“Stay with the helo. They’ll get you to someplace safe,” Rodgers said.

“The hell I will,” I shouted back. “Do you think you can take on what’s down there with just two men? Gimme a fuckin’ rifle. You don’t have time to argue.”

Rodgers paused for a moment and then nodded. Clarke handed me an M4 and two 30 round magazines. He also reached into his pocket and took out a small container and handed it to me.

“What’s this?” I cried.

“ATNAA styrette, antidote for VX. Don’t use it unless you need to. Pop the grey cap and shove the other end into your thigh. Injects automatically.”

I took my jacket off and stuffed it into the seat. I put the styrette and one magazine in my pocket and the other into the rifle.

“Lock and load” shouted Clarke as we pulled the charging handles and put a round in the chamber.

The helicopter hovered and we jumped the four feet to the roof.