They didn’t have to wait long. The sound of an explosion along the west wall was quickly followed by two others and a barrage of undisciplined automatic fire. As expected, the men at the bottom of the east gully started to move—climbing toward the compound at a pace that was a little shocking. He’d assumed Charlie Wicker’s time was on the edge of what was humanly possible. Now he wasn’t so sure.

“Can I evacuate them now?” Maslick said.

Coleman gave a short nod and toggled his throat mike. “Wick. Give me a sitrep.”

“Three rockets,” came the reply. “All hit the fence. The berm held in two places, but in another there’s a viable incursion point. They don’t seem to be interested, though. They’re just shooting at nothing from the jungle. I’m saying this is just a diversion and the main force is coming in from somewhere else.”

“Copy that. Unless you’re in direct danger, let them run through their ammo and then take them.”

“Roger. Shouldn’t be a problem.”

By the time Coleman toggled his mike off, all the east gun placements were manned and Maslick was dispersing the rest of their men. In less than a minute, the breach Wick had noted would be secure and evacuation protocols would be under way.

Coleman stepped behind the water cannon and pulled the trigger. The pumps came on and a moment later a thick stream of water began arcing into the forest. When the dirt got wet in this part of the world, it turned into something with a viscosity midway between motor oil and snot. In a few minutes, the attacking force would arrive at an overhanging rock wall that was conveniently missing from the map Irene Kennedy had created. At that time, they’d have no choice but to try to go up the steep sides of the gully—now being turned into something akin to the Slip ’N Slide that Coleman had loved so much as a kid.

After that, things were going to turn ugly.

“Now!” Sanyu Nabirye shouted over the sound of distant explosions.

His feet seemed to barely skim the ground as he started upslope. The branches whipping his face caused no pain, only more rage and the warm sensation of blood running down his cheeks. His lungs heaved, but didn’t burn, and his heart beat with a force that made his entire body shake in time.