First Strike. Justin Richards

weight now it was no longer attached to the silo wall. The rebel soldier fired. But as he loosed off the shot, his feet skidded from under him and he pitched over the side of the walkway with a cry.

      Gunfire pinged off the rim of the hatch. There was more shouting. Rich reached down and grabbed hold of Mr Chang’s arms, helping to pull him up through the open hatch.

      Then there was a grinding sound as the hatch began to close again. Rich hurried to help Jade, who was reaching back down into the silo for their father. He was firing at the oncoming rebels, now approaching from the other direction where the walkway still held. They ducked away as bullets ricocheted off the side of the missile.

      Chance let off a final burst, then flung the rifle up and out of the closing hole in the roof. He leaped after it. His hands grabbed the edge of the hatchway. Jade and Rich struggled to secure his arms and pull him up and through.

      The hatch was closing fast. Tonnes of metal sliced towards Chance as he desperately tried to haul himself out of the way. Finally—just as it seemed he was too late—he managed to heave himself up and out. His foot came clear of the hatch just as it closed.

      “Thanks,” he gasped. “I thought for a moment I was going to be de-feeted!”