Chapter 15 - The Hunted Become the Hunters
Marcus dumped their remaining gear onto a flat rock beneath the shelter of an overhanging cliff. Three submachine guns, four sidearms, two fragmentation grenades, and a tactical sniper rifle recovered from the helicopter's emergency kit.
"Five minutes until they reach this ravine," Marcus estimated, checking the thermal scope on the rifle. "They have at least twelve men."
"They think we're helpless survivors trapped in a crash," Grant said, adjusting his tactical belt. "They're expecting scared civilians. Let's show them who they're dealing with."
Grant turned to Clara and Emma. "Emma, take Clara and Lily down the stream bed. Half a mile south, there’s an alpine highway. Find a vehicle, clear a line to the American embassy in Bern."
"No," Clara said firmly, grabbing Grant’s arm. "I'm not leaving you again, Grant. Two years ago, I ran to protect you and Lily, and look what happened. We fight together."
Grant looked into his wife’s eyes and saw the unbreakable spirit that had made him fall in love with her years ago. He nodded slowly. "Alright. Emma, take Lily to the secondary cover point forty yards back. Keep her safe."
"On it," Emma said, lifting Lily and retreating toward a dense clump of evergreen trees.
Minutes later, the first tracked snow vehicle crested the ridge above the ravine. Four armed mercenaries dismounted, weapons raised, stepping cautiously toward the smoking ruin of the helicopter.
"Target sighted," Marcus whispered from his concealed position high up on the rock ledge. "Taking the shot."
THWACK.
The suppressed sniper rifle cracked through the freezing air. The lead mercenary dropped instantly into the snow.
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"Ambush!" the remaining guards screamed, scattering for cover behind the trees.
Grant stepped out from behind a massive pine, firing a controlled burst that took down two more operatives before they could raise their weapons. Clara, positioned on the opposite flank, fired her sidearm with deadly accuracy, pinning the remaining guard behind the snow vehicle.
