“Acknowledged,” they both respond.
I count in my head.
“Move!” I command.
We all dive into the river, swimming as quickly as we can against the current to make sure we land at the correct point on the opposite bank. Our timing is perfect, and a minute later, we’re running through the woods.
The underbrush begins to thin out, and I can see an opening through the trees and the roadway beyond. We slow as we get to the edge of the forest and halt. The convoy is coming around a steep curve—right on schedule.
I watch the first of the trucks approach. I recognize the trucks loaded with grain, a refueling truck, a medical van, and a transport vehicle. In addition to the trucks, there are four smaller vehicles with passengers. Spat is supposed to be in the second car, not the transport.
I tense, ready to move as soon as the second car passes the checkpoint.
I look to Isaac and Pike. Their eyes are on me, waiting for the command. Just as I am about to give it, the convoy stops.
Isaac’s eyes narrow.
“What’s happening, Sten?” Riley asks.
“The convoy stopped,” I tell her. “When is the next scheduled refueling?”
“Not for another hour,” she says. “What are they doing?”
“Not sure. Checking.”
“Use caution.” She’s trying to conceal the emotion in her voice, but she isn’t completely successful.
“Acknowledged.”
Pike, Isaac, and I confer for a moment, and I decide to move closer to see what is happening with the trucks farther back. I use the tree line to keep myself hidden well enough to get a better look. I pass the gas truck and catch a glimpse of the second car. If Errol Spat is in there, he’s driving. There are no other passengers to be seen.
That’s unexpected.
As I get to the bend in the road and can see down the rest of the caravan, I know something isn’t right. There are three transport trucks, not one as was reported to us, and they’re not carrying civilians.
A steady stream of soldiers jumps from the back of the transports, armed and ready. They’re heading right for me.
They knew we were coming.
“We’ve been compromised!”
“Clarify!” Riley’s voice calls into my head.
“Large group of soldiers, three platoons, minimum.”
“Get back to the group,” Riley says. “Now.”
“Acknowledged.” I start to retreat, but rifle fire erupts all around me. I return fire as I retreat, racing back to the cover of the trees and my companions.
How did they know we would be here?
Bullets riddle the trees around me, throwing chucks of wood through the air. The shots don’t come close to me at all, but I continue to dodge back and forth defensively.
“Moving to better cover,” I hear Isaac call out.
“On my way,” I reply.
I glance over my shoulder. There are thirty-four soldiers running behind me. They can’t keep up with my pace, and I continue to put more distance between us as I dive into the trees. I make my way west, deeper into the forest, until the shots behind me stop. I move south and east, following the sounds of gunfire.
As I reach the edge of the trees again, four soldiers jump out from behind one of the smaller vehicles. They rush me, but don’t fire. I drop all four of them before they get within twenty feet of me, but another group of four moves out of the trees on my left, and a third group from the right.
“Are you back with the others?” Riley asks, but I can’t answer her now.
I’ve been flanked. My mind spins, delivering all available maneuvering possibilities to get myself into a better position. I focus on one group, knowing it will take me longer to kill them all than it will for the opposite group to reach me but willing to take the chance.
Just as I finish off the one group, I feel a sharp sting on the back of my neck. Before I can reach up and feel what it is, I’m tackled by two men. They are no match for my strength, and I quickly throw them off of me, rolling to a crouch and then jumping back to my feet. A third soldier grabs me from behind and tries to wrench my arms back. I flip him over my head and stomp in the center of his chest.
Riley’s voice continues in my brain, demanding my status, but something in my head overrides her command and keeps me on task.
Grabbing the assailant’s arm, I pull him to the ground and drop my knee to his chest. I fire twice, eliminating the first men who jumped me, then turn my gun to his face. Blood spatters over my chest, but I ignore it. I look to the last attacker, but he’s fleeing.
I duck back into the trees and make my way toward Isaac and Pike. I can see the group of soldiers engaging them, but I’m half a minute away from their location. I fire into the mayhem, and several men drop.