“Then I suggest you share your thoughts with Murphy. I’m sure she’ll be fascinated to hear your theories. Unless, of course, she just sees right through you to the asshole you are.”
Everybody’s eyes widened. He’d put up with Tobias’s taunting for so long, he’d likely surprised them with his aggression. But enough was enough. They were a long way from the barracks, and out of range of any camera. If Newman wanted a three-versus-eight fight, he’d get it.
The sound of Habib cracking his knuckles seemed to place the same thought in Newman’s mind. Tobias abruptly swung the sack over his shoulder and set off back up the bank, his lackeys following half a second later. Reaching the top, he turned back to say, “I was only concerned for the safety of your squad on such a dangerous assignment, Forrest. You know, with your track record and all.”
A thunderclap of ice exploded through Noah. He must have looked ready to charge up the hill because suddenly Vitt was in his ear, whispering, “Leave it Noah, he’s not worth it.”
“She’s right, boss,” said Splat.
“I’ll see you later, Forrest,” Tobias shouted down, waving at them as he disappeared into the treeline.
“Jesus. Feckin’. Christ,” said Aoife. “Are you alright, Noah?”
He forced his lips back into his usual easygoing smile. “Sure.”
“What’s the dangerous assignment he was talking about?” said Zeke, his face ashen.
“I only just found out when I met Murphy earlier. It’s not for a few days. She’s assigned us a live capture mission.”
A chorus of shock, horror, and confused voices rippled through the group.
“Really? Even with these two greenies?” said Habib, his eyebrows furrowed.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Habib,” said Frankie. “What will we be… live capturing exactly?”
“Most likely a typeB exhibiting a specific behaviour of interest. It’s not that uncommon. I’ve seen a fair few brought in over the years,” said Splat. “But the assignments usually fall to the BR troop.”
“Black Rangers,” Noah said to Zeke. “You might have seen a few around, but they’re housed in a separate compound.”
“They have swanky golden-lined suits,” added Habib.
“Anyway,” continued Noah, noting Zeke’s miserable face, “let’s forget it for now. We’ll go through the details in briefing.”
The others nodded and tried to resume whatever they were doing before Newman ruined their rest day. It was useless, however—especially for Frankie and Zeke, who quickly left to take a walk around the lake, their lips pressed into hard lines. Noah wanted to join them, to reassure Zeke it was going to be alright. Instead, he went over to the dock with Habib to watch him fish for the next two hours.
He caught nothing.
sixteen
Zeke
Zekeenteredthearmouryshaking with nerves, bile in his throat. He was only an hour away from his first shift on border patrol. Although Frankie was hardly jumping for joy, she was, as usual, keeping it together at least. Giving him a tight smile, she swung open her locker and placed her dog tags around her neck.
Soon after, the others joined her, stripping off their clothes and turning the floor into a sea of navy uniforms. The overwhelming stench of ten people smothering blocker all over their bodies made him want to retch. Noah’s eyes studied him as he changed into his combat suit—checking he wasn’t putting it all on back to front this time?
Once everyone was fully suited up, carrying helmets in daysacks, Noah inspected Frankie’s handiwork. He tightened a few of the straps on her chest piece before giving her a nod. She followed the others out of the locker room as Noah turned to Zeke. He ran his hands up and down the undersuit that covered most of Zeke’s skin, appraising it carefully. His caress elicited an exquisite cascade of tingles that served to pleasantly distract him from the impending mission.
All at once, Zeke couldn’t take any more of it. “It shouldn’t be torn yet. It’s brand new.”
“You never know. Don’t forget your gloves.” Noah grabbed Zeke’s gloves from his locker. He took Zeke’s right hand, placing it on top of his own. Noah gently tugged the gloves on and sealed them to the fabric on Zeke’s sleeve, squeezing his hand before letting it drop. They stood still for a moment in the silent room, Noah’s gaze drifting upwards to connect with his. The intensity of the moment suffocated him, drying his mouth.
“Thanks,” Zeke said eventually, glancing at the stairs. Weren’t the others waiting for them?
Spell broken, Noah leapt into action, sweeping their daysacks up from the floor and throwing Zeke his. He turned and charged towards the door, disappearing from Zeke’s sight before he’d barely taken a step. Not sure what to make of this erratic behaviour coming from their lieutenant, he pushed it from his mind.
As soon as he reached the double doors of the armoury, Vitt and Habib led the way through the checkpoint into the garage. Splat and Luo carried a large metal box between them containing their equipment. He was glad not to have been asked to carry it. It looked heavy.
“Where’s Wolf?” Frankie asked Noah.
