Enjoy. Oh and watch the nukes...they're not very enviromentally friendly.
And stuff
The Devil Inside
Chapter 20
?Alright this is it.? Gwen announced to the others as they came upon a wide cave entrance. It was set in the back of a shallow ravine with huge rock outcroppings. All around boulders the size of men lay everywhere. The night was incredibly humid and the mercenaries clothes stuck to their skin like a leech.
?Finally!? Fitz tore off his NVGs with a gasp of relief. In the tropic climate, the thing felt like a furnace attached to his face. He found a seat on a convenient rock and groaned. ?We?ve been on the move for three hours.?
?Quit bitching. You?re used to it.? O?Campo laughed. He sat down near the young marine and took off his own NVGs. ?God, I love a good night march! Might set something up like this for our next FTX.?
?You would.? Fitz muttered darkly at the Gunny.
?Keep the chatter down.? Gwen frowned at the two. Of course in the dark they could not see it. ?We don?t want to give away our position.?
?Hell Gwen, there?s nobody around for miles.? O?Campo said. Though he did lower his voice.
?It?s best not to take chances.? Gwen pointed out reasonably. He was interrupted by muffled shouts and scuffling.
Kaname, who overheard the mercenary, began to thrash and kick. She hoped that maybe someone would hear her struggles and investigate. It was a stupid long shot, but she was scared and desperate.
Gauron frowned and tried to control her, but she kicked his shin. Tired of the girl?s games he smashed his fist into her temple. The blue-haired girl crumpled to the ground.
Gwen and the others looked up to see an impassive Gauron drag Kaname over his shoulder. The mercenary walked up to his partner and all but dumped the girl in his lap.
?Take her.? Gauron commanded. He sat down on a nearby rock and removed his own night vision goggles.
?She gives you a little trouble and you pawn her off on me. Thanks.? Gwen shook his head in mock disgust.
Kaname groaned when she landed face first in the rock strewn ground. She was tired. Exhausted. Soaked with sweat and her hands were almost completely numb. Her temple throbbed painfully, and the rocks dug into her sensitive flesh. Her denim shorts and cotton blouse was not suited for this kind of environment or treatment. She tried to sit up but was unable to with her hands tied behind her back.
?Hey if it?s a problem. I?ll take her.? Fitz grinned in the dark. His grin faltered when no one responded.
?Who are you expecting?? Marlen asked suddenly.
?Hmm.? Gauron turned to the black marine. ?No one in particular.?
?No need to take chances.? Gwen filled in for his partner. He prodded the prone girl before him with his foot. When she moaned he shook his head and dragged her up onto the rock next to him by her upper arm. ?Behave.? He growled.
?Bullshit.? Marlen said. ?That girl?s special. Don?t know how. Don?t know why. But it?s obvious she is. And there?s going to be people coming after her. I want to know who.?
Kaname perked up. She listened intently and dared to hope she might get out of this yet.
O?Campo and Fitz sat in silence. They could not see anybody?s face but they knew their friend was scowling. And they could feel the suppressed violence that radiated from Gauron and, to a lesser extent, Gwen as well. They held their breath in anticipation of the storm sure to come.
?What makes you say that?? Gauron asked coolly. ?Maybe we?re just two lonely guys.?
Gwen chuckled softly.
?You guys are too good.? Marlen ignored Gauron?s little joke. ?I?ll admit the girl?s doable but come on.? He shook his head. ?No it just don?t add up. Guys like you don?t waste their time with this kind of bullshit.?
?Who says? If the money?s good enough.? Gwen pointed out. Kaname stiffened and tried to edge away, Gwen?s arm snapped out and snarled in her hair. ?I told you to behave.? He hissed and flung the girl back on the ground.
?Like I said. Guys like you don?t waste your time with that kind of bullshit.? Marlen stared at the ground where Kaname whimpered in pain.
Gwen was silent as he contemplated what to do. The black marine was smart. Almost too smart in this case. If his questions remained unanswered he would know something?s up, but he would probably see a lie from a mile away too. ?What to do.? He wondered.
?Her father works for the U.N.? Gauron?s hard voice explained.
?No shit!? Fitz exclaimed. O?Campo whistled in appreciation.
?So you?re going to ransom her?? Marlen asked. He was still not completely satisfied.
?Nothing so mundane.? Gauron smiled coldly. ?Her father?s the U.N.?s High Commissioner on Environmental Issues. He?s a very influential man.? Gauron paused to let that information sink in. ?Obviously there are certain interests some would like to see given precedence over others.?
Kaname tried to scream and yell at the mercenary for his presumption, but all that came out was a muffled sob. She slumped to the ground in a boneless heap. It felt as if all her energy seeped into the ground.
?Looks like you upset her.? Marlen pointed out.
?Does that bother you?? Gauron asked. There was a dangerous edge to his voice.
?No, not really.? Marlen shrugged and allowed himself to relax. He was satisfied now. ?Just making an observation.?
?Does this mean there?s some kinda bodyguard or something that?ll be coming after her?? O?Campo dared to ask. He turned toward Gwen, even though it was too dark to see his old friend. ?Is that why you wanted us along with all this firepower??
?Yeah, something like that.? Gwen sighed. ?Sorry to keep you in the dark about it.? Gwen was amazed at Gauron. He told them everything they wanted to know, but revealed nothing of their true plans. Fucking brilliant! Of course, even this had its risks.
?Naw. Don?t worry about it.? O?Campo leaned forward. ?Actually it?s kind of exciting.? He confessed. ?I?ve never nabbed some politicos daughter before. Who?d a thunk, eh guys?? O?Campo called out to his friends.
The three Marines laughed.
?So what now?? Fitz asked hesitantly.
?That cave over there.? Gwen explained. ?We?ll be heading in there.? He got up and carefully felt around in a crevice formed between the rock he sat upon and the one next to it. Gwen pulled out a small ice chest. Inside were six water bottles.
?Here better hydrate yourselves.? Gwen handed a bottle to each of the three Marines, Gauron and himself. He held the sixth bottle and regarded the girl at his feet. He really did not want to do this, but they had to keep the girl healthy. ?Damn!? Gwen cursed silently. It sucked trying to drag a prisoner a hundred miles thru hostile territory.
?I?ll do it.? Gauron stood and carefully made his way over.
?You sure?? Gwen asked. ?You?ve had to deal with her this whole time.?
?Yeah, I think we?ve bonded.? Gauron?s lips curled. ?After all we want her to be comfortable. She still has a long journey ahead of her.?
?Whatever.? Gwen snorted and handed the bottle to Gauron. He pulled out the ice cooler from it?s former hiding spot. ?Alright ladies, dispose of your trash here. We want to be environmentally friendly.? The marines chuckled as he walked around and collected their trash. It would be bad for someone (especially Mithril) to find a discarded water bottle.
Gauron opened the sixth water bottle and tossed the cap into Gwen?s ice chest. He pulled Kaname to her feet and splashed some of the water on her face. The blue-haired girl jerked at the contact. ?Thirsty?? Gauron shook the bottle for emphasizes.
Kaname starred listlessly at the ground. She was too tired to be frightened any more.
Gauron squeezed the girl?s arm with punishing force. Kaname gasped at the pain and tried to jerk away. Gauron did not budge as she struggled. Finally Kaname sagged into herself. Gauron repeated his question. Slowly, Kaname nodded.
?Fine, I?ll remove the gag and you can have a drink.? The mercenary shook the bottle again. ?If you behave, I might even forget to put it back on.? At her nod Gauron worked the gag out the girl?s mouth.
Kaname gasped and sucked in air. It was hard to breath in the thick humid night air, especially thru her nose for so long. Her lower jaw and mouth ached. Before she acclimated herself, Gauron started pouring water down her mouth. She gasped and sputtered and pulled her head away. ?What are you doing?? She seethed.
Gauron starred at her. ?I?m getting tired of your games girl. I find them? frustrating.? Gauron voice dripped malice as he whispered. ?You wouldn?t like me when I?m frustrated.?
?I don?t like you now!? Kaname spat. To her ears, her voice was incredibly hoarse. She doubted her kidnapper would have heard her if he was not already next to her. She glared at Gauron breathlessly.
?You?ve got guts. I?ll give you that.? Gauron observed. He let go of Kaname?s arm and grasped her lower jaw with blinding speed. The girl tried to jerk away but gurgled in pain instead when he squeezed her mouth open.
Gauron began to pour the rest of the bottle down Kaname?s throat. Unable to swallow it all, she gagged. Water leaked out of her mouth, ran down her chin and onto her chest. Gauron emptied the entire bottle and released her.
Kaname collapsed to the ground coughing and sputtering. She gasped and tried to draw breath but it felt impossible. She never knew water (bottled at that) could taste so disgusting. She sat on her knees and tried to get her breath back. After almost two minutes of wheezing and gasping, she felt vaguely alive.
The three marines starred in the direction of the sputtering girl. They could not see what exactly Gauron was doing, but it sounded like he was trying to drown the girl. Somehow the darkness made it sound all the more horrible and each Marine repressed a shudder. They stayed silent and secretly hoped the dangerous Gauron would not turn his attention their way.
Once the girl's gasps quieted Gwen asked. ?Ready to go??
?Not quite yet.? Gauron shoved Kaname behind a nearby boulder, and sat down on the rock Gwen had just vacated. ?We?ll take twenty. Then move out.? Gwen nodded and the three Marine?s sighed in relief.
**
?Look this has gotta be it.? Crispin insisted and tapped his finger on the screen of his laptop. He and Sousuke were still at the darkened parking lot outside Naha. They had been pouring over his maps of Okinawa and its catacombs for almost an hour.
?How can you be sure?? Sousuke studied the map where Crispin indicated. The Mithril sergeant did not share the mechanic?s conviction.
?They got to get her off the island.? Crispin was exasperated. ?Agreed??
Sousuke nodded.
?These guys are pros. They have to know someone?s on their tail.? Crispin pointed out. When Sousuke did not object he continued. ?They can?t afford to hole up somewhere. That takes too many supplies and risks the chance of discovery.? Crispin shook his head. ?No, they got to be fast and quiet. That means a boat. Which means they have to go here!? Crispin pointed back at the same spot with a flourish.
?I understand what you?re saying Daniels.? Sousuke began. ?But there are too many assumptions. I still think some of these deeper complexes would be their best plan. They can wait out any search parties and try to slip off the island when things calm down.?
?They?re not going to wait.? Crispin insisted. ?Why can?t you get that thru your thick skull?? He nearly yelled the last.
?You don?t know that.?
?Yes. I DO!? This time Crispin did yell.
?How??
?I-? Crispin trailed off. Knowledge of the Whispered was Top Secret. If Sagara didn?t know about Kaname, then he was not meant to know. Crispin sighed. Since when did he actually care about Mithril?s secrets? He was already destined for prison, assuming he survived. What was one more crime piled on top of all the others?
?Whoever these guys are working for will be wanting to get their hands on Kaname ASAP.? Crispin finally confessed.
?What do you mean?? Sousuke asked. He sensed the change in the Lance Corporal?s demeanor.
?They think Kaname?s one of the Whispered.?
?Whispered?? Sousuke mouthed the unfamiliar word. ?What?s-?
?I don?t KNOW!? Crispin snapped. He took a deep breath and in a more normal tone continued. ?I don?t know what it is exactly. But somebody thinks Kaname?s one of them. Enough to go to all this trouble to get her, and they?ll be eager to figure out what she knows.?
?What Chidori knows?? Sousuke was confused and highly disturbed. What the AS engineer said brought chilling insight into his hysterical ravings earlier. ?She doesn?t know any state secrets. I?m sure of that.?
?It?s not state secrets or anything like that.? Crispin said dully. ?It?s something ? Bigger than that. And it?s all up here.? Crispin tapped the side of his head. ?She probably doesn?t even realize she knows this stuff.? He finally shrugged helplessly. ?It?s crazy, but it?s the only thing I can figure. There?s something she knows. Some secret that could change the balance of power in the world.?
The two Mithril operatives grew silent. Time trickled by as they pondered the best course of action.
?You? weren?t supposed to tell me that were you?? Sousuke finally asked.
?No, knowledge of the Whispered is classified Top Secret.? Crispin sighed and then smirked. ?So do you believe me now??
?Yes. I do.? Sousuke nodded. He was amazed he actually meant it.
?That?s a first.? Crispin laughed. ?Anyway, like I said they?re going to want to get here out of here quick. In fact, I bet whoever these guys are working for are chomping at the bit to start poking around Kaname?s head.? Crispin took a steadying breath at that unpleasant thought.
?So they need to get to the coast as quickly as possible, without being detected.? Sousuke finished for him.
?Right.? Crispin shook off his melancholy. ?And that narrows the possibilities down quite a bit.? Crispin pointed at two places on his screen and another three on the folded out map he bought. ?These are the only entrances that have the topographical features to hide a small group and leads to a system of tunnels and caverns that will bring them within sight of the coast.?
?Then perhaps we should have these sections of coastline watched.? Sousuke asked.
?This is Okinawa Sagara.? Crispin shook his head. ?There are fishing boats and trawlers all over the fucking place. What do you suggest? Board every fucking ship bigger than a dingy?? Crispin pointed at the maps again. ?Our best chance is to catch them while they?re still on land. If they get to water it?s over.?
?I understand.? Sousuke reluctantly agreed. ?So where do you suggest we search? And as thorough as you?ve been there is the possibility these maps are incomplete.?
?You got a point.? Crispin frowned. ?But we can?t let that stop us. We have to act now!? He said the last franticly.
?Alright. Where do you suggest we start?? Sousuke repeated his question. ?We could spend days checking all these locations. And if what you say is true, we don?t have that kind of time.?
Crispin sighed. Sousuke had a point and he had no clue how to answer. His body still felt weak from the last transmission he ?received?. Crispin was certain he would be unable to survive another one. So calling for backup was out of the question.
?Damn!? Crispin slammed his fist on the hood. The impact rattled his laptop and nocked his book bag off the car roof. Scowling Crispin picked it back and up and froze. His hand hovered over the open flap and with a desperate cry he dug thru it. ?YES!? He crowed and pulled out his minicomp. ?I can?t believe I forgot about this.?
?The tracking device.? Sousuke?s eyes lit up when they spotted the hand held digital device.
?Exactly!? Crispin smiled. ?All we gotta is triangulate a good central location. This baby will take care of the rest.? Crispin patted his minicomp. ?I?m a fucking genius!?
?Here. This would put us almost equidistant between three of the most probable locations.? Sousuke pointed at what looked to be rough hill country over a hundred miles to the south-east.
?Yeah. Alright!? Crispin began folding up his maps. ?Let?s get going.?
**
?What was the range on that again?? Sousuke asked as they drove south on highway 17. It?d been almost an hour since they left Naha and he was certain they were near the central point. If Daniels tracker found nothing they would have to turn back and try something else.
?Two maybe five klicks!? Crispin snapped. ?I told you I never had the chance to fine tune the damn thing.? He stared intently at the display of his minicomp. ?Come on!? He muttered to himself. ?Don?t let me down you piece of junk!?
Sousuke kept driving their proscribed route. After another ten minutes he said, ?Daniels, if you don?t have anything, we?re going to pass the target point.? Sousuke held onto the steering wheel with a white-knuckled grip. He hated to abandon the plan, but another five miles and they would pass the optimal triangulation point. If Daniels failed to pick up anything?.
?I know! Give me some time.? Crispin started tapping keys on the display. He frowned at the readout. ?Alright, turn off here.? Sousuke pulled the car onto an off ramp and turned onto a dirt road. Two minutes later he parked the car along the side of the road.
?Well?? Sousuke asked. He shut off the engine to conserve fuel and turned toward his passenger.
Crispin stared at his screen with unblinking eyes. Sweat rolled down his face and he absently wiped it off. He tapped a few more keys and sighed. ?I-? He shook his head. ?I?m not getting anything.?
Sousuke stared at the AS engineer a long time. ?Very well. We?ll head back and try to signal the de Danaan.? Reluctantly he reached up and started the automobile back up. Sousuke swiftly turned the vehicle around and prepared to head back to the highway.
?WAIT!?
The car lurched as Sousuke jammed on the brakes. ?What is it??
?I got a reading!? Crispin starred at his screen. He looked up at Sousuke and grinned. ?I got a reading!? He held the display up for Sousuke to see and revealed a small flashing red dot just on the edge of the screen. ?I got a reading!? Crispin whooped in joy.
?Then we should be going.? Sousuke smiled in return. He turned the Audi back around and followed the corporal?s directions.
**
?That?s weird. Why in the hell would they be out here?? Crispin wondered as they crept up to a low shallow ravine. It had been about an hour since he picked up the signal from the tracker he placed on Kaname. The signal was rather intermittent and made pinpointing it?s source a lot more time consuming then he would have liked.
?I agree.? Sousuke whispered. ?Are you sure this is the place??
Crispin double checked his readings. Surprisingly, he was not upset at the sergeant?s doubt of his technical know how. This ravine seemed to be the last place the kidnappers would go. If discovered, they would be boxed in, but on the other hand it did lend credence to the theory that the kidnappers were desperate to leave the island as soon as possible.
?Yeah, this is the place.? Crispin whispered. ?According to the readout she?s about 150 meters within the ravine.? Crispin frowned. He hated to admit it, but it was blind luck that lead them to Kaname. This place was not one of the locations they decided was the best bolt hole for the kidnappers. Crispin looked at Sousuke, who was peering vainly into the dark. If the sergeant had not insisted they start from a centralized location they might never have found Kaname at all.
?Daniels. Wait here.? Sousuke began to creep toward the ravine.
?Wait a minute!? Crispin hissed and grabbed a handful of Sousuke?s shirt. ?You really are stupid if you think your doing this without me.?
?I?m going to scout ahead.? Sousuke resisted the urge to sigh. ?We can?t rush in. It?ll only get us and Chidori killed.? After a moment Crispin released his shirt and Sousuke slipped silently into the darkness.
?Damn.? Crispin rested his back against a large boulder. Now he had the hardest job of all.
Waiting.
**
?You sure you want to take that?? Melissa asked Kurz as they finished their pre-combat inspections. She was referring to the WA2000 rifle Kurz slung over his shoulder. It was a highly accurate and customizable rifle but very heavy and not well suited for the rigors of combat.
?Hey this is my baby!? Kurz protested with a laugh. ?I don?t go anywhere without her.? He patted the rifle affectionately. Instead of their pilot suits, both Mithril Operatives were dressed in black field uniforms. Their faces and hands were also painted black.
Sleek, ultra light body armor and a combat vest was worn over the uniform. The nylon mesh vest allowed the two soldiers too keep plenty of ammo, communication gear, grenades, and a first aid kit within easy reach in a tactical environment. All together the equipment, plus boots and uniform, weighed about sixty pounds.
?You?re such a loser.? Melissa sighed at the blonde?s antics. She finished checking over Kurz?s equipment, making sure he had everything he needed all tied down and within easy reach. Kurz did the same for her.
?Got your NVGs?? Melissa slapped Kurz on the shoulder to indicate she was done. She frowned and smacked him in the head when his hand strayed where it shouldn?t. ?Grow up!? She hissed and shoved the blonde sergeant away.
?Hey, just making sure you have the right equipment babe.? Kurz grinned and looked her up and down. ?Yep! You got it all!? He yelped when she grabbed his ear and twisted.
?Watch it Weber!? Melissa pulled the taller sergeant to eye level. ?Or you might just take a dive off a Six-Pack.? She smiled at him. ?They?d probably give me a medal for it too.?
?Aw come on! It was a joke!? Kurz protested. ?I?m sorry! I?m sorry!? He almost fell over when Melissa suddenly let go of his ear. He staggered to his feet and tried to rub feeling back into his ear.
?Move it! We got a job to do.? Melissa was already stepping out of their ready room.
?I coming! Man!? Kurz groused as he snagged a small black case that held his night vision goggles.
The two soldiers emerged into the corridors of the Tuatha de Danaan and made their way to the upper flight deck. Right now the hallways were illuminated with red-lights and crewmen scurried to and from their duty stations. The submarine was operating under full combat conditions.
?What about Sgt. Clueless?? Kurz asked.
?Sousuke? Don?t worry about him.? Melissa replied absently. ?He knows when to sit tight and not cause trouble.? She resisted the urge to add ?Unlike you.?
?I don?t know.? Kurz grinned. ?A beautiful girl like Kaname in danger and I?d be willing to disobey my orders to be her knight-in-shining armor.?
?Well thank god Sousuke?s not you.? Melissa muttered. ?Besides he?ll have his hands full keeping Daniels in line.?
?Don?t remind me.? Kurz grimaced at the thought of the taciturn Lance Corporal. ?Man, after this assignment Sousuke?ll deserve a medal for putting up with that bastard!?
Melissa nodded in agreement as they stepped onto the flight deck. The time for talk was over. It was time to rescue Angel.
End Chapter 20
The Devil Inside-Glossary of Terms
MCMJ -Mithril Code of Military Justice. Basically the legal code and rules of conduct all Mithril personal are subject to.
CO - Commanding Officer (This is actually used by the US military)
MCF- Mithril Correctional Facility. Most ships and bases have their own brigs or jails, but those are only designed to keep a prisoner for a short period of time. The MCF serves as Mithril?s more permanent jail. It?s used to hold those who are awaiting their hearing or trail, and for those who?ve been sentenced for longer than a month, to a maximum sentence of a year or two.
MDC- Mithril Detention Center - basically prison. This is where Mithril throw's their hard-cases and long terms sentences. It's a great place where you get to spend twelve hours a day making little rocks out of big rocks. Sounds fun doesn't it?
Basically, think of it as Mithril's equivalent to Ft. Lebonworth.
Old Man - just an affectionate way the soldiers of Mithril have of referring to Kalinin. Of course, they'd never address him like that!
LP/OP ?Listing Post and Observation Post.
FARP ?Fuel And Rearming Point. It?s a forward staging area combat-vehicles (such as an Arm-Slave) can use without having to leave the combat zone.
Mikes ?short-hand for minutes.
ETA ?Estimated Time of Arrival
Hawkeye ?Refers to a US radar plane. The Hawkeye usually flies ahead of a US naval task force (among other things) and gathers useful information about the area and reports it back.
AS- Arm Slave. Ya know, those big freaking robots Sousuke and the others pilot.
SRT- Special Response Team. Sousuke, Melissa, and Kurz are member of Mithril?s SRTs. The way I look at it, the Special Response Teams are Mithril?s equivalent of Special Forces. They do many of the same tasks as special forces: Recon. Infiltration. Sabotage. Lightning raids, Hostage rescue, and assorted other tasks.
MOTC ? Mithril?s Officer Training Course. Most military organizations have additional requirements for their officers besides just time in service and demonstrated ability. Most officers under go specific and grueling training and are usually required to have a four year college degree of some kind.
M9- Called the ?Gernsback? it?s the AS used by Mithril. Considered the next generation of AS.
M6- the AS used by the US Military.
RK-92- Soviet era Arm Slave. To quote Sousuke. ?Move you Soviet-made piece of Junk!?
Ninety-six- refers to the ASG 96-B manufactured by Bofors. It?s a 57 mm smooth-bore rifle and part of the M9?s standard armament. It?s the rifle Kurz used in episode five during his duel with Gauron.
NCOIC- Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge. It refers to the highest ranking enlisted person within a unit. In the case of Crispin?s orders it refers to Melissa.
DI ?Drill Instructor. Another way of referring to a Drill Sergeant.
SitRep- Situation Report. Basically a quick run down of what your situation in a field (or combat) environment.
WA2000- very high-quality German sniper rifle. Considered by some to be one of the best in the world. It?s only down side is its weight. (16 lbs) and cost. It?s highly customizable and sleek in design. It seemed appropriate for Kurz to use. Though I think the one he?s actually shown using is a PGS-1(another German rifle). I?m not certain.
Tac-Net- Tactical Network. A radio network set up and used by members of the same unit during tactical (i.e. combat) situations.
HE- High Explosive.
Fifty Cal ? short hand for fifty caliber. Which is the size of a heavy machine gun. A machine gun this large must be mounted on a tripod or vehicle in order to fire it. A fifty caliber round is about six inches long and can tear a man in half, and it can also destroy trucks, light armored vehicles and buildings.
NVGs -- Night Vision Goggles
EOD ? Explosive Ordinance Disposal
FTX ?Field Training Exercise.
Gunny- Short for Gunnery Sergeant. It?s an advanced NCO rank in the United States Marine Corps
Shiwa Statue ?those Lion statues you?ll see in front of temples and important buildings. There supposed to be guardian spirits and they are very prominent in Okinawa.
Klicks- short hand for kilometers
