I do not own Al Giordino or Dirk Pitt

After Dirk and Drako let themselves in, the rest of the gang quickly found their way in and incapacitated anyone who got in their way. They met up not long after and took up their V shape while racing through the hallways. Zoo at the point, followed closely by Luke and Chad, with the rest following.

"Chad, when did you get here?" Drako asked.

"I figured that if you are going up against a gang of thirty, some extra help would be in order. Chip is working on the signal out in the truck with Price. But no worries they brought us enough ammo to make it through a world war," explained Chad.

Dirk looked at Drako, and then at the others, as he was in the middle of the V. "Thirty," he mouthed with no sound.

"Did I forget to mention that.."Drako said as innocently as he could.

"I've taken on more with less, but we have no surprise..." Dirk was cut off by the sound of a large group coming towards them from down the hall. He motioned for them to split into two groups and they ducked into rooms on either sides of the hall. A group of eight wolves passed by, too loud amongst themselves to notice the coming danger. After they had passed, Zoo, Luke and Chad stalked them down the hall before several confused shouts were made and the sound of fighting broke out. It happened quickly for all it took was a blow to the base of the skull to silence someone. One of the teenagers was able to pull his gun, and a loose bullet was sent across the room shattering a window. It was not long after the gunshot was heard that the three returned, nodding to press forward because of their success in silencing everyone.

"That gunshot is going to bring everyone in the house running," Amber commented pessimistically. "We better hurry if we don't want to be discovered."

"Tyler,' Zoo stopped. "You should be leading us because you have been here before."

"I was only once, and I was in really fast.."

"Do it." Dirk prompted.

Tyler took his place at the head of the V and jogged quickly down the halls with a strong confidence. All of a sudden, Tyler stopped. There was a window showing the backyard, as well as a walkway from the house they were in to the house directly behind.

"Now we are in trouble," muttered Amber. It was then they heard glass breaking and shouts.

They raced across the walkway and into the other house, only to be confronted by another group of people, only this was less a group, but more a trickle of people heading towards the commotion. As much as they tried to fit in, they were a strange combination of people to blend in well and were quickly identified as outsiders. Several punches were thrown by the wolves which were avoided easily and returned with more precision. Many fled instead of fought which left them with the task of catching and silencing them. They decided to let them run and create a diversion for Melody, if the commotion was her.

"Stop," Dirk said. "Everybody has a cell phone that can text?" His question was answered by a series of nods. " Type in your numbers on mine, and mine on yours. Quickly!" His orders were obeyed and everyone soon had their own cell phones back. "Keep them on silent. This is our new form of communication. Check it every couple minutes or so. We have to split up and hide. Knock out anyone you can but stay as undetected as possible. Go!" They all silently spread out, Tyler heading right towards the commotion, but using his previous knowledge as help.

Dirk followed him, and the two fell into a formation where they covered each others' back. Dirk paused and glanced at his luminescent watch. It had taken the group longer than expected to get this far in the house and Jones would be waking up very soon. He had also told Al to meet him half an hour ago a block from his current position. He knew Al would follow him in and was wondering when he would show up when his phone vibrated. It was Chad telling him a man named Al showed up and wanted to help, after almost beating him to pulp. Dirk responded with a 'he's a friend' and continued.

Tyler and Pitt could see the front yard grass through the open windows and could her Melody cursing, followed closely by footsteps coming their way. It was the first time Dirk saw the alpha, and knew by his air that it was him. Tyler stepped forward to soon and Dirk had to pull him back. He had spotted Melody and was going to give away their position.

"Maybe you are too young for this," Dirk whispered into Tyler's ear, knowing that his pride would kick in and keep him from being stupid.

"Am not," he countered.

"Well there is no way for us to help her now. There are too many people out there. We have to wait for the right moment."

Tyler glanced around, looking for something that might be useful, and spotted a set of stairs behind them leading to the second floor of the house. Despite Dirk's warnings, he scurried to the stairs and placed what looked like a piece of eaten bubble gum on a step in a clearly visible place. After he rejoined Dirk, he explained.

"Chip came up with it. There is a gps system in it and all you have to do is step on it to activate. Melody will see it if they take her upstairs and will step on it. It will stick to her shoe because of the super glue and we will be able to track her movements, even height above sea level."

"Impressive," Dirk nodded. "I guess it literally pays to have Melody a part of your gang. What makes you so sure she will know it is not another piece of gum?"

"Melody knows our special gum. It also has blue flecks in it." Ty explained. The noise outside was escalating and Melody started screaming at someone. "We can't just stand here."

"I'm sure Melody knows how to take care of herself. After all, she got away from the Whitehouse and me, all by herself." Dirk knew they were taking more and more of a risk with each passing minute.

Suddenly, there was a slapping sound followed by low muttering. Voices turned causally again and grew closer. Dirk retreated back into the house and motioned for Tyler to do the same. They were not far back when Chad came silently running up to them.

"Some of those brutes we knocked," he panted ," They are waking up. We have to get out now or we may get surrounded...if we aren't already." Chad turned and ran back the way he came from followed by Dirk. Tyler took a few steps but then hesitated.

"What about Melody? We can't leave her here!"

"We all know you like her," Chad whispered. "We can't help her if they find us. We have to think strategically. Now come on or we will leave you here!"

The broke into a brisk jog, staying light on their feet to keep noise at a minimum. They didn't encounter any problems during their retreat and were all accounted for when they reached the front of the house. Pitt was pleased to see that Jones still lay behind the bushes.

Melody wasn't surprised to be treated roughly as she had been associated with gangs since she had moved to Washington several years ago with her father. The alpha led her back down the stairs only this time Melody noticed a piece of blue flecked gum she didn't notice on her way up the stairs. A spark of hope sprout in her as she thought of the possible origins of the gum. She stepped on it when she came to it and felt it's thickness proving that her hope was true.

Over half an hour after it had been planted, the gum tracker started moving. It was watched carefully and would be used to create a rough layout of the house. At one point, it made three circles less than a meter in diameter and all doubts were evaporated as Chip recognized the code movement to prove it was on the right foot. They then sat and watched.

Melody was almost positive that they were walking her in circles so that if she did escape, she would become lost within the house.

Finally, after almost ten minutes of aimlessly walking, they were in the first house and on the second floor in a room similar to the first one she was in, with more decoration then the plain halls, only with a more Asian styling.

And yet again, Congressman Fulton was there to greet them. Congressman Futon didn't even bother stand up but only put down the papers he was reading and watch them enter. Melody's face turned to a face of loathing when she saw the Congressman.

The alpha led her to a small bed that lay in the corner of the room which was only about a foot off the ground. He produced a plastic coated rope from his jeans and tied her tied hands to the bedpost.

"There," the alpha spoke with satisfaction. "No getting away this time." He paused and looked at the Congressman who nodded before he continued. "I think you should be aware that your little gang, along with a man, made a desperate rescue attempt. Twelve of my men were found just coming to their senses after we had finished our little show...," he paused and glared at Melody. "...in the front yard. Care to share?"

"How would I know if I have been here for who knows how long!" Melody's voice turned matter-of-fact. "Not my fault you got caught up with him," tilting her head towards the Congressman. "He seems to be bad luck. I'd get rid of him."

"Let's cut to the chase," Congressman Fulton said while rising. He began to walk thoughtfully around the room while talking. "You were brought here to expose secrets. We are not trying to kill thousands of people, but I needed to ensure your cooperation, so let's get down to business." He walked back to his papers and sat down.

Melody found herself most uncomfortable being stuck to the bed to began to manoeuvre herself around to become comfortable. She settled into a position stretched across the bed, arms above her head and legs crossed at the ankles.

"What are you doing?" the alpha whipped around in frustration tinted with anger and saw Melody laying on the bed.

"This is war and I am a hostage. I understand that. So I don't expect the hospitalities of comfort and convenience so I will create them myself." Melody settled herself into the bed even more to prove her point.

"You are not at a hotel so sit up and talk to us like a person," barked the alpha.

"Make me...Marcus."

"I will...wait...what did you call me?"

"Man," Melody said. "You think people would remember their first names." The alpha was left standing dumbstruck.

"My wimp of a brother told you, didn't he?"

"So you confirm it then. And no, your brother didn't tell me. Although I know who he is, he still doesn't talk muck 'bout childhood although I can understand why not...'cause you were in it." Melody paused for dramatic effect but the alpha still stood there waiting for more.

"My father is the president of the united states of America. Did you really think I wouldn't find out. You are the only rival gang in this district... of course I was going to do some digging. And it helped immensely that you have a criminal record, as all gang members eventually do. Someone of your status must have been caught at one point or another." Melody still laid there looking at the ceiling, still on her back in her baggy clothes in which she had come.

"Don't think for a second that you know me because you don't," the alpha said insecurely.

"No, but I know enough to hold it against you one day. But I don't feel like it today so let's get on with our business."

By now, the alpha came and stood at the bedpost to which Melody was tied and looked down on her upside-down head. Melody saw his start to turn toward the silent congressman and she put her hands on the top of the low bedpost and pushed her legs over her head and into the alpha's chest. She followed through with the motion and hoisted herself over the bedpost and pushed the alpha to the floor, Melody landing on his chest, knocking the wind out of him. She then, having him pinned, unwrapped the rope which had held her to the bed.

She was just about finished when the alpha rolled over sending Melody stumbling off of him. He, in a quick motion, was then on his feet pulling his handgun out of its concealed holster. Melody had just regained her footing, and freed herself from the bedpost when she turned around to find herself looking down the business end of the alpha's gun.

"Come on," she said, frustrated and annoyed. "Can't you give me, like, a ten second head start?"

"Nope"

"Five seconds?"

The alpha released the safety.

"Look, I would love to shoot you. You created a rival for my gang, you've cost me men and we all have scars to show the fights. And you're father is the president of the United States so your gang never has to serve jail time, or get charged for that matter." The alpha engaged the safety and re-holstered the gun. "There are people who want you more than me and the congressman. Yes, we're tools, but well paid tools so I deliver you and gain a well earned, and needed, buck."

"First, now you should expect me to be a pain in your neck because I now you can't kill me so I will burden you all until you can carry me no more," Melody started, and in an expert move, pulled her own small handgun from her calf. It was pointed at the congressman's face.

"Very philosophical," the silent congressman remarked sarcastically.

"Thank you," Melody replied, also sarcastically. "But I also think I have the right to know how I am going to."

The alpha and congressman exchanged uneasy glances before the congressman spoke up.

"Because we are getting rid of you soon anyway, I don't mind telling you. You will be visiting your mother."

Melody paused and went into a moment of deep thought, running over any possibilities. But during this moment of pause the alpha strode forward and knocked the gun out of her hand. She knew there was nothing to do but watch it skid across the floor.

"My mother is dead. And has been for quite some time." Melody said.

"I know," said the congressman. "But now there is not a gun to my face."