Part 295: Awaken

Mia sat by herself, next to the water. A small tear slowly left her right eye. She felt like she the day Brendon died; she had no tears left cause she had cried them all. Mia barely knew Rose but her one selfless act let her know she was a powerful woman; both in courage and spirit. Her soul was prepared and Mia knew that God would welcome her into his kingdom. Two months ago, Mia lost her faith. Arriving on the Island changed her life around and at the moment, she had to decide whether some else was going to die or THEY ALL would die. Mia then felt a cold rush of wind, almost as if someone was touching her shoulder. “It’s not your fault.” A whisper echoed in her ear.

Mia realized there was nobody around her. Due to the magic of the Island, she could only hope Brendon was appearing before her in her waken state to offer her guidance. She wiped her tears and sniffed. “God forgive me.” She whispered.

“It’s not your fault,” the voice whispered.

“Help me, Brendon,” she replied.

“You are doing the right thing,” the voice echoed, “You must do whatever it takes to survive.”

Then a scream interrupted Mia’s thoughts. She turned to see two men grab Natasha by the arms and proceed to drag her into the woods. The Lakota girl stood up and then ran toward Frakes. “What are you doing?” she demanded.

“What do you mean?” Frakes said, annoyed at her still.

“Those two guys, what are they doing to Natasha?”

“Whatever they want.” He sneered.

Mia was frozen. “Whatever they want” didn’t sound like a good thing. She heard Natasha screaming in the distance as they carried her off. The sight of it made Joscelyn weep even more. Taylor looked in horror but then she turned back to Mia and shook her head against her. Her friend was telling her not to waver even then, cause if she did, they were all dead. Eddie looked over his mother’s shoulder at Natasha leaving. He turned around and saw Jilly crying. The little boy was wondering why the deaf woman would cry for someone she barely knew.

Then Eddie realized. He remembered when Jilly was talking about the bad men and she said, “They hurt me more.” The little boy then understood that those men were about to hurt Natasha in the same manner. The young kid felt nothing but rage at the thought of those men. Eddie then leaped out of his mother’s lap and ran toward the nearest soldier.

It happened to be Embry.

“YOU LET HER GO!!” Eddie screamed, slamming Mr. Kangaroo into Embry’s back. Hal slowly raised up, fearing for Eddie’s life. The soldier killed one child and probably wouldn’t hesitate to kill another.

“Get back with your mother kid,” Embry ordered, grabbing the stuffed animal.

“Eddie, please, get back here!” Barbara begged.

“GIVE HIM BACK!!” the little boy screamed.

Embry then kicked Eddie hard into the chest, sending him back about four feet. Barbara and Jilly rushed up to grab him. The little boy coughed, spending up a small amount of blood. Barbara cried as she held onto her son. “YOU BASTARD!” Jilly screamed, ”He’s just a kid!”

Embry spit, not offering any sympathy. He walked over to the nearest bonfire. He held up Mr. Kangaroo for a few moments and then dumped him into the fire. Eddie slowly opened his eyes to see his companion burst into flames and gray smoke. “No,” he whispered.


The two men held onto Natasha with both arms, as she struggled and screamed. She then reached over and clawed at one of the men. The soldier screamed as she left nail marks across his cheek. The other soldier then slammed his rifle into the back of her head. She yelped and then fell onto the ground, unconscious. “Damn it,” the soldier winced from his wound, “Broad’s got some fight in her.”

“Me first.” The man put down his rifle.

“She scratched me, man. I get first dibs.”

The soldier then ribbed over her shirt, exposing her breasts. He giggled with glee, as he buried his mouth against one. The other soldier then pulled down her shorts and removed her panties. Natasha moaned, still unaware of what was happening. The second soldier then removed his pants and moved in closely to invade her. “Oh, God, she smells great.” He said, as he reached down to him self in.

Then he jerked as an arrow pierced his throat.

The first soldier then looked up abruptly, just in time to see a young boy with long blonde hair throat a knife at him. The blade sung through the air with deadly aim, landing in the man’s chest. He gasped for air, seeing the handle of the blade sticking in front of his face. Then he looked up just in time to see another young man with a sword swing at him. The soldier gagged as he felt the blade tear off a chunk of his face.


“NATASHA!!!” John screamed as he ran to her.

Seth stabbed his sword into the ground, then quickly pulled of his shirt. He gasped and turned away, using it to cover her up. John collapsed near her legs. The archer winced in disgust and sadness; grabbing her undergarments and her shorts, pulling them back up. Alexander felt rage toward the soldiers; seeing them do this sort of thing before to his own sisters. “Did he . . .hurt her?” he asked, finding the words.

“I don’t know,” John replied, tabbing her cheek, “Tasha, can you hear me?”

She moaned slightly, feeling of her head. Before John could ask again, he heard a gagging sound behind him. He turned around and saw the man he had shot in the throat crawling away. He was trying to get to his rifle but he was having obvious trouble breathing. John slowly stood up and pulled out another arrow. He then fired at the man, slamming it in his shoulder. He tried to scream but the arrow in his throat prevented that.

John pulled out a second arrow and then fired it at the man, slamming it into his stomach. He jerked around, trying to scream. Seth looked at what John was doing and before he could say anything, Alexander grabbed him by the shoulder. The wild boy’s eyes were telling the young singer the soldier deserved it. John then pulled out one more arrow and fired it into the man’s chest, piercing his lung. The archer stood there, letting the rage ooze out his mouth like spit. He stared and watched the man struggle for his life. He didn’t know if the soldier had time to rape her but he was about to. John couldn’t fathom any punishment that would even fit.

John then came back to reality when Seth grabbed him by the arm. The archer looked down on his younger friend, seething with rage. “You finished?” Seth said, holding his arm.

John looked toward the beach. Natasha was almost raped. He cared for her but his heart belonged to Mia. Bad thoughts echoed in his brain about what the soldiers might be doing to her. “I ain’t even started yet.” He hissed back at Seth.

John hoisted his arrow slung over his shoulder, then reached down and picked up Natasha. He had to go stash her away in a safe place. Alexander and Seth picked up the weapons of the fallen soldiers. They knew they had a window of about 30 to 40 minutes before the other soldiers came looking for them. They only hoped they would be able to take them out in the same stealth mode that was so successful with Fender’s group.



Jilly trembled, trying to control her fear. She was afraid for poor Natasha. If it was anything like what happened to her and her twin sister, she knew that the poor woman wouldn’t be safe. The deaf woman looked to Eddie, who just stared into the blankness of the ocean. He massaged his chest and then his head. She reached over and stroked his hair, hoping he was all right from the blow Embry gave him. The boy smiled at her, taking her hand for a brief moment. The deaf woman then looked to the jungle wondering if those vile soldiers were done with Natasha yet.

Then she suppressed a gasp when she saw Seth in the bushes.

A soldier walked by her and she quickly stared back to the ground. Then she slowly looked up and saw the young singer leaned up slightly between the two plants he was hiding between. Then she realized why he was doing it; she had forgotten he knew sign. Seth then moved his hands and told Jilly that Natasha was all right. The deaf woman held in her sigh of relief so the other guards wouldn’t notice. Seth then asked in her sign, how many guards were there and if anybody else was hurt. Jilly looked to the guards and the moment they weren’t looking, she quickly signed to Seth everything that had happened. He waited for a few seconds and then told her in sign to wait for their signal. They would tell them what to do.


John kept his sharp eyes open for the distance. It had been 15 minutes since the saving of Natasha. He was worried other soldiers might come looking for the dead ones soon. Then he pulled out an arrow, seeing a scuttling across the bushes. He breathed easy when he saw it was Seth. The young singer crouched low as he ran toward them, sword in hand. “What happened?” John asked, “Is Mia safe?”

“Mia took up for everybody, John,” Seth kneeled, catching his breath, “She told those guys she was the leader. She hasn’t told them about Tony and the others at the boat.”

“Is anybody else hurt?” the archer asked.

Seth took a deep breath, rubbing his face. “They executed Rose.” He whispered.

John closed his eyes, wincing. He was so worried about Mia, he never realized they might have killed somebody else. They chose that poor woman, who never did anybody wrong. Alexander even shed a tear for her; remembering her kindness like everybody else did. The wild boy then tapped John on the leg. “Plan?” he asked.

“I ain’t sure,” John looked into the distance, “I am a good shot but I can’t take out . . .how many guards?”

“Twenty One.” Seth said, relaying the message from Jilly.

“I can’t take out 21 guards in time. I guess . . .we should have to take out the Liberators closest to Hal and Dutch at least, let them grab their weapons and let them join us in the fight.”

“Yeah, sure,” Seth said sarcastically, “Sounds like a great plan.”

“You got a better one, Seth?”

“How about we hope that no one else gets killed and we wait for reinforcement, namely Tony and the others?”

“They don’t know the soldiers have gone to the beach! We can’t . . .we can’t wait on them. We’re going to have to figure something out.”



Back at the Broadway/ Shark Tank station, the night time was in full bloom. A few of the group was awake but the majority of them were asleep. Desmond had offered them the large collection of sleeping bags, he assumed was meant to be supplied to the Kids in the experiment. They were all too happy to use them.

Outside Sawyer and McKay still guarded the access road where the soldiers would be returning. Sayid rested on the boat, trying to stay awake. The Australian told him that it would be okay for him to sleep but he didn’t want to; making sure he and his friends would be safe. The waiting was getting deeper into the night. Sawyer took a moment to relief himself.

He came back out from behind the tree and began to zip his pants back up. He continued walking toward the cabin where he and McKay were at, passing by the tied and gagged Moon. As the redneck walked past him, he heard a burst of static. “Moon, come in,” a radio said.

Moon then immediately woke up. Sawyer paused in front of him. The soldier didn’t move; not knowing how the southern man would react to the radio. “Moon, pick up, damn it!” the radio squawked again.

Sawyer slowly walked over the gear to Moon’s right. He slowly reached in the dark green backpack and pulled up the radio. “Moon, if your lazy ass is in that hammock again,” the radio warned.

“Who is that?” Sawyer asked to the bound man.

“Moon, if you are receiving this, we have taken the beach. There is about roughly 40 plus people here. They know what happened to Fender, cause they have his journal. If you are hearing this, you better get your ass in gear and bring the Rogue to us. If I don’t hear from you within the next hour, there will be hell to pay.”

Sawyer paused as he heard the threat from the radio to Moon. The bound soldier stared at Sawyer with wild eyes; sweat slowly running down his temple. “Took the beach?” the redneck hissed in his face, “Now how could they take the beach . . .with five men?”

Moon started to whimper, for certain the southern man was going to kill him. Instead, Sawyer quickly stood up and ran toward the cabin. “MCKAY!!!” he screamed.

“What’s wrong?” he poked his head out of the door.

“We have a big problem.” Sawyer panted.



Tony jerked as he was shaken awake by his Australian friend. “Tony, Marita, wake up.” He ordered.

The young couple began to awaken as they were sleeping together on the couch; huddled under a white blanket. “McKay, what’s wrong?” Tony said, grabbing his sunglasses.

“The soldiers have taken the beach, “ He said, walking over to wake up Locke, “There isn’t five soldiers, there is 24.”

“Twenty four?” Marita said, putting her shoes on, “I thought that guy outside said Five.”

“And we were stupid enough to believe him.” Tony said, getting his boots on.

“Let’s not worry about our complacency now, “ McKay ran into the hallway, “JACK!!!”

The doctor slowly walked out, rubbing his eyes. “McKay, what’s wrong?” he asked.

“There weren’t just five soldiers, there was 24. They have taken the beach.”

“What?” he gasped.

“No questions, Jack. We got to get back fast.”

“Can the yacht take us there?” Jack asked.

“I don’t know for sure but at the moment, we don’t have a choice.”

“Go get it ready to go, I will get Shanna.” Jack then ran down the hallway.

The doctor quickly jogged down the hallway. He then ran into the medical room, as he saw the redhead briefly asleep, leaning her head on Kate’s medical bed. The wounded brunette then woke up from Jack’s abrupt entrance. “Jack, what-“ she asked.

“Kate, we got to go, those Liberation bastards have taken our friends hostage.” He said, looking to Shanna,” Shanna, get your gear. We are leaving now.”

“Oh, my god, “ she said, grabbing her shoes.

“Jack, what are you going to do?” Kate asked.

“I don’t know, Kate, I don’t know but we’ll come back for you as soon as it’s over.”

“What? No Way!” she said, leaning up, “ I am coming with you.”

“Kate, your collarbone is broken and I have given you enough morphine you should be in bed for the next 8 hours.”

“Shanna, get my shoes.” The brunette asked.

Jack then walked around the best, getting in front of her. “HEY!” he said, getting her attention, “You can’t help us with only one arm. You are staying.”

Kate grunted and then smiled. She slowly took Jack’s wrist, staring into his eyes. “You don’t know that you can take the beach back,” she whispered, “You guys are all I have left. If you are gonna die . . . .I want to die with you.”

Jack closed his eyes. He gently touched her forehead with his. She smiled, rubbing his arm. Even though she was in pain, she never felt better in her life. Shanna was right; good things happen when the secrets are revealed. “Shanna, can you help her?” Jack asked.

“I got her, Jack, “ the redhead said, helping her with her shoes, “You go ahead, we’ll catch up.”

“What the bloody hell is going on, brother?” Desmond said by the swinging double doors.

Jack parted from Kate and walked over to the strange man. He thought he knew him; and the doctor had to be sure he wasn’t playing with them. “Desmond, “ he whispered, “Did you know the compliment of soldiers from the Butterfly Rogue was more than twenty of them?”

Desmond blinked. “You didn’t?” he asked in all seriousness.

Jack rubbed his eyes. “Brother, I’m . . .sorry,” he said, taking his shoulder, “McKay was so damn confident. I thought you guys knew, as if you had some sort of a plan.”

“We were so enthralled by you and the Shark Tank . ..we never bothered to ask. We . . .we screwed up.”

“You heading there now?”

“We are.”

“Then get going, brother. Your friends need you.”


The remaining group proceeded outside. Tony and Marita walked hand in hand while McKay joined them. Locke followed with them, looking back to his other friends. Kate grunted as she had her arm around Shanna, as the redhead helped her walk. Jack followed up, holding a rifle in his hand. They looked up ahead, seeing Sawyer and Sayid standing next to the tied up Moon. Sawyer had the barrel under the soldier’s chin. “What kind of weapons do they have?” he asked.

“Various rifles, M-60’s and RPG’s.” he coughed.

“How did they get to the beach?” Sayid asked.

“Blind luck,” Moon replied.

Sayid then kneeled down and pulled out a blade. Moon squinted his cheeks, as the middle easterner poked it into this cheek. “There is someone very dear to me on that beach, “ he muttered, “You do NOT . . .want to lie to me.”

Moon took a deep breath. “My commander . . .said he found the Journal. The Colonel’s journal. Did one of you take it?” he asked.

“I did,” Locke said, “What does that have to do with anything?”

“Secondary Protocol.” Moon whispered, “If the Colonel is lost, then any surviving soldier must locate the journal. It’s bugged, for easy finding.”

“The journal . . .is bugged??” the bald man gasped.

“Why would the journal be bugged? What makes it so damn important?” Tony asked.

“So that our Exalted One . . .can catalog the exploits of his soldiers. It’s for the knowledge of any future member of the Liberation.”

Locke slowly closed his eyes and rolled his head. After reading Fender’s words in the journal and what Moon said, it all made sense. “Students of History,” he whispered.

“Never mind the grammar lesson, we have to go!” Sawyer commented.

Sayid then placed the gag back against Moon’s mouth and the group proceeded to get into the boat. McKay leaped into the back then quickly climbed the ladder to get to the cockpit. Every body else slowly began to file in. Kate grunted as Shanna and Jack helped her into the boat. The wounded brunette gently sat down on one of the three mounted chairs in the back. Sawyer paused for a second, gently touching her shoulder. “You all right, Freckles?” he asked.

“Tip top,” she joked, “Sawyer . .I . . .”

He gently put an index finger over her lips, making her stop talking. “Not now, darlin,” he smirked, “Let’s kick some Liberation ass first.”

“Okay,” she smiled.

The engine of the Butterfly Rogue began to roar into action. McKay clicked it into reverse and began to back out of the dock. After he came out a few feet, He turned it and began to head in the direction of south, according to his onboard compass. The Australian knew the beach was south and he hoped there wasn’t that much obstacles between them and the beach. The group head as the yacht soared into the water, crashing into the waves of the violent undertow.

Sawyer climbed up the ladder and joined his friend in the bridge of the boat. He jolted as they hit another rocky wave. McKay was scanning the whole console in front of him. “McKay, you planning on getting us there in one piece?” Sawyer held onto the dashboard.

“I hope so, but help me find the lights.” He asked.

“What lights?”

“THE LIGHTS TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE BOAT, JACKASS!!” McKay yelled back at him, “Do you see any street lights out there in the water?”

Sawyer realized what he was talking about. The moon barely shined enough light for them to see where he was going. The redneck quickly fumbled around, and finally found the lights. The moment he clicked them on, McKay screamed as they were headed straight for a stone wall.

He immediately swung the boat hard to starboard, missing the rock face by a few feet. The group jerked as they all fell toward the right said of the boat. “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON UP THERE?” Tony screamed.

McKay grabbed the mike and spoke over the loud speaker. “Everybody calm down, I got it under control.” He told them.

“Any idea what we are going to do when we get there?” asked Sawyer.

“Ride into the beach, and kill every Liberator.” The Australian smirked.

“Oh, right. And here I was worried it was gonna be difficult.”


The waves washed over the beach in a rhythmic pattern. The survivors were tired and scared; not knowing what was going to happen next. Eddie massaged his head; worried the evil soldier had hurt him more than he realized. The buzzing was getting louder in his head. He slowly looked up and found the plastic eyes of Mr. Kangaroo staring back at him. The stuffed animal was a companion to him and gave him a connection to a magical computerized being called Watchman. He hated to lose him and hoped something bad would happen to the soldier who burned him. The buzzing continued in his head. “Eddie,” someone whispered.

The little boy slowly looked up, realizing it was the same voice that Mr. Kangaroo had spoken to him. “I am always with you,” the voice echoed, “Even though I am far away.”

“Watchman,” Eddie whispered under his breath, “I am scared . . .for my mom and Jilly . .”

“Don’t be scared, Eddie. Mia told me to make sure you were safe. But you must wake them now.”

Eddie blink. “Wake who?” he whispered.

“The Security Systems.”

The buzzing in Eddie’s head had stopped. He blinked when he saw a soldier standing near him. It was the man called Embry who had burned Mr. Kangaroo earlier. The little boy then grew angry as he realized the soldier was staring down at Jilly. “Ain’t you a cute little thing?” he whispered.

Jilly was repulsed, as he let the barrel of his gun caress her cleavage. Eddie then knew what he had to do. Within seconds, he jumped up; grabbing Embry’s leg and biting into it. “YEEEEAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!” the soldier screamed.

Embry then pulled out his side arm and then hit Eddie across the head. The little boy took the blow and held on. The soldier then hit him again, busting open a wound on his forehead. Barbara screamed as she jumped and grabbed her son. Embry winced from the bite wound, walking with a limp. “Little brat.” He coughed.

He then cocked back his gun and pointed it the body of the limp boy. Barbara slowly embraced her son, keeping her eyes on Embry. The murderer didn’t change his mind. “You want to die with him, lady?” he asked.

“Please,” she whispered.

“EMBRY!!” Frakes screamed.

The soldier looked to his leader, who was lighting up a cigarette. “Stop your grabbassing over there.” He said.

“He bit me!” Embry protested.

“So what? It’s just a kid.”

Embry spit at Barbara and then walked away to tend to his wound. The older redhead then pulled her son back to her and Jilly’s spot. She gently pulled up her shirt and began to wipe away the blood gash on his forehead. The deaf woman cried over the limp boy. “Eddie, please wake up,” she whimpered.

Eddie slowly opened his eyes. Barbara laughed and cried at the same time; hugging him. “Eddie, why did you do that?” she cried.

“Wasn’t . . .going to let him . . hurt Jilly.”

The deaf woman saw his lips and realized what he said. She never met a braver boy in her entire left. Eddie gently laid his head into his mother’s bosom. “It’s okay, mommy,” the boy whispered, rubbing his head, “We’re gonna be okay now.”

“What?” she said, confused.

“Bad men gonna be punished now.” He said, giving a slight smirk.



The wind blew through the Outpost, sending dead leaves every where. Inside the main control room the computer were slightly damp from dew that had made it through the open door. The chair in front of the main console swung slightly do the left as the breeze began to blow it. A small lizard crawled up to the monitor, taking view of the room. Then it scurried away when the monitor clicked on. The glass screen flooded green as power was being routed to the machine. Within seconds, the monitor began to fill with bright green words.


WATCHMAN SECURITY PROTOCAL ACTIVATED.
LAST COMMAND FROM MIA ACCEPTED.
….
….
SCANNING……..

ELECTROMAGNETIC DISTURBANCE DETECTED. SCANNING FOR COMMAND PROMPTS.

SECURITY ACCESS GRANTED.

PROTECT MIA
PROTECT EDDIE

ACTIVATE SECURITY SYSTEMS TO INTERCEPT AND PROTECT

POLLIWOG IS ONLIN
MECHA IS ONLINE
MONOXIDE IS ONLINE
MOLE . . .IS OFF LINE

SEARCHING . . .


MOLE UNABLE TO BE FOUND. UNABLE TO COMPLETE SECURITY PROTOCALS WITHOUT FOUR SECURITY SYSTEM.

CONSTRUCTION IS NEEDED.
SEARCHING FOR VIABLE MATERIAL FOR CONSTRUCTION
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
VIABLE MATERIAL FOUND. CONSTRUCTION COMMENCING.
COMBAT CHASIS ENABLE. ADDING PROTON FLUX ACCESS. CONNECTING TO PATHWAYS IN CEREBRAL CORTEX. ACCESS ENABLE. ACCESS GRANTED.

NEW SECURITY SYSTEM IS ACTIVES
SECURITY PROTOCALS CAN NOW BEGIN

POLLIWOG IS ONLINE
MECHA IS ONLINE
MONOXIDE IS ONLINE
RAVEN IS ONLINE




Outside the complex, the massive silo opening for Mecha opened up again. The engine of destruction churned it’s wheels as it climbed up the silo. In the distance of the jungle, the trees began to sway and break under the might of the Polliwog. The mysterious creature let loose it’s mighty roar that it became known for. Mecha screeched to a halt as it arrived at the top of the silo, righting itself up. To it’s left then a pipe slowly poked up from the ground. The top of the pip then popped up and out poured black smoke. Monoxide opened up his shining blue eyes briefly as it formed to a cloud above Mecha.

Behind them at the silo a lone figure emerged from the ground. Raven took his first steps and stood up straight. His clothing was tattered and the skin parts that were visible were covered in red and silver wires. The new security system turned around, revealing the new wires around his eyes. For a quick second, his eyes flashed blue just like Monoxide. He accepted his programming and knew what he had to do.

The Polliwog roared as it began to tearing up the trees in front of it. Mecha then started to fling it’s arms which had the thick cord wires. The wires began to tear up the trees and bushes in front it, like a weed eater. Monoxide then floated above following them both. Raven paused for a second, then began to run after Mecha. As he did, a small trail of blue light followed behind him. The security systems made their way toward beach, following their programming.

And woe to those who stood in their way of protecting Mia and Eddie.

Part 294: Day 58

It was in the dead of night now. Most others nights the survivors would be sleeping but now, they were being held hostage by a group of soldiers belonging to the other group they wiped out. The whispers among them had been carried out, up and down the beach. Most were separated into groups but they knew how to send messages along. Being stuck together for two months gave them a feel for how each other could communicate. Even at that moment, it was highly important they kept to themselves about the sensitive information that had come to light. “You really think they have discovered their boat?” Natasha whispered.

“More than likely,” Barbara whispered back, “I know Tony will come for us. We just have to hope it’s not that long.”

“I don’t understand,” Kellye whispered, “if they knew their was going to be a boat here, why didn’t they tell the rest of us?”

“Maybe they didn’t know.” Hurley whispered back.

“But they left, Hurley,” Micheal grunted in a whispered tone, “Does that mean they didn’t trust us with that information?”

“All of you, shut up,” Jenny hissed back at them, “If Jack decided not to tell us about their boat, then he had a good reason. It changes nothing.”

The group immediately shut up when two soldiers walked near them. On of them stopped in front of Joscelyn, having his rifle next to her face. The sight of the weapon made her whimper. The soldier was getting upset, because that wasn’t the first time she made the high pitched sound. “I am getting sick of that crap, “he said, pointing the rifle at her, “You shut the hell up, now!”

All it did was make Joscelyn even more scared, whimpering even louder. She then grabbed Hurley by the shirt and buried her head into his chest. The large man put his arm around her, trying to comfort her. “Dude, get the gun out of her face and she’ll calm down,” Hurley told him.

“You don’t give orders here, lardo,” the soldier hissed back.

“Seriously, dude, you don’t get that rifle out of her face, I am gonna rape you with it.”

The soldier paused for a second, then laughed. He then raised up his rifle, relaxing it on his shoulder. “How colorful,” he smirked, walking away, “Pissing contest goes to you, fat man.”

Hurley winced at the arrogance of the mercenary. He then patted Joscelyn on the back, massaging her arm. “It’s okay, Joe,” he whispered, “They are gone.”

“I’m so scared.” She cried.

“Don’t be, Joe,” Kellye said nearby, “You know me and Hurley aren’t going to let anything happen to you, isn’t that right, Hurley?”

“Of course it is,” the large man embraced her.

Joscelyn calmed down enough to part from Hurley. But she didn’t move far from him; she held onto his hand, squeezing it tightly. The large man just smiled, patting her had for assurance that he wouldn’t go far. Jenny kept her eyes on the soldier in front of her. He had her nunchuks in his back belt line. The blonde girl was amused that the soldiers didn’t think the weapon belonged to her. She just needed the appropriate time to seize them and start taking them out one at a time.

Frakes then started to walk toward Mia. She slowly looked up at him. He then reached down and grabbed her by the arm, hoisting her up. She grunted as he shoved her away from the crowd. “Time’s up, girl,” he hissed, “Where is your leader?”

“I keep telling you, he’s dead.”

Mia then grunted as Frakes sideswiped her across the jaw. The group gasped at the act before them. Mia coughed and then slowly got up, massaging her busted lip. She stared at Frakes with utter contempt. “I warned you about playing me.” The soldier hissed.

“You might as well hit me again, cause I am not changing my story.” She spit back at him.

“No, I can already tell it was going to come to this.” The leader then pulled out his sidearm, “ You don’t tell me where your leader is, then someone is gonna die.”

“Whether you believe me or not, it doesn’t matter. You were planning on killing someone from the beginning and there wasn’t a single thing I could say that would change that.”

“Then pick one.” Frakes grunted.

“What?” Mia gasped.

“PICK ONE!!!” the leader screamed as he pointed to the group.

Mia looked at all of their frightened faces. Clay immediately turned his head to look elsewhere, assuming she would pick him. However, the Lakota girl was not about to sacrifice any of the survivors. “Me.” She whispered.

Frakes then blinked, feeling the anger that was giving him a headache. “What did you just say?” he grunted.

“Me, “ she said, “I choose me.”

Frakes then cocked his gun and put in on Mia’s head. “NO!” Taylor screamed, standing up.

Mia closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. She felt her knees starting to give way upon feeling the pistol’s barrel touch her forehead. She wanted John to appear on the beach. She wanted him to save her; she wanted him to kill every Liberator on the beach just like he did at the Outpost. Then she felt the gun leave her forehead. “No,” Frakes hissed in trembling rage, “You don’t get off that easily.”

Frakes then turned to a blonde-haired bearded soldier standing near him. “Kill one, Viking” he ordered, “I don’t care which.”

The man called Viking then pulled out his side arm and started to walk toward the crowd. He looked around and took notice of all the people. He saw a lot of lovely women that he wouldn’t mind having thirty minutes alone with. For that one hideous reason, he decided to eliminate the people he thought was dead weight. He stopped as he stood near Rose. “Get up.” He ordered.

“NO!” Bernard screamed, as he jumped toward him.

Another soldier then rammed his stock-end of his rifle in the black man’s face, knocking him down. He felt hard, feeling his bloodied nose. Rose then held up her hands, forcing them to stop hurting her husband. Then she slowly turned around and kneeled before her husband. “I’m old, Bernard,” she whispered, “I am ready.”

“Rose,” he whispered, holding his bloodied nose.

“All these beautiful people have a long life ahead of them. As far as I am concerned, it’s a fair trade.”

Bernard started to cry but he didn’t show much of it for his wife. He was both struck with fear and pride in his wife. “You . . .you were always braver than me.” He whispered.

“Keep these children safe, “ she said, kissing his forehead, “We shall all meet by and by.”

Bernard cried as his wife stood up. Mia then started to panic. Rose was about to die for them. The Lakota girl then charged Viking, trying to grab his rifle. He then grunted, and struck her across her head. Mia coughed as she twirled and landed face first into the sand. She slowly looked up and saw Rose staring down at her. “It’s okay, Mia. This is not your fault.” She whispered.

“Rose, no,” Mia whimpered.

“Be strong, Mia and tell them nothing.”

Viking took her by the arm and proceeded to lead her away into the jungle. Mia slowly stood up, gently touching her busted lip with her tongue. She watched as the tall blonde man continued to follow her into the woods. The Lakota girl then heard Rose begin to sing.

I’ll fly away
Oh, Glory,
I’ll fly away, in the morning,
When I die,
Hallelujah by and by
I’ll fly away

Mia slowly closed her mouth as Rose’s singing faded in the distance. Never in her life had she encountered such a brave woman. The survivors slowly turned toward the distance as they couldn’t see anything. Bernard didn’t turn around; he just closed his eyes and proceeded to pray. Natasha gently held his arm trying to comfort him. Mia felt sick; like she was about to puke. Then she jumped from the sound of a gunshot.

Everybody was silent. No one had anything to say. Mia slowly closed her eyes, letting the tears fall down her cheeks. Frakes slowly walked up to her, and crossed his arms. “Brave woman,” he commented, “And thanks to her, I now had a better idea what is happening.”

Mia slowly opened her eyes and looked at him, in utter hatred.

“The cop said for you to tell me nothing. She just said for you to tell me nothing, which means . . .you are hiding something.”

Frakes stood a step closer to get in her face. Mia closed her eyes and looked the other way. “Tell me who is out there.” He hissed.

“Go to Hell.” Mia coughed.

Hal grew even more angry; watching the Liberators abuse Mia and put in her a situation she didn’t want nor desire. He leaned up, as he laid in Libby’s lap. Clay was fidgeting behind Ana-Lucia. “Who is he going to choose next?” the billionaire whimpered.

“Dude, would you shut up?” Dutch grunted.

“To Hell with this,” Clay leaned forward, “I’m telling them before he kills anybody-“

Clay then immediately shut up as Ana-Lucia reached back and grabbed his scrotum. The billionaire grunted and wheezed as she continued to squeeze his privates. Then she pulled her hand away abruptly when Embry started to walk over to them. Clay collapsed, holding his crotch and taking deep breathes. The murderer looked over at the fallen man. “What’s his problem?” he asked.

“PMS.” Ana-Lucia spit back at him.

Embry just chuckled and then turned around to join the others. When he was out of sight, Ana-Lucia then abruptly leaned down and got right in Clay’s face. “You bitch.” He whispered.

“Let’s get one thing straight, Clay,” she hissed, grabbing his cheeks, “You give up Jack and the others, I swear to God the Liberation won’t have to kill you cause I will.”

Viking came back from the woods alone. Bernard slowly looked up at him and the vile soldier returned his gaze with a simple smirk. The black man closed his eyes, as he collapsed into Natasha’s arms. “I’m so sorry, Bernie.” She whispered.

“God will give me justice,” he gritted his teeth, squeezing a section of her shirt.

Jenny looked at the black man, humbled before the loss of his wife. The blonde slowly turned around, letting a small tear drop out of her eye lid. “Jack,” she whispered, “Please . . .hurry.”

Part 293: Mia's Stand

Frakes looked over the piece of paper, which was a photo copy of a mugshot belonging to Kate. The leader paced around, flipping the paper as he did. “Let me get this straight,” he said, looking to the soldiers standing around him, “This woman did a job for you?”

“That’s right,” Embry said, “She and a buddy of mine held up a bank. I helped pick the players and she was the one who chose the bank. Later after my friend was shot in the leg, she made off with the contents of one safety deposit box. I never saw her again. And I never thought I would either.”

“Then what she is doing here?” Frakes asked.

“Well, Mancuso claims that she was being escorted back to the states by a US Marshall from Australia.”

“Who is Mancuso?” asked another soldier.

“A San Francisco cop who made me leave the country.” Embry smiled, “He’s over there next to Ana-Lucia.”

“And who is Ana-Lucia?” asked Frakes.

“New York Cop who killed my cousin Jason.” Embry smiled again.

“So . . .there are THREE people on this beach that you know?” asked Eve.

“You betcha.”

“That doesn’t sound like coincidence to me.” Frakes groaned.

“No, not me either, chief.” The murderer grinned.

“Interrogate the male cop, see what he knows about Fender.”

Embry grinned with delight yet again, as he pulled out his shotgun and began to walk back toward the group, followed by Darren and two other soldiers. Mia followed them closely as they walked back up to Hal and his group. The detective slowly raised his eyes toward Embry, who stared down at him with a grin. “Time for us to have a chat, Hal.” He smiled.

“I got nothing to say to you.” His enemy replied.

“Oh, you got plenty to say to me. And Frakes wants to know what happened to Fender and his group.”

“Who?” Hal said innocently.

“Don’t play coy with me, Hal. We found rifles belonging to our men in your little camp here. You know what happened to him, don’t you?”

“Don’t know what you are talking about, Embry.” The cop repeated.

“Oh, yeah?” the murderer replied, “I think you do. You are just too scared to admit it. Fraid I might, hurt . .one of your friends here.”

Embry slowly walked over to Libby, gently placing the shotgun down on her shoulder. Hal stared up at him angrily, gritting his teeth. The soldier just cocked his head to the side, looking curiously at him. “What is it gonna take to get a rise outta you, Mancuso?” the soldier said, walking back over to him, “Oh, wait, I know!”

Hal’s left eye began to twitch. His nerves were shooting fire. Every fiber in his being wanted to grab the murderer and rib his eyeballs out. Embry held his shotgun over his left shoulder and smiled at Hal. “Hey, Hal.” He said, getting his attention.

The cop slowly turned to face him. Mia started to get alarmed; she knew from Brendon’s warning that Hal should not provoke the Skull Man which Embry happened to be. She needed to make sure that Hal and Embry’s feud didn’t escalate into the horror of seeing everybody gunned down on this beach. Embry finally leaned forward and asked his question to Hal. “How is your dead son?” he laughed.

Hal then rushed and punched Embry across the jaw. He tried to grab his shotgun but another soldier rushed over and slammed the stock end of his rifle into the back of Hal’s head. The cop grunted as the pain made him fall back into the sand. Embry walked over to the ocean and spit out a chunk of blood from his mouth. Two of the soldiers held him up. Embry then walked over and picked up the shotgun. Then he slowly placed the barrel on Hal’s chin. Libby wanted to screamed but Ana-Lucia held her back. “You’re gonna pay for that, Mancuso.” The murderer warned.

Mia had to make her move. If Embry killed Hal then they wouldn’t hesitate to kill the rest. The Lakota girl then stood up. “EMBRY!!” she screamed at him.

The soldier then paused, looking at her. Darren heard her out of his good ear and then looked back to his partner. “You know that girl too?” he asked.

“No,” he blinked, “She probably heard my name from Hal.”

The soldier then removed the shotgun from his enemy’s face and walked over to Mia. The Lakota girl stood her ground as he faced her. “You got something on your mind, little girl?” he asked.

“Yeah, I need you to tell Frakes something.” She smiled.

“Like what?”

“Tell him . . .that Fender died on his knees, screaming for his life.”

The soldiers stared at Mia, wondering why she would say such a thing; unless it might have been true. Embry twitched his cheek slightly, a little angry at the arrogance of the young woman. “He died screaming, eh?” he said.

“Yeah, I think the scream was . . well, the best I could describe it was sounding like a pig screaming just before it was about to become a ham steak.”

“Mia!” Rose gasped nearby.

Embry sneered at the young girl. He half respected her for having so much guts than he had seen in a long time and the other half annoyed him so much he wanted to kill her. But however, the girl had presented him with what he needed. Information about Fender’s disappearance or according to her, apparent death. Embry then grabbed her by the arm and pulled her toward the other soldiers. “I got a better idea,” he said, “Why don’t you tell Frakes yourself?”

“Loved to.” She replied.

The others gazed at what she was doing and couldn’t have been more alarmed. Shannon thought for sure they were going to kill her. Mandy looked to Taylor who didn’t seem that alarmed. “What is Mia doing?” asked Mandy.

“I don’t know but I am sure she did it for a reason,” the blonde whispered, “That is how Mia thinks.”

Embry walked up to Frakes and Eve, with Mia in tow. The young Lakota girl didn’t budge, she left him pull her. When they arrived at the estranged leader, Embry finally let her go. “This young piece of tail has something to say to you, Frakes.” The murderer mentioned.

“Really?” Frakes blinked, “and what might that be?”

“Oh, I just wanted to make sure you knew how the others died.”

“How?”

“We killed them all.”

Frakes gritted his teeth in anger. “Impossible.” He whispered.

“Is it?” Mia raised an eyebrow, “Then where are your men?”

Frakes gritted his teeth yet again. The truth was he didn’t have an answer. She was baiting him, getting to prove her statement but he refused to believe it. There was no way! No way this bunch of civilians could wipe out Fender and his entire regiment. Then it donned on him; the scorched field. It would have a been a good tactic. It was something he could have thought of himself at some point in time. “There was a field that was burnt, by a large fire near our Outpost,” he whispered, “If that was you did? Lure them out there and set fire to the field?”

“You are quicker observer.” Mia commented.

“Who thought of that plan?”

“I did.,” she whispered.

“Don’t lie to me.” Frakes hissed.

“Why would I lie about something like that?”

“Perhaps to cover up somebody’s else’s abilities, like a soldier perhaps?” Frakes answered her question with another question.

“You seem to make a lot of snap judgments.” Mia pointed out.

“I know situations, I know how certain things need to happen. Like for instance, you don’t strike me as the person who could speak for these people.”

“Is that because I am a woman?”

“No, it’s because you are young,” Frakes took a step closer to her, “Where is your real leader?”

“He’s dead,” Mia quickly said, “Died fighting Fender’s group.”

“And who took the journal?”

“I don’t know who did that.”

“It was found among a man’s things.” Eve pointed out.

“I didn’t know that.” Mia replied.

“Play with me little girl and I promise you will regret it.” Frakes hissed.

“I don’t have any desire to play with you, Frakes. I wanted to make sure your wrath was directed toward me, cause I speak for these people.”

“My wrath is directed toward you but I don’t believe a word you are saying.” Frakes then pulled out a green shotgun shell, “Embry, punish the cop.”

The murderer laughed as he took the green shotgun shell. He then started to pump the breech of his shotgun, emptying all the red shells onto the sand. He then loaded the one green shell into his weapon and walked back toward the awaiting cop. The two soldiers who were guarding him stepped back. Hal didn’t move; he just looked at Embry. The murderer then cocked the shotgun and held it toward the cop. Hal responded by spitting in his direction. Embry then looked back toward Frakes and Mia. “Tell me what I want to know or he dies.” The leader said in Mia’s ear.

“TELL THEM NOTHING, MIA!!” Hal screamed.

“You kill him . . .and I will tell you nothing.”

“We’ll see it.” Frakes then nodded his head toward Embry, who then quickly pulled the trigger on his weapon.

The explosion from the barrel erupted toward Hal, sending him back about three feet. Libby screamed at the same time Dutch did for their fallen friend. Hal landed on the sand hard, then started to scream. Mia blinked at the pain he seemed to be exhibiting. The cop gritted his teeth again, while Embry laughed at him. Dutch then gasped as Hal slowly got up. His face trembled as he held back at the pain. The shotgun blast that riddled his chest; all the small marks were oozing a small white foam. Hal took a deep breath and then collapsed on his knees, trying not to scream. Libby closed her mouth with her hands; trying to stop her heart from pounding.

Frakes looked at Mia with a slight bit of respect. “You called my bluff.” He whispered, “Looks like you may have the guts to be the leader after all.”

“I’ve never seen many green shotgun shells.” Mia whispered, “What did you actually hit him with?”

“Rock Salts.” The leader said, “There is enough gun powder to ignite the shell but instead of buck shots, its rock salt. I suppose I don’t need to explain what happens when salt enters the blood stream?”

“At least now I know what a cruel monster you are.”

Frakes then leaned into her face; making her feel the breath on her left cheek. “You haven’t seen anything yet.” He grunted, “You tell me what I want to hear in a half of an hour or someone dies for real.”

One of the soldiers grabbed Mia and escorted her back to her group. He then shoved her, making her land near Mandy. The young blonde helped her friend gain her footing. She then thanked her and then crawled over to where Hal was laying Libby’s lap. Dutch tried to wipe off the woods as they started to cluster up. Mia gently touched Hal’s wrist. “Hal, I’m so sorry.” She whispered.

“Don’t be.” He grunted, “You did the right thing.”

“But he could have killed you.”

“It’s not Embry’s style to kill with just one blast. He’s going to want to make me suffer.” The cop grunted as Dutch cleaned his wounds, “It’s when the leader orders other people to kill one of us that we have to worry.”

“What were they asking you, Mia?” Claire whispered.

“I told him I was the leader. He doesn’t believe me.” The Lakota girl whispered.

“Then tell him where Jack and the others are.” Clay mentioned.

“What?” Mia gasped, “No way I am doing that!”

“You’re going to get us killed, you selfish little bitch.” The billionaire hissed.

Hal then reached around and grabbed Clay by the wrist, squeezing it. The tall man grunted as he reeled from the pain. “You don’t get it to do, Clay,” he grunted, “If we tell them where Jack and the others are, our one shot at getting off this Island is blown.”

“What shot?” he muttered, pulling his wrist away.

“Use your brain for once, Clay,” Ana-Lucia whispered, “You really think that hovercraft could have brought all those soldiers do this Island?”

The billionaire heard her words and thought about it. Indeed, that sort of vehicle looked like it was just for short range transport. He then looked to them. “A bigger boat?” he whispered.

“Jack and the others are securing that boat for us,” Mia whispered, “If we tell them where they are, they will kill us and go kill them to protect their boat.”

“Why weren’t we told about this?” Mandy muttered, a little angry.

“There are only twenty soldiers here,” the Lakota girl looked briefly over her shoulder, “Tony and the others didn’t know what kind of boat would be there. So if it can only hold twenty soldiers, something tells me it’s not going to hold all of us.”

“But it will still . . .give them a chance to get us a rescue.” Hal grunted, as Dutch continued to wipe out the wounds.

“We just have to hold on, until they get here.” Mia whispered.

“How do you know they are coming back for us?” Clay grunted.

“I just do.”

Part 292: What Kate Did

Shanna munched heavily on the green beans. She took the salt container and doused them in it; she always loved salty vegetables. Kate moaned slightly next to her in the infirmary. “I love salty vegetables, Kate,” she smiled as she ate, “I know. It’s hardens the arteries, but old habits . . . are just as HARD to give up.”

Shanna snickered under her little joke. Kate then slowly opened her eyes, looking at the red head. “You should try a salt substitute,” she whispered, “You don’t want high blood pressure.”

“Kate! You’re awake,” the redhead giggled, getting a small bottle of juice.

The fugitive leaned up while Shanna head the juice bottle for her to drink. Kate gasped, as she was extremely thirsty. She leaned back into the pillow, and smiled at her friend. “Thank you for staying with me.” She smiled.

“It’s my pleasure, sweetie,” she said in her kindest voice.

“I would have expected Jack or Sawyer to be here.”

“Jack is helping the others get the boat ready for us to leave. Sawyer . . is keeping an eye out for the returning soldiers.”

Kate then looked at her with concern. Shanna took another bite of her vegetables and then looked at her innocently. “What?” she said, swallowing her food.

“Why did you have that pause in the sentence with Sawyer?” Kate asked.

“What pause?”

“THAT PAUSE! You just did it when you talked about Sawyer.”

“I did?” the redhead tried to be innocent about it.

Kate closed her eyes, and rubbed her forehead. “Shanna, don’t be coy with me. Did Sawyer say something while I was out?” the fugitive asked.

“Uh . .no,” Shanna said, gritting her teeth, “You . .kinda. . . said something.”

“What? What did I say?”

“You asked for Jack . . .to never leave you . .and to love you . .”

Kate’s eyes slowly bulged out of her skull. “Oh, no,” she whispered.

“But after he left, you said that you couldn’t love Sawyer but he was a good man. You also mentioned that Seth deserved better than you but you loved him too.”

“Oh, no,” Kate repeated, covering her eyes.

“Katie . . . .who is Wayne?”

“What?” she said, opening her eyes abruptly and looking at her friend.

“You also said something else . . .you mentioned you needed my help. Someone very close to me told you that I could help you. And I think it has to do with this Wayne person. So . . .who is he?”

Kate started to get teary eyed. She looked at Shanna with a little bit of fear and panic. The redheaded drummer then reached up and too her other hand that wasn’t part of her shoulder bandage/sling. Kate started to cry, squeezing her friend’s hand. Just looking at her face made Shanna start to cry as well. “I’ve seen a lot of good things happen when someone lets go of their pain, Honey,” she whispered, “I can tell this has burned up your soul for a long time. Please, tell me.”

“I can’t,” Kate cried, “I can’t let you know of my guilt.”

“Please, Kate, tell me.” Shanna stood up, getting closer to her.

Kate started to hyperventilate, trying to suppress her tears. “Wayne . . .he was . .my step-father . . .he . . .he beat my mother,” she sobbed, “I . .I . .killed him.”

“Really?” the redhead gasped.

“My mother . .she . ..she never understood . . .she . .Oh, God, Shanna, . . .she’s was afraid of me. Her last words to me were spoken in fear!”

Kate leaned up and embraced Shanna, crying into her shoulder. The redhead cried with her, understanding the pain that the brunette had carried around with her for so long. Kate wept and wept, trying to breathe. “It’s all right, Kate,” Shanna rubbed her back, “You are still a good person.”

“I did . . .what I had to do . .to save my mom . .but she never . .understood,”

“I know, I know.”

“I killed him too. I made a mistake . . .he died because . .I was stupid.”

Shanna blinked through her tears. “You’re . . .you’re not talking about Wayne, are you?”

“My . .childhood . .boyfriend . .my first love . . .he wanted to help me but I ran and he was caught . . .in a crossfire . . .My plane . ..”

“Your toy plane?” Shanna remembered.

“It’s all I got left of him. That’s why, Shanna. That’s why I can’t love any other man . . .they’ll wind up dead too.”

“No, Kate!” Shanna parted from her, and looked at her directing in the face, “You can’t say that! You never know what the future holds.”

“No, it will happen, “Kate whimpered, “God is punishing me for killing my abusive father. I . .won’t ever be allowed to love ever again.”

Shanna gently stroked her friend’s hair, trying to produce a smile. “I am not much for religion myself, but something tells me,” she whispered, “I can’t imagine a God who would punish a wonderful woman like you.”

Kate managed to smile at her friend, feeling a little bit better. The fugitive always asked God forgiveness daily but couldn’t hear anything. She thought of the strange dream that she had, of the Asian man beckoning her to talk to Shanna to help her. At that moment, she felt more relieved than she had in years. Kate then raised her head up and looked into the distance with a concerned face. Shanna then turned around to see what she was looking at. The double swinging doors of the medical room showed a head leaning against the glass panel. The doors slowly opened up and Jack walked in, wiping his tears. Kate was mortified; she could tell her heard everything. However, he wasn’t offering a judgmental glare, it was more sympathy.

Jack took a few leisurely steps forward and came closer to her. “There were days when I asked myself, “ he whispered, “Would a cold blooded murderer help a wounded man sew up his back?”

Kate took a deep breath as he approached her.

“Would a cold blooded murderer be concerned about said man after he was in a cave in? Would . ..that cold blooded murderer also stay with that man when gave his life blood to try to save a dying young man? Or help a woman give birth to a child in the middle of nowhere?”

“Jack,” Kate whispered.

Jack then put his index finger on her lip to stop her from talking and let him finish. He leaned over so he was inches from her face. “The truth is, Kate,” he said, tears coming down in face, “That a cold blooded murderer wouldn’t.”

She started to cry, looking at him.

“You may have killed him, Kate but thanks to the Liberation we’ve all killed people here.” He said, embracing her, “And when you did it, you were not doing it for selfish reasons. You were protecting your mother. I am only sorry she couldn’t understand that.”

Kate wept in his shirt as he held onto her, rocking her back and forth. “I am sorry for a lot of things, Kate,” he said, kissing her hair, “I should have . . .I should have let you tell me what you did. Then maybe . .you wouldn’t have had to hold in this pain for so long.”

Shanna smiled, knowing that she was right. Good things had already happened to Kate. Jack, a man she cared deeply for, had not judged her on what she did; he had forgiven her. He saw the good in her and looked past the bad. He was right as well; they had all been forced to kill people. They only hoped that God would eventually forgive them for what they had to do.

Perhaps he would; as long as they forgive everybody around them.

-------------------------------------------,

Frakes browsed through the journal, hoping to get some sort of clue about what happened. However, the last dated entry was way before Fender left to see the Exalted One and then Frakes and his crew brought him back to the Island. So what happened since that time? The young soldier held the journal aloft in his hand, while his men gathered up the weapons from the civilians. The soldier then spotted Eve coming toward him. “Frakes, these people had a handful of weapons here,” she sighed, “and some of them are OUR rifles.”

“These people . ..wiped out Fender?” Frakes scoffed, standing up, “Wiped out my brother? I find that hard to believe.”

“You saw the burned out field. They got lucky, they had to have been.”

“I don’t believe in Luck, Eve.” The soldier spit into the ocean waves.

“Then how do you explain it? They have some of our guns and they have the Colonel’s Journal.”

“The Liberation doesn’t get wiped out by people like this!” he grunted, “We wipe out people like this!”

“Then what do we do, Frakes?” the female soldier asked.

Frakes scanned over the group of survivors. He checked out several of the men, even a few of the women. He was always a good judge of people, after his brother got him into the Liberation. It was one of his strengths. He walked into a room of mercenaries, he could immediately tell who the leader was. What was confusing to him was, among the group before him, he couldn’t tell who the leader was. But he was going to find out. “We get some answers.” He replied.


Embry paced over Hal and his group like an animal ready for the kill. Hal never expected to come across the murderer on the Island. Sure, he chased him to Australia but he didn’t find him. Was the Liberation responsible for that? The San Francisco cop turned to Ana-Lucia who looked at him briefly then back to Embry. “How do you know him?” Hal asked her.

“Hal, you can’t be serious?” Embry chuckled, “You honestly expect me to believe that you and Ana-Lucia didn’t come to Australia together to hunt down little ol’me.”

“I never met Hal till a few days ago,” Ana-Lucia replied.

“Then can I tell the story? Pretty please, Ana?” the soldier laughed.

“I will kill you.” She whispered.

“Hal, you’re gonna love this.” Embry walked back over to him, “You know what this bitch did? She busted up a thieving ring and when she walks in, my cousin blasts her. Four rounds in the body and then she lives. Then you know what happens? You are gonna love this. Ana-Lucia hunts down my cousin Jason and executes him in a parking lot.”

Libby looked back abruptly at her friend who kept her alive in the bunker at the Liberation. The Latina cop said nothing; she was not denying what Embry was saying. Hal looked to his friend then back to the man who killed his son. Embry stood up and walked back to Ana-Lucia. “You were pregnant, is that right?” he said kneeling down, “As I recall, that’s what Danny Boy said as he begged for his life.”

Ana-Lucia slowly closed her eyes, letting one tear slide down her face. “You ex-husband had no guts, Ana. I am surprised such a wussy-man would marry a tough broad like you?” he reached and gently stroked her hair, “Were you not only his wife but his body guard as well?”

“Don’t touch her.” Hal ordered.

“Dan didn’t deserve to die like that,” the cop whispered.

“You killed my cousin like a dog,” Embry kissed her on the ear, “I figured I would return the favor.”

Embry picked up his rifle and slung it back over his shoulder. He walked back up to Hal while two more soldiers watched over them. “Tell me, Hal,” the mad-man whispered, “Who told you I was in Australia?”

Hal said nothing. Then Embry pointed his rifle and placed it directly into the cop’s cheek, making Libby gasp. “I asked you a question, flat-foot.” He hissed.

“Coles.” Hal replied.

“Johnny Coles told you where I was?” Embry pulled his rifle away to enjoy a laugh, “Son of a bitch. I will have to pay that rat bastard a visit whenever I make it back to the states.”

“Why are you with the Liberation, Embry?” Hal asked him.

“Why did I join these boys? Well, that’s kinda your fault, now isn’t it?”

“My fault?”

“That’s right. You started bringing the heat down on me and my contacts back in San Fran. No body wanted to work with me, I was too hot. They were afraid Super Cop Hal would come down on them like a ton of bricks. So what did I do? I went down under to look for work and found a cool guy named Belmont.”

“He . .hired you?”

“Yeah, that was two years ago. I had to work my way up the chain of command. So my first tour with the Liberation, I was on their supply boat working guard detail. I figured, it was easy money and I liked their Ghost Legion attitude. They stay hidden, Hal. Just like I wanted to. . .until you brought yourself and Ana right to my doorstep.”

“FOR THE LAST DAMN TIME, I DIDN’T BRING ANA WITH ME!!!” Hal screamed.

Before Embry could answer, another soldier came jogging up toward them. It was a smaller man with a crew cut blonde hair and a scar twisted piece of flesh where his left ear used to be. He called Embry toward him, and gave him a white piece of paper. The cop immediately recognized the man with the damaged ear. “Deaf Darren.” Hal whispered.

“Who?” Ana-Lucia whispered behind him.

“Darren Marshfield. I remember reading the sheet about him. He got his ear blown off in a drug raid back in Lost Angeles and the criminals gave him the nickname Deaf Darren ever since.”

“He worked with Embry?”

“One of many.” Hal gritted his teeth.

Embry began to walk back toward the group of survivors, smiling at the piece of paper that was found. Hal looked up at him in disgust. “ You hired Deaf Darren or did Belmont?” the cop asked.

“I recommended Darren to the Liberation.” Embry grinned, “He may only be able to hear out of one ear but he’s got other abilities they can put to use . ..like, for instance, an eye for detail.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“Darren found these as he was searching your tents for weapons,” Embry licked his lips, studying the paper, “ Didn’t bring my enemies to me, eh, Hal? And for a second, I nearly believed you.”

“Look, Embry . .I didn’t assemble some damn hunting party. I had no idea Ana-Lucia was looking for you.”

“Really? Didn't bring anybody else?” Embry finally looked mad. He flipped the white piece of paper around so Hal could look at. The cop blinked when he saw that it was a mug shot of Kate.

“Then why is Katie Girl here?” Embry asked him.

Part 291: Calm before The Storm

The night had enveloped the jungle as it had done so many times before. Seth wondered why he didn’t hear any bats or birds in the night but he realized, it probably wasn’t that type of jungle. He was only thankful there were no polar bears left. John leaned over to the boar that was roasting over the fire and cut himself off another piece. “You cooked the pig well, John,” Seth said, then burped.

“You’re excused,” John smirked, “Yeah, I had a good teacher. McKay is something else.”

“You really think they are gonna be able to find a boat?” his younger friend asked.

“We’ll soon see, won’t we?” the archer replied, taking a bite of meat.

“I mean . ..they’ve been gone four days, almost five. What if they get there and they don’t find nothing?”

“Seth, there is no sense in worrying about. We can’t predict the future.”

“Then if they don’t get a boat . . .we are stuck here.”

“You don’t know that,” John corrected him, “There is always another chance that a boat or a plane might one day pass over this place.”

“Yeah, just like Gilligan’s Island. They didn’t have a chance either.”

“We got a chance. Tony, Jack and the others took it. We can only hope it pays off.”

“Yeah, I guess.” Seth threw a piece of chew up boar meat into the fire.

“Is there something on your mind, Seth?” John finally asked him.

“No . . .well, kinda . . .I want off this Island.” He gruffed.

“We all do.” The archer quickly pointed out.

“Yeah but if we don’t make it, you got Mia to be with. I got nobody . . .except maybe Kate.” He rubbed his hair.

John raised an eyebrow and gave a confused look. “Seth, I . . .I had no idea you were that close to her.” He whispered.

“She’s special, I don’t deny it. I suppose if there was anybody I could leave Tanya for . .it would be Kate, but . . .I don’t want to, you know what I saying?”

“I know exactly what you are saying and I respect you for it.” John smiled.

“Aw, never mind me, John . .I am just venting.” Seth leaned back into his makeshift bed.

“You’ll get home, Seth. You’ll get back to Tanya, you’ll get married and have a wonderful life together.”

“Thanks, John,” the singer said, closing his eyes, “Say . . you ARE marrying Mia, aren’t you?”

“Of course,” he chuckled, “Why do you ask?”

“Just want to be sure I am a groomsman. Unless are you doing that quickie wedding like Tony and Marita? The Las Vegas thing?”

“Honestly, I haven’t thought that far ahead.” The archer admitted.

“Oh, right. Get off the Island. Yeah.”

The bushes started to rustle and Alexander came back, with two dead boar over his shoulders. John chuckled at the sight of the successful hunt. “You are something, Alexander.” The archer replied, “I hope you find a home in the real world when we leave.”

“John,” Alexander replied, then pointed behind him.

“What? What’s back there?”

“That way leads toward the Outpost.” Seth said, “I thought we agreed to NOT go there.”

Alexander then closed his eyes, trying to form the words. “Ground.” He whispered, “On . .the ground . . .something . ..new.”

“You saw something new on the ground . .at the Outpost?” Seth said, trying to understand him.

“Yes,” the wild boy replied.

“I don’t know what he is talking about but we should probably see what he wants us to see.” John stood up, taking his arrows.

Seth then grabbed his sword and followed John and Alexander into the jungle. High above a thunder clap echoed in the sky. Already they were feeling the forming mist of the rain. It would take them a few minutes to get to the Outpost but hopefully, whatever Alexander saw won’t take that long to understand.


-------------------------------------------------,

Isabella placed the plates around their makeshift dinner table. The table wasn’t meant to house that many people, so Desmond moved another table and connected it with table cloth. Sebastian climbed into his highchair and smiled, waiting for his portions of food. Marita came over with the vegetables and set them down. Tony smelled her lovely scent and gently took her shoulder. She turned to him as he held out her car-keys. “A present from Desmond.” He smiled.

Marita’s eyes threatened to bulge out of her head. She took the keys and looked at them. “You . . .you saved them?” she asked Desmond.

“Must have known you were coming.” The stranger laughed at the fate.

“Thank you so much, Desmond.”

“Just answer me one thing, sister. It says from Nana, who called you her one true angel. May I hear what that means?”

“It’s from my grandmother who we called Nana,” the Latina stared at the keychain, “She gave this to me when I got first got my stewardess job. She said . .I was her true angel cause I could touch the sky.”

“That’s sweet,” Isabella smiled.

“I like it. Then it makes me happy I was able to get those back to you.”

“I didn’t like you when I saw you again, Desmond, due to what you did . .but thanks to this . .I truly forgive you.”

“May God always be with you on your journey, sister,” Desmond toasted her.

“To fate.” Tony held up his glass.

“Fate.” They all repeated, toasting to their new friendship.



McKay then jerked abruptly, from his slumber. He sighed, rubbing his face. The bald man looked around in the cabin, seeing Sawyer standing post by the window. The Australian then stood up, massaging his neck. “How long did I sleep?” he asked.

“Just about twenty minutes.” His friend replied.

“Anything out there?”

“Naw, just . . .looks like rain.”

“Well, it’s been a while. Probably was bound to rain eventually.”

“McKay . . .you . .you coming to America when this is all over?” Sawyer asked him.

“Well . . .yeah, actually,” he replied, placing his pistol in his beltline, “The more I thought about it, the more it makes sense. My only living family left is in Montana and Taylor is going back to her home in California. So, yeah, there isn’t nothing left for me in Australia but I got plenty of reasons to move to America.”

“Good answer,” the redneck sighed.

“What’s the matter, my friend? You thought you were gonna miss me.”

Sawyer shook his head, and slowly smiled. “Yeah, I think I was.”

“Whoa,” McKay blinked with a chuckle, “Sawyer getting all mushy on me. I might get choked up here. Seriously. There might actually be tears.”

“Ha, ha, butthole, “the redneck playfully pushed him, “I am sure as you are well aware . .I ain’t ever been good with people. But you . .you and I had to fight each other to get our respect and what we’ve been through with the Liberation . . .I think I could honestly call you my friend.”

“You are my friend as well, Sawyer,” McKay said, shaking his hand, “ I know you are standoffish to the majority of our friends but that’s just your style. I’ve seen how you react when the fan is buried in crap. You protect your own. You may be a selfish redneck moron some times but deep inside there I know there is a man of integrity and honor. It just took him a while to come through.”

“Thanks, McKay. For everything.”

“Just watch my back and I will watch yours. We’ll get through this.”

Then behind them the door to the cabin slowly started to open. Isabella came in with a bright smile and a tray full of food. “Hello, boys,” she smiled, “I wanted to make sure our guards got something to eat.

“Mighty nice of ya.” Sawyer said, helping her with the tray.

“Thanks, Isabella,” McKay said, helping himself to some beans.

“It’s my pleasure. Now . .who wants Cashews?” the Spanish woman said, as she pulled out a small canister from her jacket.

Sawyer paused in his eating of the green beans. The redneck smiled a little bit. “That’s funny,” he said, swallowing his food,” I was craving some cashews.”

“Is that right?” she grinned, handing him the canister.

“Wait a minute. How did you know?”

“I didn’t. Sebastian did.” She smiled, “He stuck them in my jacket as I was coming out. I naturally assumed he knew one of you wanted cashews.”

“He’s a bright kid for three.” McKay mentioned.

“Yes, he is,” she said, leaving the cabin.

McKay and Sawyer said nothing as the Spanish woman left their sight. They proceeded to eat the food. The redneck popped open the cashews and began to chew them. Sebastian just simply knew he wanted them? It reminded the redneck of Walt and the gifts he saw that he had, which is why the Liberation wanted him begin with. Sawyer definitely wanted off the Island.

He was getting creeped out by kids who knew more than they should.



Alexander stumbled onto the dirt area of the ground where the Outpost remained. The rain was coming down in a slight drizzle as the two friends followed their new tracker. The wild boy walked a few paces and then pointed to the ground. Seth click on his flash light and shone it to the ground. “New,” Alexander repeated, “On ground . . new.”

“Those are foot prints, Alexander.” Seth told him, “You are sure . .those are new?”

“Yes,” he replied.

“How long? How long ago?” John asked.

“Not long. New.” Alexander said.

“John, do you think these are the Rogue guys?” Seth quickly asked.

John looked around as the rain began to slowly soak his hair. If it was the Liberation members, what were they doing here? They weren’t due for another three days. The archer then grunted when he remembered the Colonel saving Mia from being hung, because he was a few days early. “It is them.” He whispered.

“You sure?” his singer friend asked, “Then . .our friends who went for the boat . .”

“No,” Alexander said, as he leaned up from kneeling down the dirt road area.

“What?” John turned to the wild boy, “Alexander, you find something else?”

Alexander pointed toward the area that led to the dirt road and eventually Broadway; shaking his head in disagreement. He then motioned with his hands, showing the movement of the soldiers. Then he twisted around and showed their direction back up into the jungle, where there was torn undergrowth through a section of the jungle. “What kind of a vehicle does that?” John whispered, looking at the torn bushes.

“Boat.” Alexander replied.

“Are you kidding me?” the archer retorted.

Alexander held his hands over the strange tracks the vehicle made; long and flat. “Boat.” He replied.

“Alexander, boats don’t work on land.” The archer tried to educate him.

Seth then raised an eyebrow. “Uh, actually, John, there is one kind of a boat that does,” he interrupted, “It’s called a Hovercraft.”

“What? You think . . .the Rogue is a Hovercraft? That’s impossible.”

“Well, what if it is? You willing to take the chance that that sled tracks is Santa and his damn reindeer?” Seth yelled out to him.

John wiped the moisture off of his face. He turned toward the torn jungle. What if it was a hovercraft? Then Jack and Tony will never find a boat. However, he had more worries at the moment. He could tell the direction in which the hovercraft had gone too. He looked to Alexander and pointed toward the path. “Beach?” he asked.

“Yes, beach,” the wild boy agreed, knowing the direction in which they were headed.

“The beach?” Seth panicked, “No! There’s no reason . . ..WHY would they go to the beach???”

“Like you said, I ain’t taking the chance it’s Santa,” John began to run toward the path, “Let’s hurry. If we run, we can make it back by morning!”

“But John they will be there way before that!”

“Then let’s hope they don’t kill anybody.” The archer replied as he began his run through the jungle.


On the beach, the group continued their rest. A few were awake but most were asleep. The people who stayed together were huddled against the approaching wind, able to tell there was a storm coming. Chance gently stared at his wife as she slept, moving the hair away from her eyes. The Texan then heard something behind him. He turned around, only to be greeted by a silenced rifle barrel. A man with night vision goggles stared down at him. “Wake her gently,” he warned, “Or you’re both dead.”

Chance slowly woke Arizona, then placed his hand over her mouth to prevent her from screaming. The soldier then motioned for them to get up. As they did, they saw that more and more soldiers were on the beach, waking up everybody else. As they woke Yolanda, she had to cup her mouth to keep from screaming. Walt jerked a little bit and grabbed her, huddling for cover. Micheal stared angrily at the soldiers, putting his arm around both of them.

Hal grunted as he was shoved to a nearby area of the sand with Dutch. The surfer turned around to make sure Karleigh was by his side. Hal looked at all the soldiers, recognizing them from the Liberation; their style of jackets. The cop then felt a soft hand slide into his and he immediately squeezed it. He knew Libby was by his side. Others behind them were being shoved down.

Joscelyn slowly woke up in Hurley’s tent and looked at the noise that she heard. The sight of more soldiers made her gasp. She quickly reached over and shook Hurley away. “Hurley, we gotta go. Now.” She grunted.

“Dude, “ the fat man whispered, “Come on, we’ll head to the caves and wait for Jack and the others to get back.”

Hurley took her by the hand and proceeded to run out the tent. However, by the time he got out of the tent, two soldiers with rifles shoved the barrels into his face. Joscelyn squeaked, grabbing him by the shirt. “Take your girl and join the others, fat man.” The soldier ordered.

“Dude, chill. It’s cool. We’re going.” Hurley turned around and placed his arm around Joscelyn, guiding her toward the others.

The large man fought the urge to pass out. Things had changed; Joscelyn was with him and he had to protect her. She didn’t like the violence any more than she did. She held onto him, trembling like a leaf in the wind. When they joined the others, Kellye also put a reassuring hand on her friend’s arm, as they sat down with them.

Mia looked at all of them as they forced more survivors around her. Eddie gripped onto his kangaroo toy as he stayed with his mother and Jilly. The Lakota girl looked them briefly then studied the soldiers. They were dressed in typical Liberation fashion, green jackets and various fatigues that looked like they hadn’t been washed in months. Mia then noticed their method of transport. It was a medium sized hovercraft, resting on the beach. They snuck up on them and didn’t even know it. One soldier then removed his goggles and slid back the hood he was wearing. “Eve, find it.” He ordered.

“Copy that.” A woman nearby him said, pulling out a box with an antenna on it.

Mia stared at the soldier that seemed to be in charge. He looked familiar to her and as a result, it’s entirely possible she may have seen him before. She didn’t take anything on the Island for granted anymore. The woman called Eve walked into their Tent City and then made her way into Locke’s tent. The box she was carrying was creating a loud beeping sound. She then came out of the tent, holding Fender’s Journal. “Got it, Frakes!” she called.

Mia was shocked to learned that the journal was bugged but she was thrown back even more when Eve called the man Frakes. That’s how she recognized him! He was related to the soldier named Frakes. Barbara recognized his family resemblance too. “I hope he doesn’t know his brother is dead,” she whispered.

“Barbara, be quiet.” Mia whispered back to her.

Frakes took the journey and held it up. “Whose tent did we retrieve this from?” he asked the crowd.

Nobody said anything. Frakes continued to ask how they even recovered the journal. Still nobody said anything. Mia looked at the other soldiers and then paused when she saw a particular one. There was one soldier who wore a strange bandana; it was in the shape of a jaw from a skeleton, making him look like a horror figure. The Lakota girl realized the connection all most immediately. “The Skull Man,” she whispered, remembering what Brendon said.

Fate continued to fall into place as the Skull man walked over toward the area where Hal and his friends rested. He looked them all over, doing his guard duty. Then he stopped when his eyes met the police man. Hal slowly looked up at him, wondering why he was eyeballing him. The soldier then slowly kneeled down in front of him, balancing on his silenced rifle. “This can’t be coincidence,” the Skull Man whispered through his bandana, “You . . .were the last person I expected to find on this Island.”

“Who are you?” Hal asked.

“You still tracking me down, Mancuso. You shouldn’t have come out here, “ the Skull Man then removed his night vision goggle and slide his horror bandana down, “Cause I don’t think I will be able to let you leave this Island alive.”

Hal nearly lost his breathe staring at the face of the soldier; a face he easily recognized cause he hunted the man to Australia. “Embry?” he whispered.

“Hello again, Hal,” the soldier smirked.

Libby was starting to panic. She wasn’t expecting this to happen. She clearly remembered the name, James Embry. The hit-man who killed Hal’s son. Embry then stood up, rubbing his eyes. “Yeah, this ain’t coincidence, it can’t be.” He said, pointing behind him, “How more of my enemies did you bring here, Hal?”

Hal didn’t know what he was talking about. The cop turned around to see who Embry was pointing at and was amazed to find the familiar Latina staring at the hit-man in complete rage.

How did Ana-Lucia know Embry?

Part 290: Must be Fate

Isabella gently twisted the can opener and poured the creamed corn into the pan. She then placed it on the stove and heated it up, preparing to cook. Marita had finished with the beans, so she began to wash her hands. “I can’t believe you guys have lived off of canned food for three years.” She said, washing her hands with soap.

“It takes some getting used to.” The Spanish woman laughed, “I would love some rotisserie chicken though.”

“We were just talking about which food we missed the other day. I said ice cream.”

“Oh, My god, real ice cream! I would almost kill for some.”

“As opposed to FAKE ice cream?” the Latina giggled.

“You laugh but it’s been our only snack here,” Isabella then walked over to another cabinet and reached in for something.

She then pulled out a silver bag and then tossed it to Marita. After the young woman caught it, she looked it over then flipped it around to read the label. “Freeze dried chocolate ice cream?” she marveled.

“Yeah, whoever ran Broadway before us must have thrived on that stuff. There are tons of boxes of it in storage.” Isabella laughed.

“I guess then it’s no surprise what’s for desert.” Marita smiled.



Outside McKay was on the back end of the boat, opening up the access panel to the engine. He had just found the oil access and pulled out the stick to check it. It looked like the Liberation members had kept the boat in pretty good working order. As the Australian put the dip-stick back in it’s slot, Sayid came up from below deck. “I managed to find five gas cans,” the Iraqi told him, “Two large ones and three smalls ones. There is a closet down there which they now occupy.”

“Good work, Sayid,” McKay slid the engine cover back, “That should hopefully get us a decent way upon the full gas tank we got now.”

Sayid wiped his hands and tossed the rag onto the dock. “Has . . .Jack or any of the others mentioned who leaves on this boat?” he whispered.

“Not yet,” the Australian replied, “I have a bad feeling that they are avoiding the issue.”

“It will have to be dealt with sooner or later.”

“I agree, but right now, we should worry about those soldiers coming back.”

Sayid and McKay picked up their weapons and walked down the dock back to dry land. The soldier Moon was still tied and gagged to the tree, half asleep. As they walked past him, Sawyer came into view, loading up his shotgun. “You guys gonna keep an eye out for the returning Liberators?” he asked.

“Yeah, we are going to set up two posts,” McKay said, “You helping us out?”

“You bet. Where you need me?”

“You and Me will take the south end post,” the Australian pointed, “Sayid, do me a favor and inform Tony, Jack and the others that, just in case, the boat is ready to leave at a moment’s notice.”

“Understood,” the Iraqi said, “I will take the West end post when I return.”

Sayid began his walk back into the metal facility while Sawyer and McKay made their way to the cabin by the end of the road. The Australian walked in and coughed, knocking down the small amount of cobwebs that plagued the room. The southern man by his side found a spot and sat down. McKay walked over to the window and wiped away the smudges, so he could see the full view of the dirt road. “We should be able to see them coming with no problem,” he mentioned to his companion.

“It’s just five of them,” Sawyer retorted, “It could be worse. It could be a whole other damn legion like Fender’s group.”

“Don’t be so overconfident, Sawyer. You can’t predict the future.”

“You’re damn right about that.” He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

McKay looked at him and studied his face. It told him more than the redneck realize. “Kate say something you didn’t want to hear?” he asked.

Sawyer opened his eyes in surprise and looked at his friend. “How the hell did you know that?” he asked.

“Powers of observation,” the Australian smiled, “Comes with the territory of being a teacher. You were in there with Kate for a while. What did she say?”

“Doesn’t matter. I think . . .she wasn’t sure what she was saying, cause of the morphine.”

“Look, Sawyer, it’s painfully obvious you like her. You should just tell her.”

“I have told her, McKay.”

“No, you haven’t. You danced around it, you flirted with her and you thrown innuendo in her face. But you never ACTUALLY told her you like her.”

Sawyer closed his eyes and banged his head against the wall twice. “It’s not that simple,” he whispered, “I’m just waiting for the right moment.”

McKay then started to laugh. He covered his eyes, trying to suppress his laugh but seeing he was failing. “What the hell is so damn funny?” Sawyer grunted.

“Irony. Irony is funny,” McKay replied, “I recall telling a good friend of mine the exact same advice. Sawyer, if you are waiting for the right moment to tell a girl you like her, you are in for a long wait.”

Sawyer looked at his friend and then just smirked. He half wanted to tell him he was right but didn’t feel the need so he kept quiet. McKay turned his attention back toward the road, expecting the soldiers to arrive in the next fours or so. Locke said it might take a day but the Australian was paranoid. Still, he felt at ease with the situation cause Sawyer said it best. There was only five soldiers and they had defeated much more worse odds. All he could think about was getting on the boat and taking the majority of his friends out of there.


Desmond rummaged around in his gear. He had placed all the stuff he had accumulated in various boxes around his makeshift room, which he at then shared with Isabella. Jack looked at some of the stuff around the room, interested in his antique style. There was even one of those crazy clocks shaped like Felix the cat, then looked left to right between the ticks of a second. Tony rested in a conversation chair, built to have two chairs facing side to side. “It’s like living in a seventies museum.” He replied.

“It has it’s uniqueness, brother,” Desmond said, pulling out his knapsack, “ But there are many things I miss. The Weather Channel for one.”

“You watched the Weather Channel?” Jack laughed, “For fun?”

“Perfect thing to fall asleep to at night.” The stranger smiled, pulling stuff out of his bag and setting it aside.

“You’ll get back to it one day, Desmond.” The blind doctor assured.

“No doubt, Tony. But in the meantime, I am happy being here. At least I don’t have to pay taxes.”

“Paying taxes.” Jack sighed, “I guess that will be something to do once we get back home.”

“Like I said, my friends. If I didn’t have to care for my son, I would be on the boat with you.”

“Not going back to this race of yours?” Jack smiled.

Desmond then stopped what he was doing and then looked up Jack. The doctor faced him innocently, not sure why he was looking at him. “I remember you now” Desmond said, “ My race . . I know you . . I met you . . .Los Angeles. I was training, yeah? You twisted your ankle...at the stadium.”

“Small world, eh?” Jack sighed, leaning against the wall.

“Too small,” Tony whispered, realized he head Jack true. The two of them did know each other.

“You’re a doctor, yeah? There was this girl . . .you were worried . . .you said, you said you failed her. That was you, wasn’t it?”

“It doesn’t matter now, Desmond.”

“Was she okay, the girl?”

“It really doesn’t matter,” Jack replied, trying to change the subject.

“What happened to this girl, Jack?” Tony said, at that moment curious.

“It doesn’t matter, Tony. Honestly.”

“What do you say it doesn’t matter?” Desmond replied, “I mean, Jack, this girl much have meant something to you-“

“I married her!” Jack finally confessed, trying to suppress his tears.

Tony said nothing; he could hear the sadness in his friends voice. Desmond went quiet, understanding at that moment why Jack didn’t want to talk about it. “Right, and you're not married to her anymore, then?” he asked.

“No,” the doctor said, wiping his eyes, “No I am not.”

“You didn’t fail, Jack. Some things are just never meant to-“

“I DID fail her, Tony,” Jack retorted, “She needed more than my love, she needed my devotion and I couldn’t give that to her. I needed . . .Jenny to remind me of that.”

“Who is Jenny?” Desmond asked.

“My wife’s sister.”

“She’s on the Island too.” Tony mentioned.

“What are you traveling with her bloody sister for?”

“I wasn’t. She was on the plane. She crashed with the tail section.”

“And you didn’t know?” Desmond smiled.

“No, I didn’t. It was just a crazy coincidence.”

Desmond then felt of something in his bag and pulled it out. It was a cigar box, that was slightly worn through. He opened it up and pulled out another object, that making a clanging sound. “Will you accept some advice from a worldly traveler, brother?” asked Desmond.

“Sure,” Jack sighed.

“Do not mistake fate for coincidence.” The stranger man stood up and walked over to Tony, “My blind friend, will you give this to your lady fair?”

“What is it?” asked Tony.

Desmond took the object and placed it in the hands of his new friend. Tony felt of the object, seeing it was car-keys. He then felt that the keys were attached to a small plate, possibly made of brass. His palms quickly felt of the engraving on them. He ran his fingers, tracing the letters. It read Marita, My True Angel, Nana. “Holy . .” Tony gasped, “Is this . ..is this her . .”

“Don’t know why I kept them,” Desmond smiled, turning around and slapping Jack on the arm, “Must be fate, yeah?”

Before they could say anything, Sebastian slowly opened the door to the room. He quietly beckoned them to come with him. “Looks like supper is ready, brothers,” the stranger smiled, taking the hand of his son, “Let’s go have a feast to celebrate our new friendship.”

“Maybe we should have a toast to fate as well,” Jack said, leading Tony out of the room.

Part 289: Two Front

Locke coughed after he got finished telling the story of their adventures on the Island. Desmond and Isabella had sit themselves down on their loveseat, listening to the entire tell. The stranger scratched his head through his curly hair, contemplating what the bald man had said. Isabella was marveled that all this happened right under their noses the whole time they were at the Shark Tank. “How . . .how many people you said crashed with you?” Desmond asked.

“Just shy of fifty people.” Jack answered.

“Fifty people,” Isabella whispered, “I can’t believe it.”

“And all that happened . . .in two months?” Desmond stammered again.

“Fraid so,” Tony sighed.

“So as a result, you can understand why we were not so trusting when we first met you. We’ve lost a lot of good people to this Island.”

“And from Locke’s story, a lot of good things have happened to you as well,” the stranger pointed out.

“Yes, “ the blind doctor smiled, taking Marita’s hand, “It has at that.”

“So, Desmond, I guess we might as well tell you why we are here.” Jack said, standing up.

“No need, brother,” he smiled, “After hearing Locke’s story, it’s painfully obvious. You want the Liberation’s boat.”

“I guess it’s a little obvious.” McKay laughed.

“I can’t say I blame you. Lord knows I would love to take Izzy and Sebastian off this Island but I can’t . . .not at least for the next 8 years.”

“We could send back doctors. Maybe they can . . .synthesize the drug that-“Tony was about to say.

“Thanks but no thanks, Tony. I know this works. Izzy and I are fully prepared to wait the next 8 years to make sure our son doesn’t become like those poor kids of Black Faction.”

“Then we are at least staying here for the time being,” Sayid stood up,” Jack, is it safe to move Kate?”

“I wouldn’t recommend it. She should remain immobile for at least a day.”

"More than likely it will take those soldiers another day to get back to us," Locke whispered, "We got some breathing room."

Desmond stood up, clapping his hands. “Then it’s settled!” he laughed, “You are welcome to stay in the Shark Tank, and quite frankly, Izzy and I could use the company.”

“It’s been a while since I cooked for more than two. I would love the challenge.” Isabella giggled.

“I’ll help you.” Marita offered.

“Well, then we better make ready to leave for the beach tomorrow. McKay, you can get the boat ready. Sayid, you think you can prep us to prepare for those soldiers?”

“It shouldn’t be hard to rig some traps.” The Iraqi concluded.

“No need, brother. Argos had a perimeter warning program. All I have to do is turn it on.”

“Why didn’t you have that one before we came here?” asked Jack.

“The one downside of using a fifties computer, brother. It must be manned for that program all the time.”

“Ah, point taken,” Jack said, “I guess I better go check on Kate.”

“I’ll do it, Jack,” Shanna stopped him, “Plus, I got to fill Sawyer in on all the information I got.”

“Okay,” the doctor smiled, “I would like to explore this place a little more. If she’s got a fever, make sure you put a cold compress on her head.”

“Will do, doctor Jack.” She giggled, as she walked down the hall.


The redhead made her way into the infirmary. Sawyer rested on a stool next to the past out Kate. The brunette made a few moans as Shanna approached her. “How is she doing?” she asked.

“She’s okay but she’s starting to make noises.” The redneck coughed.

“I wonder how much morphine Jack gave her?” the redhead stroked her friend’s hair softly.

“Jack,” Kate whimpered.

“Honey, are you okay? Do you want me to get Jack?”

“Jack,” Kate repeated, almost crying, “Jack . . .Jack . . .”

“Maybe I should get Jack.” Shanna said.

“Jack . ..don’t . . .leave me . . .Jack . . .love me . .”

Sawyer’s eyes then went wide. Shanna almost gasped, covering her mouth. Poor Kate was in a pain/morphine induced state, not knowing who could hear what she was saying. The southern man then scooted off the stool, rolled up his sleeves and prepared to walk out of the medical room. Shanna could tell his feelings were hurt. “Sawyer,” she pleaded,” Kate . . .she . . doesn’t know what she is saying.”

“You’re right, she needs more morphine,” Sawyer grunted, “I’ll go get him.”

“Sawyer?” Shanna called to him but he ignored her, leaving the room.

Kate moaned again. Shanna walked over to the counter with the sink and took a rag, wetting it. She came back and placed it on her friend’s forehead. “Sawyer,” she whispered.

“Kate, honey, you really need to shut up before you spill more beans.” Shanna warned.

“Sawyer . . . can’t . . .love him . .too much . . .like Wayne . . .”

“Huh?” the redhead asked, “Who is Wayne?”

“Sawyer . . .don’t . ..don’t be like him . ..you are a . .good man . . .”

“I know he is, Honey. Like some of us, he just has to let go of his past.”

“Seth . .Seth . . .”

Shanna then abruptly closed her ears with her hands. “I don’t know if I want to hear this.” She whispered.

“Seth . .so kind . . .love . .love him . .NO . . .he deserves . . .better . .”

“Oh, Kate,” Shanna wiped her forehead with the rag, “You really can’t make up your mind, can you?”

“Shanna . . . .”

“Oh, dear, God, please don’t say you are in love with ME.” The redhead gasped.

“Shanna . . .help . . help me . . .”

“Huh? Kate, how? How can I help you?”

“He said . . .he said . . .you would help me.”

“Wha. . .I don’t understand. Who told you that I could help you?”

“Bre . . .bren . .Brendon. . “

Shanna slapped both of her hands over her mouth to suppress her gasp. Brendon talked to Kate? That was impossible . .or was it? The redhead could only assume that her dead Asian friend appeared to her fugitive friend in a dream. Because she knew for a fact there was no way for Kate to know Brendon, considering he died before they made their journey across the Island. Shanna really wished at that moment Mia was there to tell her what to do. The redhead knew only one other thing to do at the moment.

She quickly started to write down everything in Mia’s pad.


-------------------------------------,

At the beach, people were going about their daily chores, which usually consisted of cleaning clothes, hunting for fruit and trying their best to keep the sand out of places no one wanted to talk about. John was taking some time to enjoy spending with Mia. He admitted his missed McKay and Tony, not to mention which he joined them but he knew he’d see them again soon. The Lakota girl laughed after she got finished tell her archer boyfriend about her first crush on Harrison Ford. John thought that was fine and then admitted he always had a thing for Linda Carter as a kid. The Lakota girl made fun of him that he was just like every other kid his age at that time. Before John could response, he heard someone approaching from behind him. “Good morning, Mia!” Hurley said, “Good Morning, great white hunter.”

“Great white hunter?” John laughed, “Hurley, are you craving boar meat again?”

“BOAR MEAT!” the large man clapped his hands, “That’s a great idea, John, why don’t you get us some?”

John sighed, with a smile. “I kinda walked right into that, didn’t I?” he replied.

“Yeah, you kinda did.” Mia giggled.

“Well, I could stand to stretch my legs, “ the archer leaned up, picking up his bow,” But be warned, Hurley, I am all alone. I am not so good at tracking Boar without McKay.”

“Boar,” Alexander said behind them.

John, Hurley and Mia turned to look at the wild boy. He tapped his chest and then pointed to the jungle. “Boar.” He repeated.

“Dude, that’s perfect!” Hurley laughed, “With Locke and McKay gone, Alexander becomes the defacto tracker.”

“Alexander, you can find boar?” John asked him, motioning to the jungle and his eyes.

“Yes,” the wild boy assured him.

“Okay, now all we need is one more to help us.” John then smiled, looking at Mia,” How about Seth? He does have a good pair of eyes to spot things and he’s pretty good with that sword of his.”

“I’ll go ask him.” Mia smiled, turning around and going to find her good friend.


Mia walked down the long access of the beach where the other clique mostly congregated. He saw the large group of friends laughing together. It made her smile, able to see them get along. In an essence, it made sense cause what other entertainment could they have besides conversation. And as usual, Seth seemed to be the main subject. “Yeah, “ he scoffed, as he ate a mango, “I can rap if I want to . . but I don’t want to!”

“You can’t rap!” Charlie protested.

“No, I can rap. I can! But I only rap in front of family.”

“Hey, guys,” Mia said.

“Hey, Mia, join in the fun, “ Kristy offered.

“Actually, I am just here to talk to Seth,” she pointed.

Seth then looked at her, and quickly finished his mango. “Okay, gotta rap now.” He said, standing up.

“What?” Charlie laughed, “I thought you said you only rap in front of family.”

Seth then leaned up and wrapped his arm around Mia, bringing their faces cheek to cheek. “What’s the matter?” he pointed, “Can’t you see the family resemblance?”

Mia giggled and was at the same flattered, some Seth’s constant reminder that he considers her and Shanna his sisters. Seth then twirled and clapped his hands. “All right, here I go,” he coughed, “Claire, you better hold onto Aaron cause this is gonna knock his diapers off.”

“What?” she laughed, cuddling her baby.

“A BEAST, A BOSS, A BOOST, YOU SOMA BAD IN THA MOTHER!” Seth started dancing around, “You want kick ma buttocks, YOU the sucker! I give you . . .the swazzle! You wanna take a snizzle? Come on, mother, with your juicy looks . . all around the place.”

The group fell back, laughing at Seth’s bad attempt at rapping a song. Seth then started to jerk his hands, as if he was working a turn-table. “HOTTA, HOTTA . . .HOD, HOD, . . HAH HA, HAH!” he screamed.

“What was that?” Kristy laughed, rubbing the tears out of her eyes.

“That’s scratching,” Seth said, proudly, “But you see, I am so good, I can do it vocally, I don’t need no stupid record player.”

The group was all over themselves, laughing at Seth’s humor. He took a quick bow and blew them all a kiss. Mia just couldn’t help but smile at him. She knew he’d make a great entertainer when they got off the Island. Her “brother” walked up to her with a mischievous grin on this face. “Something you needed, Mia?” he asked.

“Yes, Seth, I was hoping you would help out John while he hunted for some boar for us.” The Lakota girl asked him.

“Actually, that’s not a bad idea. I could use some practice with my sword, plus,” He said, picking up his gear, “Something tells me the Peanut Gallery here needs to recover from the laughs I’ve been giving them.”

“Get outta here, ya mook!” Jenny said, playfully toss a mango peel at him.

Seth dodged it and stuck his tongue out at her. Before she could have a chance to chase him, he and Mia ran down the beach to join up with John and Alexander.


John hoisted up his shoulder back and placed his quiver off. Hurley then walked up to him again, trying to finish their conversation. “Oh, come on, dude, you can’t tell that he doesn’t look just like him?” he asked.

“Which movie are we talking about?” John asked again.

“The X-Men!” Hurley said, as if it was obvious, “Don’t you think Seth look just like him?”

“No way. He looks nothing like Hugh Jackman.”

“No! Not him, the other-“

“Hey, guys, “Seth called, “I am here now.”

“Dude, has anybody told you, you look just like that guy from X-Men?” his large friend said.

“Uh . .No,” Seth said plainly, “we hunting boar or what?”

“Yeah, let’s get going,” John said, kissing Mia on the cheek, “Take care, honey. The boar may have gone up into the hills, so we will be back tomorrow.”

“Have fun, boys,” Mia waved to the three friends as they disappeared into the jungle.

Hurley tried to get Mia to agreed with him that Seth looked like the guy from X-Men but the Lakota girl just waved her hands; a playfully way of saying he should leave her out of it. The large man huffed, then walked over to find Charlie. He knew his musician friend would agree with him. Maybe Mandy would too.