Page 4 of Act of Passion

“Och, I heard that,” said Striker before taking a swig from hisflask.

He then handed the flask to Duke, who took a siptoo.

“There is a hell of a lot of firepower here, but nothing noteworthy. The clean-up team hasn’t arrived yet so we’re just holding down the fort until they get here, all the while waiting for it to come out that this is a trap. Find anything where youare?”

Corbin sighed over the line. “No. But we did find a large quantity of peculiar medical supplies. They’re all stamped with Donavon Dynamics. We’re finding more and more here, but nothing that sticks out as what we were searching for. I put a call into a contact I have on the human side of things. He said no reports of missing shipments have come in from thecompany.”

“Maybe they don’t realize it’s missing yet,” saidMalik.

“Possibly,” replied Corbin before going silent for a bit. “We’ll be here for a couple of hours yet and then we can meet to discuss our findings. Be sure there isn’t any threat there before leaving the clean-up team. They may be trained operatives but let’s be honest, the majority of them aren’t reallyfighters.”

“Will do,” he said, having long since given up on proper radio communication. He was too old tobother.

The flask was now with Rurik, who handed it back to Striker with anod.

“Corbin wants us to hang here a bit and be sure the clean-up team doesn’t require a clean-up team,” saidMalik.

Striker groaned. “I’m sweating my balls off in here. Can we waitoutside?”

“Your balls were just aired out. You’ll be fine for a bit.” Malik was about to sit on a crate when he heard the sound of approaching vehicles. His shifter senses homed in and a feeling of unease came overhim.

“Sounds like the clean-up team is here,” said Striker, capping hisflask.

Malik gave the hand signal for silence and Dukegrunted.

“I really don’t like your hinky vibes, Tut. They never lead to anything good,” saidDuke.

Garth went to a side window and peered out. He then chambered a round in the weapon he was holding. “Want the good news or the badnews?”

Boomer laughed, finding humor in odd situations. “Thebad.”

“We’re standing in the equivalent of a giant powder keg and that isn’t the clean-up crew out there, armed and ready to start shooting in here,” said Garthevenly.

Duke eyed the man. “There is a good side to thissomewhere?”

“Yes. We have more firepower,” said Garth, motioning to the crates. “If we don’t blow up first. Anyone here able to survive being blown tobits?”

They all looked at Malik as if awaiting his answer to thequestion.

“What?” hedemanded.

“Well, can you survive that?” asked Boomer. “Inquiring minds want to know. When you’re as old as time, does it give you extrasuperpowers?”

With a roll of his eyes, Malik joined Garth near the window to survey the situation. When he saw eight vehicles forming a barricade of sorts with men standing behind them, aiming at the building with more than just guns, he rubbed his temple again. “Sure. Why not?Garth?”

Garth flashed a wide smile, clearly loving the fact they were going to get into a firefight. “Rurik and I will take the eastcorner.”

“Och, I’m ready to be done with this shite and find a bonnie lass to bed up with for the night,” said Striker, taking the rocket launcher from Duke. He then stood behind a crate full of explosives and lined up to take a shot at the side of the building. His intention clearly was to shoot through the thin metal wall of the warehouse and out at themen.

Boomer tackled him and rolled, taking the launcher with him. Since Boomer’s nickname had been born out of his love of blowing things up, he rarely was the voice of reason when it came to anything that went boom. “Dude, no. Justno.”

Striker grumbled. “Kitty, you suck all the fun out ofeverything.”

“Guys, try to act like trained professionals here,” said Malik as the sound of a rocket being launchedatthem came from outside. The men shared a look and then ran in the direction of the exit, each one knowing they needed to get out of the area with theexplosives.

They only just made it out of the building when there was a loud noise followed quickly by a series of explosions. The force of them blew Malik up into the air as flames licked past him. He struck something massive and it moved with him. He and the object tumbled, taking turns skidding against the ground before finally coming to a stop. Disoriented, Malik tried to figure out why he didn’t feel ground beneath him and what the smell was that now surroundedhim.

Garth was suddenly there, beating out the flames on Malik with his shirt, his vest, and gear discarded. Someone was yelling at him but he couldn’t make out what they were saying. It took him a second to realize that someone was Duke, who was under him andpissed.

---