Round Five, Part Three

With adrenaline pumping furiously through his body and his thoughts firmly focused on the upcoming battle to capture Central City, Alex Krycek could not tear his eyes from the sight of his lover clad in metallic-blue body armor. In his wildest fantasy he could have never imagined anything looking so well on Fox Mulder than the form-fitting armor he now wore.

The tunnels beneath Central City were another truly astonishing sight. No mere holes in the ground, they consisted of a series of interlinked caves and galleries, large and small, leading ever nearer to the enemy.

The tunnel through which Krycek's party were walking now was immense, like a great cathedral. They moved between pillars of twisted rock resembling strange alien sculpture. Their path was lit by small, powerful beams blazing from the sides of their helmets.

Alex glanced over his shoulder and through his visor he could make out his group huddled close together. Everyone seemed to be bolstered by the successful taking of the Australian and European domes. Extra confidence never hurt anyone.

While waiting for nightfall, he'd spent most of the evening going over their plan of attack once more and teaching their young medic friend Wade duPrés how to properly use a blaster. At the moment Wade had pressed himself close to burly Jack Scully, in much the same way as Krycek could feel Mulder close to him.

Soon they emerged from the tunnels and into a cave overlooking the gleaming central dome. Shafts of moonlight pierced the misty gloom.

Alex took a deep breath. This was it, he thought. Do or die -- literally.

"As soon as we spot a work party, remember, that's when we strike," he told the group through the comm-set within his helmet.

Each member acknowledged their leader's instruction with a nod of their heads. And soon they were moving through the darkness.

*****

The straggling work party had been easy to intercept and capture. Having disposed of them behind several large dunes, Krycek's group had discarded their protective helmets and slipped into the -- thankfully -- bulky blue coveralls, which did a pretty good job of hiding their armor.

Having infiltrated a number of organizations in the past, Alex knew exactly how to get inside with their weapons. He sent a handful of his group on ahead inside the city. Jack and Jacqueline caused a distraction giving both him and Mulder time to knock the guards unconscious and redistribute their weapons.

As they hurried through the corridors, Krycek had one goal on his mind: capturing the Central Command Dome. With that under their control, it would be a piece of cake capturing the outlying domes. But first they had to meet with Chaz and his group coming through the hidden entrance in Central Park.

Alex allowed Wade, who having lived in the City for most of his life, to lead them on the fastest route to the park. As they hurried down a junction Alex held up a hand for the group to pause. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, even through the body armor.

After several heartbeats of silence had passed, Mulder nervously whispered, "What is it?"

Waiting another second, Alex waved them along as the sensation passed. "Nothing. Let's move."

Swiftly turning another corner, Wade pointed ahead. "Here it is."

Indeed. An enormous, curved picture window stood several feet away which looked out onto an expansive indoor park.

"Wait here," Krycek instructed Mulder and Wade as he Jack and Jacqueline moved forward.

Mulder pressed his back against the wall to listen out for the first sign of trouble. "Why do I suddenly have a bad feeling about this?" he said out of the corner of his mouth.

Wade cocked his head at his friend. "Hey, I was counting on you to be the strong one."

Mulder's heart beat sped up as he watched his lover searching for Morrison's group.

"There they are," Krycek whispered. He could just make out Chaz's red signal light in the darkness behind the park's fountain. "Come on." He motioned at Mulder and Wade.

"Listen!" said Wade suddenly.

They heard booted feet clattering rapidly toward them.

"Over here, quick!" yelled Alex.

But it was too late.

Suddenly the corridor was filling up with silver-uniformed soldiers. The soldiers ran toward them, weapons in their hands.

Blaster fire echoed off the polished walls as the Resistance engaged the Military Consortium. A trigger-happy soldier let loose a salvo which struck and completely shattered the windows behind Alex, Jack and Jacqueline. The trio found themselves dodging blaster fire and shards of broken glass.

"Ugh!" The Russian yelled in pain. A blast glanced off the shoulder of his armor. It wasn't impervious and any closer would have caused fatal damage. It was enough to almost send him reeling backward. He continued to fire his gun, and the blasts from the pair beside him echoed in his ears. He glanced through the mass of silver shapes for a glimpse of Mulder, but panic gripped his heart as, to his frustration, he couldn't see his lover.

At the far end of the hall, both Mulder and Wade found themselves hopelessly outnumbered. Mulder gripped the blaster in his hand -- which was already scorching his flesh from the number of shots he'd fired. As the soldiers advanced further, he told Wade, "Throw down your gun!"

Wade gave him a helpless look, but did as he was told. "Now what do we do?"

Mulder sighed. "We surrender," he said wearily, and raised his hands. Hopefully, this will give Alex time to get away, he thought as the soldiers grabbed him and thrust him bodily against the wall.

*****

Report after report concerning the downfall of domes around the world had flashed before Lermontov's eyes until they practically burned with rage. He sat in the office of the Security Dome listening as yet another report came through. He switched it off in irritation. He couldn't understand how this rabble had managed such a feat.

Lermontov rubbed his chin worriedly, wondering how their illustrious young leader would handle the situation. At the moment it hadn't concerned Spender in the slightest. In fact, he didn't seem at all anxious with the possibility of Central City being captured by the enemy.

The older man's thoughts were chased away by a brisk rap on the door. Lermontov looked up as his colleague, Alderton, marched into the room.

Both men saluted one another.

"Message from Captain Williams," Alderton said. "His men have captured two rebels."

"Good, good! That's excellent!" Lermontov stood up --finally they'd gained an advatange. "About time we had some success, eh?"

"The patrol are pursuing the other Resistance members near the Central Park zone."

Lermontov swung around alarmed. "Rebels loose in the city?"

Alderton nodded. "Captain Williams is setting up an ambush."

"Very good." Lermontov forced a smile. "Now what about these prisoners?"

*****

From his hiding place high atop a catwalk, Krycek watched the soldiers that had pursued his remaining group move away. He scowled. Fox was in deadly danger in the hands of the Consortium once more. His mind raced. There had to be some way to save him and take control of the dome.

During the attack, Morrison's group had retreated deeper into the city and Krycek had the daunting task of finding them as well. He crawled back to the others who were crouched further back. Krycek recognized the grim look creasing Jack Scully's features. Torn between duty and love, he seemed ready to rip the place apart to get Wade back. The feeling was Alex's close companion.

"They're starting to move out," Krycek said, his lungs straining. "If we work our way around we can slip by them."

"How many?" asked Jacqueline tensely.

"About a dozen. We can handle them. Come on!"

They moved away.

*****

The door of Central Dome Security slid open, and a young soldier wearing a force collar entered and saluted. He stepped aside to make room for two more soldiers, pushing Mulder and Wade before them.

Mulder instantly looked around the room, taking in the futuristic equipment. His eyes widened and his heart deflated at the sight of Lermontov and Alderton together.

His mouth hard and set, Lermontov strode before Mulder. "Make a fool of me would you!" he spat out venomously as the back of his hand snapped across Mulder's face.

Shocked and hurt, Mulder cried out. Wade grabbed his arm and helped him to stay on his feet. Expecting further reprisals, Mulder was relieved when Alderton stepped in. "Do not damage him yet -- he is to be taken to the Punishment Dome."

"Punishment Dome?" Wade stammered.

"Shut up!" Lermontov ordered. "When your rebel friends are taken they will be our guests in the Termination Center."

"Don't worry," Alderton sneered at the younger man. "I think our leader will keep you both as pretty little playthings." He paused. "That is, if there's anything left of you after the Punishers are through."

There was a bleep from the communicator on Lermontov's desk.

"Signal for us, sir," Alderton said. "There is a very urgent meeting."

Lermontov frowned. "Very well." He nodded toward an internal door. "Have the prisoners stripped and take them away."

As the soldiers bustled them toward the door, Mulder turned to Wade with sad eyes. If Alex wasn't successful would they be condemned for the rest of their lives?

*****

In the meeting hall of the Central Dome, young Spender stood before tiered rows of seats, preparing to give his commanders a pep talk. He paused to listen as an officer informed him of the latest developments. Spender's lip curled sadistically when he learned of Fox Mulder's capture. Then he paled upon knowing that more resistance fighters were still at large.

"Find them! Quickly, quickly!" he spluttered. "Or you'll find yourself in the delights of my personal Punishment Dome!"

"I'll attend to their capture personally," the officer said and strode away purposefully.

"You had better!" Spender shrieked then began to cackle hysterially, his own fear giving way to mania.

He turned to gather himself for the meeting. What was going on? Spender could not decide any more. There were suddenly too many dangers in the situation. The Resistance had to be removed: starting with Alex Krycek who seemed to be leading them. And to think he was in my grasp, Spender reminded himself.

Death. Yes. No fancy devices, just clean, quick and final.

Spender took a breath and turned back to grip an onyx podium. "At this moment, gentlemen," he addressed the military rally, "we have captured a Resistance leader."

The men chorused Spender's name and waved their fists in the air.

"We have the power which we shall use to reconquer the Domes. The most powerful weapon this world has ever seen -- the Dyriluum Bomb!"

A hush fell over the hall.

"It will destroy this Resistance vermin once and for all. Our fire will infest the sky! We shall rule! We shall rule!"

"Spender!" shouted the commanders.

Spender stood basking in their applause, savouring his moment of glory.

-oo0oo-

Tarlan's next