“What are we going to do?” Mikhail asked, licking his dry lips beneath his half-mask, gaze darting from face to face.

  “We have to get out of here,” Klara said. “There’s no way we can hold off forty soldiers. If we use Matvei’s explosives, we may be able to lure them into the tower and blow it up, giving us cover.”

  Without a word, Yeger darted up the stairs, stumbling slightly.

  “Where are you going?” Klara demanded.

  “Took my pack off,” Yeger said, opening the door and stepping into the control room.

  “They’re dropping!” Elana said, pointing up.

  Mikhail sprinted up the stairs. “Yeger! Get out of there!” He reached the door in time to see Yeger stoop and swipe his pack off the floor—

  —and a black figure slammed into his side through the open window.

  Mikhail watched, horrified, as the figure drove a knife into Yeger’s gut. Yeger howled in pain, strength extract having completely faded after the rage wore off.

  The giant of a man locked eyes with Mikhail. Then he threw the pack to Mikhail.

  Reflex triggered as the pack flew towards Mikhail.

  Soldier after soldier swung through the open windows, drifting in slow motion to Mikhail’s senses.

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  One swung through right by Mikhail. Before he could think of what to do, the pack reached him and he snatched it out of the air, the world returning to speed.

  The soldier pulled a knife out and lunged at Mikhail.

  Suddenly, Mikhail flew backwards as someone hauled him through the door. Reflex triggered again as he watched as the soldier’s knife descended right where he’d stood.

  Pack still in hand, Mikhail tumbled down the stairs, smacking against the steps and bouncing off someone. They both landed with a thud on the floor and Mikhail scrambled to his feet, still clutching Yeger’s pack, his heart racing as he waited for it to explode.

  Nothing happened, but before he could register relief, Klara rose from the floor beside him.

  “Idiot!” she snapped, dragging him to the spiral stairwell in the centre of the room.

  “What about Yeger?” Mikhail asked, stumbling after her. He noticed the rest of the squad had already disappeared down the steps. “Are we going to abandon him?”

  “We have no choice. We’ll all die.”

  “But…”

  “Enough!” Klara said, glaring at him as she shoved him ahead of her, down the steps. “Yeger was a fool, and he made his choice. We can only hope they kill him so he can’t relay our plan.”

  “He saved the mission. Without the parachute in this pack, it’s over,” Mikhail said as they passed the floor below, descending quickly, feet clattering on the metal steps.

  “What do you propose we do, Mikhail? Run into a room with forty soldiers and all die?”

  Mikhail opened his mouth, then clamped it shut. Curses he hated it when Klara made a good point.

  “Look,” Klara said, her voice softening. “Yeger was a brave man, and I respect him for that. Though misguided, he got us the explosives and the parachute. If we blow this building fast enough, maybe he’ll find a way to survive the destruction and get free. Or he’ll die, his knowledge of the mission with him. I hope for the former, but will take either right now.”

  Mikhail ground his teeth, speeding past the next floor. “Fine,” he said, “At least give me a hand to lay these explosives in the showers.” And pray Yeger survives…