“Adrian,” Clara gasped, her hand reaching out for mine. “The five… five, nine, alpha…”

“Go on,” I said, kneeling beside her while keeping my eyes on the dark corridor.

“Seven… seven… seven, zebra,” she whispered.

A sudden burst of automatic fire chipped the concrete above Clara’s head, raining sharp stone splinters onto her face.

She screamed, covering her eyes.

“Marcus! Open that gate!” I roared.

With a loud crack, the manual lock sheared off, and the heavy iron gate swung open three inches.

“Go, go, go!” Marcus shouted, wedging his crowbar into the gap to pry it wider.

Nora squeezed through first, holding Lila flat against her chest.

I picked Clara up again, her body limp, and pushed her through the opening into Marcus’s waiting arms.

“Daniel, cover the rear,” I said, stepping through the gap myself.

Daniel followed, but as he did, a red laser dot danced across his shoulder.

“Get down!” I yelled.

A high-caliber round shattered the iron hinge of the gate, sending sparks flying into the darkness.

The heavy gate swung back, slamming shut with a violent clang.