Mack 'n' Me: The Wolves of Alpha 9 by C.M. Simpson (top ebook reader txt) 📕

beside it and Mack’s gun and mine spoke in unison, moving to take out the wolf coming around the other side.

“Anyone would think you two were made for each other,” Tens commented, and snickered at our united reply.

“Shut it, Tens.”

“Down,” came Rohan’s reply, before any of us had a chance to speak, again. “Two floors, bear right to the third junction and then go left to the next junction and then halfway along the next right after that.”

The map came up in our HUDs as he spoke, and the elevator doors opened.

“Tell me that was you,” Mack demanded, and Rohan responded.

“I called the elevator to your location and opened the doors. The wolves are trying to take it back, but I can hold it until you reach the level you need.”

“Is there another way out?”

“I’ll find one while you find the cub.”

“And I’ll hold the center while we beam out the data,” Tens added, referring to the mission they’d been given.

Apparently, it hadn’t really been operational support for Mack and me... Not that it mattered. I was pretty sure they were taking care of Delight and our assassins, as well—and no-one was complaining.

“As long as we get the mission done,” Tens added.

Mack and I didn’t keep them waiting. We stepped into the elevator as one, pressing back-to-back so we could cover the doors on both sides.

“Your front, Cutter,” Rohan informed me as the elevator came to a halt.

I felt Mack pivot as the doors opened.

“Halls are clear both sides. The guards have been pulled to Delight’s team,” Tens added.

That didn’t mean we let our guards down. It did mean, we moved at a half jog, though, going right and sliding up to each junction before we checked and crossed it.

The boys hadn’t led us astray. We saw no-one and heard nothing until after we’d gone left and then right, again. From the sound of rapid fire coming from further down, we weren’t alone.

“Move your asses,” Tens cut in, and the doors popped open in front of us. “The arach are down and the wolves are pissed.”

“Rohan’s got the teleport?” Mack asked, as we curled our way around the door, firing in chorus at the wolf guards turning our way.

“For the moment.” The kid sounded like he was gritting his teeth. “But you’d better be fast cos I’ve only got the one shot.”

“Get Delight’s team out first,” Mack instructed.

“She said the cub had to go first.”

“I’m in charge,” Mack snapped, although I was pretty sure he wasn’t.

Rohan took it as an order. “Gotcha, boss.”

Hell, I couldn’t blame the kid. I wouldn’t argue with Mack either.

“Sure, you would.”

Thanks, Mack.

In the few seconds it took for that exchange, we’d killed the other two guards.

“Door’s locked,” Mack shouted.

“Busy!” came Rohan’s reply.

“Dammit! Cutter!”

I sidled over to the door and Mack stepped around me to put himself between me and the way we’d come in. Much as I hated doing it, I turned my back so I could work on the cub’s cage, wishing I could kill his guards all over, again.

“Later, Cutter. Just get them out of there.”

I worked as fast as I could, patching into the lock and letting my head do its thing, which was good. Doing that kept it too busy to contemplate what I was seeing.

I gave a gasp of relief as the door released.

“Move it, Cutter,” Mack growled, when I hesitated.

“Move!” he snapped, when I couldn’t bring myself to take the step I needed to get to where the cub and his she lay curled together.

It was enough to break my momentary paralysis and covered the distance, laying my blasters to either side so I could lay a hand on each of their shoulders.

To my relief, neither of them whimpered. Their heads snapped around and though there was fear in their eyes, there was defiance, too...and then relief, so much relief...

“Cutter,” the cub managed, his voice just short of a moan.

“She,” the girl added, and released the cub long enough to hold out a hand.

“Give me a gun.”

I didn’t argue with her, just handed her the closest blaster.

“Don’t waste the charge,” I told her. “We still need to get out of here.”

The pair of them struggled to their feet, and I handed the cub the other blaster not wanting him to be unarmed when his she wasn’t. He took the gun with as solemn nod and went through the handling drill like he’d been born to it.

“Let’s go,” he ordered, leading the way from the cell.

“Do you know the way out?” Mack asked, eyebrow raised.

The cub shook his head. “You have the direction.”

He tapped the side of his forehead indicating Mack’s HUD. “You lead.”

I followed, pulling my spare guns. They were smaller, but I doubted either kid was going to give up their blaster.

“I’ll take the rear.”

Mack nodded, heading for the door.

The sound of gunfire was louder, now. I stifled a smile when the cub handed his blaster to his she and took hers. She scowled, but accepted his demand, her head up as she sought the source of the firing.

I watched as the cub went through the drill to check the weapon she’d held, just as thoroughly as he’d checked his own. He caught my look and flicked his ears, his eyes sliding to the girl, before his ears pricked and his muzzle turned toward the three figures coming down the corridor.

“Don’t fire!” I shouted, recognizing Stepyan’s lanky form and Delight’s more lethal silhouette. “They’re friends.”

“Friends,” I repeated, as the She lowered the blaster’s muzzle.

“They have injured,” the cub observed, and I registered Pritchard supporting Case’s more solid figure.

“They’re not going to reach you.” Rohan’s words were not what we needed to hear. “You need to get to them in five...”

“Behind you!” Tens broke in as he spoke.

I didn’t stop to ask questions, but pivoted to take out the first wolf soldier to come around the nearest corner. I was firing when I registered Mack speaking.

“Get your She to the assassin. Cutter and I will hold them.”

Stepyan heard ‘the