And suddenly I understand what the Architect meant by preparation.
“They’re building aparallel response system,” I say.
Boone’s jaw tightens.
“For disasters.”
“Or power.”
“Same thing,” he says.
I lean back slowly.
“They’re preparing for something.”
“What kind of something?”
I glance toward the dark window.
Toward the forest beyond the glass.
“I don’t know.”
Boone studies the map again.
Then he says something that sends a chill down my spine.
“If they’re targeting the Brave Team…”
I meet his eyes.
“…then they’re not just building a network.”
His voice lowers.
“They’re building an army.”
And suddenly the quiet Montana night outside the cabin feels a lot less peaceful.
Because somewhere out there—
Someone is recruiting the best operators in the country.
And we just stepped into the middle of it.
11
Boone
The words hang in the air between us.
They’re building an army.
For a moment neither of us moves.
Outside the cabin, the wind pushes through the trees, the branches brushing softly against the roof like restless fingers.
I look back at the screen.
