Chapter 40
Chapter Forty
RIGEL
Descending to the galley with Mia by my side, I brace myself for the shift in the atmosphere. The fresh sea air is replaced by the warm, familiar scents of lunch—fresh bread, savory luncheon meats, rich cheeses, juicy grapes, and sweet strawberries.
The sight of paper plates and bottled water scattered across the table adds a sense of normalcy to our situation, though the underlying tension is palpable.
Forest, Skye, Sam, CJ, Mitzy, Ethan, Blake, and the rest of Charlie team are already gathered in a feeding frenzy. A glance at my watch reveals it’s noon.
Their boisterous laughter and teasing echoes off the metal walls. The clatter of cutlery, the rustle of paper plates, and the hum of conversation make it feel like this is any ordinary day.
The camaraderie among the men of the Charlie team is palpable, and their easy banter provides a comforting backdrop. They saved two spots for Mia and me.
Blake elbows Gabe, his mouth full of a sandwich. “Hey, leave some for the rest of us, will ya?”
Gabe grins, stuffing another strawberry into his mouth. “What can I say? I need my energy. ”
Walt snorts, reaching for a slice of cheese. “Yeah, because lifting those grapes is such hard work.”
Hank chuckles, tossing a grape at Walt. “Careful, you might strain something.”
CJ watches the exchange with a bemused smile, his arms crossed over his broad chest. His eyes, though, are sharp and focused, always assessing. “Glad you could join us. We were just about to get started on planning the next steps.”
Forest’s imposing figure looms beside him, his shock-white hair and ice-blue eyes giving him an almost mythical presence. Skye sits next to him, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the boisterous men around her.
Mitzy, the technical lead, sits at the far end of the table, her fingers tapping away on a laptop. The rhythmic clicking is a constant background noise. Her expression is one of intense concentration.
She pauses, looking up. “So far, no incoming ships on radar, but that doesn’t mean we’re not being watched.”
Mia’s eyes widen in surprise. “You’ve been scanning for incoming ships and aircraft?”
Mitzy nods, her gaze serious. “Yes, we’ve been using advanced radar and satellite tracking systems to monitor the area. We can’t take any chances.”
The constant hum of the ship’s engines vibrates through the floor. Mia’s grip tightens on my hand, her knuckles white.
“I didn’t realize… I mean, I knew I was in danger, but…”
Forest steps in, his voice calm but firm. “Mia, the threat against you is very real. Red Phoenix is a powerful organization. Paired up with Sentinel, we have to assume they have extensive resources and they are monitoring us, waiting for any sign of you to surface.”
Mitzy swivels her laptop around, showing a complex array of screens and data feeds. “We’re using a combination of radar sweeps and satellite imagery to keep an eye on the surrounding waters. This system alerts us to any unusual activity, be it ships, aircraft, or even drones. ”
Gabe leans in, peering at the screen. “Mitzy is a wizard with tech. She’s got eyes on everything within a hundred-mile radius.”
Walt nods, a hint of pride in his voice. “She’s the reason we haven’t been caught off guard yet.”
Mitzy’s fingers dance over the keyboard, pulling up a live feed of the surrounding area. “This is our current radar sweep. The green blips are known vessels—fishing boats, cargo ships, and the like. We’re looking for anything that doesn’t belong, anything that moves in an unusual pattern.”
Mia’s eyes flicker over the screen, absorbing the information. “So, you’re constantly watching, constantly analyzing.”
Mitzy smiles faintly, her eyes never leaving the screen. “Exactly. It’s a never-ending game of cat and mouse. We’re good at what we do. We’ll see them coming long before they reach us.”
“But they will eventually reach us. They want you dead.” Forest nods, his gaze sweeping the room. “Which is why we need to find a way to get you off this trawler safely. We can’t assume Red Phoenix thinks you’re dead after falling off Serenity , not after that helicopter. We have to assume they radioed in that you were picked up. It’s imperative we get you off this trawler in a way that makes it look like you disappeared.”
The room falls silent as the gravity of Forest’s words sinks in.
“Every move we make needs to be calculated.” Sam, ever the tactician, leans forward, his gaze sweeping over the team.
Blake, his expression thoughtful, speaks up. “What if we use the RIB under the cover of darkness? We could head for the northern shore of Australia. It’s a stealthy approach.”
Walt nods, considering the idea. “The RIB is small and fast. We could avoid major shipping lanes and reduce the risk of being detected.”
Ethan adds, “We’d need to time it perfectly. Leave during a low radar activity window. Mitzy, can you predict that?”
Mitzy taps a few keys, pulling up more data. “I can analyze radar activity patterns, but it’s not foolproof. There’s always a risk of being spotted. ”
Sam interjects, “Even with the best timing, the RIB could still be detected by radar. It’s a dangerous option.”
CJ nods, his brow furrowing. “If Red Phoenix is monitoring us, they’ll be watching for any small craft leaving the trawler. It’s too risky.”
Blake sighs, rubbing his temples. “Alright, that’s out. What else?”
Walt leans back in his chair, arms crossed. “What about hiding Mia in the luggage or crates? We could disguise her as cargo.”
Gabe tilts his head, thinking it over. “We could modify a crate to include ventilation, make it comfortable enough for a short journey.”
Ethan looks skeptical. “They’ll search any luggage or crates thoroughly, especially if they suspect Mia is on board. I say no to that.”
CJ leans back and cups his chin. “If they have any inkling she’s here, they’ll tear this boat apart. Hidden compartments, modified crates—it won’t matter. They’ll find her.”
Walt sighs, nodding in agreement. “Alright, not practical. We need something they won’t anticipate.”
Mitzy interjects, “We need to consider all angles. What about using the cover of another ship?”
Forest shakes his head. “Too many variables. We need a solution that’s foolproof.”
The room falls silent again. Everyone is deep in thought, the weight of the situation pressing down on them.
Ethan breaks the silence. “What about a helicopter extraction? We could coordinate with a chopper to pick Mia up directly from the trawler. Quick and efficient.”
Mitzy shakes her head immediately, her fingers drumming on the table. “A helicopter would be tracked by radar. It’s a high-profile move that would draw attention. We’d be compromising our position and making Mia an even bigger target.”
Ethan frowns. “Right, too risky. We need something stealthier.”
Gabe leans forward, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “If we can’t get Mia out on the water or through the air, what if we put her in the water? Drop her in, then have the trawler move away? A helicopter could pick her up once we’re clear. They’re less likely to connect the two.”
Hank, ever the realist, crosses his arms. “And what’s to stop them from tracking the helicopter once it picks her up? The radar will still catch it.”
Gabe’s grin fades as he considers the implications. “True, but we could time it…”
CJ cuts in, “Timing won’t matter if they’re actively monitoring. The second that chopper gets close, they’ll be on to us. And splitting Mia from the main group makes her vulnerable.”
The tension in the room ratchets up another notch, frustration etched on every face. The sound of the trawler’s engines hums in the background, a reminder of the limited time we have to come up with a viable plan.
I glance at Mia, her eyes wide with fear but resolute. She’s counting on us to figure this out, and failure isn’t an option.
Forest’s voice cuts through the silence, authoritative and calm. “We need to think outside the box. Conventional methods won’t work. What’s left?”
Gabe’s idea has me thinking.
Mitzy’s fingers fly over her laptop, pulling up various scenarios and data feeds. “Come on, guys, I know you’re more creative than this.”
I tug at my chin. Mia’s going to hate this idea, but it might work.
“Maybe… We extract her underwater?”
Ethan raises an eyebrow. “Underwater?”
“Oh, I know what you’re thinking.” Gabe’s eyes light up with sudden inspiration. “We use dive gear. Take Mia under, away from the trawler, and have her picked up by a submarine.”
Hank interjects, “Submarine? That’s assuming we can contact one in time and get them here without Red Phoenix noticing.”
Forest nods thoughtfully. “It’s risky, but it might be our best shot. Mitzy, do we have any contacts in the Navy who could help us pull this off?”
Mitzy nods slowly. “We do, but coordinating this will take time and precision. We’d need to be sure the sub can reach us without being detected.”
“It’s a submarine, Mitzy.” Forest huffs a laugh. “By definition, they’re undetectable.”
“Nearly undetectable,” Mitzy corrects. “I bet my drones could find them.”
The room buzzes with a renewed sense of possibility. Everyone leans in, the tension morphing into a focused determination. The stakes are higher than ever, but with a team like this, Mia has a fighting chance.
CJ speaks up, his voice steady and commanding. “Alright, let’s break it down. We have dive gear, but we need to consider the logistics of an underwater extraction. How do we get Mia safely into the water and rendezvous with a submarine without alerting Red Phoenix?”
Mitzy’s fingers fly over her keyboard. “We’ll need to coordinate with the Navy for precise timing. The sub has to approach undetected, if there’s one that’s even operating nearby, which means avoiding shipping lanes and potential radar.”
Ethan nods, his brow furrowed in concentration. “And we need to ensure Mia’s safety during the dive. She’ll be with Charlie team, but the underwater conditions can be unpredictable.”
Mia’s eyes widen, her face paling at the mention of going into the water. She shakes her head vehemently, her voice trembling.
“No. I can’t… I can’t go in the water. There are sharks. I’m terrified of sharks. I can’t do it.”
I reach for her hand, squeezing it gently, trying to offer some comfort. “Mia, I understand your fear, but we have extensive training in underwater operations. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Her eyes lock onto mine, filled with a mixture of fear and determination. “You don’t understand. It’s not just the sharks. The water… The ocean… It terrifies me. I can’t swim in open water. I just can’t.”
Skye moves closer, her voice soft and reassuring. “Mia, Rigel will be right there with you. Every step of the way. This plan might sound terrifying, but it also might be our best option to ensure your safety. Every one of these men has extensive training in underwater operations, and they’re trained in escorting those with no dive experience. They can even take someone who’s never swam in their lives before. It’s scary, but you can do this.”
Sam, always the voice of reason, adds, “We wouldn’t suggest this if we didn’t believe it was the safest course of action. Red Phoenix is a formidable enemy, but we have the skills and resources to outmaneuver them. Trust us.”
Mia’s breathing is shallow, her eyes darting around the room as if looking for an escape. I pull her closer, my arm wrapping around her shoulders.
“Mia, look at me. You overcame your fear and went snorkeling with me. This isn’t much different. And you went down that slide like a pro. You can do this.”
Her gaze meets mine, searching for the truth in my words. Slowly, she nods, though the fear doesn’t completely leave her eyes. “I-I’ll try. But you have to promise me… Promise me you’ll keep me safe. I don’t want to drown.”
I nod, my voice firm and unwavering. “I promise. You have my word. I won’t let you drown.”
Forest speaks up, his voice carrying the authority and confidence that defines him. “Alright, we have a plan. Mitzy, coordinate with our Navy contacts. Ethan, have your team prepare the dive gear. We move as soon as everything is in place.”
Mia stays close to me, her hand gripping mine tightly. The tiny tremors in her fingers tell me exactly how terrified she is and the silent battle she’s waging against her fear.
But in her eyes, I see her determination, a flicker of hope that we will succeed.