Page 188 of Broken Oath

Cutter secured the tug before grabbing emergency breathing gear.

“Processing building first,” Rook ordered. “Find Cutter’s crew.”

They advanced along the shoreline.

The abandoned cannery loomed ahead. Broken windows reflected the flames. Smoke drifted through its collapsed roof.

Movement appeared inside.

Rook raised his rifle.

“Identify yourself!”

A man stumbled through the doorway.

One of Cutter’s dock supervisors.

Blood covered the side of his face.

Cutter ran to him.

“Elias.”

“We’re alive,” the man gasped. “All six of us.”

Relief moved through Cutter’s face.

“Where are the others?”

“Old refrigeration tunnel. We used it when the shooting started.”

“What shooting?”

“Four men came in from the southern ridge. They planted charges aboard the ship.”

Rook looked at the burning vessel.

“Did they leave?”

“Three did.”

“And the fourth?”

Elias pointed toward the processing building.

“Inside. Wounded.”

Reef and Falcon moved immediately.

Rook stopped them.

“Alive if possible.”

They entered through opposite doors.

A single gunshot sounded.

Then Reef’s voice entered the radio.