CENTER SAFEHOUSE, WESTERN TEXAS – SECURED LOWER LEVEL - T-24 HOURS

It had been a long drive to Texas from the Aquastar complex in Northern Utah, especially for the man who spent the entire journey carefully shackled in the back of a cargo van. The Center was rightfully nervous about using the Corporate Jet, as it might as well be a flashing beacon announcing their imminent rescue missions.

Jarod had been subjected to nearly three hours of questioning from the Triumvirate officials, but he had managed to convince him to endorse his plan.

Three days prior, Jarod had successfully directed the rescue of the two German pretenders from the Corporation Zero headquarters. As far as the Triumvirate was concerned, Lysander was the far more profitable prize compared to the other two, the so called 'golden egg'. Corporation Zero knew this, and thus the Center had carried out a 'phantom rescue', a poorly planned attempt at removing Lysander that consequently failed. With the Corporation Zero security staff focused on finding an intruder who had 'tripped an alarm' on the west side of the building, the two man rescue squad was easily able to slip in undetected on the east side, and easily remove the two stolen pretenders. With all likelihood, the two pretenders had been safely secured at the safehouse, before security had realized they were even missing. Jarod and Broots had also taken advantage of the distracted security and tech staff to plant several software patches on the network, now giving Broots full control of the video surveillance system on-site if he so desired. Unfortunately the exterior camera where Jarod would be penetrating complex was run on a different server. However Broots had done some digging and discovered that daily at 4pm, the camera went offline for precisely 23 minutes, downloading the daily digital archive onto the mainframe. All the plans had fallen into place, and tomorrow afternoon Jarod would be going in to rescue Lysander. Twenty-four hours, and freedom would be in his grasp.

As a final security blanket for Lysander's rescue, news of Jarod's escape was filtered out. Jarod knew this would draw Alex out, as the man would no longer expect the Center would have the 'intellectual' capability to successfully remove Lysander, and thus the heightened security would be downgraded. He would also be expecting Jarod to stage a rescue attempt of his own on Lys, after 'botching' up the first one.

Jarod had spent most of his two days at the Texan safehouse, in a small holding cell. Besides confirming a few tech details with Broots, Jarod had been pretty much left alone. Parker was vehemently opposed to this rescue plan, convinced that Jarod had dreamt this up just to make a break for it. Her intuition amazed even Jarod at times. He had been able to fool the Triumvirate relatively easily, but Parker remained as the opposition, always his huntress.

He had passed the time simming his escape plan over and over again, trying to detect any flaws. He had committed the blueprints of the facility to memory, and had calculated the exact distance and expected travel time. His main concern was any additional steps Parker might take to ensure Jarod wouldn't try to run. If she brought her A-game to the table tomorrow – things could quickly go astray.

CENTRE SAFEHOUSE, WESTERN TEXAS – UPPER LEVEL

"I still say he's going to run." Parker informed her twin. The two were going over the final preparations for the rescue tomorrow.

Lyle shrugged nonchalantly. "It wouldn't surprise me if the little snot tried to make a break for it at some point. But I think our extra precautions will clearly prevent an escape. It's more fun when you catch them after they've tried to run. Admit it, we're all going to be a little disappointed tomorrow if Sam emerges from the tunnel, the two rats following him out like little lost puppies."

Parker shook her head in disgust, meeting Lyle with an ice cold glare. "Jarod feeds off of our underestimation of his talents. I've spent six years of my life chasing that man – and I can tell you, he will do whatever it takes to remain free."

Lyle just smiled cockily at his twin. "Have you have considered the possibility that maybe this time around, the labrat has underestimated us?"

Miss Parker broke eye contact with Lyle. "Wouldn't that be the day."

Moving to a nearby counter, Parker poured herself a generous helping of scotch, passing the bottle over to Lyle when she was done. He eagerly helped himself, clinking her glass in mock celebration.

"Tomorrow we begin the next phase of our lives, Jarod free. My god does it feel good to say that. I can finally purchase a convertible without fearing it is about to be blown to pieces." Lyle smirked.

Parker ignored his cockiness.

"You know it's a shame I won't be there to see Jarod off on his little adventure tomorrow." Lyle said, feigning disappointment. "Although between you and me, I'm hoping he makes a break for it. It will make sending his sorry little ass to Africa that much more satisfying. The Zulus aren't known for their power of forgiveness, and between whatever stunt he may pull tomorrow, plus the whole Scotland fiasco, I'd say he's is in for a hard ride."

Parker caught her twin's eye. "I forgot that you and Raines conveniently told the Triumvirate that Jarod was responsible for the death of their men, who I believe you shot."

Lyle shrugged. "Better him then me. That kind of thing can get a man killed."

Parker shot her head up. "They wouldn't-"

Lyle laughed. "Fortunately for Jarod, only high power executives are worthy of a Zulu-issued death warrant. Jarod's brain is far too valuable to let it go over a few simple 'discipline' issues. But don't you worry, I'm sure the Africans will find a creative way to make genius boy pay, wouldn't want you to have wasted six years of your life just for the labrat to meet his maker with a bullet in his head. Although when they are done with him, he may be wishing we had done just that."

Parker felt a familiar clenching in her stomach, as she quickly downed the rest of the liquor in a single swoop. She was desperately hoping that Jarod would prove her wrong tomorrow, and emerge safely from Corporation Zero. If he were so blatantly manipulate the Triumvirate as to ruse up an escape attempt – there little nothing left she could do to protect him.

Deep down inside, she knew she really did care for the labrat, but if he did what she was thinking he would tomorrow, that was it – he'd be out of her life. Once the Africans had their hands on Jarod, his thirty years of captivity under her father and Mr. Raines would look like a family picnic. It was amazing, considering Jarod's childhood, that his morals were so firmly implanted in the very root of his being. Sydney, despite all his wrong-doings had given Jarod the ultimate gift one could be given while being raised in the bowels of the Center – humanity. However in an organization that run itself based on coercion and deception; morals were the ultimate weakness. Jarod would have a long way to crash. Parker had seen enough men return from Africa to know their 'corporate education' program didn't fail. The strongest of men would weep at their feet. She couldn't bear to imagine what Jarod would be like after the Zulu's had their hands on him.

She'd seen too many people destroyed in her life to standby and watch another soul torn to pieces by the Center.

COOPERATION ZERO HEADQUARTERS – TUNNEL ENTRANCE – T-10 minutes

Jarod fidgeted nervously. He was in the back of the cargo van, heavily restrained, as was alarmingly becoming status quo as his stay in Center custody progressed. They were taking no chances. He was antsy to get going, the waiting was not helping his nerves.

Jarod stopped his fidgeting as the van doors were opened and Parker crawled in beside him.

"What's that?" Jarod questioned, noticing a small metallic device in her hand.

Parker remained silent as she attached a tracking device to the pretender's leg.

"Reassurance." Was her one worded reply.

"An electronic collar." He said accusingly. "Your confidence in me is simply overwhelming."

Parker met Jarod's eyes with a cold stare. "Listen carefully Jarod, I'm only going to warn you once. If you do, what I'm pretty sure you are planning on doing – I won't be able to protect you."

Jarod just smiled smugly at her. "And what exactly are you proposing I might do, Miss Parker?"

"Save it Jarod. If you are back in this van in two hours as planned, it may be enough leverage to keep you out of Africa. Make a run for it –there will be no protection for you anymore. You're playing a dangerous game Jarod, one that will have disastrous results. " Parker warned.

"Protection, Miss Parker? A cage is a cage, The Congo, Delaware, Germany. It doesn't matter where I am if I'm on the wrong side of the bars." Jarod countered.

"Don't kid yourself Jarod. You know what kind of depravity the Africans are capable of. No one is immune. Not even you Jarod. Don't say I didn't warn you."

"For some onewho is so inherently concerned about my wellbeing, you're being awful carefully about keeping me in chains." Jarod replied angrily.

"That's the game Jarod, remember. You run, I chase. It has to end someday, and maybe that day is now. No one can run forever. Consider the past few years your little interlude, but now it's time to stay the course. Face it, your ass is destined to wander the bowels of the Center, just as mine is. " Miss Parker leaned uncomfortably close to Jarod. "How's that for you damn turning point."

Jarod turned away for her intense glare, Parker was obviously referring to the desperate conversation Jarod had instigated at the Glasgow Airport.

"I've always said we deserve something more in this life. It just appears as if some of us want it more than others."

Parker grabbed his face, forcing his eyes back on her. "Save me the 'higher then thou' lecture Jarod. You should be focused on your own well-being. Go through with what you're planning, and you'll be officially out of my life – for good."

Jarod pulled away, slightly stunned by her harsh words. "It's comforting to know your memories of me can be so easily erased Miss Parker. Who's next on the chopping block, Thomas? "

The second the words left Jarod's mouth, he instantly regretted them. He watched as his huntress eyes hardened in front of him. His head whipped harshly to the right as Parker slapped him, hard in the face. "You do not get to tarnish his memory Jarod. On his worst of days, he was 5 times the man you will ever hope to be."

Jarod lowered his head submissively. "I'm sorry Miss Parker – I deserved that."

Parker glared at him fiercely. "Damn right you did."

"I- " Jarod started, but was unable to find the right words.

"You what?" Parker mocked.

He shook his head miserably. "I just can't picture my life without you." He finished softly.

"Do, what I think you are planning to do, and I swear to you Jarod, you will never see me again."

"What do you want me to do Parker?" Jarod questioned desperately.

"I want your ass back in this van in two hours." Was her terse reply.

"And then what? Straight into a nice cell on SL-24? Beg Lyle for his forgiveness to get my trip to the Congo revoked? You should know enough about me to know I won't give up, until I'm free."

"Maybe your nine lives are up this time Jarod."

"There's always opportunity Parker. One just has to have the willpower to turn around and find it. But let me ask you, if you are so worried about me making a run for it, why are you letting me go? I'm clearly not going anywhere like this." He said, tugging on his chains for emphasis.

Parked let out a small laugh. "I'm just following orders Jarod –something you should learn how to do again. Welcome to hierarchy of life."

Jarod glanced miserably at Parker  as she again bent down to his leg, confirming the tracking device was firmly attached to his leg, before climbing out the van. It was just another obstacle in his way, but he was confident he could be able to give his pursuers the slip regardless of what chains they kept him in. If he let fear of capture stop him, he never would have had the guts to leave the Center in the first place. He just couldn't understand why Parker was so adamant about him not trying to escape. Something was clearly amiss. He had carefully planned every second of what he was about to do, failure was not in his cards, not today. Could it be that she had finally reached the end of her rope, that she couldn't fathom another round of the tired game of 'I run, you chase.' He shook his head roughly, trying to purge the paranoid thoughts from his head.

Parker had been insistent that Sam be the one to escort the pretender into the tunnel, before turning him loose to rescue Lysander. Willie and another group of highly trained sweepers were at the ready, in case intervention was necessary. However their penetration into the access tunnel, would almost certainly alert Corporation Zero to the Center's presence. They needed Alex to believe it was a one-man show.

As Jarod was escorted out of the van, he saw Parker just ahead, in deep conversation with Sam. The duo approached Jarod, who was held firmly in the strong grips of the two sweepers escorting him, despite still having his arms restrained behind him. Jarod was genuinely surprised that Lyle was not present for this dance, the twin had been uncharacteristically absent for the entire morning. Jarod assumed he was heading up the team who was starting the 'financial' attack on Corporation Zero. A few software programs installed in the network, on top of a few 'stock' games, and the Corporation would soon be finding itself nearing financial ruin.

Parker handed Sam a small backpack. "There's a small medical kit, stimulants, etc. We don't know what shape the girl is going to be in. Sources indicate she's been badly abused. There's also extra restraints incase she's less than cooperative, and the necessary tools to free her should she be nicely trussed up. You watch her Sam, she's apparently as much as a Houdini as the labrat here tries to be. I don't care if you have to shackle these two together, just get them back out here safely."

Parker turned her attention to Jarod, slipping a headset over his head. "You will give us vocal confirmation every minute Jarod. This is not a one-man show. If you get into trouble, you will call for backup. If you ignore us, I will be sending the sweepers in to drag you out of here – whether you have the girl or not. If Sam fails to give us vocal confirmation, I will be sending them after you. I do not need to warn you about the consequences of attempting to remove the tracking device, do I?."

Jarod shook his head.

"You ready?" Parker questioned curtly..

"As I'll ever be." Jarod replied, trying to squash the butterflies that had formed in his stomach. He was confident in his plan, but was well aware that Alex himself was a pretender, and that things quickly could slide out of his favor. Parker was obviously convinced he was going to run, and with good reason. However without knowing what alternate escape route Jarod had discovered in his hours spent scanning the blueprints, there would be little likelihood she would be able to catch up to him, once Sam was given the slip. When this was all said and done, she would be able to mooch the "I told you so" right up the corporate ladder.

Parker nodded, and moved to release Jarod from the handcuffs, before handing them to Sam.

"I hope you will not need to use them." She scoffed.

Jarod checked his watch, rubbing his now free hands. "We only have 14 minutes left before the camera's finish uploading their archives."

"Good Luck Jarod." His huntress offered, leaning in dangerously close to Jarod's face. "And remember what I told you. If I don't see you back here in two hours, there will be no refuge for you anymore."

Jarod flinched at her use of his safeword, he studied Miss Parker's face for a few seconds before starting to turn around, finding a familiar iron-clad grip on his bicep. He made an exaggerated show of checking out Sam's hand on his arm, before giving Parker a look of disgust. "I'm perfectly capable of showing myself there."

"Hierarchy Jarod – deal with it." Was her uncaring reply, as the pretender was shoved in the direction of the awaiting manhole.

Parker checked her watch as Sam and Jarod disappeared from sight. "Get the vans out of sight now. We have 12 minutes until live surveillance comes back on." She barked at the remaining members of her team. "You better prove me wrong Jarod." She continued under her breath, certain the pretender was about to engage in a deadly game with the Triumvirate, one that certainly did not have a happy ending.