Page 170 of Aviatrix

“Actually,” Eli says quietly, “he can.”

“Amber’s in there,” I whisper. “So is Sasha. People who risked everything for us. We have to get them out.”

The General raises a hand to steady me. “We’re working on it. There may be a way to get in if we have boots on the ground. But until we know more, this base is on full lockdown.”

It’s infuriating. We’re safe here, secured in a mountain fortress while innocent people are trapped. Sasha, Amber… how many others aren’t going to make it out alive?

The North Hangar has been locked since the alien ship left. Manually overridden. Only authentication codes known by leadership can open it. No movement. No action. Just waiting.

We’re protecting ourselves. But at what cost?

“If we do nothing,” I grit out, the sound tight with anger, “then we’re worse than Rourke.”

“We’re formulating a plan,” the General says wearily.

“We have three hours to get everyone out of that building,” I remind him. “Formulate faster.”

“Watch your tone, Captain,” he warns. “Do you think I enjoy having my hands tied here?”

Eli shoots me a sympathetic look.

“With all due respect,” I say firmly, “we need jets in the air right now if we’re going to reach the Pentagon in time.”

“We’ll do no such thing,” the General snaps.

Eli shakes his head at me, a subtle signal to back off.

Why is he siding with him? Why doesn’t he demand we do something?

You know what? It doesn’t even matter. I’ll take care of this myself.

“I have a phone call to make.” I exhale. “Thanks for… whatever this was.”

I turn for the door, but Eli catches my arm. “Quay, you can’t tell anyone about this.”

My heart clenches. Too many lives. Too much silence. Why am I always the only one willing to step up?

“Yeah.” I frown. “Understood.”

Then, I pull the door open and stride toward the row of offices on the far side of the base. I need to warn Sasha. I don’t care what happens to me. There are over 26,000 people in that building. Someone has to act.

But before I reach the offices, Thea steps out of a side corridor, blocking my path.

“I’m sorry,” she says quickly. “We screwed up.”

“I don’t have time for this,” I make clear. Not when the Pentagon is under lockdown and tens of thousands of people are trapped.

“This will just take a second,” she pleads.

I stop walking. “I don’t have a second,” I growl. “There are thousands of lives on the line. One of them is Lark’s daughter. So if you want to help, then help. If you want to apologize for lying to me, using me, and betraying me? Save it. I don’t forgive you.”

Thea exhales. “I’ll help you.”

“Then we need three things. A secure line. Access to Space Command’s safe zone at the Pentagon. And a way to unseal the North Hangar.”

“I’ll get them,” she says. “But only if you let me apologize.”

“I’d rather eat liver and onions,” I bite back.