"Twelve hours," Hawk repeated. "That's half our window."
"It's also the difference between a coordinated rescue and a blind assault on three targets that might all be empty," Quinn countered. "Your call. Fast and dumb, or slow and smart."
The Delta team exchanged looks again. More silent communication. Finally Hawk nodded. "Twelve hours. But if confidence doesn't hit ninety percent, we move anyway. We split forces and hit all three sites simultaneously."
"Agreed," Mara said.
Nadia had been quiet through most of the exchange, but now she spoke up. "Assuming Quinn narrows it down to one site, how do we coordinate the actual assault? You're military. We're not. Different tactics. Different training. Different rules of engagement."
"We adapt," Hawk said simply. "You've been doing this kind of extraction for years. We've been doing combat rescue for just as long. We find the overlap and we work together."
"And command structure?" Sloane asked. "Who's running the operation?"
That was the real question. The one that could make or break any joint operation. Mara watched Hawk's face, saw him processing the implications. Delta Force didn't take orders from civilians. But Shadow Veil didn't take orders from anyone. Both teams were used to being in charge, used to making the calls that kept their people alive.
"Joint command," Hawk said finally. "You know the civilian extraction protocols. We know combat operations. We share intelligence, coordinate timing, and trust each other to do our jobs."
"That's a recipe for disaster if communications break down," Sloane said.
"It's also the only option we have if we want to make this work," Hawk replied. "Unless you want to sit this one out and let us handle it."
Mara saw the challenge in his eyes. Saw him testing whether Shadow Veil was serious about this or just looking for a way to absolve their guilt.
"We're not sitting anything out," she said flatly. "Steele bought us time to complete our mission. We owe him for that. And Shadow Veil pays its debts."
Bulldog's expression softened slightly. "Then we're on the same page."
Ghost pulled up a tactical map. "If Quinn can confirm the primary site, here's how I'd run it. Delta breaches from the north. You breach from the south. We create a pincer movement that traps guards between us and clears a path to the prisoner."
Nadia studied the map. "What about civilians? Nazari's properties sometimes have families on site. Workers. People who aren't combatants."
"We avoid them if possible," Hawk said. "Detain if necessary. But priority one is recovering Steele. Everything else is secondary."
"We don't leave bodies behind if we can help it," Mara said. "Shadow Veil doesn't kill unless there's no other option."
Joker spoke up for the first time, his voice carrying an edge. "With respect, this isn't a trafficking house with unarmed pimps. This is a fortified position held by men who'll shoot to kill the second they see us. Your 'no killing' policy might get people hurt."
"Then we make sure it doesn't come to that," Mara said. "We go in quiet. Fast. Professional. We secure Steele and we get out before anyone knows we're there."
"And if quiet doesn't work?"
"Then we adapt. But we don't go in planning to kill everyone in the building. That's not who we are."
The tension was visible now. Two teams with different philosophies trying to find common ground on an operation where mistakes would get people killed.
Risk broke the standoff. "What's Steele's medical status likely to be?"
Kira answered immediately, her medic's mind already working through scenarios. "Femoral artery wound based on what Mara reported. If he's survived this long, they've treated it. But he's lost blood. Probably dehydrated. Possibly showing signs of shock or infection. If they've been interrogating him, add potential trauma, fractures, soft tissue damage."
"Can he walk?"
"Unknown. Depends on treatment and how much damage the initial wound caused. We should plan for extraction of a non-ambulatory casualty."
"I'll bring a litter," Risk said. "Full trauma kit. Fluids. Antibiotics. Pain management. If he's alive, I can stabilize him long enough to get him out."
Kira nodded. "I'll coordinate with you on medical protocols. Make sure we're not duplicating equipment or creating gaps in coverage."
The conversation shifted from tactical to logistical. Quinn and Ghost comparing intelligence systems and communication protocols. Nadia and Bulldog discussing breach techniques and room-clearing procedures. Winter and Joker running through equipment needs and supply chains.
