‘Drop the gun,’ said a voice from behind. ‘Hands up.’
Zak snapped back into full alertness and lowered the gun.
‘Drop it!’ came the shout from behind.
Zak knew that even he wasn’t quick enough to turn and shoot before getting shot himself. He decided to do as instructed. He loosened the grip on the machine gun, and let it fall, clattering down the steps. Slowly, he lifted his hands.
‘Turn around!’ said the voice.
Zak slowly turned around. He faced a guard, training a machine gun on his head. Zak was alarmed at the casual demeanour of the guard, who wore no helmet and had a cigarette hanging from his mouth.
‘Killing your own side eh? Interesting tactic,’ said the guard, who then spoke via his own communication channel. ‘I’ve got him General.’
‘Bring him in,’ came the reply.
The guard motioned Zak up the steps, then harassed him to move quickly. It took a minute for Zak to reach the top, by which time he was utterly exhausted from his pains. The guard ushered him through a door.
The room inside appeared to be the one room in the castle whose elegance was retained. Desks, chairs and bookcases all gleamed with polish and fine finishings. This despite being occupied by a group of military personnel. There were various uniforms on show, all belonging to men. Most sat round the desks, and a few stood by open windows.
Zak was startled to see one non-military person. Sitting on the floor in the corner, a man in a business suit, bound and gagged, with an expression of concern in his eyes. Judging by the long legs and huge feet protruding in front of him, Zak assumed he was the VIP.
Zak felt a simultaneous wave of both fear and excitement. Captured alive! He’d never experienced this in a game before. He wondered what they were going to do to him, and whether he would have any chance now of completing the mission.
