~

Schmidt and Johannes stood outside the sleeper cabin door. No other passengers had ventured down the hallway for several minutes. Aside from the constant thrumming of the train, silence prevailed. "Now remember," Schmidt whispered. "This time, we ask questions first, and shoot later. Understood?"

Johannes nodded, although his shoulders slumped as he did so. Schmidt reached for the doorknob, but Johannes placed a hand on his arm before he could open the door. Johannes took a half step backwards, limited by the narrow hallway, and drove his foot sharply into the space between the knob and the jamb.

The resultant explosion surprised both men. Though the width of the hallway prevented them from being thrown a great distance into the opposite wall, the impact still stung. From elsewhere...

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