Prisoner X

Chapter 1

The spy sank his head down upon his partner's shoulder as she huddled in tight. Together they cowered away from the violent blizzard of flares that lit up the compound. The spy sucked in the humid night air in an attempt to calm his nerves. Nerves that were steadily being frayed by the scornful rifle fire that punished his now smoking shelter. As he took his breath he caught the faintly sweet scent that still lingered around her neck. The aroma served to soothe and rationalise him. Clarity of mind under fire was a essential tool in any spy's armoury and he could always find it within Salome's embrace.
He winced as another hopeful blast ricocheted inches above his head. They couldn't stay here much longer. The enemy would soon be brave enough to push forwards and surround them, after all they were only two.
Searching over her shoulder for options, he noticed a small building about forty meters off. It's image was being frequently highlighted by the bright crimson laser beams. With the cover of the night, the spy liked his chances of getting there unscathed. He allowed himself a few more moments solace with her before regretfully braking their embrace, amid her grunt of disapproval. He stared warmly into her sharp blue eyes and became satisfied that the sultry look on Salome's face told she still hungered for more of him.
"Watch my back? He asked, teasing her lips as he barely brushed against them with his own. His question could have been an order, but despite his superior rank and formidable reputation, it was meant as a request, conveyed from lover to lover.
"Always. She assured, then grabbing his neck, she bolstered her promise with hard kiss.
Then the spy ran.
Slung around his shoulder he carried their equalizer. His knees ached at the sudden exertion and he cursed the whole situation through quiet panting. They had so nearly made it out of the compound undetected. Their mission, to destroy this altogether unimpressive enemy headquarters, was so nearly complete. Now the sound of increasing laser fire told of even more soldiers joining their pursuit. He shot a quick glance at the source of the threat. The emanating beams were betraying the enemy position, allowing him to estimate just how much he and Salome were outnumbered. The spy guessed as many as he dared before refocusing on his destination, worried even the burden of a stare would alert them to his current vulnerability.
As loud as his own heart thundered in his ears, another sound suddenly cut through his head. He turned to them once again and smiled as a blast from Salome's weapon incinerated a shrieking soldier with either reckless abandon or deadly precision.
The spy dove the final few feet and settled behind the solid looking outhouse with a smooth forward roll. Drawing in another muggy breath reminded him of another reason he so detested this Area. Not only was it the remaining opposition to his own nation's global dominance and reason for the continuing war, but it was a dry, barren and empty land with every day as searing and uncomfortable as the last.
It had been a month since he and his task force had infiltrated Area 043 and still he hadn't witnessed a single drop of rain. He felt clammy inside his dark jump suit, and squirmed within, trying to separate the close smooth material from his sticky wet skin. Such a mundane irritation spurned him to refocus. Now he was safe, his only concern had to be for Salome, and he tried to find her through the laser lit darkness.
Her image pained him, as blast after blast rocked her cover. That being the enemy transport they had stolen some time ago in order to aid their infiltration. He even felt a little sympathy for the vehicle, which was now paying a heavy price for its treason. He was loathe to leave Salome alone, but now he was in a far more comfortable range to launch the revenging grenades that clanked together excitedly, in the shoulder bag he was now opening.
The gunfire suddenly ceased. The spy stopped what he was doing and dared a peak at the hanger entrance where the enemy had congregated. Tearing off the sweat rimmed hat that covered his thick brown hair, he imagined that this moments silence foretold a deadlier intent.
The not so distant figures moved swiftly, voices issued hasty instruction and there was laughter.
Not a good sign
He could make out the clatter of metal upon metal as the group worked in unison amid the telling noise of construction.
Suddenly, he had to avert his eyes as the piercing glow of a powerful searchlight sent out a probing beam. The powerful shaft of light quickly fell upon the smouldering wreck that Salome continued to cower behind. The only benefit of the light was that he could now see her clearly as she hid away from the luminosity, wedging her body tightly to the vehicle. His eyes traced the beam back and noticed with horror that the searchlight gleamed over the barrel of a freshly assembled cannon!
A frightening calm hung over the newly lit compound. The artificial light was such, that he had to glance up at the star studded sky to realise it was still night.
"Intruders, surrender!
The voice, male, sounded neither anxious nor even concerned whether his order was obeyed.
Another bad sign.
He could see Salome searching for him, doubtless depending that he would deliver them both. A subtle whir could be heard as the cannon's aim was adjusted. He expected no other quarter from his enemies.
The Cannon erupted sending it's lethal rays towards the fallen truck. The impact jerked the sizable transport backwards. The spy watched on painfully as Salome's slender frame was rammed back in turn from the force of the blast. Keeping her feet, she retreated with the vehicle as the scarlet beams kept coming.
He had to act now.
Tipping the bag open, he grasped the first grenade to hand and set the detonator switch. The charge would give him a launch time of about seven seconds before it exploded. Leaping from his sanctuary, he flung the cylinder high. His powerful throw carried it easily into the midst of their oppressors. Not waiting to hear it land, he quickly dove back into cover and awaited the imminent chaos.
The ongoing roar of the cannon muffled any cries of alarm, but it too was silenced as the charge detonated, releasing a satisfying resonant of carnage that replaced the thudding of the spy's heart in his ears.

At first, she thought the explosion was her end. But as she lifted her head out of her hands, Salome realised it had been her enemies. Like a vision of relief itself, he was running back to her, still crouching in case of the odd vengeful survivor. She took the time to admire his body at work as he sprinted. His smooth handsome features met hers in a quick embrace.
"We're leaving," he whispered. "We need fifty yards at least. Let's go!
Nodding obediently, she held out a black gloved hand for him to raise her to her feet. In fact all Salome's attire, hat included, were of the same stealthy dark shade. His too. Their garments hid the now useless guise of their enemies uniform that had lent them the limited success they had enjoyed upon gaining entry. Her body was matted with sweat underneath the double layers and the common heat of this Area did not make her any more comfortable.
No matter, the charges were set. They had infiltrated deeply into the base as was necessary. The whole structure would soon erupt, bringing stage one of their mission finally to an end. Then she would free, for a while at least, to build up a more satisfying sweat with him.
Despite the bedlam around her, Salome was still moved by their last kiss. The excitement and danger added to her passion for the man she raced after. Though at times like these she wondered just how close they would one day come to disaster.
It had not been the first time they had blasted their way out of detection but it was certainly not a regular occurrence. Their missions were usually so precise and painstakingly planned, that they would regularly slip in and out of installations more formidable and heavily guarded than this one without arousing suspicion.
As they sprinted through the neat holes in the perimeter fence that the cannon had so conveniently tore for them, Salome wondered just what it was that had set off that damn alarm. Possibly they had planted a charge in a restricted area, thus setting off an automatic siren. They could have hardly have predicted that.
He was just ahead of her as she was struggling a little with the heavy boots that scuffed the dust of the desolate landscape mapped out before them. To her right the beginnings of a woodland that seemed so out of place in this parched setting. A planned means of hiding they had agreed on, should they need it.
Her lover was slowing, she did likewise.
It was time!
Salome watched him pull out the receiver wire from the watch strap he had attached to his left wrist.
"Ready? He asked. She moved in close, his arms wrapped around her while his hands made busy with the detonator. Salome's eager lips once again collided with his in savage fervour, her rapier tongue flicking in his mouth allowing only a little focus on the looming devastation.
He broke from her again. She stared up at him a little hurt as his arms retracted from her waist. Then she realised, no explosion.
"What's the problem? She asked, trying not to sound as concerned as she was.
"I don't know." He muttered back.
Salome peered over his arm as he tapped the detonator button impatiently. "Come on baby, stop fooling me around.
"Shut up a minute! He snapped back. His edginess only made her worries increase and she fell silent.
"Must be some interference. He concluded. "We're definitely not out of range.
She didn't question him. Salome knew, as he would, the hard choice they now faced. He looked sombrely towards her, though not at her, past her, towards the woods. His cold brown eyes flashed in the moonlight.
"Go hide, he said. "I'll catch you up.
Horrified, Salome did nothing to mask her fear.
"No! You are not going back there, there's too many! Even as she pleaded, the sound of reinforcements to the fallen soldiers could be heard behind them.
His stare grew cold and unyielding.
"You know we haven't got time to argue.
"Then I'm coming! She demanded.
He smiled warmly at her defiance. "That's an order, Agent.
Salome observed through mounting tears as the only man she could ever love, stooped down to retrieve another grenade from his bag.
"I'm gonna loose you. She started to sob, placing a hand to her mouth to try and suppress her anguish. After stuffing a couple of charges in his pockets, he grabbed her forcefully by her arms and pulled her close.
"Just find somewhere safe. I'll find you. I promise.
Salome couldn't bear to let him leave, although there was nothing she could say or do to stop him. The enemy had be swarming the compound by now. The moment she had dreaded for the last ten years or more, seemed to be finally upon her.
"You better be back real soon, honey, she sniffed, trying to sound a little more confident for him. But she couldn't shake the feeling his eyes were giving her, the cold hard feeling of goodbye.
Even as he gave her a final kiss, Salome had already started to grieve for him.