Project Red Ribbon

CHAPTER 3

James didn't know how to respond to Maverick. He couldn't take back his agreement, so all he could hope for was that Katherine Chase and her baby would get to the Zone safely. 

"OK, i'll recruit Juniper and some of my best men on this mission for you," he added after realising nobody was eager to talk after his threat. His smile was too chilled to be normal- James wondered if Maverick was some sort of psychopath. 

He stood up and just got  to the door before Jack finally spoke up, "when would we be leaving?" he asked, his voice sounded shaken- it was clear the excitement of everything was rapidly starting to fade with Jack, as if he was beginning to understand that what was happening was not some awesome adventure where he could show off- but a reality that could definitely mean death. Big ouch. 

Maverick pretended to think this over, as if his answer would be impulsively decided, James knew enough about mission preparation to know even an underground dump like this place would have thought of all the details before briefing them. 

"Seven hours," he said casually. James nearly choked on his tongue. Charlie did choke. Maverick waited patiently for Charlie to stop coughing before he laughed. 

"Not long is it?" He chuckled, clapping his hands together happily. "You see, we couldn't afford to give you folks any time to come up with a getaway plan, or some strange strategy of slipping from our little mission we have going on here." His eyes changed into a dark stare. It was like he'd switched into a different- more horrid- person, someone straight from a serial killer movie. James felt cold and shivered.

"Tell me you understand," he said in a low, daring voice. James and the others nodded slowly and said yes. His eyes changed back into the contented, negotiable glance he'd had before.

"Brilliant." 

*    *    *    *    *    *    *

"The first car is ready to go, Candy-asses, so please hurry up," Calvin shouted, he was standing at the top of a large set of stone stairs- enough to prove a considerable workout. James looked at Sarah and hugged her tight, her eyes looked so panicked that it pained James to see her go. He kissed her before patting Jack on the shoulder.

"See you out there," he said stiffly. He hadn't been told about them splitting up until 20 minutes prior to leaving, for security reasons was the apparent reason. He watched them tackle the stairs. It was obvious from their demeanour that neither of them wanted to split up either- they hardly knew each other, yet they had to stick to each other like glue. 

"That leaves us, Buddy," Charlie sighed, putting his arm around James' neck. 

"And me, I'm afraid," Woody, or Juniper, said from the top of the stairs. James could faintly hear the sound of the car's engine as it pulled away, and his heart felt heavier. 

"Come wait up here, get some fresh air in your lungs," she added, turning around and disappearing. Charlie and James exchanged looks- they had been told by Maverick to stay at the bottom of the dark stairs until they were called for by their controller. Charlie only shrugged and began up the stairs.

The air was delightful, the brisk cold day made James feel concentrated and hyper to get moving. Woody was staring at them both with a sideways grin, James couldn't help but grin back at her- happy to be out of that cave.  

"I guess we wait," Woody sighed. James and Charlie stared at her. She was wearing knee length navy cargo shorts and a black long sleeved thermal top that zipped up the front and looked a lot like a bathing suit. She was definitely dressed better than James and the others, who were kitted out with similar green knee length cargo shorts and matching grey shirts- the only exception was James' medic jacket and Charlie's bright yellow suspenders there to show he was trained in firefighting. It was stupid of him, he had none of his proper gear. They usually carry something called the 'Firebox', created within the Zone for firefighters- it had a functioning hose and whatever else they needed, now all Charlie had was his axe. 

There was a comfortable silence between the three of them, James felt OK knowing Charlie was with him. Woody leaned against the frame of the garage, her hip jutting out and her arms crossed. Her long hair was pleated tightly down her back again- James couldn't help but imagine what it would look like down and flowing in the breeze. 

"What do you prefer?" He asks her. Woody tilted her head, as if expecting one of them to say something. 

"Hm?" 

"Well, Woody or Juniper?" James adds, "they're both your name, right?" 

"Yeah." She answers, turning away from him and back out to the view. 

"Which one do you like best?" James was feeling exasperated- it was impossible to keep a conversation going with her.

"Hell if I care, anything but Juno," She says. Tilting her head round to look at him, she flashes a grin, "I hate the name Juno." 

James nods, "Juno it is." 

"I hate you."