John led the way. All quarters were along the center corridor with bathroom facilities opposite of the quarters. John checked the bathroom while Nick peeked into each open doored bunk room, making an instant decision. He checked with John, who indicated no one was using the bathroom.
“The hell with it, John,” Nick whispered. “Put on your gas mask, and retreat toward where we left Yuri. I’m going to blow this place now.
John nodded in agreement. “I like it. You are a very bad man, Muerto. Is that not so, Payaso?”
“Don’t get him started, Kabong, or it will be ten in the morning by the time he stops talking about himself.”
Nick pushed John on his way. “Go on. Get into position to fire from about a hundred feet down the corridor. Best cover your ears.”
Nick placed two grenades by each doorway. He then went to the first doorway, pulled the pins and rolled the two grenades inside. Nick in precious seconds repeated the action two more times as the grenades exploded in the first room, shaking the entire corridor. By the time Nick ran towards John the third set blasted the weakened section apart, causing a massive cave in at the living quarters section. Nick tossed his last two grenades down the corridor into the rubble. The entire corridor gave way after the explosions, forcing the two men around the corner.
“Put on your mask, John. Do you know this place well enough for us to do a methodical search of the remaining compound? I will get Paul to send a special team in for handling the lab, but it will take time for him to do it through the FBI and HS. Lastly, I want to open their vehicle entrance, so Payaso can bring the GMC down inside. No prisoners. We’ll take care of the guy on the hook for the movie ending. How did we do on video footage, Payaso?”
“Horrifyingly clear HD,” Gus replied. “I’m timing you guys. Quit gabbing and get moving. I’ll start down the access road now, so I’ll be in position when the vehicle entrance is open.”
“On our way, Payaso. Take your time, John, and let’s be thorough. You lead. Blast anything or anyone in your path. I’m on your six.”
With John leading, the two men spent the next forty minutes covering every square inch not impacted by the grenades. The weapons stockpile was locked. Nick fired on the locking mechanism until the door swung inward.
“Wait until you see what we’re allowing to be stockpiled under our noses, Payaso.” Nick and John walked amongst the weaponry in amazement. “This, my brothers, is insane. Hey… here’s a safe. I love surprises like this. Let’s recon the lab, and then go get the combination to the safe from our hooked helper.”
“What if he doesn’t know the combination?”
“Gee… I think it will really suck if he doesn’t,” Nick replied. “I’ll have to make certain he’s not lying, and that process will definitely hurt more than his feelings.”
When they reached the lab, the door was ajar. “Uh oh,” Nick whispered. “I think we left a live one at our backs. Shout at the door who you are, John. Then tell him ‘we’re under attack’, and get him to come out.”
John grinned and moved to the side of the open doorway. He shouted out in Arabic, “I am Ebi Zarin! We are under attack! Come! I must get you to safety!”
A clean shaven man wearing a white lab coat, and appearing to be in his middle thirties peeked out the door. John grabbed him by the hair when he saw the man clutched a briefcase, and a metal case in his arms. “Get on your knees!”
The man did as ordered. Nick took away the briefcase and metal carrier case from him. “This doesn’t look good. Who are you?”
“I…I am Malik Handal.”
“Have you seen this guy before, Kabong?”
“No. What is your duty here? We can see you operate in the lab.”
“Research only,” Handal said.
“Get up,” Nick ordered. “Search him, and we’ll let Malik show us around the lab. What’s in the cases, Malik?”
John frisked Handal thoroughly after helping him to his feet. Handal remained silent.
“Come now, Malik,” Nick spoke in Arabic. “This is not going to end well for you no matter what. If you cooperate, we won’t have to persuade you.”
“You cannot make me talk! I have rights!”
John grabbed Handal’s ear, yanking him to his tip toes. “Listen closely. This man will make you beg to tell us everything you know. We will find out anyway. Come. We will take you into the lab, and make this easy for you. I do all the light work for El Muerto. When you are uncooperative, I will break one of your fingers. When I run out of fingers, I will move up your arms. Then El Muerto will take over.”
Handal stared at Nick in horror. “I recognize the names now! You are El Muerto and El Kabong. I saw the videos of what you did to that kidnapper. It was unholy to do such a thing!”
“Yes,” Nick agreed. “When I finish with your unholy evisceration, I will stuff pig guts inside of you, before sewing your belly shut again. We will then bury you for eternity, unclean and cursed by Allah.”
“No!” Handal turned as much as his captured ear permitted toward John. “You would allow such a thing? You are not an infidel!”