Sherry struggled frantically at the ropes that bound her wrists. She could feel the blood running down over her hands.

"Come on Sophie ... we've got to hurry. You've at least got to get out of here. We only have 15 minutes left."

"I'm trying, believe me," Sophie replied. "I think mine are getting a bit looser. I will say one thing for O'Brien, he certainly knows his knots!"

Sophie gave a big tug on her ropes and almost knocked Sherry over. As that happened, they heard an ominous click. Sherry looked down at her chest as said, "Uh oh ... we've really got trouble now."

Sophie, who was just about loose from her ropes, asked, "What's wrong?"

"It seems the bomb is motion sensitive after all. We just lost five minutes off of our time. We now only have five minutes. So ... the second you get free, you get of here, okay?"

Sophie argued. "No, I'm not leaving you here attached to that thing."

Sherry smiled. "Thanks, Sophie, but you don't have much choice. Unless you can conjure up a way to get Walter or somebody else with bomb deactivating knowledge here in the next few seconds, it's too late. So get yourself out of here and as far away as you can."

"But ..."

Sherry sighed. "Just do it, Sophie. Do it for me."

*****

Sophie worked one hand out of the restraints and then the second hand. She quickly untied her legs and slowly got up from the cot. She didn't want to jar the explosive device again. She turned to Sherry to untie her.

"No, Sophie. Go. Now," Sherry said while shaking her head.

"I'm not..." Sophie began as she untied Sherry's hands.

"Please Sophie just go and get out of here. Now."

Sophie was undecided and didn't know what to do. She didn't want to leave Sherry sitting there alone.

"All right, Sophie. Listen to me. I've got seniority. So, I'm making it an order. Leave now."

Sophie sighed. She guessed she better listen. "All right. I'm going for help." With that, Sophie quickly made her way outside to try and figure out where she was and how to get some help.

Sherry sighed when Sophie finally left. Now at least she didn't have to worry about anyone else. She looked at the timer ... eight minutes left. Sophie had untied her hands for her, but there was still the problem with the explosive. She reached carefully and slowly behind her for the pillow that was on the cot. Grasping it in her aching hand, Sherry pulled it forward and placed it directly below the explosive device. Making sure the device was as stable as she could make it, she reached up and pulled the strap from around her neck. Gently moving the device and pillow simultaneously, Sherry propped the device against the edge of the cot, along the wall.

Moving very slowly so that she caused as little motion as possible, Sherry moved off the edge of the cot. Once her legs were free, she slowly lifted her hands. Squeezing her eyes shut just in case, she lifted he hands off the cot. Nothing happened. Releasing the breath that she felt like she had been holding for about an hour, Sherry reached down and untied her legs. Noting the time left on the timer said five minutes, she quickly turned to get out of the building. However, her feet and legs betrayed her. Having been tied up and sitting in an awkward position for so long, her left leg had fallen asleep. After taking the first step, as she stepped with her left leg, it buckled under her and she fell, hitting her head on the cement floor. She tried to lift her head, but she was too tired. She could feel some blood trickling down the side of her face as well. Then she slipped into unconsciousness.

************

Part Thirty-Two - Sophie

As Sherry slipped onto unconsciousness, Sophie slowly entered back into the room.

After looking around O'Brien's makeshift hideout, Sophie realized that the motion device was crude, effective, but crude. It was based on quick motion sensor, if she could just get Sherry out, without quick action, they both might have a chance.

Sophie made her way over to her friend's crumpled body. With painstaking effort, Sophie took Sherry by her arms and began pulling her across the floor.

Just as she neared the door, a buzzing noise began. Sophie quickly stopped and looked around...

"Of course it can't be this simple when it comes to O'Brien!!!" Gas began emanating from the ducts. Sherry began to rouse.

"Go! Sherry Go!" Shoving Sherry out the door, the gas Overcame Sophie and she quietly crumpled to the floor. The lethal toxin filled her lungs, very little effort was available. Her eyes closed, her last breaths became labored, and then no more. Her last thought was how glad she will be now, Roy could not give her a note set for Christmas...

************

Part Thirty-Three - Sherry

After Sophie pushed her out the door, Sherry landed on the ground with a thud, once again hitting her head. She knew she had to move, but she couldn't. There was a blinding pain in her head. She slowly turned her head and saw Sophie collapse inside the building. She knew there was no way to save her now. The gas was too strong. Tears ran down Sherry's face for the friend who had given her life to save her. She definitely wanted to strangle Operations right now. Sherry wanted to fight ... to get away so she could make Operations pay. But the anger only made her head hurt worse. Again she felt the blackness closing in. There couldn't be much time left ... Sherry realized that she was about to die as well and then everything went black.

************

Part Thirty-Four - Rita

Michael went running out into the hallway with Rita quickly following at his heels. Operatives were pushed and those who were smart got out of the way. There was no way of knowing if they would get there in time. Michael kept on running, now they were out of the Section.

Rita realized that they might require back up. She touched her Comm unit. "Birkoff!"

"Rita you can't fool me with that heavy breathing."

"Can it Birkoff. We know where Sherry is, at the Palace hotel two blocks from Section. Get us the required back up and pronto."

"I guess it safe to tell you it was all a sim from Operations but it has gone wrong. O'Brien has gone rogue." Birkoff hit a few buttons on his computer and sent the required personnel at CLHQ and Section the summons to the hotel.

"WHAT!" That was almost enough to stop Rita from running it was shocking. "I hate tests. Send medical as well." Michael turned around and looked at Rita who waved him on.

"Plus Sophie has been captured too."

"Great! Can't keep anyone safe. Get Roy and send him there."

"Already did."

"Thanks Birkoff. I owe you some Oreo pie."

They arrived at the building. Heading downstairs they hurried to the basement. Michael attempted to open the door and found it locked. He pulled out his gun and shot the lock out. They immediately saw Sherry on the floor unconscious.

Concerned looks took over their faces. They both saw the blood pooling near her head. Michael took her pulse at her neck and realized she was still alive. Michael picked her up and began to leave.

"We don't have time, Rita move it." Michael said.

"Sophie down her somewhere you go ahead." She said as she opened the door Sherry had been laying in front of. He turned and began to leave the basement. There she found Sophie unconscious. She noted the clock that said she had 45 seconds to get out. Rita began to pull at her to get her out of the room. The air in the room was making her feel woozy.

Suddenly someone else was there helping her pull out Sophie's body. With the door closed she turned to see Roy. Roy quickly picked up Sophie and they ran out of the basement. They were up on the second floor when they felt the explosion rock the basement. Thankfully they were in the lobby close to the exit. They made it out.

Awaiting them was a team of medical support ready to take care of the injured. Sherry was already being looked after. Roy turned Sophie over to the med unit.

"Rita I was beginning to worry about you." Michael said in a concerned tone. "Sherry will be fine they tell me."

"Michael, I would not give Operations or O'Brien the satisfaction." She quietly filled him in on what Birkoff had told her.

"We will discuss this later after the ladies have been taken care of."

They all crowded into mission vans and were driven back to Section. Rita wondered what was going to happen now. She knew for certain that she would not forget this little experiment especially if the effects of the gas didn't wear off Sophie.