"Good." Zeke looks at me. "You've got Delta Force experience. What's your assessment?"
I study the schematic and run scenarios. "Defensible against direct assault. Vulnerable to siege tactics if they have patience and numbers. Our advantage is terrain knowledge and defensive preparation. Their advantage is operational flexibility and professional training."
"Recommendations?"
"Establish watch rotations. Two people minimum at all times monitoring perimeter sensors. Pre-position ammunition at defensive firing points. Clear fields of fire, verify no dead zones they can exploit. Run evacuation drills so everyone knows the emergency protocols."
Rhys makes notes. "I can coordinate backup response from Whitewater Junction. If you trip perimeter alarms, I can have tactical team here in under an hour."
"That's too long if they breach," I say. "We need to hold for at least ninety minutes to give you time to stage."
"Can you hold that long?"
I look at Finn. At Cara. At the defensive positions they've built. "Yeah. We can hold."
"Then we prepare for siege." Zeke marks the compound on the map. "Finn and Eli run perimeter security. Cara coordinates communications. Helena maintains medical readiness for casualties. Rhys stages backup response. I'll run coordination with law enforcement and federal contacts we can trust."
"What about Traci?" Helena asks. Voice steady, professional, cutting through tactical discussion with medical authority. "We need her testimony to identify the Marshal. But extracting that information without retraumatizing her requires careful approach."
The way she shifts the conversation—firm but not aggressive, confident without taking over—makes it harder to focus on Briggs's assessment. It's the wrong time for this awareness. I force my attention back to the tactical map.
Cara leans forward. "I've worked with trafficking survivors. The key is giving them control. Let Traci decide when she's ready to share. Don't push. Don't pressure. Just create a safe space where she can talk if she wants to."
"She's not talking," I say. "Only writing."
"Then she writes it out. On her timeline. When she feels safe enough." Cara's voice softens. "Trauma survivors need to reclaim agency. Forcing them to relive experiences before they're ready just reinforces the loss of control they experienced during trafficking."
Helena nods. "I can work with her. Medical sessions give us consistent contact without pushing for testimony. If she wants to share, she will. If she's not ready, we wait."
"How long can we wait?" Rhys asks. "The network's actively hunting her. Every day we delay is another day they're planning an operation."
"We wait as long as it takes," I say flatly. "Traci's not a tactical asset. She's a kid who survived hell. We protect her first. Build the case second."
Silence settles over the table. Everyone processing that priority.
Zeke breaks it. "Alright. We establish defensive posture tonight. Watch rotations start immediately. Perimeter sensors stay active. Everyone sleeps armed and ready to move. Traci stays in the secure wing with Helena nearby for medical support. Eli and Finn maintain primary security."
"Understood," Finn says.
"One more thing." Zeke's expression hardens. "If they breach this compound, we're not calling federal backup. We handle it ourselves. No official channels. No reports that can leak to the network. This stays off the books."
"Agreed," I say.
Everyone nods. We're committed now. Off-grid operation with no official support if it goes sideways.
The meeting breaks up. Zeke and Rhys head out to coordinate with their respective departments. Finn moves to check perimeter sensors. Cara disappears into the communications room.
Helena starts toward the infirmary but pauses. Looks at me. Something in her expression I can't quite read.
"Later," she says quietly. "After Traci's settled. Can we talk?"
"Yeah."
She leaves without explaining what she wants to discuss. I watch her go, watch the way she moves through the compound like she's already mapped every defensive position.
Former military spouse, maybe. Or grew up around operators. She's too comfortable with tactical language and defensive protocols to be pure civilian.
Add it to the list of things I don't know about Dr. Helena Sage.
