[FIC] To The Devil His Due, part 3 (Chapter X+5) Finale

[dd]

Kaname was growing fatigued. Her legs had begun to cramp up. The chill of the water began to numb her spirit.

Bang. Bang bang. “Hey, there’s someobody in here. Help. I need help!!!” Bang bang. “Help, I need helbgrgglgll.”

The force of her blows kept driving her back under water. She spat out a mouthful, coughing. Her fists were bruised and sore from banging on the bulkhead. She could no longer stand on top of the small table or cot and keep her head above water. How much longer can I keep this up. I’m tired. I’m beginning to feel sleepy. The air vents are all under water. Am I running out of oxygen?

“Damn it Sousuke! I told you not to go. If I die I’m going to grglglllgr. If I die I’m going to kill you. If I live, I’m going to do something WORSE!” She was certain. Had Sousuke been here, he would have found some way to rescue her. But now, he was in harm’s way, somewhere else. If she were to die, it would all prove unnecessary.

Bang bang bang.

Bang bang bang.

She would keep on fighting. She was not a quitter. Sousuke's quiet words gave her the inspiration to continue:

"Kaname, I want you go go with me to the TDD-3. You'll be safe there."

"Safe? SAFE? SOUgrgllgrglllgl. SOUSUKE!!!"

Bang bang bang.

*************************************************************

Cmdr. Horowitz had pulled himself back up into his chair. For a moment, he sat quietly, listening to the various reports coming in. The onboard rescue personnel were busy. Divers had been required. Individuals were trapped in their cabins, some of which were under the waterline.

They had all been fortunate. They may not think so now, but they will realize just how close we came to joining those bastards at the bottom of the sea. the damage had been severe. But, had the remaining fuel reserves caught fire, the resultant explosion would have gutted the TDD-3 and sent her down.

The runways on the island would be busy soon. They had not been targeted by the cruise missiles, no doubt being preserved for the Amalgam aircraft after the certain victory. The hospital was also undamaged. The staff there would be getting little sleep. Medical personnel had been requested from other facilities as well.

“Commander Horowitz, we have word from the TDD-1. Their Search & Rescue aircraft are in our vicinity. They’re coordinating operationss with the TDD-2.”

“Thank you, Ensign. Send our regards. Let them know we’re watertight where it counts and in no damage of capsizing. Tell them that I intend on bringing the boat in. Call the harbormaster and request all available tugs.”

“Aye, Sir!”

The helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft would fish any surviving seamen and aviators out of the sea. A fair number of the missing men and women had called in, requesting assistance. There were a lot of injuries, but with the exception of the hangar area, the fatalities were less than would have been expected.

The TDD-1 and TDD-2 were uninjured.

The air battle was nearly over, with the Mithril forces having their way. The Amalgam pilots were courageous and remarkably skilled, but no more so than the men and women they fought against. The aircraft were roughly equal in performance, as well. There had been no way for the enemy to overcome the imbalance in numbers, especially since they had come in with an expectation of surprise, but were themselves caught off guard. The survivors were allowed to escape, but not out of charity or any sense of honor. They would be followed. It was unlikely that they would head for any secret base or facility, but there was little to lose from the gamble.

“Commander, Lt. Cmdr. Ben-Eleiden is on line 2. He wishes to speak with you.”

The news was good. Reports from the ground forces were highly favorable. The enemy Banshee Arm Slaves---the latest descendants of the Shadow class of mecha, but possessing Lambda Driver technology---were put to route with a relatively small number of friendly casualties. A large number of enemy ground troops were dead, captured, or taking their chances with the sea.

All in all, things could have been much worse. Cmdr. Horowitz frowned, thinking of what would have happened if he had not taken part in Lt. Sagara’s plans. They had scored a significant victory, destroying a significant amount of Amalgam hardware and taking the lives of a large number of dangerous men. The adversary had risked much, and had paid a heavy cost. Had they succeeded, without opposition, the outcome would likely have been far different, no matter what retaliatory actions were taken.

“We have met the enemy and they are ours.” The words of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry seemed more than appropriate then.

The battle was essentially over. But, the battle was not what had brought them here in the first place. What did Lt. Sagara accomplish before all Hell broke loose?

************************************************************

The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men
Gang aft a-gley,

Suffice it to say, Robert Burns was not Liang Yong’s favorite poet. Nonetheless, the words from To A Mouse held all the wisdom he would ever require from that moment forth. A-gley. Awry. Amiss.

An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,
For promis’d joy.

He had run ahead of his bodyguards, forcing them to sprint to catch up. Catching sight of Pavel Totahounov’s collapsed form, the blood pooling steadily around him, the Deputy Minister slid to an abrupt halt, causing one of his followers to knock him to the ground accidentally. What the Hell happened here.

A gunshot broke his reverie. Before he fully felt the pain, he noticed a red streak appear across his impeccably pressed white slacks. He had been grazed by a bullet. Were it not for the presence of mind of his nearest bodyguard, he would have died a moment later. Two more shots passed through the space he had been occupying, as his body was pulled back by a strong arm.

“I guess that‘s why some have nicknamed you Lucky Liang.. It didn’t go as you expected, Yong. It would be a good time to start running. I must say, I would clearly enjoy a hunt. Lt. Sagara, I believe you have a score to settle with the Deputy as well. Let’s say, the one who enjoys the privilege of the kill will compensate by buying the other a fine meal?” Borodenko. There was a hint of pain in his voice, but he was laughing. He meant every word that he said.

Liang Yong did not wait so see what Sousuke’s response was, or to see if he ever replied at all. “Come on you fools! Do you want to die here? Or would you rather make a stand at a place of your choosing?" Running as fast as he could, he headed towards the other end of the building. All he needed to do was buy some time. His friends should be arriving soon, after they finished mopping up the pitiful force guarding the island.

Still thou are blest, compared wi' me
The present only touchest thee;
But, Och! I backward cast my e'e
On prospects dear!
An' forward, tho' I canna see,
I guess an' fear!

************************************************************

Kaname felt her last remaining strength ebb from her body. Curiously, she watched the sights around her waver in and out of focus as she sank towards the depths of her watery room.

Sousuke. Sousuke, I don't want to leave you.

There was so much she wanted to do. So many things she wanted to share. But, at last she had found him again, if only for a little while. They had shared an intimacy that made her life meaningful once more.

A light. I see an orange light. Is this what they talk about. Am I....


************************************************************


Cautiously, both Sousuke and Borodenko made their way out into the hallway, each squinting as their eyes grew used to the light. The elder man knelt by the body of his fallen guard. Bowing his head, he said a quick prayer. “Liang Yong did this. Ultimately, it was he who pulled the trigger.” The man’s anfer was a tangible thing.

Their wounds were painful, but superficial. Each had lost a significant amount of blood, but not enough to weaken their resolve.

“You never answered me. Lieutenant. I kill Liang Yong, and I will buy you the best meal a man ever had. I’ll even serve it to you myself, in my French manor house. If you get the slimy son of a whore, will you extend me the same courtesy?” Borodenko’s look was feral in the extreme.

“No.”

“What? You will not extend me the same courtesy, or you will not try to kill him?” The Finance Minister’s face took on a look of disbelief.

“I would glady buy you a meal that cost a full year’s salary. I would act as your servant, until you had eaten your fill. But, I will not kill an unarmed man.” Sousuke’s voice was firm, final. He noticed the anger in his companion’s face but did not back down. He set his jaw and held his head high.

Barely able to contain his disappointment and disbelief, Borodenko spat. “It’s not a problem, then. Liang Yong is the furthest thing from a man. He’s a snake. A pitiful toad. If you grind his skinny neck into the ground, you’d be doing a service to mankind.”

“I do not disagree with you. But, I will not commit murder.” Sousuke clenched his teeth. One eye twitched. Old memories flooded him, uninvited and unwelcome. Reginald Smithers. He had been given a gun. But, he might as well have been unarmed. It wasn’t murder by definition. But, that judgement felt like a technicality. I will NOT go through that again.

Borodenko surprised Sousuke. He stopped walking and threw his head back. The bellows of laughter brought tears to the older man’s eyes. He couldn’t stop until he was short of breath. “You have killed more men than most armies, Lieutenant. You have turned more enemy weapons into junk than any third world army could ever hope too. You have destroyed entire facilities in your search for justice. You have removed countless gangsters, drug manufacturers, and terrorists from the ranks of the living. And you will not give such a terrible man the death he so richly deserves?”

Sousuke kept walking. He intended to gather up his belongings. It would be good to have familiar weapons in his hands again. Not looking back, he answered. “No. I will not.”

“You are incredible. Simply unbelievable. Does your kindness extend to the bodyguards as well?” Borodenko grimaced in pain, but moved to catch up.

“Yes, if they are weaponless. If not, they will wish they had been.”

The Finance Minister nodded his head. “Of course. If Mr. Yong were to be holding a gun, would you kill him then?”

“Naturally.” Sousuke almost sounded as if he were explaining something obvious to a young child.

Borodenko laughed again. You are priceless, do you know that? You have a rather twisted sense of morality!” His look became very serious. “But, against my better judgment, I find myself respecting you. I can only wonder how my life would have turned out if I was more like you.” His face brightened when he suddenly smiled. “I wonder how many men you could have killed if you were more like me.”

Sousuke put his Glock in place. Slamming a fresh clip into his F2000, he shouldered it. He dropped a number of grenades into his pockets. Each of his favored knives found its home. “Shall we go, sir? Stay behind me. I will deal with the guards.” He threw the other man a TMP.

Shaking his head, Borodenko followed Sousuke. He had been taken aback for a moment, seeing the brief look in the younger man’s eyes: guns in hand---prepared for battle---he might as well have been an avatar for the gods of War and Death.

People were milling around the secretarial pool. They looked on aghast when Sousuke walked by, armed. Their countenances softened when they saw the Finance Minister.

“Has any one seen Liang Yong? Be quick about it!” Borodenko’s voice carried with it the sound of impending disaster. He swung his submachine gun around. He would take no chance with misplaced loyalties here. The frightened men and women were startled as much by the tone as they were by the weapon. One spoke up quickly, stammering.

“H-He went that way. T-There were guards with him.” The woman pointed. She sat down hard when the two armed men left.

Borodenko walked next to Sousuke, matching him stride for stride. “I have considered your plight, Lieutenant. I have graciously decided to help you. For his transgressions against you and Miss Chidori, I will chastise Liang Yong most severely!” He stroked his borrowed gun, an evil grin on his face.

Sousuke kept an answering grin of his face, but could not disguise the look in his eyes. “Your wisdom is even greater that I could ever have expected. I am in your debt.”

“Damn. Lieutenant. If I’m not careful, I might find myself liking you. Although, I cannot say that that would be a good thing for you! Wait a moment, young man. My wisdom? Are you saying you had a low opinion of me.” This time it was the Minister’s eyes that gave him away, despite a perfectly outraged roar.

“I fear I must refuse to answer that, Sir. It would be against my best interests.”

“Ah! Such a breath of fresh air. Have you ever considered working in Finance, young man?”

“As penance, Sir?” Sousuke’s voice was deadpan.

Borodenko’s laughter filled the hallway again, causing a number of financial assistants to duck out of sight. His merriment stopped abruptly when Sousuke raised his hand.

“Remain here. That area ahead is ideal for an ambush.” He moved with a suddeness that caught the ex-mafia member by surprise.

There were gunshots, coming from doors on both sides of the hallway.

Sousuke rolled out of the way, just as bullets marred the floor where he had been running. Standing around a corner, he pulled the pins on two fragmentation grenades. These are not on the list of equipment approved for use in the Finance Division, I would guess. It is good to have the head honcho on my side. I’d better NOT get a bill for this. He dashed into the middle of the hallway, tossed two grenades, one to either side, then rolled again.

Two explosions threw debis out into the hallway. Sprinting, Sousuke made it to the first door unchallenged. Swinging his assault rifle around, he fired at the one guard left alive in that room. The man collapsed in a spray of blood. The second guard---or what was left of him---offered no resistance.

“I’ve got the other one.” Borodenko ran to the opposite door before Sousuke could yell for him to halt. There was an exchange of gunfire.

The Finance Minister backed off and waved Sousuke in his direction. “The man was very insistant. He wants to play with you, Lieutenant.” Whew! I’m getting too old for this….

“I thought he might, sir. Best not to disappoint him.” Sousuke raised an eyebrow and one corner of his mouth. “I presume he is still armed?” The older man shook his fist at Sousuke, smiling at the subtle humor.

“Do you want the bill for this damage fest, young man?”

Sousuke feigned shock, put in a fresh clip, then tossed a flash grenade into the room. After the detonation, he slid across the floor, firing. His foe had been crouching behind a large desk. The shots took him to the ground, pulping his ankles. The next shots passed through the desk, his chest, and his abdomen.

Walking back into the hallway a minute or so later, Sousuke carried a piece of paper he had written on. He handed it to Borodenko. “You can send the bill to this address.”

Captain Teletha Testarossa
Commanding Officer
TDD-1

The two men conducted a room to room search. They found Liang Yong in his own office, pistol in hand. When Sousuke peered in the room, the man fired, widely missing the mark. Sousuke fired back, purposefully missing. Borodenko gave him a look of disbelief.

“He is armed, sir.”

“That’s not what surprises me, Lieutenant. He’s still shrieking in there.” In other words, he's still alive. I think you know exactly what I mean.

It was true. Liang Yong was frightened more than he had even been before. And, his carefully planned scheme was crumbling around him. “Laugh while you can, you fools. My friends will soon be here. They will. Then you’ll see. Then it will be my turn to take control. This is long overdue.”

Sousuke peered in the room again, attemping to draw the babbling man’s fire. He did. The shots came uncomfortably closer this time.

“Borodenko, you will be dead soon enough. You can’t imagine how happy I’ll be. It has been a disgrace serving under a peasant like you for all these years.” The laughter that followed was further indication that Liang Yong had slipped a few cogs. “Sagara. You meddling dog. This time I will kill everyone who means anything to you.” Seeing Sousuke’s head again, he fired. He kept squeezing at the trigger, even after the clip had emptied.

Borodenko handed Sousuke his gun. “Do you have a knife I can borrow? The duller, the better.” Receiving one, he walked slowly into Liang Yong’s office.

“What are you doing. No! Someone like you cannot do that to me! No. Peasant. I will not urrrhhhlllggghh, ahhh, ohhh, AAAAHhhhhh.

When Borodenko exited the room, both hands dripping with blood, he winked at Sousuke. “May I keep this knife? I have grown rather fond of it. I was hoping to hang it on my office wall….” He wiped his hands on the immaculate white wall.

“Certainly, sir.” Sousuke nodded his head, suddenly feeling a terrible weight lift from his shoulders. “Mr. Borodenko, while I am quite accustomed to Japanese cuisine, I also enjoy Indian, Thai, Spanish, and Cajun.”

Borodenko stood, his mouth agape. Then he smiled, and the smile grew. He guffawed. “Young man, do you remember that I told you it might not be in your best interest if I come to like you?” He walked over to Sousuke, his face growing serious. He held out his hand. “Seriously, if you ever find yourself in need of a favor, do not hesitate to ask. I may have solved your problem for you, but I still consider myself in your debt.”

“Sir. I am honored.”

“Good. You should be. Now, are you hungry? There is still plenty of food back in my office.” Borodenko patted his ample stomach. He had built up quite an appetite.

“Uh.”

“Still not hungry?” The Finanace Minister’s eyes showed his good humor.

“I should probably see what is happening outside.” Sousuke’s fingers twitched on his gun hand.

“I see. Kids these days. So much into violence.” Both men smiled.


************************************************************


The fighting outside had died down by the time Souske had made his way out of the Finance Divisions compound. That did not mean that the danger was over. Not by a long shot. Not for Sousuke.

After getting a complete lowdown from Melissa, Sousuke literally ran all the way to the base hospital. As he ran, he could see helicopters coming in for a landing. Orderlies and physicians were waiting. A large triage tent was set up outside. Strong men grunted under the weight of huge coolers holding blood products. Stretchers with IV polls were scattered about.

Kaname.

Melissa had received word that Kaname was on the way in. She didn’t have the full details. The uncertainty was far more painful than his own wounds.

Kaname. The danger is over now. You HAVE to be OK!

“Hold on there soldier, I can’t let you over there armed.” A large nurse blocked Sousuke’s path. “Besides, it looks like you could use some medical attention yourself.”

Sosuke dropped all of his weapons without even as much as an evil look. “I will be able to wait for treatment. Have you seen a young woman. A young woman with blue hair?”

“I’m sorry, I’m not working triage. No one fitting that description has been sent to the OR, treatment rooms, or temporary morgue staging area.” The woman regretted the last words the moment they left her mouth. She saw the look of fear in the young wounded man’s eyes.

A stretcher rolled by. The noise Sousuke heard made him lose his balance momentarily. His knees felt weak. It was a familiar voice. A very weak and familiar voice. “S-S-Sousuke?” It was Kaname. She was alive! “Soouussuukkee.”

Sousuke grabbed the rail of the wheeled stretcher. “Kaname!”

“Soldier, we need to get her inside, stat. The Doc says she came close to drowning. She’s cold and needs a warming blanket and a warm IV.” Sousuke let go of the railing.

He started to follow, when the nurse’s hand grasped him firmly by the arm. “You won’t be doing her any favors by getting in the way, son. “ She let go. “I understand how you feel. But, it won’t be much good if you keel over, will it? Go over there and have those injuries tended to. I bet that young lady will want to see you when she’s stable.”

Sousuke complied. It was one of the hardest things he had ever been forced to do. His heart jumped into his throat when he heard Kaname’s voice getting fainter as she was rolled away. “Sooouuusssuuukkkeee….”

After waiting while the more severely injured combatant’s were treated, Sousuke had his time with the emergency physicians. His wounds cleaned, suttered, and bandaged, he made his way into the hospital, waiting for a chance to see Kaname. While impatiently passing the time, he was patched through to the TDD-3 and gave his report to Lt. Cmdr. Ben-Eleiden. In turn, his commanding officer filled him in on the day’s events. The submarine was limping home, but should be there before nightfall. As it turned out, Cmdr. Horowitz had been evacuated to the hospital. Sousuke agreed to pass along his report in person, as soon as the Commander was medically ready.

Minutes seemed like hours. Hours masqueraded as days. Finally, late in the evening, Kaname was cleared to have visitors.

Sousuke approached her bed slowly, his eyes glued to her. Her eyes were closed. Her chest raised and fell with comforting regularity. The cardiac monitor showed a normal sinus rhythm. One of her hands, covered by a hospital blanket, twitched.

“Kaname?” Sousuke spoke quietly. He didn’t want to wake her if she were asleep.

Kaname did not open her eyes. Her hand stopped twitching. Her heart rate went up, monitor leaving no room for doubt. “Sousuke?” The voice was weak. Sousuke had trouble hearing her. He moved closer.

“Kaname? Are you going to be alright?” He carefully bent over her, not wanting to dislodge her IV line or the leads from the monitor.

Her eyes opened. Her heart rate leapt upward. Her voice was a strong growl. Her hand raised, dislodging the blanket. Somebody had found her a halisen. “Alright? I’ll show you ‘alright‘!!!”

WHAMMM!!!

“Owww. Kaname, that hurt. What was that for?”

“For telling me I’d be safe aboard that submarine!”

WHAMMM!!!

“Ahhhh. Now what???”

“That’s for not kissing me the moment you walked in the room!”

“But…”

WHAMMM!!!

“Hey. What? Why.”

“You still haven’t kissed me!”

Sousuke moved quickly to rectify the situation. He felt Kaname’s arms go around his neck. In her embrace, he felt as if he were home. The kiss lingered. Kaname was smiling when she came up for air.

He smiled in return.

WHAMM…WHAMMM…WHAMMM…WHAMMM

“Ouuhhh. WHAT?!!”

“I’ll have to think about that later.” She reeled him in for another kiss.

When Kaname had finally settled down, Sousuke pulled up a chair and politely accepted a tray of food from an orderly. Between mouthfuls, Kaname told her tale. Sousuke reciprocated.

“Well then, it looks like there is a wonderful future ahead….” Kaname ventured when Sousuke was finished.

“For some people.” It was Melissa’s voice, soon followed by the owner of that voice. She was pushing a wheelchair. Kurz was in the chair, sitting on an air pillow, his head swathed in bandages.

“Kurz! What happened to you?” Sousuke stood to go check on his friend.

Melissa answered before Kurz could. “He was injured. But, it was only the first round.”

“First round?” Kaname asked, puzzled.

“Yes. His ass hurt my foot.” The look in Melissa’s eyes was frightful.

Kurz cringed.

Sousuke and Kaname exchanged glances and smiled. Things were just where they should be again.

************************************************************
THE END

[pilot03]

I'd be happy to give Kaname CPR! Don't go towards the light!!

[HELLFIRE]

Ahh! Conspiracy JUST isn't my thing lately... or I need a few
more nights of decent sleep to think straight.

Like your other stuff dd, enjoyable! As for Sousuke's little
'homecoming' to Kaname... *sighs* He grows up, SHE grows
more violent







Regards

[dd]

More violent?

Nah.

More selective.

She doesn't break out the halisen for just anything.

[HELLFIRE]

She doesn't break out the halisen for just anything.

Breaks it out enough, though







Regards