"Reeve doesn't fail," Hawthorne says. "If Webb gave him this assignment, he'll complete it or die trying. The Committee pays him too well to accept failure."
"Webb's cost-benefit analysis just changed," Kane says. "Lucas's testimony is documented and secured. Killing the kid now doesn't suppress the evidence."
"Might not matter to Reeve." Hawthorne's expression darkens. "Webb could pull the contract, but professional pride might keep Reeve hunting anyway. He committed to a target. Won't walk away unless ordered."
The tactical problem is clear. We can't hunt Reeve because we don't know where he is. Can't wait for him to find us because that puts Rachel and Lucas at risk. Need a third option that draws him out without compromising Echo Base.
Before I can propose anything, Sarah's console chimes with incoming encrypted transmission. She verifies the signature, then looks at Kane.
"Cross. Priority channel."
Kane activates the secure line. Victoria Cross's voice fills operations, cool and precise.
"Webb's pulling back. Intelligence intercepts show Committee leadership questioning the resource expenditure. You eliminated Kessler, secured the witness testimony, and made Lucas Donovan worthless as a target. Webb lost a high-value operative chasing a strategic objective that no longer exists."
"What's his status?" Kane asks.
"Diminished but not eliminated. The Committee doesn't retire generals for failed operations, they reassign them to lesscritical theaters. Webb will rebuild, but not in Montana. Not pursuing Rachel Donovan's son."
Cross deals in information, not guarantees.
"And Reeve?" Hawthorne asks.
"That's more complicated." Cross's tone shifts slightly. "Webb hasn't recalled him yet. The contract might still be active, or Reeve might be operating on professional momentum. Either way, he's your problem until someone confirms otherwise."
"Can you confirm?" Kane asks.
"Working on it. Committee communications are harder to intercept after all the blows that have been dealt to the Committee. Webb's more paranoid than his predecessor." A pause. "I'll send updates as I get them. In the meantime, assume Reeve's still hunting."
The transmission ends. Kane looks at the assembled team, tactical calculations already forming.
"Threat assessment," he says. "Immediate danger reduced. Long-term Committee presence remains but focused elsewhere. Reeve is a loose end that needs resolution."
"I can track him," Hawthorne offers. "I know his patterns, his contacts, his preferred operational areas. And I'm offering more than just intel on Reeve."
Kane's attention sharpens. "Explain."
"I'm volunteering to join Echo Ridge. Stop operating alone." Hawthorne's voice carries weight. "I've been dark for years. Presumed dead. Working jobs that didn't matter for people I didn't trust. Morrison's network extended into organizations I used to believe were clean. Echo Ridge proved they're not. I'd rather operate with a team that answers to itself."
"If we take you on board, you become one of us," Kane says. "We'll have your back, but if you betray us, we'll end you."
Hawthorne's eyes shift to Sarah for a moment, then back to Kane. "Understood. I wouldn't expect anything less."
"Then tell me how you want to handle Reeve."
"Let me go mobile. Monitor Committee movements, confirm whether Webb pulled the contract or if Reeve's freelancing. I'll work alone on this one—better operational security that way. But I want Echo Ridge backup if things get complicated. And when it's done, I come back here."
Hawthorne glances at me, then back to Kane. "I'm done being a ghost. Time to be part of something that matters."
Kane extends his hand. "Welcome to Echo Ridge. Get your gear ready. You leave within the hour. Sarah will set up secure communication protocols and intelligence feeds. Tommy will coordinate monitoring. You find Reeve, you confirm his status, you report back before engaging."
They shake. Hawthorne nods once and heads toward quarters to prepare for deployment.
The operations center empties gradually. Tommy returns to monitoring. Sarah coordinates logistics, her movements careful and controlled in a way that suggests she's very aware of Hawthorne's presence. Kane disappears into his office to update threat assessments.
I find Rachel still in the corner where she waited with Lucas during Reeve's probe. Lucas is gone now, probably with Khalid and Odin. She looks up when I approach, exhaustion written in every line of her body.
"It's over?" she asks.
