The first Range Rover was disabled. It started to roll out, but a dense burst of steam blew out from its radiator. Behind it, the Navigator pulled sharply into the roadway, the second Range Rover right behind it. Both cars peeled off down the highway. They were making a run for it. One SUV pulled out and followed them.

The Navigator zoomed by just below them. The helicopter was broadside to the road, the cargo door wide open. Ed was out on the bench. The Range Rover was coming. Too late, Luke saw machine gun snouts poking from both of the rear windows.

Watch it! Incoming fire!

Gunfire erupted all around them, like a swarm of angry wasps. Luke dove to the floor. Something cut a sharp path across his right shoulder. There was a slice, then stinging pain. Metal shredded. Glass shattered. Ed Newsam screamed.

Luke crawled to him. He grabbed Ed under the shoulders, and dragged him back into the chopper.

Eds teeth were gritted in pain. His eyes were wild and mad. His breathing was fast. I got hit, he said. Dammit, that hurts.

Where is it?

I dont know. Everywhere.

A voice came over the intercom. It was Jacob. Luke, we lost the right side of our windshield up here. The gunfire just about stove it in. He sounded relaxed, like he was describing a quiet weekend at home.

Is anyone hurt? Luke shouted.

Uh, weve got glass all over us, but we seem okay. The windshields probably not going to hold though, not if we get up to speed.

Eds hit, Luke said.

Sorry. How bad?

I dont know. Luke pulled his knife and began to cut away Eds jumpsuit. There was a black padded garment beneath it. A flak vest. That was a surprise. Luke hadnt thought to put one on. He touched it.

Arent you hot in this thing?

Ed shrugged. His eyes watered from the pain.

Stylish, he managed to say.

Yeah. More like out of stylish. Probably saved your life, though.

Luke felt beneath the vest. Nothing had penetrated it. His hands moved along Eds body. Eds right arm and shoulder were cut to ribbons. A big chunk of his right thigh was ripped up. The right edge of his pelvis had been hit. His jumpsuit was ripped and bloody at that spot. When Luke touched there, Ed screamed again.

Okay, Luke said. Somethings broken.

Did you hear me just now? Ed said through clenched teeth. I sounded like a girl.

I know, Luke said. Im embarrassed for you. Especially since youre gonna live, and Im going to tell people about that scream until the end of my days.

The chopper spun and headed south again, following the cars. Luke stood and pulled the first aid kit off the wall. He dropped down to Ed and immediately started to disinfect his wounds. Eds entire body clenched as the disinfectant hit his skin.

It hurts, Ed said. A lot.