Freeing Cymbal

Chapter 7

Jolie sighed and sat back. She put her hand to her chest, she could feel her heart pounding. She felt her face, it was hot. She turned towards the wall and sighed again calming her self. Lightening illuminated the room and Jolie saw the shadow of another person hit the wall. Too tall to be Cymbal or Bobby and too big to be Skip. She launched her self forward quickly as a bullet hole appeared on the wall where she was seconds ago. Every one must have heard the gun shot, because they all came running in. Jolie scrambled to her feet and tried to run as another shot rang through the night air. Jolie felt a hot bullet graze her calf and she fell again. Skip ran by to help her up, but she pushed him to the ground as the man fired a bullet at Skip.
Lightening flashed and that’s when Jolie saw who the man was.
“Paul! Stop! It’s me!” she yelled.
He didn’t listen to her. He just fired another shot at her; this one hit her in the hand when she had raised it to stop Paul. She hugged it close to her to keep her self from bleeding.
“Shit! Cymbal! Bobby! Get in the hall!” she said and they ducked back in the hall. Jolie rolled to her feet and ran into the kitchen dragging Skip with her. She pushed him under the bar and she grabbed a gun from one of the drawers. She pulled back the hammer and looked over the side of the kitchen wall. A bullet came whizzing by her head. She returned a shot and missed.
She sunk back as he shot again. She jumped out and choked off two shots. One hit him square in the chest and he fell. The lights came back on and Jolie threw away her gun and ran over to Paul.
“Paul. Paul! Come on tell me some thing!” she said as she tried to stop the bleeding.
“Please forgive me.” he breathed
“Why?” she asked.

“... take my wallet out...of my front pocket.” he said his voice weak and pained.
Tears pouring down her face she took out his wallet and opened it, she saw a picture there of a woman and two kids.
“Th...that’s my family. Dygon...has them.” he said.
“Don’t worry. They’re gonna be alright.” she said.
He coughed and then said, “Thanks...Chief.”
His eyes closed and his head fell back. He was dead. Jolie took her bloody hands off of his wound sobbing.
“Skip.” she said.
“Yeah?” he asked gingerly.
“Call an ambulance to come pick up the body.” she said.
She got up and went to the kitchen and washed her hands in the sink tears still pouring down her face. She dried her hands, cleaned out the sink and then grabbed a towel from one of the drawers and picked up her gun and wiped off the handle and hammer. She placed it back in the drawer. She grabbed an afghan from her room and came back. She took off Paul’s badge and covered his head and torso in the blanket.
Jolie stood and looked on his body. Skip came back and told her.
“Their coming as soon as they can. Do you need any thing else?” he asked.
“Yeah, can you get the first aid kit from my room?” she said
He nodded and left. Jolie was holding onto her shot hand to keep it from bleeding any more. Bobby and Cymbal came out of the hall. Bobby sighed and made a sign of the cross. Cymbal however wasn’t sure what he was seeing. He had never seen death before, but he knew that this was what it was. He saw Jolie sitting on the couch. She was still crying.
He went over to her and put his arm around her. She clung onto him and cried into his shoulder. She couldn’t believe this was happing. Dygon must have figured out some how what she wanted to do and figured out it was only a matter of time until Jolie could bring VINA corp. to its knees. Or this could be another one of her sick tests, to see if Jolie was ruthless enough to kill one of her own partners to save her life. She parted from Cymbal and wiped her eyes. She took a deep breath and got up. She grabbed her cell phone off the table and dialed a number.
“Hello?”
“Dygon.”

“Jolie, Why are you calling at this hour?” asked Dygon.
“I think you know perfectly well. You can let Paul’s family go in peace. He’s dead; they are of no use to you any more.”
“I guess your right. I’ll let his family go. Quite frankly Jolie I didn’t think you would ever have the guts to save your self in a situation like this. I’m quite impressed.”
“Fuck you Dygon! I’m tired of your sick little games! You just started some thing and I sure hope you have enough will to finish it!” she yelled back hanging up.

* * *

Some where else Dygon was laughing to her self. She put down her phone and sat back in a red satin arm chair.
“Oh dear Jolie. How mistaken you are. Falling right into my trap. You have the brains, just not the right perception, but I can change that. Let’s see how much you want to protect those two little mutants after they try and kill you.” she said. Then she picked up the phone again and made a call.
“Do you figure out that chip yet? Really? All too perfect.” she hung up and laughed again.

* * *

Cymbal was wrapping up Jolie’s wounded hand on the couch. There was a knock on the door and Skip went and got it. Three men came in with a stretcher. One was a cop and the other two were paramedics. The cop went to the couch and Jolie stood. He was a short portly man with a black mustache and a balding head. His face look like some one had let the air out of it as well. The cop saluted and Jolie did the same.
“You must be Lt Gen. Jolie Titan. I’m Detective Russell. Can you verify the cause of death for me?” he asked.
“Bullet wound to the chest.” she said.
“Do you know who shot him?” he asked.
“I did, in self defense.” she said showing him her bandaged hand.
“I see any witnesses?” he asked.

“Yes, other than myself there was Skip, Bobby and Cymbal.” she said indicating to the others.
“Alright tell me every thing as it happened.” he said.
She explained to him in full detail what had happened and the other three confirmed her story.
“Miss Jolie Titan. Unless some one wishes to press charges your story checks out. But under what terms was this man attacking you.” he asked.
“Black mail.” she simply replied.
“Black mail? By whom?” he asked.
“I will take care of this case personally if you don’t mind, Detective.” she said.
“Very well. If you can please notify this man’s kin and have them come claim the body.” he said putting his note pad in his pocket. He saluted again and left with the paramedics and the body. Now and days the criminal justice system was very unreliable. If Jolie would have been that man she never would have let this case go with out serious interrogation. He was afraid of her, because of her ranking, but she would not have been so intimidated.
Jolie sat down starring at the big blood stain in her carpet. Her mind at work right now. Every fiber of knowledge in her head was straining to formulate a reckless yet brilliant plan. Skip leaned up against the back of the couch.
“What are you thinking Jolie?” he asked.
“I’m thinking I finally have a plan. And it’s going to set into motion tomorrow. But I will need your guys help. And I might be arrested once or twice. Plus it will be plenty dangerous for you guys.” she said.
“Forget danger, I’m all for it.” said Bobby.
“Same here.” vouched Cymbal.
They all looked at Skip.
He sighed in resignation, “I’m in. What’s the plan?”

* * *

The next morning Jolie went to work with her brief case, she was tired from staying up all night, but she was energized with a thirst for vengeance and conquer. She had made several calls during the night. She passed by the front desk and Tiffany winked at her. Jolie did the same thing. But she didn’t go to the elevator; instead she marched right into her old office complex. All the lieutenants were at their desks. They all stood as she walked in and saluted.
“At ease. And I’d stay that way, chances are I won’t be your Lieutenant General for long.” said Jolie smiling.
She walked over to Tula’s desk and started to bring up the files on her computer.
“I don’t think you should be messing with that.” said Tula.
Jolie ignored her and continued. She soon found what she was looking for.
“What is the password Tula?” said Jolie.
“I can’t tell you that, that is strictly confed....”
“Tell me the God damn password Tula!” yelled Jolie.
Tula jumped and said, “O...overlord.”
Jolie typed it in and gained access. She took out Skip’s holo-generator and downloaded the files.
“Titan! What the hell are you doing!?” said Kelly walking in.
“I’m down loading top secret files and sending them to be hacked into.” replied Jolie lightly.
“Are you out of your mind that is a crime of the highest degree!?” she said.
Jolie sent them and unplugged the holo-generator.
“You know what Kelly? I don’t care. Every one listen up!” Jolie said looking around, “Every thing I told you before, its happening now. I hoped it wouldn’t come this soon, but it has. Dygon has a plan and I know that it is by no means any thing good. It was all on those files and I will soon find out what they are once my friend can crack them.” said Jolie.
“You are out of your mind! You have no proof of this!” yelled Kelly.
“On the contrary. I am living with two genetically altered humans created by Dygon her self. And if that isn’t proof enough, she took it way too far last night!” said Jolie slamming Paul’s badge on the desk in front of her.
“Last night Dygon took and held Paul’s family hostage if he wouldn’t agree to try and kill me! Now...He’s gone.” said Jolie almost unable to keep her self from crying again.
They all looked at her in awe.

“Dygon is waging a war. I know she is. She is all about power. She told me a long time ago that she was so obsessed with it she killed her mentor so that she would take his place. That she her self was the cause of the war of the three nations that are now the US. The only reason she created those two human’s was because they were so much power in her hands. But I don’t care about her power any more. Its time to turn the tables on her.” said Jolie.
“Chief, do you have any clue how much trouble you are going to get into! This is ludicrous!” said Lataura.
“You know what Shorty; I don’t care.” said Jolie. “and do you want to know why?”
“Why?” she asked.
“Lt General Jolie Titan!” said five foot soldiers from behind her.
Jolie pointed behind her with out looking, “Because I’m about to be arrested.”
“For what!?” yelled Tommy almost enjoying this hilarity.
“Jolie Titan you are under arrest for stealing over fifty weapons and fire arms from the stockade and three thousands rounds of ammunition.” said the soldier. Foot soldiers all wore strange helmets and blue and white suits.
They came from behind her and they hand cuffed her.
“Guys after I leave, check your desks. I left you a little surprise.” she said and the soldiers took her away. They all stared at the door in shock. Lataura was the first to open her desk. She pulled out a note that was put there by Tiffany, but written by Jolie.
It read:
Dear Lataura,
Sorry for my brief moment of insanity, but I thought I might as well be brought out with a bang. But seriously, I will be escaping very soon. As crazy as every thing sounds its all true, so please help me out. Dygon is up to some thing sinister and I need all of your help. After work meet in the forest right across the street from my house and wait for me. Bring as many war plans as you have and any weapons you wish to have on you as well as your stealth suit. When we meet I will hopefully have all the info needed and let all of you in. Until then please believe me and don’t breathe a word of this to any one. Don’t even acknowledge to the others you got a note. I always told people that it was my goal as an officer to help the people the military has stepped on. Well here’s my chance. If you need any other motivation. Do it for Brick.
Yours truly,

Chief.
After reading their letters they all kind of looked around to each other and smiled. Kelly was still standing stunned. Tiffany walked in and handed her a letter. She read it and shared in that smile they all had. Every letter was different, but they all had their instructions.

* * *
Mean while Skip had received the data from Jolie. It was much more heavily encrypted than a simple password could do. He immediately got to work at hacking into them.
Bobby and Cymbal were out on the streets of the city. Cymbal had learned how to drive after looking at the consol long enough. He drove by the city jail and waited with Bobby in their small parking lot. A foot soldier car arrived and they pulled Jolie out of the back seat. Jolie stopped walking and the soldiers started to point their guns and threaten her. Jolie still didn’t move. One of them reach up to pushed her, she ducked down and his hand went over her shoulder. She grabbed it with both of her cuffed hands and flipped him over her shoulder.
One of them aimed the butt of their gun for her head, she swerved out of the way and kicked up right into the mans jaw. Two down three to go. One of them swung at her and she ducked down on one foot and swung her other around and tripped him. While she was down one of them grabbed her by the front of the shirt and she head butted him hard. He fell like a rock and the last one grabbed her from behind pinning her arms to her side. She swung her body forward and flipped him onto the ground.
Bobby opened the door and Jolie ran to the car and jumped in. She closed the door and Cymbal sped out of the parking lot and out of the city.
“Very nice.” said Bobby, “Especially that head butt.”
“All I can say is don’t try it. It hurts like hell.” she said.
She held up her cuffed hands and Bobby grabbed the chain in the middle and bit into them. Surprisingly enough the chain gave and her hands were separate. Then she took one of Jolie’s hand and pointed out her finger. She unsheathed a large claw and began to pick the lock. She got it free and then did the same with the other one.
“Where to next?” asked Cymbal.

“We need to go pick up all those weapons I had stolen.” replied Jolie. ”Take a left up here and keep going until you see an old orange warehouse.”
Cymbal took a sharp left and kept going. Meanwhile in an underground base across from Jolie’s house Skip was receiving the files she had sent. He was sitting at a small desk up against a cinder block wall in the bottom room. It was devoid of light other than the glow of many neon lighted experiments. Many of which he had no desire to find out what they were. Several tanks of blue water were lined up against the walls and the blue neon light gave it an eerie feeling. Only three were occupied by strange mutated animals.
His computer beeped as he received the files. He opened them and immediately began to hack into them.
“Alright baby.” he said cracking his fingers, “Tell me your secrets.”
He began to type at lightening speed. He was determined to crack this for on reason and one reason only. To prove he was better than Bobby. Being shown up by a little girl brought him to shame and he was going to get his pride back even if the cops did come and pick him up. He briefly checked his clock, Jolie and the other would be back any minute now. He sped up his process. But he became careless and tripped a hacker snare.

* * *
Jolie picked up her ammunition and weapons from the old warehouse. Kevin was there to meet her. His girl friend stole all of the things she needed and he and Cymbal began to load it into her car. Jolie handed Ebony a wad of bills. She counted five twenties from the big clip and stuck the other 500 in Jolie’s pocket.
“That’s yours. If it wouldn’t have been for you Kevin wouldn’t be here.” said Ebony.
“It was no big deal.” said Jolie.
“It was so just keep the money and if you need us again, just call.” she said.
“Alright, but I’m buying you some thing good for your baby shower.” replied Jolie.
Kevin shut her trunk and walked around the front and put his arm, over Ebony’s shoulders.
“You’re all set, Chief.” he said.
“Thanks guys. I gotta run, but I’ll see you later.” Jolie said.

She got into the divers seat and Cymbal took the passengers and they drove off. Jolie stuck her hand out of the window and waved as they went.
“This One senses quite a battle with all those weapons.” said Bobby with a small smirk on her face.
“I’m expecting one.” said Jolie. ”I know all Dygon’s after is power. And I have a feeling there is some thing very big behind all this.”
But how far is she willing to go? Jolie thought. She had already sacrificed the life of one of her Lieutenants and also the injury of another. She was also determined to get Jolie involved. It was just getting stranger and stranger.
After pondering for a good forty minutes Jolie came to her house and the police were there. She swerved into the woods and switched off her car.
“Stay in the car until the cops leave then go meet Skip. I might not be there when you do.” said Jolie getting out of the car.
She slowly closed the door and ran out to the opposite side of her house. She could see the police handcuffing Skip. He was face into a tree with both of his hands behind his back.
Jolie ran out and they all lifted their guns to her. She put her hands in the air and they lowered them.
“Let him go! He didn’t do any thing.” said Jolie.
“I beg to differ.” replied the officer with a note pad.
“I am Lieutenant General Jolie Titan. And I say he’s innocent.” said Jolie.
“Well, Lieutenant General.” replied the officer, “We received the signal of some one breaking into the VINA corp. main frame from this area. If it wasn’t him then who was it?”
Jolie looked from Skip up against the tree. His face was ridged with pain, but he was looking at her with fear from behind those yellow sun glasses.
She looked back at the officer and defiantly said, “It was me.”
The officer dropped his note pad, “Y...you hacked into the main frame Lieutenant General? But why?” he said incredulously.
“I’m looking for a very important file. One that no one but, General Dygon has access to.” she replied.

The officer with Skip looked at the other. He picked up his note pad and nodded slightly at him. The officer uncuffed Skip and walked over to Jolie.
“Lieutenant General Titan, you are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent, every thing you say can and will be used against you in the court of law.....” he said. He finished reading her, her rights as he cuffed her. Then he frisked her and produced three hand guns and two combat blades. Skip was watching in awe as they took her to the police car. He had his hand pressed hard against his shoulder.
“Can I speak with my young friend for a second before we leave?” she asked the officer.
He looked at her then Skip.
“You got one minute.” he said.
They kept their eyes on her as she walked over to Skip.
“I might not be able to get out of this one. When the others get here tell them where I’m at. I’m going to be spending a night or two in jail and I’ll find a way to get out.” she said in a low whisper.
He was looking at the ground and said with a tear running down his cheek, “I can’t let you do this.”
“You can and you will.” she said.
She maneuvered her head so they she was looking him in the face.
“Listen, you have to be strong. I’ll be fine. If I can’t get out you have to do what ever you can to find out what Dygon is doing. You won’t be alone, the others will help you. Alright?” she said.
He sniffed and nodded.
“Alright. Just take the stuff for your arm. Now give me a hug.” she said.
He looked up at her with an odd look on his face.
“Don’t look at me that way. I’m going to jail and I want a God damn hug.” she said with a little attitude.
He chuckled weakly and put his good arm around her. He let got and they brought her to the police car and drove away. Skip stood there looking at the ground. The things she did for him were inexplicable. A cool autumn breeze ruffled his hair and made him shiver. After he was sure the police had gone Cymbal and Bobby came out from hiding.
“Where are they taking Jolie?” Cymbal asked Skip.
“Back to jail.” he muttered in a lifeless tone more tears slipping down his face, “And this time, you guys can’t get her out. Come on, let’s go in and wait for the others.”

* * *

Cymbal and Bobby descended a set of hidden stairs in the forest. They followed skip down to a large iron door and when he opened it they were bathed in a familiar blue green light. Cymbal’s first instinct was to turn and run, but Bobby grabbed his hand and pulled him in and shut the door. He felt completely trapped in the room, like an animal cornered in his cage.
“I know how you feel.” said Bobby in a low voice, “But this is Jolie’s lab and nothing will happen to us here.”
He swallowed and stepped inside not looking at any thing and sat down in a chair next to the cinder block wall. He folded his arms across his chest and looked at the ground. Jolie was gone and he was feeling a strange emotion. He was scared, but not for himself, but for Jolie. This was not a part of her plan, but Skip had said there was nothing they could do right now except wait. This thought made him very angry indeed; it made him feel powerless.
Skip sat down in his chair and ran his fingers through his hair with his good hand. He pushed up his sunglasses and wiped his eyes. Bobby walked over to him and looked up.
“Ya got caught.” she said.
The shame of those words from her mouth was worse than when she beat him in the hacking contest.
“Maybe you’re the one who should have been here.” he sighed heavily.
She clicked her tongue and tapped her foot, “You tell any one this and I will lie like a dog. MLD has been caught once.”
“What?” he looked up at her, “You’ve been caught before?”
“Yes Bobby was hacking for her third time. She was hacking into the Pentagon and got so tangled I the web of traps this One was surprised they didn’t have the CIA kicking down her door after the first five minutes. They did eventually get there, but Bobby was well hidden until they left. The thing is though...after I sprung the trap I didn’t stop.” she whispered to him.
“You kept going...what kind of idiot are you?” he asked incredulously.

She giggled and rubbed the back of her head, “One who made a name for her self after that day. That was when MLD was born and made into a legend. The fact of the matter is Skip is human and like all humans he royally screws up once and a while. Bobby isn’t human and so does she.”
“But how does that help?” he asked.
“If at first you don’t succeed... try three times as hard the next. We still need those files and I think Jolie would be a lot angrier if you just left her hanging rather than trying again.” she told him with a nodded.
He chuckled and gave her a small smile. He rubbed her mane like hair and pulled his chair back up to his lap top and turned it back on.
“Thanks a bunch Bobby, your one in...well two but you catch my drift.”
She laughed and walked over to the door and opened it. A bunch of VINA corp. agents spilled onto the floor.
“The cavalry has arrived.” said Bobby with a big smile.
They all got off the floor slightly weirded out. Bobby chuckled then suddenly stood at attention and raised her hood before they saw her face and saluted.
“Welcome Captain Kelly Carlino and Lieutenants Lataura Zenon, Tommy Seals, Hope Marino, Tula Hiten, and Zachary Masters. I am Bobby Josephine Edward De Pedro Constantine the 2nd. Project #4522912 code name Little Devil.” she dropped the act and chuckled at there confusion.
“Ok, so...Bobby for short I guess.” said Lataura shaking her head.
“Oui, Oui. Since you’re probably wondering I’ll just go ahead and say this One is a fail genetic experiment from the VINA corp. genetic engineering lab.” she told them and then scampered over to Cymbal who looked up.
“And this is Cymbal the successful experiment.” she said.
They were all thoroughly unhinged by this but managed to keep there composer.
“Hold up, isn’t this the dude that grabbed Jolie and ran off the deep end with her?” asked Tommy.
“This One is him.” said Cymbal with a nod.
“Where’s Jolie?” asked Tula looking around.
“Jolie was arrested again.” said Skip at the lap top, “You all know me CDSkip, the guy your arrested a few years back. Well I tripped the alarm again and she took the wrap and now she’s in jail again.”
“Aw man that’s jacked up, how are we supposed to get her out?” shouted Lataura.
His computer gave a satisfying chime and he downloaded the files.

“You guys are all military personnel...I’m sure you can think of some thing.” he said shutting off his computer and lifting his goggles.
Hope gave an exasperated sigh that no one had every heard from their perky comrade, “It’s you.” she said curtly.
“Yes it’s me Hope, me, me, me...I can see the years have been good to you. The once scrawny and freckled adolescent has grown into a lovely young lady.” he said with a small smile.
“Don’t you give me that crap Borland.” she spat shocking and surprising every one, “How the hell did you get out of the pen the first time?”
“Jolie is my parole officer.” he said simply, “And any way now I have the files and we need to formulate a plan to get Jolie out of that hole. Since I have no idea what to do with them and she told me not to hand them over to any one.” he said taking a chip from his hologram machine.
A grin spread across Kelly’s face.
“Simple enough. Hiten how long would it take the copy and forage a transfer contract?” asked Kelly.
“Uh...I could have it done in a few hours.” she replied pushing up her glasses.
“Zenon how fast can you have blue prints and an escape plan for the New York State Penitentiary?”
“In a day after we find out what cell block she’s in.” replied Lataura and grin spreading on her face.
“Marino can you intercept and give the cop cars misdirection?”
“In a heart beat captain.” she said her perkiness returning.
“Seals...” she said and then walked over to Cymbal and fingered the collar around his neck, “Try and get this god forsaken thing off his neck.”
“Got it.”
She turned to every one.
“Masters and I will guard this base and I will have several privates undercover in the jail ready to carry out your orders. We are running very short of time here so I want you all to work so hard it will make Seals duck his head in shame.” she said with a small smile at Tommy, “Lets move people and remember this one is for Younge, Mendel and Titan.”
They all saluted her and sprang into action. Skip looked at Kelly.
“That was pretty friggen sweet.” he commented.

“Isn’t it though?” she sighed and looked over at Cymbal who was completely silent and very uncomfortable with all the VINA corp. agents floating about.
“What’s up with him?” Kelly asked Skip.
He merely looked at her and said, “Ask Bobby.”
The little girl was standing next to a tank with her hood up so no one could see her face. She walked over to her and knelt before her.
“So your like what...thirteen, fourteen?” asked Kelly.
“Eleven.”
“Kind of tall for eleven huh?”
“I dunno ask the suits who built me. If ya want to know why Cymbal looks so stricken you would too if you knew what we’ve been through.” she replied ducking back a ways.
Kelly looked at her for a second and then reached for her hood, she snatched Kelly’s hand.
“Don’t.”
“Why not?” asked Kelly with a softness rarely heard.
The others looked over as Kelly lowered her hood. They were all incredibly appalled by the way Bobby looked.
“Oh my God.” muttered Kelly.
Bobby’s eyes welled up with tears until Hope squealed with delight.
“Oh my God she is so cute!” she positively shrieked snatching her up and squeezing her like a teddy bear.
“Whoa, lady you’re gonna make me bust at the seams.” coughed at Bobby with an incredulous smile on her face.
Hope let her down and Bobby was shocked at there expressions they were all smiling at her.
“Well this isn’t the reaction this One expected.” she muttered.
“What exactly were you expecting?” asked Zach.
“I dunno like village people and Frankenstein.” she said scratching her head.
“Not a chance, you should see Kelly with out her make up.” said Lataura.
“Shut up and get back to work you little cretin!” shouted Kelly at Lataura red in the face.

Cymbal was observing them all, they were extraordinary beings. He had to wonder how on earth they could work for VINA corp. and still be so kind. But he found every one was giving his very apprehensive looks, but the women glares that made him recall a cat. It seemed to him that they were all afraid of him and he was not at all sure why and how could they be when he was so afraid of them. He sighed and his mind flew right back to Jolie. Skip was so afraid of this prison; he could only imagine what was happening to her.

To be continued...

----------------------------------------------------
RosettaMoon: Poor Jolie's in the pen and every one else is under ground. KInd of feels like Shawshank Redemption huh? BTW, great movie. Give me some reviews people!