Chapter 18
chapter
eighteen
Ender
It has been three days.
We’ve been traversing the forest for what feels like an eternity. I can tell the soldiers are getting exhausted, and my frustration has been rising for the past few days.
My comms link pings, and I tap the device in my ear.
“I have more men on route,” Ansel says. “Sullivan’s chopper landed this morning, and he’s leading Beta squad. I shared your coordinates, and he’ll be there shortly.”
“Any word on the prisoner exchange?” I ask.
“The High General refuses to accept their terms,” he says. “Ground force will have to locate them before they make good on their threat.”
“The girl could be hurt or dead,” I say tightly. “Is that a risk he wants to take?”
“Let us hope it doesn’t come to that,” Ansel says grimly.
The call ends, and I frown. I’m surprised Reed Sullivan is coming to help find the girl.
Orson Warrick must care about his daughter, at least a little, to send the best of the best. The lieutenant is a Neural Manipulator who can control one’s nervous system.
I’ve seen him take away one’s sight and ability to move. He’s a dangerous weapon on the field.
I wait in the clearing while my men continue to scour the area. Twenty minutes later, wheels screech to a stop, and a door slams shut. I frown at the man who steps out. His blond hair grazes his brows, and his hazel eyes are tight with worry.
“You’re not Sullivan,” I say, annoyed. “Where is the lieutenant?”
“My father is busy,” he says. “I’m Grayson. We haven’t met before.”
He stretches out his hand in greeting, which I ignore. So, much for the High General bringing out the big guns. He sent an idiot to help. He really must not care if the girl lives or dies.
“Are you a Neural Manipulator?” I ask.
Sometimes children had their parents’ powers. But that was rather rare.
“No,” he says, jogging to keep pace. “I’m strong. Like if I punch a tree, it will fall.”
“Great,” I mutter. “So, you’re useless.”
“You’re kind of a dick,” Grayson says. “You know that? I thought people were exaggerating about your bad temper.”
I come to a halt and turn to face him.
“Listen, Drayton,” I snarl. “I don’t fail missions, and this one won’t be the first. Get your men to scope the area and coordinate with mine. Orion Bridges is a Tracker, and he’s taking the lead. You can communicate with me through him.”
“It’s Grayson,” he corrects. “And you’re right here. Why would I need to radio in another team to speak with you? That makes zero sense.”
“Because your voice grates on my nerves,” I say.
Grayson clicks his tongue and turns on his heels.
We’ve set up camp for the night. The forest is eerily silent. Branches scraping the dirt like claws.
I’m on a log, glowering at the flames after another failed day.
Orion’s team returned to join ours. He can’t sense Knox. I can tell he’s frustrated. He keeps toying with the old matchbox he carries around. He has trinkets that belong to each of the members of Black Star. It’s meant to be used during times like this.
“There’s something wrong with his powers,” Orion whispers. “I can’t sense him. Not fully.”
“You think they de-stabilized it?” I ask.
“An officer lost his control a week ago,” Clover says. “It might be in the hands of the rebels.”
“We’re close,” Orion says. “I know that much.”
“I think we got a lead,” Spider calls.
Spider and Grayson are standing side-by-side. Spider stormed off in his direction when Orion and Clover refused to make room for him on their log.
Grayson’s fair hair flutters in the breeze as he approaches us. He looks younger than me, but I reckon we’re the same age and he simply lacks the discipline and structure my life has.
“What is it?”
Grayson holds his tablet upright.
“We went through all the properties in the area. Most of them were demolished when your father passed the policy that required all civilians to live in the divisions in government housing,” Grayson says. “This one was skipped.” He points to the circled area. “It’s ten miles from here.”
The fire crackles low, casting long shadows across the clearing. I stare at the map on his tablet that outlines the directions to the destination.
I fold my arms over my chest, scrutinizing the location.
“A safehouse. Off the road, surrounded by cover, with a possible functional utility grid. Makes sense, they’d pick somewhere hard to find. There’s minimal risk for enforcers to notice anything this deep in the forest.”
“Grayson is a genius,” Spider exclaims.
“Don’t be modest,” Grayson replies. “You helped me narrow it down.”
Spider beams at him.
“Did you find anything, Orion?” Spider asks.
Orion glares at him as Grayson draws up a satellite overlay on his tablet.
“The roads here are too far for enforcers to venture during searches. If they keep to the dirt path and stick to the tree lines, they’re invisible. If this is where they are holed up, it’s going to be a long night. We need a plan to get close without tipping them off.”
“We need a smaller team for recon,” I say.
Grayson hesitates. “What if it’s a trap? They are smart, and clearly well-prepared.”
I meet his gaze, steady and cold.
“It is our only lead. We’ll take the risk.”
He nods slowly, the tension in his jaw softening.
I spread my fingers across the map again. A path runs along the ridge, which could be the perfect spot to take cover and assess our surroundings.
“We study the safehouse first and then attack,” I say. “My squad and I are trained in reconnaissance. We’ll signal Beta when ready.”
“I can help with recon,” Grayson says stubbornly.
“This is my mission, and you are my soldier,” I say. “Soldiers take orders.”
Grayson looks like he is ready to argue, but he must realize it is futile.
“Fine,” he grits out between clenched teeth. “Whatever you say.”
I let a slow smile curl my lips.
“See. Not hard to follow orders, is it, rookie?”
“I’m not a rookie.”
I brush past him and hear footsteps behind me.
“Hey, Ender, I know you don’t like Grayson, but he’s pretty cool. He’s best friends with your wife, Haven, and—”
“Stop,” I bark. “I can’t stand that guy. One more word of praise and you’re off the unit. You can follow Sullivan to whatever backwater he’s stationed at.”
Spider’s eyes widen.
“I can’t be his friend?” Spider asks with a pout. “He said he’d take me out for drinks with Mercy once this is over. His treat! Can I go?”
“If you go, I recommend filling out a reassignment form beforehand, because you’ll be denied access to Block A when you return,” I warn. “And consider this a kindness, most people who are not in Black Star are killed. The choice is yours.”
“I don’t have any friends, why can’t I—”
“Knox is in danger,” I say harshly. “I don’t have time to deal with this, Spider.”
I draw up my map on my tablet, memorizing every bend, every tree line, every potential ambush point.
I’m going to get Knox back. No matter what happens, I’m bringing him home.
The night smells of wet earth and pine as we slide back into the trucks, which we’ll use until the halfway point. Then we’ll march on foot.
Clover is silent as we drive towards the safehouse.
“Is Knox still priority-one?” she asks.
“Of course,” I say.
“I’m surprised you didn’t put your sister-in-law above him,” she says slowly. “You two seem close.”
“What makes you think that?”
“She’s a Common who is training to join Black Star,” Clover says. Her eyes are locked on me. “And you pay a lot of attention to her.”
Is nobody focused on this mission but me? Spider is trying to make a new friend, and Clover is digging for information.
“What exactly are you implying?” I say, my voice carrying a warning.
“Nothing,” Clover says shakily. “You just…you deserve better.”
“That is not for you to decide, Ashford,” I say sharply. “Focus on the mission. Because if it fails, I will disband this unit…by putting a bullet in everyone’s eye.”
I park the truck, glad to be outside. Clover spent the entire ride staring at me with a wounded look. All because I am doing my job by focusing on getting our friend back.
By the time we cut a path through the trees.
I spot the faint outline of the abandoned house peeking between the trees.
Moonlight catches on the broken roof tiles, and vines tangle around the structure like a curtain.
The only sound is the screeching cries of the crickets and the rush of the nearby river.
I take the lead, Clover and Delta close behind.
There are multiple boot prints on the ground—more people than we expected. I count at least eight different-sized shoes in the mud.
Figures stir in the trees. Snipers. Around a dozen people are circling the area—their identity concealed by ridiculous plastic masks.
There are enough of them to make us break a sweat.
I draw out my radio and call in for back-up.
I signal to Grayson and Orion, lowering my hand slowly. Their eyes flick to mine, tight and uneasy.
“Twelve, maybe more,” I whisper, nodding toward the prints. “Spread out. No sudden movements. We shadow them until I give the word.”
Grayson’s jaw tightens, but he moves with practiced efficiency, flanking me as we creep closer.
The others fan out, slowly stepping forward, rifles trained on the building. Every snap of a twig beneath a boot sends my pulse spiking. I glare at the big-footed bastard, one of the Delta squad members—Ansel’s man. He gives me an apologetic nod behind his visor, acknowledging my anger.
I catch the glint of a scope. A man pauses, scanning the perimeter. He hasn’t noticed us yet, which is shocking considering the elephants behind me.
I motion for Grayson to approach.
“Rookie,” I murmur, eyes never leaving the rebels, “move to the east side. Signal with one tap if they split up.”
Grayson huffs quietly but obeys, disappearing into the shadows. I catch his silhouette freeze as he spots movement.
One tap.
They’re moving. Just as I predicted. Rotations.
I take a low crouch, gesturing for my team to advance. Orion’s team cleaves on the opposite side of mine.
“Ender, I just wanted to say I’m sorry,” Spider whispers. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be on Orion’s side?” I hiss. “Is this a joke to you, Halstead?”
“No, of course, not. It just didn’t feel right to go in there without clearing the air,” Spider says. “You mean a lot to me, Ender. And I know I don’t say it often, but I love you.”
I grit my teeth.
“Great, your words made me feel so much better,” I say dryly. “Now, shut it, before I cut out your tongue.”
I take the lead, shoving him behind me. My shoulders loosen when he stays back and keeps silent.
It’s like they want to give away our cover.
Once we find Knox, we’re going to have a long discussion on boundaries and taking missions more seriously.