’ I said. I reached over and took the IV out of my hand, causing a thin trickle of blood to drip down onto the bed sheets. Then I threw the covers back and swung my legs over the side. Albeit tentatively at first, I pushed myself off the bed and stood up.
‘In the last two days, I’ve been shot at, mildly tortured, shot at again and blown up. I’ve been thrown through a mirror and had to see innocent people die horribly because of me.’
I walked toward him. He was clearly a little uncomfortable, which was fine by me. He needed to know who he was talking to. He needed to know what was going to happen next.
‘You know why they call me Adrian Hell?’
‘Ah, no. No, I don’t,’ he replied, even more uncomfortable now, as I stood almost nose to nose with him. The man in black at the back didn’t make a move to stop me.
‘I keep all my anger, and hatred, and horrible thoughts behind a locked door. If people push me hard enough, they run the risk of opening that door. And if they do, what they find behind it is their responsibility to deal with. And God help them. Dark Rain is your problem now. And, frankly, you’re welcome to them. But Pellaggio has just blown my door off its hinges. Literally, as well as figuratively. And now?’
My jaw clenched. I could feel the fire burning behind my eyes and the anger swelling in my gut. Violence was coursing through my veins, touching every part of my body, filling it with a dark energy that was bursting at the seams to be unleashed.
‘Now, Roberto Pellaggio will know what it’s truly like to feel the wrath of my inner Satan. I’m going to rip his whole world apart. I made him a promise not so long ago, and I aim to come good on that. This is the only time I’ll give you some free advice, Robert. Stay the fuck out of my way.’
FORTY-FOUR
After Clark left, I got dressed and discharged myself from the hospital. The nurses strongly objected, but they weren’t going to stop me. My hearing was almost completely back to normal. My tongue had stopped bleeding, although it still hurt to talk. Luckily, the time for talking has long since past. Wars aren’t won with words. . . I took some painkillers to help with the cracked ribs and my bruised back, then made my way outside.
In front of the hospital was still a circus. It had been a little over five hours since the car had exploded. The fire had been put out, but there was a still a fire truck on site. The police were there, along with a forensics team and a bomb disposal unit. The area was cordoned off, with people milling around in front of the police tape to try and get a look at what had happened. Then there was a crowd of journalists and local media trying to describe the scene to the curious masses.
Eager to avoid any kind of attention, I immediately ducked away to my right as I came out of the main entrance and went around the other side of the hospital. I made my way down the street, using side roads and alleyways where I could, to minimize my exposure to prying eyes.
I had no idea whether or not Pellaggio was aware that I’d survived the blast. Ideally, he’d think I was dead, which would definitely give me the element of surprise. However, I think we both know I’m not that lucky. Working on the assumption he knows he missed, I was best off keeping a low profile until I was ready.
As agreed before I was blown up, Clark has arranged a little care package for me on behalf of my new friends at GlobaTech. He’d text me the address - the drop point was a storage locker at the bus terminal. He’d given me the combination to the lock and confirmed it was accessible twenty-four hours a day. I was heading over there now.
I knew what I needed to do. I’ll admit I usually like to take more time to plan an operation - especially one like this - but I wasn’t waiting any longer. I’m done trying to do the right thing and play the diplomat between everyone. The door is open and the devil inside is hungry for blood.
I found my way to the bus terminal and located the locker. The combination was good. Inside was a black sports bag. I took it out and put my personal bag in there for safe keeping. I then walked over to an empty bench and quickly opened it to check everything I needed was there.
Clark came through. It was all there, and was all high-end equipment. This is going to be fun.
I zipped up the bag and walked out of the bus terminal, keeping to the alleys and the side roads like before. I instinctively touched my Berettas at my back. I was glad I hadn’t left them in the car. And I was lucky the nurses kept them with my belongings. I suspect that particular hospital has some extra funding thrown their way from GlobaTech. They seemed perfectly comfortable with the comings and goings of guns and bullet wounds.
My phone started vibrating. I took it out and saw it was Josh calling me. I figured I better answer it, despite being in no mood for conversation.
‘Yeah?’ I said.
‘W
oah, you alright big fella?’ asked Josh, immediately sensing the tone.
‘Aside from being blown up by an exploding car, I’m peachy.’
‘What?!’
‘Oh yeah, didn’t realize you wouldn’t have heard. Clara’s Dodge Viper got blown to shit in the hospital parking lot as I approached it. Figured Pellaggio’s got a head start on trying to make me dead.’
‘Jesus! You alright?’
‘I’ve got a helluva headache and my ribs and back have taken another pounding, but I’m alright. Was blown clear by the blast. Any closer and I’d have been evaporated.’
‘This has to be one of the shittiest weeks ever. Listen, have you spoken to Clara yet?’
‘No, haven’t seen or heard from her. I’d gone back to the hospital to check on her, but she’d checked herself out again.’
‘Right. Well, that’s why I was ringing you - she just rang me.’
‘She did? Is she alright? Where is she?’
‘She’s fine. Was asking after you, actually. Said she felt bad leaving the hospital without telling you, but couldn’t sit there and allow Dark Rain to get away with what they did to Webster. She felt responsible and wanted to do something.’
‘What did you say to her?’
‘Well, she asked what the plan was and how she could help, so I told her about my involvement with GlobaTech and what their operation entailed. She said she’ll do some recon and provide me with intel from the ground, to help me co-ordinate their attack.’
‘Sounds like a good plan. She needs to watch her back though. Dark Rain is gunning for her just as much as they are for me.’
‘I’m sure she’ll be fine. Anything she can give me will be invaluable. So, what are you doing now?’
‘I have a gift from GlobaTech, thanks to our friend, Bob. I’m going to pay Don Pellaggio a visit.’
‘Is this gift, by any chance, in the shape of a black bag full of evil?’
‘It is.’
‘And have you used the words "Inner" and "Satan" in the same sentence recently?’
‘I have.’
‘Oh, bloody hell. I’ll be under my desk ‘til you’re finished.’
‘That’s probably wise.’
I hung up and continued walking the back streets of the city. After a good half an hour, walking down a poorly-lit road just outside the center of the city, I came upon a large house within a gated property. There were high walls all around, with a security desk to the right of the large, wrought iron gates. Beyond that was a large, circular driveway with a massive water feature in the middle. The house itself had three floors, with a large, stone pillar either side of the front door. There was light coming from a few windows, but other than that it was in darkness.
The Pellaggio Estate.
I smiled to myself. Goodnight sweetheart.
FORTY-FIVE
The first problem I had was getting into the estate. I could easily get over the walls, but I had limited visibility of what’s on the other side. I didn’t know if there were any guys patrolling the perimeter, if there were any attack dogs, what the positions were of any and all CCTV cameras. Basically, I was completely blind and therefore justified in assuming any attempt to get inside at this stage would result in a swift and painful death.
Luckily for me, I had Josh.
Bluetooth earpiece in place, I dialed my eyes and ears around the world.
‘You ready?’ I asked as he answered.
‘I am,’ he replied. ‘And for the record, I’m completely against this. I just want that made official in case you die.’
‘Josh, if I die, given I’m relying solely on you for navigation, then it’d be your fault. And I’ll be coming back and haunt you.’
‘Fine. Are you in position?’
‘Yeah, I’m over the road, hidden in some bushes. I’m invisible and ready to go.’
‘Okay, let’s do this.’
In addition to supplying me with a bag full of goodies, I asked Clark to equip Josh with access to satellite thermal imaging technology. What this essentially meant, so Josh told me, was that once the satellite was aimed at Pellaggio’s estate, Josh could see, in real time, where all the guards and dogs were - both inside and outside, as well as where the security cameras were and which way they were looking. This is because he would be viewing all of their heat signatures.
Josh began.
‘Right, I’m picking you up over the road from the west wall of the estate. That’s good, because that’s where the main security desk is.’
‘Why’s that a good thing?’ I asked.
‘Because if the main security hub is there, the rest of the security patrols are on other sides of the estate, which means once you’re past it and inside, you shouldn’t run into anyone else.’
‘Great. So, how do I get past it?’
‘The guard’s hut and main gate is approximately forty feet to the left of where you are now. If you look about thirty feet to your right, you’ll see a group of trees. Work your way level with those trees, and wait for my signal.’
‘Got it.’
I negotiated my way through the bushes and undergrowth. There’s a skill to making no noise while walking through things that crack and rustle. Thankfully, I learnt it a long time ago. It took a couple of minutes to get into position.
‘Right, I’m here,’ I said. ‘The trees are directly in front of me.’
‘Good. There’s been no movement, which means no-one’s heard you moving around over the road yet.’
‘Or they have heard me and they’re pretending, while secretly planning to gun me down the moment I’m over the wall?’
‘Adrian, do you really think now is the time for your particular brand of pessimism?’
‘Fine, so now what?’
‘Once you’re over the wall, dive to your right. You should then be covered completely by trees and darkness. It’s a black spot in their CCTV coverage, but that just means there will likely be one sentry checking the area every now and then, so we need to keep an eye out for him.’
‘Got it. Just say when.’
I checked my equipment for the fourth and probably not final time. I was dressed head to toe in black, with a Kevlar vest on and tactical night vision goggles on my head. I adjusted the chin strap again, ensuring it was tight and the goggles were held firmly in place on my head. I’d moved my Berettas so that I had one holstered on each leg. Both had their silencers equipped. At my back, in their place, was a belt kit for a repelling hook - good for two hundred feet. More than enough for what I needed. Fed over both shoulders were two MP5 submachine guns - both silenced and set to fire in a three round burst. I also had the knife with me that I took from the guy at the safe house where I’d found Webster. Figured it might come in handy. Finally, in the pockets sewn into the legs of my black combat pants, I had some grenades - two frags and two smoke.
Josh’s voice in my ear interrupted my last minute checks.
‘Right,’ he said. ‘One guard is approaching the security gate now. Possibly switching shifts. Hold steady.’
There was silence for another couple of minutes.
‘Okay, he’s walking away again now. On my mark, stay low and move fast to the wall. Flatten against it until I give you the all-clear to scale.’
‘Roger that,’ I said.
Another moment passed before the order came from Josh.
‘Okay, move!’
Staying low, I sprinted across the road and stopped when I reached the wall. I pressed my back against it and caught my breath.
‘I’m in position,’ I said.
‘Okay, up and over the wall on my count - remember to land and roll right. Three. Two. One. . . Now!’
I clambered up the wall, heaving myself up onto the top, briefly lying flat as I swung my legs up and over, then dropped down into a crouch on the other side. As I landed, I rolled to my right and came to a stop behind the trees, exactly as Josh had said.
It was almost total darkness. I lowered my gog
gles into place and switched to night vision. Everything went a pale green. I quickly scanned the area. I could see the south-west corner of the house in front of me. To my left, in the distance, was the security hut. To my right was a long lawn with two sets of table and chairs positioned along it. No sign of any movement.
I looked up at the house. There were a couple of lights on in windows on the top floor, which flared up and obscured my view through the green glow of the night vision goggles.
‘Josh, I’m in.’
FORTY-SIX
‘Okay, this is the tricky part,’ said Josh.
‘I’ve not seen the easy part yet! So far, all of this has been tricky, Josh,’ I replied.
‘True. But this next part in particular will suck more than the rest.’
‘I can barely contain myself.’
‘From here, you need to head to your right. You should be able to see in front of you on the left a wine cellar entrance. You got it?’
I looked over and could make out an alcove, maybe a third of the way along the side of the house. In the middle of the alcove was the entrance – two doors that would’ve opened outwards on an angle leading under the house and to the cellar. On either side were decent sized gaps that were completed covered in darkness.
‘Yeah, I see it.’
‘You should have enough cover at the side of that, but to get there you’re going to have to run across open ground. You’ll be completely exposed for close to fifteen seconds.’
‘Awesome.’
‘I’m tracking the patrols now. I see a total of six guys working the perimeter in teams of two, with a lone guy based in the security station. You’re clear to your left, as you’re out of sight from the station, but to your right you’ve got two guys patrolling. It’s going to be tight, but you should make it. Once there, you’ll be in total darkness again, so they shouldn’t see you.’
I lifted my goggles up and looked at the world as it was. It was the middle of the night, and there was no moon visible tonight. I could barely see two feet in front of me, it was that dark. I figured anyone else’s visibility would be roughly the same. I pulled my goggles back on and turned the world green once again.
