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  ***

  Ronnie is about to jump out of her skin. While Corporal Londergan seems cool, only his eyes moving, she can’t sit still, her heel tapping a fast staccato on the floor of the SUV. She can hear the steady commentary from the two men in close, but no one else says anything and Ronnie wants to scream into the silence. How can these men be so calm?

  “Nervous?” Londergan asks without so much as a glance at her.

  She smiles. “Can you tell?”

  Londergan stops scanning the area long enough to smile back at her. “Yeah. The whole truck is vibrating.”

  Ronnie stills her leg with a conscious effort, but it is soon starts up again. “When is something going to happen?”

  “When Evans says go. Until then, we wait,” Londergan says, his eyes once again scanning for any possible threat.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Ryker is waiting. He hates going in blind like this. They don’t even know, for sure, if Ronnie’s father is inside. He assumes he is. His presence is probably required to set up the machines, but there is no way to know. He mulls his options.

  This is by far their best chance to extract Julian Baker, but only if he is inside! The facility is large enough to hold the lab and a small area where a couple of people could be made comfortable. It is unlikely that they would ever let Dr. Baker out of the lab so there is no point in waiting. If they are going to go, now is the time, while everyone is distracted with the arrival of the new gene sequencers.

  “Recon… I’m going in. Hold your position. Fire teams, wait for my signal.”

  ***

  Ronnie feels her breath hitch in her throat at Ryker’s words. She looks at Jason as he reaches down and starts the SUV. “Where are we going?”

  “Nowhere. But the shit is going to start happening fast now and we need to be ready to move.”

  She can hear the sounds of Ryker moving about in this vehicle, then the pinging of the door chime as he opens the door with the keys still in the ignition. A few minutes later Ryker’s voice, laced with a heavy southern accent, comes in her ear.

  “Hey, man, do you speak English? I’m so lost. I’m looking for FAST Auto Transport. Man, I can’t read shit around here. I’m supposed to see some guy there about a car.”

  “Do you have an address?” another voice asks with a slight Lebanese accent.

  “Yeah. It’s, uh… what the hell is this? Nahr el Mot—Roumieh Main Road? Which is what this is, right? But there is no street number or nothing! I thought I could find it, but I’ve finally given up. I don’t know how you guys find anything.”

  “I am unfamiliar with this business. Wait here a moment.”

  Ronnie waits, her heart in her throat as the silence lengthens. Finally the Lebanese voice comes back. “It is just down the road. Go back to Roumieh and turn left. Stay on Rourmieh for 12 kilometers. It will be on your left.”

  “Thanks man. I really appreciate it,” Ryker says. “Could I ask another favor? I really need to take a leak.”

  “A what?”

  “A leak. A pee. I need to go to the bathroom. I’ve been looking for this place for an hour. If I miss it again, I’m not sure I can hold it. Do you mind if I use your restroom?”

  Ronnie hears a pause, then Ryker’s voice returns.

  “Come on man. Please. I can’t negotiate for this car while having to piss, or with a wet stain on the front of my pants.”

  There is another long silence but finally, the man agrees. “Follow me.”

  ***

  Ryker follows the man into the back. He wasn’t sure the man was going to let him go, and he didn’t want to start shooting people until he was sure of his target. Shooting an innocent man would really ruin his day.

  As the door from the front office closes behind him Ryker makes a quick survey of the large room using only his eyes.

  To his left is a wall, formed by a small interior office space, the wall creating a short hall. To the right is a tiny room jutting out from the concrete wall… probably the restroom. As he steps from behind the office wall, he takes a quick count of the men.

  There are nine men there, counting his guide. Six of the men are busy uncrating and setting up equipment… and one of them is Dr. Julian Baker. Two more men are lounging on a couch against the far wall, watching the other six work, their assault rifles near to hand. In the far corner of the room is another small room with a large window. One of these two interior rooms is probably where Dr. Baker sleeps.

  “Here,” the heavy set man says, pointing to the door of the tiny room.

  Ryker smiles. “Thanks man! You’re a life saver!” Ryker steps in the bathroom and closes the door before he urinates so the man he is certain is listening at the door can hear it. He then flushes and turns the water on in the sink.

  As the water runs Ryker pulls up his pant leg and removes his weapon from his ankle holster, doing the same on the other leg for the suppressor, and quickly screws the two together. He pulls a couple of paper towels from the dispenser as he tucks his weapon to the small of his back out of sight.

  He takes a quick look in the mirror to make sure that he looks normal then opens the door tossing the paper towels into the trash after the door opens enough for the man standing outside to see him do it.

  “Whew! Better. Thank you.”

  The man relaxes slightly and backs off. “You’re…”

  He never gets to finish his sentence as Ryker quickly pulls his weapon and fires one shot into the man’s chest at point blank range. The suppressor keeps the noise low, but it is not nearly as whisper quiet as Hollywood would have you believe.

  The other men in the room whirl at the woofing report of the gun. Ryker’s weapon quickly tracks right and he is squeezing off four more rounds, two into the chest of each of the men on the couch as he perceives them to be the greatest threat.

  By now the room is in bedlam. Dr. Baker stands in mute shock as Ryker deals death around the room but the other five men that were working with him are a bit more action-oriented. Ryker moves one step forward and takes out another man with double-tap to center of mass, then retreats three steps to the left toward the front of the building to put the office wall between him and the remaining four gunmen as they bring their weapons to bear.

  Ryker knows that, also unlike in the movies, sheetrock walls won’t stop bullets, so he drops to the ground, peeking around the corner from his stomach. As expected, the men begin to riddle the interior office wall with bullets well above his head.

  Ryker pulls the trigger three more times, dropping another one of the men. He has six rounds left, but he take the brief lull in the action to eject the magazine, letting it fall with a clatter to the floor while pulling a fresh one from his back pocket. Slapping the magazine into the butt of his weapon Ryker waits to pick his next target. Sixteen rounds and three bandits to go.

  One of the men begins to move for a better sight line around the corner. The moment he steps clear of the blocking table, Ryker drops him with two shots to the chest. Two bandits left. As the man falls the remaining two men begin to spray and pray. Ryker squints against the flying debris as the men destroy the wall with a long sustained burst of gunfire.

  Ryker doesn’t speak Lebanese well, but he knows enough to know that one of the remaining men is calling for backup. “Marines! Listen up!” Ryker says quietly. “I need you to move in, but do not, I repeat, do not enter facility. Bandits are calling for backup. I want them to have a nice surprise when they get here.” he pauses for just a moment. “Fuck! I’m shot!” he says loudly.

  While one of the men covers, the other begins to move toward him. Dumbass. They obviously still haven’t figured out for certain where he is. As soon as he has a clear shot, he eliminates the threat with two pulls of the trigger.

  ***

  Ronnie’s heart nearly stops as Ryker cries out about being shot. She looks at Londergan, her eyes wide in fright.

  Jason notices her expression of stark fear and smile’s. “Don’t worry. T
hat’s the oldest trick in the book.” Moments later they hear the soft report of Ryker’s gun. “See. If he were really shot, he wouldn’t have let them know. Or at the very least, not so obviously.”

  She relaxes only slightly. When Ryker said he was going to kill everyone she didn’t know he meant it. She only now realizes how truly dangerous Ryker is.

  Ryker watches the last man wrap his arm around Dr. Baker’s throat and hold his weapon to the doctor’s head. “You fucking American! I will kill him! Do you hear me? I will kill him!”

  Ryker stands and steps out from behind the remains of the wall, his weapon pointing unwaveringly toward the man. “Go ahead. I have orders to kill him anyway. Saves me the trouble. But… if you shoot him, you will be dead before he hits the floor. Your call Abdul.”

  “No…” Ronnie whispers. She feels light headed and she begins to pant, trying to get her breath.

  Corporal Londergan looks at Ronnie. She is pale as a ghost and her breath is coming in short gasps. “Easy there, Doc. Don’t give up on him yet.”

  “Ryker said he was going to kill him,” she whispers, unable to catch her breath.

  “If Evans was going to shoot him, he would be dead already. Hang tough, okay?” Jason says softly, putting his hand gently on her shoulder in silent show of support and comfort.

  ***

  “Drop your weapon!” the man holding Dr. Baker screams, his eyes wide in fear. He has just watched his one man kill seven armed men in less than thirty seconds.

  “Not going to happen. Your only hope… your only hope is to drop that gun right now. Let Dr. Baker go and I won’t kill you.” Ryker knows it’s over.

  The Marines outside will keep the goons off of him and he is between the man and door. Now he just needs to get Dr. Baker away from this terrified young man. “Listen to me. Drop your weapon,” he says calmly. “Drop your weapon and I will let you walk out of here.”

  “You lie!”

  “I’m not lying. I’ll let you walk out. But if you stay, this will end only one way. With your death. Is that what you want? Do you want to die? Here? Today?”

  The man looks around wildly. This crazy American, this angel of death, is between him and the only useable door… the large roll-up door behind him, the one that allows trucks in, is locked. He could never get it open in time. But maybe, if Dr. Baker could open it… The man begins to move, edging toward the large door with Dr. Baker in front of him.

  Ryker knows it’s a gamble, but squeezes off a single round, shattering one of the laptops sitting on one of the tables just a few feet from the man. “You’re not leaving here with Dr. Baker. I will kill you both first. Consider this your first and final warning.”

  The man jumps as the computer explodes beside him. He looks into the American’s face and he sees the truth of his statement. His trainers always told him that the American’s are weak, afraid to fight, but not this American. Suddenly he decides that today isn’t a good day to die after all and pulls his weapon from Dr. Baker’s head, holding it up beside him, his other hand rising to join it in the universal gesture of surrender.

  “Dr. Baker. Take his weapon from him,” Ryker says calmly. “Mind the trigger. Then step away. Do not step between myself and him.”

  Dr. Julian Baker nearly sags in relief. This was even more terrifying than when the two men had shoved a gun into his ribs, put a bag over his head, and pushed him into a car outside of his home. Mindful of what the man with the pistol said, he steps beside his captor and takes the dangerous looking gun from his hand, then steps farther away from him. “Who are you?”

  Ryker relaxes a little. “Petty Officer First Class Ryker Evans, U.S. Navy, at your service Dr. Baker.”

  ***

  Ronnie feels her heart leap as Ryker identifies himself. “Does that mean dad is safe? That he got him?”

  “Don’t know. But probably,” Jason says.

  Ronnie can’t help it as she begins weeps into her hands in relief.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  “You said you would let me go.”

  Ryker’s weapon never wavers. “Move to your left. Step away from Dr. Baker. You’re almost out of here. Don’t do anything stupid now.”

  The man nods and begins to slowly move to his left. He and Ryker slowly circle each other, Ryker moving away from the door as the man moves toward it. Ryker keeps his weapon steady on the man as they move. As soon as the man has a clear path to the door he bolts. Ryker lets him go.

  “Marines. There is a man coming out. He is unarmed. Bag him. Baker secured! Baker secured!”

  Julian hands the AMD 65 he took from his capture to Ryker with obvious distaste. “I thought you said you were letting him go.”

  “I did. I didn’t say the Marines waiting outside would, though.”

  “Evans!” Hargraves barks in his ear.

  “Yes sir.”

  “Is the area secure?”

  “It is. I was just about to call in the Marines.”

  “Is Dr. Baker unharmed?”

  “Are you injured, Dr. Baker?” Ryker asks.

  “Other than being scared out of my wits, no.”

  “Dr. Baker is unharmed, Colonel. We’re going to try to take the goons that should be showing up in support.”

  “Very good,” Hargraves says. “Carry on.”

  “Team One! Area is secured. Get in here and let’s catch us some more bad guys. Team Two! Move up but hold outside in support. Let’s ruin their day. Londergan! Get your ass up here pronto! I have another Dr. Baker to add to your collection!”

  Ryker listens to the orders rippling down the line, then six men come in and setup in various positions out of sight of the door, their weapons drawn and ready.

  ***

  “He’s got him, Doc!” Londergan says, yanking the gear selector into drive. “Let’s go get your dad.”

  Ronnie wipes her eyes, trying to dry her tears. It seems she owes Ryker yet another debt of gratitude.

  “Toyota 4Runner hauling ass your way!” a voice comes over the radio.

  “Londergan! Fall back! Fall Back!” Ryker’s voice commands in her ear. “The goon squad is here! Repeat! Fall Back!”

  “Londergan copies!” Jason says as he pulls the SUV off the road. “It’s just going to be a minute longer,” he says looking at Ronnie and smiling.

  “Will they be okay?”

  “Who? The Marines or the dead guys?” Londergan says with a grin.

  She smiles slightly. “The Marines.”

  “With eleven Marines and a SEAL waiting in ambush? The bad guys don’t stand a chance.”

  ***

  “Dr. Baker! Come with me!” Ryker says urgently, taking Julian by the arm and steering him to the makeshift bedroom farthest from the door. “Get down flat on the floor and don’t make a sound.”

  Julian does as instructed and Ryker joins him, crouching low as he peeks around the open door, his weapon held at ready.

  It all goes down without a shot being fired. Four men armed with the same AMD 65 assault rifles that the men holding Dr. Baker were carrying charge into the room. By the time they realize they have rushed into an ambush, six Marine service pistols are pointed at their heads, with four more Marines charging in behind them with assault rifles at the ready. The would-be attackers also decided that today is not a good day to die and immediately surrender, holding their weapons aloft.

  Ryker rises and helps Julian to his feet. “Ronnie,” he says softly. “Would you like to see your father?”

  “Area secured,” the Marine Sergeant announces as the four men are forced to their knees, facing the wall, as their hands and ankles are trussed with plastic binders. Moments later the last Marine brings the fifth prisoner in, his hands already bound tightly behind his back. He joins his companions on his knees and his ankles are bound as well.

  ***

  “Yes,” Ronnie blubbers, pushing on the tiny button on her ear bud. She can’t believe it. Ryker has done it. He had walked into a hornets nest, alone, an
d pulled her father out, apparently unharmed.

  “Alright Londergan,” Ryker says in Ronnie’s ear. “Bring her up.”

  “Yes sir. Londergan rolling,” Jason says, slipping the car into gear. “You okay Doc?” he asks with a big grin.

  Ronnie laughs soggily, then sniffs. “I don’t know. I think so. I think I was more scared just now than I was when people were shooting at me.”

  “Nothing to worry about now. With a couple of over-strength fire teams on guard, you are as safe as in your mother’s arms.”