Exerpt:

Fast Forward...

Zig-Zag: "Vitals are stable, pupils unresponsive, no pain response, 100 percent vegetative state." Dr. Bryans marked off a few things on the form and then signed off on the clipboard. Officer Taggart checked the restraints, and Bryans looked over. "Are those really necessary, Dave? This is the most secure level 5 prison in the US."

Taggart shrugged, "Doesn’t matter, Doc. Patrioteer says they stay handcuffed, they stay handcuffed."

"If you ask me, I think his helmet’s gotten a little tight," Bryans chuckled. "Anyway, time to leave sleeping beauty here for another day. Four more stops and I'll buy you coffee." Bryans opened the door and stared down the muzzle of a high-tech auto-pistol. It was the last thing he saw as the Hobo Spider operative pulled the trigger.

Taggart kicked the door of the med-cell closed, the lock engaging home automatically as he slammed his hand on the big red panic button.

Outside he heard sporadic gunfire, and the gruff order to "cut it open" as a jet of flames burst from above the lock where a cutting torch was being used. He drew his service pistol and put it next to the comatose man’s head. "Well buddy, it’s obviously you they’re after. Sorry ‘bout this." He pulled the trigger.

Nothing happened.

Pulling the pistol back, he jacked the slide and pulled the trigger again.

Again, nothing happened.

The gun was fine, but his finger simply would not pull the trigger. That’s when he felt the wetness on his face. A smear of blood coated his fingers as he pulled them away from his face, a stream trickling from his nostril. As he looked back, the coma patient was looking at him.

"W- water."

Taggart felt confused and poured a cup of water and handed it to the awakening patient. Then he looked at him again, and Taggart found himself helping the man lift himself from the bed, becoming a statue as the man got to his feet. He watched, frozen, as the man executed several stretches, each more complicated than the previous, bones and joints cracking as they limbered out after years of immobility. Finally, he stood on his own and looked into Taggart’s eyes.

"Thanks for the support," the man said as he cocked his hand back, his fingers held flat like blade or spear point.

Officer Taggart swore he saw it glow before it punched through his skull.

As the lock clattered to the floor, Marcus turned around and smiled at the shocked Red Web Syndicate gunmen.

"What kept you, luv?"

Rewind...

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