After checking for additional hostiles, the group took the vehicles that were in the best condition and continued up the mountain. Alexei changed the channel on the radio that he’d pilfered from one of the dead guards. He was taking an inventory of remaining weapons; they had enough for a small army.
Hope they are not using this channel, otherwise we’re screwed, Alexei thought.
“Natasha, you there?” Alexei said into the radio.
“Darling, I never thought you would call so soon,” Natasha said.
She sounds different. Is she shaken?
“Have you taken an inventory of the weapons and ammunition acquired on-site?” Alexei asked.
“We have enough weapons, but clips are in short supply. How about you?”
“Same. I just hope we can gather more as we move along. The primary objective is to get Nigel and Jony to a terminal so they can proceed with the hack. We must protect them at all costs,” Alexei said.
“Understood. I’ve got Nigel,” Natasha said.
“Roger that,” Alexei replied.
“Their buddies won’t be thrilled,” Hunter said.
“We have weapons, but we are running short on ammunition. Choose your shots,” Alexei said.
“Got it!” Viktor said.
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“I don’t need to reload these!” Hunter said as he waved a large knife around for effect.
Alexei prepared himself for the battle to come. We are going in blind, he thought.
Then Alexei noticed a large, round door; it was big enough to fit two buses side by side. The door was open. Alexei could see several jeeps, delivery vehicles, and a lot of guards and civilian personnel dressed in lab suits.
“Here we are,” Viktor said.
Alexei picked up the radio and said, “Avoid civilian casualties.”
“Of course—” Natasha began, but was cut off. The radio went dead.
Alexei saw about a dozen guards get into position. Viktor jumped out of the ATV, opened fire, and shot two guards in the head. Hunter headed for cover. The vehicle in front was taking a lot of damage. No one was getting out. Alexei jumped out and used the vehicle for cover. He had body armor, so he just needed to worry about the extremities. He made a run for it, shooting in the general direction of the guards as he moved. He took a barrage of gunfire as he ran toward Natasha’s ATV. Searing, white-hot pain shot up from his left leg.
Aargh! They hit me!
The guards stopped shooting to reload. Hunter jumped up just in front of the guards, knife in hand. He slit their throats in one graceful motion. Natasha got out of the ATV and ran toward Alexei.
“Are you all right?” she called.
Alexei nodded.
“That was a foolish and unnecessary risk. You’re losing your touch, old man,” Dahlia said.
Dahlia liberated her whip and ran toward the growing chaos. Natasha helped Alexei to get behind the vehicle.
“We will clear a path,” Dahlia yelled back.
Viktor, Jony, Hunter, and Dahlia moved into action like an unyielding force. Alexei positioned himself to take in the carnage. Dahlia unfurled her whip, and with a flick of her wrist, she unleashed its fury. Its first casualty was caught off guard as the whip tightened around the guard’s neck. The man’s eyes bulged. Dahlia loosened her grip, and then shot him in the face with the pistol in her other hand. Viktor leapt into action with a 9mm Beretta in each hand; every shot seemed to hit its mark. Hunter was positioned atop a car, throwing his knives into necks, backs, and anywhere else he could to stop them as they fled. Jony took a few shots from behind an ATV.
These poor bastards don’t stand a chance, Alexei thought.