409 Rescue in the jungle 3 (1/2)
She gave Liz a big hug and whispered: ”Why are you here?”
”I understood that you need to be rescued.”, Liz whispered back.
Dr. Thomas exhaled. ”I wanted you to know that I am done and that you have ten days to ask for clarifications if needed. I was hoping that you will get my work published and known to others, and not to come here.”
Liz pulled away from Dr. Thomas and put on her best smile while talking in a normal voice. ”We are glad to be here. The trip was fine. I know you wanted us to talk when you return, but we were all eager to see how your lab works here. Will we get a tour?”
Dr. Thomas didn't respond to Liz. She looked at Mia. ”You are Elizabeth's assistant?”
Mia nodded and hugged Dr. Thomas.
”Not even close.”, Mia whispered. ”I'm the rescue team.”
Dr. Thomas was not sure if she should laugh or cry. What can these two girls do? They can be her daughters. It seems that they knew this is a trap, yet they came. How reckless.
”Will you show us around? We are also hungry.”, Liz said. ”My other two assistants are in the room down the hallway.”
Dr. Thomas checked the time. ”Lunch hours are still on. We can go to the canteen.”
…
The five of them sat in the canteen, and they chatted over the food.
Soldiers present didn't pay attention to the newcomers because everyone was aware of their arrival. It's not a big place and the news spread fast.
Liz explained to Dr. Thomas the plan to what elder woman scrunched her eyebrows in worry.
”I think that the four of you should leave this place as soon as possible.”
”They will not let us leave and we are not going without you.”, Max said dryly. He tried dissuading Liz from this, but now that they are here, Max knows the only way out is with all five of them.
Dr. Thomas was visibly uncomfortable. ”This will not work. I don't know why you came here; that was not my intention.”
”Too late for that.”, Liz said. ”We are here. After this, take us to the lab to show us around. After dinner, we will be making our move. The night will help.”
Dr. Thomas exhaled. ”Alright. During the tour, I will show you a few places that might work for us to hide until your cavalry arrives.”
”It would be best if the cavalry acts as a diversion so that we can sneak out.”, Max said.
Dr. Thomas was not optimistic. ”I don't know how we can sneak out of here. This place is a fortress with only one exit that is heavily guarded.”
”How about the sewerage system?”, Mia asked. ”Considering where we are, there should be a lot of rainfall so this place will have good drainage in place.”
”There are openings in several places along the wall, but everything is blocked with metal bars. We can't use that.”, Dr. Thomas responded.
”Yes. It is one of the places we researchers can go to. There are security checks to enter the main building, but once inside, unless we want to go to the isolated labs, we can move freely.”
Hunter nodded in approval. He had a plan, but there is one thing missing. ”Is there a long wire and a launcher we can get?”
”You want to create a zip-line?”, Mia guessed Hunter's thoughts to what Hunter grinned. He loves when Mia knows what he is thinking.
Hunter and Mia started talking about the possibilities as Dr. Thomas had no idea how to acquire a launcher or a long wire.
”Are there any others held here like you?”, Liz asked Dr. Thomas who paused, unsure how to respond.