407 Rescue in the jungle 1

Friday

9:05 PM

Liz, Max, Mia, and Hunter are on the airplane which is headed to Brazil.

They are going to visit Dr. Thomas as fellow researchers in the medical field.

Dr. Thomas is kept in a remote facility that is guarded by the military, so our group assumed that they are being watched and that it's easy for the military to check how Dr. Williams and her associates arrived in the country.

In order to avoid suspicion, they are traveling on a regular flight (first class). There is no direct flight from Seattle to their desired destination, so their itinerary includes switching three airplanes before they move to ground transportation. If there are no delays, they will reach the facility where Dr. Thomas is around noon on the next day.

Max would prefer his private jet. Actually, Max would prefer not to be here at all, but he didn't have a choice.

To understand what is going on, we need to go back to Monday, when Liz was in Max's office at the Alpha Group HQ.

When she told him that Dr. Thomas is in trouble, Max called Ian and Hunter to come and discuss the issue.

Max hoped that Ian will find out how that place in the jungle is an impenetrable fortress guarded by people and advanced weapons and ferocious beasts, and how that information will deter Liz from trying something reckless.

At the same time, Max believed that his adrenaline-junkie brother (aka Hunter) will agree with Max on how Liz staying safe is very important, but he soon realized that he was wrong.

After fifteen minutes of discussion where Liz disclosed what she knows about Dr. Thomas and the location she is at currently, Ian went to his computer lab, with the goal to find out more about that facility.

With all the things Max requested from Ian in the last six months, Ian ended up picking up hacking skills and he can do quite a bit of things on his own.

"So, we agree that this woman needs rescuing. Correct?", Hunter wanted to make sure.

Liz looked at Max expectantly and he nodded stiffly which made Liz smile because she knew he agreed to make her happy. Liz was grateful, but she wanted Max to understand that she wants to help Dr. Thomas, but not at the cost of others getting hurt. Especially not Max.

"I don't want us to do something reckless.", Liz said. "Let's wait and see what Ian can find."

Max smiled at Liz's words and kissed her temple.

"No matter what Ian finds, that woman is in trouble. Think about how important is to save her.", Hunter told Liz.

"You can't put a value on human life.", Liz responded quickly.

Liz exhaled heavily when she understood that Dr. Thomas is evidence. That woman knows too much.

Max observed Hunter. "You have something on your mind?"

Hunter's eyes didn't leave Liz. "If we are going to save her, someone needs to get inside."

Max frowned when he understood that Hunter is talking about Liz. "No."

Hunter shrugged. "Do you have any other ideas? That woman is held somewhere with tight security and being monitored. We can't send her detailed instructions on what to do without alerting whoever is holding her. I can go, but they have no idea who I am, while they know Liz and she was invited. It would not be strange that she…"

"No.", Max cut off Hunter.

Liz placed her hand on Max's forearm. "Let him talk."

Max glared at Liz. "What for? So that he can say that you should go and get Dr. Thomas to a safe spot and wait for the rescue? If they are smart, they will check you for weapons. How will you defend yourself? Your kicks are nothing compared to firearms. You are not going in there, Liz. There is no way I'm letting you out of my sight."

Liz pressed her lips into a line. "What if you come with me as my assistant?"

Max was sure that his ears malfunctioned. Did she say 'assistant'? Is this a new idea or is she planing this for a while? What is she thinking? They should die together? This is not a romantic movie, damnit! "No!"

Liz made a face at stubborn Max and looked at Hunter. "You were saying…?", her voice trailed off, indicating that she wants him to continue talking.

Hunter ignored Max's outraged expression and spoke to Liz. "Since she invited you, it would not arouse suspicion that you want to come now that the research is almost done. When you get one-on-one with Dr. Thomas, you can find a way to tell her that you came with the intention to rescue her. If you can get her close to some spot from where the extraction team can fetch you, that would be perfect. But if not… then you can find a safe spot and wait for the rescue."

Max's face twisted in fury. That is exactly what he said and there is no way that is happening!

"How can you even suggest such a thing?", Max asked Hunter angrily.

Hunter didn't want to argue. "We are just talking, Max."

"Would you talk about putting a woman in the middle of the enemy camp if that woman is yours?"

Hunter understood that Max is talking about Mia.

"If that is what Mia wants to do, I would go with her and watch her back.", Hunter responded smugly. "You don't believe me? Let me call her…"

It didn't take long before Mia joined them in Max's office.

Hunter and Liz told her the short version that there is a lab in the jungle of South America and Liz's doctor-friend is trapped.

"You want to save her?", Mia asked Liz.

Liz nodded. "I don't want to risk anyone else, but my answer is 'yes'. If something happens to Dr. Thomas, I would not be able to sleep knowing that maybe, just maybe, I had a chance to prevent it, yet I decided to stay home because it's safe."

Mia pursed her lips and thought for a second before her eyes met Liz's. "Count me in."

Liz smiled at Mia, ignoring Max's displeased grumbles. "Thanks, Mia. I will get you a full spa treatment and lunch for this."

Mia approved, but… "I don't want a spa treatment, but if you make it two lunches, I will be happy."

"Deal." Liz extended her hand.

"Deal!", Mia confirmed and shook Liz's hand. "When are we leaving?"

"Whoa, whoa!", Max interjected. "No one is going anywhere until Ian gives us the details on the location and we all agree that we have a sound plan to get that doctor out without jeopardizing lives. That is guarded by the military. They will not throw candies at us but shoot bullets. The real ones that can kill." Max narrowed his eyes and glared at the other three people in the room (Liz included). "How about you tone down that enthusiasm and grasp the severity of the situation?"

Hunter smiled and looked at Liz. "I must hand it to you, Liz. There were times when I wondered if my brother would take anything seriously in his life and look at him now getting all worried and grumbling like a real adult."

Liz smiled and wrapped her arms around Max. "Max was always an exemplary man, but he lacked the right woman who would bring that out of him." She could feel that Max is stiff but by every passing moment, his body relaxed to the point of him hugging her back.

She lifted her head and kissed him on the lips.

"We will wait to hear from Ian and come up with a plan.", Liz assured Max to what he responded with a tight smile.

Liz said that they will wait for Ian, but with Hunter and Mia supporting this wild rescue idea, all of Max's hopes that Liz will give up on this went down the drain. It is happening and Max can't stop it. The only thing he could do was to join in this madness and try to keep Liz safe.

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