Tom Brand Escapes

33-Escapes Canada, Eh

The path opened to a large well-lit cave. Stalagmites plunged downward from its ceilings, some so large their points touched almost to the ground. The production looked modern and antiquated at the same time - like an archeological dig using state of the art technology. Workers scurried back and forth between metal tables that held lab equipment through which black, white and blue liquids flowed. Men and women wearing hazmat suits, goggles and helmets with bright headlamps carefully applied tiny fittings to small flat black disks. At the end of the assembly line each disk was partially expanded, puffing out for a second into an inky-black orb, then deflating back to a flat disk that was carefully stacked onto shelves. There were rows and rows of shelves filled with the disks.

Kirey turned to him, smiling her cold, odd smile.

"Russom was so short-sighted to have betrayed us."

Brand narrowed his eyes.

"I could have made him a very rich man. It's a pity. He was a great resource, at first. It's a shame you can't trust a government bureaucrat to take a bribe these days. It was my instinct to get rid of you as well. Then I thought better of it. You are not government, Mr. Brand. You're not beholden to anything or anyone. So, I have a proposal for you. This weapon makes BANTER as powerful as any sovereign state. Like other organizations and governments we seek to restore stability to the world, and make money while we do it. I'll be frank Mr. Brand. I can use a person with your skills."

"I'm flattered. Where's Slater?" he asked.

Kirey nodded to Leah who quickly stepped into an opening in the rock and returned with Slater.

"You see? Relatively unharmed."

Jenn stood quietly beside Leah who had her hand firmly on the nape of Jenn's neck and a gun to her side. There was bruise on Jenn's forehead and some dried blood at her left temple. She did not seem otherwise hurt and she stared intently at Brand, her eyes flicking ever so slightly in Leah's direction.

"Let her go and we'll talk," Brand said.

Kirey barked a harsh laugh.

"Perhaps you are beholden to others. That's not a good deal for me from the start. Even though you've been off the grid you must know there is an international hunt for you, both of you. I admit it has worked out well for us. By going dark there was no way for you to lead anyone to us. Otherwise, I would have had to kill you way before your arrival. Now, you're more valuable to me alive. Petras, by the way, will never make it out of the boarding house. He has been easily manipulated. Men like him need to be flattered, pampered and laid, at least occassionally. You have kept him too busy, Brand."

Brand looked around him.

"What do you have in mind?" he asked.

"A partnership similar to what we had with Russom. You'll be paid all expenses, provided with whatever you need, receive your going rate.

"And in return?"

"Many of the parts we need to begin the production of our weapons are easily and cheaply procured here. But we do need to make a profit. The more expensive unrefined ores and elements are becoming more difficult to obtain. Regime change and economic instability have caused problems for us, particularly in South America and Asia. There are people who need to be persuaded to cooperate with us. This is where you can be very helpful."

Brand began to feel a now familiar queasiness in his stomach. Kirey broke off mid-sentence and looked around frantically. She then looked at Leah and her eyes blazed with realization before rolling back in her head. Kirey fell forward toward Leah, who stepped aside and simply watched as Kirey crashed onto the rock floor. Jenn leapt forward and thrust earplugs into Brand's ears. All around them people fell to the ground until just Leah, Jenn, and Brand were standing. After a few seconds more some workers who had keeled over popped their heads up and began to move swiftly between the tables of the assembly line. Leah tossed car keys and a lanyard with a card on it to Jenn, hugged her, and then kissed Brand on his cheek. She rested her hand there briefly gave him one last look and then walked quickly away.