30 Scars #2
“The Guild’s been working on a digital skeleton key. Theoretically, as long as it's electronic, you put this device near it, and you're in.” Noah turns the tablet around to show us the current prototype pictures.
“So, we need to leak it through the old compromised channels from six months ago.” Jace nods thoughtfully, “He already tapped that line; we just make it look like a careless slip.”
“Does it work? The prototype?” I swipe through the photos.
“Not fully. It's still going through tweaks, but if we say it’s ready and we're looking to start manufacturing more, that'll definitely get Gideon's attention.” Noah takes the tablet back from me.
Lucian walks into the dining room at that moment.
“You guys come up with anything?” He stands behind me, placing his hand on my shoulders. I look at him, giving him a small smile. I know he's still worried, and ever since I've been back, he checks in with me more.
I let the guys relay what we've discussed, and Lucian nods as he listens.
“I think you guys are right. This prototype would be too tempting to pass up. This is the exact type of item he would want to get his hands on.” He looks around at each of the guys. “So, what's our next move?”
“If you can give me access, I can forge the comms and movement logs.” Noah says, “I can sync them with the Guild's location tracking and make it look like we've got this thing under heavy escort.”
“Don't forget to beef up the lab files, too. He'll be looking for proof that this thing now works and functions completely.” Jace adds.
“I can do that. What kind of timeline do we think is realistic?” Lucian faces Jace.
“I feel like three or four days seems realistic. If we had this breakthrough, we wouldn't be waiting on it. We'd be transporting it to get it manufactured.”
“That's not a lot of time to plan.” Luca folds his arms.
“But maybe that's what will make Gideon take the bait.” I chime in, “If we give too much time, it looks fishy. Making it tight, it’ll seem more likely that it's legit.”
Lucian exhales through his nose and steps back from the table.
“Alright. I'll get you access, Noah. Let's do it.”
We all nod.
“If this backfires, we're going to be in a world of trouble,” Luca says.
Of course, I'm still not allowed to go out into the field, so I'm back on overwatch. At least Maeve keeps me company. I do feel a little better about having Felix and Kellan with the guys as two extra bodies rather than just me.
We don't have too much to view this time, as we can only use Ashthorne Global Security's satellite. But we have a few angles from the Guild transport vehicles and the facilities itself.
Noah hacked into whatever cameras he could, but it’s not much. Without eyes on the guys, my stomach is doing backflips.
“North perch secured,” Noah whispers. “Thermal scan clear for now.”
“South side clear.” Luca comes next. “Still no sign of movement.”
“Any word from the unit?” Jace asks.
“Tracking as planned,” Noah confirms. “The prototype is en route. ETA twelve minutes.”
My heart pounds in my chest like a war drum. This just has to work.
Noah did a good job working with the Guild's R&D team to forge the documents as if they had a breakthrough. We leaked the communications and created the false transfer, complete with security routes, encrypted logs, and backup patrols.
All we needed now, was Gideon.
“Hold. I've got heat signatures. West quadrant, four bodies, moving fast.”
“Bingo,” Luca says.
“Be careful.” I send up a prayer that it all goes according to plan.
“We're in position.” Kellan's voice comes through. “Ridge exit is blocked.”
“Got another heat signature, hanging back near the tree line. Not moving.”
“Is it Gideon?” I wipe my hands up and down my legs.
“Can't confirm. But someone is watching.”
“We don't move until we're sure,” Jace mutters.
“We need him to commit,” Luca agrees.
The first squad was now less than twenty feet from the entrance. I roll my shoulders.
“Here we go…” I sigh.
Maeve takes my hand. One operative pauses, seeming to look down at his phone.
“Come on,” Maeve whispers.
He turns, straight toward the spot where our tracking beacon was planted.
“Hooked,” Noah says.
Luca jumps out, the first target doesn't even have time to react before he's hitting the floor.
All hell breaks loose. Shouts, grunts, and shots muffled by suppressors is all we can hear through the comms.
“Dammit,” Noah hisses. “That other heat signature vanished. I'm scanning, but he's gone.”
I slam my fist down on my leg.
“Damn it!”
“I'm sorry, Iz.” Maeve rubs my back.
“I just needed this over with.” I drop my head into my hands and rub my face.
“I know.” Her voice is soothing and soft. “We'll get him.”
“Maybe we can question some of these goons.” Luca tries to focus on the bright side.
“Let's hope they have something useful,” Felix adds.
“We'll secure transport and head back now,” Kellan says.
“Copy.” Noah.
“Copy.” Luca.
“Copy.” Felix.
I wait. Something feels off.
“Jace, come in.” I stare at his comms blinking light on the map.
Silence.
“Jace?” I call out, more urgent now. “Jace, report!”
Nothing.
“I'm close, I'll go check on his perch.” I can hear Noah panting as he runs.
“Coming.” Luca takes off-screen.
I wait with my heartbeat thundering in my ears, my vision darkening along the edges.
“Breathe, Iz. Come on, breathe.” I can hear Maeve speaking but she sounds far away.
Jace. Damn it, I was so focused on everything else.
How did we not hear anything?
“Iz, he's not here,” Noah calls out, and I snap back into myself.
“What?” I gasp out.
“There’s a sign of a struggle. I don't think he went willingly. His comms piece is here.” Noah confirms.
“Gideon took him.” I look at Maeve and I know the horror is written all over my face. “He's going to kill him.” I breathe out. I just feel it in my gut.
“We'll be back soon, Iz, just hold on.” Luca's voice comes through but I can't. I rip the earpiece from my ear and push away from the table.
“Iz—”
“I just need some air.” I run out of the room.
I make my way through the house and push open the double doors to the backyard. The cold night air hits me and I gasp. My skin is hot. I stare up at the stars.
Not again. Please not again.
I close my eyes, feeling my feet against the ground. The gentle air on my skin.
Breathe.
I picture Jace in that basement. Chained up with Gideon exacting his anger out on his own flesh and blood. Jace's scars flash through my mind, tearing open and bleeding.
“Jace, just hang on, please,” I whisper into the wind.