Page 133 of Elite Metal: Warriors

Gregor patted his hand. “It is nice to have allies, is it not?”

“I beg your pardon?”

But the old man was not forthcoming. “Just wait,” he said. “And be ready.”

Ready for what?

Holy hell. Why was everything some arcane mystery with these Russians?

But Cooper didn’t have long to ponder on what Gregor had in mind. Within minutes, several halftracks, bearing the symbol of the Chinese Government, pulled into the yard and several platoons of soldiers leapt out and surrounded Ming Kow’s men.

Realizing they were outgunned, the men surrendered.

“Time for us to go,” Gregor said. He quickly checked his Walther and tossed one to Cooper. “We will skirt around and enter through the back.”

Mind spinning, Cooper followed Gregor and Vasili to the far side of the warehouse. “How did you do that,” he asked as they paused by the back door.

Gregor grinned. “We are not the only ones after Ming Kow. The Chinese government has been wanting him on a skewer for years.”

“Da.” Vasili winked. “But they didn’t want to be the ones to take him down…for political reasons.”

“They were more than happy to leave that honor to us.”

Coop put out a lip. “I wanted to be the one to take him down.”

Gregor’s smile was toothy. “We don’t always get what we want, mal'chik.”

Seriously? He was hardly a boy.

“Stand back,” Vasili said as he opened the door and slid a flash bomb onto the slick cement of the warehouse floor. He closed the door and the bomb detonated, shaking the walls.

“Let’s move,” Gregor said. “You take left, I’ll take right and, Cooper, take center.”

The men nodded and fell into formation, as though they’d been working together for years.

This was something Cooper knew. Maneuvers. This he could do. He pushed away all his fear and anxiety over Nat’s safety and stepped into the role he knew so well it became automatic.

They advanced into the warehouse and quickly quartered the enormous room. They had no idea how many men they were facing, but they were pretty certain where they were, because of the shrill screams echoing to their right.

The men exchanged a glance and Gregor made silent gestures and they fell into place, advancing on the ruckus like lions on the hunt.

Vasili peeled off to the left to circle around and check for guards that might be posted in the warehouse and Gregor and Coop, using the crates for cover, headed for the screams.

What Coop saw horrified him.

Cages.

One held a huddle of children—who continued to scream, despite the commands to shut up from the guards.

In the other cage… His heart lurched. Nat.

This was not ideal. If they attacked Ming Kow and his men, they could turn their guns on her and there was nothing she could do to escape or fight back.

He glanced at Gregor. It was clear he’d come to the same conclusion, but they had little time to waste. The guards, spurred by the flash bomb, were circling Ming Kow like disturbed bees, training their weapons toward any potential threat.

A direct attack would be suicide at best. Disaster at worst.

Fortunately, Gregor was prepared for an indirect attack. He gave a little whistle, one that made Nat come to attention. She turned and whispered something to the children, who all ducked their heads and covered their ears.