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“The pay is better,” Jordan said.
Another soldier came up and saluted Captain Rose. “You coming with us, sir?”
“Not this time, Stackpole. We’re going in if you guys get stuck. Heard the SEALs are having a rough go of it down there. Let’s show them who’s boss.”
The soldiers grunted, and Suki rolled her eyes at the rivalry.
“There’s no one here,” Captain Rose told Jordan, knifing his hand to point across the parking lot. “Only one road leading to the highway, and I’ve got it blocked. We’ve patrolled the ruins. Empty. Park opens at 8 a.m., so we better be gone long before then, or there’s going to be trouble.” He looked at his watch. “That doesn’t give you a long time, soldier. How exactly are you getting down to the Yucatán and back?”
“She’s our ride,” Jordan said, pointing his thumb at Suki. “Gather the team.”
The soldiers they’d flown in with came around in a circle. Captain Rose looked skeptical, but he stood there and listened in.
“You were given a pretty pathetic briefing by the brass, so let me fill you in on a few things,” Jordan said. “What they said about shooting is true. Do not open fire unless I give the order, and I’m not giving it until this girl tells me it’s clear. Where we’re going, the laws of physics work differently. They have invisible shields that can deflect bullets. Back at us. I know that’s hard to believe, but I’ve seen it. One of these dudes took out a SWAT team in DC this afternoon. But we have her on our side. She can hack their shields and bring them down. Just like in Independence Day.”
“These aliens?” one of the soldiers asked.
“However you want to think about it, I don’t care,” Jordan said. “These guys can also turn into jaguars and other animals. They are at their most vulnerable during the transition. If you see a man grow fangs, shoot him then, not after. If they charge, pull a knife and go for the throat before they bite you. We’re probably going to see some stuff you’ve never encountered before. Your instinct will be to pull the trigger. Don’t. Not until I give the order. We’re going in quiet, and we’re going to improvise. Got it?”
Suki saw heads nodding in acceptance, but a few of them had incredulous looks. They’d heard this before, at least in part, but some things you just had to see.
“But how are we getting there, Scott?” one of them asked.
Jordan turned to Suki. “Tell us what to do and where you’re taking us.”
Suki swallowed when all their eyes came to her. She’d never liked being the center of attention, and that hadn’t magically changed now. They looked mean. They looked dangerous. She was glad for both things because they were on her side.
“Everyone hold hands,” she said, then smiled at the shocked looks on their faces.
She’d given it some thought. Her dad and the prisoners were probably being kept in the dungeon beneath Jacob Calakmul’s palace. The palace had many servants, most of whom were helpless and nonviolent but loyal to Calakmul. They’d run and warn him if soldiers suddenly appeared. However, most servants weren’t allowed to enter Jacob’s inner sanctum. No one was. If they started there, she could lead them to the dungeon and fight the warriors who were guarding it. That was the quickest and most direct way.
It was just herself, Jordan, and three other soldiers going in. Jordan had explained a team was four soldiers. That would give Suki the chance to bring others out, since she could only teleport thirteen people total.
It was a small group. Very small. But their job was to go in and get out quickly.
She grabbed Jordan’s hand and then the hand of another member of the team. Captain Rose pursed his lips like it was the lamest thing ever, but he watched as the soldiers formed a small circle.
Once they were all connected, Suki spoke again. “It’ll be fast. Where we’re going in the jungle, there are a series of temples that look like pyramids. I’m not exactly sure where we’ll land, but we’re going to the royal building where Jacob Calakmul lives. He’s in charge, and he’s the most dangerous person there. Everyone else defers to him. The warriors were pretty sketch. They have these weapons like swords, except the blades are jagged obsidian instead of steel. And they carry blowguns. You get hit by a dart, and you’re helpless but conscious. Those are their obvious weapons. Their most dangerous weapon is the Maya magic, the kem äm. It’s pretty cool. I’ve been trained to use it, but I’m just a beginner. I don’t want to fight Jacob Calakmul because he’d win. If he comes at us, just grab hands again, and I’ll teleport us out. Okay?”
“I know it sounds weird,” Jordan said, “but trust me. It’s legit.”
“I’ve heard only a little about what happened in the Sit Room at the White House. Any chance we could get a little demo?” Captain Rose asked, looking at Suki.
“It threw a Marine about twelve feet,” Suki answered. “Want to try that?”
“I would love to try that,” the captain said, smirking.
Suki used the ring, summoned the magic, and put a circular shield up in front of her. The soldiers blinked in surprise at the glowing motes of magic.
“Give it a punch,” Suki suggested.
He did and was instantly knocked back about five feet.
“Any other questions?” Jordan asked. “Bullets ricochet off it and come straight back at you too, only faster. Before we go, I want to put dibs. I’d like a shot at Calakmul, or that guy who kicked my butt at the Smithsonian. And there are some people down there who have betrayed our country. They’re betting on Calakmul winning. Let’s prove them all wrong.”
He squeezed Suki’s hand. “Let’s do this thing.”
Suki steadied her breath. The moonlight was bathing them all. She glanced from soldier to soldier. She was grateful they had their names on their fatigues because she wouldn’t have remembered any of their names except for Jordan’s.
