Fatal Containment

Fatal Containment - Chapter 27

Chapter 27

The abandoned mining base was a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers, a testament to the industry that once thrived here. After Cheryl and Tyrell regained their breath, they quickly made their way into an abandoned lift station where they could hear the distant echo of their own footsteps bouncing off the cold, metallic walls. The lift station was in another large, cavernous space, filled with the rusting remnants of machinery and equipment. The air was stale and heavy with the musty scent of decay and disuse.

Above them, on the bridge, Cantrell was regaining consciousness. His vision blurred and his head pounded, but he could make out the figures of Cheryl and Tyrell disappearing into the lift station. He pushed himself up, his bruised muscles protesting the sudden movement. He looked around, his gaze landing on his two marines standing nearby, their faces looking to their captain for orders.

"Your sidearm," Owen ordered, extending his hand. One of the marines hesitated for a moment, then deftly tossed his weapon to Owen. The captain caught it with ease, his grip firm around the handle.

"No!" Connor shouted, grabbing Owen Cantrell's arm. "Let them go, sir!"

But Owen was not listening. His eyes were fixed on the lift station, his face hard and determined.

Owen turned to look at this XO with madness in his eyes. "Arrest this man," he ordered, jerking his arm away from Connor. The marines moved to obey, their faces grim.

Connor's attempt to counterman the order was still in the air as Owen began to make his way towards the lift station, his mind filled with a single, burning purpose, his grip tightening around the weapon.

Connor knew he needed to buy Cheryl time to escape, so he pretended to give in to the marine's attempt to constrain him, physically sagging. With a sudden surge of power, Connor turned and landed a haymaker on the taller man, sending him to the gravel below.

But sergeant Klaust was made of sterner material. Connor, his face set in a mask of pure rage, eyed Klaust and dared him to stand in his way. He remembered that the marine was a formidable opponent, his muscular frame a testament to years of rigorous training and fights that he had easily won.

"Ready for round two, XO?" Klaust taunted, his voice echoing in the cavernous space as he began to circle Connor. Klaust began rolling up his sleeves as he prepared to bring some pain to the officer he was ordered by his captain to take down.

Connor didn't respond to the quip, instead focusing on his opponent. He knew he had to remain disciplined, to not let his anger get the best of him as it often did. He had to win this fight, not just for himself, but for Cheryl and Tyrell.

With a sudden burst of speed, Connor lunged at Klaust, aiming a punch at his midsection. Klaust twisted, taking a glancing blow then retaliating with a swift jab to Connor's jaw. The impact sent Connor staggering back, but he quickly regained his footing. This fight was about a delaying action; he didn't need to take Klaust down immediately. He just couldn't allow the marines to effect the balance of force pursuing Cheryl. He needed to budget his energy.

The fight was brutal, each man landing and receiving blows. Connor could feel his strength waning, but he refused to give in as his nose dripped blood. He had to buy Cheryl time to escape. Connor lunged at Klaust with a powerful right hook. Klaust, saw it coming ducked under the blow, countering with a swift jab to Connor's midsection.

Connor grunted as the punch landed, but he didn't let it slow him down. He retaliated with a quick one-two punch that caught Klaust on the same side he had been tenderizing, sending the marine stumbling backwards. But Klaust was a seasoned fighter, and he quickly regained his footing, charging at Connor with a roar.

The two men clashed in the middle of the bridge, trading blows in a vicious dance of strength and skill. Connor was fueled by his anger, his every punch a testament to the cruel verbal abuses his captain had forced him to endure. But his rage was a double-edged sword, threatening to blind him and leave him vulnerable.

Klaust, on the other hand, was just following orders. And Klaust wanted to show the XO that marines aren't afraid of anyone, especially now that his captain had ordered him to saw the officer down. He fought calmly, with measured precision, his movements efficient and deadly. He was a formidable opponent, and Connor knew he couldn't afford to let his own rage defeat him.

As the fight wore on, Connor forced himself to ride his anger, as a focus to completing his mission. He needed to win this fight, not just for himself, but for Cheryl, for the crew, for the Dominion. With renewed determination, he pressed his attack, driving Klaust back with a flurry of punches.