Gone Rogue (6 page)

“No the thing that looks like an Uzi but a different type of sub machine gun.”

“My new toy,” all Slade got was rolled eyes as they stared at the gifts in front of us.  Zach realized he wasn’t going anywhere with that, so he finally got to ask something that was bugging him for a week.

“Why so many blades?”

“To make sure they are dead.”  Slade got up and walked to his belt that had his knives.  He refastened the blades to his body.  He put two on his belt, one on the back, and another in his boot.  He knew he didn’t need them now, but he slept better knowing he could kill anything that went bump in the night.  He looked outside and saw that night came fast and his body was ready for another sleep.  “I’m going to bed, tomorrow we can begin.”

“Begin what,” Zach asked.

“Fighting through hell.”  Slade didn’t wait for an answer.  “It is time for you to learn that hell is among us now.”

“So its bed then?”  Zach said getting up and walking to one side of the room closing the door gently.  Slade couldn’t believe how well Zach was taking it.  Just like Zach was, Slade would be there when he cracked; hopefully it was after they killed the agency.

***

They were outside by mid-morning after some breakfast, and the fog left the land.  Slade was surprised how well his body recovered.  It was time to start Zach’s training, and for Slade to re-teach his muscles after being asleep for a week. 

A trail was just outside of the cabin that did a complete circle, about five miles in length that was perfect to see how the muscles would react.  They started to walk the trail, Zach mocking on the slowness they were going.  “Such hard training.”  A smartass comment came from Zach.

“Your right, my legs seem healed let’s see how they react to a jog.”  Slade lead the way through the trail, a trail with bogs, and logs that blocked the path.  His lungs expanded taking in more air, more energy.  He could feel his muscles begging for more, and Slade only knew one way to give it.  He picked up his speed, the trees started to blend into each other.  More energy exploded through him and he couldn’t believe how incredible it was.  It felt like his muscles were orgasmic finally meeting a deep need.

This need he recognized from prior experiences.  The feeling that drove him into the training his father gave him.  The need that fed his army days, the fire that led him to the agency.  The fire that now exploded as he ran through the woods.  It was a sensation that the injections never gave him.

Before long, he was back at the cabin his body shaking with adrenaline and energy he got from the run.  His body begged for more.  He usually worked out, but he couldn’t remember ever running that fast.

He could hear Zach from behind leaning on his legs.  “Let us begin your training.”  Slade already recovered from the intense run.

Zach was panting like a dog, his tongue even hanging out; spitting fluid that he couldn’t swallow anymore.  His body was more out of shape than Slade was.  Zach was only six feet tall and skinny with muscles well defined but the run proved he hadn’t run for a long time.  Zach still gasping for air he said “I,” another gasp, “take it,” he tried to straighten his back, “you feel better.”  The energy it took him to say that was too much.  He collapsed to the ground on his back.

Slade waited a few moments, until it sounded like Zach got most of his breathing under control before he spoke.  “Let’s begin; first we will fight, than you will learn about the creatures.”

“I don’t know what they taught you at the agency but I still can make the big guys fall.  You know what they say the bigger you are the harder you fall.”

“Prove it, little man.”  Slade stood angled to Zach, his hands on his side.

“Fine,” was all he said, not caring if Slade just recovered?  It surprised Slade for a second on how fast Zach could still move, his arm flying his fist coming fast.  It didn’t matter though Slade still was faster, and more trained.  He dodged the right hook, and in several steps, Zach was in a rear chokehold.  If he wanted too he could of snapped his neck right there, and game over.

“You call that a hit,” Slade yelled to Zach hoping to anger him.  He knew Zach had to have rage from the past week, and he wanted to see it.  Zach shoved forward in a disgraceful manner to the ground.  Zach took his shirt off, and Slade followed suit, throwing their shirts to the side.

“Okay, so you are better than I thought,” Zach said.

“Never underestimate your opponent.”  Slade said knowing that was why he advanced so much in the agency.   

From sun up to sun down, three days straight they fought.  Zach was eventually able to stay on his feet from the fight.  Slade knew it was going to be hard, but Zach was a fighter and would never admit defeat.  The last fight on the third night something changed in his brother.

His movements became more fluid, he was becoming an assassin like Slade became.  They thought they were assassins being snipers, but that training was nothing to what they had to go through now. 

Zach came in fast, way close, where Slade could grab him and wear him down by his pure mass.  Zach knew that and for the first time Zach was able to miss the giant’s hands and jumped in the air.  Slade could see only a shadow for a second.  A second that made two legs came up and he kicked with both feet against Slade’s stomach.

Slade went flying back, his feet not holding him.  Zach was able to do a back spring and landed on his feet, crouched, his hand down in front of him and his other hand up in the air to the side.  Slade flew hard and hit a tree.

The tree exploded on impact as Slade lay limped against the tree.  The tree tumbled forward making Zach dive to the side.  Slade was slouched against the tree trunk not moving.

Zach shook his head clear of the moves he just did and rushed towards limp body.  “Slade, Slade, are you okay, I don’t know what happened, something just struck me and I knew where to kick.”  A kick that so powerful had to take most if not all of his anger out.

Slade head rolled to the side and looked up to Zach.  “I think you just passed.”

The next day Slade taught Zach every creature he came across and some that he didn’t.  He didn’t say anything back and just took in all the new information. 

Night came and Zach finally spoke up, “Why.”

Slade knew what the why was for, he needed to amend this now, or they wouldn’t be able to connect as they use too.  “I was stupid, I saw a new adventure.”  Slade took a breath; he needed to give Zach more.  “I couldn’t live in a town that thought my father was a drunk, he wasn’t.  He just liked to go to the bar and what not.  I was afraid if I stayed in the small town, I would turn to be like him, a drunk.”

“Your father wasn’t a drunk, he was my dad’s partner, and they did everything together, like we do.  Do you know what my father said on his death bed?”

Slade took a breath, he wondered since they started the training why Zach didn’t mention his dad.  It wasn’t because he was worried for his protection from Slade.  It was because his father died as well.  Slade shook his head, not being able to speak, a ball formed in his throat.

“He told me to find you, to save you and that it was time.”  Slade looked back up from the floor to Zach in confused manner.

“Time for what?”

“He never said, I asked but he never said.  He was positive though that you lived.  I thought maybe it was the disease taking him.”

“Disease?”  Slade asked the same way people said Slade’s father died from the disease of being drunk.

“Drinking,” the word that killed Zach as much as it did Killed Slade.

“Your dad didn’t drink.”  Slade, thought back to when their fathers did get home, they could smell the alcohol but they never acted drunk.

“Only if the town knew the truth.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Slade then remember what Zach said.  “So are you doing this for your dad?”

“I didn’t kill you for my father.  I am training with you for me.  I will fight alongside you for the betrayal that I don’t necessary blame you for.”

”I think tomorrow will be the last day of training, before we re-appear on the grid. 

Zach nodded and both men went to bed.

The morning came and no one spoke, they just went to their space they were fighting at before.  A tree now laid in the middle of it, and they both sighed at it.  Slade walked over to the tree to kick it, just for it being in the way.  With a kick, the tree wiggled, and Slade studied the tree.

Zach saw it and went to try to push it.  It didn’t budge.  “It’s solid; it must have been on an angle or something.” 

Slade ignored Zach’s idea and put both hands on the tree.  With every ounce of strength he had, he pushed at the fallen tree that he broke.  The tree acted like it wanted to move, but it just wouldn’t move.  Slade grunted knowing the tree had to move.  This tree started to piss him off, maybe it was his punishment for leaving Zach for turning his back to their brotherhood.  His arms started to shake and his shirt ripped as his muscles bulged from his stomach.  He felt more air pumped into him.

Zach saw the struggle and saw the pain in Slade’s face.  He didn’t quite understand why the tree bothered him so much, but now the tree bothered him.  Zach walked over next to Slade and with a heavy heave and a grunt, the tree started to move. 

First by inches and then by feet, Zach’s muscles ripping through his shirt like Slade’s were.  The tree pushed to where their clearing met the forest that surrounded them. 

Without saying anything, the two brothers turned to each other backed away from each other.  They stared at each other.  Bodies mixed with sweat and bark.  A slight head nod and they started to square each other off.

Punches and kicks collided with each other’s bodies.  They were using all their will against each other.  Soon the kicks and punches turned to holds.  They grappled and soon, the grappling turned into punches again.  They both kicked each other sending each other skidding backwards. 

Both of them by the fallen tree, Slade grabbed a limb and broke it off.  Zach followed suit and they again charged each other.  The cracking of the wood colliding, blood dripping from their lips from previous punches that made contact.  Slade slipped a little on the dirt that they were pounding on and that was enough for Zach to take an advantage and take the stick and sweep Slade’s feet off the ground. 

Zach stood over Slade breathing hard, and then a smile formed from his bloody lips.  “I win.”

“Not even close,” Slade brought his legs up and in precise movement; he put Zach in a scissor hold his legs hitting points on the body that made the body collapse.  Zach fell backwards and Slade tightened his legs around the upper half of his chest on neck blocking his air.  “I win,” with that Zach tapped on Slade’s leg giving in to defeat.

The sun was shining in Slade’s eyes on the walk to the hidden Jeep parked miles away.  They reached the Jeep and it appeared to be peaceful.  Zach had covered it with brush and several tree limbs that made it a perfect camouflage.  Slade signaled for Zach to go behind a tree with the new sniper rifle in his hands to cover him.  With that, Slade approached the vehicle and waited for someone to jump out.

A rustle came from one side of the Jeep, and Slade stared at where it came from.  A squirrel jumped from a limb to another, being chased by more of the little creatures, birds were chirping, and somehow Slade new it was a peaceful chirp.  No agents, no sabotage, nothing, it was only Slade and Zach.  Still not satisfied of no one being there he checked the sides, the tires, under the frame, the roof and anywhere else, a bomb could be placed.  He exhaled in relief when nothing appeared out of place. 

He glanced over to where Zach hid.  Slade stared hard and could see a bird sitting funny like on a branch that wasn’t there.  He spoke up, “Clear,” seconds later with no other movement the brush moved, the bird took off from the spot, and Zach appeared.  His rifle was now over his shoulder as he walked towards the Jeep where Slade was standing. 

Zach got close enough to touch Slade and they both stared around never certain they were alone.  “I’m clear over here,” Zach replied to the non-spoken question from Slade.

“Same.”

“Should we get the Jeep started then?”  Zach sat his gun against the front tire as he walked in front of the hood.  He unlatched the one remaining latch that relocked after Slade closed it again from checking for explosives.  He reconnected the cables taken off the battery when he abandoned it so it wouldn’t die.  Slade was watching the surroundings covering for Zach to get the vehicle started.

Zach opened the door, got in, and turned the key.  It clicked and then grunted.  The engine roared to life, Zach gunned the engine making it roar.  “Let’s go,” Zach said with a smile on his face.  He slid over to the passenger seat apparently not caring anymore that Slade was driving. 

Slade grabbed both rifles and put them in the back of the Jeep, loaded and ready for use.  The air was stale in the Jeep from sitting for weeks with no movement.  As soon as Slade got in with the powered window buttons, he rolled the windows down.  So he could feel the gentle breeze of air taking over the interior of the Jeep.

They drove the off road trail which was either a loggers trail or a fire lane that was made of sand, mud and roots.  The Jeep bounced but maintained control on the terrain that it was made for.  The warm summer air was starting to replace the chill of the morning, the sun made when the clouds left it open.  The autumn chill was only days away as it fought the warmth.