410 Rescue in the jungle 4 (1/2)

”How are you doing?”, Liz asked Dr. Thomas who smiled nervously in return. She never did anything like this, but then… she was never a captive either.

Dr. Thomas was overwhelmed to think that these four people came to rescue her. She is a single middle-aged woman without children and any attachments other than her work. She dedicated her life to finding a cure for various diseases and she never thought that her passion for saving lives will end up endangering her own. When she realized her predicament, Dr. Thomas decided to save her legacy and started sending bits and pieces to Elizabeth, the only person who could understand her latest work.

At that time, Dr. Thomas destroyed all samples of the virus, keeping one with herself which she modified so that it kills only directly infected, without spreading further. In this way, she would infect herself and her executioners. But now, it seems that she can take that sample with her and hopefully recreate her work somewhere else.

Other than emails and video chats, Dr. Thomas does not know Liz, and she never met the other three, yet here they are, risking their lives in order to save hers. Dr. Thomas told herself that if they come out of this alive, she will make sure to repay the youngsters somehow.

The canteen was noisy, and it seemed that everyone was minding their own business.

They got their food and started working on it while checking the time.

Two researchers joined them at the table and then the siren boomed through the facility. After a second where everyone was frozen, soldiers left their trays with food and dashed outside.

”What is this?”, one researcher asked with panic in his voice.

”Go to your rooms and stay there!”, one soldier shouted before he bolted out with the others.

Max, Liz, Hunter, Mia, and Dr. Thomas exchanged glances and made their way toward the exit.

Max felt his phone vibrate and he checked the message which confirmed where his men are waiting for them.

”Take us out, to the South West corner…”, Max told Dr. Thomas to which she nodded.

They went through the kitchen that looked abandoned. From there they moved into a hallway and two flights of stairs up, they found themselves outside, greeted by loud explosions and numerous shouts.

The daylight faded, and the darkness made flares from the explosions and gunshots more dramatic. Spotlights moved over the ground, trying to capture any assailants who infiltrated the place. The soldiers didn't know that no one wants inside, but it's the opposite, five people are on their way out.

From a peaceful facility that made people tense, this seemed like chaos descended and the end of the world is upon them.

Liz felt fear numbing her limbs and she forced herself to move.

Liz lowered her head and followed after Max while praying silently that no one notices them in all this commotion. But her prayers were not answered when someone shouted for them to stop and get back which earned him two gunshots from Hunter.

Mia dashed toward the soldier who was on the ground and she swiftly took his guns away. She was carrying the knives while thinking of a stealthy operation, but with all this noise and commotion, there is no need to be stealthy.

”Run!”, Mia cried when she saw that they drew the attention of a soldier who was standing on the wall, and he started shooting their way.

They scrambled toward the corner and only when they got close to it, they spotted a rope-ladder that was hanging for them to use. That was placed by Max's men who waited on the other side of the wall.

Max went first, followed by Dr. Thomas and Liz, as Mia and Hunter stood their ground for a few seconds while shooting at soldiers who were in sight.

Max reached the top first, and he kicked one unsuspecting soldier off the wall. Liz would admire the skills of her amazing boyfriend, but she had to keep that for later.

When all five of them reached the top, Max and Hunter pulled the rope-ladder up, so that they can flip it on the other side and use it to descend toward the jungle where several of Max's people are waiting for them.

Liz was reluctant to pass through barbed wire, but there was no other way down. As she bent to go down, Liz felt a sharp burning pain at the back of her right shoulder, close to where the bulletproof vest ends. Liz gritted her teeth and kept on moving. There were explosions and gunshots, and it was not a good time to stop and complain about a scratch. No matter how deep it is, it will need to wait.