Part 26 (1/2)
The minigun on the front end of the Mil-8 threw a line of 12 mm slugs across the truck's path.
”L OOK OUT OOK OUT !” !”.
The machine-gun fire cut across the road in front of them, forcing Kent to spin the wheel to the left to avoid it, bouncing off the narrow track they had been following and striking out overland, heading for the rocky outcroppings he'd spotted earlier.
There was no way they were going to outrun the helicopter. That much was obvious. Nor did he think that the truck could withstand repeat attacks, not with that chain gun mounted on the front of the chopper.
That left them only one option.
They were going to have to fight it out.
S ANTIAGO LAUGHED ALOUD ANTIAGO LAUGHED ALOUD as the truck carrying Davenport's men abruptly left the road and headed overland. Go on and run, he thought. You won't get far, that's for sure. as the truck carrying Davenport's men abruptly left the road and headed overland. Go on and run, he thought. You won't get far, that's for sure.
”Well?” Ransom asked.
Santiago shook his head. ”They aren't stopping, sir.”
”Then make them stop.”
”Roger that.”
Santiago turned to the gun controls once more.
T HE HELICOPTER MOVED AROUND HE HELICOPTER MOVED AROUND in front of the truck and hovered a short ways off, the chain gun sending another stream of slugs ripping through the air toward them. in front of the truck and hovered a short ways off, the chain gun sending another stream of slugs ripping through the air toward them.
Kent spun the wheel to the right this time, avoiding the majority of the gunfire. Still, more than a few slugs impacted against the side of the vehicle and st.i.tched a line along the roof, shattering the window and sending small bits of gla.s.s flying through the interior. Sunlight streamed in through the new holes and the smell of cordite filled the car.
”Everyone all right?” Kent shouted over the sound of the wind now whistling through the frame.
”I'm good, I'm good.” Harris had a few small cuts on his arms and face from the flying gla.s.s, but that was nothing given what could have happened. He checked D'Angelo and breathed easier when he saw that their companion had escaped unscathed. A long stream of Mongolian came from the floor of the front seat, which both Kent and Harris took to mean Cukhbaatar was all right, as well.
”Where are they?” Kent asked, his eyes on the uneven terrain ahead of them, not daring to look away as he fought to keep them from inadvertently driving into a ditch or other obstacle.
”Left side,” Harris replied.
Kent saw Harris's form suddenly fill his rearview mirror as the big man crossed to the other side of the vehicle, leaning over their wounded comrade.
”What are you doing?” he asked.
”Teaching them a lesson in predator-prey dynamics.”
As the helicopter came back into view, Harris stuck the muzzle of his automatic rifle out the remains of the window and held the trigger down.
The stuttering roar of his weapon filled the car, drowning out his battle cry.
B ULLETS BOUNCED OFF ULLETS BOUNCED OFF the armored c.o.c.kpit of the helicopter, causing the pilot to swerve up and out of the line of fire before they could do any damage. The Mil-8 had been built to withstand much more firepower than what was currently being thrown at it, but when they had the sky to themselves, why take chances? the armored c.o.c.kpit of the helicopter, causing the pilot to swerve up and out of the line of fire before they could do any damage. The Mil-8 had been built to withstand much more firepower than what was currently being thrown at it, but when they had the sky to themselves, why take chances?
Santiago told the pilot to get behind the moving vehicle and keep moving from side to side as he sent stream after stream of 12 mm slugs in their direction.