Page 7 of Firestorm

Holden turned to his friends. “Best to stay inside as much as possible. We’ll make contact through the radio.” He grabbed one of the hazmat suits and gave it to Sarah. “Put this on.” He did the same. As soon as they were both suited up, they started for the last remaining chopper.

Sarah slid into the copilot seat and put on her headset while Holden lifted off.

“The flight will take some time.” Holden looked her way with questions in his eyes. “Cooper said your brother served under him.”

“That’s right.” Sarah explained about both men’s deadly military history.

“Unbelievable. Whoever is behind this is dangerous. When they start crying peace, peace, you know nothing could be further from the truth.”

Sarah recalled a Bible scripture that said that very thing.

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

“Any idea where they would take your brother?” Holden asked over the staticky communications between the choppers.

“No idea. They wouldn’t tell me anything. We live near Fort Collins. I’m assuming somewhere close, but I have no idea.” The image of her brother being forced into a black unmarked SUV was burned in her brain. “I called ever police station around, and no one had any idea who could have taken him.”

“This is the work of Kirkpatrick’s people, or more likely, Daniel Pamphili. That guy is up to no good.”

Sarah had watched the news coverage of the peace talks taking place in Germany. When Pamphili spoke, he seemed sincere and humble. He didn’t appear to be a bad man, and yet if he were responsible for what happened to Blake and the use of nuclear weapons on US citizens, then he was a monster.

“Target is in sight,” Maya announced through the communication system.

“The Strike Force team is expecting us. They were able to reach the exit in the mine and open it up. We’ll disembark and take the hazmat suits inside, then we’ll start loading evacuees as quickly as possible.” Holden kept his focus straight ahead to the choppers drifting through the night sky.

“What if Pamphili or Kirkpatrick or whoever is behind this comes to your place looking for them?”

Holden carefully began his descent. “It’s a temporary solution. But I do have some suggestions on finding a safer location.”

Before she had time to ask where, the chopper touched down. The mountain stood out to the left like a dark fortress against the orange-tinged sky.

Sarah jumped out after Holden. Maya dispensed hazmat suits. Each grabbed as many as they could carry and headed toward an opening in the mountain lit by a flashlight’s beam.

Holden stepped inside with Sarah close. “Anyone around?” He called out.

A man Sarah recognized right away stepped forward. “We’re here. I’m James Cooper.” He introduced the two men beside him, but all Sarah could think about was the man standing mere feet away, whom she cared about deeply. The one who would save her brother.

James spotted her standing behind Holden. “Sarah?”

She smiled and struggled to hold back tears. “Yes, it’s me.” The urge to hug him tight was strong, but it was too risky. Her suit could be contaminated.

“I’m so sorry, Sarah. We’ll bring him back. I promise, we’ll get him back.”

And she believed him.

“I don’t know if we have enough suits for everyone. We’ll definitely have to make two trips to get you all out,” Holden told him.

“And we won’t have much time. Pamphili will want to know for certain we’re dead. The three of us will stay here until the last person is gone, and then we’ll leave.”

Noah carried in the last of the hazmat suits. “This is all of them.”

“We have two pregnant women and a child, along with some older members. Let’s take those most vulnerable out first.” James and his men disappeared down the long tunnel behind them.

“I’ll keep an eye out for any unusual activity.” Eli pointed to the entrance, and Holden nodded.

“I’ll help him out.” Noah followed his friend outside.

Sarah counted every tense-filled minute James was gone. Her mind kept returning to Blake. She couldn’t imagine how frightened he must be.

---