Page 134 of No Fear

HAKIM AZIZ PRAYED. Prayed to Allah to save him. His brother was dead.

This was supposed to have been their victory day. The New Dawning of Allah rising in Daram. Their first act was to have been beheading the American soldiers for their crimes against Daram and their people. Only it hadn't gone as planned.

Hakim had been about to lead his team to take down the prime minister when he got the frantic call from Omar. He’d immediately gone to his aid only to find a sea of dead bodies, his brother’s included. His throat slit. There had been no sign of the hostages, or the American team. A Reborn soldier had lived only long enough to gasp out an explanation about an explosion and more Americans.

Another American team were on the ground in Daram. The hostages were free. Hakim had no doubt he was now being hunted.

The elder he had stayed with had told him about a tunnel to an old wooden hut, up high in the mountains. He had been using the tunnels to get around, but he didn’t stay in them, for fear of getting trapped. So far, he had evaded the team but had lost many of his soldiers. Most had run, not wanting to die. Traitors to Allah.

Alone, inside the wooden hut, he knelt on the dirt ground and prayed for Allah to show him the way.

***

“I GOT IT.” RYAN PEERED through the scope of his rifle. He rattled off some coordinates and Donnie raised his binoculars. Yep, there it was, the small wooden hut the elder had told them about. In the dark, through night vision goggles, he could make out the outline.

“Any movement?” Dex asked through coms. Dex had taken a good beating and the roars they had heard had been a result of being struck with an electric cattle prod. Not fun, but no lasting damage. Dex was sore but insisted on continuing the mission. After he had slit Omar’s throat.

Another soldier had given up the safe house where Hakim had been staying. The elder, after being offered a considerable sum of money, had given Hakim up. That happened in places like this a lot. People switched sides in a second when the carrot dangled was big enough.

“No movement yet,” Ryan confirmed.

The Farm had limited eyes in this area since they could not deploy drones in a country they were not supposed to be in, and the mountains were not helping any satellite they could tap into.

“I say we move in,” Dex said.

“Let’s leave snipers on watch. The rest can surround on approach,” Liam said.

“Copy that,” everyone acknowledged through coms. Hakim might be one man, but they were not taking any chances. He likely still had soldiers with him, even if they couldn’t see them.

Donnie stayed with Ryan to have his back. It was time to end this, so they could all go home. Charlie was safe. Kelly had gotten more boots on the ground with one phone call. Tracer. Donnie was guessing Kelly begged forgiveness, rather than asked permission on that one. It was a good call. The man knew people.

While he hadn’t come personally, Tracer had men close by and they had escorted the hostages to safety, allowing Nyx to join Raven and complete their mission to end Reborn. The plane had taken off, but he wouldn’t be satisfied until he saw her with his own eyes. Held her. Kissed her. Claimed her.

He lay on his stomach next to Ryan, continually scanning the area while Onyx made their way toward the hut. They were less than a thousand meters away. If Ryan had to take a shot, it would be routine for a sniper. Even at night.

“Er, guys, you’re going to get some company.” Kelly's voice sounded in their ears. “We just picked up some chatter about Americans being on the ground. Daram military have activated.”

“The elder, double dipping?” Dex asked.

“Could be. If he did, then they’re going to know exactly where you are and will be there within twenty. Satellite is not clear; I can't track them.”

“Copy that base. ROE?”

Sam’s voice answered. “None. We’re not meant to be there so just don't get caught.”

“Copy. We’re moving.”

While Onyx picked up speed, Donnie scanned the area for any signs of Daram military. Suddenly, they were no longer just the hunters but also the prey.

Minutes passed before Onyx breached the hut. Donnie heard movement behind him. When he and Ryan spun, they immediately found two soldiers advancing on them and had to duck shots. They returned fire, taking them down. Two more came up behind them. He and Ryan charged them, taking them by surprise, and knocked them to the ground. A hand-to-hand fight ensued.

Getting his man underneath him, Donnie knocked him out cold. He hated to kill any form of military. They were all obeying orders. But if it was a them or us situation, he didn’t hesitate.

“Troops in contact,” Donnie informed the others. Seconds later, the same notice came from Lucas, Nyx’s sniper about fifteen hundred feet to their east.

While Donnie secured the Daram soldier, he glanced up to see Ryan had handled his, but blood poured from his hand.

“Bastard got me with a knife.” Ryan cursed and dropped down, lining up his rifle to get back to the watch point.