Page 40 of Act of Command

Malik groaned. “We’re a bit old for that.”

“Fine. I callnot it,” added Boomer quickly.

Malik shook his head. “Me either.”

“I’m nae goin’ near him. You two do it,” said Striker to Boomer. “Yer cat shifters. You all can meow together or somethin’. Chase yarn balls or whatever it is you lot do. Scratch your claws on furniture. I do nae know what tickles you all.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out lint. “Probably nae enough for him to want to chase from the end of a string is it?”

Boomer looked at Corbin as the captain lifted a guard off the ground and yanked the man in half, letting each half fall to the floor with a loud thud. “I think we might be past the meow and yarn ball stage of things.”

“Most certainly,” added Malik.

“What about a cardboard box?” asked Striker. “Yer kind likes to play in boxes, don’t they?”

Boomer groaned. “We’re not house cats, dumbass. Do you like to be put on a leash and taken for a walk?”

Striker rubbed his beard and thought about being tied up by a hot woman and then lead around. “Aye. I do.”

“Asshole.”

Striker stepped back. “I left the dart gun in the SUV.”

Boomer shook his head, his gaze never leaving Corbin as the captain killed another guard. “We’re gonna need a bigger dart gun.”

“Aye.”

Corbin tore through another guard as if the man were tissue paper. Striker, Malik and Boomer took large steps back, none wanting to be on the receiving end of their boss’s wrath.

Boomer grunted. “I forgot to mention I set charges.”

Malik and Striker turned very slowly to look at their friend. Malik spoke. “Tell me you went with twenty minutes. Nothing less.”

Boomer pursed his lips. “So you want me to lie?”

“How long do we have?” asked Striker.

Boomer glanced at his watch as a series of large bangs went off. The entire compound shook, and Striker’s ears rang. Flames rushed down the hall in his direction. Groaning, he hit Boomer and knocked the man to the lab floor. Malik turned and Striker wasn’t fast enough to grab him too. The blast hit Malik, knocking him backwards. Flames rolled over everyone and then sucked backwards.

Striker looked up. “Malik?”

“Ouch,” said Malik, indicating he was alive.

“Shit, did Corbin notice us?” asked Boomer from under Striker.

Striker glanced in the other direction slowly to find Corbin, still in partially shifted form, blood dripping from his claws and mouth. He was breathing heavy, his head tipped to the side, looking at the men like they were lunch. “Aye.”

“Shit.”

“Aye.” Striker swallowed hard and put his hands up, still on Boomer. “Captain, you do nae want to eat us. We’re friendlies. And Boomer is full of silver. He’d cause indigestion.”

“Thanks,” said Boomer.

“No problem, but you should know, if he comes for us, I’m throwin’ you to him.”

Boomer chuckled. “I’d rather be eaten alive than stay under you longer. Dude, that had better be a fucking gun in your pocket.”

“Och, it’s a clip. I’ve no hard-on for you, kitty,” snapped Striker, rolling off Boomer slowly, his gaze never leaving the real threat—Corbin. He started to push off the floor, but Corbin roared.

Malik grumbled, rolling to his side. “Captain.”

---