Page 28 of Sor

“How in the hell are we getting out?” asked Leif.

“Airlift,” said AJ. “The birds will be in stealth, and you’ll have seventeen minutes from the time you emerge from that cave to get those kids on one bird and you on the others. Seventeen minutes.”

“Shit. Seventeen minutes,” muttered Cowboy.

“Seventeen minutes, junior,” smirked Joseph. Cowboy flipped him the bird as the men chuckled nervously.

“Gather all the gear,” said Cam. “We leave at 1900 to put us down in the dark in Cambodia. Joseph, Nathan, JB, Tobias, Nathan Luke, Cowboy, and Michael, you’re in charge of the distractions. Rett, East, Ethan, and Kiel will be looking for an alternative route out of the caves. Dom, Cade, Wade, Abe, Conor, U-Jin, Leif, Sebastian, Sor, Frank, and Garr will go in and get the kids.”

“This has to be perfect, gentlemen. If we’re caught by the Cambodian military, we’ll be charged and jailed, or worse,” said Eric.

“Well, there’s some happy news,” frowned Conor.

“You’re right. It’s shitty news, but it is what it is. We’ve been in worse locations before. This will be no different. There are at least seventeen varieties of venomous snakes in Cambodia. You’re going to need to wear protective gear at your calves and carry anti-venom serum.”

“More happy news,” said Dom.

“We’ve got to get to those kids,” said Sor. “If nothing else, let’s just get the kids out and blow the caves. I can go back and get DeWitt later.”

“Like fuck you will!” yelled Luke. “Listen, Sor. I know you’re used to operating on your own a lot, but we operate as a team. There are nine other men with you for a reason. Don’t you fucking dare go off on your own. Clear?”

“Clear. Sorry,” he said. The entire room chuckled, and he shook his head. “I’m a polite guy. What can I say?”

“All good, Sor,” said Leif.

“What now?” asked Sor.

“Gather your gear. We’ll load the birds with the rest. Spend dinner with your wives and family, kiss them goodbye, and ask Grandma to say extra prayers for us all,” said Luke.

“You’ll be careful, right?” whispered Nell in front of the others. All the wives were saying goodbye, hugging the men, kissing them. Others were double-checking the gear.

“I’ll be careful, babe. I promise,” he said, kissing her. She looked at Miller and Tailor loading huge cases of something, and she frowned.

“What’s that?”

“I don’t know,” he said, shrugging. “Could be anything.”

The men all turned, and Miller smiled, giving a nod to his son, Frank. He placed his hands at his head and mouthed the word ‘boom’ while his hands flew open and out. There were low chuckles, and then Luke looked at his uncle.

“Uncle Pierre? What is that?” he asked.

“Supplies, mon neveu,” he grinned. Tailor laughed, walking away from the birds. When Alec walked up with another case, Luke stepped forward.

“No. Hell no, not more,” he said to his other uncle.

“What? It’s food. Mama sent me up with it. Sandwiches, cookies, raw vegetables, not my choice, hers.”

“Fine,” said Luke, shaking his head. He heard loud sounds behind him and turned.

“Oh, shit!” yelled Nathan, jumping back from the bird. Alvin was at the doorway, staring at the men. “Dad! What the hell?”

“He wants to go,” said Trak. “He thinks he could be helpful in the caves.”

“Trak, as much as we love Alvin, and we do,” said Cam, nodding at the gator, “he can’t fly into Cambodia with us. If we get in a hurry to leave, we might have to leave him behind.” Trak frowned at Cam, then looked at Alvin. The gator immediately left and walked back toward the bayou.

“What about dogs?” asked Sor. “We could use a dog in there. It might calm the kids down.”

“That’s a good idea. Take Zeus,” said Luke.

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