It was the last place Kul Gardner could have been on Sub-Level 2. One by one, Recker and Carson had searched every other possible spot. Marsden and Davis were down and Gardner was on his own, but that wasn't going to stop him. The main power supply was beyond these doors. If Gardner sabotaged it and brought the power down, he could let the remaining prisoners out and start another large riot. Recker stopped just outside the door before going in, turning to Carson.
"He'll know we're coming. This whole thing will be a trap."
"I know. I'll follow your lead."
Recker opened the door, allowing Carson in first. They stood on the walkway above the main power generators. The walkway split in two directions to the corners of the room, then went toward the far wall, terminating in stairs to the ground. The whole room was almost sixty feet in length.
Recker's finger slowly moved from the trigger guard to the trigger in anticipation. Three men had died capturing Gardner the first time, and he would kill more if he could.
The room was darkened, lit only in the corners where the back-up lights were on. Recker tapped his SHADES to activate the night vision. He signaled Carson to go right, while he went left. As Recker crossed the walkway, he made occasional vigilant ganders down below.
Recker went down the stairs to reach the bottom of the room, searching the dark corners for Gardner. Recker spotted Carson coming down the stairs on the other side of the room. He was halfway down when one of the corners of the room lit up with marigold-colored light. A spiraling beam of sparks shot forth from the dark and exploded at the stairs below Carson's feet. He stumbled, dropping his weapon and falling over the side.
Recker ran for cover as Gardner spotted him, shooting spark blasts his way. Recker took cover in the control room behind him. More spark projectiles flew his way, exploding against the outside of the control booth with the impact of high-grade illegal fireworks.
All Recker could do was to hide and wait for the bright flashes of light to subside. The break came, and Recker took his chance. He stood up and fired where Gardner was standing. Gardner had already moved and Recker's rounds hit nothing. Another brightly lit spark wave came his way and he dove out of the booth just before it exploded. He rolled over and got to his feet, aiming where the sparks came from, only to end up facing an empty corner.
Recker kept his eyes and his weapon moving around the room. Carson was on his stomach, his limbs splayed out and his arm clearly broken. He head was turned to the side and blood trickled from his mouth and nose.
Crawling over, he found no pulse. Carson's Beretta was lying close to the body. Recker discreetly grabbed it and put it in his jacket. He checking the area with his night vision. Knowing Gardner was behind him, he turned around. Gardner was standing a few feet from him, pointing his fist at Recker.
"You killed him. He had a wife and two kids."
"We've all got wives and kids, Recker." Gardner's gray prisoner jumpsuit was sullied with blood and burn marks. He bore a hellish expression on his face. His eyes went to the Raptor in Recker's hand.
"I'll have that gun from you."
Recker slowly raised the Raptor, "Stop." Gardner ordered, "Unload it first."
Recker dropped the magazine from the pistol. Gardner snickered, "The last round, too."
Recker pulled the slide back and let the chambered cartridge fall to the floor with a small metallic tink. "Toss it over."
"Sure." Recker tossed the gun hard, Gardner used both hands to catch it as it nearly went over his head. Recker snatched the Beretta from his jacket and pulled the trigger. A familiar loose trigger pull signified a jam, and Gardner chuckled.
YOU ARE READING
ARKEN
Science FictionIn 2027, the world is in decline, with rampant terrorism and criminals emboldened to steal and murder in public. Countries all across the globe setup spy networks and heavily militarize their police forces, with governments more willing than ever to...