5

Again the siren blares from above the east gate but this time it is an alarm signal. Knott responds by slamming his foot to the floor and steering the lumbering truck towards the west gate. Harsh voices curse, and then gunshots ring out.

‘Get down!’ shouts Captain Frankland, as the bullets rip through the thin canvas covering and ricochet off the rear of the driver’s cab. Instantly you flatten yourself to the floor, which leaps and shudders against your cheek as the truck rams into the west gate. The rot-infested doors offer little resistance: they are wrenched from their hinges and sent spinning through the air to disintegrate on landing.

More shots are fired but none seem to find their target. You risk a glance over the tailgate to see the race track receding into the distance. In the street outside the track, a handful of determined Angelino clansmen are kick-starting their motorcycles in readiness to pursue you. You know just how dangerous these bikers can be, so you raise your gun and rest its barrel on the tailgate, waiting for the clansmen to come within range.

Turn to 42.