Marcus nodded slightly. People who can identify sabotage patterns that quickly usually spent years studying them. Elias stared ahead at the road. I spent years trying to stop them. Victoria watched him carefully.
Military convoy defense? Elias said nothing. Which was answer enough. Marcus spoke again into the radio. All vehicles maintain distance.
Minimal braking, another voice replied. Copy. The SUV's tires reached the edge of the slick patch. Marcus felt the steering wheel loosen slightly beneath his hands. Contact, he murmured.
Easy, Elias said. Marcus kept his movements slow. The vehicle glided forward carefully. Victoria watched the road intently. What exactly did they use?
She asked. Elias leaned forward slightly. Probably diesel or hydraulic fluid. Marcus nodded. Both would reduce traction enough.
The SUV slid slightly to the left. Marcus corrected gently. Easy, Elias repeated. The curve ahead loomed closer. Marcus's heartbeat thudded steadily in his ears.
You ever done this before? He asked. Yeah, Elias said. Marcus glanced at him briefly. How many times?
Enough. The SUV moved deeper across the slick section. Behind them, the convoy vehicles followed carefully. Victoria spoke softly. Whoever planned this assumed the first trap would disable the car.
"Right?" Elias said. So the oil would finish the job. Marcus nodded grimly. Multiple vehicles crashing on a blind curve.
Elias watched the road carefully. That would guarantee it. The tires began to regain grip as they approached the end of the slick stretch. Marcus exhaled slowly. Almost through.
The SUV reached dry pavement again. The steering wheel firmed in his hands. Marcus let out a quiet breath of relief. Clear. The convoy vehicles behind them rolled safely across as well.
Victoria leaned back slightly in her seat. That's two traps. Elias nodded. Which means whoever set them planned this route carefully. Marcus glanced at the navigation screen.
We're almost at the alternate road. Victoria looked toward the dark highway behind them. Do you think they expected us to get this far? Elias considered that. Probably not.
Marcus smirked. Good. Elias shook his head slightly. Don't celebrate yet. Marcus frowned.
You think there's another one? Elias looked out the windshield again. Maybe. Victoria leaned forward again. You're telling me someone spent hours setting multiple mechanical traps across public roads?