Chapter Fifty-One
White Ravens
Gage
The mission’s Command Center overflowed with their handlers and field teams. Jo’s staff, plus leaders of every department, from extraction, air operations, cyber, weapons to comms, satellite, and medical.
Scar sat close enough that his breath caressed the back of his neck.
The surveillance team was running audio on the recent attack on a small village in Montenegro—an overlooked, but still allied country.
Having to listen to the screams of women and cries of children through the short burst of gunfire made Gage’s shoulders draw up tight.
It was times like this he was glad he didn’t have to see the pain and destruction.
Scar leaned into him and gave him general descriptions of what was being displayed on the screen.
“It’s a church,” he said. “They’re dragging people out and taking hostages.”
Gage was clenching his jaw so hard it ached.
There was more screaming, prayers called out, men pleading for the women and children to be let go.
“What are we up against?” Ex asked.
Vance, Jo’s lead Intel officer, took over.
“A smuggling syndicate, called тхе Vukovi Bratstvo, means The Brotherhood of Wolves, originated out of the Black Forest. They’ve operated under the radar for over a decade, but they’re growing.
Intaking through ports but now moving inland in an attempt to make a concealed route through deep timber territory. ”
“It gets no deeper than Montenegro,” Jo’s regions chief added. “Lots of hiding ground in a town that won’t ask questions. And they hadn’t met resistance until they hit this village.”
A map flashed across the screen.
Gage’s adaptive ops liaison, Kim, slid the same map— overlaid in Braille—onto the table in front of him.
He ran his fingertips along a thin line threading through heavy green terrain. Small dots represented a few houses, and a larger block identified the church. More minimally raised symbols mapped the roads and other potential smuggling routes.
“US forces aren’t responding to this?” Mirage asked, likely voicing what Grace wanted answered.
Jo let out a low breath. “They’ll respond, but not as fast as us. The syndicate needs cooperation from the region, not the US. So these hostages may not have much time left.”
“Are we sure they’re still alive and holding?” Mirage asked.
“We got eyes on ’em from Sat 35X, that shows they’re still holding,” the satellite specialist confirmed.
“How soon can you be airborne?”
Gage knew Jo had directed that question at one person.
“Within the hour.”
Meridian stood, triggering the rest of them to do the same. His time frame was tight to rally all they needed for a mission of this caliber.
But no one argued.
“Intel and Tactical will continue strategizing during flight.” Corvo said, “Let’s move.”
The clacking of Jo’s heels paused a few feet down the hall before she turned around.
“Meridian,” she said firmly.
No one moved.
“Do what you do.”
Meridian didn’t respond.
The facility’s voice sounded overhead, as if it’d understood and interpreted Meridian’s cold silence.
“Attention: Multi-team deployment activated. Field code: Black Reaper. Threat level: Red. All assets mobilize. Sixty minutes to launch.”