Page 7 of Legacy's Call

“I do. We’ll manage. Supplies?”

“Landing today. I had Deacon go through everything before leaving for Asia with his team yesterday. He had a few special requests we filled before the cargo plane took off.”

“Going to tell me what they were?” His twin brother and he had been leading different teams for almost five years. He rarely saw Deacon, but they texted whenever they weren’t actively on a mission. He figured that was why he’d had no texts when he’dpowered up his cell once they’d landed in-country. Deacon preferred working in Asia, and he was a Middle East specialist, so they rarely crossed paths in person.

“Ah, no.” Jacob chuckled. “Nothing illegal or immoral.”

“Good to know.” Ronan snorted. “Better be some saltwater taffy included.”

“We have that stockpiled for the teams.” Jacob lifted a piece and raised his eyebrows.

“We’ve been out for over a week.” His entire team was hooked on the candy. Guardian had developed a recipe that amped up the protein and added vitamins, too, without making it taste like shit. He couldn’t distinguish between the real stuff and the good-for-you candy. Well, better-for-you stuff, at least.

“I added extra. There are one hundred and forty thousand displaced people in twelve IDP camps; from what I understand, the majority of the population in the camp that’s closing is unattended children. You have a pallet of it.”

“Damn, Uncle Jacob, I think a bit of your marshmallow center is showing.”

Jacob barked out a laugh. “Kids are everyone’s weakness.”

“That’s the truth,” Ronan agreed. He’d seen some shit that would curl your toes, but the shit involving kids, damn, it was the things nightmares were made of.

“Speaking of which, how’s your team doing?”

“Good. Why?”

“Heard rumors you and Deacon may be called up to the mountain.”

“Come again?” Ronan tried to lean forward but was wedged in too tight to move much.

“Come on, you had to know this would be coming someday.”

“Yeah, but not today.” Ronan rubbed his cheek. Hell, he hadn’t shaved in a month, and his beard was full.

“Didn’t say today. Said I’d heard rumors. Figure you’d want to know to get your mind in the right line.”

“We were told we’d have a choice.”

“And you will. Unlike me.” Jacob laughed. “Your father twisted my arm and pushed me into the chair.”

“And you’re still in it.”

“I am, but I’m reaching a point where I’d be okay not sitting in it anymore. Not right now, maybe notnext year, but I want to spend more time doing things with your aunt Tori.”

“Yeah, I get that.” Ronan nodded. “Damn, not something I thought was coming down the pipe.”

“Exactly what Deacon said.” Jacob leaned back and popped a piece of taffy in his mouth. “Don’t get yourself into a mess with this drawdown. If it gets too dicey, call it. The NGOs are trying to be all things to all people, and we told them the security of their people will come before all else. If you need to, drag them out and load them on a plane. I don’t want anyone with that NGO to die on our watch.”

“No shit.” Ronan nodded. “Access to satellite imagery of the camp?”

“In your kit on the plane.”

“Anything else?” Ronan was ready to hit the shower and scrape a couple of inches of dust off his skin.

“In the brief, I’ve included information on the tunnel system near Aleppo. It’s been ten years since I was there, but my report is included.”

“An emergency egress.” He could see having a backup plan.

“If necessary. Any other communication can be routed through your comms via CCS.”

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