Episode Seventeen: Protocol and Deceit

[Jerry Garcia]

1920
City Streets

He wants’ to talk to you, whatever it is about, keep it short.

Pooja, listen carefully. I'm coming for you. Just relax and be ready for me. Jerry? Get me out of here. Jerry heard the phone being hung up, and he was left standing on the street. He knew there were at least 2 of Hermes men behind him, and an unknown number on the roof with him.

Jerry moved through the streets, trying to remain unnoticed. He kept a constant look behind him, making sure there was no one following.. He knew they would eventually find the one he had killed and left in the dressing room, and once they did the element of surprise was gone.

As he approached the building he stopped to peer around the corner and spotted 2 of the guards at the entrance of the building. He was dressed as a native but the color of his skin would give him away. Looking at his watch he knew he was slowly running out of time, so he decided to make his move.

Jerry came around the corner and crossed the street to get on the same side as the the building. As he near the entrance one of the guards spotted him and moved towards him. The second guard made a move at the same time. They both moved at him at the same time, as Jerry dropped into a fighting stance. One came at him high and the other low, obviously these two were use to fighting as a team. Jerry lashed out with a fist aimed directly at the first of the guards, catching him in the solar plexus. The second caught Jerry around the waist and lifted him off the ground and dropping him flat on his back on the sidewalk. If Jerry didn't end this soon a crowd would form and Hermes would be ready for him. Jerry Grabbed the guard on top of him and wrapped his arms around the man's neck, applying pressure to the Adam's Apple. Jerry heard a snapping sound and knew his assailant was dead. The weapon he carried was laying at his side, and he picked it up and shot the second guard.

<Tag Pooja>

[Pooja Garcia]

1920
Construction Site

Herms hissed as he failed to get replies out of his men, the only ones he had left were the guards that were still with him. He shot the half unconscious Rai a glare, then looked his two men, “We can’t afford to underestimate him now,” he began, “we must be careful from here. He’s far too wise to attack if she’s used as a shield.”

Studying her again, “Perhaps that’s just what we need. Pick her up,” he ordered as he led them down the stairs.

Pooja’s mind was still reeling from that he had said; I'm coming for you. What about Ann? Why was he coming to her rescue when the woman he loves was tucked in the safety of the shops? With too many unanswered questions she felt her eyes lids go heavy, yet she barely noticed them lifting her up and carrying her away. Coming to her aid was far too dangerous.

1923

Her ears heard the last of the footstep stopping at the feet of the building an indication that they had stopping taking the stairs. Pooja lifted her head to see what was going to happen. Her eyes could only make out the lights from the shops in the distance and Herms before her. Most of her vision was still blurry.

“Stay alert,” Herms ordered as he took few testing steps ahead to make sure the view was clear so they could depart.

<<Tag Jerry>>

[Jerry Garcia]

1922
Construction Site

Jerry eased himself into the building, eyes scanning in all directions. He heard footsteps in the distance, echoing through the construction site. Weapon raised he peered around a corner before moving on. There were many opening along the hallways, lots of places to hide.

Suddenly, Hermes came around the corner, a broad smile on his face. Well Commander, we finally meet. I wouldn't be so fast with that weapon. A wave of his hand brought one guard around the corner, his arm around Pooja's neck a gun to her head. Jerry looked at Pooja, tears in her eyes. Anne was a diversion, to separate us. She was one of them. Jerry said flatly. Hermes, tell your man to release her, or you die first. Pooja's eyes widened at Jerry's comment, and the smile on Hermes face got wider.

Jerry's first mistake was to ignore the alarms going off in his head. He was so intent on what was happening in front of him, he never noticed the slight scarping sound behind him. Release her now Hermes, she has nothing to do with you and me. Commander, I believe you have underestimated your abilities and mine. Pooja struggled to free herself, but Jerry could tell there was something wrong with her. Commander, might I suggest you put that weapon down. Jerry responded to that by moving his arm and shooting the guard holding Pooja, catching him right between the eyes. He never heard the shot that came from behind him. His right arm dropped to his side, a look of surprise on his face. He looked down and saw the spreading stain across the white shirt he wore.

Pooj.... He dropped to his knees, and then face first to the floor. The pool of blood spreading underneath him.

<Tag Pooja>

[Pooja Garcia]

1923
Construction Site


“Jerry,” she called out as the guard half dragged her in the view; she could feel the cold end of the weapon to the side of her temple. At the sight of him her actions towards him from earlier hurt, bringing unshed tears to her eyes. A diversion? She blinked for a moment then it sunk in, idiot, she scowled at herself. But their aim had been reached, hadn’t it? They had made her run; knowing Jerry would follow, with or without a weapon; and no doubt without a question. Hearing his comments her eyes widened; she knew he was taking a gamble here; one that couldn’t be avoided from any angle.

She saw one guard behind Jerry, walking slowly, as if he was trying not to make any sound. Knowing Jerry wasn’t being aware of someone behind him, she struggled in the arms of the guard, even when she wasn’t fully physically capable of it. Right now it didn’t matter, wanting him alive was what counted this very minute. She froze as he aimed the gun in her direction, she wanted for pain to come, when it didn’t she opened her eyes only to find the guard at her feet; his eyes open and she nearly screamed, but seeing she was free, Pooja quickly picked up the weapon with shaky hands. She heard the shot and looked at Jerry’s surprised face.

She felt her heart sink and shattered as Jerry fell to the ground. Before the shock could sink in, she fired two shots one at the guard and the other at Herms. Wasting no time she dropped the weapon to her feet, and blindly ran towards the navy officer. She dropped next to him sliding, and asserted where he was hit, seeing the blood spreading she applied the pressure, all while thick tears rolled down her eyes. This was her fault, simply because she was blind and stupid, “Jerry stay with me,” she croaked out, her hands covered in his blood already, “Don’t you dare, leave. Not now; not ever.”

She wanted some response out of him; the movement of his eyes was a good sign, right? “Jerry, just stay with me. They will be here soon. Will, will have you healed as best as he can. I know he can do it. Be angry, be mad with me, yell or bark, but just don’t...” her voice almost broke; she forced herself to recover in time, “give up. Just wait a little more while for Will to come. Please.”

She hoped they arrived in time, since she didn’t want to leave him here and run for help. She didn’t want these to be the last words he would hear. Realizing she was losing his attention, “JERRY,” she screamed, “Stay.” Dear god, what was taking the back up so long? She swallowed a sob that she could feel coming, the guilt hit her like bricks, as she adjusted the pressure on his wound, not realizing that it wasn’t doing any good, “Don’t. Go” she whispered in his ear as the tears flowed freely as her head rested on his shoulder.

<<Tag Jerry>>

[Jerry Garcia]

1925
Construction Site

Jerry was laying face down on the ground, pain lancing through his chest and back. He heard shot being fired as well as a scream. Jerry stay with me. Don’t you dare, leave. Not now; not ever. She had rolled him over onto his back, and was staring into his eyes, tears flowing from hers. Jerry, just stay with me. They will be here soon. Will, will have you healed as best as he can. I know he can do it. Be angry, be mad with me, yell or bark, but just don’t... give up. Just wait a little more while for Will to come. Please. Jerry tried to speak but the words wold not come out. JERRY!! Stay. Don’t, Go.

Jerry could feel his life essence leaving his body. He looked Pooja in the eyes and whispered softly, You're safe. Too late for me. I love you..... The last of his breath escaped his lungs and he went limp in her arms, eyes open and staring blankly.

<Tag Pooja>

[Pooja Garcia]

1926 -1930
Construction Site
New Delhi

She slide into shock as she watched helplessly as he went limp in her arms. She didn’t care about being safe; she cared about him being alive. “Jerry?” she shook him since the whole thing didn’t feel real. When there was no response, it took a second to hit her brain that he was gone, truly gone and wasn’t coming back. Clutching his body, she rocked back and forth as she cried hard till she felt numb and further deep shock, and faintly heard the beaming sound from somewhere around. Someone was barking out orders but she paid no heed to it.

The one she wanted safe was gone all while trying to keep her safe. She held even as the tears blurred her vision, too afraid to let go and make it final. He had arrived here just this morning to her and for her. Everything that happened in the last twelve hours flashed before her. Finding her heart being constricted at the smiles and the looks he had send. It was hard to believe, she was holding the same man’s lifeless body in her arms.

She felt someone touch her arm and through the tears she made out Frank’s face, she listened to his soothing gentle voice as the General tried his best to get her to let go of Jerry. Half heartedly she let go of Garcia, with whisper of her own, “I love you,” and fell into Frank’s arms sobbing, repeatedly saying “It’s all my fault.”

She was sure Kepler held her till she had fallen asleep after the river of tears had run out.



0350
Icarus
Temporary Quarters

She woke up with a jolt and tangled in her own bed sheet, her heart racing like a wild lion running through the African jungle and hammering against her ribs like drumbeats gone mad. As the fog cleared she found her wide afraid eyes darting around the room; saw that outside the window stars twinkled in the distance. She gulped and took a note of panting breaths she was taking. Running her hands over her face, Pooja found a heavy film of sweat on her forehead and wiped it with a trembling hand as the shock from her dream self ignited. The whole dream had been far too real.

It was just a dream, she reasoned with herself, just a dream as she coxed herself to lie back on the bed, let the cold air from the vents touch her warm skin as she stilled her heart down. She waited till she was composed then she could call Jerry’s room to check. Seeing the time Pooja cursed her luck. She couldn't call him at this hour not without having him scrambling into her room like a lightning bolt.

She gazed out her window till the quiet of space could cast its spell on her to get her back to sleep. Even though she knew she wouldn’t able to go back the dreamland, with too much doubt that the whole dream won’t repeat itself.

End of Mission