38. Kian
38
KIAN
K ian leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly as his gaze swept over the group assembled before him. The floor-to-ceiling windows let in the late-afternoon light, but it would get dark soon, and the forecast promised rain. He hoped he would be done with the meeting before that and not get soaked on his way home.
"What's the weather like out there?" Yamanu asked.
Onegus pushed a folder toward him. "Cold at night and warm during the days. It's an inland area, so it doesn't get the tempering influence of a large body of water. It's all in the file."
Yamanu grimaced. "Mey ordered snow clothing for me online and paid for expedited delivery. Oh well, I guess I can use it on our next ski vacation."
Onegus frowned. "I didn't know you were planning a skiing vacation."
Yamanu flashed him a smile. "I didn't know either."
Kian cleared his throat. "Let's go over the plan from the top."
He glanced at Onegus, who set down his notepad. The chief rubbed a hand over his square jaw and nodded. "We gathered intel on the town of Tahav, located in northwestern Iran. It's a small town of about twelve thousand people, with a nearby military hub of the Revolutionary Guard. It's not a big place, but the intel suggests that they use it to interrogate political prisoners, those who oppose the regime, though it's not a permanent holding facility. We assume that's where Kyra is, but since we are going solely based on Syssi's vision, that might be completely off." He cast an apologetic look at Kian. "I'm not doubting her vision, but it could have been about something that happened in the past or has not happened yet."
Kian nodded. "I'm well aware of that, but given the intensity and the number of times Syssi has had visions about Kyra, I believe that they were meant to impart a sense of urgency and to guide us to her."
Onegus tapped the folder in front of him. "I agree, but I just thought it was important for everyone present to know this might end up in nothing."
"I'll take Syssi's visions to the bank," Yamanu said. "It's like having a window into the future."
Onegus continued his briefing. "We will fly you on Kalugal's jet to eastern Turkey, to an airport near the Iranian border. Turner has arranged for two transport helicopters to take you from there straight to Tahav. They will come equipped with Revolutionary Guard uniforms to change into."
Max leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Are they the stealth type?" he asked. "I mean the choppers."
Onegus shook his head. "They are old model transport birds, the kind the Revolutionary Guard would have used to transport troops in the area. This should help with the element of surprise. They will be painted to look like the Guards' machines, so there's that."
Turner seemed to have contacts worldwide, which didn't surprise Kian. As a Special Ops guy who'd served for two decades, he'd gotten to work with all types of international players. Kian was always amazed anew by what Turner could arrange on short notice. The guy was invaluable, and yet again, Kian silently thanked the Fates for bringing him to the clan.
"They'll be noisy fuckers." Max cast Jade and Drova an apologetic glance. "Pardon my French." He turned to Yamanu. "Can you shroud these large choppers?"
Yamanu pursed his lips. "I can cover them visually. I'll project an illusion that melds with the sky, so from the ground, anyone watching will see empty space. But I can't cover the engine noise. If I attempt that, I'll have to split my energy in multiple ways, and that would weaken the overall effect."
Kian frowned at that small snag. "So, we can't do anything about the sound?"
Yamanu leaned back in his chair. "Sorry, boss. I can reduce the visible signature, but acoustic illusions are a separate form of mental manipulation, and doing both simultaneously at that scale would push it even for me. I can try partial muffling, but I'd rather not. If the illusions flicker in and out, we'll be spotted. I prefer to maintain focus on the visuals."
As Onegus continued, Kian observed the team. Jade looked as formidable as ever, and she would be an asset to the team. Drova was a surprising bonus. When Max had proposed using her on this mission, Kian didn't expect Jade to agree, but to everyone's surprise, she was on board with the idea as soon as he suggested it. He hadn’t had to do any convincing. The rest of the Kra-ell seemed serious and eager, and Kian knew all too well how lethal they could all be. Ell-rom was gentle and lacked combat training, but his unique killing-with-a-thought ability could prove an essential element in their arsenal and might decide the battle. Jasmine was the only weak point, but she had to be there.
Onegus tapped a pen on his notepad. "The Iranian air-defense network in that region is demolished or severely undermined. Some say it was an internal sabotage, others say it was a foreign strike, but either way, it makes infiltration by air possible in a way it wasn't a short time ago." He smiled at Kian. "The Fates indeed work in mysterious ways."
Kian chuckled. "Talk about massive prep work. All this just so we can rescue Kyra, but then a lot is at stake. If she is the key to finding my mother's one true love, no amount of effort to get her out of there should be spared."
Murmurs of agreement sounded around the table, surprisingly from the Kra-ell group as well.
Everyone was rooting for his mother to get her love back.
"The team will approach low and fast at dusk," Onegus said. "Yamanu will cover the helicopters from eyes on the ground, and the birds will be well away by the time anyone wonders where that noise is coming from. The choppers will drop you off over the ridge, a couple of clicks away and downwind. Chances are that little, if any, noise will make it to the compound." Onegus paused to sip some water.
"The pilots will wait for your return to the landing site and, if needed, will take off and land at the alternative pickup zone." Onegus pointed to a spot marked on the plan he was holding up for all to see. "While Yamanu will maintain full shrouding, the Kra-ell team led by Jade will take down all the active eyes, both on the ground and in the watchtowers."
The Kra-ell warriors sat up a little straighter when mentioned, and Drova looked excited but scared.
Looking directly at the young compeller, Onegus's tone became a little softer as he addressed the teenager. "You have proven yourself well in your last mission, but I don't want you engaging the enemy. You will stay by Jade's side at all times, and you will carry a miniature megaphone with you. From now until you land at the destination, you will practice key command words in Farsi so that you know all of them by heart and can pronounce them with the correct accent to ensure none is misunderstood. You will issue compulsion commands only if and when Jade, Yamanu, or Max instruct you to do so. Are we clear?"
To her credit, Drova didn't wilt under the chief's attention, and nodded.
Onegus raised his eyes and focused on the entire group. "Apart from that, this is a standard infiltration mission. You grab and you go."
Max let out a wry chuckle. "There is nothing standard about infiltrating a Revolutionary Guard stronghold halfway around the world. No big deal, though. Maybe next time we can pick an easy job, like eliminating the regime's nuclear power."
It was obvious that Max was trying to lighten the mood, but Kian didn't find the suggestion funny. Perhaps the clan should do something about those madmen creating nuclear bombs to eradicate all the infidels. They wouldn't even care if those bombs killed half their population, along with all the nonbelievers that they hated so rabidly.
Right now, though, he needed to focus on saving Kyra, not the entire world.
Kian managed a small smile in return. "They won't expect an elite commando-type raid. They are used to dealing with the Kurdish resistance forces, which are amateur soldiers. Brave and committed, no doubt, but amateur nonetheless." He turned to Jade. "Are your people okay with a helicopter flight?"
The Kra-ell had a problem with deep water, and they hated sea voyages. There were no reports of them having difficulty during the flights that had brought them to Southern California, but a helicopter wasn't a charter jetliner.
Jade leaned forward, her long raven ponytail sliding over one shoulder. "My warriors and I are more than ready. I took several simulator classes on flying a chopper, and I enjoyed it very much. I don't foresee my people having a problem with charging ahead as soon as the helicopters touch the ground." She smiled at him, full of fangs. "We will be thrilled to leap out even before touchdown, and if the choppers bring us next to the compound walls, we will take the enemy by surprise. The Doomers won't anticipate our presence or our strength."
Her team of two hybrid males and four full-blooded females all flashed their fangs in agreement.
"We can handle an entire squadron of Doomers if it comes to that," Jade said.
The female was Kra-ell to the bone—direct, fierce, and unafraid of armed conflict. Hell, she was eager for it.
"The base will probably not have a whole squadron of Doomers," Kian said. "We suspect some, but it will mostly contain well-trained human troops."
Jade nodded. "My people will gladly tear Doomers and human soldiers to pieces. We just need to know who not to hurt by mistake."
There was one problem with her boasting, and Kian needed to point it out. "How many of your people can handle a gun?"
"Aside from me?"
He nodded.
"All can shoot, but only Anton, Dima, and I have experience with automatic weapons. We are all lethal with throwing knives, though, long knives, hand-to-hand, and our fangs and claws." She assumed a vicious smile. "And we are fast. The Doomers won't see us coming."
Max let out a low whistle. "I almost feel sorry for the poor bastards. Almost."
A hint of humor flickered in Jade's dark eyes. "They have no idea." Then her expression sobered. "We need to know who not to kill. How do we tell friend from foe?"
"It's simple," Max said. "Everyone in uniform is an enemy, and also anyone shooting at us."
"One more point I should make clear," Kian said. "It is crucial that the Doomers don't find out about the Kra-ell. Anton and Dima can pass for humans, but the rest of you need to wear dark glasses. The tactical vests should conceal your thinness, and if you tuck your hair under your helmets, you will look like young male soldiers."
Jade leaned back. "That's all fine, but what about our fangs? We can't hide who we are."
"All who see you fight must die. The disguise is only meant to hide what you are from those you decide to leave alive. That means immediately confirming each kill, especially the Doomers, because they can regenerate from most injuries, and then doing so again before clearing the compound. Is that clear?"
Kian paused and took the time to look at each of the assembled company, securing a nod before continuing. "And one more thing. Before you leave, find out where the security footage of the facility is stored and make sure to destroy it in a manner that will make files and image retrieval impossible. We leave no evidence behind."
"How about we just burn the place down?" Max asked. "That will be faster and more effective."
"Not a bad idea," Onegus said. "That would eliminate the bodies of dead Doomers and save you the trouble of torching each one individually. Just make sure that no innocents are hiding inside before you do that." He turned to Yamanu. "Will you have enough juice to hide the explosions?"
"Sure thing, boss."