Page 25 of Zero Visibility

“What about Nolan? Any word on his whereabouts?” The former member of Legion was working with them to bring down Collins and the rest of their unholy team, but without any contact with Nolan in hours, Ben was worried.

“Nothing since the plane arrived in D.C. His tracking device isn’t working either. Neither is his phone. Who knows what kind of technology Legion’s using to keep from being traced?” Cole stopped for a breath. “The sooner we have everyone safely in Montana, the better for us all. We need to regroup. Make another plan of attack. No matter what, we can’t let Legion use those nuclear weapons.”

“I agree.” And they couldn’t get there soon enough as far as Ben was concerned. “Once we’re airborne, I’ll contact you. Until then, pray for us, Cole. Because I have a bad feeling this is far from over.”

“Always, my friend. Stay safe until we see each other again. And if anything comes up, give me a call. I’ll see what I can do to help you get out of there.”

“I will. Thanks, Cole.” Ben hit the end button and stuck the phone in his pocket. Hearing Cole’s voice helped, but the knot in Ben’s gut wouldn’t relax. Peter and Will stood guard by the door. Ben went over to them. “Let take a look around outside to be safe. Bring your night-vision binoculars. Give me a second and I’ll be right behind you.”

“You got it.” Will dug into his backpack and brought out the night-vision binoculars. He and Peter stepped outside while Ben went over to Jen and touched her arm, beckoning her out of Nancy’s earshot. “You still have your handgun?” he asked in a low voice.

Her eyes grew large. She nodded. “It’s in my bag.”

“Get it. I’ll have Tegan keep his close as well. We’re going to take a quick look around the house. Have everyone stay away from the windows.”

The fear in her eyes was clear. “Are you worried?”

He tugged her further away from the others. “Just a feeling. Stay here and take care of our child.” He leaned in and kissed her forehead, then let her go.

Their eyes lingered on each other for a moment and then he left.

Stepping out into the remains of Christmas Day, Ben listened to the quiet surrounding them. “Let’s stay dark. No flashlights,” Ben whispered to his men. “And we stay close.” He pointed to the side of the house. The three fanned out across the treed lot keeping each other in sight. Was he just being paranoid? After what they’d been through, he had good reason.

They ended back at the RV. Ben scanned the woods for any sign of life through the night-vision binoculars he’d brought. The place appeared deserted.

“What’s got you so worried?” Peter asked.

“I don’t know. After everything that’s happened, I guess I’m on edge.”

“This will all be over soon enough once we’re on a plane out of here.” Peter squeezed his shoulder.

“I sure hope so.” But Peter’s words didn’t make the bad impression go away. “Let’s head back. I say we start for the rendezvous site. I’ll feel better if we’re on the move instead of hanging out in one place.” He certainly didn’t want to wait around to see if he was right to be concerned. Ben was never so happy as when the house came into view.

The three of them went inside and Ben made the announcement. “We’re heading to the airstrip now. I want to be ready to board the moment Lincoln arrives.” Ben helped Tegan to his feet. Staying close to his injured friend, he clasped Jen’s hand as they headed outside.

“What’s going on?” Jen whispered so only he could hear.

“I don’t know.” And he didn’t. “Just a bad feeling, I guess. According to Cole, the field that Lincoln will use to land is straight ahead.”

With his head on a swivel, he led them across the frozen ground into the woods that separated the house from the field Lincoln would use as a landing strip. With darkness impenetrable the going was slow. Ben’s heart drummed a crazy beat against his chest. Each step echoed in his ears. Why was he so alarmed?

In front of them, the woods thinned. They’d reached the targeted meet location. Ben stopped and put out an arm in front of him so that Jen and the others didn’t go any further. “Hang on a second.” He stopped to listen. What was that noise?

His men halted beside him. “What’s wrong?” Tegan asked between gulps of air. The noise became louder. It sounded like a jet engine coming their way.

Still too soon for Lincoln.

Ben swung back the way they’d come. Before he had time to realize what was happening, an explosion shook the world around them. He struggled to keep his footing as a fireball mushroomed above the trees.

As he watched the inferno in horror, truth dawned. A missile had targeted the place where they’d been minutes earlier. Legion knew where they were and was coming to take them out.

“They’re still tracking us somehow.” The ground fell out from under Ben’s feet. The fire had scorched the woods behind them. “Head for the trees on the other side of the field.” They had seconds to reach the woods. There was no doubt in Ben’s mind another missile attack was imminent.

???

Ben grabbed Tegan and lifted him over his shoulder. He hit full stride with Jen doing her best to keep up. Her breath burned her chest. The woods appeared miles out of reach as they entered the field, exposed.

Behind them, another noise like the one before screamed through the night. Jen kept her eyes focused straight ahead. The noise grew louder. Just a little further until they reached the coverage.

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