Page 127 of Broken Oath

Then he swung the tug’s reinforced bow.

The collision sounded like an explosion.

The strike boat lifted out of the water, rolled onto its side, and disappeared beneath the tug’s wake.

Sniper laughed over the radio.

“Remind me never to criticize his driving.”

“I heard that,” Cutter said.

The other two boats broke formation.

One turned toward the tug.

The second accelerated toward the Northern Star.

“Fathom,” Rook said. “Help Cutter.”

“I’ve got the cargo ship’s emergency beacon.”

“What about it?”

“I’m changing its status.”

“To what?”

“Hazardous-material leak.”

Rook almost smiled.

Every commercial and government vessel monitoring the marine emergency channel would see a warning around the Northern Star.

The mercenaries wouldn’t want witnesses.

The remaining strike boats changed course again.

One continued after Cutter.

The other slowed.

“Coast Guard relay just acknowledged the warning,” Fathom reported. “Emergency response estimated in twenty-eight minutes.”

That gave Shadow Division twenty-eight minutes to secure the ship and find the evidence.

“Move,” Rook ordered.

They advanced between the cargo containers.

Falcon took the forward position.

Two guards appeared ahead.

His suppressed rifle coughed twice.

Both men collapsed before they understood they were under attack.

Rook signaled left.