Page 37 of Scarred Sunrise

“So, let’s assume she has the lab there. What’s the plan?”

Smithy looked at Daniel, whose face was drawn in a hard line; his arms crossed with determination. He knew that feeling because it lived in his soul. The need to destroy the threat to those he loved. Except now he understood it better than he ever thought possible because he didn’t need her eliminated for himself, he needed Lizzie and her son safe. He wanted her to live free from the threat, and he wanted a future with her that didn’t include looking over their shoulders at every turn.

“Well, it’s only accessible by air or sea, so I say we infil here using Zodiacs.”

“Is Eidolon supplying those?” Zin asked of the small inflatable raiding boats used to make land when they needed stealth.

Zack nodded. “Yes, Jack has given us access to anything we need, but unfortunately, we won’t have back up from them on this as they have a situation of their own they’re dealing with.”

“We’ll need dry suits and breathers too,” Dane added.

Just then a call came through from Will.

“Will, I have you on speaker.”

“I have visual on Cosa and IR suggests there are fifteen heat signatures, mostly crowded into the main part of the village. I’m going to connect you so you can see.”

The large overhead screen went black for a second and then it was filled with the image of the village again, only this time with red dots that were people inside the homes.

“Are you saying the lab is inside one of those structures?” Nate asked.

“Yes. My bet is she left the outside to look exactly like it does so as not to raise any suspicions. Rhea is a calculating bitch and paranoid about everything too,” Smithy bit out not hiding his contempt for the woman who was trying to ruin everyone’s lives.

“Agreed. So infil here and then split into two teams of two with Nate on overwatch here.” Zack pointed to a ridge of hillside that would give him good sight lines and cover. “Smithy and I will go in here. That’s the most logical place for the lab because of the waterline.” He pointed to where most of the heat signatures were. “Dane and Daniel will take this area. Will is on comms and Zin, K, and Drew are here to keep a watch on Lizzie, Lucy, and Meg.”

Smithy felt his heart skid over at the thought of Lizzie in danger, torn between his need to go and his need to protect her. He’d never understood it before, how having this connection pulled the men’s loyalties in two—family or the job. Although in this case, keeping their wives and kids safe was the job.

“Do we have intel that suggests this is a trap?” He knew Zack would’ve said but needed to ask anyway.

“No, but we’d be foolish to assume anything with her.”

Smithy nodded. “Fair point. What time are we leaving?”

“I say we head out now and drive down so we’re close and can do some recon.”

Smithy stood. “I’ll get my stuff.”

He moved through the building towards the lockers where he got his gear and then to the weapons lock-up for his HKP11 underwater pistol, his C8 Carbine, a couple of K-bar knives, and a pistol for close contact.

Once he was done, he stepped outside for some air. He wanted to get his head on straight before he went into this mission. One mistake and it could be a disaster, not just for him and the team, but for millions of people who would die if the drug was released.

His breathing became faster as for the first time since this entire nightmare had begun, the impact sunk in and he realised that it wasn’t just those he cared about, it was mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters all over the globe.

He tipped his head back and looked towards the hills behind Fortis, concentrating on the beauty he could see there, the tranquil calm of the green countryside and after a few moments his breathing eased, and the tightness in his chest relaxed.

He picked up his phone, wanting to hear Liz’s voice again but hesitated. She’d hear his anxiety and worry. He didn’t want that, so he sent her a text instead.

Hey, Sweetheart, we’re a go. I’ll be back tomorrow, but Zin has the details if you want them. Do you fancy taking Mateo out for a burger tomorrow night?”

He hit send and tucked the phone back in his pocket, not expecting an immediate reply. He’d only been around Mateo a little bit, but the kid was a good boy and loved his mother, and that made him solid in Smithy’s eyes. Rhea Winslow had taken so much from them all, and it grated to know that included a mother from her child.

“You up for this?”

Smithy spun at the sound of Daniel’s voice, the man had as much to lose as anyone, with his baby daughter having no known ability, they would likely perish if this was allowed to happen. He had grown closer to the couple working so closely with Meg on the vaccine. “Yeah, I’m up for it.”

Daniel shoved his hands in his pockets and looked around just as he had, and he knew he wasn’t the only one to carry scars from this whole mess. His were different, yet in many ways, the same.

“Is it harder going out on a mission and knowing you could die now you have a family?”

He hadn’t meant to ask the question, but it was out now, and he couldn’t snatch it back.

Daniel raised an eyebrow, his mouth turning down as he considered his words. “Yes and no. Yes, because I have the responsibility to come home to them, and that makes every mission that much more crucial. And no because I have a reason to go home. Family is everything. It’s my reason for breathing. I love Meg and the girls more than I can even put into words. That doesn’t make me weaker, it makes me stronger because there is nothing, and I do mean nothing, I wouldn’t do to protect them.”

Smithy thought for a minute and wondered if there was a line he wouldn’t cross for Lizzie and realised there wasn’t. Was that love or was it still part of some deep-seated guilt? “Do you ever feel guilty about the things you’ve done?”

“Every day. I don’t think we ever fully separate love and guilt. I feel guilty for not loving Claire like I do Meg. I feel guilty every time I go on a mission or a risky job, knowing I could die and leave the people I love behind.”

Smithy turned to Daniel who was leaning against the side the building, his leg propped on the wall behind him. “I’m trying to figure out if what I have with Liz is the real thing or more guilt.” He had no idea why he was opening up like this when his mind should’ve been on the mission.

Daniel clapped him on the shoulder. “You already know the answer, mate. You’re just scared to admit it. Anyone who sees the way you look at her, as if she’s the moon, can see you love her, and Liz has never hidden her feelings for you.”

Daniel went back inside and left Smithy with his thoughts. Getting his feelings in order was like untangling a knot on a delicate silver chain whilst drunk, but then maybe that was the issue. He was trying to make too much sense of it instead of feeling it all and letting it happen. When he got back, he’d tell her how he felt.

With that decision made he felt lighter, his shoulders relaxing, the tension in his neck easing. It was time to roll out and get this lab taken care of.