Some Exceptions Can Be Made-Chapter 17
Chapter 17
-David and Goliath-
Maxwell stood in line behind several people, occasionally tapping the toe of his boot with impatience. The person at the front of the line was taking much too long for his liking. His usual jumbled thoughts were routinely interrupted by a growl or rumble from his empty stomach. After another moment he let out an aggravated sigh, throwing his hands to the side in frustration and cursed, “Jesus Christ, just pick something. It’s all burgers and fries. Can’t go wrong with any of it!”
The small line in front of him turned to look at the gang leader, their faces all taking on the same shocked expression when they realized who he was.
“Oh my God! The leader of the Saints!” One young man with an assortment of piercings yelled.
“It is! Oh shit!” A girl in shades next to him called. The rest of the crowd joined in with various ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhhs’ and even the occasional “Holy crap”. Maxwell let out another angry sigh and pushed the people roughly aside as he headed towards the cashier. They didn’t seem to mind him cutting in line. He reached the counter where a young girl with strangely dyed hair stood. He noticed that even she looked star-struck. He ignored this and went on with his order.
“Yeah, I’ll have three-“
“You’re so fucking hot.” The girl breathed. Maxwell gave her an obviously forced smile and cleared his throat.
“Hmm, yes. Now, I want to get three large-“
“Can I get your autograph?” The girl asked, looking around the counter for a pen and piece of recite paper. Once obtaining her items, she tugged nervously at her clothing and wild hair.
“Listen, lady, I just don’t have the time for-“
“OH! And can I get a picture too? My friend just aren’t going to believe I met the leader of-“
“Oh for fuck’s sake.” Maxwell cursed, whipping out his Sheppard and pointing it between the woman’s eyes. Her expression changed only slightly from excitement to surprise.
“Give me some food or I swear in five seconds they’ll be cleaning your brains out of the bloody deep-fryer!”
The girl went quiet for a moment, as in thought. She looked down at the gun then finally spoke up.
“If I do, can I at least get your autograph?” She asked, her eyes bright, pen and paper in her hands. Maxwell held his gun on her for a moment, disbelieving. He then sighed and simply said, “Fine.”
After finally receiving his order which consisted of three large paper bags and drinks, as well as signing her paper and chest, Maxwell made his way to the exit of the restaurant. He couldn’t wait to get back to Angel’s to see if there was some way he could speed things up. He slowed his pace when he saw two young Deckers marching up the walkway to the store. They both held a machine gun in their gloved hands. In an instant they raised their guns and pointed them at Maxwell who at the same time ducked and rolled to hide underneath a nearby table. The gunfire and the smash of shattering glass rang out through the building, people screamed and fell to the floor, covering their heads. Maxwell took off to the back of the store where a door leading to the food prep area stood. He fired back at the Deckers as he ran. With a slicing sound and a tearing pain in his shoulder, he realized he had been grazed by a bullet. He picked up his speed and ran into the door and through the cooking area, pushing the employees to the side to get by. The Deckers followed him closely, shooting the workers when they got in the way.
Maxwell finally found the backdoor he had been looking for and burst out of it. He suddenly noticed he was still holding his bags and marveled at this for a moment before taking off once more around the building and to his car. Bullets whizzed past him quickly,pinging off the dumpsters and walls that lined the alley. He turned the corner leading out to the street and came to a dead stop once laying eyes on the hulking mass in front of him. A Brute.
Before he even realized it, a gigantic fist sent him flying in the air and down the street by several feet. Everything went black for a moment. The burning in his arm was quickly replaced by a searing and pounding pain in his jaw and head. He squinted his eyes and shook his head, slowly sitting up, feeling a warm trickle of blood fall over his forehead and down his face. He looked around and saw his bags laid out around him. In the backround he saw the fuzzy image of multiple black and blue cars coming to a stop, Deckers pouring out of them holding weapons. He blinked, the image got even blurrier, then dark as a giant shadow loomed over him. And then there was nothing.
Maxwell awoke to a shooting pain in his head and burning on his left shoulder. His jaw throbbed painfully as well. It felt swollen, possibly fractured. He’d have yet another one to add to the ever growing list. He tried to open his eyes but only saw black. He soon realized that was because of a makeshift blindfold covering his eyes. At this time he also felt the pressure of rope uncomfortably cutting into his wrists.
God dammit. I’ve been captured. I’ve been fucking captured.
He tried sitting up but hit his head on unmoving metal. The blow only increased the throbbing in his head. Cursing in pain and anger, he tried to stretch his legs out of his current fetal position but hit another side of the metal.
I’m in a bloody trunk.
He cursed again, his voice even more rough than usual. Aggravation clouding his thoughts, he raised his knee and pounded it against the roof of the trunk repetitively.
After a few strikes he stopped, breathing hard, his mind in a whirlwind. He was trapped. There was no way out. He had been caught a few times before but this was his first visit to a trunk. He tried to calm his thoughts and concentrate. He had to wait. Wait until his captors took him wherever they planned to take him. Then, he thought, is when he could escape. This breif lapse in anxiety faded when he recalled an incident similar to this. Lin.
This was how it happened to her. Tied in a trunk, driven into a lake and left to drown. He thought of how she had suffered, how afraid she must have been. Suddenly, his heart burst into a frantic pace and he resumed his attack on the metal above him, this time much more furious. He couldn’t die like that. He wouldn’t. He couldn’t save her and that thought alone tore at him to this day. And Kinzie. What would happen to her? He was her protector. He had sworn to her, Oleg and himself that he would give anything to keep her safe. But to do that, he just could not die.
He had stopped hitting the roof and held his breath when he heard voices. They were approaching the car. He prepared himself to attack if they opened the trunk, but their voices went past and to the doors of the car. They opened them and got in, the vehicle moving slightly with their weight. He listened intently to their conversation.
“Okay, so we bring him to the big guys now?” One voice asked.
“Right. Keep an eye open while I’m driving. Have you heard from Miller?” Another voice replied.
“No. He’s probably setting up a party for us. Can’t believe we got him! We fuckin’ got the bitch!” The first voice raised in excitement.
“What did I tell you about getting a big head, mate? Now, shut up and pay attention.”
Maxwell heard and felt the engine of the car roar to life then felt as the car first backed up then drove off towards it’s destination.
They’re taking me to Pryor and Miller. Bloody hell.
Maxwell thought to himself. He had to think of a plan out of this. And he had to think fast.
______
Chapter 17-End
Please READ
Due to some personal drama in my life at the moment, I’m afraid I don’t have the time to update the story. I have no idea when I’ll be able to either.
Don’t worry, I will finish the story, it’s just not possible right now.
Thank you once again for your patience!
Some Exceptions Can Be Made-Chapter 16
Chapter 16
-Drawing Board-
A full week had passed since Maxwell had asked Kinzie to work on drawing up the new weapons. It was also a week since Killbane and Matt Miller were scheduled to land. Things had been quiet. Too quiet for Maxwell. He was expecting an enormous fire fight the minute their plane landed, an all out war between the Saints and Syndicate. Although, thinking about it now, he had guessed that wasn’t possible. He knew they weren’t ready. They were coming back to Steelport to prepare for a fight, not to launch one. Not yet, at least. So things had settled into a natural rhythm.
The Saints relaxed by the pool, completely at ease, instead of the usual quick talks about upcoming battle plans. The whole environment changed in a matter of days, and this bothered Maxwell. What if this was just what Eddie wanted? For the Saints to get comfortable, to nearly forget the impending fight only to be taken by surprise? Maxwell walked by two young female Saints laying on lounge chairs near the pool of the HQ. He cleared his throat to get their attention. The blonde sat up, removing her sunglasses and looking at Maxwell questioningly.
“Hey, Boss. What’s going-“
“Shouldn’t you be making yourselves useful?” Maxwell interjected. The blonde looked a bit offended, her brunette friend then sat up.
“Yo, Boss. Chill out. We just getting some sun.” The brunette defended. Maxwell rolled his eyes at the two women.
“You all need to be getting things together. Killbane and Miller aren’t going to just sit around forever.” Said Maxwell, glaring at them. The two women looked at each other then began to get their things together, not wanting to risk angering their leader any further. Maxwell said nothing more to them and instead continued walking to the other side of the pool to where he saw Peirce. His lieutenant leaned back in a chair, wearing nothing but a pair of swim trunks, a colorful drink held in one of his hands. Peirce looked up at Maxwell.
“Hey man. Take a seat.” Said Peirce, clearing a chair next to him of a book and some newspaper. Maxwell remained standing. His expression the same he had given the two Saints just before. Peirce saw this and swallowed hard.
“Uh, is everything okay?” Peirce asked.
“No, Peirce. It isn’t. We got a potential army on our asses and you all are having a God damned pool party.” Maxwell cursed, holding a hand out to the deck filled with talking, bathing suit-clad gang members. Peirce shrugged his shoulders.
“We are just having a good time, bro. No need to get all mad. Besides, you usually enjoy this kind of thing.”
“I just feel like we shouldn’t be letting ourselves get so vulnerable, Peirce.”
Peirce was about to reply when Shaundi walked up to them quickly, her anger showing in her movements. She was shouting before she was near them.
“The fuck, Boss? We’ve got a damn war on our hands and you guys are out here partying? What the fuck-“
Maxwell lifted his hand to silence her. He looked towards her.
“For once, I’m on your side here, Shaundi. I don’t think we need to be so relaxed either.” Said Maxwell.
“I think both of ya’ll need to chill.” Peirce said simply, taking a sip of his drink.
Maxwell was about to say something to him when Kinzie ran up behind him, tapping him on his shoulder. He turned to her and smiled.
“Hey Kinz, what’s-” He began, holding his hands out to hug her.
“I’ve finished.” She said. Maxwell paused, quickly lowering his arms.
“The blueprints?”
“Duh.”
“Great!” Maxwell turned back to Shaundi.
“You keep yelling at Peirce. I need to take care of something.” Maxwell said before taking Kinzie’s hand and walking away through the growing crowd. They got through it eventually and sat in the living room of the Penthouse where it was much more quiet.
“What’s with all that?” Kinzie asked,pointing out the glass wall to the party-goers. Maxwell grunted his disapproval and answered, “Probably Peirce’s idea.”
“Do you think it’s wise to be celebrating when-“
“Believe me, I know…Anyway, where’s these blueprints?”
“I was about to find Oleg and talk to him about getting them made. Do you know where he is?”
Now that Maxwell had thought of it, he hadn’t heard from Oleg in a while. Angel was pretty quiet as well. He knew they must be up to something.
“Actually, no. I’ll give him a call. Let me see those drawings.” Maxwell said, pulling his phone from his pocket. Kinzie nodded then walked over to the bar where a small backpack sat. She unzipped it and pulled out some rolled up papers. She pulled the rubber band off of them and straightened the pages, handing them to Maxwell. Putting his phone between his ear and his shoulder, Maxwell began to thumb though the documents. He was silent a moment as Kinzie looked on. Maxwell paused when Oleg answered his call.
“Boss?”
“Oleg. How’s it been, mate? Haven’t heard from ya’ in a week.” Maxwell smiled then continued eyeing the pages in his hands. He came upon a particularly interesting one and looked at Kinzie, his eyebrow raised.
“You really know the way to my heart, love.” He whispered to her. She remained silent but a red blush warmed her cheeks.
“Yes. Sorry about that, friend. I assure you my absence was not in vain.” Oleg replied.
“Oh? What have you been up to?”
“Some research mainly. I think you will be very happy with our findings.”
Maxwell smirked. He reached the last page and handed them back to Kinzie. He nodded and winked at her. She took this as his approval.
“Is there anyway I could come and discuss these things with you right now? I have something you may find interesting as well.”
Oleg paused a moment but then answered with a simple,”That’s fine.”
“Fantastic. Where are you?”
“Angel’s casino.”
“Alright, I’ll be there in just a bit.”
Kinzie looked at Maxwell with curiosity.
“Well? What’s up?”
Maxwell walked past her and towards the elevators. Kinzie quickly followed him.
“Apparently he has something for me. Well, him and Angel.”
“I wonder what they found.” Kinzie thought out loud. Maxwell boarded the elevator and held the door open button for her. She stopped outside the doors.
“Don’t know. Heading there now. Care to join, darling?”
“I dunno…”
“Not really a question. Someone’s gotta explain this stuff to Oleg. I sure as shit have no idea how to do it.”
Kinzie let out a sigh then ran back to the bar to get her backpack and laptop. After gathering her things she got into the elevator with him. She looked at him as he smiled crookedly down at her and then rolled her eyes.
“I guess you have a point.”
Maxwell and Kinzie arrived at Angel’s place not too long after. When they entered the nearly dilapidated building, they saw Angel right away. He was in his makeshift ring practicing different grapples. Maxwell whistled to get his attention. Angel looked up to his leader.
“Boss. I heard Oleg is wanting to show you what we found.”
“You got that right Angel. Where is the big guy?” Maxwell asked, pushing aside various rubble with his boot.
“He’ll be here any-“
Oleg appeared before Angel could finish. The giant Russian walked over to Maxwell and Kinzie.
“Afternoon.” He said politely.
“So, where’s my present?” Maxwell asked.
“I have good news. After days of research, Angel and I have finally found a way to reproduce the weapons the Deckers have been using.”
Maxwell let out a laugh and gestured for Kinzie to open her backpack.
“That’s funny, Oleg. Because I just so happen to have some blueprints for you to bring to life.” Maxwell fished around the bag and pulled out the rolled paper, handing it to Oleg. He took it, looking at it questioningly.
“That was fast. How did you produce these so quickly?” Oleg asked, reading through the sheets of paper. Maxwell cocked his head towards Kinzie, smiling.
“She gets the credit.” Said Maxwell. Kinzie blushed once more. Oleg was quiet for a moment, examining the drawings. Angel had joined him at his side.
“These are very detailed.” Oleg marveled.
“So you can create these things right?” Maxwell asked, his excitement growing.
“Absolutely. However, it will take time.”
“How long?”
Oleg thought to himself a moment, running the calculations in his head. He then looked at Angel who only gave him a single nod.
“A month.” He finally spoke. Maxwell was taken back at words.
“A month? We don’t have a bloody month.” He snapped, his elation melting into anger.
“My apologies, friend, but I just do not see any other way. In fact, a month is a relatively short time for this kind of thing.”
Maxwell sighed angrily, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. After a while he felt he was calm enough to speak again.
“Okay. Okay. Just get it done right. I don’t want a gun to blow up on me when I pull the trigger.”
“We’ll get started on it now.” Angel said to his leader.
“Right. Well, I’m starved.” Maxwell looked down at Kinzie who surprisingly hadn’t buried herself in her laptop yet.
“Want to go get something to eat?” He asked her. She shrugged back at him then looked at Angel and Oleg.
“I think I’ll stay here and see if I can help.” She replied.
“We could use the extra brain.” Angel said.
Maxwell let out another huff then began walking towards the door. He was feeling more and more useless as the minutes ticked by. And useless was a feeling he despised more than any other. He turned back to his comrades for a moment.
“I’ll be back soon. You guys want anything?”
“Chief seems to be leaving. Your orders?” The Decker spoke into his earpiece. He brushed his spiked bangs from his eye. The voice spoke to him over his receiver. He had gotten his plan of action. He turned the key in the ignition, the engine of the Criminal roared to life. He waited patiently as the leader of the Third Street Saints got into his car. A few seconds after he left his parking spot, the Decker followed him.
“So we’re just going to follow his ass there?” His partner asked.
“We have to make a quick stop to pick up the help but yes. That’s the gist of the idea.” The Decker replied, making a turn, being sure to keep a safe distance.
“He’s as good as dead. There’s no way he can outrun us now.”
“Don’t wet your pants just yet, Kyle. This guy is crafty. He’s survived up till now, do you really think that’s to be taken lightly?”
Kyle scoffed at his partner.
“You sound like the president of his fan club.”
“Just call the bloody help, alright? Make yourself useful or I’ll make sure you’re the first one he kills.”
Chapter 16-End
