Page 13 of Firestorm

“Another down.” The female pilot confirmed another direct hit. “Henry just shot down a third.”

“We’ve got a bogey coming up quickly at our six o’clock,” Lincoln shouted. “I need backup. Now.”

Wave after wave of terror poured through Sarah’s system as she watched and waited for a direct strike that would kill them all.

An explosion rocked the plane and caused it to lose altitude briefly.

“Thank you, Deacon,” Lincoln shouted over the noise. The plane dipped several times before leveling out. “Last one is down. We’re clear. But we need to put as much space between those downed planes and us.”

Sarah was shaking all over. “I can’t believe that just happened.”

James blew out a long sigh. “Me neither. That was far too close. Do we have contact with our choppers yet?”

“Yes, I’ve heard from Holden,” Kirk told him. “They all made it out safely.”

Once everything settled down, James faced her. “It’s over for now. You’re not hurt, are you?”

She’d heard stories from her brother about what it was like during battle. Lived through the years of her brother hiding out. And more recently, she’d had to go into hiding herself. Now this.

One thing for certain. The men who were coming after this band of patriots were relentless. They would stop at nothing to keep their secrets from coming to light.

Chapter Three

“Where are they?” Daniel Pamphili stared at the screen at the front of the room. It reflected the burned-out camp in the background. The last known location for Strike Force. Less than twenty-four hours earlier, he’d okayed the use of a low-yield nuclear strike because of the assurances of the general in charge of the operation. He’d assured him Strike Force was trapped there. Now, he was being told they’d escaped.

General Jackson’s ashen face stared at the screen. He understood he would take the blame for the failed strike. “We don’t know—yet. They got away somehow.”

“They. Got. Away?” Daniel paced the room. It was just him on the call. Walton Kirkpatrick would act as a figurehead only. Pamphili would use his clout to help him take firm control of the world. “How is that possible? I had the best people around in charge of the operation.” He leveled a chilling look at the general. Jackson almost backed away from the screen.

“They had help, as I said. A group of followers who lived nearby. Former military,” he added as if that made any difference to Daniel.

“And how did they get out of the area exactly?” Jackson had failed him. He’d had his shot and wasn’t up to the challenge. Daniel would have him replaced before the end of the day. What happened here was not an option.

“They used our planes stored nearby. I believe they may have had helicopters from local followers at their disposal as well.” The general cleared his throat nervously.

“Well, use the tracking systems onboard the planes. And this time, find them and get rid of them.”

The general didn’t respond.

“Is there a problem?” Daniel prompted when the man hesitated.

“Well, yes. It’s the planes. We can’t seem to track them. They must be using some type of cloaking software to keep us from locating their position.”

Daniel stopped a few inches from the screen. “Are you telling me with all the sophisticated technology we have on those planes, you can’t tap into their computer systems to find their locations?”

The general’s jaw ticked his fear, and Daniel smiled. He wanted the man to feel terror.

“No. . .well, yes. That’s what I’m saying. We have our techs working on overriding their software program, but it may take some time.”

“That won’t work. Find them. Now. You have two hours before your services are no longer necessary. They will be found. The only question is whether it will be by you or someone else.”

Daniel ended the call. This was the last thing he needed with the peace talks ending soon. The world leaders had been eagerly supportive of the proposal to unite resources around the planet to make the world a better place for everyone. They’d been working long hours with Walton Kirkpatrick’s influence a huge asset. The united world leaders had already hammered out some rough constitutional points. Everything was moving forward according to the master’s plan. Soon, the world would be completely united against one foe—religious extremists such as Strike Force. With the help of the controlled news reports, he would make Strike Force and anyone proclaiming the radical beliefs of Jesus the enemies of the world. They’d willingly relinquish their weapons for the United World’s protection against the threat of a nuclear attack.

Someone stepped into the room. Daniel turned. The officer attached to his security detail. Forty-year-old Raymond Shields was a decorated member of a SEAL team. He was eager to rise through the ranks and not above backstabbing someone to get there.

“Sir, Kirkpatrick is here for your meeting. He’s waiting outside.”

Daniel eyed Shields for a long moment. “Walton can wait. I have a question for you.”

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