ALICE

Chapter 72: HELP

Chapter 72: HELP

 Most people figured the war was over, but some, the more realistic type knew the LSF would come for a counter attack. Most figured in about six months, after they would figure our guard was down and they had chosen a new general to lead them. Alice however, figured that there was no need to prepare for a fight now. As general, Alice made it so. Kendo had officially stepped down, putting Alice in charge of the entire Resistance. So the base was on low-alert.

 That was an unfortunate choice.

 (BREAK)

 At around two AM the next morning, Alexei woke. He roused Lara, gently shaking her awake.

 “Lara, honey, it’s time.”

 She nodded and then hugged him. “Be safe. I love you.”

 “I love you too.”

 Alexei dressed quickly, black sweatpants that didn’t brush too much against his legs, and a black turtleneck he was fond of. He put a balaclava over his face, and carefully, ever so quietly, loaded a .45 handgun, complete with suppressor, sliding it into a shoulder houlster.

 Alexei’s first objective was to get into the Resistance’s armoury.

 He crept quietly, keeping a small folding knife at the ready in case of any trouble. His balaclava was folded on his head to look like a tuque, and his alibi was going to take a piss. He crept gently through the pebbles, using his LSF training to walk almost silently.

 Alexei made it to the armoury, the only solid building in the camp, with a sleeping guard leaning on the wall. Alexei used his pocket knife to ensure he stayed in that position for a good long time. When the guard was taken care of, he opened the door, wincing at the loud creak the metal orifice made. Alexei made sure the place was void of any enemies. When he was sure, he walked towards the back, finding a large block of C4 next to a stack of small pins that would send detonate it, as well as the small clackers to activate the explosive itself. He grabbed the C4, a pin, and a detonator, placing them in a rucksack he had brought along.

 When it looked like Alexei had never been there, he left, and headed towards the command tent.

 (BREAK)

 Jacob Glass rubbed his eyes, checking the time on the lucky pocket-watch he kept in his jacket. It was nearly two in the morning. He ran his hands down his legs, imagining what it would feel like if they still worked.

 Glass had been working late on his typewriter, slowly but surely typing out a report based on the debriefs that Sterling 1 had given him.

 He turned his wheelchair towards the outside, and moving from the loft in the top of the command tent, rolled down the ramp that had been built for him. When he got to the bottom he kept the momentum and whipped out the door, nearly running down Alexei. He pushed down on the brakes and looked at him.

 “You’re up late.” Glass said.

 “Yeah, I was gonna go take a piss but then I heard typing, so I just wanted to check it out.” He had made a very lucky guess.

 “Yeah, well, that was me.” He smiled warmly. “Are you okay Alexei? You look… Troubled.”

 “Oh, yeah I’m fine.”

 Glass paused and nodded slowly. “Okay. G’night.”

 Alexei nodded and headed towards the wall, staying there until he could no longer hear the squeaking wheelchair. When he was sure Glass was gone he came back into the camp and rounded into the dark command tent.

 Alexei paused, then kneeled. He whimpered just slightly. Alexei didn’t want to do this, he had come to like the Resistance and its members. He paused and let the feeling go away before he stood up again.

 After walking up the ramp, he looked at the loft, a space that was divided  into three sections, a living quarter and office for Kendo, the same for Glass, and then a large room with a table and a few desks for the general committee.

 Alexei broke the C4 into three pieces, and began to move around the rooms, methodically putting the explosives in the best places. When they were all in good hiding places that would work well, he put a pin in each, and went back to his tent.