Chapter 25
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Jumping awake at the sound of a scream, Ward ran down the corridor to the boys’ room room. Entering the room he found Leo screaming from his bed while Tripp stood over a body on the floor. Blinking he raced further into the room, falling to his knees in front of the body.
“Skye! Skye!” He called gently shaking her, wondering what had happened.
“Dad.” Tripp pressed his body into Ward’s as he cried. “She won’t wake up.” Ward’s heart broke as he listened to the boy cry, wondering what had happened. The alarm hadn’t gone off, yet Skye was on the floor and Phil wasn’t in his cot. What had happened?
Spinning rapidly he shoved Tripp behind him and dragged Leo beside Tripp as he heard a noise coming nearer. Preparing to charge he was surprised when Nat entered the room holding a gun ready.
“Ward stand down.” She ordered noticing his defensive position.
“Nat?”
“The alarm went off. We got sent to investigate.”
“Skye… Phil’s gone.” Ward stuttered moving back to examine Skye.
“We need Bruce and contact Fury.” She ordered into her coms. “Clint come and look after the boys. I’ll go and stay with the girls.”
Ward nodded his agreement as he concentrated on trying to figure out what had happened to Skye. He barely noticed Clint enter the room and pick up the boy so they no longer had to look at Skye’s prostate body. Just as the ambulance arrived he found a small dart beside her body.
As they loaded her up to go to the hospital Nat reappeared.
“Go with her. We’ll look after the kids.”
“Phil?”
“Fury is on it. He’ll find him. Go be with Skye.”
Ward nodded slightly, wanting to split himself in three so he could find Phil, stay with Skye and reassure the kids. He moved with the gentle push climbing in the back with Skye, trying to ignore the mournful look coming from the kids.
Two hours later and he still hadn’t found out anything. He couldn’t use his badge to encourage the doctors to tell him anything, as they were still undercover, at least they knew he was married to Skye so he didn’t have issues with them not wanting to tell him anything. He’d been pacing for a while when Bruce eventually stopped him, pulling him gently to a seat beside him.
“She’s going to be fine Grant. She’s just had a bad reaction to the sedative that was in that dart you found. It will take her a while to shake it off but she’ll be fine.”
He felt his body slump, for once in his life not compartmentalising his emotions. Shaking with relief his thoughts changed track.
“How did I miss it? I should have noticed someone entering the house. Now Phil’s gone and Skye is in here.”
“Do not beat yourself up. I talked to Nat. The alarm had been switched off, it was only the second silent alarm that alerted Fury.”
“I still should have heard them in the house. I only heard Leo scream.” He began pulling his hair.
“Grant.” Bruce detangled his hands from his hair, holding onto him so Ward was looking at him. “You’re on fairly strong painkillers. You wouldn’t hear them. It’s not your fault.”
He looked at Bruce for a long time, not really believing what he said.
“What do I do?” He couldn’t remember a time he’d felt so lost.
“Go and sit with her. I got permission for you to sit with her. Let us help you. Clint and Nat are looking after the kids and Fury will find Phil. Just go be with Skye. She needs you right now.”
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Fury strode into the tech room, his temper just held in check. Somebody was going to be fired.
“WHO DESIGNED THAT ALARM?” He bellowed, causing several thousands worth of equipment to be destroyed as cups of coffee got spilt on it. A group of trembling scientist watched fearful as he strode further into the room.
“Who designed the alarm that was hacked and has led to one of my team being taken?”
“Sir. Surely they should have been able to…”
“I don’t want excuses! I want answers.”
“It shouldn’t have been hacked.”
“You.” He pointed to the guy who’d just spoke. “Pack your things you’re going to the arctic station. The rest of you better improve that alarm by time I get back or you’ll be the next transfers.”
His point made he strode back out of the room. He didn’t have time to stand around; he had a child to find.
“Sir.” Maria had caught up with him, following him as he headed for his car. “I traced the group that entered the house using the local cameras. Tracked them to this building.” She handed him a pad with the address. “I didn’t think you’d want anyone else knowing what was going on. Do you want back up?”
“No I’ll manage. You go and see the kids. I’ll get our boy back.”
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Drinks were being tossed back. Celebration of a job well done. Things were now running smoothly, the jobs well rehearsed. It would be time to move on soon, thing becoming too hot in this town. Their current job sat silently watching them, waiting to be shipped off to his new family. The team talked off the things they would by. Child snatching was a dangerous business but people desperate for children paid well. The perks were good if you lived long enough to use them.
It hadn’t been a difficult job; the house had a simple alarm that had been easily hacked. Sure there had been a woman awake that had been unexpected but she’d been easily dispatched with the drugged dart they always carried. There had been no additional problems when leaving so hence the celebration. No one considered that it might be a bit premature or that trouble was waiting just around the corner.
The first they knew that they’d been found was when the front door blew inwards, revealing a tall bald man in a black trench coat, an eye patch over on eye. Guns were strapped to his body and as he strode in and his coat blew backwards, grenades could be seen clipped onto his belt.
“I want my Grandson.” He announced calmly.
Looking at each other the trained killers began to laugh. Who did this man think he was?
“Don’t know what you’re talking about man.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m giving you five seconds to give him me or I use force.”
“You and what army?”
“Who needs an army?” He stated throwing a small ball towards the group. It rolled towards them before coming to a stop.
“Oh a ball. I’m so scared!” One mocked just before the ball exploded, sending plumes of paralysing gas outwards. It only affected those nearest it so as he strode forward he fired an ICER taking out those unaffected by the gas. Sat on a filthy cloth Phil watched quietly smiling as he saw Fury stride towards him.
“Grandpa!”
“Hello Phil. Let’s get you back to your family. They’re missing you.”
“Grandpa!” Phil wrapped his small arms around Fury’s neck as he lifted him and held him close to his body.
“Freeze!” Yelled one gunman who’d some how missed the gas and his shots. Shielding Phil Fury turned to glare at the man.
“Why is there always a stupid one?” He muttered as he shot the man where he was standing. Scanning the area and finding it full of fallen bodies he activated his coms,
“Maria inform the police. They’re going to be interested in this group. I’ll take Phil to be check out by Bruce before returning him to Agent Ward.” He gave a final glare around the room before heading for his nearby car. This group really picked the wrong baby to kidnap!
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