Before Marx could look down at the pilot she heard another shot and she felt a sharp object pierce her right quadriceps. She screamed as she dropped to the floor and saw a feathered dart protruding from her leg. She reached down, pulled it out, and threw it away, but it was too late, the numbness had already set into her leg.
She put most of her weight on her left leg, as she got up and leapt over to the wall for balance. She made three successful hops before her left leg collapsed under her, and she fell to the floor. Although she sensed it was pointless, she was unwilling to quit, and she pulled herself forward with both arms, dragging her legs behind. She heard footsteps behind her, but she kept pulling herself towards the steel door, as she felt the numbness creep upwards to her shoulders. It was only seconds later that she was completely paralyzed, and for the first time in several months, she felt powerless.
The footsteps got closer, and then stopped. Although she couldn’t turn to see who it was, she could tell there were two individuals. A chill ran up her spine. Through the corner of her eye, she saw one of them get down on one knee. An object was gently pressed on her ear. She realized it was a mobile phone.
“Dr. Marx, how are you? I’m sorry I couldn’t be there in person to watch the destruction of both you and your operation, but I sent two good friends of mine on my behalf. Oh, and if you’re wondering where your team of scientists are, they’ve all been arrested by the South African authorities.”
The satellite phone was pulled away and she heard a beeping sound a second later. Her eyes dilated, aghast at the sound of Yuji Tanaka’s voice. She then felt the tip of a boot slide under her stomach and flip her onto her back where she saw her two assailants, both dressed in black three-quarter-length leather jackets and boots.
“It’s nice to see you again,” said Fox, holding his own R5. “You showed a real gratitude to the two Clarified Boeisho agents who helped you escape a year ago. I guess anyone’s expendable once they’ve served their purpose to you.”
“I like your new face,” said Parris. “But it doesn’t do much to hide who you really are. I’m sure your latest dead husband would agree.” Parris switched her sniper rifle from one hand to the next.
Fox shook his head. “As they say, bad habits die hard. It was only a matter of time before one of our Advanced Imagery Satellites was moved into geosynchronous orbit over Johannesburg and began recording all telephone conversations coming from your neighborhood.”
Fox and Parris watched her facial expression change from fear to anger, showing the same cold glare they both were used to seeing.
Marx felt her heart race and she had trouble breathing. “What have you done to me?”
“Oh, that?” said Parris. “As you know, you’ve just experienced near total paralysis. In about two minutes, you’re going to suffer a massive heart attack. And by that time, this facility will be your tomb.”
Fox took a pocket-sized photograph from his breast pocket and held it out for Marx to see. “This is Warrant Officer Pat Hiller. He was a good friend of mine. A little over a year ago he died while serving his country and protecting the free world. This was after he and his SEAL unit were cowardly set up to die from a weapon you developed.” He tossed the picture on top of her and looked at Parris. “Shall we go, Dr. Nita Parris?”
He tossed the R5 back into the main laboratory.
“Yes, we shall, Warrant Officer Ridley Fox.”
In the same dramatic fashion, she too, tossed her sniper rifle back into the laboratory. They walked away, leaving Dr. Tabitha Marx just as she breathed her last breath.
As Fox and Parris got to the top of the staircase and headed towards the helicopter, Fox took out a Canadian one-dollar coin. “Heads or tails?”
“Heads.”
Fox tossed the coin in the air, caught it on the back of his hand and looked at it. He pocketed the coin, took out a small black box from inside his jacket and handed it to Parris as his satellite phone rang. “Yes?”
“Not too much trouble, I gather.” It was Tanaka.
“No, just a quick in and out.”
“Will you require anything else from the Boeisho right now?”
“Not right now. Your supplier was more than helpful. Thanks again. We both owe you one.”
“Take care, and give my best wishes to Dr. Parris.”
“I’ll let her know.” Fox pressed the off button and climbed into the Bell 407 helicopter with Parris. When the propellers were at full speed, he lifted it up and cleared the barbwire fence.
Parris held the black box up in front of her, extended its antenna, and pressed the button. There was a loud explosion and a bright fiery ball erupted from the open air entrance to the facility.
