Scene 26


Factory Compound of General Ricos


We made our to the gate as quickly as we could. Fortune was smiling on us this time; there were no guards to block our way.

As we neared the gate, I saw it was pulled open. Standing guard there were three people with rifles, two men and a woman. But these weren’t the General’s guards; the men were wearing kilts.

Moving towards them, I could see it was Panache and his wife, along with Coemgen.

“Good,” said Jaime as we reached him. “You’re the last of the adults.”

“What about the children?” I asked.

“We haven’t heard from Grant or his team yet, but they were supposed to head into the wilderness to get the children clear.”

“Where’s everyone else?”

“David and Bradley led them away. They’re supposed to meet us about a mile to the east.”

“Let’s move then. We need to get Livingston to treatment.”

We turned to flee the compound, but were brought up short. General Ricos along with five guards stepped into our path. The guards had their rifles pointed at us.

“Gentlemen,” said Ricos, “And ladies, you have demonstrated that you can be quite resourceful. You very nearly succeeded with your escape.”

Coemgen moved to raise his rifle, but the General interrupted. “Do not do that,” he ordered. He held up a small control panel. “If you make any show of force, I will simply push this button. It will send a signal to detonate the explosive I have placed under the children’s barracks. You wouldn’t want anything to happen to them, would you?”

“It won’t work,” said Jaime, “Our men have already freed them.”

“Oh, no, that barracks is still locked tight. And, as for your little plot to free them, it didn’t work.”

The General motioned and three of his guards stepped into view. They were guarding James MacMillan and Robert, also known as Ancienne Alliance. The two of them were supporting and unconscious Dee. They had been on Grant’s team.

“Robert, James, what happened?” I asked.

“My friend, I am so sorry,” said Robert. “We did not get to the children.”

“What about Grant and his men?”

“The cowards, they ran into the trees to escape.”

“And the other two, the new guys?”

James just shook his head. “They didn’t make it,” he said.

“So you see,” said the General, “The children are still locked away and, if you want them to remain alive, you will throw down your weapons and surrender.”