Page 35 of Zero Visibility

Headlights appeared in between trees.

“Heads up,” Ben warned. “We’ve got company.” A line of heavy military vehicles moved toward them.

“That’s a lot of weaponry,” Peter said. “All of that for us?”

“Maybe.” Ben wasn’t so sure. The thought of having Legion’s people so close to the compound was disturbing. “If they’ve been tracking Tegan’s phone, it was possible they’d know about the compound. They could be amassing for an attack.”

“I didn’t tell them about it, I swear,” Tegan said in a frantic tone.

“Still, I don’t believe them being here is an accident.” Ben grabbed his phone again. The moment Cole picked up, he said, “They’re not coming for us. They know about the compound. We need to evacuate. Now.”

“And go where?” The desperation in Cole’s tone was frightening.

The team had weapons to protect themselves, but after having to leave the Wyoming headquarters, they’d flown to Montana with just a couple of planes. There was one vehicle and that was the one Ben had left in.

They were quickly running out of options.

“Let me talk to him,” Isaac said unexpectedly. Ben leaned over and handed the older man his phone.

“I know a place,” Isaac told his friend. But it’s going to take some maneuvering to get there.” Ben listened while Isaac explained about a hunting cabin he had in Idaho. “The place is in the mountains and pretty much impossible to fly to. If you’ve got a cargo plane, we can load the SUV into it, along with whatever we can take with us, and land at the place I normally fly into. I have a Jeep tucked away there. The cabin isn’t much, but it should be safe from prying eyes until we can figure something else out.”

They wouldn’t have a choice, but the idea of trudging through deep snow with his wife’s and Tegan’s health so fragile did little to encourage Ben.

“I’ll hand you back to your friend now.” Isaac gave Ben back the phone.

“We don’t have a choice, do we?” Ben said.

“I’m afraid not. You’ll have to go cross country to get here and it will add extra time, but you can’t take the road. It’s too risky. We’ll get everything loaded into the plane and wait for you. Hurry, Ben. The walls are closing in on us all, and Legion has all the latest technology associated with the US military at their disposal. We’re outmanned.”

“We’re on our way.” Ben ended the call and updated his people. Stunned silence filled the space. Everyone in the vehicle knew their chances of surviving were narrowing with every passing moment.

Will pulled the Suburban from behind the house and headed east. Having to go cross country without headlights made the trip longer and felt as if he took twice as long.

Ben did his best to shield his wife from the thrashing the Suburban was taking, but it was impossible. He prayed for protection for their child. They had to get everyone out of the compound as quickly as possible.

With what happened on their last flight still fresh on his mind, he had to wonder if any of them would survive another run in with Legion.

“I see the compound up ahead.” Will leaned forward and peered through the windshield.

Ben had a moment of relief as they entered the former youth camp that had been their home for such a short period of time.

The place was blacked out including the airstrip.

Will didn’t waste any time getting there. The plane was out of its hangar and waiting, the loading hatch open.

Will pulled the Suburban inside. Everyone got out.

“People leave your phones behind. We can’t take any chances that they’ll track us somehow.” Ben gathered the phones and tossed them outside, then closed the hatch.

They barely had time to take a seat before the plane was taxiing down the runway under Deacon’s careful guidance.

Ben made quick introductions. “This is my wife, Jen, and Everett and Nancy Simpson. Isaac and Doris Ottoman.”

The Ottomans hugged Cole.

“Good to see you both came,” Cole said. “I know how stubborn you two are.”

Isaac chuckled. “I hate leaving my home, but you made it sound like we didn’t have a choice.”

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