Lucy's fingers flew over her keyboard until she found what she was looking for. "Okay, looks like I can open the roof if we need, or even keep it closed, depending."
Again, something tugged at her memory, as though she'd forgotten or overlooked something, but she couldn't put her finger on it. "All right, guys, time to move on. When you get out of the hangar, head west."
They followed her command and found themselves face-to-face with two guards just outside the door.
"Oh crap, guys. I'm sorry. Just stay calm and act like you belong."
They straightened their backs, and Luke saluted as they passed. Neither guard paid much attention to them.
Once they'd cleared the guards, Luke looked into one of the cameras. "What the hell happened, Sis? You nearly got our asses fried."
"Sorry. The helicopters distracted me. Won't happen again."
Fewer cameras inside prevented her from getting a full read on the building, but everything looked good from what she could see. "Go on in, but keep your wits. There are a lot of dead zones I can't get eyes on."
Hunter made a thumbs-up sign. "Roger that, Babe."
Babe? Seriously? We need to talk about nicknames.
In the heart of the building, she had only one camera with which to watch them. "Guys, I can't see much. Again, please be careful."
This made her nervous, but they were so close. If they could get the sleep grenades into the main shafts, they'd be almost home free. After that, Simmons's strike team would barrel in with reinforcements, they'd save the kids and the baby, and all go home.
Sucks to be stuck at a desk. Lucy pulled the laptop onto her lap as she tilted back and forth on her chair, her nervous energy making this part of the job difficult. She wanted to be out there with them, but they needed the tech support.
She gripped the bottom of the computer and felt a tiny bump underneath. Her heart thudded as she turned her computer over to examine it.
"Oh shit. Guys, it's a—"
Too late. A large figure emerged from the shadows, blocking Hunter and Luke's exit.
Beleth.
He looked at her through the camera. "I'm sorry."
Hunter drew his rifle and fired, but Beleth jumped forward, and a black-as-oil shield grew around him, surrounding him in a ball. The bullets bounced off, impotent against whatever protected him. Beleth crashed against a wall and the shield exploded, erupting into giant spider legs that sprouted from his back.
One leg shot forward, yanked the rifle from Hunter's hands and broke it in half.
Luke pulled his own pistol out and fired, but Beleth's arm transformed into a black shield and blocked the bullets.
Lucy choked on her fear, and debated whether she should go help them. Would it just make matters worse? What could she do against this beast? The two men she cared for most in the world were powerless against him.
She should have known. The small oval stuck to her computer was a tracker. Beleth must have planted it the night he stood over Luke. She'd led him right to them.
A black streak lashed from Beleth's back and caught Luke by the leg, tripping him. Lucy put her hand over her mouth to keep from screaming. Beleth used his spider legs to jump high into the air. A blade grew from his hand as he flew, heading straight for Luke's throat.
Just before it beheaded her brother, Hunter jumped forward, his sword extended, and blocked Beleth's attack.
Lucy reached out in desperation.
'Sam! Help! We're in big trouble!'
Chapter 110 – Sam
"We're coming."
Lucy's fear and panic filled our connection. 'Hurry! Luke and Hunter are stuck in a room with this guy. Sam, I've never seen anything like him.'
I jumped up and went in search of Simmons, who sat behind a desk in her office. I explained to her the situation. "They're in trouble. We need to move now."
Simmons touched a button on her headphones. "Lucy, what's your status?"
I pulled them off her head. "I told you what their status is. We need to hurry."
She stood and stared me down with venom in her eyes. "If they haven't placed the sleeping gas, we can't move."
"They won't be able to place the damn sleeping gas without our help. They're trapped. We have to move now."
"No." Simmons flicked her finger and the soldiers around her clutched their weapons. "We can't jeopardize everyone's safety to save them now. If they get captured, we'll negotiate a release."
I walked out of her office and toward her tent, which Simmons didn't expect by the look on her face as she scurried after me. I pocketed the needle she'd threatened me with and grabbed a pistol. "We're going in after them."
'Over my dead body... this little bitch is not taking over my mission... I'm going to get my revenge on that asshole if it's the last thing I do.'