The Not Knowing Is What Gets You: Part Five

by Alystraea

Storm clouds had gathered and rain was falling at a rapid pace, but the Midnight Runner soared easily over the clouds leaving Rahne with an odd feeling of disconnection from the rest of the world and reality. Nervously, she sat in her seat staring out the window, only half listening to the conversation going on around her. Her thoughts ran in wild circles. At the top of her worries was her constant concern for her mother. Every minute lost was a minute against Moira possibly finding a cure for the legacy virus. The importance of this mission had not passed her by. Dr. Majcomb had been working along side her mother, and her research was just as important. What if she had stumbled upon a cure and that was the reason she had been kidnapped? Lady Moiraâs life could be hanging in the balance. They had to succeed. Yet even with that laying heavy on her mind, she couldnât help but let her thoughts wander to another area of concern.

She had never imagined that coming out to see her friends would put her in this situation. She never dreamed that Sam would finally show signs of returning her affections. Not that she was even sure how he felt about her. What does a kiss mean? That would seem like such a silly question any other time, but now it was plaguing her thoughts. How could she possibly know what Sam wanted from her? He had to realize that she was going back to Muir Island when this was all over. Dinna he? And puir Dougie! She already knew how he felt about her, and she had thought she knew how she felt about him, but now with Sam... Rahne resisted the urge to pull her hair out. Why did this have tae happen now? She sighed deeply and turned back towards the conversation at hand.

ãThe base is located in southern Arizona. It used to be an old military base, but OZT took it over a few years ago and revamped it,ä Nils was explaining.

ãMoira and I were able to gather some information on the site,ä Douglock said, ãThe base isnât very large. They only use it for small operations.ä

ãLike holding prisoners,ä Dani commented.

ãExactly,ä Nils gave her an even stare. ãThe base is run by one super computer. Renee believed that it was the store house for all of their information on the legacy virus. She believes that OTZ is trying to create a contained form of the virus that they can spread through out the mutant population to create almost a total genocide.ä

There was a moment of shocked silence as the members of X-Force stared at each other in disbelief. The weight of this was monumental.

ãI know they kidnapped Renee because sheâs been working on finding out exactly why only certain mutants have caught the virus,ä Nils went on, ãThey want to use her work to find a way to spread it to all mutants. If we can take out this computer while saving Renee we can effectively shut down their plans for the virus. ä

Rahne knew she should be paying better attention. She knew this was important and the end result of this mission would impact her motherâs work. But she couldnât keep her thoughts from wandering. She glanced over at Sam. He was leaning against the wall of the plane, his arms crossed over his chest. He was listening intently to the conversation at hand. He had that same look that he use to get, a look of determination that Rahne had seen on his face a hundred times before. Sam was saying something to Doug, who nodded. She bit her lower lip and stared back out the window. A flash of lightning caught her attention down below.

ãWe canât afford not to take that computer down. I want to make that our top priority,ä Theresa said after much consideration. ãHow could we get in?ä

ãI was able to compile a plan of the base,ä Douglock told them as he turned to one of the computer consoles, ãThis should be accurate to with in a few feet. This being an older building, the ventilation shafts are rather large. Thereâs a shaft opening on the southern end of the building.ä

ãIf this place is as small as you say it is, they probably arenât expecting too many attacks,ä Dani commented, ãWe might have a good chance of sneaking in that way.ä

ãIf those ducts are as small as they look, Iâll never make it through,ä Jimmy gave a half laugh.

Terry shot him an amused glance before going into her plans.ãWeâll try it. I want to split the team into two groups. Bobby, Tabitha and Douglock will come with me. Weâll target the computer. Jimmy, I want ye to stay with the Runner. Keep the communications lines open, and the engine running so we can get out of there fast.ä

ãSo that leaves the rest of us to get Dr. Majcomb,ä Dani picked up.

Terry nodded. ãGet her out quickly. Donât wait for usä

ãAnd I thought this was going tae be a nice vacation,ä Rahne muttered quietly. The worst part wasnât the upcoming mission, but the uncertainty clinging to her heart. She glanced once more towards Sam.

ãRahne.ä

Startled she glanced over to see Douglock standing before her.

ãDougie,ä she smiled and turned around to face him completely.

ãMoira told me to tell you sheâs fine,ä Douglock sat down beside her, ãShe knew youâd worry.ä

Rahne blushed and laughed. ãLady Moira knows me tae well. But is she really OK?ä

ãYes,ä Douglock reassured her. A wave of nervousness seemed to pass over him, and he glanced away, ãRahne, I....ä he paused as he saw Rahne glance away. His eyes followed hers to see Sam walking over to them.

ãWeâre almost there,ä he told them. ãYou two ready?ä

ãAye, Sam,ä Rahne nodded.

ãRahne, are you OK?ä Sam asked, concerned, placing an arm around her shoulders, ãI know this has gotta be tough on you. Are you sure youâre up to this?ä

ãIâll be fine Sam,ä she told him. She didnât miss the look of confusion that Doug shot at Sam. She suddenly wanted to disappear into the seat.

The plane landed with only a slight jerk.

ãOK people. Letâs move out,ä Terry said.

Rahne sighed and tried to prepare herself for the task ahead. She just hoped she could keep her mind clear.

ãThis is so disgusting!ä Tabitha muttered, as she swatted away another massive cobweb.

ãI think weâll definitely have to complain to the cleaning service,ä Bobby said, trying to avoid the cobwebs that Tabitha had swatted down, ãThey definitely have neglected this section for too long.ä

ãWill you two be quiet for just a second?ä Dani shot back at them.

Rahne found herself agreeing with Tabitha as they crawled on hands and knees through the old ducts. She trudged forward, long since having abandoned trying to avoid the cobwebs. Concentrating on Douglockâs form before her, she hoped they made it to the end soon. Thankfully her wish was granted. The line of crawling mutants stopped and Rahne waited and held her breath. After a few minutes she heard a mutated creak which must have been Sam removing the gate covering.

ãAllâs clear,ä she barely heard him whisper and they started moving again.

At the end of the tunnel Rahne waited until Douglock had jumped down. She swung her legs out over the edge and started to jump down. She was more that slightly startled when she felt Sam grab her by the waist to help her down. She knew her cheeks were as red as her hair. Still a part of her didnât want him to let her go.

ãDonât want you to fall.ä Sam gave her a quick smile.

A sudden desire to seep into the floor washed over her when she saw Douglockâs hurt expression. This was too much tae handle.

ãWe are never doing that again,ä Tabitha stated with a firm vehemence that almost begged to be questioned.

ãOh I donât know it was kinda fun,ä Bobby piped up ãI donât mind being squeezed into tight spaces with you.ä

ãDonât be a jerk,ä she glared at him.

ãWhere are we?ä Theresa asked Douglock.

ãIn the boiler room,ä he told them. ãIf we go through another duct, we should be able to get closer to the computer room, which is two floors above us.ä

ãNot another duct!ä Tabitha moaned.

Douglock ignored her and continued. ãDr. Majcomb is probably being held somewhere on this level. There should be containment cells on the other side of the complex.ä

ãAll right,ä Terry sighed, and glanced towards Dani. ãLetâs do this.ä

ãIn and out as quick as possible,ä Dani nodded. ãWeâll meet you back at the Runner.ä

Rahne took the opportunity to slide over to Douglock. She grabbed him by the arm and pulled him over before he could question what she was doing. ãI want ye tae be careful now,ä she told him.

ãI will.ä He seemed a bit taken aback by her concern. ãRahne I....ä He paused. ãYou be careful, too.ä

An awkward silence fell over them and Rahne wished she had the time to talk to him, but the team was already splitting up. Not knowing what else to do, she ran off to join the others. She knew she should say something more, but she just couldnât. How could she explain to him what she didnât even understand.

ãIâm so sorry, Dougie,ä she whispered and slipped in beside Sam and Dani.

She turned all of her thoughts to the mission before her. There would be time to deal with her heart later.

[next part]

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