Chapter 10 - Breach at the Airstrip
""They followed the radio signal!"" Frank shouted, drawing his assault rifle. ""Move to the plane! Now!""
Arthur hobbled toward the aircraft's boarding ramp with his cane, but Julian stopped him. ""Father, how did they track us here?""
Arthur’s eyes turned stone cold. He looked down at the gold signet ring on his own finger, then ripped it off and threw it onto the concrete floor. He crushed the stone beneath his boot, revealing a micro-transponder nestled in the gold setting.
""My contact at the intelligence agency sold me out,"" Arthur spat in disgust.
Assault rifles chattered outside. Bullets punched through the thin corrugated metal walls of the hangar, sending sparks showering across the concrete. Frank returned fire through the hangar's side door, yelling over his shoulder: ""Get the engines started! I’ll buy you two minutes!""
Julian helped Elena up the metal ladder into the cabin of the turboprop. The pilot, a grizzled veteran, had already engaged the starters; the twin props began to spin with a rising mechanical scream.
Julian turned back to help his father, but Arthur stayed on the tarmac.
""Come on!"" Julian screamed over the noise of the spinning blades. ""Climb up!""
""The plane is too heavy to clear the short runway in this mud with four adults and full fuel tanks,"" Arthur said calmly, drawing a heavy revolver from his coat. ""Besides, Julian... this war was mine. It’s time I finished paying my debts.""
""I just got you back!"" Julian pleaded, stepping back down the ramp. ""I won't leave you!""
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""You're a father now,"" Arthur said fiercely, looking directly into Julian’s eyes. ""Your duty isn't to me anymore. It’s to him. Protect your family!""
Arthur turned and opened fire alongside Frank as a dozen armored figures breached the outer perimeter.
