Page 200 of Silent Target

The demolition timer reads three minutes, twenty seconds.

Mac braces himself against the terminal.

“The outer foundation is gone.”

“What does that mean?” Falcon asks.

Mac looks at the cracks spreading across the floor.

“The bunker is losing structural support.”

Another low groan moves through the room.

One side of the floor drops several inches.

Server towers tilt.

The mountain isn’t exploding all at once.

The bunker is folding into the cavities created by its own demolition charges.

Fathom continues working.

Global transfer: nine percent.

Eight.

Seven.

Rook checks the timer. “Two minutes.”

“I need thirty seconds.”

“You have twenty.”

Gunfire erupts in the conduit.

Cobra and Shark return it.

Victor’s voice reaches us.

“You’ve delayed the inevitable long enough.”

A shaped charge detonates against the command-room door.

The steel buckles.

Not from superhuman strength.

From a carefully placed explosive and the force of the remaining Inner Guard.

Cobra examines the damage.

“He copied my technique.”

“You should be flattered,” Falcon says.

“I’m offended.”