Chapter 36

GMN 1 and 3 managed to step back before the steam fried their faces.

"Okay? What just happened? " GMN-6 asked, stepping back even though she was behind them, she really liked her face. It was one of the many things she liked about herself.

"Buckle up honey, because we are about to play tomb raider" GMN-3 said.

"Keep your eyes and ears open, any wrong move and you may not want to find out what happens next" GMN-1 said

She looked around and there was no alternative route to get across where they were except the one, they were currently on. She looked at the area the steam had come from. There were tiny holes on the peddled walkway.

"See anything? GMN-3 asked. From the way she was staring at the ground. She held her hand up signaling they should wait.

She observed more carefully. They couldn't create a hole in the pebbles, so they created holes around the pebbles. The tricky part was the placement of these holes wasn't consistent. They just had to be sure and hope there was nothing else, but she had a feeling there was still more out there. One step at a time.

"There are tiny holes on the ground through which these gases are emitted. I have no idea if it is triggered by our footsteps or not, so we have to be super careful. " GMN-1 said

"What type of gas are we dealing with? " GMN-2 asked.

"Something acidic. Would need some experiments to verify exactly what. Who wants to go get a sample?" GMN-1 replied and 6 laughed. The fact she could find something funny in this situation baffled her. 'Get a sample' as if. Before anyone could get a sample, they could be fried or worse.

"Let me go first" GMN-2 volunteered

"No thanks" GMN-1 said and preceded them. She stepped on the first pile of safe rocks and the holes around them, and some others emitted gases, she had to hold her breath and hold still till the gases stopped. Any wrong move and she'd be toast. She had a moment of inspiration. She squatted and picked up some pebbles she was standing on. The gas erupted again; she held her breath.

"Be careful" GMN-2 cautioned

She threw the pebbles in varying directions. Gases emitted. She nodded.

"Don't even think about it"GMN-3 called. She ignored him and counted in her head.

1, 2, 3. She took off in a run and gases emitted everywhere, the others tried to keep track of her. GMN-6's hands subconsciously went to her face as she held her breath. The smoke died down and GMN-1 stood motionless in the middle.

"1?" all of them called but there was no answer. She just stood there, her body not moving. Residual smoke was still lingering around her.

"I have to get to her" GMN-2 said preparing to go after her

"Are you crazy!? " GMN-6 said, grabbing him back. He shrugged off her hands and made to rush in. GMN-3 grabbed him back and signaled ahead. GMN-1 was on the move again. They breathed in relief then held their breaths again as she made it to the end. She stood still again without turning back at them. They didn't know why she was doing that but after a while, she turned to face them. She breathed in and out.

"Did you have to scare us like that? GMN-6 demanded but 1 paid her no attention. She was so dramatic.

"Some of the holes emit at different times but the ones in the middle go up at once. Apparently, the steam can weaken the body when inhaled in large quantities for too long" GMN-1 said

"So, we get to run across" GMN-2 said with false enthusiasm.

"You could stay here and let me get the box" GMN-1 said

"So not happening" GMN-2 and 3 said at the same time. She didn't think they'd let her, although it may have been faster. She proceeded to guide them across one at a time. She told them when to move and where and also when to stop and wait. GMN-2 went first followed by 6 and 3. When they were finally across, they sighed in relief. GMN-6 touched her face to make sure it was still intact; she was going to kill those twins when she saw them. Who sets up a trap like this?

They turned and moved forward. There was a screeching sound followed by the clearing of throats. They looked around to locate the loudspeakers.

"señores y señoritas" A voice began

"Mesdames et Messieurs" another voice said

"English, please! " GMN-6 demanded angrily. There was a pause.

"Ladies and gentlemen" the first voice began again. So, they could hear them. They really have been keeping track of what they have been doing.

It was a good thing they understood English and could hear them, GMN-6 thought because she was going to give them a piece of her mind. She made to talk but was interrupted.

"It has come to our notice that you didn't think our welcome warm enough and you have no intention of turning back" The first voice continued

"Anyway, we don't want you to. We want to have some fun" the second voice interrupted

"We'll be waiting for pieces of you at the other side and we promise not to play fair" the first voice said

"We hope you enjoy our little welcome as much as we enjoy making it and watching people... " there was a sadistic laugh from the second person.

"And don't forget the welcome committees, bye! " The first person said again and just like that everything died down.

"Is there no way to go around these? " GMN-6 asked sulkily

"If you see one do let us know" GMN-3 replied

GMN-6 scoffed. She was just saying. She wasn't ready to brave whatever lay ahead, risking her life for a cause she no longer believed in. She wondered why they still took missions like nothing was wrong. She had approached 3 about that once and his only reply was

"We are trying to stay alive, and I suggest you should too" whatever that means. She didn't know why but she found it difficult. She sighed. As it looks, there was no backing down.

GMN-1 looked around. If their welcome address was anything to go by, this was far from over and they had a long way to go. The fact the twins had psychological problems was a minus for them. The compound was very big. She had thought of not entering but scaling the wall. The wall itself was a different story. The ground inside the compound we're divided, with each booby trap stretching the whole expanse of land. Anywhere they went it would be the same and even take them longer to access the house. The best route so far was straight ahead, and it wasn't looking promising.

Next up was a whole bunch of trees. She didn't know why but those trees looked deadly, especially this evening.

"A walk in the woods anyone? " GMN-2 asked sarcastically. As far as he knew, something was up with those trees.

"I wish I could say rain check" GMN-6 replied. Was that a scarecrow and why was it laughing at them?

GMN-6 hadn't finished her sarcastic comment and noticing the scarecrow when sharp jagged-edged blades and swinging blades appeared on the trees.

"Rain check!" GMN-6 replied

The trees were planted so close together with just enough space to allow the blades to rotate. Below the trees were short trees in between and then short spiky shrubs below. The idea was to make sure the only things that could pass through those trees would be air and liquid.

There was no space for any other thing to squeeze in. The mysterious scarecrow had disappeared, and the only way left was forward.

"Forward it is! '' GMN-3 said and moved forward but GMN-1 grabbed his clothes. They all seemed to be seriously underestimating these people. She looked at the ground, there were numerous big holes scattered on it. She really hoped it wasn't another gas. It wasn't. Long poles shot out from the ground and spread their numerous wings. Unfortunately, it had no intention of flying away. They weren't wings per se, just more blades. Great! Just great!

As if on automation all the blades started rotating, some clockwise and some others anticlockwise and they were fast. This made it impossible to make it across in one piece. Was she the only one that was feeling that Doc should have prepared them in advance for what they were facing here?

To make matters worse the blades on the trees started rotating also. They must have spent a lot on those mechanisms. The steam behind them started erupting all at once.

Okay!

This was not looking good for either of the GMNs. The poles in front of them began rotating position as if the ground on which they were was some giant disc. They had to think of something fast because it seemed with every rotation it seemed to be drawing closer to them. Soon they're going to be between a rock and a hard place, more like acidic steam and rotating blades. Neither was a good place to be.

She looked around and she could make out tiny cameras on the trees, they were being watched. They couldn't just sling someone over the blades because they wouldn't be sure of where the person would land.

"Let's just blow the whole thing up! " GMN-6 muttered to herself

"Good idea but what if what's underneath is worse than what is on top" GMN-2 replied

Of all the people she would bet to agree, 2 was the least and he openly did. The fact he was considering its feasibility was a shock.

"We need to find a way to blow what's on top without destroying the ground" GMN-3 commented. They could see the sense in what they were saying the blades didn't reach all the way to the ground. If they took out the big trees it was easier to avoid the shrubs.

"We need to keep it on top but how are we going to do that? " GMN-6 asked and they all turned to GMN-1 who was listening to them half-heartedly. Where was the other half of her mind? Occupied with so many thoughts, for instance, the content of the box. It was obvious to her that they knew they were seeking the chest and from Doc's mumbling in the video, she wanted it by all means and so did some others. Who were the others? She didn't know. She needed to focus on what was before her. Unfortunately, today has been a serious test of her focus. She recalled what was asked. How to keep the explosive from getting too close to the ground? She wondered. Then it struck her.

"To prevent it from going down we need to keep it up and in motion." GMN-1 said

"Then I assume how to keep it in motion is the actual question." GMN-3 stated

"Geometry. We hit it at the right angle, and it keeps being tossed till it stops" GMN-1 said

"We just need to time the rotations" GMN-2 added

"Can you guys, I don't know, hurry up! We're about to be thinly sliced sushi or smoked tuna assuming that is ordinary steam which we have concluded it isn't and you guys are talking like you are at a tea party?" GMN-6 scolded. It seemed to her that they may have forgotten that they were in a difficult position and about to be in an even more difficult situation.

"Okay, here is what we are going to do. We have to improvise anyway. Everyone take out your rifles" GMN-1 said and they obeyed, she brought out hers and two grenades.

"3 you are on offense; you're going to hit these two grenades to land on that and that. 6, you're going to be pulling the rings. 2 and I are on defense, we're going to be hitting the flying blades as a result of the explosion. Feel free to join when you're done. " GMN-1 said and the rest nodded. She gave them an okay sign.

GMN-6 pulled out the rings and quickly dropped them on the ground. GMN-3 proceeded to hit them with a golfer's swing, and they landed on target. The rest of them readied themselves. Two seconds later there were two simultaneous explosions. The poles were split, and the blades dislodged and flew everywhere. GMN 1 and 2 used their own gun to hit away the blades that came towards them as a result of the explosion. Good thing they had sturdy guns.

Two minutes later the smoke had cleared, and they saw they did a very good job. The ground below the pole was still intact but covered with wood and blades. GMN-1 hung her gun on her shoulder and looked behind her, they needed to make it across before the steam got to them. She jumped matching the stub of the destroyed poles, the others were fast on her heels. The ground started moving again and she had to stop, they moved again. The rest behind her stepped where she did and jumped what she didn't step on. They made it to the other side just in time and suddenly everything stopped. They sighed; these people were out to kill them. Well considering they were here to take by force, it could be fair. GMN-1 picked up a blade and carefully stuck a piece of wood to it and put it in her backpack. Her backpack was still free for more. She put her gun back in the backpack. Two down, how many more to go?

"I smell fish" GMN-6 said

"Now is not the time to think about food! " GMN-3 scolded

"He's right we need to move forward" GMN-2 said

"Yeah, I know but seriously, I smell fish. Like big fish, like big angry hungry fish" GMN-6 said

"Wait! I'm hearing something" GMN-3 said

"Me too, sounds like water" GMN-1 said, arching one perfectly shaped eyebrow.

"We need to move. The sooner we get out of here the better" GMN-2 said walking ahead and the rest followed him. He walked till he halted everyone. He stretched his foot out and tapped the ground, it echoed.

"That is the sound of doom" GMN-6 said, burying her head in one hand. Apparently, they have realized that 5 wasn't the only drama queen but the good thing was, 6 was more coordinated and less selfish with the ability to show up when needed and contribute meaningfully.

"I'll go first" GMN-2 said, walking ahead. He walked carefully, measuring every step. He walked a few steps in and stopped. He tapped his foot on the ground.

"Here, is much more solid" he said to the rest.

GMN-3 nodded and proceeded to walk toward him. He got there and turned back to face the females.

"Why do I feel like going there is a bad idea? Scratch that being here is a bad idea" GMN-6 muttered as she walked over. After she did, GMN-1 walked over.

"I guess we need to find another solid ground" GMN-2 said

"The ground is moving" GMN-1 said casually.

Her tone of voice made every other person turn and look at her. She had not used that particular tone in a while. To someone who didn't know her, they would think she was commenting about something boring and not worth her time. It was that tone and the accompanying attitude that made them wary of her at first.

They turned their attention to their current situation. The ground around was shifting and opening up to present the water beneath. The scent of the saltwater hit their nostrils first. They could hear something big being dropped into the water. GMN-6 peered over 3's shoulder into the dark water, she identified some things rapidly coming up towards them. She tried to shift back but nearly landed in the water behind.

"Watch it" GMN-3 said, dragging her back.

"This platform just went lower" GMN-2 announced

"Few minutes and we'd be in the water" GMN-1 simply stated

The sharks began circling around the platform, they seemed to be aware that there was something there.

"Sharks" GMN-2 said like he found their current situation interesting. GMN-6 glared at him

"Bull sharks, vicious creatures, and they look starved" GMN-6 reported

"Maybe we should just throw her in, it would buy us time" GMN-3 whispered to 2 in a conspiratorial tone, looking at 6

The platform dropped again, and their feet were in the water. The sharks became impatient, circling faster.

"They are sensing us and it's making them restless. I don't think whoever is used as a decoy will survive this. They outnumber us 5 to 1 and the decoy is dead meat before cell regeneration sets in" GMN-6 said

"I do hope we can swim as fast as we run" GMN-3 muttered to himself

"Or maybe run on water" GMN-2 added

"Put your hopes into action boys, because it's time to feed the sharks" GMN-1 said speculatively looking at GMN-6 and drawing out the blade from her bag. GMN-6 looked at the wild glint in GMN-1's eyes, the look that told her, she could do almost anything and GMN-6 was beginning to fear for herself.

GMN-1 walked towards the other side of the platform, where 6 was. GMN-6 swallowed looking at her pensively.

"1 wait... we can talk about this…"

"Talk about what?" GMN-1 said, still advancing. 6 swallowed. How could 1 take their malicious intent of using her as bait to heart?

"1 I know…" GMN-6 began to plead her case

"Save it!"