Page 390 of Broken Oath

The crew chief waved us forward.

“Where’s the other helicopter?” I shouted.

Rook looked toward the eastern valley.

“Coming.”

A warning siren began wailing across the airfield.

Fathom checked his screen.

“Hostile aircraft nine miles out.”

“How long?” Rook asked.

“Less than two minutes.”

The fighter would reach us before Falcon’s damaged helicopter.

Rook keyed his radio.

“Falcon, status.”

“Thirty seconds out.”

“You have fifteen.”

“I’ll mention that to the broken helicopter.”

Wade gripped my arm.

“Move.”

“I’m not leaving without them.”

“We’re not leaving anyone.”

His eyes held mine.

“But standing in the open won’t help.”

He was right.

I hated that everyone in my life had chosen tonight to be right.

We ran toward the transport.

The survivors boarded first.

Medics guided Hale toward a secured stretcher.

Dawson remained beside him.

Grant stopped at the top of the ramp and looked back.

“What?”

He stared at the open sky.