Blink: Phantom (Book 3)

23

For an instant Brock looked just as surprised as them. Then he hurled the data slate he was holding at Darien's face and reached for the gun holstered at his side. Reflexively Darien fired his Compac and the slate blew apart as the tungsten-cored round ripped through its flimsy structure. As the shards and circuits clattered to the deck Brock ripped his big handgun free and fired wildly

The shot thudded into Darien's chest plate like a bowling ball and he staggered backwards, gasping for breath. Brock charged, shoving him hard to the left where he crashed into Niamh as she tried to fire. The shot from her Compac flew wide, slamming into the plating of the far wall of the corridor.

Together they crashed into the wall and tumbled to the ground in a jumble of limbs. Scrambling free, Darien tried to take aim with his Compac only to find Idas and Brock locked together, making a clean shot impossible. Idas's Compac thumped, grazing their adversary's flank and extracting a strangled howl of pain.

Brock wrenched hard, snapping the strap that held Idas's Compac in place and sending the cannon clattering across the floor. Idas replied by slamming a clenched fist into the Ghost's face, his other hand clamped around their enemy's wrist. They twisted and spun in a violent drunken dance and then crashed into the wall. The impact dislodged Idas's grip and Brock instantly wrapped a sinewy arm around the operative's neck, pulling him close and jamming the pistol barrel against Idas's temple.

"Drop the guns!" Brock shouted and Darien froze, his Compac half-raised. "Drop them or I'll blow your friend's dome to pieces."

"Don't," Idas choked out. "Shoot this prick!" Brock tightened his grip, strangling off any further speech, and pressed the pistol barrel harder against Idas's skull.

Darien glanced at Niamh. She gave him a tiny shake of her head.

Reluctantly he unclipped his Compac, fury boiling in his veins as he placed it on the ground. Niamh did the same, her whole body still tense and ready to spring.

"Kick 'em away," Brock ordered, inclining his head toward the discarded cannons.

Again Darien had to obey. He knew full well that Brock would make good on his threat if they didn't comply.

Once the Compacs were out of range Brock seemed to relax and a vicious smile crossed his face. "Three pure Blink operatives – my lucky day. Where's the rest of the team, eh?"

"We're the only ones here," Darien lied.

"How stupid do you think I am? Blink operatives work in squads of six." Brock loosened his grip on Idas's throat, reaching to touch his earpiece.

He never got the chance to send his message. Darien noticed the tiniest motion as Idas moved a hand behind his back. His eyes widened but before he could react Idas gritted his teeth and closed his eyes.

And triggered a stun grenade in his belt.

Tucked between two bodies the searing flash and bang had all its energy concentrated into an explosion that forced operative and assassin apart. A roar of pain echoed through the hallway as the force burned through Brock's clothing. Idas slammed his head backwards, connecting hard with the Ghost's nose and extracting a sickening crunch of breaking cartilage. Then he grabbed Brock's arm and sank his teeth into the man's gun hand.

Letting out a screech of pain Brock dropped the gun, but swung his free hand around hard to crash a fist into Idas's face. Freeing himself from the bite, Brock grabbed Idas by the head and slammed him into the wall. Darien leapt forward but had his friend's limp frame thrown straight into his path.