Preamble: Preamble: The Neutralizer and Gunner had located the nest of hardmen controlled by terrorist Assad ad-Din Zanghi who had spirited a small nuke across the Mexican border and transported it close to the Oak Ridge Nuclear Research Center in eastern Tennessee. The President had called in the Big Fed, Ray Hansen, to take command of the black ops mission to seek and destroy this threat. The 2 soldiers had attacked Zanghi's lair and taken out most of his henchmen. However, 2 GMC Yukon SUVs had fled with the nuke and Zanghi in them. The Neutralizer and Gunner gave chase in a race prepared 1972 MGB!

Chapter 5: The MG's supercharged 2-litre engine roared from the clearing with the two soldiers in pursuit of Zanghi. The Neutralizer at the wheel momentarily wondered where Sir William was as he had not seen the rogue throughout the approach or attack on Zanghi's men. "Mind if I borrow your sub gun", Gunner said to Arata. Mehaffey grabbed the HK MP-5 sub gun and checked its load and action. Hard Drive came on the com-sat. "Best guess is that Zanghi is headed for the TVA dam at Lenoir City...probably a plan B suicide run. Should he blow that, not only does it take out hydro power in the region, but will cause massive flooding down river to Chattanooga and beyond toward Memphis. The eye-in-the-sky has him spotted on TN RT 95 headed southwest toward Lenoir City. Time for catch up!!" Both soldiers knew the consequences so missing the target was not an option.

Dave "Hard Drive" Novak's voice came on the com-sat and maps appeared on the heads-up displays on both sides of the MG so both soldiers could clearly see them. "OK guys, here's the deal! There are two GMCs heading toward the TVA damn in Lenoir City. We are getting a strong weapons grade plutonium P-238 read from the lead GM SUV. Be careful there as it can't be detonated. The GMCs left RT 95 and heading south on RT 326 about a mile straight ahead of you ". Gunner reached back and pulled his war bag. From it he pulled the Barrett M82 he lovingly nick named Amy. The Neutralizer looked over to the gun in awe as Mehaffey placed a snub-nosed barrel on the stock. Gunner looked back and said "No time to lose here. I have Amy ready to go and using the 12.7 X99 ammo explosive ordinance. I will take out the rear SUV and then we can concentrate on Zanghi in the lead GMC". The Neutralizer hit the B's accelerator and the small British 2-seater roared forward. The Goodrich G-Force R1 175/50 - 25 tires grabbed every inch of road as the supercharged 2-litre engine devoured its curves. The MG hit TN RT 326 and screamed through its curves as Gunner prepared the Barrett. It took only minutes to catch up to the rear SUV. Gunner pointed the sniper rifle out from the side door and let loose with a single round. The explosive ordinance obliterated the rear SUV blowing half the vehicle off its rear axle. The MGB raced past the smoking ruin of the GMC and headed for the lead SUV carrying Zanghi and the nuke. Gunner quickly dissembled the Barrett and brought up the HK MP-5 sub gun. Arata looked at Mehaffey and said, "We'll need to be surgical with Zanghi and that nuke he's carrying. Let's run the truck off the road and then deal with its contents. Roll up your driver's side window as the Doctor (Steve Skeggs) had installed bullet proof glass."

The Neutralizer hit the B's gas pedal and the British car shot forward. Once on the GMC he steered left of the SUV. Gunner, with the sub gun, rained havoc to the GMC's side but Zanghi's hard men inside fired back. The MGB had an armoured skin and the G-Force tires were solid. The GMC came in to try and drive the smaller roadster off the road but just as Zanghi's driver made his sharp left side move the Neutralizer hit the brakes and MG dropped back instantly. Without that chunk of British iron to keep the SUV on the road, it was the GMC that veered into the trees screening the wooded area. The B drove past and the Neutralizer pulled the hand brake and spun the MG in a 180 degree turn. Arata and Mehaffey stopped and took cover behind the MG. Weapons tracking they watch as four of Zanghi's henchmen climbed out the back with guns blazing.

Russ "Gunner" Mehaffey laid down covering fire with the MP-5 while Ralph "Neutralizer" Arata somersaulted forward off the B. Straight up on his feet like a cat he planted himself and took out one of the two henchmen carrying the nuke alongside Zanghi. As Gunner finished, the four bad guys at the rear of the Neutralizer ran after the two remaining Arabs. With his Beretta 93R set at single shot, Arata took down the remaining Arab who dropped the nuke. Zanghi ran forward with blood in his eyes but with a swift grab on the soldier's 8" Tanto combat knife from an under shoulder rig Zanghi went down for good.

The Neutralizer straightened as all went quiet. Gunner came over the head set to say all was well up above. The Neutralizer turned to acknowledge but then all went black as he caught a figure in his eye but went down and over a short ledge with a hit to the side of his head. Was that Sir William he saw?? Where in the devil did he come from?

The soldier went tumbling down, down the slope annnnnnnd HIT THE FLOOR OF THE BEDROOM!

"Oh good Lord" went my wife Susan. "You're not having a stupid secret agent dream to the point of falling out of bed. Get back in here and now. We are going to be weeding in the yard tomorrow and I need you awake"!

As I got up and crawled back into bed I thought....WOW, GREAT DREAM, CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT"!

Next Time: Sir William         NOTE: Chapters 1 thru 4 can be found in the May thru August Drivelines.