* * *
“Telepathy Warrant isn’t guaranteed.We’re getting pushback from the judge regarding how we got the evidence that led us to theirlocation.”
Kyle looked up from where he sat in the belly of the X-17 Hermes combat jet. He finished sliding an H&K USP tactical 9 mm into his thigh holster as he met Katie’s gaze. “Does this idiot fucking judge know we’re chasing a wanted internationalterrorist?”
“He knows, but this particular D.C. Circuit judge is pretty damnconservative.”
“So what are we going to do about it? We’re fiveminutesout.”
Katie arched an eyebrow. “What do youthink?”
Kyle’s shoulders loosened at that answer, managing to give her a tight smile. “Real glad you’re onourside.”
“I’m not leaving our boys in the enemy’s hands. I’ll take the black mark when itcomes.”
“You do, and you’ll have all the rest of us putting in letters refuting it,” Donovan said from the other side ofthejet.
“Oorah,” the rest of the teamagreed.
Katie’s smile was serene. “Thanks.”
They all knew a black mark was inevitable if Katie used her telepathy outside the chain of command. The idea of a rogue telepath within the MDF ranks was a fear that bubbled up every now and then within the public. Someone with the ability to read a person’s innermost thoughts was a nightmare to most people. Katie walked a fine line with her telepathy, adhering to the laws laid down by Congress and the MDF. Breaking them wouldn’t be accepted by those inpower.
Kyle glanced surreptitiously at Gamma Team, who were seated closer to the ramp than the flight deck. The director had ordered Gamma Team into the field with them on the rescue mission because Tessa Hahn was the MDF’s only available teleporter at the moment. The thirty-five-year-old ex-school teacher had been a metahuman for eight years. Her partner, thirty-seven year-old Bryan Dowling, was ex-Army intelligence. He caught Kyle’s eye and gave a thumb’s up at Katie’sstatement.
Alpha Team wouldn’t be the only one backingKatieup.
“Apollo to Alpha Team, do youcopy,over?”
Jamie’s voice cutting across the comms had Kyle tensing, and he wasn’t the only one. As second-in-command, Katie was the one who answeredthehail.
“Viper to Apollo, Alpha Team and Gamma Team copy, over,” Katie promptly replied, frowning at the tone in hisvoice.
“Splice bombs are going off in Boston. Require backup for containment purposes ASAP. Send me who you can spare from your prioritymission.”
It felt like all the air was sucked out of the combat jet at that announcement. Kyle looked over at Trevor and shared a grim look. Their rescue mission had just been turned into a pitched streetbattle.
Katie blew out a heavy breath. “ETA five minutes, Apollo. We still don’t know the exact location of Inferno and Wraith. Has base been updated on the newdevelopment?”
“Base knows. The director is mobilizing all agents in Boston to assist.” Jamie’s voice became tight, the stress in his words audible only to the team. “Senator Callahan’s campaign rally is a likelytarget.”
Kyle closed his eyes, chewing on the inside of his bottom lip. Jamie was too much of a professional to let his fear bleed through, but Kyle knew Jamie felt it keenly in moments like this. Theyalldid.
Katie spun on her heels and strode toward the flight deck where Annabelle was piloting with an MDF agent in the co-pilot’s seat. They’d need Annabelle on the field, especially now. “I’ll drop half the team at your location and I’ll take the rest to find our missingteammates.”
“Understood. Track my location. I’m with a group of securitypersonnel.”
Translation: the Secret Service was still around. Everyone on the combat jet made a face, but they didn’t have time to complain about thatdetail.
“Copy that.Viperout.”
The situation had gone FUBAR in a way that had Kyle grinding his teeth, but they were still minutes away from being able to provide backup. Shoving himself to his feet, Kyle joined the others at the weapons locker, accepting the hard helmet that Trevor tossed him. He opted for his AKR-75 assault rifle over his sniper rifle, automatically checkingitover.
Stepping aside, Kyle switched on the HUD. His tactical goggles exploded with data that glowed softly before minimizing. Katie stepped out of the flight deck a few seconds later, Annabelle rightbehindher.
“Nova, Bones, Tank, and Icarus, we’re dropping you off at Apollo’s location. Looks like the Sons of Adam has fighters mixed in with the crowd at the rally and the demonstrators,” Katieordered.
“What about containment?” Madisonasked.
