Part 41 (2/2)

”You're right,” said Chaney. ”We've got one chance for surprise, and after that we're going to need protection. So don't get too far away from

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this door. Make sure you have cover. And don't by to be heroic. This isn't the time.”

”Yes, sir. Lieutenant Chaney, sir.” She gave him a mock salute before she shpped on the breathing mask.

He motioned her to keep low, then slid back toward the door. He indicated that Tira should stay behind him and aim for the backs of the Navy soldiers' legs.

”Ready?” he asked.

Tira nodded,

”Here we go.” He eased the door open, wide enough to allow him to slide out and provide room enough for lira to take up a position be- side him. He moved smoothly, knowing that the soldiers were more likely to react to an abrupt movement than a graceful one.

He braced himself against the wall and lifted the Memhauser. He had a dip with sixty rounds and a second with another sixty. That ought to make a dent in the Navy men. He pulled the trigger.

The disruption was dramatic and immediate.

Those soldiers who could turned and began fir- ing in Chaney s direction, but more of them fell, yelling with pain as bullets smashed tibias and fibulas and patellas and femurs. The body armor that protected their torsos could not save their legs.

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Tira aimed for those who were firing back, deliberately setting about disabling them as quickly as possible.

The floor was growing slick with blood still hot enough to steam.

Chaney swore as a shot grazed his arm.

Several of the Logistics soldiers were already retreating, dragging their injured comrades with them, unwilling to try to fight in such close quar- ters for so little gain.

”We'll be back!” one of the men shouted as he reached the ruin of the main door. ”And you won't get out of here.”

lira, who had been concealed behind the half- open door, made herway arcmndtt, nextto Chaney, her reticule dangling from her belt, her Mein- hauser clutched in her hand, ”He means it.”

Tep,” said Chaney, trying to find a way to stop his arm bleeding.

”What can we do?” She looked around the room as if hoping for reinforcements. ”I guess we could get into the closet with Cousin Helga,”

she said, thinking aloud.

'*We have to realize they're not going to be stu- pid twice,” said Chaney, cursing as the blood ran off his arm and began making a puddle on the floor. ”They know this place is hard to crack, and they'll come prepared.”

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Tira nodded in irritation, then clicked her tongue as she realized how badly he was hurt.

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