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“No, let it keep running,” Juan said “We’re trying to get as much info as possible before it’s erased”

“Roger that”

“Meet us back by the truck We’re leaving in four minutes”

“Understood”

They went back into the hall to complete their search As they moved to the next roouard entered, calling out in Chinese as if he were looking for someone

For ain the hall He recovered quickly and raised his assault rifle

Before he could get it to his shoulder, MacD snapped off a shot with his crossbow The bolt went through the guard’s eye, and he keeled over backward

“He was probably looking for the truck driver,” Linda said

They hurried to the door Linc looked out, but there was no one there However, a voice was calling on the radio attached to the dead guard’s belt The tone was getting increasingly urgent

“Chairuards, and I think so for him”

THIRTY

Although he’d needed Parsons to pilot the Marsh Flyer, Polk had never liked the swaggering Marine He was too much of a Boy Scout Just last week, when one of the factory scientists injured hi hi them patch him up at the swamp facility, despite the severe breach of security protocol The action ended up saving the man’s life—at least for a few more days—but it was clear Parsons could be trouble If Polk had any other choice of pilots when it happened, he would have killed Parsons then and there

Now Polk would get his wish

“I’er needed, Parsons”

Parsons smirked at him “You’ve found someone else to pilot the Flyer back to Nhulunbuy?”