Disclaimer: HB owns the JQ lot, not me.   I'm making no money off this, so
don't sue, unless you wanna waste a bit of time on lil' ol' me.  It's
created out of (a lot) of love and respect for the series.  All none JQ
characters are my own.  You're welcome to use any of them in fics, but
please ask.

If anyone's missed the rest of the fic, E-mail me privately and it's yours.

Warning: None of my stuff is ever beta read, which makes for a dangerous
world of plotholes and spelling mistakes.  I'm still Welsh, so please ignore
Britisms.  Oh, and a couple of Southern fried Race-isms spring up from time
to time.  Oh, and this Fic was written very late.  When I'm tired I think
I'm funny.  Apologies in advance.

Archivers: Suze and Aspen are welcome to it, of course.  Everyone else ask
and it's yours.

Categories: Angst, mature language, violence, HR.

Summary: Half of the Kick arse action sequence!  (I love 'em!)
***********************************************************************
Claire kicked her feet.  The damn girl couldn't live in her dad's complex,
so she must arrive or leave sometime.  They had been waiting for several
minutes, and already impatience began to eat at her.  Her companion wasn't
helping her mood.  Hadji was leaning against the wall, utter peace capturing
his features.  He was probably wrapped up in some Swami thing, she decided
bitterly.

"Hey, you!"  She slapped him on the arm.

"What is it, Ms. Taylor?"  His calm demeanour hadn't changed at all.  Claire
found this more irritating than if he had reacted.

"Look sharp.  We don't know when the girl will get here."

"Oh, but I *was* looking sharp."  He said with his usual quiet confidence.

"Drop the cryptic bullshit."

Hadji shook his head and returned to his place of tranquility.  There was no
talking to some people.
***********************************************************************
The shadowy figures stood at the base of the security fence, a 9 foot high
solid block of wood, topped with barbed wire and meant more as a deterrent
than as a real danger.  The first figure, a well muscled man, reached into
his backpack and pulled out a large, thick cloth, which he threw over the
barbed wire.  Then he easily reached up and hauled himself over.  The
second, a woman, leapt up, using the rough surface to take a short hop up
the wood before she could place her hands flat on the cloth, and she too
hauled herself over.

The third figure, another man, and a full head shorter than the first, leapt
up, grabbed the top and flipped over, landing heavily on his feet and
bending his knees, to take the tremendous force of the impact.  Jessie shook
her head at Jonny before the trio continued.

Race jogged warily down the path.  Claire's description of the place was
sketchy at best, and he had no idea how far they could rely on her
information.

Jonny and Jess were a few footfalls behind.  Race could sense rather than
hear their presence.  They drew close to the corner of the uprising, Race
pressing his back against the cold stone and peering round the corner.

The area was a large maze of alleyways caused by 15 foot high stone
embankments for some sort of water supply, all floodlit.  Unfortunately the
waterways seemed disused, leaving the floor bone dry.  A fine gravel caused
by stones ground up in the now missing water covered the pathways, making
stealth extremely difficult.  Sounds echoed ereily through the myriad of
passageways, not deadened at all by the solid stone walls.  They had no
choice but to enter, there really was no other way into the heart of the
complex.

From out of one of the multitude of alleys, a guard appeared, barely ten
feet away and whistling a tune Race couldn't place.  Race pressed himself
deeper into the shadows, saw the gun the guard was carrying and swore under
his breath.

"What is it?"  His daughter's voice was barely higher than the wind.  He
pulled her close so he could whisper in her ear.  Jonny leaned in to catch
it.

"They're carrying M203 assault rifles.  That's Special Ops gear."

Jonny leaned closer.  "We'll be just as dead if they shot us with any other
gun, Race."

Race frowned.  The boy had a point.

They waited impatientely for the guard to pass.  Yawning languidly, he
scratched himself, resting his gun in the one hand.  Jessie rolled her eyes.

"Geez, even Jonny could get a job here."  He gave her a look and grinned,
before realising she couldn't see him in the darkness.

The guard finally sauntered off.  Race scanned the walls for CCTV cameras,
then ran throught the alleys, straight down the middle.  The kids were still
behind him.

They paused when they heard the distinctive scraping of boots on gravel.
Race jack-knifed down one alley, the teens down another.

The guard was whistling an old nursery rhyme, it echoed down the alleys and
made it near impossible for Race to tell how far away he was, or the
direction it was coming from.

Race cursed under his breath.  *What's with these guys and whistling?*

Then the whistling was joined by another tune.  He recognised "In Too Deep",
from one of Jonny's CDs.  This one seemed closer, in the direction the kids
had gone.  It was slowly circling his position.  Drawing a large hunting
knife from his ankle pouch, he turned, facing the sound of the new threat.
The man was metres away, he could hear his every step.  Race wound himself
up, preparing to pounce.

When the man turned the corner, Race's heart almost stopped.  Jonny
swaggered up, Jessie silent behind him.  He was whistling happily.  Race
looked at the boy as if he were crazy.

Jessie grinned at her father and grabbed his hand, pulling him through the
alleys behind Jonny.

They passed through the maze, meeting no resistance at all.  After searching
for several minutes, with Jonny's throat beginning to burn, they found and
climbed a rusted ladder, which was bolted directely into the wall, exactely
as Claire had described it.

They sat in the shadow of a low cream coloured concrete building.  Jonny
finally stopped whistling, his throat dry.

Race looked at him.  He kept his voice a whisper.  "What the name of Sam
Hill just happened?"

"In the confined spaces of alleys, with sharp turns, you can get quite
jumpy.  If you're jumpy, and you're as dumb as those guys, you'd want a
system so you wouldn't shoot your own men.  Whistling was what they came up
with.  It also has the added bonus that guards wouldn't be in the same area
together, covering the same ground.  'Course, there's no way to tell who's
whistling."  He grinned.

Race shook his head.  This confirmed his long held belief that Jonny was
crazy.

"Where did Claire go from here?"  Jessie breathed.

"This is only the outer perimeter.  We've got a hangar and the inner
courtyard to go, then we're going to have to search the labs for Rachel.
Stick close, and if this is the general class of security, we should be
fine."

Keeping low, he made his way to the front of the building.  He ducked under
the windows, careful not to scrape the glass.  A guard turned the corner
infront of him.  In a flash, Race was on top of the guy, hitting him with
one punch to the temple.  They landed heavily on the grass, the smaller man
already unconscious.  Jonny made a low whistling sound behind him.

"Guess you're good for something, Race."

He gave the boy a dirty look, taking the prone man's 203.  He reached down
and searched the man's belt pouches for magazines, quickly clipping them
onto his own belt with well practised precision.

He held the gun in its ready position.  "This should close the odds a
little."

"Nah, it just widened them."  Jonny grinned lopsidedly, causing Race to
chuckle.
***********************************************************************
The sleek limo pulled smoothly into the carpark.  Claire turned to bat
Hadji, who was already alert and waiting.  For some reason, this only
angered Claire further.

The back door opened, allowing Christine to step out.  She pushed the thick
raven black bangs out of her eyes, and smiled timidly.  She had expected her
daddy to be here.

Without waiting for Hadji's response, Claire whipped out her Model 950
Jetfire from her ankle holster, a tiny gun that was easily concealed.

Hadji's eyes widened.  "You told Race that you could not carry a gun into
the complex."

She gave him her wry little grin before walking up to the little girl
confidently.

The girl smiled up at her.  There was no fear at all.

Claire lifted the gun, pointing it at the girl's head.  "Even if I can't get
the bastard himself, I can sure as Hell get his little bitch."

Hadji didn't hesitate.  He was instantly between Claire and Christine.
Claire paused for a moment.  The gun was still aimed at the girl's head,
despite the fact she was behind Hadji.  She looked into his soft hazel eyes.
  First there was no fear, no anger, only a kind of determination, as if he
could will her to stop with his eyes.  After holding her gaze for a moment,
his eyes showed peacefulness and serenity.  Smiling that wry little smile,
she pulled the trigger.

For a moment time stopped.  Hadji looked down at his own stomach, then the
little girl behind him.  The bullet had passed straight through Hadji, and
was finally stopped by the girl's skull.  Hadji barely had time to register
it before passing out.
***********************************************************************
Something suddenly occured to Jonny.

"Race, I need something from your pack."

"But you don't know what's in my pack."

"I have a vague idea."

Race shrugged and lowered himself into a crouch.  Jonny reached in and
pulled something out.  Then he stepped behind Jessie, allowing her to get
behind Race.

"Wow, that was almost gentlemanly of you, Jonny."

He grinned.

They sprinted across the open space, making for the hangar.  It was the most
direct route and only cover  from the concrete building to the centre of the
complex.  They made it to the side of the hangar, Race stalling for a
moment.  About 20 feet from where he stood was a crate, the only cover from
anyone inside the hangar.  After that was a big empty space of over 80 feet.
  Race cursed.  Life just wouldn't make it easy for him.

Making a snap judgement, he sprinted, dived and rolled, coming up behind the
crate.  He sat, leaning back against the crate, his 203 pointed upwards, the
butt of the weapon placed against the ground.  He fought against the cool
night air, fighting back the urge to shiver.

Jessie was still there, waiting impatientely for Race to make the run to the
other side and allow her to make the run after him.  Jonny was nowhere to be
seen.

Guards were everywhere.  Someone must have tripped an alarm earlier, Race
decided.  *Claire.*

At least the guards weren't whistling.

Jess suddenly seemed to notice Jonny's disappearance.  She looked around
wildly for him, still standing at the corrugated iron of the hangar's wall.
He motioned to her for keep away from the wall, it'd echo if it was banged.
After a few attempts she noticed and sat down heavily, her eyes willing Race
to stay and wait for Jonny.  She glanced round from her position and saw the
guards.

Race peeked from around the crate.  He'd be spotted for sure.  If he made
the run though, the kids would be able to make it to Project Rachel, guard
free.  He very much doubted he'd survive the plan, but it was worth a shot.
The problem was, he had no idea where Jonny had got to.  Damn foolish kid
had probably gotten himself caught.  His heart contracted.  He hoped against
hope that wasn't the case.  He looked across the empty space again.  It
would be a very long run, one worthy of his nickname.

Jessie sensed his intention and pleaded with her eyes for him to stop.  Race
looked away.  He couldn't bear to see her in pain.  He had to do this, there
was no other way to get across the hangar.

His breathing deepened as he prepared for the run.  He stood up...

And was almost thrown over by the force of an explosion.  In the confusion,
Race ran to the other side, and turned to look back for his daughter.  He
was surprised to find her right behind him.  She crouched next to him, anger
in her eyes.

"How could you even consider doing that?"  She hissed.

"It was the only viable option.  You know that."

She glared at him for a moment but didn't answer.  Suddenly she stood up,
surprised.

Race span round, bringing the rifle butt into the attacker's groin in a
smooth, sweeping action.

Jonny groaned and crumpled.
***********************************************************************
David checked his watch.  Christine should have been here by now.

He reahced for the phone when another lackey burst throught the door.

The man was breathless.  "Sir, your daughter..."

He cocked an eyebrow.  It wouldn't be good if his employees saw an outburst.

"What about her?"

The man was gasping.  "She...sir, she was shot.  She died instantly."

For a moment David felt his entire world being destroyed.  The shock caused
him to crumple, head in hands.  In a sudden flash he remembered Rachel.  He
stood.

He bowed slightly, smiling, something he wouldn't do whatever information
was brought him.

"Thank you.  Was there anything else?"

The look on the man's face caused David to laugh.

"In that case..."

The man shook himself out of the shock.  He had heard that people who were
close to the boss often ended up dead.

"There was something else, sir.  Well, *someone* else, actually."

David's smile broadened.  "Yes?"
***********************************************************************
Jessie hit her father over the head.

"Dad!"

"Well he shouldn't have snuck up on me like that!"

Jonny groaned and pulled himself into a sitting position.

"You...are...so...gonna pay for that, Bannon!"  He felt tears form in his
eyes.

Race and Jessie watched him clutching at himself like that, then burst out
laughing.

He looked up at both of them and grimaced.  "Last time I help you ungrateful
bas..."

Race's laugher subsided.  He, along with men the world over, knew how much
that had to hurt.  "Sorry.  So that was you who triggered the explosion?"

"Who the Hell else, Brainiac?  I got the C4 off you earlier."  Race helped
him to stand, Jonny closing his eyes in agony.

"Aw, come on, you guys are just exaggerating.  Does it really hurt *that*
much, Jonny?"  Jessie looked at them oddly.

Jonny looked at her, still doubled over.

"YES!"

They ran the rest of the way to the complex's centre.  Jonny bit his lip,
stumbling behind.  He hoped that there was no permanent damage.

Race stopped.  "Seriously, are you okay?"

Jonny nodded.  "I can walk."  He looked defiantly back at Race.  "So you're
not sending me back, no matter how much you try."

"It only takes one of us to slow everyone down.  And Jonny, if the mission
fails then the good Doc's screwed."

Jonny felt his breathing slow for a moment.  Race suddenly realised he had
triggered off something in the boy.  Jessie grabbed her father's hand and
pulled him aside angrily.

"Dad, the only reason Jonny hasn't gone loco on us is because he hasn't had
enough time to focus on his family.  Keep him moving and don't mention his
father!"

Jonny shook his head free of cobwebs.  He looked at them curiously.  "Well,
what're we waiting for?"

Race breathed a sigh of relief.  "Thank God."

Jessie cocked an eyebrow.

Race looked from one to the other.  He had let his emotions slip.
"Er...*geez*...let's blow this popsicle stand!"  He raced in the direction
of the central courtyard.

Jessie and Jonny shared a smile before following him.

The high rising white washed building stood like a sentinel.  For a moment
Jessie stood back and gazed upwards, finding its peak.  *There really is no
point building them so high when the area around is mostly fields and
airstrips.*

Jonny, his mind now in turmoil, ran straight into her.
***********************************************************************
Race hadn't noticed.  He continued into the courtyard, thinking that the
teens were still running silentely.  The strain of running constantly was
beginning to take its toll, and he was gasping for air.  He was near the
center of the courtyard, and he leaned on one of the metre high flower beds
that adorned the plaza.  Looking around him, he recognised the big bay
window from Claire's photograph.  It was at least a foot thick and probably
bullet proof.  He turned to tell the teens.  His heart stopped.  He had lost
the kids!

Before he had any time to react he heard a soft buzzing noise.  He looked
round at the flowerbed.  A half dozen tiny metallic spheres, attached
directely to the side of the flowerbed, were revolving in their sockets.
Race wondered at this for a moment, before snapping his head back.  The
laser grazed his jaw.  Race sprinted back the way he had come, ignoring the
strain on his body.  He felt another searing shot lance through his leg,
causing him to stumble.  Somehow he stayed on his feet, thigh burning, and
got to the corner before his leg finally collapsed from under him.
***********************************************************************
Jonny held a hand out to help Jessie up.  For a moment, Jessie hesitated
before accepting it, pulling herself up.

"Sorry about that."

"S'alright, ya big ape."

Jessie suddenly noticed.

"Dad?"

"He'll still be heading in the direction of the central compound."

"Then what are we doing yapping here?"
***********************************************************************
Comments?  Suggestions?  Flames?  Praise?  Send 'em all to
SchmittVanDean@hotmail.com

Like I said, I like action.  A lot.

"In Too Deep" is owned by Sum 41and their record company.  Don't sue me
'cause I can't remember your name, please.  (Guess what I was listening to
this time.)  I only included it so I didn't keep saying "a tune Race didn't
recognise", 'kay?

I had to break this one down into two parts.  Ah, well.
 

-Schmitt

**********************************
It is possible to provide security
against other ills, but as far as
death is concerned, we men live in
a city without walls.
-Epicurus
**********************************