Daryl, Gaines, and Poseidon ran after Baranski. She must have transformed into Slenderfoot, because it was hard to determine her path. They had to rely on the sounds of screams and gunfire. They only heard the ladder.

“That way!” Gaines shouted.

They ran in the direction he was pointing. It was a long hallway, no doors, just tile. 4 in x 4 in white ceramic tile on the walls and floor, with bright lights hanging above, Daryl admitted it was a bit disorienting. With the light bouncing off the walls and floor, running down the hall was tricky.

Gaines pulled ahead, but he face-planted into a wall. Daryl pursed his lips trying not to laugh. They needed to find their friend. Where Gaines had stopped was a corner. Daryl and Poseidon slowed and turned to see a squad of shock troops, armored in black combat gear and very peculiar rifles.

Their muzzles were much wider than the M-4s they had at boot camp, and the magazine looked more like a Pringles can than a mag… At least Daryl thought that was the mag. And in the center stood a soldier with a special gauntlet, holding a quaking Slenderfoot by the throat, her lion mane frizzes up as if by some electroshock, kangaroo feet kicking, but not consciously, more like muscle spasms.

Daryl gulped. He looked and Poseidon and she looked at him; they both put their hands up in the air. Gaines, however, still stumbling around, rushed towards the squad and felt the sting of 10 photon shocks pelting his body.

Daryl shouted, “No!”

But luckily, Gaines, instead of transforming, toppled over onto the ground.

This time Poseidon gulped.

The soldier in the middle set Slenderfoot on the ground; she changed back into Baranski. Naked, another soldier wrapped her up in a blanket.

The approaching soldier took her mask off. She had long red hair and dark, green eyes.

‘hubba, hubba,’ thought Daryl, his guard dropped and he lowered his arms. She hit him in the temple and all went black.

Daryl woke up. He was in a room lying in a bed. He sat up, wincing. ‘Too fast.’ he thought. He rubbed the left side of his head where the soldier had hit him. ‘Damn! That’s got to be blue.’

He realized he had no clothes on. Not even his underwear. He got up to examine himself. There was a full-length mirror on the back of his door. To the right of that was a dresser cabinet. He hopped off the bed and went to the mirror. He had puncture marks on his shoulders, much like the ones given to the rest of 001 class at boot camp.

Had they given him the super juice? Doubtful. He was probably only given vaccinations. Frowning, he turned to the dresser. He opened the doors to find it stocked with clothes. He had 4 new uniforms, black, tactical, much like his army ACUs. There were also 2 casual suits. White shirts, black ties, and black shoes. Black boots sat next to the shoes.

Under the shoes, there was a drawer full of socks and black belts. He almost missed it: there was a note on the inside of the door that read, “Get Dressed and Stand Outside Your Door!”

He pulled out a uniform and got dressed.

He opened his door and walked out. To his right was Gaines, standing at full attention and to his left were Poseidon and Baranski. Both were just leaning against their doors. Daryl decided to stand at ease. It seemed like the best option considering. What had he gotten himself into.

‘Kinder, you there?’

Yeah…

‘Anything you can tell me about this place?’

Not a damn thing. I never encountered humans like this… 

“Riding blind, got it.”

“Who are you talking to?” asked Poseidon.

“Just myself,” said Daryl. “How are you doing?”

“Better than you three. They just escorted me to my room.”

“Yeah. I was naked when I awoke.”

Gaines and Baranski turned to face Daryl.

“They forced me into a ‘Cleansing Chamber,’” she said with finger quotes. “I’m guessing they did the same to you.”

Daryl and Gaines sighed. Daryl laughed. “Thank God!”

“I really like the rooms,” said Baranski. “Everything I could need.”

“I need my own bathroom, specifically with a tub.”

“Speaking of water,” said Gaines, “Where are your canteens?”

Poseidon’s face went white.

“Who the fuck is in charge here!” she shouted.

The elevator made a loud humming sound as it descended. It also had no light, so the four stood in darkness, lowering deeper into the pit of the Airport. Daryl looked to the buttons, but in the dark he couldn’t see any.

“What floor did you press, Gaines?” he asked.

“I didn’t,” said Gaines. “Poseidon, could you back off a little bit?”

“Sorry,” she said. “This elevator is cramped.”

Daryl rolled his eyes.

“This is taking forever,” said Baranski. “Are we there yet?”

“This is going to be a long elevator ride,” said Daryl. ‘Kinder, you still there?’

Yeah… But this humming is really wearing on our structure.

Daryl felt it too. The vibrations were pressing on his body in such an overbearing fashion. It really was beginning to feel cramped in there.

“How much longer?” said Baranski. Daryl noted a hint of panic in her raised tone. Poseidon’s breath grew labored. Gaines seemed still.

“Everyone,” he said. “Just relax. Focus on your breathing. I’m sure this will be over soon.”

Daryl closed his eyes and breathed. He breathed deep, trying to focus on something else, but Baranski was not having an easy time. She started stamping her feet.

“Baranski!” said Poseidon. “Please! I’m trying to concentrate.”

“I can’t help it!”

“Your training, Nadia,” said Gaines. “Focus. I’m sure you had this type of psychological training in Russia.”

“Do you think they are testing us?” said Daryl. He winced at the movement of his own jaw.

“I’m thinking that this was some sort of set up, yes!” said Gaines. “I mean, who puts a secret elevator in the back of a gift shop!”

Daryl could tell the strain was getting to Gaines, and he knew if he lost his composure, they would probably die.

“Gaines,” said Daryl, as calmly as he could under the weight of the massive vibrations, “Focus on your breathing. We are here. We are now…”

Poseidon picked up on the situation and chanted along. “We are here… We are now…”

Baranski continued to stamp her feet. Daryl placed his hand on her shoulder and whispered in her ear, “We are here… We are now…”

She began to calm a little, and Gaines took deep, heavy breaths, bringing himself back to center. Daryl began to feel a little at ease. If only this damn humming would stop!

And like that, the lights turned on, the humming stopped, and a loud ding sounded in the elevator. Daryl collapsed along with Poseidon and Gaines. Baranski screamed, forcing Daryl and the rest to jump.

The elevator doors opened and Baranski shot out like a bull. Daryl could hear loud crashing and screaming fading away.

“Ah shit,” said Gaines. He pulled himself up along with Poseidon.

“Yeah,” said Daryl, wiping a bleeding nose. “Crap baskets!”

 

(photo belongs to Mike Sinko)

Daryl shook awake. Either the helicopter’s descent had woken him up or it was the feet of his comrade across from him kicking him. Whatever it was, it was no more startling than seeing a giant horse statue with glowing red eyes staring back at you.

“Yikes!” he said as he pushed himself away from the window, bumping into Gaines who was sitting right next to him.

Gaines said nothing. He didn’t seem to notice. He stared out the other side window, pensive.

“He’s been like that for hours,” commented Poseidon. She stretched her arms above her head. Daryl couldn’t help his eyes wander to her chest. Still pretty nice in army camo. The four had decided to travel in uniform, though civilians were encouraged, it just felt right to be in this uniform after all that had taken place in the past 12 weeks.

Daryl turned back to his window. ’12 weeks… He was a kid back then…’

Again Daryl felt the kicking of his new friend across from him.

“Oy! Kerns!” said Baranski. “Why is there a giant horse statue here? Was it a famous horse?”

Daryl smiled. He never thought he would be coming here of all places. He’d read books about the many conspiracies of the Denver International Airport, and to think he would have ample time to investigate…

“That’s what’s great about this place, Baranski. Nobody knows…”

“Why does everything you say sound weird?”

“It’s probably the language barrier,” Daryl smiled. Baranski laughed. It felt almost odd joking with her. They had nearly killed each other at boot camp. He was glad it didn’t come to that. She would have killed him.

Daryl shivered at the thought. Her military prowess was unmatched amongst the whole 001. Still more surprising was Poseidon. At first, she seemed like a stuck up princess, but she really helped out when it was all over.

The helicopter landed without incident. The whirring of the blades, the gust of wind knocked Daryl’s cap off his head. He caught after 4 steps off. Embarrassed, he returned back to the others taking their gear out of the storage bay.

“Yeah, we decided to not put on our PCs,” said Gaines, laughing. Poseidon giggled.

“Though that looked real funny, Kerns,” said Baranski.

“Ha ha ha! Yeah, yeah,” said Daryl. “Where’s the entrance? It’s a bit nippy out here.”

“It’s a bit nippy?” said Gaines.

“Shut up, Gaines!”

The pilot stepped off and led them off the runway to a door at the side of the building. Daryl looked back at the giant horse statue. ‘I’m going to figure you out…’

It doesn’t matter. you won’t be able to tell anyone.

‘Kinder! You feeling better? I didn’t hear from you the entire helicopter ride.’

Air travel makes me sick. But I also feel they have dampeners around the building. I’m not sure how well we will be able to communicate.

‘Gee, that sounds horrible.’

I’ll have you know that I’m very pivotal to your powers working correctly. Have a little more respect.

‘Kinder you know I respect you, but you’re not always as reliable as you say.’

The group followed the pilot all the way to the main floor. Tourists and business man crowded the checkin desks. Kids ran around unsupervised. Flight crews hastily paced to their gates. There was a lot to take in; Daryl had never been to an airport before.

The Pilot handed a paper to Gaines and began giving him directions. Daryl took the time to get grounded. “Ooh!” he said. “They have Chick-Fil-A! Oh and Taco Bell!”

“What are those?” asked Poseidon. She spun around to look for what Daryl was talking about.

“Oh right,” he said, “You were stuck in the Loch for hundreds of years.”

“Yeah, yeah. What’s a Chick-Fil-A?”

“I, too, am concerned about the Taco Bell?” said Baranski.

“Trust me, that concern will go away. Eventually,” said Daryl.

“Hey Gawkers,” said Gaines, the pilot made a speedy exit. “Follow me. I know where we’re going now.”

“I’ll follow you anywhere,” said Poseidon, winking.

“Cute,” said Gaines. “This way.”

Daryl followed after, keeping his head on a swivel not to miss anything. He saw a lot of custom shops and pubs. He wished he was 21; a beer would be great.

They rounded a corner to a gift shop. Daryl watched as Gaines took the piece of paper the pilot gave him and read it. “This is the place,” said Gaines.

They walked in made their way to the back of the store. Behind the counter was a cute Asian girl with braces. Daryl did his best to keep his eyes to himself.

“You going to talk to her Kerns?” said Poseidon, coyly.

Daryl’s face reddened. “I’m… Well, maybe later. I want to drop off my gear…”

She smirked at him. “What are we waiting for Gaines?” she asked.

Gaines motioned for all of them to huddle up. They grouped together. “There’s supposed to be a sliding door behind that fern.” He pointed to upper right corner of the store.

“But there are so many people over there… This is supposed to be a secret entrance! Why put a door to a secret entrance in a giftshop?”

“Don’t get upset. We just need a distraction,” said Poseidon. “Kerns! Go talk to that counter girl!”

“What will that accomplish?” said Daryl.

“It will be distracting for me,” she said.

“Seriously! Who put a door there!” said Gaines.

“Gaines. Keep your frosty,” said Baranski. “We’ll just tell the people to leave. Politely.”

They all stared at her. “What? I said Politely.”

“Well just have to wait till the store closes,” said Gaines.

“Or Kerns could talk to that girl.”

“Why me?”

“Come on, I’ll go with you.”

“That’ll make it worse!”

“Maybe…”

She grabbed him by the arm and dragged him to the counter while Baranski chuckled.

“You don’t know what’s going on, do you?” asked Gaines.

“Not at all,” she said through her laughter.

“Hi there!” said Poseidon to the girl. She plopped Daryl next to her. “My friend here is really shy. It’d be cute if it wasn’t pathetic. Anyway…” Daryl punched her in the arm.

“Ow!”

“So, hey!” Daryl said. He smiled. “I was wondering if you could help me out. We need to get over to that corner over there. We were told you could help us. We just need to, you know…” He nodded in the direction.

The counter girl turned around. “You want to make out with your girlfriend over there?”

Daryl laughed. Poseidon pursed her lips.

“You understand so well. This is probably the weirdest conversation you’ve had today…”

“You’d be surprised how many people want to do something in that corner. Honestly I’m relieved. I thought you were going to ask me out. But you two look good together.”

Daryl pursed his lips and Poseidon laughed.

“Yeah, we are adorable,” she looped her arm in his.

“Yeah!” she said clapping her hands. “I can temporarily close the store while you guys do that.”

“Hang on,” said Daryl. “You just close the store to let people ‘make-out’ in a corner of your store?”

“Yeah, we do it all the time.”

Daryl took a deep breath in. “Alright.” He pulled on Poseidon’s arm.

“Let’s go, honey. I can’t wait to kiss you.”

“Oh my,” she said as she reluctantly followed.

The counter girl got on her mic. “Attention all patrons. We will be closing early today. Please make your purchases or get the hell out!”

Baranski laughed as she made to walk out the door. Gaines grabbed her collar and pointed her toward the corner where Daryl motioned for them to come over.

“Pucker up, lover,” said Daryl annoyed.

“Hey,” said Poseidon, “I’m just as annoyed as you.”

“This is why I don’t just randomly ask girls on dates,” said Daryl.

“Dating’s stupid,” said Gaines. “You’re better off single for a while.”

“Well, you never know when someone awesome is going to come around,” said Poseidon.

“I’m awesome!” said Baranski.

“You sure are, Ski,” said Daryl.

Gaines looked around the fern. “I’m not seeing a switch of any kind.”

“Let me see,” said Baranski.

Baranski put her hands out to the wall. “It’s here!” She fell forward onto the wall and it lit up. Gaines pulled her back. The wall slid up exposing an elevator.

“Don’t trip,” said Poseidon, stepping over a wooden accent. Daryl immediately tripped.

“Graceful, Kerns,” said Poseidon.

“Let’s go meet the commander. She’ll probably want to meet us before we turn in for the night.”