Chapter 23 ALPHA-Ready #2
The second Sydney placed her gloved hand in his, she felt complete. A peace settled into her bones, a transfer of energy happened between them. From the intense gaze in his steadfast eyes, it was as if he felt it too.
Tank extracted four comms from his pocket. “I’ll set up one channel for everyone, then a separate one for Sydney, Caroline, and me. I don’t want interference for Sydney.”
“Thank you,” Sydney said.
After they fitted the comms into their ears, Tank said, “Let’s get it done.”
Fist bumps all around before Greystone said to Caroline, “Sydney asked for you because you’re the best at what you do.”
Caroline nodded once before the men climbed down, leaving the sisters alone on the platform.
“I know the real reason you asked me to stay here with you,” Caroline said.
“You’ve been my rock, Car. You joke about my bossing you around, but if I’m about to take someone’s life, I trust you over everyone.”
“No,” Caroline said. “I think if things go wrong—really wrong—you want us to spend our last day together.”
“Take that back,” Sydney snapped at her. “Nothing will go wrong and this is not our last day together.”
Caroline pulled her into her arms. “I know you. You’re a true warrior with a smooshy center. If there’s a job to do, you can count on me.” Caroline broke away. “Let’s play a game of I Spy.”
“Car—”
When Sydney would get anxious and her PTSD would return, Caroline would distract her.
“One game,” Caroline pushed back. “Then, we’ll get you set up.” She glanced at her watch. “We’ve got time.”
“We don’t have time,” Sydney said. “I feel like my back’s against the wall. Did you see that poem from the terrorists?”
With a reassuring smile, Caroline said, “You’re right. Let’s get you set up.”
After Sydney removed her secondary rifle from its case and staged spare magazines full of ammo, Caroline said, “Here comes the general public.”
Sydney joined her sister at the platform’s edge. Together, they watched as a sea of civilians filtered their way inside.
“When do the Cadets and Mids enter the stadium?” Sydney asked.
“The March On starts at noon,” Caroline explained.
Soon, the place would be filled with thousands of happy innocents getting ready to cheer on their football team.
Sydney had been in countless missions over the past nine years, but this one was different. Never before did she have such a high probability of collateral damage. The pit in her stomach grew larger as she cast her eyes over the vast stadium.
Where are you Muhammad Haqazzii? Are you even here? Where are your lieutenants? Is today the day or just another red herring in your war against America?
The warrior inside her stood tall while energized spectators scrambled to their seats. Sydney continued setting up while Caroline peered out at the crowd, binos pressed to her eyes.
Minutes later, the March On began. The Cadets entered the stadium, followed by the Midshipmen.
Sydney stood beside her sister as the students filed in.
These young men and women had stepped forward to defend and protect their country.
But these kids were just watching a football game.
They were looking for a break from the demands of military college life, from the never-ending stream of exams and presentations.
A day of fun in the December sun. A day of burgers and dogs, anthems and alma maters.
None of these people deserved the horror she feared could unfold.
As a thick cloud covered the bright autumnal sun, a chill skirted through her. Dread slithered into her bones, but she refused to let it take hold.
I’m trained, I’m ready, and I can do this.
Caroline clasped her hand. “Let’s say it together.”
They stood side by side, staring out at the filled stadium.
“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,” they murmured, “for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
“Amen,” Sydney whispered.
“Amen,” Caroline echoed.
The pressure was as high as it had ever been… and Sydney felt its true force. Today would be a test of her grit, and her skills.
“God, help me,” she whispered.
TEDDY
Teddy and Greystone had a ton to get done before game time. First on their list: Make damn sure the press box stayed empty and locked. That, alone, was a demanding request. But they had an ace in their pocket and they’d use it if they had to.
As Hal routed them to the director of stadium communications, Teddy made a call. “Hawk, are you and Addison here?”
“Yeah,” Hawk replied. “We’re on the field checking with ground security. Whatcha need?”
“Two BLACK OPS to stand guard for Sydney and Caroline at the south press box.”
“I see them,” Hawk said. “Sin and Dakota would be perfect for that, plus they can help with spotting. I’ll make that happen.”
Teddy met the Director of Communications. “We’ve gotta relocate the Naval Academy personnel and anyone else from the south press box.”
He got pushback. Teddy shook his head. Then, the director tried to bargain.
“This isn’t up for negotiation,” Teddy said. “The press gets relocated and that box stays empty.”
That took longer than Teddy wanted, but they found a different location for the press.
“Tank,” Sin said through the comm, “Dakota and I are on the way over to Sydney and Caroline.”
“No one climbs on the platform and no one gets in that press box.”
“Got it,” Sin said.
As Teddy and Grey made their way toward the skyboxes, Grey contacted Caroline by phone.
“Sin and Dakota are your guards.” He listened, then laughed.
“I’ll let Tank know.” He hung up. “They like that we’re not threatened by other alpha males, and they appreciate that their guards are easy on the eyes. ”
Teddy chuffed out a laugh. “Good to know.”
The walkways under the stadium were dense with students, but with Tank and Greystone in full SWAT gear, most of the crowd moved out of their way.
As they waited by the elevator to the skyboxes, none of the Secret Service stopped them.
Teddy and Greystone glanced at each other.
When the elevator doors closed, both men released a growl.
“That was bullshit,” Teddy bit out.
“What the fuck just happened?” Greystone muttered.
“We walked right into the elevator and now we’re about to walk down the hall and into the President’s suite,” Teddy said. “Where’s the effin’ security?”
As they rounded the corner, a cluster of Secret Service agents huddled in conversation loomed into view. Teddy didn’t need to tell Greystone his plan… Greystone just knew.
They walked past, tossing anyone who glanced over an acknowledgment nod, but they continued walking toward one of three suites that housed the President.
“Stop!” A man dressed in a suit jogged over. “I’m Agent Goldman. You can’t just walk around here.”
“We’re Special Forces,” Teddy said.
“Yeah, we figured that pretty good on our own. Are you on our list?”
“Quali nomi ci ha dato Evelyn?” Teddy asked Greystone.
What names did Evelyn give for us?
“I nostri alias OP,” Greystone replied.
Our Op aliases.
“I go by Iron,” Teddy said. “This is Cobra.”
The agent scanned the list. “You’re cleared to enter. The President and First Family just got to the stadium. They’ll be up here shortly.”
“Have the skyboxes been swept?” Teddy asked.
“Canines finished five minutes ago,” Agent Goldman said. “We got the all-clear.”
“What’s the story with the waitstaff for the luxury suites?” Greystone asked. “Were they cleared?”
“Not my area,” the agent said. “Check with Agent Alton. She’s talking to them now.”
Teddy and Greystone headed in her direction. She was surrounded by—at quick count—thirty people, all wearing black server uniforms. After Agent Alton finished up with the group, they dispersed to the skyboxes.
Teddy and Greystone introduced themselves.
“What can I help you with?” Agent Alton asked.
“Who did background checks on the servers?” Teddy asked.
“The staff were cleared through stadium security.”
Teddy shook his head. “Not good enough. We’ve got a couple hundred VIPs with the President and First Fam. You got someone to run backgrounds for you?”
“I’ll see what I can do.” Agent Alton headed toward the congregating Secret Service officers.
“We got a problem,” Teddy muttered.
Greystone dialed, put the phone to his ear. “Rebel, I need your help.” He explained the situation, hung up, and regarded Teddy. “He and Brit will run backgrounds.”
Teddy and Greystone strode over to Agent Alton, who offered a smug smirk.
“Hello, boys,” she said. “Here to tell me how to do my job again?”
“Two Special Forces will run checks,” Greystone said. “We need the list.”
“I’ll give you what I have, but the list isn’t accurate.”
“What the fuck,” Teddy growled.
“Any staff who called out this morning were replaced with last-minute adds.” She raised her thick eyebrows at him. “I work with humans, they’re fluid creatures.”
Teddy pulled out his phone. “I need a photo of your list.”
She held it out, he snapped a pic, then forwarded it to Rebel and Brit.
A few minutes later, Rebel and Brit hurried toward him, also dressed in SWAT gear.
“Security is somewhat disorganized,” Brit murmured.
“No shit,” Teddy bit out. “This is Agent Alton. She’s managing the servers.”
After confirming Rebel and Brit had Agent Alton’s list, Teddy left the project in their competent hands.
“Skyboxes next,” Teddy said to Greystone.
The brothers stood like guards in the back of the first suite, eyeing the servers. They were busy setting up the appetizers and filling glasses with ice.
Teddy recognized no one from the Haqazzii regime, but someone new could have been brought in to carry out the assassination. BLACK OPS were flying blind. They had no idea who these people really were.
The event had too many moving parts, with too many “fluid creatures” that Teddy had no control over.
No control at all… and that’s what worried him the most.
SYDNEY