Chapter 169: Total Defeat
"You think just checking the structural supports is enough? Why do you think Owen gave up this location?"
Ron's eyes gleamed with insight: "Just like that guy you let walk out of here, he was bait you planned to use to draw Owen out. Have you ever considered that this whole location might be the bait Owen's using to lure you in?"
Tej's voice crackled over the radio: "Latest intel - Interpol headquarters is under attack!"
"Shit!" O'Connor cursed in frustration: "It's a trap! He's splitting us up so he can hit Interpol!"
"Brian, you take your team and go. Hobbs and I are staying here," Toretto said firmly. "Owen's going to lead us to Letty."
O'Connor led his crew out, and Hobbs crossed his arms: "Ron, what about you? Why are you still hanging around?"
"Of course I'm staying to watch the show," Ron smirked. "Compared to what's happening over there, I think the entertainment value here might be way better."
Did Ron think this was some kind of game? Hobbs was pissed.
If Hobbs could actually take this smartass in a fight, he'd have already taught him some manners.
"BOOM!"
As everyone was talking, the warehouse door where Owen was hiding exploded outward, and a bizarrely modified vehicle shot out.
At the same time, explosives planted on the support columns beneath the surrounding platforms detonated almost simultaneously.
"What the hell is that thing?!" Hobbs quickly leaped onto Ron's platform, barely avoiding the blast. Looking up, he saw the passing vehicle and shouted in shock.
"I'd say it's a modified Formula One car. Looks like it's packing at least 800 horsepower,"
Ron said casually. This thing could only intimidate less experienced players like Hobbs and Toretto.
If those two had half a brain between them, they would have figured out how to set up some concrete barriers and try to funnel his car into a trap.
If that proved too complicated, they could try forcing him onto rougher terrain. With that car's low-profile chassis, it would be a miracle if it didn't break an axle!
However, it was obvious that Hobbs and Toretto lacked that kind of tactical thinking, relying purely on brute force approaches.
Toretto and Hobbs each jumped into a car and gave chase. Ron also commandeered a vehicle from the British police.
"MI6 Special Consultant," Ron said, flashing the credentials Mycroft had provided. He turned to Gisele and extended an invitation. "Beautiful lady, care to join me for a ride?"
"Absolutely," the eager Gisele took his hand.
...
Although Owen had the initial advantage, in London's congested streets, that edge was quickly neutralized by the three pursuers.
Toretto was in the lead, followed by Hobbs. Ron, with Gisele riding shotgun, brought up the rear, but he wasn't in any rush. After all, he hadn't made any promises; he was just along for the entertainment.
"We've got Owen blocked! We're right in front of him!" came the shout from a patrol officer over the police radio: "We can stop him now..."
"CRASH!"
On Owen's modified vehicle, a plow-like bumper suddenly lowered, while a steel plate extended from the window position, connecting with the plow to form a massive wedge.
With just a slight turn of the steering wheel, the expected collision never happened. The police car that had positioned itself as a roadblock was simply launched skyward by Owen's improvised bulldozer.
"Okay, now I get what that thing's designed for," Gisele said in amazement.
Ron shook his head: "It's just shock and awe. Catches you off guard. Under normal circumstances, with your supposedly intelligent minds, you should be able to think of dozens of ways to counter that."
"How is that possible? I still can't figure out how to stop him!"
Gisele's brow furrowed. Even as she spoke, Owen launched another police cruiser into the air, then let it crash down, creating a roadblock for the two pursuing vehicles.
Fortunately, both Toretto and Ron were skilled drivers, quickly swerving their cars sideways to avoid the obstacle.
"No matter how armored a vehicle is, its tires are still rubber. Hit the tires and it's game over."
"How could you possibly hit them at that speed?"
"If it were me, no problem," Ron stated matter-of-factly. "Of course, it might be a bit challenging for those two knuckleheads, but maybe they could try other methods, like an RPG."
"Jesus! London's got a massive police force, and they can't scrounge up one RPG?"
"You think everyone's as trigger-happy as you?" Gisele rolled her eyes. At the next intersection, Ron suddenly turned the car and headed off in a different direction.
Gisele asked: "Aren't we going to keep pursuing?"
"I'll leave that to those two meatheads. I want to see what's going down over there."
Ron was now heading directly toward Interpol headquarters.
This was Ron's little strategic move.
Ron was only here to play a supporting role today. If Hobbs wasn't shown up, that big lunkhead would never submit to authority. And Toretto's crew was already packed with his own people. As long as Hobbs gave him more operational control, Ron could immediately take command of the entire task force.
The situation at Interpol headquarters wasn't any better than what Toretto was dealing with.
Owen's team was highly professional. The sniper positioned on the rooftop had O'Connor and his crew completely pinned down.
Under the sniper's covering fire, two other heavily built operatives burst out of the building, automatic weapons blazing. The sustained gunfire made it impossible for the police to mount any effective counterassack.
It could be said that today's operation, under Hobbs's leadership, was a complete disaster. Neither the wanted fugitive Owen nor the classified components hidden at Interpol headquarters had been secured.
If Ron didn't step in...
"Could you please get out for a minute?" Ron pulled the car over to the curb.
"Get out?" Gisele looked confused.
"Yeah," Ron said, politely opening Gisele's door. If it weren't for the car's cramped interior, which inevitably led to some physical contact, this gesture would have been the height of chivalry.
"Hobbs's people are absolutely pathetic, a disgrace to American law enforcement. If I don't do something, I'll be too embarrassed to show my face at the next FBI barbecue."
"So what are you planning to do?"
For some reason, Gisele felt an inexplicable confidence in Ron.
"Help them out, of course." Ron shut the door and restarted the engine, the entire vehicle vibrating with the roar of horsepower.
"Vroooom~"
Ron released the parking brake, slammed it into gear, and the car shot forward like a bullet, racing straight toward the gates of Interpol headquarters!
(End of Chapter)
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