Page 36 of Zero Visibility

“I’m afraid you didn’t,” Cole told them. “James was able to complete the cloaking software that will keep us off the radar if it works the way it should. The team had to work quickly to put it in place.”

Ben knew if anyone could make it work, it was James. The former SEAL had an uncanny grasp of all things related to technology and his team was well trained.

“How are you feeling, Jen?” If anyone understood how desperate their situation had become, it was Sidney. She’d almost died when she and her husband, Kaiden, had to flee Alaska with Ben’s help just to escape Legion.

“I’m just so grateful the Simpsons were there for us. Otherwise—” Jen didn’t finish but she didn’t have to.

“We’re happy you made it safely. We’ve been listening to your calls. That must have been scary.” Sidney clutched Jen’s arm. “You should get some rest. Sounds like we’ve got a long hike ahead of us once we reach Idaho.”

Jen settled back into the seat and closed her eyes. Ben hoped she’d be able to sleep, but for him, his brain wouldn’t shut off. He glanced back to where Tegan sat alone. Sympathy rose inside of him for what he’d gone through. Though his actions went against everything Ben believed in, he couldn’t judge Tegan. If the tables were turned and Jen was the one they threatened he’d move the universe to protect her.

Kaiden slipped into the seat across from Ben. “I’m glad you guys made it out of there. What do you want to do about him?” He motioned back to Tegan.

“I’m furious enough to strangle him right now, but we need him, and he made a mistake. Any word on his brother?”

“Nothing yet. Cole’s people are searching the campus.” Kaiden lowered his voice. “But if they have him, he won’t be alive for long.”

???

“Let me take a look at your side.” Jen opened her eyes and found Everett seated beside her where her husband had once sat. Ben was up in the front of the plane speaking with Cole. He glanced back at her and smiled.

“How long have I been out?” Jen asked, surprised that she’d fallen asleep.

“Almost an hour.” Everett concentrated on removing the bandage on her side. Once it was free, he checked the wound before cleaning it. “There’s no sign of infection, which is a good thing.” With a smile for her, he covered the wound with a clean bandage and glanced out the window at the darkness waiting there. “But this is a terrible thing,” he said in a weary tone.

“It is. I’m sorry that I had to get you and Nancy involved.” She hated that she’d put her friends’ lives in danger.

“No, Jen.” He shook his head. “This isn’t your fault. None of it. Those men are truly evil. The chaos they’ve created for their own gain is unimaginable. They must be stopped.” He squeezed her hand and rose to join his wife.

“So far, the radar-masking software appears to be working,” The man she’d been introduced to as James announced to the group.

It was a comfort to realize they didn’t have to worry about being tracked for the time being.

Ben sat beside her. “We should be there within the hour. Did you get some sleep?”

She peered at the man she loved and realized he’d been fighting to protect them for so long and operating on no sleep. “I did. What about you? You must be exhausted. Why don’t you close your eyes for a bit?”

He kissed her cheek and shook his head. “I wish I could, but I just keep going over everything in my head.”

She turned toward him. “Talk to me. What are you thinking?”

A breath slipped out, and then he told her how the nightmare first began. “Over two years ago there was an attack on a team of CIA agents who were all killed to cover up Legion’s deadly plot. With the exception of one agent.” He told her about how Sidney had been framed for the murders and forced on the run. She’d ended up in Alaska. “That’s where she met James. It was terrifying to hear James had been burned by the same people who were framing Sidney.

“I had begun working undercover within Legion. The deputy director at the time recruited me to work for it. He had no idea I was really working with Cole to bring Legion down.” He stopped and focused on her shocked expression. “But we had no idea how high up Legion’s members were. They control just about every branch of our government. We need some way to stop the bleeding.”

She couldn’t imagine the despair weighing on him. “We’ll find something. Once we’re safe in Isaac’s cabin and have breathing room, we’ll come up with something.” The bleakness on his face tore at her heart. She wanted to help him. Carry the load for him, but she had no idea how.

“We’re closing in on our target location. Almost there, folks,” Deacon said. “I’ll be landing without any runway lights and it’s pitch dark down there. Hang on tight. It could be a bumpy ride.”

Jen put on her seatbelt. As the plane began its descent, she grasped the arms of the seat. They’d been through so much. They needed a safe passage to the cabin more than anything because everyone was just one more mishap from crumbling.

Deacon touched the plane on the ground. It hit hard and popped back into the air. Jen held her breath as the plane made contact with the frozen earth once more. This time, the pilot was able to hold it on the ground. It shook so much she feared it would explode as they ground down the field for what felt like forever until the plane finally came to a shuddering stop.

“That was as hairy as I expected. Everyone okay?” Deacon asked. Jen opened her eyes and glanced around the plane. God had brought them all down safely.

“My Jeep is just up ahead a little way. There’s a little shed where I keep it.” Isaac unbuckled his seatbelt and rose.

---