"Cross just sent updated intel," Sarah says, her voice tight.
I cross to her workstation, read the encrypted message over her shoulder. My jaw tightens.
"Reeve's not alone. Cross is tracking a second team moving in the same general area, miles south of his position."
Sarah overlays the new data on our tactical map. "Half a dozen operators, heavily armed, their formation suggests professional military training."
I study the trajectories, calculating intercept points and timing. "It's backup security. Standard Committee protocol for reconnaissance missions in hostile territory."
"They're moving on a parallel course to Reeve's team." Sarah's fingers fly across the keyboard, updating the overlay. "Their spacing suggests they're providing area security rather than direct support."
Which means Kane's team might eliminate Reeve only to have more Committee operators arrive before they can extract. The tactical picture just got a hell of a lot more complicated.
I open the secure channel. "Kane, Ops. Be advised, we have confirmation of second team in your area. Half a dozen operators, moving parallel to primary target miles south. Area security pattern."
The silence stretches before Kane responds. "Can you confirm their spacing and timing?"
"Affirmative. Sending updated tactical overlay now." Sarah transmits the data while I calculate timing. "They're running area security, not direct support. Best estimate puts them within the general area when Reeve reaches your position, but not close enough for immediate mutual support."
"Understood. We'll adjust position and keep situational awareness on both teams."
"Your mission parameters remain unchanged. Engage primary target, neutralize the reconnaissance threat, extractbefore backup arrives. Do not get decisively engaged with a force half again your size."
Kane weighs the same calculations I am, the tactical realities against the mission objective. Four operators against twice their number isn't impossible, but the odds aren't good.
"Copy that," he finally says. "We eliminate Reeve, extract before secondary team arrives."
"Affirmed. Operations will monitor both teams and provide real-time updates."
Sarah meets my eyes. “Did we just make the call that gets them killed?”
"It's the right call. We stop Reeve, mission accomplished. Fighting both teams serves no tactical purpose when the primary objective is elimination of the reconnaissance threat."
"I know." But her hands shake slightly as she pulls up the satellite feed. "It doesn't make it easier."
Watching people you care about walk into danger never gets easier, no matter how many times you've done it or how sound the tactical reasoning behind the decision.
I want to reach for her hand, offer some kind of comfort, but my focus needs to stay on the operation. Personal feelings are a luxury we can't afford until Kane's team is safely back at base.
The wait continues. I monitor satellite feeds, update terrain analysis, coordinate with Cross about Committee communications patterns. Sarah feeds Kane's team navigation updates and confirms their positions relative to both Reeve's team and the backup security element.
By late morning, Kane reports they've reached the canyon and begun setting up firing positions. The terrain works in their favor—narrow approach with high walls on both sides, limited cover for anyone moving through. Reeve's team will be exposed the moment they enter the kill zone.
"Positions set," Kane confirms. "We own this ground."
"Copy that." I check the latest satellite pass. "Reeve's team is miles out, holding previous heading and pace. Secondary team is keeping their parallel course south of Reeve's position."
"Understood. Going silent until contact."
The radio goes quiet. Sarah and I settle in for the wait, monitoring feeds and watching the digital representation of two Committee teams closing on positions where Kane's operators wait in ambush.
Just the hum of equipment and our breathing now, the weight of what's about to happen presses down like physical force. I've been in firefights, conducted ambushes, executed operations with odds worse than what Kane's facing. But I've never had to watch from a distance while other people did the dangerous work.
I've never had to coordinate from safety while someone else risked everything.
The role reversal cuts against every instinct my time in deep cover developed. Those years taught me self-reliance, the understanding that survival depends on your own skills and instincts. Having to trust other operators to execute the mission while I provide support from a remote location feels fundamentally wrong.
But this is the job now. Coordinate. Support. Trust the team to do what they're trained to do.
