by Sydnie MacElroy
[10:20PM]
>A yelp of pain came from somewhere off in the woods. >Kleinberg looked in that direction, squinting futilely in >the darkness for a glimpse of something.
>"We really should get out of here," Jordan said.
>"We have to find Sandy. I thought I lost her, and I >won't lose her again."
>"Doctor, I really think we should get out of here. You >need to have that arm looked at," Jordan insisted >taking his uninjured arm and leading him back toward >the car.
Kleinberg went along quietly for a moment, then wrenched his arm away from Jordan with such sudden force that he didn't have a chance to react. But the doctor didn't make a run for it.
"I have to go back for her," he stated flatly.
"Doctor.."
"No, please listen. A way has to be found to round up the animals that are lose. I think," he said, grimacing slightly at his own idea, "that Sandy might be useful."
"What do you have in mind," Zenya asked skeptically.
Kleinberg started to speak, then shook his head. "Let me go and find her. I've been straight with you, haven't I? I want this all to end as much as you do. Let me go. I'll find her and then I'll contact you."
Martin and Zenya looked at Jordan, trying to gauge his thoughts on it. He motioned them away and all three took a few steps away from Kleinberg, who waited patiently for their decision.
"Thoughts," he asked.
"What have we got to lose," Zenya said with a shrug.
"That animal would have killed him if Jordan hadn't shot it," Martin objected.
"We don't have anything to hold him on. We really can't prevent him from going if that's what he wants to do."
Jordan nodded unhappily. "I don't know what his idea is, but right now, it's the best one we've got. Maybe one of us should stay behind and help him.."
"No," Kleinberg said. "I go alone."
*****
[10:45PM, the hotel]
The team gathered in Jordan's room to bring each other up to date on the evening's adventures. It was a solemn gathering. Vanessa finished by telling them about Jessica's escape from Brookhaven.
"Am I being terribly cynical to think that a naked woman doesn't stand a chance of lasting long in New York City," Zenya asked.
"Yes," Leo said. "More likely that no one will even notice."
"Besides, I think she can hold her own," Jim said. "I don't know exactly what they did to her, but whatever it was, she probably has the same advantages as the animals in the tunnels."
"Not just in the tunnels anymore," Martin added. "There were three of them in the park. Jordan killed one of them, Kleinberg is looking for his pet, but that leaves one more, and that one's probably wounded."
Jordan nodded. "Which only makes it more dangerous."
That comment hung in the air for a few moments, then Jim asked, "Any idea what Kleinberg has in mind for capturing them?"
"You mean if we ever hear from him again," Martin said.
"I think we will," Zenya said. "Don't ask why. I certainly don't trust him, but.. We'll hear from him."
"But what's his motivation? Does he want them rounded up as a public service or to get the project back on track?"
"I doubt it has anything to do with the project. If that was the purpose, there would be a team from Brookhaven down there right now doing the job."
"Why should they when they've got us to do their dirty work for them?"
-----
NRPG -
Happy New Year everyone!