"Target neutralized," I report quietly. "Searching for intel."
"Copy that," Kane responds. "The rest of Kessler's team is still chasing Tommy's decoys. You're clear for now. Extract back to base when you're done."
A woman's voice cuts into my comm channel, clipped and British. "Impressive work dispatching Lewell so quickly, Stryker. He was one of Kessler's best trackers."
Cross. I recognize her voice immediately. The information broker who operates in the shadows, selling intel to whoever pays—except the Committee. She's helped us before, and her hatred for Webb's organization runs deep.
"Cross," I acknowledge, keeping my voice neutral. "Didn't expect you to be monitoring Committee frequencies."
"I monitor everything, Stryker. Especially when Webb authorizes scorched earth operations." There's something in hertone that sets off warning bells. "He's given Kessler carte blanche to resolve the Lucas Donovan problem. Any means necessary."
Any means necessary.Those words carry specific weight in our world—collateral damage acceptable, scorched earth authorized, witness elimination expanded to include anyone who stands in the way.
"Why are you telling me this?" I ask, already knowing the answer won't be simple.
"Because Webb's turning this into an example. The boy saw something he shouldn't have, yes, but this has escalated beyond simple witness elimination. Webb wants to demonstrate what happens when someone crosses the Committee. He wants your entire team destroyed, your facility compromised, and everyone associated with Echo Ridge eliminated."
So that's what this is really about. Webb's using Lucas as an excuse to eliminate the Echo Ridge team that's been disrupting Committee operations. The child who witnessed a murder has become a convenient justification for a much larger purge.
"And you're warning me out of the goodness of your heart?" I don't bother hiding the skepticism.
"I'm warning you because scorched earth operations are messy and expensive. They draw attention none of us needs."
Silence fills the line after she disconnects. I stare at the comm unit for a long moment, processing the implications. Webb isn't just hunting Rachel and Lucas anymore. He's coming for all of us, using Kessler as his blunt instrument to destroy everything we've built.
We've all been fighting the Committee for years. Each of us has reasons—personal losses, ideological conviction, the belief that someone needs to stand against the shadow organization that operates with impunity. But Webb's made this personal in a way that changes everything.
We can keep running, keep hiding, keep playing defense against an enemy with unlimited resources and no conscience. Or we can take down Kessler and send Webb a message he can't ignore.
I key my comm. "Kane, need the full team assembled when Dylan and I get back. We're done playing defense."
"Copy that," Kane responds. "What are you thinking?"
"Cross just made contact. Webb's authorized Kessler to use any means necessary. He's escalating beyond witness elimination—this is about making an example of Echo Ridge." Dylan and I start moving back toward the base, leaving Lewell's body concealed in the undergrowth. "We're going to end Kessler before he gets that chance."
Our return trip takes less time than the approach. We move fast, no longer concerned about noise discipline now that we know Kessler's team is miles away chasing false signatures. Within minutes, the equipment airlock cycles us back into Echo Base, and we head straight for command.
Kane is at the main console with Tommy and Sarah, all three studying the screens. Rachel's pulled Lucas close, his head resting against her shoulder while Khalid maintains position nearby, Odin's ears pricked and alert. Willa stands ready, as always. Reagan and Delaney have returned from perimeter checks. Mercer arrives from his overwatch position moments after us.
Tommy looks up from his console, jaw tight. "Cross hacked our comms. Again. I had three additional encryption layers on that channel."
"And she walked through them like they weren't there," Sarah says, not hiding her own frustration.
"She's probably listening right now," Tommy mutters, fingers already flying across his keyboard to implement new security protocols.
"Status," Kane demands.
"Lewell's neutralized. Found tactical maps showing search grids—they've got our general area circled but not pinpointed." I move to the console. "Cross's intel confirms what we suspected. Webb is using this as another try to get Echo Ridge eliminated."
Kane's expression darkens. "What do you think?"
"I think we're done running. Done hiding. Done letting the Committee dictate terms." I meet his eyes. "Kessler's out there with authorization to burn us to the ground. Webb thinks we'll scatter, thinks he can pick us off one by one or force us into a defensive position we can't hold."
"So we go offensive," Mercer says, understanding immediately.
Kane nods slowly. "We kill Kessler. Not capture, not neutralize. Kill. Remove him from the board permanently, and make it clear to Webb that his enforcers aren't untouchable."
Sarah pulls up tactical displays. "Kessler's still out there with his team. Even with Tommy's decoys leading them away, they're professional enough to regroup once they realize they've been tricked. We'd be going against a coordinated team on ground they've already scouted."
