David Robbins - Capital Run

Blade raced across the dirt floor. He tore the gag from Rikki’s mouth.

“Where are the keys to your shackles?” he asked.

“The one called Cardew has them,” Rikki replied.

Damn ! Blade glared at the chains. Why hadn’t he thought to search Cardew for the keys? After all, Cardew had unlocked his chains!

“We heard shooting,” Rikki said.

“Hostile natives,” Blade said, examining the antiquated chains.

“Take off,” Rikki advised him. “You can come back and free us later.”

“We’re leaving here together,” Blade stated.

“Without the keys?” Rikki asked.

“Who needs keys?” Blade tucked the Browning under his belt and handed the knife to Rikki. “Hold this.”

“What do you have in mind?” Rikki inquired.

“This.” Blade took hold of the chain attached to Rikki’s right wrist.

Removing the shackle encircling Rikki’s wrist wasn’t feasible; he could do it, but he might hurt Rikki in the bargain. No, his best bet was to concentrate on the link joining the chain to the shackle. He gripped the chain in his right hand and held the shackle with his left. “This might smart,” he warned his companion.

Rikki’s arm tensed. “Go for it.”

Blade strained, exerting his herculean strength to its limit, pulling on the chain, his massive muscles bulging, his arms rippling with raw power.

Rikki had adopted the horse stance, striving to facilitate Blade’s effort by staying as immobile as possible.

Blade was gritting his teeth, his neck pulsing, the veins protruding.

Lexine was watching the operation in wide-eyed astonishment.

Blade could feel the chain biting into his right hand. He ignored the discomfort and heaved, thankful the chain was old and the links on the rusty side. If only they were weak enough! Sweat beaded his brow as he continued to apply pressure. Every muscle on his arms stood out in sharp relief. He closed his eyes, concentrating, channeling every iota of power into his brawny hands.

Rikki was striving to maintain his balance. Despite his horse stance, a normally immovable posture, Blade’s awesome strength threatened to propel him from his feet.

Blade’s sinews were at their utmost, his face a beet red, when the link affixed to the shackle on Rikki’s right wrist snapped, parting with a loud crack.

Rikki relaxed. “You did it!” he said, elated.

Blade wiped his perspiring brow. “One down and three to go.”

“You should rest a bit,” Rikki advised.

“No time for that,” Blade said. He moved sideways and applied himself to the shackle on Rikki’s left wrist. This chain was more stubborn. The perspiration was pouring from his pores, his arms trembling from his exertion, when the connecting link finally broke.

Rikki rubbed his tender wrists, massaging the skin under the metal shackles. “Thank you,” he said to his friend.

Blade nodded and crossed to Lex. He pulled the gag from her mouth.

“I don’t believe it!” Lex declared. “How did you do it?”

“They don’t make chains like they used to,” Blade remarked.

Rikki joined them.

“You’ll need to steady her arms,” Blade directed Rikki. He looked at Lex. “It this hurts, say the word. If I’m not careful, I could tear your arms from their sockets.”

“Don’t worry none about me,” Lex stated. “Just get me out of here!”

“I don’t believe you two have been formally introduced,” Rikki said as Blade took hold of the chain attached to Lexine’s right wrist. “Blade, this is Lexine. Lex, this is Blade.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Lex mentioned.

Blade nodded and began applying himself to the chain.

Rikki gripped Lex’s right wrist, adding support, struggling to keep Lex’s arm steady.

Lex grimaced as Blade started straining against the chain. The edge of the metal shackle bit into her flesh, drawing a thin line of blood. Even with Rikki holding her arm, she felt as if it really would be ripped from its socket any second.

Blade stared at the last link on the chain. He could see the rusted metal giving way and stretching. With a grunt, he wrenched the chain and was rewarded by a sharp, popping noise.

“Only one to do,” Rikki said.

From off in the distance, from upstairs, came the din of upraised voices.

“They’re after us!” Lex cried. “Hurry!”

Blade paused, gathering his energy. The clamor upstairs was growing louder. If the chain fastened to her left shackle was as sturdy as the others, it would require minutes to break.

He didn’t have minutes to spare.

“Hold her left arm tightly,” Blade said to Rikki, then he grinned at Lexine. “Close your eyes and count to three.”

Lex did as he requested.

On the count of three, Blade tightened his arms and huge chest, took a deep breath, and savagely tugged on the chain.

Lex gasped as her left arm was jerked outward. Her left shoulder lanced with agony.

Blade uttered a growling sound and yanked his arms in opposite directions.

Lex groaned.

The link abruptly burst asunder, causing Blade to stumble backwards two feet.

“You’re free!” Rikki said to Lex.

Lex leaned on the brick wall, holding her left arm pressed across her stomach. “Am I in one piece?” she asked, her eyes still shut.

Rikki rubbed her sore shoulder. “How bad is it?”

Lex opened her eyes and chuckled. “I’ll live. We’d best get the hell out of here.”

The approaching racket was much, much closer.

“Where are our weapons?” Blade queried Rikki.

“I don’t know,” Rikki replied.

“Then we’ll have to make do with the Browning and the knife,” Blade said. He glanced at Lex. “Which way?”

Lex scanned the chamber. “I’m not sure. I haven’t been down here very often. One of these doors leads to an alley. But I can’t remember which one.”

“Lead the way,” Blade instructed her.

“What if I pick the wrong door?” Lex responded.

“We’ll have to take that risk,” Blade said. “Let’s go.” He drew the Browning and motioned for them to precede him.

Lex headed for the nearest door, Rikki by her side with the knife held in his right hand.

Blade backed from the room, keeping his eyes on the door to the far hallway.

The Leather Knights were pounding down the hall.

Blade reached the door used by Lex and Rikki, turned, and darted into its dim interior.

Not a moment too soon.

Dozens of Leather Knights surged into the brick chamber. A great shout went up at the sight of the dangling chains.

“They’re gone!” a man yelled above the rest. “But how?”

“We didn’t pass ’em!” a woman bellowed. “They must have used one of the other doors!”

Immediately the Leather Knights divided up, some taking the first recessed door, others the second, and the smallest group the last door. In a minute, the chamber was vacant.

Far along the murky hallway and racing like the wind, Blade detected a swelling in the voices behind him as leather garbed bikers filled the narrow corridor.

Where did this lead?

Blade hoped the hall wasn’t a dead end. He doubted the Leather Knights would bother to take them prisoner a second time, not after what he had done to Terza and Cardew. He locked his gaze on the shadowy forms of Rikki and Lex 30 feet ahead. If they could reach the alley Lex had mentioned, they might be able to hide in a nearby building. He wished he were outdoors instead of deep under the earth. A troubling sensation of claustrophobia enveloped him.

Spirit preserve him!

Blade glanced over his right shoulder, but couldn’t perceive any movement to his rear.

Good.

They were losing the SOBs!

Blade faced front again and pounded after Rikki and Lex—