The Zodiac bobbed through a series of rough waves, more water flooding the deck when an eerie groan sounded above the wind and the rain — her pulse pounding inside her head. She picked a new line, barely avoiding another deadly swell, when that light on the horizon appeared through the rain and the clouds, thrashing back and forth as the massive ship rose and fell. An immense black shadow amidst the darkness.
Zain leaned in — dropped a kiss on her mouth. “Hell, yeah. Let’s take a look at what we’re up against, then, we’ll board her. Finish this.”
Saylor held their position as best she could as Zain peered through his scope, making a few hand signals to Chase before easing back.
Zain grabbed his rifle as he pointed to the area on the ship’s starboard side. “There’re at least six tangos on deck. They just hauled up a chunk of something.”
Saylor whistled. “They’re hauling in this weather? Talk about insane. I can’t imagine they have much more. Even a ship that size can’t remain stationary in these conditions.”
“Which means, we’d better get onboard before they take off.”
“What side’s the cargo?”
Zain sighed. “Port side. And there’re assholes with AR-15s on the deck. If they see us, everyone else will know we’re here when I drop them.”
Saylor nodded, maneuvering the boat toward the starboard side. “Then, I’ll make sure they don’t see us. Hold tight. It’s getting sketchy out here, even for me.”
Chase coughed. “That’s not frightening at all.”
She dodged the next cresting breaker before darting between two swells, punching out from beneath the curling water a second before it would have crashed over them — rolled the Zodiac on the spot.
Hushed murmurs mixed with the wind and the high-pitched whine of the crane as Saylor snuck in close to the stern, cursing when one of the men glanced over the edge.
Zain had his rifle notched in his shoulder — scope focused upward. Finger already inside the guard as the Zodiac rose and fell, getting dangerously close to the hull before she managed to give the ship a bit more breathing room. Either the Zodiac blended in with the raging waves or the extreme weather had gotten to the guy because he swept his gaze over them, then turned and ambled toward the bow, occasionally staring down at the ocean.
Zain followed him, waiting until he’d vanished into the dark before nodding at Saylor. She inched forward, matching the surging water as best she could as Chase leaned over, making several attempts before he finally snagged the ladder. He lost contact with the boat for a few seconds as a massive wave tilted theNexusup while the Zodiac dipped down, but Zain grabbed his leg — held firm until the two vessels stabilized.
Chase tied off the boat, slipping a smaller pack over his shoulders. “We all know the drill. Secure the immediate area, then work through their numbers. Try not to kill everyone or get killed in the process.”
Zain nodded, looked over at her, then jumped onto the ladder, climbing it in all of two seconds. A quick scan with his weapon, then he disappeared over the side. They followed suit, sneaking in behind that barrel from the other day. A single light brightened the area directly beneath the crane, a piece of a panel lying on the deck.
Chase made a few hand signals — he’d take the starboard side with Greer, while Saylor and Zain secured the port — swept across the deck, thencleared the lower levels before advancing on the bridge.
Zain’s left eye twitched before he nodded, angling left as Chase and Greer disappeared behind more equipment. Saylor mimicked Zain’s movements, constantly checking their six. He headed toward the bow, clearing every shadowed recess until they reached a set of stairs, Chase and Greer popping in behind them a moment later.
He showed the countdown on his hand, then darted through, clearing high and left as she followed, low and right. A couple low-level emergency lights brightened the worst of the shadows, the stairwell noticeably empty.
Chase twirled his finger, pointing up. They’d head to the bridge while she and Zain continued clearing the ship. Which made sense. Especially if the rest of the sonar weapon was stored on the vessel.
Zain gave Chase a hardened look, one of those internal conversations passing between them before he nodded. He waited until his buddy and Greer had reached the upper level before starting down. The hatch at the bottom level stood slightly ajar, a wedge of dull light outlining the hallway beyond. He paused at the base, listening the way she had when she’d been searching alone. All those memories lingering in the back of her head. No gunshots or voices, this time, just the eerie groans echoing down the hall. Accentuating every punishing wave as the boat listed left and right. The engines hummed, lurching the ship as it picked up speed.
The hatch creaked as they stepped into the hallway, still searching for any sign of crew. While they could easily pilot the ship with only a handful of men, getting this far without having to face a single tango seemed off.
If Zain felt the same, he didn’t show it, quickly clearing each room until they arrived at that same doorway. Just a hint of the bloody handprint remained, the interior lit with more of the same dull lights.
He glanced at her, pointed to the hatch, then barreled through, sweeping the area. Something clattered toward the back, the metallic tone bouncing off the walls. Saylor followed after him, still watching their six, ready to fire if anyone challenged them. They reached the spot where they’d found Vasquez, all trace of his presence gone.
Zain made a quick search of the area, nodding at a wrench lying on the ground. “If that made the sound, where the hell did the guy wielding go? Because he didn’t get past us, and I didn’t miss anyone.”
Saylor scanned the space, those memories from the original search playing in her head. The shots. The voices. How the pirates had showed the moment they’d entered this room.
She inhaled. “Get away from the walls, there’s a smuggler’s hold?—”
A part of the wall swung open, catching Zain in the shoulder and knocking him against the wall, as a canister clicked along the metal floor. Saylor fired twice into the dark recess before the grenade erupted, light and smoke bursting free as an ear-piercing tone rattled her brains. She stumbled against a bulkhead, halfwaysliding down the wall when someone grabbed her and smashed her against the metal tubing. Her weapon clattered to the floor just as the creep fisted her jacket — tugged her close.
Keith Watson grinned, slamming her against the wall, again, her boots barely touching the ground. Grunts and groans sounded in the distance, more clattering cutting through the pounding in her head.
Keith laughed as he leaned in close. “Why am I not surprised you’re still alive, O’Conner? I knew I should have come after you, myself, especially after Vasquez had a change of heart. Had to be put down. I thought for sure you’d find the hold that day but…” He sniffed her neck. “Too bad I called in the cavalry before I heard you talk — realized it was you.”
