Chapter 29

Present – Liz – In the tunnels

What the hell! We hear what sounds like machine gun fire, but it's far away. Bernie says, "Liz, it sounds like it's coming from the air vent."

I wonder aloud, "I guess they are still having a hell of a battle with the fake Marines."

It stops for a short time and then we hear another short burst.

Bernie suggests, "It might be a good thing that we're trapped down here since it's probably safer than being outside."

Ivan whispers, "You two not good at quiet game, I winning."

I decide that out of the mouth of babes ... So I smile at Bernie and put my finger up to my lips...

We hear someone yell in the hallway then hear obvious gun fire. I creep to the door, open it and oh hell no!!!

Present – Jens – In the tunnels

We continue making sure the rooms are clear when Maria questions, "Jens, what the hell is that noise, it sounds like a machine gun."

I answer, "That's because it is a machine gun. I have an autonomous machine gun guarding the ventilation system."

Maria exclaims, "What! A fucking mechanical machine gun guarding the ventilation system! What were you thinking?"

I defend myself, "Hey, at the time it seemed like a good idea. But it does let us know someone is trying to get to us using the ventilation system. Come on, let's get to the equipment room where the ventilation ducts are."

Present – Maria – In the tunnels

More often than not I really wonder about my Princess Boss's sanity! Who in their right mind would have some sort of mechanical machine gun guarding the ventilation system? But I have a bigger problem right now. Jens takes off like her ass is on fire, runs past me and around the next corner and I yell, "Hey, what about making sure the tunnels are clear?"

I take off after her, but before I even reach the corner, there's more gunfire!

Present – Jack – At the cabin

I look at the three Marines helping me and ask, "Okay, I'm open for suggestions on how the hell to take care of this fucking killer machine gun."

One of the Marines gives a typical Marine response, "I say we frag the hell out of it!"

I shake my head and argue, "Well if we did that and collapsed the ventilation shaft then how the hell would we get into the tunnels. I don't want the typical Marine's blow it hell and back again response, I want you guys to use the brains God gave you and think outside the box."

One of the Marines peeks over the edge of the ventilation shaft, the machine gun takes a second or two and then fires as he ducks just in time. He grins at me and says, "I sort of have an idea but it's kind of half-baked..."

Present – Masha – At the cabin

I get to Jennifer's dog and begin to do my assessment. It's obvious from the angle of one of its legs that the leg has a fracture. He begins to wake and I know I need to do something to keep him still, so I think about what I have in my purse and I finally remember that ketamine has been successfully used for veterinary purposes. I pet the dog's head and speak to him, "Remain calm and I will take care of you."

I withdraw a syringe, guess at the dose of ketamine for a dog of his size (if anything I hope to err on the low side), pull the skin on the back of his neck and inject what I hope is the correct dose. Then I begin to pet him to keep him calm. I look closer at him and realize he bears a remarkable resemblance to Sharik in the famous Russian movie Собачье Cердце (Heart Of A Dog) based on Michail Bulgakov's famous anti-communist story.

My thoughts are interrupted by tremendous shouting and machine gun fire! I turn, look back toward Jack and can't believe my eyes...

Present – Linus – Rescuing the survivors

We hear a hell of a lot of yelling, cheering and machine gun fire. I look and see it's coming from Jack's team at the ventilation shaft. I blink my eyes three or four times because I can't believe what I'm seeing...

Present – Mira and Alexi – At the cabin

As my blood begins to replenish Todd and Ira's bodies I hear an extreme aggregate of loud vocalizations and automatic weapon discharges so I worry that new attacks are forthcoming. I slowly rise, occulate something unbelievable and question, "Alexi, please tell me I am not hallucinating..."

I confirm for my sister, "Mira, your eyes are not deceiving you. Something very interesting is occurring at the ventilation shaft..."

Present – Jack – At the cabin

This is about the craziest idea I've ever heard, but it just might work! The four of us position ourselves at equal distances around the ventilation duct, then slowly raise up one after another. The fucking killer machinegun follows and rotates to the last motion detected. We duck back down, meet again and I say, "This idea is crazy enough that it might just work. So who the hell is going to be our cowboy?"

The Marine who came up with the idea says, "Well, it's my idea so I think that's my job."

I strip off my Nomex¹ gloves, hand them to him and advise, "You're going to need these more than I am but try not to fuck them up and remember you're only going to get one chance to do this right."

¹ Nomex – Fire resistant material made by DuPont. Jack 'borrowed' these gloves from the previously mentioned chopper pilot. They are standard issue for Army chopper pilots.

We position ourselves around the ventilation duct again and I order, "On three! One, Two, Three!"

As we each raise up and the killer machine gun begins to chase us, the crazy Marine with the hare-brained idea jumps over the side of the ventilation duct, lands straddling the killer machinegun and grabs onto it with both hands. The fucking killer machine guns goes crazy trying to get to him but his weight keeps it from being able to get its barrel up in the air. He begins to whoop like a fucking cowboy and we begin cheering him on!!!

Present – Alexi – At the cabin

I would prefer to continue to observe the spectacle at the ventilation shaft (it was both exciting and insane), however my duties to my sisters and Todd take first priority. The color has returned to my sister Ira and Todd's faces and my sister Mira has become extremely exsanguinated and weak. I make a decision, move beside her and remove the autologous transfusion tubing from her arm as she complains, "Alexi, you have prematurely stopped the transfusion."

I counter, "No my sister, you are incorrect. The situation has changed, the charlatans Marines have vacated the area and you are no longer only suitable donor available."

She continues to complain, "Alexi, you can not be a donor unless you know your blood type."

I inform her, "My sister, I am the same blood type as you and I can indeed be a universal donor. I refuse to lose one sister to save my other sister and Todd."

I cleanse my arm, tie off my bicep and wait until the arteries expand. Then I insert the needle into my arm and release the blood flow. I do make certain to purge the air out of the system before connecting it to Ira and Todd.

Mira struggles to stop me but can not intervene because of her weakened state.

Now I turn my attention to protecting the four of us. I must make sure to terminate this transfusion before I lose consciousness or weaken myself to the point experienced by my sister Mira...