Kane studies the displays. "Which is exactly why we do it now, while they're scattered and chasing ghosts." He looks at Tommy. "How long before they realize the heat signatures are fake?"
Tommy considers. "Not long if they're thorough. Less if someone gets suspicious and investigates closely."
"Then we move fast." Kane turns to the team. "We know their search pattern, we know their capabilities, and we have home terrain advantage. We can end this tonight if we're willing to commit."
Kane is quiet for a long moment, weighing the risks against the necessity. Finally, he nods. "Dylan, Stryker, and I on assault.Mercer, you're on overwatch despite those ribs. Reagan and Delaney, you're backup and extraction if things go sideways. Sarah and Tommy coordinate from ops, provide tactical support. We neutralize Kessler and his team, then disappear before any reinforcements arrive."
"What about the Donovans?" Dylan asks.
Kane glances toward where Rachel and Lucas are watching the tactical displays. "They stay in ops with Khalid until this is over. Willa remains on medical standby. Khalid, you keep them safe. Nobody gets into this facility unless it's one of us."
Khalid straightens, understanding the responsibility Kane's giving him. "I won't let anyone through."
Kane looks at Dylan and me. "We’ll handle the main assault and handle any immediate threats that break from the search pattern. Tommy and Sara will coordinate from here until we're ready to move on Kessler's position."
We spend extra time finalizing plans. Sarah identifies the most likely routes Kessler's team will use when they regroup, and Tommy plots ambush points that give us maximum advantage. Kane, Dylan, and I check weapons while Sarah and Tommy coordinate the assault sequence. Mercer will take up his overwatch position. Reagan and Delaney prep extraction routes and fallback positions.
My focus should be on tactics, on the mission, on eliminating the threat. But part of my mind keeps circling back to Rachel in command, to the fear in her eyes when the alarm sounded, to the way she held Lucas and tried to be brave for him.
This is the last time she'll have to be brave like that. I'm going to make sure of it.
Equipment clicks and scrapes as the strike team gears up in silence, each of us falling into familiar patterns. Weapons checked, ammunition loaded, comms verified. We move likethe professionals we are, no wasted motion, no unnecessary conversation.
Before we deploy, I cross to where Rachel stands with Lucas near the tactical displays. Khalid is nearby, Odin at his feet. Rachel's hand tightens on Lucas's shoulder when she sees my expression.
"We're going after Kessler," I tell her without preamble. "Ending this tonight."
"You're leaving." It's not a question.
"I'm finishing what I should have finished the moment I realized you and Lucas were in danger." I cup her face, feeling the warmth of her skin against my callused palms. "When I come back, you won't have to run anymore. Lucas won't have to hide. This ends tonight."
Lucas looks up at me with those too-serious eyes. "You're going to fight the bad men?"
"Yeah, buddy. I am."
"Be careful, Mr. Stryker."
I ruffle his hair, feeling the weight of that simple trust. "I will be."
Rachel's hand covers mine, her fingers trembling slightly. "Don't make promises you can't keep."
"I'm not." I kiss her hard, tasting fear and hope and desperation. "Stay here with Khalid. Keep Lucas safe. I'll come back."
I pull away before she can respond, before the fear in her eyes can make me doubt what needs to be done. Khalid nods at me as I step back—he understands his assignment. Keep them safe while we're out there. I return to where Kane and the strike team are waiting.
Kane looks at me, reading the determination in my expression. "Ready?"
"Let's finish this," I confirm.
Kane, Dylan, and I move out into the Montana night, weapons ready, purpose clear. Mercer heads to his overwatch position. Reagan and Delaney take up positions covering our extraction routes. Kessler thinks he's hunting us, thinks he has the advantage of numbers and authorization from Webb himself. But the bastard's made one critical mistake. He's given me a reason to stop holding back.
Forest darkness swallows us as we spread out into assault positions. Sarah's voice comes through the comms, feeding us position updates on Kessler's scattered team. Tommy's decoys are starting to fail, which means the hostile operators will be regrouping soon.
I settle into position behind a fallen log. Tommy's drone footage shows Kessler's operators spreading out across the terrain, bright signatures against the cold Montana night. Stitches in my arm pull tight, a reminder of the earlier engagement, but the pain keeps me focused. Back at Echo Base, they're depending on me to eliminate the threat hunting them.
I'm not going to disappoint them.
Sarah's voice comes through my earpiece. "Heads up. We're intercepting Committee comms. Kessler's regrouping his team at Rally Point Bravo. They know the signatures were decoys."
