"But why go to all this effort for one witness?" Rachel leans forward. "Why not just grab Lucas and be done with it?"
"Because Kessler was sloppy," Kane says. "He didn't know Lucas was there when he executed Hernandez. The kid wandered into the wrong alley at the wrong time and saw something no civilian should ever see. Now Kessler needs Lucas dead before he can testify about what he witnessed."
Understanding hits Rachel like a fist. Her shoulders tense.
"This isn't just about eliminating a witness," she says quietly. "Kessler made a mistake. Lucas is evidence of his failure."
"More than that," I say. "Hernandez was Protocol Seven. If Lucas testifies, if he identifies Kessler in a lineup, it connects the Committee's most visible enforcer directly to their dirtiest operation."
"Which is why they're hunting him with everything they have," Sarah adds quietly.
The encrypted communication terminal beeps. Sarah checks authentication protocols, then looks at Kane.
"Victoria Cross. Secure channel."
Kane nods. "Put her through. Audio only."
Cross's cultured voice fills the war room. "Kane. I trust my timing is convenient."
Kane replies without missing a beat. "Your timing is interesting. We're discussing surveillance that started before our current situation."
"Then my information is timely. The tracker was military-grade technology, but operational authorization came from Webb personally." Cross pauses. "Webb doesn't involve himself in routine eliminations. This operation has significance beyond simple witness elimination."
Rachel's breathing has gone shallow. Our eyes meet across the table.
"What's Webb's interest in Lucas Donovan?" Kane asks.
"That's where information becomes expensive," Cross says smoothly. "But I can confirm Kessler is personally hunting the boy. Not delegating, not coordinating through normal channels. This is personal for him."
"He sees an opportunity," Mercer says.
"Precisely. He failed to prevent the Whitefish facility exposure, failed to contain Protocol Seven leaks. Webb has been questioning his effectiveness. Successfully eliminating a high-priority target could restore his standing." Cross pauses. "I'msending Kessler's current operational patterns and known asset deployments. Consider it a professional courtesy."
"What's the price?" Kane asks.
"Future considerations. I prefer long-term relationships with reliable partners."
The transmission ends. Tommy's screen lights up as encrypted files transfer.
"She's right about Kessler," Tommy says. "He's operating with unusual autonomy. Minimal Committee oversight, direct access to Webb's resources. This isn't standard cleanup."
"It's a prove-yourself mission," Mercer says.
Rachel pushes back from the table abruptly. Her chair scrapes against the floor. She's trembling, fists clenched at her sides.
"My son is a target because some psychopath wants a promotion," Rachel says. Each word comes out clipped. "Lucas likes dinosaurs and soccer and reading before bed."
"You're right," I stand, moving closer. "Kessler wants Lucas dead to save his own career. But he's not going to get what he wants. There's a significant difference between wanting and achieving."
"Stryker's right." Kane's tone brooks no argument. "He's not getting past Echo Base security, and he's not touching your son."
Rachel looks around the room at the team ready to protect her and Lucas. The terror in her eyes starts shifting into something harder.
"What do we do?" she asks.
"We prepare," Kane says. "Tommy analyzes Committee communications. Sarah coordinates with external assets. Mercer plans defensive scenarios. And Stryker walks you through emergency protocols."
The terminal beeps again. Sarah checks authentication. "Dylan. Calling from Phoenix."
