Another voice chimes in.
It's Gavin Douglas, our American mate."West side secure.Got eyes on three men smoking by what looks like a service entrance.They seem relaxed, not expecting company."
Magnus's gruff voice follows."North approach clear.Moving to position alpha."
I adjust my stance a wee bit, careful not to rustle the bushes.My heart is pounding, but I don't worry that the guards might hear it from twenty meters away.This isn't like any of my stunts.Those are calculated risks with plenty of safety measures.This is real physical peril with real consequences.
"Remember," Tam says, his voice unnervingly calm, "we're here for Kenny.No heroics."
"Would I do a thing like that?"
"Aye, ye would and we both know it."
I ignore Tam's remark, keep my mouth shut and staying focused on the guards.They're armed with more than the usual sorts of knives, but also proper firearms tucked into shoulder holsters.MacWraith's not taking chances.
"Movement at the east gate," I whisper, flattening my body on the ground even more.A third guard has appeared, speaking in low tones to the others.I strain to hear their conversation, but they're too bloody far away.Whatever they're saying has the original guards nodding and checking their weapons.
"New development at east entrance," I murmur into my comm."Third guard arrived.They're looking more alert now."
"Copy that," Neil responds."Hold position."
My muscles are already starting to cramp from this crouch, but I ignore the discomfort.I've endured worse during stunt training.At least then I knew there would be a mat to catch me if I fell.Here, the only safety net is our team, spread thin around MacWraith's property.
The third guard leaves, and the original ones resume their positions, but there's a new tension in their posture.They're scanning the darkness more carefully, with their hands resting on their weapons.Something's off.
"I think they've been alerted," I hiss into the comm."They're more vigilant now."
"Maintain position," Magnus replies."We proceed as planned."
A twig snaps somewhere to my right, and I freeze, not even daring to breathe.One of the guards turns his head sharply in my direction, his eyes narrowing as he peers into the darkness.I'm well-hidden, but if he decides to investigate...
"East entrance guard looking this way," I whisper."Stay still, everyone."
For several agonizing seconds, the guard stares into the darkness where I'm hiding.I can feel sweat trickling down my spine despite the cool Highland air.Finally, he returns to his post, muttering something to his partner who shrugs in response.
I exhale slowly.That was bloody too close.
"All teams hold," Magnus orders through the comm."Something's not right."
I can feel it too---that eerie sixth sense that tells you danger is nearby, like the air before a lightning strike.My senses sharpen as I scan the perimeter, searching for anything out of place.
"Gavin," I whisper, "any changes on your end?"
"Negative," he responds after a brief pause."Wait---the smokers are moving inside.Looks like shift change."
My muscles strain in protest as I maintain my position, but I've trained my body to endure worse.The guards at the east entrance check their watches, almost in unison.One of them speaks into a radio, his words too low for me to catch.
"They're communicating with someone," I report."Could be standard check-in or---"
A sudden flash of light cuts me off as a spotlight sweeps across the grounds, temporarily blinding me.I drop to the ground, my heart hammering as the beam passes just above my hiding spot.
"Light sweep in progress," I hiss into the comm."Everyone down!"
The spotlight continues its methodical path, illuminating sections of the perimeter in harsh white light.This wasn't in our intel.MacWraith must have upgraded security since our last reconnaissance.
"They know we're here," Gavin's voice comes through, tight with tension.
"Negative," Munro counters."Standard patrol procedure.Hold positions."
