Ishihara turned up his hearing to maximum. Suddenly he recognized Hunter’s voice telling someone not “to fire.” Ishihara knew a weapon was being held on him.

“Get in the driver’s seat,” Ishihara said suddenly, opening his own door. “Now, quickly!” He got out and closed the door as quietly as he could.

Wayne climbed over the front seat and rolled down the window so he could speak to Ishihara. “But now what? I don’t know how to work this thing.”

Ishihara ran around to the driver’s side “They are bringing Hunter out. We must avoid him for the good of your own mission.”

“Okay! But what do I do ?”

Ishihara leaned inside, pointing. “Push down that pedal, the clutch, with your left foot. Hold on to the steering wheel.” He grabbed the gearshift and moved it. “Hold this right here and, let up with your left foot.”

“Got it.” Wayne did as he was told. “How do you know how to work this thing?”

“I observed the driver carefully as we were riding before, and listened to the engine and gear sounds.”

“But he used a key to turn it on, didn’t he? And he must have taken it with him. It’s not here.”

“I realized that this vehicle is one I have some knowledge about. It will start a couple of other ways than by normal use of the key.”

“It will?”

“Use your other foot on the other two pedals. Those are the brake and accelerator.”

“All right. That’s the same as in our electric vehicles back home.”

Ishihara hurried to the rear of the car. His hearing revealed three sets of footsteps inside the warehouse walking resolutely toward the front door. Hoping that his information about this car was reliable, he leaned against the back of the car and used all of his strength to push it. Slowly, the car rolled forward.

The vehicle was on a fairly level stretch of pavement. In a moment, Ishihara had it moving faster. Suddenly the car jerked a couple of times and the engine made a coughing noise. Finally it roared to life.

“Halt! I order you to stop!” Agent Konev’s voice came from the front door.

Ishihara ran around the right side of the moving car. He yanked the passenger door open and jumped inside. Then he slammed it shut.

“Now what?” Wayne asked frantically, pushing the accelerator to the floor. “It won’t go very fast!”

“Push down the clutch.” Ishihara reached over at the same time and put his hand over Wayne’s on the gearshift, moving it for him. The engine roared and jerked; then the car sped up as it moved into second gear.

“Halt!” A gunshot followed the shout.

Wayne yanked the steering wheel to turn a corner, making the tires squeal.

Ishihara turned to look behind them just before they completed the turn. In the shadows, Agent Raskov held his gun pointing into the air. Next to him, Agent Konev was holding Hunter by one arm.