Page 13 of Chinook Winds

Jordyn had an idea if it worked. “There might be a way,” she said. While she had been working on hacking into the Air Force’s computer system for a while, she hadn’t had any luck. But there was someone whom she believed could gain access. “My friend can hack into any computer system no matter how difficult the security is. If he can override the jets computer system, he can force them down.” While she had never met Spider in person, his skills were legendary. Unfortunately, Spider only held allegiance to Spider.

“You trust him?” James asked. “We don’t have much time.”

“Trust him, no. But he won’t hurt us.”

“Do it. Tell him to hurry.”

“I will.” She ended the call and went to work, while Garrett watched. Jordyn typed a brief message to Spider at the encrypted number she’d yet been able to locate.

“You sure this guy won’t do more harm than good?” Garrett’s face showed obvious doubts.

Jordyn smiled at this. One of the creeds of the hackers she knew was that they’d do no harm. They only worked to make the world better. “He won’t,” she said and finished the text message on her phone. Before she’d joined Strike Force, Jordyn had found work as a hacker. The challenge of cracking a code—stopping the bad guys—was what gave her a purpose to get out of bed each day after her brother’s death. And then she’d met James. Purely by accident. James had come to her through a chat room. He’d needed help in tracking down an elusive terrorist known only as Serpent. Meeting James had changed her life. Given her a cause worth fighting for. And put her squarely on the radar of Legion.

Her incoming message alarm beeped. She swiped the phone and read Spider’s text.

Piece of cake. Will let you know when the birds are going down.

She smiled at the message and showed it to Garrett.

“He’ll force them to land. That should give our people time to safely reach their destination.” Once Spider overrode the computer system, the fighters wouldn’t be able to communicate with each other or anyone else on the ground.

“I’m calling Peter. We need them in the air as soon as possible.” Garrett grabbed his phone and reached out to the two members of Ben Parker’s original Strike Force who had stayed behind to protect the team on the ground in Canada. With Brookes Zachary injured, they needed people trained in military combat in case their location was discovered. Without Peter, Tegan, and Deacon, their people would be vulnerable.

Birds are going down now,Spider typed. It had taken less than two minutes to override the fighters’ system.Give me something more challenging next time.And one day, we need to talk about what you’re really up to.

Jordyn shook her head. Of course, Spider didn’t expect that to happen, but it was something they joked about from time to time.

As long as you tell me who you really are, she typed back. Knowing he had long since figured out her identity.

Deal.

Jordyn called James back. “Do you still have your escorts?”

James chuckled. “No, it’s amazing. They were searching for a landing place the last we saw them. Tell Spider thanks. I don’t even want to know what he did to accomplish that feat.”

“I will. Stay safe. You’re still a long way from Virginia.”

“Copy that.” The call ended.

While she listened to Garrett update Peter on where they’d be flying, she said a prayer in her head for the team’s safety, both in the US and abroad. Though things were beginning to shift, she had a bad feeling. Collins was an evil man, and he wouldn’t give up so easily. A little challenge would only make him more determined.

She believed they were in for a long period of darkness before the light of truth shone in the shadowed corners where Legion lurked.

???

Quiet settled over the cabin of the plane once more after the two fighters had mysteriously left them.

It amazed Victor how many people James and his team knew who had proven themselves invaluable to the cause. If they weren’t going through this current crisis, he’d probably have never met them.

Victor recalled the young man he’d met while they were fleeing for their lives. Kevin “Snake” Juarez was a drug dealer with a heart of gold. He’d never been taught anything about God. All he knew how to do was live by violence.

He and Victor had started talking. Kevin had questions, doubts. Victor gave him a copy of the Bible, and Kevin had actually opened it up. He prayed in time the young man would give his life to God.

“That was close.” Ben Parker took the seat across the aisle from Victor. Ben had been with him since the beginning. He couldn’t imagine going through this fight without him.

“Yeah. I feel like a cat that has used eight of his nine lives.”

Ben smiled. “I agree. Once we reach the airstrip, Tom’s partner will pick us up and take us to the location where Duncan is hiding out. From there, we’ll figure out the best course of action.”

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