Attempting to dodge a cut from the knife, Matt felt it slice a burning line of fire across his ribs as he smashed the barbell into the Hunter’s wounded side. He felt the ribs on that side crumble under the blow. The combatants staggered away from each other, each clutching a bleeding side.
Matt held the weight bar in one hand the other held tight to his ribs and felt the blood dripping between his fingers and running down his side. The bar felt as if it weighed twice its normal weight. Looking across the intervening feet between combatants, Matt saw, over Malone’s shoulder, Abbey enter the gym.
Malone saw Matt’s face stiffen and even without looking he knew what it must mean. The girl was responding to the orders he’d sent to her PDT. He took advantage of Matt’s distraction to strike.
Matt never saw the blow that landed on his temple. His vaunted danger sense which had saved him so many times in the past gave him enough warning to begin to jerk his head away. It was too little, too late. His eyes were focused on the woman he loved, the Hunter he still loved despite her obvious betrayal, as she crossed the gym floor with a black expandable baton in her right fist, and the look of a determined killer in her eyes. Matt saw no love and no mercy in their depths, only cold, bare hatred. Then he saw no more as Malone’s blow landed and Matt knew he’d lost.
15
May 15, 2080
Tokyo, Asian Territory
Malone was ecstatic. He’d finally bagged Angus. After all his years of near misses, all the years of being a day late, he’d finally cornered and defeated the most wanted criminal in BGP history. He was a hero.
Finally he was getting the recognition he deserved. The recognition and, more importantly, the promotion that had been so long denied him were finally at hand.
He was to meet with the kingmaker himself. Minister Alphonse Fadwah was the true power within the government. He was the puppet master, the shadow lord, the man behind the man. The President did not so much as break wind without Minister Fadwah’s say so.
Alphonse Fadwah was known to be generous to those he favored. With his good will nothing was unattainable. Should Minister Fadwah desire it, Malone would be the Director of the BGP tomorrow.
Malone was certain the minister would not do that. Malone was too good in the field, sector chief was not an unreasonable idea though. Malone only hoped for a hot sector, someplace where he could stretch himself. Perhaps the Balkans or sub-Saharan Africa. All of the less settled sectors had plenty of gene trash, and it was where Angus’ friends would feel most secure. He’d root them out and prove that New Zealand was not merely the last rebel nation, but also the staging place for worldwide sedition. Malone couldn’t help but smile at his bright future despite the pounding in his head.
Thinking about the cause of his headache caused a surge of anger and shame like he’d never known. Betrayal had a bitter taste, one that Malone was not used to swallowing. The one who caused it would live to howl like no other. Danielle had suffered long under Malone’s touch, but then he’d been an untried boy. Now he was the grand master of torment. He intended to do his finest work on this one, her and the boy.
Boy was not really a fair description of him. He’d fought as well as any Hunter Malone knew. Better than most if the truth be told.
Malone had been disturbed at how well Angus had fought. He’d been unable to take the knife away and, even though he’d never been in any serious danger, in sacrificing himself Angus had even managed to get the knife into Malone’s side.
That had been shocking enough, but then he’d actually been attacked by what he’d assumed at the time was Angus’ protégé. Nobody, but nobody knowingly attacked a Hunter, yet here he was charging across the dojo floor with murder in his eyes.
It had taken one pass for Malone to realize this was no novice. By the third pass Malone had been convinced that the boy was as good as Angus had been. It had only been his incredulity that had required the fourth pass for Malone to realize he was in a fight he might not win.
He’d like to believe the wound delivered by Angus had slowed him down, but he was too self honest to try deluding himself. First, Angus had been far better than expected, and then the boy had been a master. At first Malone had been exhilarated. At last, a challenge worthy of him. The exhilaration had quickly turned to concern as Malone was forced on the defensive for the first time since his earliest training.
Then just as he feared he might, in fact, go down in defeat the boy had glanced past him, and a look of despair and loss crossed his face. In that moment of distraction Malone had struck. Not a killing blow, but one guaranteed to end all conscious thought for a while.
Malone had been full of his triumph as he straightened and began to turn and see what had caused the boy’s reaction. He never finished that turn. Pain exploded across the back of his skull. As the world started to grey out he had one clear view of the young female Hunter he had ordered to kill the boy. She was standing over Malone, the baton in her hand, that hand red with blood from his scalp, and the amazing thing was; she wore an identical look of despair as the boy had in the moment before Malone’s blow stole his consciousness.
The only saving grace was that no one knew of either the betrayal or the boy. Malone knew he would have to stop thinking of him in those terms. He was far too dangerous for a term like ‘boy’.
As far as the BGP knew, Malone’s injuries had all come at Angus’ hands. On the one hand that was an embarrassment, but on the other anything that enhanced Angus’ reputation worked doubly so on Malone’s as the person who finally took him down. No one questioned Malone’s skills, or if they did they soon learned quite painfully just how good he was, so anyone who could injure him was automatically granted a level of respect far above others. Add to that the fact that Angus had been on the ten most wanted list longer than anyone in the BGP’s history, and Malone came out smelling like a rose for having taken him down. These thoughts kept him busy on the sub-orbital flight from Tokyo to New York.
He’d gone over the events time and again trying to discover if it was possible anyone else could know about Angus’ friend or Abbey’s betrayal, and was satisfied that it could be kept a secret. He’d have to devise appropriate evidence of the girl’s betrayal without allowing any hint that she’d gotten the drop on him to surface. That meant until he did that he could not get a trace on her PDT, and further, that she’d have full use of it and any other BGP resources. Well, it could not be helped for now.
During the limo ride from the airport to the government building in the old UN headquarters, Malone took time to gather his wits in preparation for meeting the most powerful man in the world.
Emerging from the elevator Malone took professional notice of the security. Very good, and not at all obtrusive. He’d been scanned for explosives, X-rayed, irradiated to kill any bio-threat, gone through a metal detector, and throughout it all, someone less well trained than he never would have noticed. Malone knew that the almond-eyed young Chinese beauty behind the desk was as dangerous as most Hunters and was armed while he, of course, was not.
There were cameras as well and Malone knew that just behind the mahogany door behind the receptionist was not, as one would assume, the minister’s office. Anyone fool enough to enter that room uninvited would meet the strike team on alert there. They, of course would also respond to the receptionist’s call, or that of the minister. Armed with Packwoods, if summoned to the outer office they would eliminate any threat, as well as any unfortunate visitors.
Rising from behind her desk the lithe young woman smiled and crossed to meet Malone, “Agent Malone, I am Hu Li, Minister Fadwah’s executive assistant,” she said with just the faintest hint of an accent lending her an exotic air. “The minister will be with you shortly. In the mean time he has asked that I see to your needs.”
The tight fitting low-cut black pantsuit she was wearing brought certain ‘needs’ to mind, just as it was intended to. Her suggestive tone and low contralto, combined with that faint accent furthered
the effect. Malone knew better than to consider any extra-curricular activities at the moment. The last thing he needed was to be caught flirting with the minister’s assistant in his outer office. If she was going to push it he might meet her after hours.
“At the moment I am at the minister’s disposal. I will see to housing and dinner after he has finished with me.” Business first, after that…who knows.
“Minister Fadwah has asked me to make sure you are well cared for. I insist you stay at my place while you are in town. There is plenty of room, and I can better see to your needs.”
Malone was well pleased. Hu Li had indicated that it was Minister Fadwah’s intention that she look after him. He could not, of course, refuse without offense. It seemed that he was to be treated very well indeed.
“In that case it will be my pleasure to join you for dinner as well.”
“Very good,” cocking her head slightly as she listened to instructions in her ear bud, she continued, “The minister will see you now.” Hu Li indicated the smaller door to the left of her desk.
Entering Minister Fadwah’s office, Malone was struck by the elegant good taste on display. Nothing too ostentatious, just quality that spoke of wealth and taste.
Seated behind a cherry wood desk that once belonged to George Washington, the minister radiated charm. His was a charisma few could rival. When you found yourself in his presence you naturally wanted to follow where he led. Physically he was not altogether imposing; a trim, fit man in his middle years, he was of medium height and had neatly trimmed steel dust hair and wore a goatee.
He rose smiling, “Ah, Agent Malone, how good of you to come. I hope I didn’t take you away from anything too pressing.
“President O’Shea has asked me to deliver his personal congratulations and the thanks of a grateful world for your elimination of the traitor Angus. He has further asked me to provide suitable compensation for your extraordinary efforts.
“The president’s first thought was to make you a sector chief. You have certainly proven that you have the abilities, and the drive to make an outstanding sector chief.”
Malone knew that all this talk of the president’s desires and thoughts was just so much window dressing. Malone would receive whatever reward Minister Fadwah decided.
“I took the liberty of pointing out to the president that, while you would certainly make an excellent sector chief, there are others who can do an adequate job in that area. No, for you I, at the president’s request of course, have created a new position. You’ll find the identification file in your PDT contains your new rank already.”
Pulling his PDT from his belt Malone called up the ID. Where it had previously identified him as ‘Special Agent Malone, Bureau of Genetic Purity’ it now said ‘Deputy Director for Special Operations, Bureau of Genetic Purity.’
Malone knew that deputy directors answered only to the director, but what was ‘Special Operations?’ There was no such unit within the BGP. There were Hunters, and Strike Teams made up of soldiers. Aside from that there was some support and clerical staff. The BGP had no ‘Special Operations’ because the entire BGP was a special operation. Hunters answered to their sector chiefs who answered to regional deputy directors who answered to the director. That was it.
“I can see you are confused. Allow me to elucidate. Special Operations is a new unit within the BGP. Its authority will cover the entire globe. The Deputy Director of Special Operations will report directly to the president’s representative, in this case that would be me.
“You have long maintained that there is an organized rebel force operating outside of the territory of New Zealand, well, Director Malone, you’re being given the chance to prove it.
“You will have your pick of any ten Hunters, and can commandeer up to an entire division from the military. In addition, any support you need from within the remainder of the BGP will be provided. Simply tell the Director what you require and he will provide it.
“Let me make this point clear. You do not request support from him. You tell him what you need, he will provide it. It should go without saying that he has no authority to question your actions. You report to me, and only me.
“My personal comm channel has been added to your PDT as well as your new ID. Use it whenever you have something to report.”
Minister Fadwah turned and glanced out the floor to ceiling window overlooking Manhattan.
Malone understood that he’d been dismissed and left the minister’s office. He was elated, only the already fading pain from the injuries he’d suffered marred his otherwise perfect world. The pain and the knowledge of defeat. That defeat would be avenged, the shame he felt because of it expunged.
Now he had the power to make things happen. Let the trash in the world know fear.
16
Tokyo, Asian Territory
May 15, 2080
The bitingly sharp ammonia of old urine brought Matt around. He was laying on his back half buried in manure and had absolutely no idea how he got in the stables.
Stifling the urge to immediately begin wiping manure from his face, Matt lay still and listened. Matt could hear the blowing and stamping of hooves that indicated he was not alone in the stall.
Cracking open an eye Matt could see he was in a stall in the hotel stable, and further that it was that of the hotel’s giant horse. As tall as an elephant, and almost as massive the poor beast could hardly hold its own weight. The knees were painfully swollen. Unlike an elephant whose massive legs were designed to hold all that weight, this horse was only able to reach its present size due to the manipulation of its genetic structure. Those relatively spindly legs could not support all that weight without doing damage to them. It stood there, in pain, its immense head hung low, shifting its weight as it continually tried to relieve the pain in its legs, one colossal hoof no more than two feet from Matt’s face.
Without any visible motion, Matt slowly began to tense and release his muscles, working his way through every muscle in his body. As he did so he cataloged his many hurts.
That he had a concussion he was certain. Aside from the blow to his head, it seemed he was relatively well. There was definitely damage along his left ribcage, and he was pretty sure there was a rib or two broken. Aside from that it seemed his most serious injuries consisted of badly swollen knuckles, and possibly one dislocated finger. In addition to his physical injuries he was suffering the after affects of Angus’ potion. That alone left him incapacitated, along with his injuries it could prove fatal.
The concussion also worried him. It was always difficult to tell how serious that was. He could still function on a severely limited basis maybe, but he’d have to do what he could. Malone would be coming for him. He had to find Angus and get them both out of here. Malone had really done a number on him, right after he killed Angus…
“No! Angus!” Matt lost all care for himself. Gone was any desire to remain hidden. With the memory of Angus’ death at Malone’s hands it all came back.
The image of Angus falling at Malone’s feet, Malone telling Matt that the woman he loved was coming to kill him, Abbey closing in on him to do just as Malone had predicted, and Malone’s final blow, all jumbled through Matt’s head. The anguish was almost more than he could take. He wanted to kill, to smash anything that came his way.
Matt surged to his feet. At least he intended to. He made it about halfway before everything went black.
Abbey was in turmoil. She’d done the unthinkable. She’d actually attacked another Hunter. More, she’d done it to save a criminal.
When the command to eliminate Matt had come through her PDT, he hadn’t been gone more than ten minutes, gone to find Angus and bug-out, no doubt. She’d grabbed an expanding baton from her bag and gone after him. She vowed to push aside her growing feelings for him and do her duty to mankind. After all, he was genetic trash wasn’t he? His kind was a plague on humanity. They were a danger to citizens everywhere. She suppressed thoughts of his kind eyes, of the
way it felt when he’d kissed her, the longing she’d felt. It had been more than merely physical, she’d touched his soul. Or at least that’s the way it had felt. Abbey knew then that it had merely been hormones. Perhaps because every other man she’d kissed had been in training. It had been forced upon her. That kiss from Matt had been the first time she hadn’t been observed and evaluated on her technique. It had been totally natural, totally private. Abbey’s anger flared as she thought about that. It could have been so special, instead it had been shared with someone barely human.
She still wasn’t sure why she hadn’t killed him when he’d told her about himself. She’d told herself she’d wait until she could get both Matt and Angus. She’d figured out by then that he was the Angus. Why then had she been full of dread, instead of bubbling over with anticipation at bringing down the single most wanted criminal in the history of the BGP? Why hadn’t she immediately called for backup?
Abbey hadn’t had time to figure out these questions when the order to terminate Matt had come through on her PDT. The instructions came from no less a personage than Malone.
That reminder of her duty had firmed her resolve, and she’d set off to fulfill her orders.
Knowing Malone would soon be employing infra-red, she carried Matt to the back of the giant horse’s stall. The poor creature was kept in horrendous conditions. His stall had not been mucked out in ages, allowing the manure to accumulate. Abbey placed the unconscious form against the stall wall and, grabbing a saddle blanket covered him to his chin.
The Hunted Page 12
