After each burst, he dived to the floor again, to take cover behind the large oval table. Despite there being a dozen or so bodyguards, he had killed them all within seconds.
For most players, overcoming the Presidential Guard was the big end to the game. He had supposedly done the hard part, the game was effectively won. Now for the civilian President, the formality needed to clinch it.
‘Zak, we need you here,’ insisted Mum.
‘I’m nearly finished!’ shouted Zak.
‘I told you not to play today.’
Zak had to finish before she did anything drastic.
There was a single door leading from the room. Zak stepped through it into another room dominated by a large desk, but no sign of the President. A handgun suddenly appeared round the side, but Zak shot it away. There was a scream, but he knew he hadn’t killed the President, as the game had not ended.
‘Don’t shoot!’ begged the President. ‘Haven’t you heard about the ceasefire agreed at Helsinki?’
Zak had lost interest in the plot. He wanted to finish it right now. With plenty of ammunition left, Zak started shooting and circled round the desk.
‘Damn!’
The President had disappeared down a trapdoor.
Zak ran to the square hole and fired a burst down into it. But still the game did not end.
Mum’s voice spoiled the sound of the gunfire.
‘I’m not waiting Zak,’ she said, and repeated.
The trapdoor led to a passageway. Zak jumped down and fired along it, but it only ran for a short distance before steps led down. He sprinted to the edge.
The President was hurtling down the steps. He had made some distance, but they stretched a long way. Zak lifted the rifle to take aim, and put his foot on the first step down to steady himself.
He squeezed the trigger. Gunfire rang out, but he was blinded by a white flash. The gun disappeared out of his hands and he tumbled forwards.
