Page 98 of Over the Edge

Trevor shot him a withering look. “We’re SEALs.”

“I got that. But it would be a high-risk operation. You’d have to time it for just before the main strike by our guys. You mistime it by even a few minutes, and you’d get blown to Kingdom Come.”

“It’ll be an American military?” Trevor asked, sounding startled.

“Oh, hell no,” John Doe retorted. “The U.S. government has no operations on the ground in that part of Zagistan. It’s way too close to the Tajik border for that. Russians are watching that border like hawks for any incursions by our men…and women. American policy is to steer clear of Taraz province.”

“Yada, yada,” Anna muttered. “We’ve all heard that line before.”

There were snorts all around.

“Our guy was left behind,” Trevor said quietly. “Anna and I are here to make that right.”

“Noble shit, man,” Ace mumbled. “And woman,” he added.

Will sighed. “If I tell you when the attack is planned for and where, do you swear you’ll be in and out of there just before it?”

“Absolutely,” Trevor answered immediately. “You tell us when the shit’s going to hit the fan, and we’ll get out of your way.”

“You’ll have a very short window to operate in, bro. You can’t give Haddadanywarning that a major strike is coming. We’re talking a window of maybe a few hours before the main strike. That’ll be your only chance.”

“We’ll take it,” Anna said simultaneously with Trevor.

William grinned. “I see why you’re running with her, Trev.”

“Where and when, Will?” Trevor asked.

“Haddad’s got a compound about twenty miles north-northwest of Tarazan, which is a hole in the ass end of nowhere. The town has one road in, one road out. There’s a crude track from there up to Haddad’s compound, but any minute, it’ll get snowed in for the winter. On foot or by yak is gonna be the only way in or out once the snow sets in. Unless, of course, you have access to high-altitude adapted helicopters.

Trevor grunted. “If only. This is a two-person operation. No support for us.”

“Damn,” Ace breathed. “You two really do have brass balls. Uhh, pardon the expression, ma’am.”

“Relax,” she said shortly. “Out here, I’m a soldier first and a female second.”

The three men looked taken aback, but she also thought she spied a glint of respect in their eyes.

“How is the attack on Haddad coming in?” she asked.

“Helicopters and operators on the ground to maintain a perimeter and let no one flee,” John Doe supplied.

“Followed by a package of attack drones and gunships to level the place,” Ace added. “Don’t be there when the target goes hot. We’re gonna light that place up, whether or not you two and your friend are still there.”

She and Trevor traded grim looks and then nodded at the other men. “Understood,” Anna murmured.

“When is this attack going down?” Trevor added.

“Weather permitting, three nights from now, counting tonight. Early hours of the morning. Can’t give you an exact time because flight conditions will dictate that.”

Trevor nodded once, then stepped forward and wrapped his brother in a hard hug. “Thanks. I owe you one, big brother.”

William laughed. “You’re welcome. And I won’t forget. I’ll collect, someday.”

Trevor’s voice was dry as the dust blowing around them. “I’m sure you will.”

CHAPTERNINETEEN

It was long drive to the Bagva Pass, which was blessedly still open. The altitude was so high he and Anna had to pop a handful of altitude sickness pills before they came down the east side of the mountains into Taraz.

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