Trapped: Ending the Games

Chapter Nine: The First Strike

The entire group turns the corner to 21st street, seeing the office building at the end of the street and prepare to start the raid.

Meanwhile inside the building a agent quickly runs into a room to see Jack Williams looking outside through his window.

MIB: What do we do sir? Do we attack or evacuate and leave?

Jack: We're not getting out of this town without bloodshed agent. So if it's a fight they want then we'll give them one.

MIB: Yes sir.

James leads the Seasiders as agent run out and into cover at the end of the street.

James: Take cover and then fire on those bastards.

Everyone takes cover where they can as James ducks into a alleyway, followed by Mia. Anthony, and Katie.

James: Alright. Katie, Mia. You two need to lead everyone down the street to the building, fight your way into it and then take the entire building floor by floor.

Mia: Got it. With me Katie.

Katie: Okay.

The two move out into different cover.

James: Anthony we seemed to make a pretty good team back at the warehouse so we're going to move through the allies and sneak in another way.

Anthony: Are you sure the others can fight without us leading the charge?

James: Absolutely. Mia has it handled, now let's go.

The two move in and out of the alley and hop a guard rail to find a side entrance to the building.

Anthony: Only two guards. Should we sne-.

James opens fire, killing the two guards.

Anthony: Well that answers my question.

James: No more hiding in the shadows my friend. We have to fight back and fight back hard.

The two enter the building and fight into the elevator and taking it too the top floor just below the executive suite and take out the guards. Taking the stairway up to the suite where they enter to Jack pouring the drinks.

Jack: Hello James. Anthony. Please grab a drink and take a seat.

James: Why would we drink anything from you Jack.

Jack: Oh. I see Connors gave up my name. I knew he was as weak willed as my predecessor. Anyway I have a business proposal that I think will make everyone happy so please take a seat.

Jack drinks out of his glass which was poured from the same pitcher.

James and Anthony lower their guard slightly and sit down at the other end of a long table from Jack.

James: So what are you trying to propose Jack?

Jack: Well I am aware of how much damage A-Tech has done to both of your lives as well as the fools outside.

Anthony: Hey that's my family; we're not fools.

Jack: Right. Of course Mr. Greene. My point is you have also done a great deal of damage to A-Tech both physically, financially, and even in the public opinion of the company so I have an offer. 

Jack slides over a folder containing a lengthy contract.

Jack: My offer is in that paperwork. A-Tech is offering to pay financial compensation to both of you including 1 million dollars to each of you. This is in conjunction with paying for all of the financial damage to that Seaside neighborhood and paying for a funeral for the fallen. In exchange, we want everything you possess of A-Tech erased and destroyed and for each and every one of you Seasiders to sign NDAs and to keep quiet about everything regardless of who asks and what you could gain from answering them.

James: So you want us to stop everything we have been working for and take hush money to let your stupid company keep conducting these games and killing people?

Jack: Well is 1 million not enough for you? If it helps, the company plans to move all operations out of Portsmith and the surrounding area to mitigate damages so you'll never see us again.

Anthony: You destroyed my turf...my home. You killed my people and you expect me to just throw everything away.

Jack: I do. Because if not each and every one of you Seasiders will be silenced and in about 24 hours from now a bomb one of our agents planted is set to go off and finish off your home, unless of course, you sign the contract.

Anthony: I-.

James: He's bluffing.

Jack: Am I?

James: Don't listen to him, Anthony.

Anthony: My people can't go homeless James.

James: Anthony!

Anthony: But this bastard is lying.

Anthony quickly sits up and point his gun at Jack as James does the same, each of them beginning to move up on a side of the table

Jack: Now gentlemen this isn't going to solve any of your problems.

James: Maybe not, but it will put us one step closer to bringing down A-Tech.

Jack: Now that is an impossible feat, James. A-Tech is nationwide and taking me out solves nothing.

Anthony: He's right James. But what we can do-.

Anthony pistol-whips Jack and binds his hands and legs.

Anthony: Is take him with us to Seaside to call his bluff and interrogate him for more info.

James: Great idea.

Just then Mia barges in with a few Seasiders.

Mia: We cleared the building and sent what remained running for the hills.

Anthony: Good job Mia.

Mia: What about this snobby prick?

Jack: Bitch.

Mia: What did you say?

Mia kicks Jack right between the legs

Anthony: Calm down. He has a lot of information we need to get out of him so he's coming back with us.

Mia: Got it. I'll let everyone know and we shouldn't stay here long.

James: Right let's get out of hear.

James puts Jack over his shoulder and the Seasiders make their outside and leave in the A-Tech vans parked behind the building.

They arrive back in Seaside and Jack Williams is dragged away by Anthony and Mia as James stands there, looking up into the star-filled sky as someone tugs on his shoulder.

Katie: Good shooting out there James.

James: Thanks, Katie.

Katie: I'm happy I can call you my friend.

James: I-. Yeah, I'm happy we became friends.

Katie: You know I think I'm going to stay here in Seaside, help rebuild and all that.

James: Really? That's awesome!

Katie: What about you James? What do you plan to do when everything is said and done?

James: I...don't know yet. I've never really thought about it I guess.

Katie: Well if you stay here I'm always down to have some fun.

James: Katie.

Katie: I'm just messing with you.

Katie walks off as James begins to walk back to his apartment

"What have I gotten myself into? I gave up my average, but peaceful life to fight some big company with a bunch of good, but poor Seasiders who probably would've benefitted if I hadn't gotten involved. I don't know what to do now, about A-Tech, about Katie, about Anthony or about Maddie. They're all good people, but Maddie is getting in way over her head while Katie and Anthony are just as crazy as I am for fighting against A-Tech. I guess there's no turning back now though. This is my life now until I die or we take them down."

James enters his apartment complex and falls asleep as soon as he gets into his room and locks the door behind him.