Amber
The next morning after breakfast, the entire compound was called together for a meeting. We gathered in the only area big enough for everyone, the central room that was used for dining, recreation, working out . . . everything.
I stood against the wall with my whole squad since there weren’t enough seats. Rylen and I were arm to arm, and I loved the contact. Everyone went silent when Colonel Latham and First Sergeant moved to the front of the room.
“We’ve got two things on the agenda today,” the Colonel said. “Both major, so listen up. First off, First Sergeant and his crew learned quite a lot at Dugway. They were able to capture an enemy and squeeze him for information—” Tex sputtered a cough at this, and our whole crew dropped our heads, trying not to laugh at the wording, because yeah . . . Linette had squeezed the Baelese man in all the right places for information. Top shot us a warning look, and we all straightened up as the Colonel continued.
He told the other guys everything we’d learned when Captain Ward escaped the Baelese and made it to us. Of course, the item of the most interest was their sexual habits and upcoming reproduction schedule.
“We need recent intel,” the Colonel said. “We know it’s supposed to happen at some point this summer, but we need to knowexactlywhen their mating season will begin so that we can strike.”
I got a chill as people who’d been lifeless since we arrived finally smiled at the mention of battle. Everyone in the room nodded and murmured, and the thrill of excitement rose throughout the compact space. It was easy to feel stagnant underground, like we’d be stuck here forever and nothing would happen. None of us wanted to die down here like ants. We’d so much rather die above ground, fighting for our way of life. I didn’t want war, but it was inevitable. To know battle was on the horizon was actually a relief.
“Now, as to how we plan to gather that intel . . . we’re going to have to take back Elmendorf Base in a sneak attack, not giving them time to notify their main base of operations, which we believe is in Nevada.”
The murmuring rose louder, and I looked up at Rylen. “Isn’t that the base where all these guys were stationed?” I whispered, motioning my hand out at the room.
“Yeah,” he whispered back. “So we have an advantage since they’re familiar with it.”
“This is no small task,” Top said over the din of noise, quieting everyone again.
“We’re currently twenty miles outside of Elmendorf,” Colonel Latham explained. “By my estimation, there are approximately fifty Baelese there, only about a third of our number. But all it takes is one second for them to notify their counterparts, therefore we cannot take everyone. Our plan is to attack with half our numbers to be sure we overpower them, but that number of soldiers can still make a stealth mission difficult. For that reason we will only use the experienced forces for this mission. I’ll need all others here on lookout and comm duty. And our resident medic will join the attack team, though I need her protected at all times.”
His eyes searched and found me, making my heart jump. “Amber Tate is not military trained, but her paramedic skills are invaluable here. Having her on site could mean the difference of life and death for those injured in the battle.”
I’m going on the mission!Holy shit! Rylen took my hand and squeezed as everyone turned to nod at me.
“As you all know,” the Colonel said. “Since going underground here, we’ve had only one source of intelligence about the goings on at Elmendorf. We were able to hack into the surveillance system in the main comm building, but only the visuals, not the audio. It’s been a challenge, but we’ve been able to ascertain some information about how they communicate with their main base. Our goal is to take over and pretend we are them, so as to receive information from their headquarters. From there, we will organize and send information to other cells worldwide. Everyone got it?”
“Hooah,” we all chimed.
“Good. More info to come soon. Our mission will go down in T-minus-four days at 0300. Prep begins now.”
A tremor had begun inside my abdomen and worked its way to my limbs. Rylen squeezed my hand and turned me to face him.
“You’re going too, aren’t you?” I asked.
He gave me a solemn nod. “Most of our crew is going.”
I shut my eyes, breathing in and out before opening them again. “Okay.”
We were in it together. At this point, that’s all I wanted.
