Chapter 29: Digging A Deeper Pit

(Holy Cross Cemetery, Underground Mausoleum Hideout)

             Three days later, it was 05:00 pm when Ritchie had finally arrived back to their hideout after a one hour meeting with lead terrorist Sirha Uhlo. They discreetly met inside a small cafe to discuss the details of Samantha's return in exchange for Mukhang Mahasim who needs to be free'd from the Dublin California  Federal Prison. Looking nervous, Ritchie walks down their secret staircase as he gazes at Grey's paralyzed body that was hooked up to the dialysis machine. Turning his head to meet Ritchie's eyes, Grey quickly asks, "So what happened?....". Ritchie looking unsettled quickly takes a seat as he takes out his cell phone and looks back at the text message he got on the way to the cemetery. "Grey I've got bad news.....Dr. Peters and Sgt. Holt have already been arrested.....I just got the message from Sgt. Holt.....He says It's his last message and he wants us to be careful, now that we're on our own.....".

            Grey grimaces as he turns away from the bedside TV in front of him and looks at a blank wall. After a minute of silence, Grey then takes a deep breath then asks, "How many bottles of Dr. Peters toxic serum do we have in store?...". Ritchie goes and opens their small medicine cabinet then says, "We have eight bottles, though I remember Dr. Peters saying that you'll probably die of liver failure between the fourth and the fifth bottle.....What should we do?....". Grey takes another deep breath then looks sternly at Ritchie as he says, "What else, let's plan how I'm gonna get inside that Federal Prison in Dublin.....Did you get the details from the terrorists on who am I supposed to free?....". Ritchie then takes out a large brown envelope as he opens it in front of Grey, showing Grey a photo of Mukhang Mahasim and a blue print map that includes the location, building number, and prison cell where Mukhang Mahasim was being held at.

           But before they could study the map, Ritchie starts having second thoughts about freeing Mukhang Mahasim. "Why do you look so worried?....", Grey asks. Ritchie wrings his hands together as he nervously  says, "Think about what you're gonna do Grey.....You're about to free a terrorist who can assemble a nuclear bomb and detonate it here in San Francisco and the bay area. Have you ever thought of the consequences of what you're planning to do?.....". Grey starts to feel distressed as he answers, "Samantha's life is in danger....And what would you have me do, just let her die in the hands of terrorists. How do we know that this Mukhang Mahasim guy is really a bomb maker anyway, for all we know, this could be just one of Dr. Kinesis's ploy to get me to join him in killing drunk drivers....Besides if there was a real nuclear bomb here in San Francisco, what prevents these terrorists from going out and hiring another bomb expert and detonating it  ....". But after a few more minutes of debate, Ritchie finally makes up his mind and decides to not participate in freeing Mukhang Mahasim. "The terrorist I met tonight told me that once Mukhang Mahasim is free that it will only take him a few hours to assemble and detonate the nuke.....I can't be a part of this Grey, I'm sorry but I have to go. Driving to Nevada is the only safe thing to do. The terrorist I met tonight said that the nuclear blast will consume San Francisco, the whole bay area and will even reach as far south as Los Angeles.....I'm sorry but I can't be apart of this genocide that's about to happen.....".

        The next evening, it was close to midnight when Grey, who was now all alone in his quest to free Mukhang Mahasim in exchange for Samantha was riding in his self driving white mustang as he finally arrives at the outskirts of Dublin Federal Prison. Still 400 yards away from the perimeter fenced prison, Grey takes out a bottle of Dr. Peters toxic serum from his back pack, opens the bottle and drinks all of it's contents. Feeling an increase of strength, Grey decides to levitate stealthily with the only noise coming from his cape that was flapping in the wind. The Dublin Federal Prison, a five acre federal prison which housed high security prisoners. The prison was fenced in with 200 feet high wired fences with an inner and outer fence. There were six watch towers which forms a hexagonal shape perimeter. In the inner area was four buildings that were about eight stories high with each building housing 120 prisoners each.

         And as Grey continues to approach the fenced prison, he could feel his pulse rate speeding up due to the fear that he might get noticed by the tower watch guards. But when he finally reaches the outer perimeter fence, Grey tries to avoid being noticed by kneeling on one knee. Then pulling out his Alemdronite sword from it's scabbard, he slowly cuts a rectangular hole through the fence as smoke appears from the scorching heat emanating from his sword as it cuts through the metal wired fence. With darkness as his ally, Grey passes through the hole undetected and proceeds to the inner wired fence as he does the same, cutting through the wired fence. And once he finally penetrates through the inner fence, he starts to levitate once again at a distance of another 100 yards until he reaches the south building where Mukhang Mahasim was supposed to be locked up. Looking up, he was quick to locate where Mukhang Mahasim was imprisoned due to a red bandana that was tied around one of the window's cross bars. But being on the eight floor with an elevation of 200 feet, Grey knew right away that because of his fear of heights that it would be a challenge to levitate that high. But not wanting to waste precious time, he starts to levitate with his hands holding on to the wall, but whenever he reaches a height higher than fifty feet, his fear of heights would start to overwhelm him, causing him to loose his concentration as he falls back to the ground.

       Trying to be stoic in order to preserve his strength, in the midst of this dilemma, Grey tries again and again, but he was still unsuccessful. And when he was about to use his fists to blast through the building's wall in order to break in to use the stairs,   Dr. Kinesis suddenly materializes beside him as he says, "I wouldn't do that if I were you.....There's over a hundred prison guards who will be storming here once you punch a hole through this building's wall.....". Grey getting caught off guard, starts to feel disgusted as he quickly asks, "What do you want now Kane?.....". Dr. Kinesis in his white lab coat, crosses his arms as he leans on the building's wall then says, "I just came to check in on you.....Is it really worth freeing Samantha for this bomb maker who's about to detonate a nuclear bomb and kill millions of people, even if you free Samantha, how do you know that you won't die from this nuclear explosion that will happen once you free Mukhang Mahasim......Why don't you stop being so stubborn and just join me in building a team with super powers, together we can rule this land, you'll have Samantha back in your arms, I'll give you an endless supply of my JK4 serum and this bomb maker will stay where he truly belongs....in jail....".

        Grey feeling dismayed, stares at Dr. Kinesis then scowls at him saying, "It will be a cold day in hell before I would ever team up with you Kane....Now get lost!....". Dr. Kane sneers as he looks up at the red bandana that was tied to a window's cross bar then says, "Tell you what, since I'd hate to see your girlfriend die in the arms of terrorists, just wait here and I'll get Mukhang Mahasim for you....". "Poof!...", Dr. Kinesis suddenly vanishes for a few seconds then "Poof!...", he reappears again, this time with Mukhang Mahasim by  his side wearing orange prison garments. Grey looking surprised quickly asks, "What's the catch?!....". Dr. Kinesis pushes the bewildered prisoner towards Grey as he says, "There's no catch!...But may I warn you that once you free this bomb expert, you not only jeopardize the fate of millions of Americans but you'll also be hunted down as an International terrorist. This time, the CIA, FBI, Homeland Security and NSA will all be searching for you, so good luck!....". Suddenly, "Poof!...". Dr. Kinesis disappears just as the prison alarm sounds signalling an escape had just happened.

        In less than a minute, Grey and Mukhang Mahasim were running outside the fenced walls as they start heading towards their get away car. And before the sheriff's deputies could locate them, they were able to  get into the car and make their get away. Twenty minutes later, they were on their way to a secret meeting place where the exchange was to take place. It was 02:30 am when Grey finally reaches the meeting point. It was a dark road in Golden Gate park near an abandoned horse stable. With two cars facing each other thirty feet apart. Samantha was led out of the car by Sirha Uhlo himself who was holding a gun to her head. Samantha's hands were bound and her mouth was taped shut. Meanwhile Grey leads Mukhang Mahasim out of his white mustang as they face each other. "Release him and you'll have your girlfriend back...", Sirha Uhlo says. Grey seeing the gun yells back, "How do I know you're not gonna shoot her once I release this convicted criminal friend of yours!...". Suddenly a third voice coming from inside Sirha Uhlo's car yells, "Tell him to throw the gun away!.....". Sirha Uhlo  feeling infuriated looks inside his car and looks at Zhiad as he yells, "Zhiad! who's side are you on anyway!....". Zhiad nervously stammers saying, "I-I-I wa-was just trying to hasten things up a bit master!.....". Rolling his eyes while sighing deeply, Sirha tosses his gun away in the darkness as he pushes Samantha forward. Seeing Samantha walking quickly, Grey does the same as he releases Mukhang Mahasim as they both walk past each other towards their rescuers.

        And as soon as Samantha was close to ten feet away, Grey runs towards her and hugs her tightly. Taking off the the masking tape from Samantha's mouth, Samantha starts to cough as Grey unties her hands as he asks, "Are you Ok!.....". Samantha quickly nods when suddenly they hear Sirha Uhlo's car speeding away. But just when they were about to board their car, they start to see flashing red and blue lights and hear loud sirens blaring from a close distance as numerous police cars where approaching them from both sides of the road. Knowing that they were trapped, Grey abandons their car and carries Samantha in his arms as he  quickly levitates into the thick forest making their escape from the police.

       Fifteen minutes later, Grey and Samantha had finally escaped from the clutches of the police and were now travelling at a speed of 35 miles per hour along 19th avenue in San Francisco. Being carried in Grey's arms, Samantha was now wondering why Grey was still flying at ground level. "Pardon me for asking...", Samantha says, "But aren't you supposed to fly me higher....Like way up in the sky, like how Superman flies Lois Lane....". Grey glances briefly at his passenger then says with a frown, "I'm acrophobic...Can't fly any higher than ten feet!....When I get scared, I lose my powers and I fall back to the ground....". Samantha stares at Grey's eyes then says, "Are you kidding, you expect to get me to safety flying this low and this slow?!.....Geez! I wished Chase was here, he'd fly me up in the sky like he was Superman....". Feeling perturbed, Grey blurts out saying, "Why don't you just be grateful for the fact that I just rescued you from terrorists....If Chase were like Superman, how come he's nowhere to be found when you were in danger huh?!.....". Getting upset, Samantha demands that Grey drop her to the ground immediately. "Put me down, I'm better off just waiting for a taxi!....". Stopping and assisting Samantha to her feet gently, Grey continues to argue saying, "Samantha, all I'm saying is why are you so fascinated by Chase? I was the one who rescued you from danger!....".

        Crossing her arms across her chest, she looks around trying to find a taxi as she says, "That's because Chase has always been there for me, he's my bestfriend....We go skiing together, skydiving....We even go rock climbing together scaling "El Capitan" in Yosemite....It took us three days but we made it to the top....". Looking emotionally shocked, Grey asks, "You and Chase climbed "El Capitan?"....where did you sleep?!.....". Samantha feeling a little distraught glances at Grey then says, "Where else, on a ledge....". Grey's eyes gets wider as he asks, "The same ledge.....What happens when you have to pee?....". Samantha grunts from Grey's insecurities as she walks ahead with Grey trailing her. And just as she reaches the end of the block, a taxi suddenly appears which Samantha was able to hail to it. But before Grey could get into the taxi with Samantha, the taxi suddenly speeds away leaving Grey behind.

      It was Saturday morning, 05:00 AM, when Grey finally reaches his mausoleum hideout. Walking down the secret stair case while taking off his helmet, he was surprised to see Ritchie. "Where have you been?....", asks Ritchie, "You've been gone all night, Are you ok?". Grey then told Ritchie of everything that transpired the night before and how he got into another argument with Samantha just after he rescued her from the clutches of the terrorists. "I thought you were driving to Nevada to escape a nuclear detonation....What made you change your mind?...", Grey asks. Looking dismayed, Ritchie did not want to admit that he felt guilty leaving his best friend behind as he responds saying, "I couldn't leave you by yourself....We're in this thing together....We're superheroes, remember?....Besides, I'm the only one who can do your dialysis....". But before Grey could respond, he hears his cell phone ring. Taking off his back pack, he unzips his bag and grabs his cell phone, "Hello...", says Grey. A man's deep raspy voice on the other end starts saying, "Listen up hero!...If you want to see your girlfriend Samantha Peters alive, go to the Black Lake ranch tomorrow night 10:00 pm and bring Chase Brassman with you....And if you tell the police, Miss Peters is as good as dead...." (Click)

       Grey's heart rate starts to speed up as he starts looking frantic as Ritchie asks, "What's wrong, you look like as if the world's about to end...". Feeling his knees weakening, Grey pulls out a chair and sits on it. "They have her Ritch....", Grey says, "The mob has Samantha....And they're threatening to kill her unless I and Chase show up tomorrow night at the Black Lake Ranch....That's the mob's headquarters...". Ritchie looking surprised quickly asks, "Again?!....She's been kidnapped again?!.....". Then after a few minutes in deep thought, Ritchie blurts out saying, "I've got it!....I have a plan on how to bring Chase here.....I'll need to speak to Maria first.....As for you, let's get you dialyzed again....You're not looking good, your skin is turning yellowish and your face is slightly swollen....Must be the side effects of the toxic serum....".

       (Sirha Uhlo and Zhiad Marwan's Rental house in Castro street, San Francisco, California)

      Later that Saturday morning, it was 09:00 AM when Sirha Uhlo, Zhiad Marwan and Mukhang Mahasim finally inspects the nuclear bomb that was stored in their basement. Pulling off the blanket that was covering it, Mukhang Mahasim quickly kneels and inspects the metallic cylindrical bomb that had a diameter of four feet and which weighed about 4500 pounds. "I think I can assemble this...", says Mukhang Mahasim, "It's been awhile but I still remember how to activate this North Korean made nuke.....It will take me several hours and I'll need tools that we can buy from a hardware store.....". Flashing a sinister smile, Sirha Uhlo says, "Well what are we waiting for, let's go to the nearest hardware store and buy the tools we need....I can't wait to detonate this bomb as soon as it's assembled....". Mukhang Mahasim suddenly stands up and protests saying, "You need to give me time to make my escape before you detonate this nuke.....I need at least ten hours to drive to a different state....I can help our brothers in arms in other states assemble more nuclear bombs.....". Zhiad looking nervous quickly says, "He's right Master, he needs to assemble more nukes in order to fully destroy this country and the only way out of this state is by driving. He'll be arrested if he tries to board a plane out of San Francisco.....". Sirha rubs his chin and strokes his beard while thinking then says, "I guess your right, I'll give you ten hours to drive away from this state once the nuke is assembled...".

     But before they could finalize their plans, they suddenly start to feel a strange presence around them. Then in an instant Dr. Kinesis suddenly materializes in front of them wearing his white lab coat and his black reading glasses while holding a video camera in his right hand. As the three terrorists were all  startled, Dr. Kinesis quickly says, "Relax boys, It's just me....". Then staring at the round nuclear bomb, Dr. Kinesis sneers, crosses his arms in front of his chest and says, "So this is the nuclear bomb you've been hiding....". Then before any of the three terrorist could speak, Dr. Kinesis announces saying, "Listen up!....I changed my mind...Instead of you writing a letter to the Pentagon, I've decided that it's better to do a video recording of this bomb while you explain to the public your plan of detonating it here in San Francisco....I also want you to mention the Mysterious Knight as a member of your terrorist group and thank him for freeing Mukhang Mahasim from Federal prison.....Tell the public that it's because of Grey who is the Mysterious Knight, that Mukhang Mahasim is able to assemble a nuclear bomb, and don't forget to tell them when you plan to detonate the bomb.....I'll send this video recording to the press in time for the evening news.....There's gonna be so much chaos in this city that it's gonna have the feel of Armageddon.....". Everybody starts laughing except for Zhiad who looks worried as he forces a smile on his face.

        (Macrostrength Industries, Headquarters, Treasure Island, San Francisco, California)

        Two hours later, it was 11:00 AM Saturday when Dr. Marcos reports to John Layer's office. Entering the CEO's office, "You called me Mr. Layer?...", Dr. Marcos asks. John Layer extinguishes his cigarette on his ash tray then says, "Sit down Marcos.....I've got some fantastic news.....I will finally get my revenge on Samantha Peters.....". Dr. Marcos quickly sits on the edge of a chair as he waits for his boss to explain further. "I just got a call from the mob's number two man, Dr. Luigi Courtest and he told me that they kidnapped Samantha Peters and are holding her hostage at their Black Lake ranch.....The mob is inviting us to watch Samantha Peters execution tomorrow night together with her ex-boyfriend Grey. They're also expecting the Protector to show up in an attempt to rescue Samantha Peters, and the mob wants us to find a way to destroy the Protector so that they can start receiving shipments of illegal drugs from Mexico's drug cartels once again.....". Dr. Marcos shifts uneasily in his seat as he asks, "What's your plan Mr. Layer....". John Layer looks out his window and sneers then says, "We will sabotage the Protector's defensive capabilities....Once he arrives at the Black Lake ranch, we'll shut off his force shield so that the mob can shoot him dead....I want you to program the Protector's control system on your iPad and bring it with you at the ranch tomorrow night....I don't care if the Pentagon traces the death of Captain Brassman on us. We'll just create an alibi and say that a malfunction occurred with our control system.....And further more, if Bionico is 100% fit and ready, we'll take him with us for security.....". Then after a few more minutes of discussion, Dr. Marcos finally leaves John Layer's office to prepare their plan of sabotaging the Protector.

       In the meantime, back at Grey and Ritchie's mausoleum hideout. Grey is on his hands and knees from consistent nausea and vomiting. "I don't understand this Ritch...", says Grey, "I already had my dialysis and yet I still feel weak...What's wrong with me?....". Ritchie assists Grey off the floor and into his bed as he starts to take off Grey's armor. "You're a nurse and yet you don't see what's happening to you?...", asks Ritchie, "Just look at yourself...Your skin and eyeballs are all yellowish, you've got swelling all over your body, you've got pain to your abdomen, nausea and vomiting and weakness....They're all signs of liver failure....What you need is either a liver transplant or for you to ingest the contents of the "Holy Flask".....".
      Grey winces once more then replies saying, "I told you that if I ingest the contents of the Holy Flask and get completely healed, I'll lose my super powers too.....And I need to rescue Samantha....Now give me another bottle of toxic serum so that I can get going.....There's so much things I need to do and so much to prepare for....". Ritchie shakes his head vigorously saying, "Right now all your gonna do is rest....You can ingest the toxic serum when it's time for you to meet Chase on your way to freeing Samantha from the mob...". Then without waiting for a response, Ritchie turns on the TV before heading to their kitchen to make their meal.

     And as the TV comes to life, Grey focuses on the news that was being reported. "Welcome to our noontime edition of USNN news....Today we will report to you a chilling and frightening report about a video disc that was sent to our news station by an Al Queda terrorist group based here in San Francisco. Due to the immense gravity of the threat, we decided not to show the public the whole video which is now in the hands of the FBI. In the video recording, the terrorist group shows that they have in their possession a nuclear bomb which they plan to detonate tomorrow night at 11:00 PM. Nuclear physicists we've talked to claim that the nuclear bomb could be compared to ten Hiroshima bombs and could kill millions and destroy much of the state of California....Al Queda leader Sirha Uhlo and his assistant Zhiad Marwan said on the video that they are grateful to fellow terrorist the Mysterious Knight for freeing Mukahng Mahasim who is a nuclear bomb expert and who has assembled the bomb which will detonate tomorrow night. We've also learned that the identity of the Mysterious Knight is one of Samantha Peters ex-boyfriend named Grey. Police and the FBI believe that this is the same person who killed two police officers in the city of Vallejo a few months ago.....Meanwhile, the Governor of Califonia is calling for calm, peace and order in all of the towns and cities....The police, FBI, CIA, NSA and Homeland Security are all searching for the whereabouts of these terrorists and are asking the public's help to contact 9-1-1, if they see or are aware of the whereabouts of these terrorists. (Photos of Sirha Uhlo, Zhiad Marwan, Mukhang Mahasim and the Mysterious Knight  showing on the TV screen). And due to the sporadic panic and fear that's permeating in Califonia, the Governor has now activated the National Guard in order to facilitate the start of a mass exodus of people in their cars who are flooding the freeways as they try to drive to another state to flee from the upcoming nuclear blast which will devastate the whole state of California.....".(Click) Ritchie turns off the TV then stares at Grey, "Great, now a terrorist group is accusing you of being a part of their organization, and just when you thought things couldn't get any worse....".

           (Terrorists hideout, Castro street, San Francisco, California)

            The next day, it was Sunday 10:00 AM when Mukhang Mahasim had finally finished assembling the nuclear bomb. "There, it's all ready and activated, I've set the timer on the bomb to explode at 11:00 PM tonight...", says Mukhang Mahasim, "And I've created a manual trigger out of this black cell phone....", Mukhang Mahasim hands Sirha Uhlo a black cell phone then says, "If ever the police finds out that the bomb is hidden here, just press the "send" button on that cell phone and the bomb will explode....That way the cops can't get anywhere near you....". Sirha holds the cell phone above his head like a precious jewel as he sneers in ecstasy from the thought of California's nuclear annihilation. Meanwhile, Mukhang Mahasim grabs his bags and takes the keys of Sirha Uhlo's car. "I have to go and get clear of this nuclear blast...I guess you won't be needing your car since you both are prepared to die as heroes....I just hope the traffic isn't that bad on the way to Nevada....". Then a few minutes after Mukhang Mahasim leaves, Sirha Uhlo holds on tightly to the bombs manual trigger as he excitedly sit's on their sofa and turns on the TV to check out the latest news.
Zhiad on the other hand slips away quietly to make a very important phone call.

      (Holy Cross cemetery, Colma city, California, Sunday 01:00 pm)

       Grey in his armor waits outside the mausoleum, minutes after ingesting another bottle of toxic serum. While waiting for Chase to show up, Grey starts to worry why he was only at half strength.
The armor he was wearing felt heavier, feeling as if gravity itself had doubled. Lifting his Alemdronite shield with his left hand, he starts to adjust his sword in it's scabbard making sure it was well secured. Pushing up his helmet's visor, he starts to squint from the bright rays of the sun when suddenly he hears his ear's comlink come to life. "Has Chase shown up yet?...", Ritchie asks, "Maria told me that she informed Chase about Samantha's kidnapping and that he agreed to meet you there at the cemetery today at this time....I'm still here at the pharmacy buying your medications.....I'll return as soon as I can....". (Click) Ritchie hangs up the phone.

        Then, after another five minutes of waiting, Grey starts to look up as he starts to hear loud rocket jet sounds coming from the sky. But before he knew it, the Protector suddenly appears out of nowhere as he descends from the sky. Landing in front of Grey, the Protector kicks Grey in his breastplate as Grey tumbles and rolls backwards crashing and destroying multiple headstones as he ends up lying on his stomach. And as the Protector touches down to the ground, Chase slides up his helmet's visor and says, "What are you now up to?....", Chase asks, Breaking Sam's heart by  faking your death, killing cops, freeing a terrorist from prison....Now look what you've done.....People are panicking trying to leave this area....When will you stop your evil deeds?.....".

     Ten feet away from Chase, Grey winces in pain as he slowly gets up on all fours while trying to get to a standing position. "You don't understand Chase...", says Grey, "I was set up, this was not my fault....". Not wanting to hear Grey's excuses, Chase attacks once more with his super speed as he delivers a crashing blow to Grey's breastplate as Grey falls backwards once again with his armor scarred, dented and covered with dirt. Struggling to get up, Grey tries to reason out once more as he says, "I'm not here to fight you Chase, I need you here because Samantha's life is in danger.....We both need to show up at the Black Lake ranch tonight in order to save Samantha from the mob....".

     But just before Chase could answer, he gets a call from the Pentagon informing him that one of their spies had told them of the location of the nuclear bomb which was being hidden inside a house at the Castro district in San Francisco. The Pentagon's officer in charge informs Chase that the bomb has a manual trigger which could be activated in a split second, and that the Protector's super speed is needed in penetrating the terrorist's home and deactivating the bomb before the terrorist Sirha Uhlo could press the bomb's trigger. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Chase acknowledges his new mission as he informs his command that he was on his way to the bomb's location.

   Chase pointing his finger at Grey says, "You...I will deal with you later, for now I need to find and deactivate this nuclear bomb that's about to detonate.....". Looking appalled, Grey quickly yells saying, "What the hell are you talking about....You can't just leave right now, Samantha's life is in danger...you're supposed to help me free her....". Chase sliding down his tinted visor says, "I'm sorry, but deactivating the bomb is my priority, I wish I could come with you but I can't.....You'll have to free Samantha by yourself while I take care of this nuclear bomb threat....". And as the Protector starts to ascend with loud sounds from his rocket boosters. Grey starts to yell saying, "You can't do this Chase!...Let the military deal with the bomb....I need your help to free Samantha.....I thought that you love her, why are you abandoning her now.....". Chase looking back down at Grey from a height of thirty feet, slides up his helmet's visor then says, "I would sacrifice my life for Samantha but the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, I hope you can understand this....". And as the Protector flies off to the sky, Grey was left still yelling, "Noooo! Don't do this Chase.....".

      (Sirha Uhlo and Zhiad Marwan's Castro district hideout- 05:00pm Sunday)

     For the last three hours, Chase and dozens of government agents had been planning on how to safely penetrate the terrorists hideout and how to obtain the nuclear bomb's manual trigger from the hands of Sirha Uhlo. Zhiad Marwan who is a CIA spy had informed the CIA about the bomb several hours ago and was assisting US federal agents on how to steal the manual trigger from his master. With hidden video cameras penetrating every room in the Castro hideout, US federal agents are able to secretly watch Sirha Uhlo's every move as they wait for Sirha uhlo to fall asleep in his sofa. Then after another hour of waiting, they start to witness Sirha Uhlo lie down on the couch to take a nap.

     Given the go ahead signal, Zhiad opens the back door  as he lets the Protector inside the house. Then with stealth and speed, the Protector heads towards the living room as he grabs hold of Sirha Uhlo's wrists, as the manual trigger falls from Sirha's hand and lands on the floor. Then within seconds, the house is filled with US federal agents as Sirha Uhlo gets arrested. Meanwhile, Zhiad leads the Protector to their basement to show where the nuclear bomb was hidden. But to their surprise, the nuclear bomb was missing. "This is impossible!....", says Zhiad, "How could a 5,000 pound nuclear bomb just vanish from our basement?....". Surrounded by dozens of US federal agents, Chase quickly asks, "Besides you and your master, is there anyone else who knows that the bomb was hidden here at your basement?.....". Then after thinking momentarily, Zhiad's eyes grows wider as he blurts out saying, "There's just one other person who knows about the nuke....His name is Dr. Kinesis!....".  (End of Chapter)

(Author's Note) If you've enjoyed reading this chapter, please donate to the needy, sick and the poor in your respective country. Thank you.