I counted three and a half breaths.

“Let’s go team.”

Ghost splintered the door. We burst in, sweeping through the room like the frigid winter wind. Two guards, seven monitors and a cup of coffee went down.

“Room clear.”

I paused. For a military compound – this was too easy.

The radio fizzled.

“We’ve got you surrounded, Nikolas. Its over. You and your team have ten seconds to surrender.” Then: “Checkmate.”

Screw it. I turned to Ghost. “Least we’ll die with the harness on our back.”

“Go loud, I repeat – GO LOUD! GET TO THE LZ!” I yelled. The sound of gunfire and boots storming echoed from the other side of the building. We ran. Twenty six steps down the corridor.

“Captain, Renown and Grace are down. We’re inbound.”

“Copy. God’s soldiers they be,” I breathed heavily. Now up the stairs.

The sound of chopper blades hit hard. We stumbled onto the roof, firing wildly at the thundering behind us.

“Fly good Fleance, FLY FLY FLY!” I leaped, hitting the floor the same time as Ghost.

“Hooah.”