Primeval Fic: Reboot - Part 2 (Ex-Art Fic)
Nov. 1st, 2018 05:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
knitekatTitle: Reboot – Part 2
Author: knitekat
Word Count: ~3535 out of a total of ~14555.
Characters: Nick Cutter, Stephen Hart, James Lester plus ARC team.
Rating: 18
Disclaimer: Primeval belongs to Impossible Pictures. Certainly not me. Writing for fun and will replace.
A/N 1: Based on eriah211's art fic prompt here - I didn’t finish it in time due to a plot hole, which I hope I’ve now solved. Hope you enjoy it.
AN 2: Thanks go to fififolle for the beta. All remaining mistakes are mine.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
“Let me see if I understand you correctly,” I said, not that I believed stating his plan out loud would convince Hart of its idiocy. “You plan to, somehow, attract the attention of 20 or so Predators by wandering around Leek’s base without getting killed before leading them, Pied Piper fashion, to the cage room. Where you will somehow hold them off long enough to activate the feeding siren and wait for the other creatures to arrive. Then you expect to be able to lock one door before making it unharmed across the entire fifty foot room full of dangerous man-killers and escape through the opposite door? Who do you think you are?” I almost demanded.
“I was planning on activating the siren first, it will be safer once the creatures are locked in the cage room,” Hart said, obviously feeling it was a reasonable reply.
“Safer?” I muttered in disbelief. “Do you have any idea how to attract that number of Predators without them killing you?”
“I’ll think of something,” Hart replied.
“Really? Are you...”
I was cut off by Cutter’s, “The Predators only escaped because I short-circuited Leek’s control over them, if I don’t...”
“Nick!” Hart cut in, reaching out to grab Cutter. “You can’t, they’d rip you apart limb from limb.”
“If it saves the world,” Cutter said simply.
I sometimes wondered who I’d pissed off to be landed with two such suicidally-courageous idiots. “And then Leek gets his own personal army to terrorise everyone with?” I paused for a moment before adding, “And how long would he be able to control them before they escaped and killed everyone anyway? He might even send them to other countries and the world would be even worse off when they do escape.”
“So what do you suggest we do?” Hart rounded on me.
“I’m sure you’ll find an alternative,” I murmured, knowing I had to stop this discussion before we spent the next week going around in circles. A week we didn’t have and, with time running out, I clapped me hands together to gain their attention. “Chop, chop, gentlemen. you’ve got a reality to change and a world to save.”
“Aren’t you coming?” Hart asked, surprising me considering I didn’t believe he liked me, he certainly didn’t trust me.
“Someone’s got to hold the fort,” I told him, my thoughts already turning to the number of tasks I had to complete before my meeting with the Security Council.
“You’ll die!” Cutter stated bluntly. “Either the Predators or...”
“You have a poor opinion of my abilities, Professor,” I cut in, although I couldn’t say I was surprised by his outburst, Cutter never had held a high opinion of me.
“No, Lester… James,” Cutter continued as if I hadn’t interrupted him. “Don’t die here just to make amends for something you couldn’t prevent.”
“Cutter...” I began, how dare he compare me to them, I, after all, had a plan.
“No!” Cutter glanced at Hart for a moment before nodding. “Either we all go or we all stay.”
I couldn’t help smiling at his words. “I’m not, thank God, you, Cutter,” I said, although I had to swallow hard before I could continue, “And you are no Captain Ryan.”
“Look,” Cutter said, running a hand through his hair and leaving it looking somewhat surprised. “We need you with us.”
I couldn’t imagine why, after all, Cutter had made it clear he considered me nothing more than a pencil-pushing government hatchet-man. It appeared Hart agreed with me when he muttered, “We do?” and earned himself a glare from Cutter.
“Yes, we do.” Cutter looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking. “Look, Lester, when the timeline change originally occurred, you didn’t believe me. You thought I was mad or having a breakdown or something.”
“Well, yes,” I admitted cautiously, wondering where he was going with his argument and why he was suddenly so concerned about what happened to me. We had never really been friends, even in this doomed world.
“So,” Cutter continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “Just what do you think your reaction would be if Stephen and I just turned up and told you Helen would cause the end of the world?”
“I’d probably section you,” I told him before adding, “However, we have enough evidence here to convince even the most sceptical and I would judge myself harshly if I’d sent you through without proof.”
Cutter let out an exasperated noise, one that had me wondering once again why he was so persistent in his attempt to get me to accompany them. “Look, Lester, even if we took all the evidence we could, there is nothing to stop someone.”
“You,” Hart cut in. “Or Leek if he is still there.”
“Someone,” Cutter said loudly, glaring Hart into silence. “Saying it is fake. That we made it all up.”
“And why would you?” I asked, even though I agreed their story would appear far-fetched and that I, for one, would not believe them if I hadn’t already known the truth. However, that just meant I would have to ensure the evidence I provided them with was the absolute best I could find, evidence that would stand up to whatever tests my counterpart could subject it to.
“Look,” Cutter yelled before forcing himself to calm down. “It would make all our lives easier if you just came with us. You’d be in charge of the ARC. You could help us behind the scenes. Helen and Leek would never believe we could be working together.”
“Before all this happened, would you?” I asked. Considering how much Hart still distrusted me, how often Cutter and I argued, no one would ever think for a second that we could be be allies.
“I might not like you,” Hart began.
“Or trust me?” I added, hearing those words even though Hart hadn’t uttered them.
“Or that,” Hart agreed quite happily. “But Nick’s right. It would be easier if you’re with us. You’d already know we’ll telling the truth and could help us, rather than us having to waste time trying to convince you.” He frown for a moment before adding, “And that would increase the risk of Helen’s accomplice finding out and telling Helen we know her plan. We could still fail!”
“Maybe,” I conceded, after all, things would – probably be easier if we weren’t working at cross-purposes and Hart was right about the risk of Helen finding out and changing her plans. “But you’ve forgotten one thing.”
“What?” Cutter sounded exasperated. “Why do you want to stay in this world? You’ll die!”
I had no plans to die, especially not if Lorraine had followed through with my plans and she had never failed me. I knew I had to convince Cutter but I couldn’t tell him the truth, if only because it was unsanctioned by my so-called superiors and they’d do their best to stop us if they discovered what I – what we had planned. Not that I needed to as I had another answer to his question. “What you’ve forgotten,” I repeated, “is that I’ve never been through an anomaly.”
“Maybe it’s time to change that,” Cutter replied, sounding rather tired.
“As I was saying,” I pronounced each word clearly, hoping they’d get through Cutter’s thick skull. “I’ve never been through an anomaly. How would we explain a second James Lester turning up through an anomaly?” I paused, making sure both men understood that before I continued, “We’d be locked up and the key thrown away. We’d never have the chance to stop the Predators. Anything we told our captors would be dismissed out of hand as one of Helen’s plots.” I shook my head, hoping Cutter would just agree. “No, you need to go without me, it is our only chance to stop this apocalypse.”
“I...” Cutter began before shaking his head and I knew he was still going to try and convince me to go with them, the man really was far too stubborn for his own good. “Look, when I came through, I replaced myself in this world. I’m hoping it will work the same way.”
I just stared at him. “Can I point out you ‘swapped’ places with a Nicholas Cutter who had also stepped through an anomaly. I haven’t been through one,” I repeated, almost smiling at him when I added, “You’re grasping at straws, Professor.”
“I know,” Cutter replied. “But we’ve got to try. Stephen’s right about needing you there, on our side from the start.”
“Maybe,” I agreed, raising a hand before Cutter could think he’d won this argument. “Yes, I agree if I was there that the risk of Helen’s double agent finding out we knew about her plan would be considerably reduced, however,” I paused, knowing Cutter wasn’t going to give up, even with the risk of there being two of me, and I cast about for another argument. “Even if I did somehow ‘replace’ myself, there is no way of knowing if I’d still be in a position to help you. I might not be in charge of the ARC. I might not even be supposed to know about it.”
“Are you telling me you couldn’t claw your way back up the greasy pole?” Hart muttered.
I decided to take the higher ground and ignore Hart’s comment. “And that doesn’t help if I’m...” I trailed off, unsure how to finish my sentence.
“Leek’s assistant?” Hart suggested, obviously enjoying the thought of me being at Leek’s bloody beck-and-call. I was going to ignore him, knowing it would only encourage him, when he added, “Which would make you the traitor.”
“For the last bloody time,” I snarled. “I’m not working with Helen. Why the hell would I be?”
“Not here,” Cutter said, a thoughtful look on his face. “But you might be there… and that could give us an advantage.”
I just stared at them for a moment, reluctantly acknowledging Cutter’s logic, before I remembered my carefully thought out argument. “As I recall, you were the only one who survived the events in the Permian.” I paused, almost overwhelmed as I remembered who I’d lost that day, but now was not the time for regret. “The only one who changed...”
“Timelines?” Cutter suggested when I paused, searching for a suitable word.
“Timelines,” I agreed. “Was you, not Hart and certainly not me.”
“Look,” Cutter said firmly. “The point it, I can’t do this alone. I need help.” Several expressions crossed his face in quick secession before he grinned. “And if the three of us go through, we’ve already changed something.”
“So take Hart with you,” I said, grimacing as I sipped my now-cold coffee.
“No,” Cutter said before glancing at Hart when he made a noise. “I mean, obviously Hart’s coming with me.” He paused for a moment, a thoughtful look on his face. “But that doesn’t change the fact that we need you with us as well.” He took a step towards me. “I’m not leaving you here to die, James.”
I glanced at the two men before biting back a sigh, Cutter was more stubborn than a mule and Hart, for all that he distrusted me, would follow Cutter’s lead. I knew neither man would leave me here, they’d let the world burn first and well, I couldn’t have that. “Fine.”
“Fine?” Cutter said, suspicion clear in his voice.
“Fine,” I repeated, adding, “I’ll come,” just to make sure Cutter understood.
“You will?” Hart said, clearly not believing me either.
I threw my hands up in exasperation. “Bloody hell, what do you want? Something signed in blood?”
“No,” Cutter said smiling. “Your word will do.”
When Cutter folded his arms and just stared at me, I knew he’d stand there until I gave my word to him. “Fine, you have my word.” I fixed both infuriating men with one of my sternest looks. “Now, I suggest you organise supplies for our little trip.” I noticed Hart’s grin at the distaste I put into those final words.
“And what will you be doing?” Cutter queried, obviously wanting to make sure I didn’t make a run for it… although quite where he thought I’d go in this doomed world, I had no idea. He was like a bloody dog with a bone, even once he had got his own way.
“I, Cutter, will be downloading and copying the proof we will need to convince people.” I paused before adding, “Including myself if there does end up being two of me.”
I glanced at Hart when he groaned, quirking an eyebrow before I rolled my eyes when he simply said, “One of you is more than enough.”
“Chop, chop, gentlemen.” I glanced at my watch. “The PM is due in conference with the Security Council and without my input...” I allowed my words to trail off when both Cutter’s and Hart’s eyes widened in understanding.
“Fuck!” Hart exclaimed. “We’re on a deadline to get to the anomaly?”
“Of course,” I replied as I washed and dried my cutlery and crockery. I turned back to them. “Do hurry up, gentlemen, I haven’t got all day.” I walked out of the rest-room and turned down the corridor which would take me back to my office. I used that time to consider what evidence to take to prove Cutter’s – our – outlandish story. That and I knew I would also need to contact Lorraine and inform her of my change in plans, that she would now be in charge of the evacuation.
I froze for a second when the shrill sound of a perimeter breach alarm sounded, before grabbing the files I had selected and placed them inside my briefcase. My gaze kept being drawn back to my door as I waited for my computer to finish copying the final files onto a memory stick. A loud clang had me jumping, almost snatching the memory stick before it was ready. I took a deep breath to calm myself, wincing slightly as it pulled my scar, and drew my pistol. My gaze was locked on the door as I waited the seemingly never-ending seconds for the download to be completed.
I pocketed the memory stick before taking the time to close my computer down properly, the end of the world was no reason to cut corners. I paused for a moment before I opened a drawer in my desk and pocketed the ammunition clips within. I took the time for a final look around my office, mentally checking that I had everything I needed, before nodding and moving towards the door, my briefcase in one hand and the pistol in the other. Thankful that the door was reinforced glass, I peered outside before cautiously opening it and stepping out onto the balcony, remembering when I’d done this before, when fucking Leek had set a trap for me inside my own building. I swallowed, knowing my mammoth was gone, taken to safety by Lorraine along with the rest of the menagerie. If a Predator was within these walls, I had only my pistol for protection – oh, and two scientists.
I slowly descended the ramp, every nerve stretched to near breaking point, my gaze darting everywhere for danger. I jumped as a second clang sounded, backing slowly down the ramp before spinning in case whatever it was had appeared behind me. It took all my willpower to walk slowly, the urge to run almost overwhelming as the memory of that day resurfaced. Except I knew I couldn’t run, not when I had no idea what might be roaming the ARC and not when Cutter and Hart were supposed to meet me here. It would be far more dangerous to end up searching for each other, not to mention wasting time we didn’t have.
I spun when I heard a scuffle behind me, stepping backwards to open up space between whatever had made that sound and myself, reminding myself that I couldn’t fire until I identified my target. It really wouldn’t do to shoot one of my new allies… or for that matter, anyone the minister might have despatched to look for me, considering I was late for our meeting. Bloody hell, where were Cutter and Hart? Movement to my left had me whirling to face it, my finger tightening on the trigger.
I jerked the pistol to one side, barely keeping from firing it, when I found myself, once again, face-to-face with a surprised-looking Cutter. “Fuck!” I hissed through my teeth as my pounding heart slowed.
“Come on,” Hart said, amusement dancing in his eyes, I assume in reaction to my swearing.
I frowned when I recognised the weapon clutched in his hands. “Hart? Are we expecting Moby Dick?”
“What?” Hart asked before following my gaze. “Um. It was the first thing I grabbed when the alarm sounded.” He shrugged. “It might come in useful.”
“Mmm.” That sounded suspiciously as if he hadn’t noticed immediately, not until it had been too late to exchange it for a more useful weapon. I glanced at Cutter, noting that he was more sensibly armed. “Did you obtain a weapon for me?”
“Er,” Cutter mumbled.
I allowed myself the luxury of an eye roll. “So, we have a pistol, a rifle and a harpoon gun? Lets just hope we don’t encounter too many unfriendlies, shall we?
“Have you got the evidence?” Cutter demanded.
“I have,” I replied in my haughtiest tones, clearly implying that I had done my part in the plan, even if they’d failed to organise supplies for our little trip.
“Look,” Hart cut in, clearly hoping to stop an impending argument. “We can worry about weapons later.” He glanced around the atrium before continuing, “Something set the alarm off, we need to leave before it gets here.”
I nodded. Hart was correct and it was time to leave, before either a Predator showed up, or one of the minister’s men, and either would slow down our departure, if not stop us. Cutter muttered something in, I assumed, Scottish, but he gave a stiff nod of argument too.
“I do hope your Hilux is fuelled and ready, Cutter.” I started to walk towards the garage without waiting for him to answer, every sense alert for whatever danger we might encounter.
“My car?” Cutter said, surprise clear in his voice.
I turned and gave him a look, one I had perfected over the years to show I clearly doubted the intelligence of the individual I used it on. “I’m hardly going to take my Mercedes to the Forest of Dean.”
“Wait up.”
I turned at Hart’s voice, only then noticing the extra backpack on the floor beside him, black and well-used. It would clash with my suit… Bloody hell, I really wasn’t dressed to go tramping about in the Forest of Dean or the Permian. Not that my sartorial concerns should be my top priority at the moment and I quirked an expectant eyebrow at Hart. I almost smiled when he muttered something I assumed wasn’t complimentary as he bent down to pick up ‘my’ backpack.
It was only when Hart straightened and I saw his eyes widening that I realised we had all lowered our guards. I heard and felt something splat on my suit as I spun and moved backwards, feeling the disgusting mess slide down my back. I cursed my rookie mistake when I realised I had stopped in the garage doorway and looked upwards, almost freezing at the sight of my nightmare clinging to the ceiling like some sort of grotesque bat, it clicked, using its sonar to zero in on me. More drops of saliva dripped onto the floor around me, one landing on my highly polished Italian brogues and I only shook off my shock when Hart yelled at me to move.
I threw myself backwards at the same moment it leapt at me. I fired point-blank at it and saw red blossom on its chest, but I knew I hadn’t stopped it, not when even an FN M249 PARAtrooper hadn’t managed to drop one. Time seemed to slow down and I could see every detail so clearly as the Predator came at me. The pores scattered over its skin, the sharp teeth gleaming in its jaws, the claws glistening with red, droplets flying as its arm finished a sweep. I felt pain explode in my chest and then I was falling, the floor cold and hard beneath me. I felt my hand strike the floor and heard my pistol clatter out of my grip. I could hear distant yells but my attention was fixed on the Predator looming over me. I watched as saliva slithered down those sharp teeth until the drops hung precariously above me, threatening at any moment to splatter onto my suit. I felt its breath on my face, the stench of rotten meat filled my nostrils and made me want to gag. I swallowed convulsively, I might be about to die here but I refused to face my death with anything but dignity. I watched as it reared back, the gory claws raised once more as my blood dripped from them to patter onto the floor.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Author: knitekat
Word Count: ~3535 out of a total of ~14555.
Characters: Nick Cutter, Stephen Hart, James Lester plus ARC team.
Rating: 18
Disclaimer: Primeval belongs to Impossible Pictures. Certainly not me. Writing for fun and will replace.
A/N 1: Based on eriah211's art fic prompt here - I didn’t finish it in time due to a plot hole, which I hope I’ve now solved. Hope you enjoy it.
AN 2: Thanks go to fififolle for the beta. All remaining mistakes are mine.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
“Let me see if I understand you correctly,” I said, not that I believed stating his plan out loud would convince Hart of its idiocy. “You plan to, somehow, attract the attention of 20 or so Predators by wandering around Leek’s base without getting killed before leading them, Pied Piper fashion, to the cage room. Where you will somehow hold them off long enough to activate the feeding siren and wait for the other creatures to arrive. Then you expect to be able to lock one door before making it unharmed across the entire fifty foot room full of dangerous man-killers and escape through the opposite door? Who do you think you are?” I almost demanded.
“I was planning on activating the siren first, it will be safer once the creatures are locked in the cage room,” Hart said, obviously feeling it was a reasonable reply.
“Safer?” I muttered in disbelief. “Do you have any idea how to attract that number of Predators without them killing you?”
“I’ll think of something,” Hart replied.
“Really? Are you...”
I was cut off by Cutter’s, “The Predators only escaped because I short-circuited Leek’s control over them, if I don’t...”
“Nick!” Hart cut in, reaching out to grab Cutter. “You can’t, they’d rip you apart limb from limb.”
“If it saves the world,” Cutter said simply.
I sometimes wondered who I’d pissed off to be landed with two such suicidally-courageous idiots. “And then Leek gets his own personal army to terrorise everyone with?” I paused for a moment before adding, “And how long would he be able to control them before they escaped and killed everyone anyway? He might even send them to other countries and the world would be even worse off when they do escape.”
“So what do you suggest we do?” Hart rounded on me.
“I’m sure you’ll find an alternative,” I murmured, knowing I had to stop this discussion before we spent the next week going around in circles. A week we didn’t have and, with time running out, I clapped me hands together to gain their attention. “Chop, chop, gentlemen. you’ve got a reality to change and a world to save.”
“Aren’t you coming?” Hart asked, surprising me considering I didn’t believe he liked me, he certainly didn’t trust me.
“Someone’s got to hold the fort,” I told him, my thoughts already turning to the number of tasks I had to complete before my meeting with the Security Council.
“You’ll die!” Cutter stated bluntly. “Either the Predators or...”
“You have a poor opinion of my abilities, Professor,” I cut in, although I couldn’t say I was surprised by his outburst, Cutter never had held a high opinion of me.
“No, Lester… James,” Cutter continued as if I hadn’t interrupted him. “Don’t die here just to make amends for something you couldn’t prevent.”
“Cutter...” I began, how dare he compare me to them, I, after all, had a plan.
“No!” Cutter glanced at Hart for a moment before nodding. “Either we all go or we all stay.”
I couldn’t help smiling at his words. “I’m not, thank God, you, Cutter,” I said, although I had to swallow hard before I could continue, “And you are no Captain Ryan.”
“Look,” Cutter said, running a hand through his hair and leaving it looking somewhat surprised. “We need you with us.”
I couldn’t imagine why, after all, Cutter had made it clear he considered me nothing more than a pencil-pushing government hatchet-man. It appeared Hart agreed with me when he muttered, “We do?” and earned himself a glare from Cutter.
“Yes, we do.” Cutter looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking. “Look, Lester, when the timeline change originally occurred, you didn’t believe me. You thought I was mad or having a breakdown or something.”
“Well, yes,” I admitted cautiously, wondering where he was going with his argument and why he was suddenly so concerned about what happened to me. We had never really been friends, even in this doomed world.
“So,” Cutter continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “Just what do you think your reaction would be if Stephen and I just turned up and told you Helen would cause the end of the world?”
“I’d probably section you,” I told him before adding, “However, we have enough evidence here to convince even the most sceptical and I would judge myself harshly if I’d sent you through without proof.”
Cutter let out an exasperated noise, one that had me wondering once again why he was so persistent in his attempt to get me to accompany them. “Look, Lester, even if we took all the evidence we could, there is nothing to stop someone.”
“You,” Hart cut in. “Or Leek if he is still there.”
“Someone,” Cutter said loudly, glaring Hart into silence. “Saying it is fake. That we made it all up.”
“And why would you?” I asked, even though I agreed their story would appear far-fetched and that I, for one, would not believe them if I hadn’t already known the truth. However, that just meant I would have to ensure the evidence I provided them with was the absolute best I could find, evidence that would stand up to whatever tests my counterpart could subject it to.
“Look,” Cutter yelled before forcing himself to calm down. “It would make all our lives easier if you just came with us. You’d be in charge of the ARC. You could help us behind the scenes. Helen and Leek would never believe we could be working together.”
“Before all this happened, would you?” I asked. Considering how much Hart still distrusted me, how often Cutter and I argued, no one would ever think for a second that we could be be allies.
“I might not like you,” Hart began.
“Or trust me?” I added, hearing those words even though Hart hadn’t uttered them.
“Or that,” Hart agreed quite happily. “But Nick’s right. It would be easier if you’re with us. You’d already know we’ll telling the truth and could help us, rather than us having to waste time trying to convince you.” He frown for a moment before adding, “And that would increase the risk of Helen’s accomplice finding out and telling Helen we know her plan. We could still fail!”
“Maybe,” I conceded, after all, things would – probably be easier if we weren’t working at cross-purposes and Hart was right about the risk of Helen finding out and changing her plans. “But you’ve forgotten one thing.”
“What?” Cutter sounded exasperated. “Why do you want to stay in this world? You’ll die!”
I had no plans to die, especially not if Lorraine had followed through with my plans and she had never failed me. I knew I had to convince Cutter but I couldn’t tell him the truth, if only because it was unsanctioned by my so-called superiors and they’d do their best to stop us if they discovered what I – what we had planned. Not that I needed to as I had another answer to his question. “What you’ve forgotten,” I repeated, “is that I’ve never been through an anomaly.”
“Maybe it’s time to change that,” Cutter replied, sounding rather tired.
“As I was saying,” I pronounced each word clearly, hoping they’d get through Cutter’s thick skull. “I’ve never been through an anomaly. How would we explain a second James Lester turning up through an anomaly?” I paused, making sure both men understood that before I continued, “We’d be locked up and the key thrown away. We’d never have the chance to stop the Predators. Anything we told our captors would be dismissed out of hand as one of Helen’s plots.” I shook my head, hoping Cutter would just agree. “No, you need to go without me, it is our only chance to stop this apocalypse.”
“I...” Cutter began before shaking his head and I knew he was still going to try and convince me to go with them, the man really was far too stubborn for his own good. “Look, when I came through, I replaced myself in this world. I’m hoping it will work the same way.”
I just stared at him. “Can I point out you ‘swapped’ places with a Nicholas Cutter who had also stepped through an anomaly. I haven’t been through one,” I repeated, almost smiling at him when I added, “You’re grasping at straws, Professor.”
“I know,” Cutter replied. “But we’ve got to try. Stephen’s right about needing you there, on our side from the start.”
“Maybe,” I agreed, raising a hand before Cutter could think he’d won this argument. “Yes, I agree if I was there that the risk of Helen’s double agent finding out we knew about her plan would be considerably reduced, however,” I paused, knowing Cutter wasn’t going to give up, even with the risk of there being two of me, and I cast about for another argument. “Even if I did somehow ‘replace’ myself, there is no way of knowing if I’d still be in a position to help you. I might not be in charge of the ARC. I might not even be supposed to know about it.”
“Are you telling me you couldn’t claw your way back up the greasy pole?” Hart muttered.
I decided to take the higher ground and ignore Hart’s comment. “And that doesn’t help if I’m...” I trailed off, unsure how to finish my sentence.
“Leek’s assistant?” Hart suggested, obviously enjoying the thought of me being at Leek’s bloody beck-and-call. I was going to ignore him, knowing it would only encourage him, when he added, “Which would make you the traitor.”
“For the last bloody time,” I snarled. “I’m not working with Helen. Why the hell would I be?”
“Not here,” Cutter said, a thoughtful look on his face. “But you might be there… and that could give us an advantage.”
I just stared at them for a moment, reluctantly acknowledging Cutter’s logic, before I remembered my carefully thought out argument. “As I recall, you were the only one who survived the events in the Permian.” I paused, almost overwhelmed as I remembered who I’d lost that day, but now was not the time for regret. “The only one who changed...”
“Timelines?” Cutter suggested when I paused, searching for a suitable word.
“Timelines,” I agreed. “Was you, not Hart and certainly not me.”
“Look,” Cutter said firmly. “The point it, I can’t do this alone. I need help.” Several expressions crossed his face in quick secession before he grinned. “And if the three of us go through, we’ve already changed something.”
“So take Hart with you,” I said, grimacing as I sipped my now-cold coffee.
“No,” Cutter said before glancing at Hart when he made a noise. “I mean, obviously Hart’s coming with me.” He paused for a moment, a thoughtful look on his face. “But that doesn’t change the fact that we need you with us as well.” He took a step towards me. “I’m not leaving you here to die, James.”
I glanced at the two men before biting back a sigh, Cutter was more stubborn than a mule and Hart, for all that he distrusted me, would follow Cutter’s lead. I knew neither man would leave me here, they’d let the world burn first and well, I couldn’t have that. “Fine.”
“Fine?” Cutter said, suspicion clear in his voice.
“Fine,” I repeated, adding, “I’ll come,” just to make sure Cutter understood.
“You will?” Hart said, clearly not believing me either.
I threw my hands up in exasperation. “Bloody hell, what do you want? Something signed in blood?”
“No,” Cutter said smiling. “Your word will do.”
When Cutter folded his arms and just stared at me, I knew he’d stand there until I gave my word to him. “Fine, you have my word.” I fixed both infuriating men with one of my sternest looks. “Now, I suggest you organise supplies for our little trip.” I noticed Hart’s grin at the distaste I put into those final words.
“And what will you be doing?” Cutter queried, obviously wanting to make sure I didn’t make a run for it… although quite where he thought I’d go in this doomed world, I had no idea. He was like a bloody dog with a bone, even once he had got his own way.
“I, Cutter, will be downloading and copying the proof we will need to convince people.” I paused before adding, “Including myself if there does end up being two of me.”
I glanced at Hart when he groaned, quirking an eyebrow before I rolled my eyes when he simply said, “One of you is more than enough.”
“Chop, chop, gentlemen.” I glanced at my watch. “The PM is due in conference with the Security Council and without my input...” I allowed my words to trail off when both Cutter’s and Hart’s eyes widened in understanding.
“Fuck!” Hart exclaimed. “We’re on a deadline to get to the anomaly?”
“Of course,” I replied as I washed and dried my cutlery and crockery. I turned back to them. “Do hurry up, gentlemen, I haven’t got all day.” I walked out of the rest-room and turned down the corridor which would take me back to my office. I used that time to consider what evidence to take to prove Cutter’s – our – outlandish story. That and I knew I would also need to contact Lorraine and inform her of my change in plans, that she would now be in charge of the evacuation.
***
I froze for a second when the shrill sound of a perimeter breach alarm sounded, before grabbing the files I had selected and placed them inside my briefcase. My gaze kept being drawn back to my door as I waited for my computer to finish copying the final files onto a memory stick. A loud clang had me jumping, almost snatching the memory stick before it was ready. I took a deep breath to calm myself, wincing slightly as it pulled my scar, and drew my pistol. My gaze was locked on the door as I waited the seemingly never-ending seconds for the download to be completed.
I pocketed the memory stick before taking the time to close my computer down properly, the end of the world was no reason to cut corners. I paused for a moment before I opened a drawer in my desk and pocketed the ammunition clips within. I took the time for a final look around my office, mentally checking that I had everything I needed, before nodding and moving towards the door, my briefcase in one hand and the pistol in the other. Thankful that the door was reinforced glass, I peered outside before cautiously opening it and stepping out onto the balcony, remembering when I’d done this before, when fucking Leek had set a trap for me inside my own building. I swallowed, knowing my mammoth was gone, taken to safety by Lorraine along with the rest of the menagerie. If a Predator was within these walls, I had only my pistol for protection – oh, and two scientists.
I slowly descended the ramp, every nerve stretched to near breaking point, my gaze darting everywhere for danger. I jumped as a second clang sounded, backing slowly down the ramp before spinning in case whatever it was had appeared behind me. It took all my willpower to walk slowly, the urge to run almost overwhelming as the memory of that day resurfaced. Except I knew I couldn’t run, not when I had no idea what might be roaming the ARC and not when Cutter and Hart were supposed to meet me here. It would be far more dangerous to end up searching for each other, not to mention wasting time we didn’t have.
I spun when I heard a scuffle behind me, stepping backwards to open up space between whatever had made that sound and myself, reminding myself that I couldn’t fire until I identified my target. It really wouldn’t do to shoot one of my new allies… or for that matter, anyone the minister might have despatched to look for me, considering I was late for our meeting. Bloody hell, where were Cutter and Hart? Movement to my left had me whirling to face it, my finger tightening on the trigger.
I jerked the pistol to one side, barely keeping from firing it, when I found myself, once again, face-to-face with a surprised-looking Cutter. “Fuck!” I hissed through my teeth as my pounding heart slowed.
“Come on,” Hart said, amusement dancing in his eyes, I assume in reaction to my swearing.
I frowned when I recognised the weapon clutched in his hands. “Hart? Are we expecting Moby Dick?”
“What?” Hart asked before following my gaze. “Um. It was the first thing I grabbed when the alarm sounded.” He shrugged. “It might come in useful.”
“Mmm.” That sounded suspiciously as if he hadn’t noticed immediately, not until it had been too late to exchange it for a more useful weapon. I glanced at Cutter, noting that he was more sensibly armed. “Did you obtain a weapon for me?”
“Er,” Cutter mumbled.
I allowed myself the luxury of an eye roll. “So, we have a pistol, a rifle and a harpoon gun? Lets just hope we don’t encounter too many unfriendlies, shall we?
“Have you got the evidence?” Cutter demanded.
“I have,” I replied in my haughtiest tones, clearly implying that I had done my part in the plan, even if they’d failed to organise supplies for our little trip.
“Look,” Hart cut in, clearly hoping to stop an impending argument. “We can worry about weapons later.” He glanced around the atrium before continuing, “Something set the alarm off, we need to leave before it gets here.”
I nodded. Hart was correct and it was time to leave, before either a Predator showed up, or one of the minister’s men, and either would slow down our departure, if not stop us. Cutter muttered something in, I assumed, Scottish, but he gave a stiff nod of argument too.
“I do hope your Hilux is fuelled and ready, Cutter.” I started to walk towards the garage without waiting for him to answer, every sense alert for whatever danger we might encounter.
“My car?” Cutter said, surprise clear in his voice.
I turned and gave him a look, one I had perfected over the years to show I clearly doubted the intelligence of the individual I used it on. “I’m hardly going to take my Mercedes to the Forest of Dean.”
“Wait up.”
I turned at Hart’s voice, only then noticing the extra backpack on the floor beside him, black and well-used. It would clash with my suit… Bloody hell, I really wasn’t dressed to go tramping about in the Forest of Dean or the Permian. Not that my sartorial concerns should be my top priority at the moment and I quirked an expectant eyebrow at Hart. I almost smiled when he muttered something I assumed wasn’t complimentary as he bent down to pick up ‘my’ backpack.
It was only when Hart straightened and I saw his eyes widening that I realised we had all lowered our guards. I heard and felt something splat on my suit as I spun and moved backwards, feeling the disgusting mess slide down my back. I cursed my rookie mistake when I realised I had stopped in the garage doorway and looked upwards, almost freezing at the sight of my nightmare clinging to the ceiling like some sort of grotesque bat, it clicked, using its sonar to zero in on me. More drops of saliva dripped onto the floor around me, one landing on my highly polished Italian brogues and I only shook off my shock when Hart yelled at me to move.
I threw myself backwards at the same moment it leapt at me. I fired point-blank at it and saw red blossom on its chest, but I knew I hadn’t stopped it, not when even an FN M249 PARAtrooper hadn’t managed to drop one. Time seemed to slow down and I could see every detail so clearly as the Predator came at me. The pores scattered over its skin, the sharp teeth gleaming in its jaws, the claws glistening with red, droplets flying as its arm finished a sweep. I felt pain explode in my chest and then I was falling, the floor cold and hard beneath me. I felt my hand strike the floor and heard my pistol clatter out of my grip. I could hear distant yells but my attention was fixed on the Predator looming over me. I watched as saliva slithered down those sharp teeth until the drops hung precariously above me, threatening at any moment to splatter onto my suit. I felt its breath on my face, the stench of rotten meat filled my nostrils and made me want to gag. I swallowed convulsively, I might be about to die here but I refused to face my death with anything but dignity. I watched as it reared back, the gory claws raised once more as my blood dripped from them to patter onto the floor.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
