The Jenetix Program

Chapter 25: Jensen Knows It Better.

Sam    ======================^^

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I knelt over the map, the fire creating enough light for me to read it. The sun was beginning to rise again but since the watch on my wrist was broken beyond the point of fixing, I couldn't tell the exact time. I was getting a little worried, Jensen was supposed to be here before sunrise and I continued to whip my head around at the sound of anything. Most of the time is was just the tents gently flapping in the wind or one of my team mates getting up early for hunting and practice. I grabbed my radio as soon as I heard it crackle to life.

"Jensen?" I asked, my palms sweating as I gripped the radio. There was some sort of crackling noise before I heard him try to say something.

"Look behind you." He said and I whisked my head around. He stood in between my tent and the spare one Noah was using, giving me a big grin.

"Thank God!" I wrapped him in a tight embrace. I hadn't been away for too long, but the sight of his face made everything seem just a little less serious. "Is Osbourne okay?" I knew it was rude to ask about him first, but I needed to know.

His face dropped a little and my heart started to beat a little faster with panic.

"He didn't want to come. He thought he would be of more use back at Wire."

"But isn't he going to get in trouble for the cameras?" I asked desperately.

"Ronnie," He started, taking my shoulders in both of his hands. "Wire has one of the biggest bases the world has ever seen- or hasn't seen, I guess. He has been working there for a while now and I'm sure he has a few hiding spots figured out. He's prepared for the worst, I'm sure he's fine."

I let out a half-relieved, half-unconvinced sigh, giving Jensen a small smile. I told myself that if Jensen was sure that Osbourne was okay, then I should trust him, but a little part of me kept worrying. Deciding to drop the matter, I gave Jensen a quick overview of everything that had happened so far and filled him in on the plan. When I was done telling him what I thought was a good idea, he leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest, deep in focus.

"Hmm." I bit my lip, anxiously. "Where do you plan on getting the Dilutent?"

Ah, so the Lethum-diluting drug had a name, which made it a hell of a lot easier to refer to.

"Um, I was hoping you knew that." I brushed my hand through my hair.

"Well, I'm not sure Wire manufactures that much of it considering it's only really used for practices and demonstrations. It would also be incredibly hard to ask for, let alone steal." He gave me a sympathetic look and I slumped down onto a log-chair, disappointed that my plan was a complete bust.

"I have an idea, though." His face lighting up a little.

"Go ahead."

"I have some friends in the advanced science department back at Wire who owe me a favor."

I gave him a half-hearted smile in hope he would elaborate a little more.

"I have an idea."

Great, another plan. I still wish my one worked.

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"Now remember, they will meet us by the gate but we have to be fast. Fortunately, we are on the opposite side to where the dome is so the chances of anyone seeing us are slim, but that doesn't mean this isn't risky." Jensen said, fixing his raincoat, which was great to camouflage in the snow considering it was grey.