#31: Tightly Trapped.

Although the truck’s cabin was blacked out, Drake guessed that either the driver or a passenger would see him and realize that something was wrong. In that case, it would be shoot first, forget asking questions.

He raced to shelter behind the hummer just as they opened fire. As the bullets ricocheted off the vehicle, Drake climbed into the passenger side and began assessing the situation.

Judging by the sound of the gunfire, Drake guessed that there were at least three more. Obviously the first four were there to secure the bank while the newcomers would transport the haul, the bigger truck allowing them to take more.

Suddenly the shooting stopped. Drake risked a glance through the bullet-proof glass window and saw the crooks readying an RPG launcher....

#32: Bank Blow-up:

Drake knew that the moment he jumped out of the hummer, he’d be cut down before he could reach cover, but if he stayed, he’d be blown to smithereens. The key was still in the ignition, but with the vehicle parked side-on, he couldn't ram them, nor would he have been able to manoeuvre fast enough to avoid the projectile. So he did the last thing they expected.

He wound down the driver’s window.

The surprised bandits took the bait and fired the RPG right at him. The moment he saw them raise the launcher, he was already lowering the other window, leaning back so that the rocket passed through, right in front of his face.

Impacting against one of the vacant counters, the rocket exploded harmlessly.

Making a mental note to pay for repairs, Drake fired in bursts, scattering the newcomers as he ran behind a pillar, reaching shelter just as they began returning fire, chunks of plaster flying as they peppered it.

If Drake didn't move, they would completely shred his cover, leaving him exposed...

#33: Mandible’s Manoeuvre.

Checking the magazine of his gun, Drake saw that he was down to his last bullet.

“Drat,” he said, pushing the magazine back into place. He had to make this shot count.

Drake crouched, muscles coiling like particularly taut bedsprings, ready to spring, silently counting to three.

On three, he launched himself out into the open, squeezing the trigger.

The bullet hit one of the robbers, who was wearing a flack-jacket and was flung backwards.

Drake, still mid-leap, stretched out his right arm to cushion his fall. Hitting the ground, he rolled behind the next pillar and came up in a crouch.

A potted plant standing next to his column was swept up and heaved at the robbers.
The gunmen panicked and shot it to pieces, showering them with soil and shattered pottery.

As they coughed and spluttered, trying to brush the dirt out of their eyes, Drake leapt to subdue them...