by Maddie Wade
It was a huge fucking ask and made him anxious, there were over 65,000 people in this stadium. the potential for a momentous disaster was very real.
Jack had put in an emergency call to his boss, the man with the money behind Eidolon, but he couldn’t be reached which meant Jack had to make the call. Will had encouraged him to do what was needed which had resulted in a glaring contest until Kanan had yelled at them to get the fuck on with it.
In the end, Jack decided to call in favours wherever he could, and they now had support on route from two teams he knew where on exercise in the area. He had done some favours for them while over-seas and they had been quick to reciprocate when they heard there was trouble. One was the French COS which was their branch of the Special Forces, the other was a US Navy Seal Team that had worked with him and Zack in the past.
Both had agreed to help and were on route now, it had been a good call but only if they got there in time.
Zin was now inside the main stadium with Zack and Will, who had taken up a position beside the entrance that they anticipated Rhea would use to bring Celeste in. He was obscured by the sidings, and that meant his laptop was too.
The level of security was high, and Donatus were walking around all over the place. He wondered if they had all been vaccinated against this virus, or if some of them would die too. Triple S seemed to be the ones mingling in the middle with the people while Donatus covered the exits.
The vibe was still very much that of a party, but there was also an undercurrent that seemed to go through all these events since the attacks last year on venues like this. People were watchful and slightly paranoid. If they had any idea what they were dealing with they would run screaming.
It was now seven, and the announcer was starting to speak and welcome the different countries into the arena as huge torches with massive flames flared around the outskirts in front of the seating stands. Every nation carried a smaller torch, and each had its own colours. It would have been truly spectacular had it not been for the Watchers.
He and Zack were close to the entrance but were positioned so that they couldn’t be seen. He had shaved his beard off and now wore his polo shirt loose to try and disguise his size. Rhea Winslow had a keen eye, and he had to strike before she spotted him. Lucky for him, everyone seemed to be carrying large foam Olympic torches which they were waving. it helped with cover but was a bitch when he was trying to look out for Celeste.
“We have movement,” came Roz’s voice over the comms. “Tinkerbell is on the move.”
His heart kicked up a gear and then settled as it always did on missions. His breathing calmed, and his head cleared of all the dross that had been swimming there. It was time to get his Pixie back.
“Wait for my word,” Zack cautioned and tapped Zin to let him know that as soon as they got sight of Celeste, he would give the go-ahead for Roz and Zenobi to extract Lizzie and Smithy. Will would then turn off the detonation device on the chip.
Infinite minutes passed as he waited to catch sight of her again, then there she was. His heart stopped when he saw her. Something was very wrong, she was pale, and he could see the sheen of sweat on her skin. Her face looked flushed, and she was being held up between Rhea Winslow’s two thugs.
His hands itched to grab her from the two men, but he beat it back and glanced at Zack who had obviously seen what he had. “What the fuck have they done to her?” he asked nobody in particular, his voice cracking with a mixture of fear and fury.
“It’s the virus,” Zack replied. Zin knew he was right, he had heard them give her the injection and had listened intently for signs that she was in distress or feeling any after effects. He realised quickly that she had hidden them from him and vowed to redden her ass for that when he had made sure she was okay.
“We stick to the plan,” Zack instructed.
“We have found the bomb,” came the ominous voice of Alex, his Cuban accent sounding stronger over the comms than in real life.
“And?” Zack asked.
“It’s huge, and it’s wired into the sound system near the west exit. I have no idea if we can defuse this in time,” he said, and ice filled Zin’s veins.
This made no sense. Why would Rhea set a bomb in the stadium when she wanted people to leave so the virus would spread? Something else was at play here, and they didn’t know what exactly, but he had a feeling it had something to do with Denisovich.
“Who is your demolition expert?” Zack demanded.
“Liam, and he’s in the UK.”
“Fuck,” spat Zack.
“I can do it,” said Angel over the comms.
“Fine, make your way to the west exit. Roz, have you got things covered your end?”
“Don’t insult me,” she replied snappily.
Zack shook his head. “Okay, we have Celeste in sight. On my go,” he said as Rhea and the thugs passed them, dragging Celeste between them. Zin’s body tensed, every muscle and sinew ready to move. He palmed his K-bar and watched Zack’s body language for a sign to move.
“We have the package,” Roz said, and he could hear the relief in her voice. Lizzie and Smithy were safe, now to get his Pixie.
“Go,” Zack called, but Zin was already moving. He reached the thug that was holding Celeste a split second before Zack reached the other. Almost in unison, they grabbed the men and disarmed them before taking them out with pressure point blows. Celeste fell to the ground, and Rhea Winslow let out an unholy scream as she grasped at Celeste’s arm and tried to drag her away.
People started to look their way but then looked away as they saw the ‘stewards’ dealing with whatever the problem was. The spectacular scene on the central stage held their attention for now.
“Will, we clear?” Zack called urgently as Rhea reached for her pocket, now having a better grip on Celeste, who looked bewildered.
She saw him, and relief washed over her face. Her body relaxed as if all was well now, even though they were far from safe.
“Hang on one second,” replied Will. “Annnnd we’re clear,”
Zin dove for Celeste as Zack went for Rhea. He saw Rhea push desperately at the button on the detonator. He reached Celeste and grabbed her as a gunshot went zinging past his ear. Zack returned fire, giving him a second as the shot clipped Rhea Winslow in the side. Scooping Celeste up, he turned and ran for cover as more shots were added to the mix.
He saw Zack run for the cover of the stands and return fire, downing two men, but not before a third lifted Rhea and ran back down the tunnel towards the exit.
“Jack, get us the fuck out of here,” Zack called angrily as he realised Rhea had gotten away again.
“Pixie,” he said as he put her down beside a pillar and stroked her feverishly hot skin. “Jesus she’s burning up,” he told Zack.
“Here, give her this,” Zack said as he produced a syringe from his pocket.
“What is it?”
“Just Paracetamol for the fever for now.”
“Zack,” called Alex. “We have an exit clear, but it’s the on the west side closest to the bomb.”
“Has it been disabled?”
“Not yet, but Angel is working on it now.”
“Okay on our way,” Zack replied then spoke to Zenobi.
“Roz, the only clear exit is on the west side. Make your way over to it, and we’ll meet you there.”
“Roger that,” she replied.
With Will and Zack beside him, Zin carried Celeste through the throng of people past several Triple S guards before one stopped him. “What’s wrong with her?”
“She fainted,” he replied impatiently. “I’m taking her to get some air and see a medic.”
“Okay, but you really shouldn’t carry her, you could get into all sorts of trouble,” he said as Zin started moving again.
“Yeah, I won’t do it again,” he replied as he moved away, his stride impatient.
“Zin?” she called in a weak voice.
He looked down as he kept moving.
“What’s up Pixie?” He skirted the edge of the stadium and tried to avoid Donatus guards.
“I like your face,” she said, and her warm palm caressed his cheek weakly. Even in his worry, her words made him smile. “But I like your beard more.”
“No problem, Pixie. I’ll grow it back.”
“Okay,” she breathed and lolled against his chest.
Reaching the west exit they saw Lucy and Jace with Lizzie and Smithy. Lizzie was leaning heavily between Jace and Smithy. Lucy, he noted was standing very close to her sister as if on guard and was ready to take on anyone who came close to her. Zenobi were flanking them as they made their way past Donatus guards. He gently put Celeste on her feet so that he could walk her past the guards. He didn’t want to draw attention to them, and a steward carrying a woman would draw attention.
“Easy, Pixie. I just need to guide you past these guards.” She didn’t respond but slowly started to walk beside him, leaning heavily on his arm. He could feel the heat coming from her body, and it wasn’t good.
Striding past the guards confidently, Zack then approached one of them and spoke to him. “This one has had too much to drink,” he said., The guy grunted and waved them through. They were running out of time, it would only be seconds before the word was out that Celeste was missing. They had made it to Zenobi and were slipping through the door when all hell broke loose behind them.
A shout and then the sounds of someone running.
“Okay time to move Pixie,” Zin said as he scooped her up in his arms and ran through the door into the corridor where the concession stands were. He kept running past fast food stalls and merchandise shops, through the few people who were milling around, while Zack and Kanan took care of the guards behind them. He kept going to towards the west exit and rounded a corner, his weapon drawn.
Up ahead he saw Alex and Eidolon surrounding a large sound system that was linked to the main system. Zenobi, Lucy, Jace, Lizzie, and Smithy were just in front of him.
“Is it done?” he demanded as he reached them, not putting Celeste down.
“No, not quite,” Alex said calmly.
“What’s on the clock?” Roz asked as she reached them.
“Five minutes,” Angel said. Zin could hear the fear in her voice as she concentrated on the wires.
“We need to get them out of here,” K said and looked at his sister.
“What about this,” Will asked
“We will stay,” Alex declared and motioned to his men.
“So will I,” said Zack, closely followed by Lucy.
“She stays, I stay.” This came from Jace as he stood behind Lucy.
Zack turned to Kanan and Roz. “Get these two to the vehicles. We will be right behind you.”
“Let’s go,” Roz commanded, and Mustique shook her head.
“I’m not leaving her. Zenobi don’t leave each other’s backs exposed,” she said to Roz with defiance in her eyes.
Zin had heard the Zenobi mantra many times, but this was the first time he had felt it in his gut.
Roz’s face showed fury, before a look of pride crossed her face. Roz nodded at Mustique and then she turned to Angel. “Angel when it gets to thirty seconds left, I want you out, no matter what.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Angel returned, and Mustique inclined her head in acceptance and agreement.
Zin followed Roz and Kanan as they helped Lizzie and Smithy to the exit. They reached the car that was parked outside, and they saw what Zin recognised as a large group of Russian Mafia walk through an entrance further around the bend. He couldn’t see who they surrounded, but he had an awful feeling it was Usov.
Ducking back so that they weren’t seen, they waited and then rushed to the car.
They got in and waited for the others to come out. There was no sign of them as the time ticked on.
“I’m going back in,” Roz said and climbed out.
“No fucking way,” K said grabbing her arm.
She wrenched away and shoved him away roughly. “Fuck off K, you don’t tell me what to do, and my girls are in there.”
Zin felt torn, he knew he couldn’t stop her going back, but he couldn’t go with her and leave Celeste like this.
Kanan swore as Roz jogged off and then she turned back towards Zin. “Look after her Zin,” she called, and his gut plunged to the floor at the finality of the statement.
“K,” he said helplessly.
“For fuck sake, that woman will be the death of me,” K spat and turned following Roz.
Zin breathed a slight sigh of relief, but something was wrong and the need to go back to his team and help, warred with the need to protect Celeste. As he thought about it, Jack and a few of his men appeared in a larger vehicle.
They stopped next to him, “I need to go back and get my sister. Can you get them out of here?” Zin asked.
Jack studied him assessingly. What he saw must have convinced him Zin needed to do this. He turned and motioned to his man, who got out and came to the driver’s seat. “The other two teams will be here in less than a minute, and they have back up,” Jack informed him.
“Pixie, Jack and his men will take you to a safe place. I have to go and help Roz.” She clutched at him, “No, please don’t go,” she begged, and he had never felt more torn in his life.
“I have to, Pixie,” His voice broke with emotion as he laid a kiss on her fevered cheek. Pulling back he looked into her glassy eyes and knew that if he didn’t do this, he wouldn’t be able to look himself in the mirror, it was who he was. He couldn’t just leave them behind and run, even if he wanted to protect her.
She must have seen the truth in his eyes because she let go of his shitty polo shirt and nodded. “Come back to me,” she said softly and kissed him gently.
He kissed her back, just a touch of the lips, but it meant so much more. “Always, Pixie,” he responded, then with a final squeeze he let her go and jogged back into the throng and uncertainty.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Approaching the exit he had just left through, he hugged the wall tight with his back and palmed his Sig. A glance through the door told him he was right, shit had gone south—badly. His teammates were vastly outnumbered as they exchanged gunfire with the Russians.
Zack and Eidolon were pinned down by the sound system, and unless Angel had managed to disarm it, a very large bomb. What he could see made him think she hadn’t as she frantically worked behind them. Will was next to her, his fingers moving over the laptop keyboard at warp speed. Zin suspected he was looking for a way into the circuit board.
Several of Usov’s men were dead on the ground as he stepped through the door, and he saw they had broken necks. Roz and Kanan make a good team. Zin continued his search for Usov Denisovich, the bastard that his father had sold his sister to when she was ten-years-old.
He would die before he let her be taken by him again. Before he had been too young and weak, now the balance of power had shifted. He heard his name over the comms and stopped to listen.
“Zin,” Jack called.
“Go ahead.”
“I have Seal Team 7 coming up on your six.”
“Copy that.”
He was behind the Russians now and had them pinned between him and his team. He couldn’t understand why he wasn’t getting any communication from them though when Jack was coming through just fine. With that thought in his mind, he twisted at a sound behind him and saw the Seal Team, a few of which he recognised, come in behind him.
He motioned with his hands for them to take the right which left him the left side. The guy in charge nodded, and on his signal, they slipped into the fray. On silent feet, he took out the first two men with dead centre headshots, his eyes constantly scanning for Roz as he did.
One huge guy with face tattoos swung and caught him in the side as he ran towards Zack and Will. His gun was knocked out of his hand and went skidding across the floor. He blocked the next shot, then threw a right hook that knocked the guy out instantly.
He had no time think about his new super strength before another guy was on him. Punch after punch, block after block, he fought his way through until he was only ten feet from the bomb.
Spinning deftly on his feet he saw the Seals had done their job and cleared the right side, which just left a handful of men pinning down the bomb and his friends. He circled left, and with a few more shots, the Russians were down. He saw Roz and Kanan as they jogged through the doors.
“Where have you been?” “Taking care of the Donatus guards that were headed our way,” Roz said as she made it to his side with a frowning K on her heels.
“We need to leave,” shouted Zack and his eyes swung to Zack who looked concerned. Zack never looked concerned. Eidolon started to rush to the exit as Will was hauled to his feet and pushed their way by Zack.
“Angel,” Roz yelled as she hesitated for a split second.
“Yeah, I’m coming now, one second.”
Just then, Zin saw him. Usov Denisovich! The man had always liked to be hands-on for these things, and Zin had known he would be here somewhere. As if in slow motion he saw him slip through a door behind Angel, point a gun to her head, and pull the trigger. For an infinitesimal second, her body stayed upright before collapsing to the floor. She was dead. Gone in an instant. He heard Roz scream from beside him and saw Kanan grab her tightly and drag her away as she tried to fight him and run to her friend.
Usov looked their way, his face filled with malice that turned into a sneer before he ducked back through the door and was gone. Zin helped Kanan as they bodily carried Roz out of the stadium, blindly running for cover before the bomb blew.
They made it as far as the vehicles before an almighty explosion threw them off their feet. They landed on the hard concrete as dust and debris rained down around them. His hearing was shot as he stumbled to his feet and tried to find his sister through the smoke and dust. She was under Kanan who was moving off her and frantically patting her for injuries. He went to kneel beside them, when she rolled over and sat up, waving them away.
