Karl's last flight, Part 12

Karl's last flight, Part 12
(c)2006, Basil Sands

It was just after 10 pm.  There was no movement in the city.  This would make an escape much more difficult.  Any motion, especially a lone vehicle being driven, would draw attention.  The fabric shops blue Mercedes delivery van was parked behind the bakery nearly two blocks away. 

Manoosh led them down shadowy back alleys to within sight of the van.  As they emerged from the shadows towards the van, a deep monotone voice made the hair stand on the back of their necks.

"Bon jour, mes amis."

"Gilles, imagine meeting you here."  Kharzai said.

Gilles and two VEVAK agents with Kalishnakovs came out from behind the delivery van.

"Step forward." Continued Gilles, "So I can see you all, hands on your heads please."

Karl, who had been following at the rear of the group, was still in the darkness of the alley.  Thinking they hadn't seen him, he stopped, slowly backing up as the others moved forward.

"Where is your astronaut?"  asked the traitorous Frenchman.

"Dead" replied Kharzai instantly, "He was hit by your pals at the fabric shop. Didn't figure it would be helpful to carry his body around with us, so we left him behind."

Liam glared at his former comrade, "So who was the poor soul you shot to cover your tracks? "

"A police officer who had crossed us, seems he was communicating with Manoosh here about the airfield operations, eh Manoosh?"

Manoosh spoke, "You will pay for your treachery Gilles, God will avenge us all."

"There is no God, at least not one that will save you.  Get in my van over there," He pointed to a white van, with dark tinted windows, parked between the buildings. "We will be going to the VEVAK office now, where you will tell me everything about the operations before I kill you."

He paused, a sinister expression coming across his face, "Esther, ma belle, do you remember that party you had a few years ago?  I hope you are feeling romantic, several of the men requested to spend some time with you.  It seems some of them remember what a fun girl you were."

An evil smile spread on the face of the VEVAK agents standing behind Gilles, as they looked hungrily at the young woman.  A visible shiver of terror trembled through her body, her wide eyes glazing over with fear tinted hatred.

"Come along," Gilles continued, "Let's get moving now."

"So Gilles," Liam asked looking straight at him, "How long have you been serving the Ayatollah?  Is he paying you or are you just looking forward to all those heavenly virgins like these poor bastards?"  He motioned towards the two VEVAK officers.

"Liam, my poor Irish friend, you just never understood did you?  I am a mercenary, in it for the money.  Not to mention, it is much more fun working for the Iranians, than for your country.  You Americans and British don't allow us to torture people, what fun is that?"

"You know Liam," Kharzai interrupted, "I think this is the first time since I met Gilles that I have seen him smile.  He really has found his place.  Job satisfaction is everything, you know.  Isn't that right Gilles."

"Yes well, we all have our specialties.  Looks like your lucky Leprechaun has failed you though." Gilles remarked. "Now move before I have to shoot you here."

A sudden burst of movement came from behind the blue van.  Before anyone could react, Karl fired his pistol point blank into the back of the nearest agents head, the 9 millimeter bullet sent the top of the skull flying skyward, spraying bits of brain matter on Gilles as he reactively spun around.

Before the body fell Karl swung the pistol to the right firing at the other agent who tried to dodge the lethal shot.  He was not fast enough.  Karl's round found his chest, knocking him backwards against the pavement, his weapon clattering out of his hand.

Gilles rapidly swung his left foot to kick Karl away.  The kick landed hard across his left shoulder, sending him spinning. 

Gilles raised his weapon, but before he could get a shot off Liam's massive frame slammed him from behind like a rugby footballer going for the club championship, audibly knocking the wind out of the Frenchman with a grunt.

On the ground the two men rolled and grappled.  Gilles pressed his fingers hard into Liam's eyes and cheeks trying to get the assailant off of him.  Liam grabbed Gilles wrist with a powerful grip.  Rolling to the side,  he wedged the Frenchman's forearm against his own as he twisted out and away. 

There was a loud crack as Gilles right arm broke under the pressure of Liam's 225 pounds of lean strength.  He let out a scream of pain, then came around with his left fist in a hammer blow against Liam's face, knocking several teeth loose. 

Liam tried to rise, but the blow to his head had knocked him off balance. 

Kharzai headed into the brawl as Gilles got to his feet.  The Frenchman drew back his leg to kick Liam's ribcage.  Kharzai was still ten feet away, when another shot rang out, the hot zip of the bullet rushed past the Persians head smacking squarely into Gilles back sending a shuddering shockwave through his whole body. 

He turned toward the source of the shot, to see, in his last moments of life, Esther, holding the MP5 she had picked up, smoke curling from its muzzle.

Gilles crumpled to the ground, eyes rolling back in his head as his blood drained out onto the city street.

Kharzai stood still, eyes wide with surprise.  A grin came across his lips. 

"Whoa, you go girl!"

Esther stood there stone faced,.  "I was not feeling very romantic tonight."

Karl rose to his feet and swiftly crossed to her.  Taking the weapon from her hands, he said, "Are you alright?"

She shakily fell into his arms, sobbing softly. 

Liam got to his feet, gathering his wits back together.

"Well," started Kharzai, "That was certainly quite noisy, we had better get out of here before the rest of the cops and more VEVAK goons get here."

He looked out to the street and continued, "Hey, let's take their vehicle instead of ours, it won't be as suspicious, and besides that, they probably have a full tank of gas."

"Ooh, an idea!" he added, "Grab the dead guys ID cards and badges.  We may be able to use them."

They all piled into the van and took off towards the airfield.  The storm clouds were now visible in the distance, rising threateningly on the horizon.

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