Chapter 85

Present – Mira – At the hospital

I traverse to the frontal most desk and inquire, "Where is the sleeping domicile of Zarika and Yasmeen Blaine (yes the little female salukis were brazen enough to use my Ben's last name, an error that would certainly be rectified)."

The lady presiding at the frontal desk informed me, "I am sorry but visiting hours are over and you must leave the hospital."

I present her with further information, "But I am a patient here and would like to visit my friends."

The matron becomes intractable, "If you're a patient here then you need to be in your room. Visiting hours are over. Now I insist that you return to your room..."

Rendering aid to my sister Irinka is of primary concern not petty hospital rules so I negate her verbal assault with a physical assault of my design which renders her slightly damaged. Then I rotate and occulate her computer terminal, note the room number and depart haste of post...

Present – Alexi – At the hospital

I am slightly shocked that my sisters hold Leftentant Donaldson in such high esteem. To her fault, she does not even perceive the simplest of visible threats from Zarika and Yasmeen to her ill-wished matrimonial machinations concerning Ben Blaine. In addition, she is totally unaware of my sister's yet hidden designs on her betrothed (to say nothing of my potential assistance to my sister's plans). However, I hold such thoughts in check and delay any comment or action because my sisters are seldom incorrect regarding their evaluation of opponents.

Leftentant Donaldson continues her annoying verbiage, "So Alexi, what's it like finding out you weren't an only child and have two beautiful sisters?"

I did not wish to delve into this topic with her, so I counter, "Leftentant Donaldson, earlier you mentioned your perceived mistake with your actions toward Ben Blaine. You alluded to the fact that he might be mentally programmed. I find this fascinating and would appreciate it if you greatly expound on this subject."

Leftentant Donaldson smiles and begins to answer the question when my sister Mira bursts through the door and declares, "Alexi we must depart haste of post; our sister Ira has been damaged."

Being ever ready for impending action I leap from my chair as Leftentant Donaldson remarks...

Present – Jens – At the hospital

Mira flies into the room, tells us Ira has been injured and she wants to go to her. I remind her, "Mira, you can't leave the hospital right now because you are supposed to stay overnight."

Mira argues, "Leftentant Donaldson, my slight trauma is of minuscule concern compared to the welfare of my sister Ira. Alexi and I are departing haste of post without or with you. You would be foolish to attempt to detain us."

Zarika and Yasmeen add to the confusion, "Ms. Donaldson, can we return home too?"

Mira reminds us, "There is no time to delay; we must depart now. Leftentant Donaldson if you do not believe the graveness of the situation, use your mobile phone to contact the cabin. Come Alexi we must leave now!"

Alexi follows Mira out of the room as I look at the girls and admit, "I guess I need to call the cabin."

I take out my mobile phone, dial the number but no one answers. Perhaps Mira was on to something. I dial Jack's mobile phone and still receive nothing. I try Liz's phone but it goes right to voicemail so I leave a message, "Liz is something going on at the cabin? If so let me know when you get this call."

I look at the girls and order, "Let's get you two packed, we're headed back to the cabin."

The girls shock me when Yasmeen asks, "Ms. Donaldson, might Zarika and I share a room again?"

I agree with conditions, "We will give it a try again, but no fighting. Now let's get packed."

Present – Alexi – Leaving the hospital

Of all the ill-times for my sister Mira to interrupt, I was going to acquire a very important factoid for my upcoming mission – operation Mira's Matrimonial Bliss. However, I understand that current family safety takes precedence so I race out of the room with Mira. She pauses in the hallway, doubles over and says, "Alexi, I must latch my breath."

I correct her, "Mira that is 'catch your breath'. Can you expound on Ira's injury?"

Mira replies, "Unfortunately I can not. However I did feel extreme revulsion, fear and pain."

We acquire the elevators, descend to the first floor and I inquire, "How are we to acquire transportation?"

Mira directs her finger to the obvious choice and orders, "Alexi, you will operate that vehicle used for the conveyance of the infirm."

I smile with anticipation and question, "Am I authorized to operate the emergency lights and siren?"

Mira states, "Yes, this trip requires haste of post."

We liberate the ambulance and I acquire real life practice for my future gaming sessions of Grand Theft Auto...

Present – Masha – In the tunnels

Sometimes love is the most bitter pill to swallow! My greatest desire is to render aid to my one true love: Jack, who is my first and greatest responsibility. However I can not place our son in harm's way or chance exposing the remainder of the team to the rodent onslaught. The images I saw were more than troublesome. These were not ordinary Rattus rattus because they displayed no fear of man. Quite the opposite they seemed to be attracted ... No, excited by the smell of humans.

I perform a quick prayer and we commence inspection of the subterranean tunnels. A problem that is compounded by my son Ivan squirming like a fish out of water.

Present – Ben – Austin Texas

The damn mongrel herd of fat cows with the cattle prods and Tasers chase me and the damn yippee little dog into the building. The dog runs up a red ramp on the inside of the building to the first landing where the ramp reverses direction, then she sits down and barks at me. Hell, I've followed the dog this far and I might as well keep going so I haul ass up the ramp and stop beside the damn yippee dog and question, "Okay what the fuck am I supposed to do now?"

As if the little dog knows what I'm asking, she starts barking then jumps against some barrels. What the fuck is she doing? I figure out what she's trying to tell me so I tip one of the barrels over, determine it's empty, then I push it down the red ramp. It creates a hell of a noise as the barrel accelerates at a tremendous rate of speed! Unfortunately the barrels don't stop the mongrel herd of fat cows; they run around them or jump over them and all it does is piss them off even more. Damn something about this seems familiar to me...

I've depleted the supply of empty barrels so I look at the dog and question, "Well that didn't work. Do you have any other great ideas?" The little dog barks, jumps on a box, then over to a higher box and finally up to the next red ramp where she hauls ass up the ramp. I see the hoard of women approaching and decide running seems like the best idea to me. But instead of using the boxes, I climb a blue iron ladder and take off after her. The ramp terminates at the other end of the building where we find more barrels. There's no need to ask the damn little dog what to do this time. I kick the barrels over and push them down the ramp. I get lucky this time and take out a couple of the fat cows, but that only further infuriates the rest of the herd. One of them yells, "I want his balls as a trophy on the wall of my den."

I taunt, "You are one sick fat cow bitch and you'll have to catch us first!"

Once again I run out of barrels. The little dog barks like crazy because she can't make the jump up to the next ramp - oh, she tries and it's comical as hell. But it's too damn high and there are no boxes to help her. So I pick her up, give her a little toss and she lands perfectly. Then she looks over the edge of the ramp and begins to bark. I grab the iron ladder and climb up to the next ramp. However, I about shit my pants when one of the women yells, "I'll get you my pretty boy and your little dog too."