41
KIAN
Kian's eyes darted from one screen to the next as he monitored four simultaneous operations across Los Angeles. Beside him, Onegus, Turner, Andrew, William, and Roni did the same.
"Strike Three to Command," Bhathian's voice came through the speakers. "Site secured. Three Doomers, fourteen humans in custody. Explosives located and disarmed. No complications."
"Copy that, Strike Three," Onegus responded. "Load the transports and clear the site."
One corner of Kian's mouth lifted in a smile. Trust Bhathian to make it sound routine, as if neutralizing a terrorist cell was no more challenging than a morning training exercise.
"Strike One reports similar success," Onegus updated, glancing at his screens. "Max's team encountered an unexpected additional Doomer."
Andrew leveled his gaze at the chief. "That wasn't in our intelligence."
"No, it wasn't." Onegus's jaw tightened. "Either our surveillance missed him, or he arrived after Dagor recalled the spy drone. It could also mean there is a fifth cell we are unaware of. We need to interrogate these Doomers as soon as possible so we can find out. We don't have the luxury of missing any of them."
Kian nodded. "We are heading to the keep first thing tomorrow morning."
Onegus chuckled. "I know it's hard to tell in the underground what time it is, but it's already morning."
"Let me rephrase that," Kian said. "As soon as the Doomers are secured in the dungeon, you and I are heading to the keep. Neither of us is going to sleep until we know for sure that we are not missing another cell loaded with explosives."
Before the chief could respond, another voice crackled through the comm system.
"Strike Four to Command." Magnus's tone was all business. "We have the site secured. I'm happy to report that there's significant structural damage. Some of the guys got overly enthusiastic."
Kian couldn't help but smile. Talk about sending a message to Navuh...
"Define significant," Onegus said.
"Structural integrity is questionable. Several walls were destroyed, with at least two of them being load-bearing. Additionally, one of the Doomers attempted to trigger the explosives manually. Dustin stopped him, but it was close. If he'd been half a second slower..."
The unfinished sentence hung in the air. The explosives in each cell could level several city blocks. If even one had detonated, the death toll would have been catastrophic.
"Understood, Strike Four," Onegus said. "Good work. Special thanks to Dustin from all of us."
"What about Strike Two?" Kian said, noting they hadn't heard from Anandur's team yet.
"Strike Two, copy?" Onegus repeated.
Static filled the war room for several heartbeats before Anandur's voice came through. "Strike Two is still engaged. Facing heavier resistance than expected. These Doomers are on some kind of enhancing drugs and better trained than the others."
Kian exchanged a look with Onegus. "Clarify.'"
"Four Doomers, not three," Anandur reported. Sounds of combat filtered through—gun shots, crashes, grunts, the distinctive whine of exoskeleton servos under strain. "They must have seen us coming because they were ready for us. Probably perimeter cameras that the crew outside didn't catch."
"Do you need reinforcements?" Onegus asked.
"Negative." A crash echoed through the comm, followed by Anandur's grunt. "We've got—shit, watch the explosives! Secure that detonator!"
As the comm cut to static, Kian found himself standing, though he didn't remember rising from his chair. Every instinct screamed at him to suit up and join the Guardians in the field, even though it was entirely irrational.
By now, he should have gotten used to observing missions from a distance instead of being right there with his Guardians, but whenever things went south, he felt this irrational urge to be there and help.
As long seconds passed, Kian could hear his own heartbeat, steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his system.
"Strike Two to Command." Anandur's voice returned, steadier now. "Site secured. Four Doomers in custody, one seriously injured but alive. Brundar took some damage to his exoskeleton, but he's functional. Explosives secured, but barely so. One of the bastards had his hand on the trigger when Marco tackled him."
