Juggernauts

CHAPTER 8: H.U.P.

One long helicopter ride, and a short car ride later, Ella and Alex arrived at a large building with the letters "H.U.P." written on the front is bright blue lights.

Alex got out of the driver seat and slammed the door. "Fucking H.U.P. charging people millions to get prosthetic so they can act normal or go back to get killed in combat. And to top it off, it's run by the biggest bitch this side of the border." 

Ella stepped out as well and agreed with him. "No one should have to pay just to walk after an accident. We better hurry, Tom is running out of time.

The two of them walked through the doors and were escorted to an elevator. They stepped in, and the elevator began to rise, quickly yet steadily. 

When they reached their desired floor, the doors opened to a short white hallway with a ruby red door at the end. the walked up to it and opened it without hesitation. 

At the end of the room they entered sat a woman with her legs crossed over her desk. a gold plated name tag sat crooked near the edge of her table. The name read "Tammy Hanson, CEO"

Ella sneered slightly at the sight of the woman. She slightly clenched her fist as her and Alex approached the desk.

From behind a compact mirror the woman broke the silence. "Alex Van." she said without looking up. "And Ella Jackson I presume." She clapped the mirror closed as she brought her legs down and folded her arms across the laptop before her.

"I see taking advantage of injured people is still a good business Tammy." Alex replied

"I wouldn't call it taking advantage." Tammy grinned. "The Human Upgrade Program merely provides the ability go back to a normal life style." 

"Ah yes, I must be mistaken. I haven't seen you since you took half of everything Tom owned in the divorce." Alex said sarcastically.

Tammy shifted her eyes to Ella, who had still yet to say anything. " So you must be the young hot new toy that Tom replaced me with." 

Ella's fist tightened as she refused to speak.

Tammy stood up and looked back to Alex. "So what does Tom need now? Money, a date somewhere? Or perhaps she doesn't satisfy him and he wants me back again?" Tammy gestured to Ella with her head. 

Ella took a step forward as Alex placed his arm across her body and gripped her shoulder. He looked to her as if to tell her to stand down.

Tammy laughed to herself momentarily as she turned away from them and looked out the window behind her desk. "Or perhaps you need some Alex. I see you're still using the 3rd generation armor. A bit outdated don't you think?" She looked over her shoulder to look him up and down.

He looked himself over in the reflection of a window to his left and promptly replied. "No thank you, I prefer a classic"

Ella pushed past Alex and slammed her fist so hard into the desk it left a small mark. "Look here you stupid bitch. Tom is dying and we need one of your stupid suits to save him!"

the smirk from her face left as it was replaced by slight worry. "Tom is dying?"

"Op went bad and he was severely injured. He may only have a few more hours." Alex said.

Tammy turned to her desk and punched a code into her desk phone. A panel in the wall near the door opened and a glass case with a new juggernaut suit was presented from the wall. 

"It is experimental but it has an on-board life support system. It wires to the brain and heart, thick enough armor to stop a 50 cal. But I don't recommend trying it. It also has upgraded stamina and strength, so he wont feel tired and will be able to flip a truck by himself." Tammy said with more worry in her voice.

Ella and Alex walked over to the suit and looked it up and down. "You sure this will save him?" Ella asked.

Tammy looked up, brushed her red hair from her eyes, and spoke. "I can't guarantee anything. But this will give him a much better chance to survive his wounds."

"Lets get it loaded up." Alex instructed Ella.

With the help of some of Tammy's staff, they loaded the suit up into their truck. Ella took the driver's seat as Alex rode shotgun. 

As Ella turned the truck on, Alex stuck his head and arm out of the window. "Put it on my tab Tammy, then go to hell." He waved to her.

Tammy gave a brief laugh and waved back to him.

The truck sped off and the team radioed the team to get the operating room ready again.