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Ethan slowed down as they went further into the facility, but he never stopped moving. The lights were brighter than the last time they'd made this trip. There were fewer shadows... fewer places where something could hide.

Shaw had no problem following, despite the throbbing pain growing in her shoulder. She'd lied to Ethan. She needed proper medical attention soon, and she'd need more painkillers even sooner. Fortunately, the medical kit in the control room would supply the second, but that would only mask the problem. Infection would set in quickly if it hadn't already, and if the damaged flesh wasn't regenerated soon she'd loose much-needed mobility in her arm.

Ethan didn't need to know any of that, and she didn't need to think about it. They had more immediate concerns. The control room wasn't far, but getting there wouldn't get them off this planet, nor would it protect them from Stryger and his goon once they got inside.

And the thing that wanted them all dead? Shaw wouldn't be surprised if the damned thing was in there waiting on them.

"They way I see it," Ethan whispered over his shoulder. "We have the upper hand. We let them take all the risks... after they find the cells they still need us to use them, so they've gained nothing. They can't leave; and WE still have an opportunity to take control of the situation"

"But if WE find the cells we get off this planet and strand them here; DAMN the situation!"

"If we knew where they were I'd be all for it," said Ethan. "Hold on a second-" He slowed to squint into a dimly-lit corner, then motioned Shaw to follow and darted toward it. There was a supply locker tucked between two large machines. Ethan opened it and ruffled through the tools strewn inside. Some were rusty relics, but there were a few newer pieces thrown in amongst the junk. "...but we don't know where they are; and we don't have the weapons to defend ourselves while we search. Let THEM do that. They're better equipped. Meanwhile, we can set up a few surprises."

"That's the part I don't get-"

"'I've locked Stryger out of the main computer. I control the facility. We can take him and Gilliam out the instant they find those cells. And I think I've got enough raw materials to rig a nice explosion or two... something Gilliam might appreciate."

Shaw frowned.

"You sure?"

"Oh yeah. Absolutely."

Shaw watched him go sort through tools, picking up, evaluating and discarding most of them. A few bits ended up in his pockets, along with the other mysterious objects that bulged there. He was fast and focused, but not nervous.

Not at all.

"You sound like you've done this before," she said.

Ethan paused. His hand hovered over the tools.

"Done what?"

"This. What we're doing now. Have you?"

"Been kidnapped by terrorists and hunted by a swarm of machines that thinks its a man? No.... not lately."

Ethan turned to smile at her. His air filter hung loose around his neck; his charismatic grin beamed out at her with full intensity. Shaw's expression didn't change.

"What?" said Ethan.

"They need me to get off the planet. But they need you for something else. What is it?"

"Now's not the time-"

"You're not just a mechanic, are you?"