Part 10

The team reached Crystal Sky’s headquarters. Curlly stayed in the van to run tactical. Davenport took point. Brenna and Joann provided backup. Once they reached the side of the building, Davenport halted them.

"Curlly, give me a reading." Curlly checked the computer again. "If you go in the south entrance you shouldn’t encounter any resistance. The path to the mainframe is clear. There are three people in that room. You’ll have to take them out.

"Got it. Keep me updated." Then he motioned to Bren and Joann. "Let’s do it." They quickly made their way to the south entrance. Once inside, they quietly ran up the stairs to the third floor. At the door, Davenport again paused.

"Hold. Someone’s coming down the hall," Curlly ordered. Pressing themselves back against the wall in case the person decided to use the stairs, the three operatives waited for the clear.

"Davenport, there are now four people in the office. You’re going to have to take someone with you. You can’t take them all out yourself."

"Acknowledged," he responded. "Joann, stay here. Brenna you’re with me." The two operatives made their way down the hall. Once outside the room, they paused to listen. It seemed the four men inside were sharing a joke. They certainly weren’t on guard. Brenna slipped to the other side of the door so that they could enter simultaneously. Davenport held up three fingers and then counted down to one. He and Brenna quickly entered the room and dispatched the first two men. The others jumped up and reached for their weapons, but were too slow. They were quickly dispatched as well.

Brenna stayed by the door in case Curlly advised that someone was coming or that Joann was in trouble.

Meanwhile, Joann was pacing back and forth in front of the stairway door when she heard voices below her. "Curlly, what’s going on?" she whispered.

Curlly watched the monitor for a few seconds. "It’s security. They’re going outside to patrol. Just stay still and don’t let them hear you. You should be fine." A few moments later the men went outside and Brenna let out the breath she had been holding. "Hurry up, Davenport," she murmured.

Davenport sat at the computer. "Okay Curlly, I’m here. Tell me what to do." Curlly walked him through the process. They downloaded the information they wanted and then Davenport pulled up the files Curlly told him to. He pulled a disk out of his pocket and slipped it into the computer. "Okay, it’s time to make the call." Pulling out his cellphone, he dialed Sherry’s number.

Sherry was resting. She heard the cellphone ringing, but she couldn’t get to it. It was in her bag on the floor by her bed. Michael, who was sitting with her again, reached down and picked it up. He pulled out the phone. Instead of handing it to her, he answered it.

"Yes?" Davenport was momentarily surprised, until he realized whose voice it was. "Michael?"

"Yes. Davenport." Sherry sighed. Finally the call she had been waiting for. Now they could get this mess over with and she could explain what was going on.

"Let me speak to Sherry," Davenport demanded. Michael pulled the phone away from his ear and handed it to Sherry. "Your boyfriend."

Sherry was tired, sore and anxious. Michael’s attitude was wearing on her nerves as well. She grabbed the phone a little faster than she should have and the pain hit her fast and hard. Both in her shoulder and in her head. Slumping back down, she took a deep breath.

"Davenport?" she said breathily as she tried to recover from the pain. "Sherry, are you okay?" he inquired.

"I’m fine. A little worse for wear, but I’ll be okay. Are you ready?" She glanced at Michael who was listening intensely to the conversation.

"Yeah, I’m all set. Just need the codes." Sherry tried to sit up, but couldn’t manage it holding the phone in one hand and with her other arm in a sling. Michael watched for a second and then helped her.

"Thank you," she smiled at him. "Okay Davenport. Type in D31X ~ F9 F9 End. Then hit "Enter."

She waited a moment or two and then he reported, "Done. The program is cycling. The data is being wiped."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath of relief. "Okay, now get out of there. As soon as it blows, call me back. Then I’ll give you the codes to deactivate the charges here and at Oversight." While she finished with Davenport, Michael buzzed Operations. "Sir, it’s almost over. She just got the call. As soon as Davenport hits whatever they’re after, he will call her again. She’ll give him the codes to deactivate the explosives."

"Good. We’ll be right there," Operations said and he and Madeline made their way to Medlab.

Michael moved to her side. "Can you tell me now?" Sherry shook her head. "I’m sorry, Michael." Operations walked in at that point. "So, Michael seems to think you are going to release us soon."

Sherry nodded. "Why should I believe you?" he demanded. Sherry sighed. "Actually, I don’t care what you believe. You’ll see soon enough."

Operations had reached his limit with her and he told her so. "I’ve had it with your attitude. I am still in charge here, in case you’ve forgotten. You’ve held us hostage here for some mysterious reason, which you refuse to explain. We’ve downgraded dozens of missions because of your disappearances, and expended countless resources trying to find you. Not to mention how distracted everyone has been since you’ve disappeared. And now you’re giving me attitude."

The cellphone rang again and Sherry picked it up quickly, glad for the disruption. "Hello."

"It’s done. We’re on our way in," Davenport reported. "No, don’t come in yet," Sherry told him, garnering still angrier looks for Operations. "I want to clear things up here first before you come back. Now here’s the code. Type in G739, F5, F10, backslash, backslash, ctrl F4."

"Done," Davenport reported.

"Okay, find somewhere to wait until you hear from me," she advised.

"Are you sure? I don’t want you taking all the heat," he retorted.

"Thanks, but I’m sure. I’ll be fine." She hung up the phone. A few seconds later Birkoff’s voice came over the intercom. "Sir, the charges have been deactivated."

Operations sighed. "Good, have them removed immediately." Then he turned to Sherry. "Now that we’ve got that out of the way, it’s time to deal with you."