The Fine Line of Revenge (12 page)

‘Stand against the wall and don’t move,’ Sperafico ordered.  Anjo stepped back as she watched him rotate one of the table’s spindly legs.  With great force the table was tipped on its side, a square of the stone floor rising with it, revealing a deep shaft.  He shone the light down into the depth of the hole.  The light exposed a wooden ladder to the side of the shaft, fastened with rusting brackets.

‘Get in and don’t try anything stupid.’  Anjo decided to go along, she would have her moment if he let her live long enough.  She dropped into the shaft and descended slowly, the air damp, dark and cold.  She looked up, shivering slightly, as Sperafico dropped in after her, one hand on the ladder, the other continuing to grip his firearm, pointing it in her direction.

Maddox had taken the two men from the roof and they made way to ground level.  They waited at the rear of the building as the five commandos came into view.  Maddox opened fire.  His M16 vibrated vigorously in his hands, empty shells littering the dusty floor.  The other two men joined in.  A multitude of bullets sprayed the air.  The commandos ducked for cover but there wasn’t much to shelter behind.  One took a shot to the head. The other four positioned themselves flat on the ground firing their weapons at an excessive rate.  The retaliation sent Maddox ducking for cover, but it was too late for his men. Both received multiple bullets to the chest.  Maddox waited for the silence and sprang from the safety of the stone wall.  He fired rapidly to the ground and dove back behind the wall, as three bullets practically hit him.  His suicidal attempt had wounded another, this time in the shoulder.

Alex and his party had made their way down to the cell level and had switched on the lights.  The GEKO was inanimate at the foot of the doorway to Jack’s cell.  Four of Blue Company, with Alex and Dylan, had entered the building and made their way down to the cells.  Two men stayed at the entrance to the cell section and the others ventured to the door in question.  Dylan picked up the GEKO and held it in his hands, inspecting its exterior for damage.  The cell door was thick but had a large keyhole.  Alex whispered through the opening, hoping to alert them to their presence.

‘If you can hear me, give a response.’ It was Paulo that heard the faint whispers.

‘Yes’

‘Stand back from the door and cover yourselves if you can, do you understand?’

‘Yes,’ Paulo turned, warning the others.  Jack descended and huddled them all into the corner and being Jack, tried to spread himself around them.  The team placed a small amount of C4 on each of the hinges and into the gap of the door lock.  Each was primed with a small remote detonator.  The team headed out of the corridor and the trigger was pressed.  Both parties on either side of the door had placed their fingers firmly in their ears.   The C4 exploded. A significant rumble echoed through the building.

Maddox had retreated to the armoury.  He felt the slight tremor of the explosion, ‘That must be the cells,’ he announced to the two remaining men.  They all grabbed another two magazines for their rifles and attached grenade launchers.  ‘Don’t spare the bullets,’ Maddox said angrily.  They left the armoury and headed for the cells.

The door to the cells had suffered severe damage and it was lying on the floor in pieces.  From the dust and smoke, Jack emerged, stepping over the debris.  Alex was pleased to see him.

‘What the hell are you doing here?’ Jack asked.

‘Where the hell are your boots?’ Alex replied.

‘Well, we did have an escape plan.’

‘Was it to knock out the guards with your smelly feet?’ Alex said laughing.  Paulo passed Jack his boots and he quickly put them on.

‘Right, we need to get out of here,’ Alex began, ‘the rest of the unit are looking for Grimlock, were here to retrieve him and finish off Sperafico.’

‘He has Anjo. Have you found her? There’s no telling what he might have done to her,’ Jack said, with concern.

‘If she is still alive and he has the sense, he will be holding her hostage.’ Alex swung a rifle from his shoulder and passed it to Jack. ‘It’s all loaded and ready, so lets finish what you came here to do.’  Jack didn’t have time to inspect the weapon; the echoes of gunfire at the end of the corridor startled him and the rest of the group.

‘Maddox,’ Dylan said.  The two commandos at the entrance to the cells had held their positions and were returning fire.  Maddox and the two men were at the top of the staircase, firing erratically down to the lower floor with no idea of what they were shooting at. The furious noise of the bullets continued.  The two commandos fired continuously in retaliation but were unable see their targets either. Neither party could advance. There was a moment’s silence.  Just as Maddox launched a grenade into the cell area, one landed at the feet of the other two men.  The two exploded simultaneously.   In the confined space of the cell area the explosion took out both of the commandos and sent a dust cloud swirling down the corridor to the cells.  Maddox’s men had attempted to jump for safety but were unsuccessful.  Maddox looked around and considered his options.  He turned and ran for his Jeep.  The group in the cell area listened to the silence.  Alex sent two of his team to investigate.  They discovered the charred bodies of their colleagues then made their way silently up the stairs, fingers poised on their triggers.  Hugging the wall, they reached the top just in time to hear the sound of the gunfire from the front gate.

The two men stationed at the fort’s entrance had concealed themselves at the sound of the Jeep leaving and fired upon its tyres as it exited into the surrounding jungle.  The Jeep came to an abrupt halt.

‘Throw down your weapons and step out of the vehicle,’ the young commando said, peering through the sight of his rifle, which was aimed precisely at the back of Maddox’s head.  He threw his rifle to the floor and stepped out of the Jeep.

‘Turn around slowly, we have you covered, any false moves, will be taken as hostile.’ The two commandos approached as Maddox turned around.  One gave him a pat-down down, as the other held his position.  The commando found nothing.  They secured Maddox’s hands behind his back with plasticuffs and marched him back into the compound as the rest of party emerged from the fort.

CHAPTER 11

A
njo had been waiting for an opportunity to gain control of the situation she was in.  Sperafico had obviously visualised such an attempt and had made every effort to keep on his guard.  The ladder’s outlet had been in the side of the cliffs, beyond the fort.  The sea spray rained on their faces, as they squinted, adapting to the lowering sunlight.  With Sperafico showing Anjo the way, they descended down the cliff and into a small cavern. In the dark, still water sat a brand new, white Stingray 230sx sports boat, its protective cover secured tightly over its cockpit.  Sperafico pulled off its bright blue cover and discarded it on the ground.  The keys were in the ignition for convenience.  Anjo was ushered on board, and with the barrel of his gun, he shoved her onto the rear seat.

‘It’s funny,’ he said ‘Maddox suggested I have this elaborate escape plan and purchase this boat. I thought it was a waste of money, but look at me now.  He’ll deal with your family and friends so don’t think you’ll be seeing them again.’

‘Then why do you need me, just let me go.’ Anjo replied.

‘Have you learned nothing of me Anjo, I don’t forgive very well,’ Sperafico chuckled.  He untied the boat from its moorings, using the rope to secure Anjo’s left hand to the handrail inside of the boat.  He sat in front of the steering wheel, started the boat and placed his right hand on the throttle.  He gently eased it forward and took the boat out through the dark cavern and into the ocean.

‘Hold on,’ he said with a smile and thrust the throttle downwards, the front end rearing like a wild stallion as the 320 rear horses sprang into life.

The remaining members of Blue Company and Jack’s entourage stood in the courtyard surrounding Maddox. The unit were attempting to make Maddox talk, but with no prevail.

‘You’ll never find him. And she’s as good as dead,’ Maddox answered, a proud smirk on his face.  Alex had updated Jack on the situation.  Jack had to see Grimlock for himself.  They all stood in the distance of the swinging corpse, considering their options.

‘So far this mission hasn’t been entirely successful,’ Alex said. ‘Can’t bring back Grimlock, although I’m sure we’ll have to somehow. Sperafico has once again eluded us, and it looked as if you would have done ok escaping without us. But we did find your groups kit in the armoury.’ It was at that moment that a valuable piece of information passed through their earpieces.

‘Apparently H.M.S Pursuit have been monitoring the coastline and a small boat has been spotted leaving this area, one driver and a passenger.  They’re headed south.’  Alex said, responding to the message.  Jack was about to respond when he stopped to listen to the faint sound of a familiar helicopter approaching.

‘Everyone make themselves scarce,’ he ordered.  It was a minute later that a helicopter appeared overhead hovering for a moment before touching down in the courtyard.  Jack couldn’t believe his luck.  The pilot switched off the engine to the MD520 and jumped out of the cockpit.  He casually made his way over to the forts buildings, slowing as he approached.  He had a concerned look upon his face.

‘He’s going to leave,’ Jack whispered to Alex ‘were going to have to take him out.’  Jack was right, noticing the lack of people, the pilot had become a little unsure and hastily retreated back to the helicopter.  As he reached the door, Jack fired his rifle grazing the side of his stomach where a bullet would do least damage. The chubby man slumped to the ground with shock holding his side, inspecting his bloody hand.  Despite the severe shock, the man attempted to stand and continued his return to the helicopter. Alex ordered four of his unit to apprehend the wounded pilot.  From out of nowhere they restrained him and dragged him off into the fort.  Jack ran to the 520, Alex following him.

‘This is the only way we can get her back. Get the team to make their way back to our boats and get Pursuit’s RIBS to pick everybody else up, we’ll need some personnel to retrieve the bodies.  I’m going after Sperafico and Anjo.’

‘Well, I’m coming too,’ Alex insisted, ‘you’re not having all the fun.’  They both jumped on board the helicopter and Jack started it up.  Alex gave out his orders as the rotors picked up speed.

Once airborne, they headed south in pursuit of Sperafico.

‘Haven’t forgotten how then Jack?’ Alex shouted with a grin.  The helicopter hugged the coastline picking up speed.  In minutes they had the Stingray in sight.  Jack took the 520 lower, approaching fast behind Sperafico’s boat.  Sperafico turned and picked up his gun.

‘If you have to shoot, aim for the dude,’ Jack told Alex.  Alex had no faith in the accuracy of the onboard guns and opted for his own.  With the helicopter steady, he fired his handgun at the boat.  The bullets hit the driver’s console causing Sperafico to steer hard to the left.  The boat zigzagged. Alex couldn’t get a steady shot.  Anjo was slipping from side to side, finding it hard to hold on.  Sperafico turned the wheel sharply again, turning the boat around, continuously meandering, attempting to lose the helicopter.  Jack followed him as if they were attached with a concealed cable.  The boat turned again, the front end viciously hitting a wake.  The jolt caused Anjo to fall overboard.  The boat was now at full throttle again.  Anjo, still attached to the handrail with the mooring rope, was being violently dragged through the water.  She found it hard to breath, gasping for a small amount of air at a time.  The rope around her wrist was tearing at her skin.  She grabbed hold of it to relieve the pain.  She had seen people water ski barefoot before so she tried to stand, but it was no use.  Alex jumped in the back of the helicopter, frantically throwing equipment everywhere.

‘What are you looking for?’ Jack shouted.

‘I was hoping to find a rope ladder, they must have one,’ Alex replied. ‘Take me down, we have to save her.’

‘I hope you know what you’re doing,’ Jack said, pushing the controls forward.

‘I’ll release her and then you finish him’.  Alex shouted, as he opened the door and stepped onto the skid, holding on as tight as he could.  Sperafico turned, firing at the helicopter.  Anjo continued to fight for her life, swallowing more and more water, the harsh, wet rope cutting further into her bleeding wrist.  Firing his gun and driving at the same time limited Sperafico’s movements.  Jack moved the helicopter closer.  Alex shut the door and hung on tight.   Bullets hit the helicopter one after another.  Jack was now close enough.  Alex made the jump.  He landed at the rear of the boat with an awkward thud.  He pulled a knife from his boot and started to cut the rope.   It was thicker than he hoped.  Sperafico turned and held out his gun.  He smiled a devilish smile as he squeezed the trigger.  The knife had finally cut through. Alex grabbed the rope and jumped.  He grimaced in pain as he launched himself into the water, a bullet passing through the flesh of his right thigh.  Sperafico threw down his gun and pushed the throttle forward in the hope of escape.  Jack followed.  Alex surfaced but there was no sign of Anjo.  He took a deep breath and followed the rope down beneath the surface.  She wasn’t far under and he kicked as hard as could to bring her to the surface.  Jack caught up with Sperafico, his hands poised on the triggers of the mounted machine guns.  He fired.  Bullets filled the air, all landing in and around Sperafico.  Sperafico silently slumped on the steering wheel, causing the boat to turn slightly to the right, heading for the rock-lined coast.  Jack turned the 520 around heading back to Alex and Anjo.  Alex had resuscitated Anjo and was now frantically treading water as she came around.  She coughed, bringing up seawater.  She stared her hero in the face, confused as to who he was.

‘Hi, I’m Alex, you must be Anjo, I’ll be your rescuer today.’  Anjo said nothing, but smiled appreciatively. She jumped as she heard the explosion in the distance. Looking across to the coastline they saw a ball of fire, florescent against the fading light.