September 6, 2017
2.17 am, Cancun, Mexico
"Only 4 guards left." Spectrum asks, "Do you still have your lucky flint?"
"Yes." Quake says, "But don't set my pants on fire!"
"That part is all you, bruv." Spectrum says.
Spectrum rolls up Quake's left pant leg, then rolls down the sock and retrieves a slim flintstone.
"These scrap papers should work for tinder." Aviator says, presenting discarded wrapping paper initially used to bring food to the prisoners.
"Are you trying to start another fire?" Alejandro asks.
"Oh yes!" Spectrum says as he strikes the flint against the steel bars. The sparks jump to the paper Aviator is holding and smoke begins bellowing.
"Eduardo, soon you need to tell the guards that we are starting a fire." Aviator says as he hides the alit papers in a corner of the jail, "On my signal."
"Everyone else just sit still." Spectrum says.
Juan translates for Javier. Soon, everyone is in position. Smoke gradually grows.
"Time for a Prison la Revolution!" Quake says.
Aviator nods to Eduardo who then shouts, "Fuego! Fuego!"
Within a minute, two panicked guards rush to the jail. The bars are slid open. One guard stands at the doorway, pointing his AK47 at the now standing prisoners who have their hands up in the air. The other rushes in, furiously stamping out the fire.
"Who started this?!" The guard shouts.
"Gringos!" Eduardo shouts while pointing at Aviator.
The guard pulls out his handgun and points it at Aviator.
"You will die in pain within a few hours." The guard says, "So killing you now is a mercy."
Aviator stares directly into the guard's eyes. An intense standoff.
"Do you really want to waste your bullets?" Quake asks, drawing the guard's attention.
Suddenly, the sound of gunshots echoes in from beyond the prison. Both guards turn toward the sound. Aviator side steps the pointed gun, stepping into the guard's personal space. Using his superior upper body strength, Aviator pushes the completely surprised man into the line of fire of the other guard. The unsuspecting man drops his gun as he stumbles into the other guard. Spectrum reaches the gun while Quake jumps on top. He uses his bulk while pinning down the top guard with a jiu-jitsu arm lock. This lasagna has a trapped guard ensnared by Quake and a guard who is on the ground with hands pinned to the AK47 while supporting the lasagna.
Now in the hallway, two other guards race towards the pile of bodies. They point their AK47s but are afraid of shooting their own men. This hesitation allows Spectrum to quickly shoot both guards in their heads then the head of one of the guards on the floor. Rapid succession and deadly accuracy, even while in handcuffs.
Aviator quickly draws a knife from the last guard then slashes his throat in one fluid motion. The entire prison is silent. All of the inmates are in awe of what just happened.
"I thought I was the bait!" Quake shouts in delight, "Next time, kill the guys after I'm up."
Aviator helps Quake up from the dead bodies then says, "Check that office for keys."
"Let me celebrate this moment-" Quake begins to say.
"Our damsels still need rescuing." Spectrum interrupts.
"Yeah yeah." Quake says as he runs into the office. Soon after, he returns out with a key and free of handcuffs. He frees Aviator and Spectrum from their own handcuffs.
"Something tells me that the fire alarm was pulled off by Wave." Aviator says.
"Probably." Spectrum adds, "So let's go back them up."
"What about my mother?" Alejandro asks.
"And the rest of us?" Juan asks.
Aviator, Quake, and Spectrum look at each other then nod.
"We'll save everyone." Aviator says, picking up one of the discarded handguns.
"How? You barely save self." Eduardo asks.
"With your help." Spectrum adds.
"Do you doubt our el spectacular skills?" Quake asks, "Those moves were just a preview."
"First we'll free everyone then herd them away from the door." Aviator says.
"Then we'll arm whoever can fight and make our way to the women's prison." Spectrum adds.
"What about me? I have never held a gun before but I want to rescue my mom." Alejandro says.
"We still need your help." Aviator says as he looks at Alejandro, "You need to be our voice by helping us translate."
"I can do that!" Alejandro says, "Please save my mother."
"We will kiddo." Spectrum says.
Quake is already going around unlocking the prisons. Soon, a small crowd forms as men and boys of varying ages pour out. Gratitude rings throughout the hallway.
"Everyone, I need your attention! Who here can use this gun?" Aviator says, waving an AK47 in the air. Alejandro translates. A few men put up their hands, including Eduardo and Javier.
"You, you, and you come on up." Spectrum says as he points at Eduardo, and two other men.
"Who's ready for a revolt?" Quake shouts, waving a handgun in the air. Alejandro translates.
The prison erupts into a chaos of cheers.
Aviator tells the rowdy crowd, "If you don't have a gun, hide in the prison." Alejandro translates.
"Juan, keep Alejandro company." Spectrum says, "We'll be right back."
Just as the crowd dissipates, a pain-filled roar rips across the entire prison.
Quake, Spectrum, and Aviator yell in collective shock, "Chief!"
September 6, 2017
2.28 am, Cancun, Mexico
"YES! I love that scream." Mad Scientist says, "Turn up the heat slowly. I want him to suffer for as long as possible."
Mad Scientist observes the live burning of Fire from behind the safety of the heat-resistant glass window of the incinerator's control room. His obvious glee at Fire's pain is unhindered by his state of chronic aches. Standing behind the wheelchair of the deranged Mad Scientist, whose laughter is like a mechanical grinding, is his Head of Personal Security, Vladimir Prokop AKA Vlad the Shot, operating the Incinerator's controls. It's just the two of them in the small room.
Insanity, Vlad thinks to himself with a neutral face as he observes the Mad Scientist. His eyes dart beyond the glass to the burning man in the incinerator who has stopped screaming.
To think that the General's most respected rival would die in such a disrespectful death, Vlad says in his head. His head gradually swivels to the Mad Scientist, The General's watching this too but I bet he's not happy. All thanks to this disrespectful сука.
Vlad's thoughts are interrupted by a buzzing ear radio. He listens in, his face changing to shock.
"Herr! We have a problem." Vlad says with a subtle Russian accent.
"I've told you, you stupid General lackey," Mad Scientist says, "Call me Mad Scientist!"
"Mad Scientist, there is an ongoing prison break in the women's prison." Vlad says.
"Then take your guards and secure my test subjects!" Mad Scientist barks mechanically.
"My duty is to guard you but I can-" Vlad begins to respond before his earpiece interrupts.
"What is it?" Mad Scientist asks.
"Both prisons are now in disarray." Vlad responds, "We have to move before they come."
"Are you suggesting I run away?" Mad Scientist asks, all traces of laughter long gone.
"I recommend that we abandon this facility early and bury whoever is left." Vlad responds.
Just agree, you insane piece of-, Vlad thinks to himself but gets interrupted.
"Set the autodestruct for 2.45 am." Mad Scientist says with little thought, "Add a drone strike."
Vlad starts nodding but stops in confusion, asking "Isn't that overkill?"
"Don't question my brilliance, lackey." Mad Scientist says, "Using their drone to strike will serve as cruel irony for those pesky Americans and their annoying toy planes."
It will at least cover up the underground wreckage, Vlad thinks as he radios the orders.
"It is done." Vlad says.
"Sigh, it's a pity that I can't check on the corpse now." Mad Scientist says before begrudgingly turning his wheelchair to face Vlad, "Let's go."
Vlad nods. He reaches to turn off the incinerator.
"Leave it on." Mad Scientist says, "No. Set it to max and leave it on. Just to be sure he is dead."
Vlad nods, turning up the dial marked temperature.
"And cut the feed." Mad Scientist says reaching the automatic sliding door, "Adieu, Fire."
The door slides open and Mad Scientist rolls into a well lit hall. Vlad sighs as he looks at Fire's charred corpse still being baked in the incinerator. He ends the security feed and exits the room.
7.33 am, London, UK
SMASH!
The glass mug that held vodka a short second ago impacts the concrete floor, shattering.
"HE DARES CUT THE FEED?!" The General's voice rumbles through the underground room as he stands up in force. Darya remains seated and silent, opting to let the General rant.
The guard standing at the door, the only other person in the room, gulps yet maintains his standing-at-attention stance even as sweat drips down his chin. Don't poke an enraged bear.
"It is not enough that he disrespects a man greater than he will ever be." The General says then continues, "He then brags like a two-bit villain therefore dragging us into the light."
The General sighs, finally catching his breath. The big screen that had showed Fire's execution by incineration still flashes a "Lost Feed". This spacious room is the regional HQ for Skull Reich's military activities in the UK. Large monitors hang on the walls above with many workstations below, much like NASA's mission control room. Although it is currently deserted due to the General's orders. This is all part of a complex right underneath the Devil's Tears pub.
"What are your orders, my General?" Darya asks as she reaches for his hand.
The General calms down then says, "Convene an All-Heads meeting."
Then he adds as he sits down, "For 9 am."
"Your will be done, my General." Darya says as she shoos the guard. The guard salutes and leaves the room, glad to not be another unwitting victim of the General's infamous wrath.