Read The Biofab War for Free Online Page A

Freddy.”
    “Farnesworth?” Langston turned angrily to John. “Harrison, this area’s strictly off limits. We’re doing some very delicate work up here. No trespassers.”
    “I thought I had carte blanche.”
    “As relates to Argonaut and the murder. This isn’t related. You have to leave.”
    “And if we don’t?”
    “I’ll be forced to expel you.” He emphasized “expel.”
    “How did you find us, Dr. Langston?” Bob asked, surveying the guards deploying along the hillside. “You and your Delta Force just happen to be grouse hunting?”
    “We have an extensive security system.”
    “Expensive, certainly,” said John. “Once I make a few phone calls, the FBI will be visiting you in force. You can tell them why you need automatic weapons.”
    “You’ll need to leave to make that call—this hill’s a dead zone—no cellphone service. You have three minutes to be on your way, Harrison.” Turning, he started back down the trail.
    “Hey, Freddy, I found it,” Greg said, leaning insouciantly against a boulder. Langston froze for an instant, then resumed walking, seeming not to have heard.
    “Take cover,” John said. “It’s their move.” He joined Zahava behind the rocks, pistol drawn.
    The guards had used the time to find better positions. Reaching them, the Director barked an order, diving for cover.
    A hail of M-16 slugs ricocheted off the rocks. The barrage was so intense that John and Zahava couldn’t return the fire. It was only a matter of moments until a bullet would find one of the four.
    Gauging a retreat over the hilltop, John saw two black-uniformed figures low-crawling along the crest. Sighting carefully, he snapped off five quick shots. One man rolled backward out of sight, his short, blunt weapon clattering down the hill. The other beat a hasty retreat.
    “Cover me!” Greg shouted above the din. As John and Zahava fired, drawing the return fire, the geologist scampered out onto the trail and back again, clutching his prize: the fallen man’s weapon. “M79 grenade launcher,” he panted, breaking open the breach. “My dad had one of these in ‘Nam.”
    “Wish my dad had given me a grenade launcher,” said John. “Or an RPG. We can’t stay here and we can’t retreat. Can you use that?”
    “He brought some ammo home, too,” smiled Greg, slamming the weapon shut.
    “Yeah, well it’s only got one round. Bob, when you hear the explosion you and Greg run for the passageway. Zahava and I’ll cover you.”
    McShane nodded curtly.
    “Now!”
    Sighting carefully, Greg fired. The grenade exploded between two of Langston’s men, hurling them into the scrub. John and Zahava emptied their magazines into the rest. A light scattering of fire responded. “Let’s go!” said John. They ran after the others.
    “Where’s Bob?” John asked Greg, waiting for them inside the open entrance.
    “In the altar chamber. Hurry, I’m closing the door.” He shined his light at a point inside the doorway parallel to the sensing device on the outside. The rock swung silently shut. They found Bob busily examining the altar.
    “Think they’ll follow?” asked Zahava.
    “No. Langston obviously knows what’s here and how to get in. And he knows we’d slaughter his men in that narrow passageway. They’ll post guards and wait for us to die of thirst.”
    “Now what?” Greg asked as he and John sat on a bench, sharing a canteen. “You do this stuff for a living.”
    John shrugged. “Dunno. Is there another way out?”
    “Not that I found.”
    “We’re doing brilliantly,” said Bob, looking up from the pedestal. “In one day we’ve uncovered the villain, made archaeological history, and stood off a band of desperados. Now all we have to do is get out alive.”
    “Please continue your briefing, Bob,” John said. “We have time.”
    “My pleasure.” He sat atop the altar, legs crossed, stick by his side. “Let me recap for Zahava what happened while she was topside.” Which he