“Thanks and yes, Sir, I need, full access for me and my team to the base closest to Max's position. Anderson, sorry, Sir, he is my brother.”
“That’s okay, I have already sent the details and authorization to the base in question. They will pick you up once landed and escort you there. “
“Thank you, Sir.”
“Good luck, Miller, I owed you one.”
Once on board, before opening the various files I take a minute to calm down. The last week has been so intense and has drained my soul. The plan for this weekend had been to sleep all day.
After several deep breaths I feel refreshed, focused and calm. I decide to send a message to Logan, I will not be in touch with him until I am back home and we said goodbye in a hurried way.
“Hi, Logan, I am really sorry for everything. For the haste with which I ended our call, the avalanche of information, omissions and everything. I promise we'll talk about it as soon as I get back, if you want to. I promise you. I am leaving now and you surely understand that the details are censored. I don't know how much time will pass but my attention is entirely on the mission. I’ll text you on my return, always hoping that you want to wait for me. Be careful, a big hug. Kate.”
Now I am ready to understand what Max was doing before the ambush and especially where he is right now. Is he alone? Is he wounded?
We are all around the table looking for a solution and how to proceed with recovery as quickly as possible. The news that came to me from there is not encouraging and I can’t lose him.
We have two hours to collect as much information possible. And when all four of us start working together, we have a fairly detailed map of Max's movements in just over an hour.
I know my brother well enough and I know that if he has come to ask me for help, he is at the limit and with no way out. I just hope to get to them before someone else.
CHAPTER 8
he landing is abrupt, as if it were a warning of what awaits us. We go down as fast as possible.
Aleppo welcomes us with all its heat. The sun is high and heats up a lot. I dismiss the feeling of suffocation that you feel when you breathe the hot air.
As promised, two armed soldiers await us next to a JLTV.
“Gentlemen, welcome. We have some road ahead of us.”
We get on board and while the boys interact with our escort, I review all the data, I can’t miss anything. Time passes quickly, I hear the phone vibrate and I take a look.
“No explanation is needed. We'll talk about it when you return. Watch out Kate, and come back to me. I'll be here waiting for you, baby. Logan”A simple message that slightly calms me.
We arrive at the base after what seems like hours. I finally get out of that not very comfortable vehicle; we are greeted by Colonel Hastings and two other non-commissioned officers.
Not knowing each other, he greets Hewitt exchanging him for me.
“Major Miller, welcome, we have prepared your room with all the equipment required.”
Hewitt steps aside smiling.“There must be a mistake, Sir,”and he turns to me.“I introduce you Major Katherine Miller.”
“Good evening, Sir, thank you for hosting us. Please show us to our accommodations,”I say shortly. I don't have time for pleasantries.
“I'm sorry...”
“Don't worry, just call me Miller or Katherine, as you prefer, we won't be here long, I hope.”
“Well, Katherine, let's go then.”
We arrive at the building where our accommodations are located and we head directly to the meeting room. I don't want to waste time and I notice that they‘re watching us.
As requested, the updated map is laid out on the large table in the center of the room. I pull out all the data I had prepared on the plane and start writing all my data on the map.
There is a knock on the door and someone comes in. My back is turned and I don’t bother to turn around as I continue to scribble on the map.
“Lieutenant, finally! You’re late!”exclaims the general, irritated.
