I'm not so sure.The timing feels off, too coincidental after that guard was staring in my direction.My instincts warn me that something's off, but I trust Munro MacTaggart's experience.The spotlight clicks off as suddenly as it appeared, plunging the grounds back into darkness.My eyes struggle to adjust to the abrupt change.I blink away the lingering spots in my vision, focusing on the guards again.
"Everyone still in position?"Tam asks, his voice a tense whisper.
A chorus of affirmative responses comes through the comm, including my own.The guards at the east entrance remain vigilant, but they haven't raised any alarm.Maybe Munro was right after all.
Then I see it---a subtle movement in the shadows about thirty meters to my left.It's too deliberate to be the wind, too careful to be wildlife.Someone else is out here, and they are not part of our team.
"Possible hostile at my nine o'clock," I breathe into the comm, barely moving my lips."Moving along the tree line."
"Can you identify?"Magnus asks.
"Negative.Just a shadow."
The figure pauses, then continues its slow advance toward the eastern perimeter.I track the person's movement, calculating the potential threat.If they spot me, our entire operation could be compromised.
"Magnus, what's the call?"I whisper urgently.
After a brief pause, his voice comes through."Maintain position.Let them pass.Do not engage unless absolutely necessary."
I steady my breathing, counting silently as I've done during my most dangerous stunts.One...two...three...The shadowy figure continues their patrol, moving with the practiced ease of someone who knows exactly what they're looking for.Not a regular guard---this is someone with much better training.
A soft crackle originates from my earpiece, followed by Bert's voice from the command center."Perimeter sensors just picked up additional heat signatures.You've got more company incoming from the northwest."
"How many?"Domhnall asks, his voice rock steady.
"At least four," Bert continues, his voice amazingly level."Moving in a tactical formation.These aren't your average thugs."
"Shite," I mutter under my breath.This operation is getting more complicated by the second.
"Everyone stay calm," Logan instructs."We expected additional security.Stick to the plan."
I'm trying to remember what the "plan" was for encountering a professional security detail that wasn't in our briefing.My palms are sweating despite the cool Highland night, and I wipe them discreetly on my camouflage trousers.
The shadow figure I spotted earlier has changed direction, now moving with purpose toward the eastern entrance.As they step briefly into a patch of moonlight, I catch a glimpse of military-grade night vision goggles.Definitely not standard security.
"East shadow is equipped with NVGs."Rafe Knight's British accent is a bit rougher than usual, but that's normal in this situation.
"Repeat that, Rafe," Magnus cuts in, his voice taut with tension."Did you say NVGs?"
"Aye," I confirm for him, barely moving my lips as I watch the figure."Military-grade from what I can tell.These aren't MacWraith's usual goons."
"Bollocks," Tam hisses through the comm."MacWraith's brought in professionals."
I shift my weight slightly, trying to relieve the burning in my thighs without making noise.The shadowy figure moves with a precision that reminds me Logan MacTaggart---economical movements, constantly scanning, never exposing himself unnecessarily.
"New plan," Magnus announces after a brief pause."We need to reassess our entry points."
My heart sinks.Kenny's been there for days already, and every hour increases the risk.But rushing in against trained opposition would be suicide.
The silence on the comms is unnerving as we all process this new information.These aren't the oafish security goons we expected.Instead, these are trained professionals with military equipment.The kind of men who shoot first and don't bother asking questions later.
"If we abort now, we might never get another chance," I whisper, feeling the weight of Kenny's imprisonment pressing down on me."MacWraith could move him, or worse."
"I know," Magnus replies, his voice grim."But we need to be smart about this.Gavin, what's your assessment of the west approach now?"
There's a pause before Gavin responds."Two additional men just joined the smokers.They're carrying what looks like MP5s.Definitely not local muscle."
Bloody hell.This is getting worse by the second.I glance back at the eastern entrance, where the guards are now moving in a coordinated pattern that speaks of professional training.
