Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 21:22:26 -0600 (MDT) From: "Katherine R. Freymuth" Subject: Vengeance - Chapter 14 Message-ID: Chapter 14 Al left the Imaging Chamber with a sigh. He was extremely worried and he had a lot to worry about. He knew that, with Genine Strickler dead, Burke's focus would now primarily be on trying to kill him. He also knew he couldn't stay in the complex forever. He had work to do and he wasn't going to hide from Burke. "Do you have anything useful for the leap, Gushie?" he asked the head programmer who stood, ever present, behind Ziggy's console. Gushie shook his head. "Not really, Admiral. Ziggy's been running some scenarios to see which plan of action would best accomplish the mission but none of them are conclusive. She says it's because she doesn't have a clean profile of any of the people involved, including Commander Strickler. Al exhaled. "She can't find anything?" Gushie shook his head again. "We're talking about events that took place only a year ago and which have no written record. Anything Ziggy comes up with is pure conjecture. She won't testify to anything." Al nodded. "Then we're going to have to research the old fashion way. I have to conduct a few interviews." He started towards the door. "Admiral," Ziggy's voice stopped him. Al stopped and looked at the blue sphere that hung from the ceiling. "Yes, Ziggy?" "I would strongly advise against such action. There is a great possibility that General Burke will attempt to kill you the moment you are outside of the complex." Al smiled slightly. "I appreciate your concern but this is something that has to be done and done by me. Burke's ex-goons aren't going to talk to someone else and we don't have the time to let someone else spend time just trying to gain their confidence. The sooner we finish this leap, the safer Sam will be. I don't want the Burke in the past to get another shot at torturing Sam." "I do understand," Ziggy answered slowly. "However, this course of action you are taking may only result in your death. I do not wish such an event to occur." Al smiled again. "Neither do I, which is why I'm bringing a body guard and a couple of loaded pistols with me." He started towards the door again but stopped with hesitation. He slowly turned to Gushie. "Listen," he said firmly. "If I'm not back in twenty-four hours, assume I'm dead." "Al..." Gushie protested, showing his concern by not addressing Al by his rank. "Twenty-four hours," Al interrupted firmly. "If I'm not back by then, go into the Imaging Chamber yourself. Is that understood?" Gushie nodded slightly. "Just come back alive." Al smiled at him reassuringly. "You can bet on it." "Major," Sam interrupted Genine as she headed towards the training ground. "May I speak with you for a moment, ma'am?" Genine looked at Sam with curiosity before walking up to him. "Two minutes, Ensign. You need to get to your post." "Yes, ma'am," Sam replied with understanding. "I just wanted to thank you again for helping me last night. I have no doubt I would have died if you hadn't come around." "Forget it," Genine said firmly. Sam shook his head. "I can't forget it, ma'am. General Burke would have killed me, supposedly for going AWOL but actually because I angered him. You saved my life. I'll never forget that." Genine looked a little uncomfortable. Sam wasn't sure if it was from embarrassment of Sam's thanks, from fear of Burke's finding out what she did, or from being reminded of Burke's violence towards Sam. She looked at Sam firmly. "Listen to me, Harry," she said quietly but with determination. Sam noticed it was the first time she had ever called him by his host's first name. "Forget it," she continued. "That's an order. If the General finds out the truth about what happened, we're both dead - literally. Understood?" Sam nodded slowly. "Yes, ma'am." "Good. Now get to your post." Sam saluted her firmly before leaving her to catch up with Dan, who was already on his way to the front gate of the compound. "What was that all about?" Dan asked once Sam was walking beside him. Sam shook his head. "I'm just concerned about her." "Concerned? About the Wicked Witch of the West?" Dan exclaimed. He laughed slightly. "Man, have you got your wires crossed!" Sam frowned at him. "She just helped you last night," he reprimanded. Dan huffed. "All she did was allow me to sit down after two hours instead of eight." Sam lowered his head in thought. Could he trust Dan Carroll? Could he be sure Dan would keep quiet? He looked at Dan carefully. Despite the annoyance in Dan's face, Sam had a feeling that the answer to both questions was "yes." Dan frowned at his gaze. "What is it?" Sam took a breath. "Dan, if I told you something, would you keep it to yourself? I mean, just between you and me." Dan raised an eyebrow. "Not 'Lt. Dan'? Geez, this must be serious." Sam looked into his eyes. "It is." Dan nodded slowly with understanding. "I promise I won't tell a single living thing, with or without a soul." Sam smiled at Dan's choice of words. His face became somber. He looked at Dan carefully. "Last night, after I had left you in the living room, the General..." He hesitated, trying to find the words and the strength to tell him. "The General tortured me for not telling him what he wanted to hear - that I was going AWOL with you." Dan stopped walking, even though they were only a few feet from their posts. He looked at Sam with shock. "You're kiddin' me, right?" Sam shook his head. "He tied me up to where I had to fight to breathe and, especially, not to scream. When Taylor came to release me, she literally saved my life." Dan slowly walked to his post. "Holy shit!" he exclaimed. "I knew the old man was a little wild but this... this is just crazy!" Sam nodded. "That's why Taylor gave us guard duty - to give both of us a chance to rest and to give me a chance to heal." Dan shook his head. "Gawd, how did we ever get involved in this?" He looked at Sam. "Is this really worth what we're being paid? We have to do something! We can't just let him get away with treating us like shit!" "What can we do?" Sam said more than asked. "He can ruin our lives with what he knows. How do you combat a man like him? We can't do anything against him without him making sure we suffer in the long run." Dan exhaled. "We can't just let him get away with this!" Sam smiled at him reassuringly. "He won't." Dan smiled in return. "You've got an idea." Sam shook his head. "No, just a strong feeling. But I can tell you that I am certainly not going to let him get away with all of this." Dan nodded firmly. A look of concern crossed his face. "Harry, since Burke tortured you, Taylor risked her life by untying you. Shit! No wonder you're worried about her! I mean, sure, she's the Iron Maiden but I wouldn't want her dead! Especially after what she did for us, especially you!" Sam exhaled. "Then I think we should repay her now." Dan looked at Sam with curiosity. "What do you mean?" Sam hesitated. "I think that Taylor may be falling for Burke." Dan laughed. "Taylor and Burke? After she risked his killing her by helping us? I don't think so." "Why not?" Sam asked. "Hasn't Burke been making passes at her since he took her on? Do you think he brought her on simply because of her skills?" He paused. "I know that's a chauvinistic thing to say but Burke is a chauvinist." "That's precisely why Taylor would never go for him," Dan told him. "Anyone can wear blinders, even Taylor," Sam pointed out. "Besides, regardless of whether I think it's true or not, she did risk her life for us. The least we can do is look after her." He smiled slightly. "Even if she is the Iron Maiden." Dan exhaled with a nod. "I don't think she needs to be looked after. She's a very tough woman. But, like you said, we do owe her." He paused. "Okay, Harry. We'll look after her. As long as she stays on our side and doesn't go back to Burke's." Sam smiled knowingly. "I don't think we have to worry about that."