Page 4 of Legacy's Call

“Already got her, Skipper,” Stryker answered.

Goodman. Ronan lifted his weapon and scanned the distance. “Headlights?”

“Nada,” Jug said. The man wasn’t the most military in his comms discipline. Hell, he wasn’t the most military, period.

“Negative,” Wolf chimed in.

“Another vehicle is coming from the village, Skipper. Looks like they were waiting for backup.”

“Party time,” Jug said from his position.

“Jug, switch locations with Wolf,” Ronan ordered.

“Aw, Skipper, I’m faster than I was,” Jug groaned. “I don’t need special favors.”

“Jug, we have one shot to sprint to that bird. You’re not as fast as Wolf and me, and you will need the lead that one hundred meters will give you. Stop arguing and do what the hell I tell you.”

“I’m doing it. I don’tlikeit, but I’mdoingit,” the big guy complained.

Ronan glanced at his watch. Maybe they’d catch a break and bolt to the aircraft before the idiots in the camp advanced.

“Both vehicles are moving toward your location, Skipper.” Well, fuck. Dude dashed that thought as soon as it entered his head.

“Hold until I fire.” He stayed relaxed until he heard the C-17, which would cover any advance by the vehicles. Headlights bounced over the ground. “Hold.” Ronan lifted his weapon. “Take out the vehicles.”

As the C-17 touched down, they unleashed hell on the two vehicles. He heard the aircraft reverse its engines. Wraith and Stryker would be loading as soon as that aircraft slowed enough to turn. Ronan emptied his clip and reloaded in one smooth movement. “Jug, go.” He lit up the vehicles with Wolf. When he’d fired about half his clip, he was up. “Haul ass, Wolf.”

He all-out sprinted to the meadow where the aircraft was powering up. Which meant it was turning around and getting ready to launch. Both he and Wolf slung their weapons over their shoulders. He saw Jug hauling ass across the meadow, losing himafter a moment in the dirt and dried grasses that the engines propelled into the air. Wolf was just ahead of him. The aircraft started down the meadow, clearing the debris field as Jug jumped onto the hydraulic gate and rolled, grabbing the grate and extending his arm. Wraith was on the grating with his weapon at the ready. As Wraith started to fire, Wolf grabbed Jug’s arm and immediately reached back for him.

Ronan clutched Wolf’s arm, and Jug pulled them both onto the lifting gate as Wraith continued cover fire. They rolled onto the grating and tumbled into the belly of the bird as the gate lifted and closed.

“Hang on!” Ronan bellowed and grabbed loose straps and metal ribs of the plane as the aircraft launched into a vertical takeoff that tumbled every fucking thing, including two of the hostages, back at him and most of his crew. Ronan grabbed one man, and Jug pulled Brandon in. Looking over at him, Jug lifted his eyebrows comically. Ronan shook his head. Jug cocked his head and pulled the guy out of the way of a shoe that slammed into the back of the plane. Jug had a heart of gold, but you had to dig to get to it. It was worth the effort.

When the aircraft leveled out, Ronan took the men back up to the front of the plane.

“I told you to strap in,” Wraith said as he stood. His dark hair and blue eyes pinned the two younger men against the aircraft's wall. The younger men were banged up, but they’d live.

Ronan walked over to the older couple where Stryker, their only team member officially trained as an EMT, talked to the woman. “How are you doing, ma’am?”

“I’m in pain, but I’m alive, and I know I have your team to thank for that.” Her face was drained of any color. He turned toward Stryker with a questioning look.

The guy winked at the lady. “Faye and I are betting on a nasty ankle break, but she’s tough.”

The woman looked up at her husband. “We’ve had to be. We’ve been missionaries over here for the last seven years.”

“But it’s time to go home.” Her husband took her hand.

“Yes.” She nodded. “For a while, at least.”

Ronan put his hand on the older gentleman’s shoulder. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll make sure you get to where you’re going.”

“Thank you.” The man nodded. “I know we weren’t the reason you were sent.”

“You’re right, but I’m glad I was able to be there when you needed the help.”

“Guardian Angels can come robed in camouflage, too,” the man said with a smile.

That pulled a bark of laughter from Ronan. “I’m no angel, sir.” He headed over to where the reason for his team being in-country sat. “Do you have the information?” He wasn’t going to beat around the bush with that fucker, either.

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