Simon Hawke - Hellfire Rebellion

“Got it.” Seavers said.

“Good. Move out.” Within moments, they were all back in the safehouse, where Hunter was waiting for them with Linda and Andre. They had not risked leaving him alone. Hunter raised his eyebrows when he saw Federoff and Seavers carrying the unconscious robed man into the back bedroom on the upper floor.

“What the hell did you do, kidnap a monk’?” he said.

“One of the leaders of the Hellfire Club,” said Lucas.

“You were right, Hunter. Drakov is here.”

“You saw him?”

“No, but we heard his voice. I’d know that voice anywhere. It seems we owe you an apology. You were right all along.”

“Don’t mention it,” Hunter said. “How well do you know Ebenezer Macintosh?” asked Lucas.

“Mac? We’re old drinkin’ buddies, him and I. Why, what’s up?”

“They’ve targeted him for assassination,” said Delaney. “They’re going to hang him. We’ve got to get to him first and warn him.”

“I’m on my way,” said Hunter.

“Neilson, you go with him;” Lucas said.

“Still don’t trust me, huh?” said Hunter.

“No I just don’t want to lose you.” Lucas said. “You’re the only one of us Macintosh knows, so you’ll have to be the one to warn him, but by now, the Network’s got to know something’s gone wrong. They won’t find any trace of

Carruthers or the other two and you’ve dropped out of sight, so they’ll be looking for you. I want you covered and Neilson’s lightning with a gun and a crack shot. Sean, take a stinger with you, but I’d rather you carried something with a bit more authority, as well. I see Hunter’s got silencers for some of those pieces and I’d rather not risk using a laser or a plasma weapon on the streets of Boston.” “Help yourself, kid.” Hunter said to Neilson.

Neilson walked over to the table and unhesitantly chose the. 45 Colt Combat Commander. He started to attach the silencer.

“Wouldn’t you like a bit more firepower?” Hunter said. “That only holds a seven-shot clip with room for one more in the chamber.”

“If I can’t get the job done with eight rounds. I probably won’t get it done at all,” said Neilson.

“But I’ll take some spare clips, just in case.”

“Go ahead and make your choice,” Lucas said to Hunter.

Hunter glanced at him.

“Be my guest.” said Lucas. He smiled. “Call it a gesture of good faith.”

Hunter chose the Beretta 9 mm. He screwed a silencer onto the weapon and pocketed several spare clips. He slapped in a magazine, racked the slide and jacked a round into the chamber, and stuck it in his waistband, cocked and locked, in the “Mexican carry” mode. He picked up several spare magazines and slipped them in his pockets.

‘“What do you think they’ll do with Steiger?” he asked. ‘“I’m hoping they’ll keep him alive so they’ve got something to deal with if they’re backed into a corner.” Lucas said tensely, ‘but I can’t afford to worry about him now. The mission comes first. He’d have done the same in my place. But if you run into any Network people, try to take at least one of them alive.” ‘“You mind if they’re wounded just a little?” Neilson asked. “Not in the least,” said Lucas.

‘“Good.” said Neilson. “What about if we run into these Hellfire characters?”

“Try not to.” Lucas said. “But if you do… He took a deep breath “If they get to Macintosh before you do, don’t interfere if it means shooting anybody.”

“You mean let them hang him.”

“Yeah. That’s what I mean.”

The room was silent for a moment.”

“Okay.” said Neilson, after a pause. ‘If that’s the way you want it.”

“It’s not the way I want it, but it’s the way it’s got to be.” said Lucas. “We’re here to stop a temporal disruption, not create one,” He hesitated. “Hunter. I know that as a C. 1. S. agent-”

“You don’t have to say it, pilgrim.” Hunter said. “We’ve got a deal.”

“Yeah. I hope so.”

“What do you want us to do once we’ve warned Macintosh?” asked Neilson.

“Warn Macintosh and tell him what the Hellfire Club is planning,” Lucas said. “It looks like they’re going after individual leaders of the Suns of Liberty in which case Adams is the most logical target. We’ll have to keep an eye on him, but we can’t keep track of all of them. If we can get the Sons of Liberty to do part of our job for us, so much the better. Tell Macintosh to assign some of his South End boys to watch the leaders. Have several people on each of them if possible. Hancock, Otis, Edes, Revere, all of them. Then get right back here. We’re going to have to play this by ear and I don’t want to have to worry about where anybody is. Drakov knows we’re here and that may force his hand. If our friend in the other room can’t help us, we could be in a world of trouble.”

Not long after Neilson left with Hunter. Moffat started to come around. They had all changed into colonial clothing by then, but their attempt at deception didn’t last long, At first. Moffat was confused and disoriented. He awoke to find himself tied to a chair in a strange room with all the curtains drawn. As his eyes gradually focused and he realized that he’d been taken captive, his lips drew tight into a stubborn line and a defiant look came into his eyes:

“You have been captured by ‘the Sons of Liberty.” said Lucas. “We have some questions to put to you. If you cooperate, then you will not be harmed. But if you refuse to answer. it will not go well with you.”

Moffat’s gaze traveled around the room. taking in his surroundings, sizing up his captors.

“You don’t fool me, “he said, “I know who you are.” He gazed pointedly at Andre. “I should have killed you when I had the chance.”

Andre stared at him. “You’re the headless horseman.” she said.

“That’s right,” Moffat said proudly. “But killing me won’t do you a bit of good. You’re too late. You’re much too late to stop it. I don’t really matter anymore, so do your worst. I’m not afraid.”

“Our worst could be much worse than merely killing you.” said Lucas. “But there’s no reason it should come to that. I don’t think you know what you’re really involved in. If you help us, perhaps we could help you.”

Moffat gave a short bark of derisive laughter. “The way you helped my master, I suppose?”

“Your master?” Lucas said.

“Lucas…” Finn said. “He’s a hominoid.”

“Of course,” said Andre. “It would make perfect sense. Whom else could Drakov trust to carry out his plans?”

“I may have failed,” said Moffat, bitterly, “but my master will succeed. There is nothing you can do to stop him. You’ve lost and in that. I’ll take my satisfaction.”

“Why?” said Lucas. “Why should you take satisfaction in a temporal disaster, in all the untold damage it could cause; in all the loss of life? What possible satisfaction could you find in that?”

“Forget it. Lucas.” said Delaney. “Drakov has him thoroughly programmed and conditioned. You’ll never get through to him.”

“Maybe not,” Lucas said, “but it’s got to be worth a try. He can still think. He can still feel. He’s still as human as the rest of us.” Moffat stared at him. “What did you say?”

“I said that no matter what Drakov may have done to you, you’re still a human being, with a mind and will of your own. Think for yourself, man. At least listen to what we have to say.”

Moffat glanced around at them in bewilderment. “What sort of trick is this?” he said. “Why do you tell me that I’m human?”

Lucas looked at him with surprise. “Because you are, of course.” he said. “You mean to tell me that Drakov told you you’re not human? What did he say you were?”