Chapter 8 - The Shadow of the Viper
Gabriel landed in a low crouch amidst the smoke and gravel, completely surrounded by enemy mercenaries.
He didn't hesitate.
He threw the thermite grenades directly under the fuel tanks of the two armored carriers.
FOOSH!
Intense, white-hot chemical fires erupted instantly, melting the metal chassis and creating a wall of blinding, infernal heat that threw the mercenary lines into complete chaos.
Gabriel moved through the smoke like a ghost.
THWIP! CRACK! BANG!
He engaged in brutal, close-quarters hand-to-hand combat, utilizing his combat knife and sidearm with devastating speed. Every strike was lethal. Mercenaries fell left and right as Gabriel carved a path directly toward Victor Kross.
Kross turned, raising his weapon, but Gabriel was already upon him.
Gabriel slammed his shoulder into Kross’s chest, driving the massive Russian back against the concrete wall of the burning carrier.
Kross growled, drawing a heavy combat blade, and slashed wildly at Gabriel’s face.
Gabriel ducked under the blade, caught Kross’s wrist, and twisted it until the bone snapped with a loud POP.
Kross screamed in agony, dropping the knife.
Gabriel slammed a brutal right hook into Kross’s jaw, sending the mercenary leader crashing to his knees in the dirt.
Gabriel stood over him, breathing heavily, blood dripping from a small cut on his temple. He pressed the hot barrel of his SIG Sauer directly against the bridge of Kross’s nose.
Around them, the gunfire died down. The surviving mercenaries, seeing their leader captured and their vehicles destroyed, threw down their weapons and surrendered to the surrounding syndicate guards.
“It’s over, Kross,” Gabriel rasped, his voice cold and unforgiving.
Kross spat blood onto Gabriel’s boot, laughing hysterically through broken teeth. “You think... you think killing me stops this, Vance? The Covenant... has contacts in Washington... in the Pentagon... you can’t protect them forever!”
Gabriel slowly pulled the silver dog tag and the gold ring from beneath his shirt.
“You didn't kill Richard Lawson on that bridge three years ago, Kross,” Gabriel said softly. “You just created the man who was going to put an end to your empire.”
THWIP.
Gabriel squeezed the trigger.
May you like
Kross slumped forward into the gravel, motionless.
Gabriel stood alone in the burning courtyard, the ocean wind blowing the smoke out to sea. He reholstered his weapon, wiped the blood from his brow, and turned toward the high stairs of the Fortress.
