Page 1 of Gator's Gambit
PROLOGUE
Gator
Outskirts of Doula, Cameroon – Three Weeks Ago
African sunsets are spectacular. The incredible colors that stain the sky are so vivid. They’re unlike anything I’ve ever seen anywhere else in the world. And tonight’s is no exception.
Stuck on the outskirts of Doula, one of the major industrial cities in Cameroon, we’re waiting for further instructions in our search for Joseph Notolo. The black-market kingpin has multiple governments desperate to apprehend him, as word on the street has it the man is gearing up to host an auction of some nasty weaponry that has them twitchy.
“All right, gents. May as well make camp for the night while we await further instructions from the commander. Grab some grub and get as much shut eye as you can,” Wolf’s voice advises us through our comms.
They’re so focused on finding him and bringing him in, they’ve combined three teams – ours, Wolf’s, and a team from another base. In fact, it’s the team that Digit’s brother-in-law, John Henderson – or Maverick, as he’s nicknamed, is on, although he’s currently on medical leave due to an injury sustained on their last mission.
Within an hour, the camp starts to settle down. I’m on the next rotation for patrol, so I’m the first on our team to go to sleep. And in what seems like no time at all, I’m being woken to take my turn.
“It’s all quiet out there at the moment. Nothing to report at this time. Watch your back all the same, yeah?” Kansas says, his voice toneless so as not to carry.
“Thanks, bud. Appreciate the heads up. I don’t know what it is, but something about this whole thing feels off,” I reply.
“Yeah. Agreed. Me and Dude were just talking about the same thing. Don’t like it one bit. Don’t trust these fuckers further than I can see ‘em.” At his words, I pay attention to Kansas’s body language, and it screams of unease.
“Thanks again, bud. I’ll definitely do that.”
“Later, dude.” He heads over to where the rest of his team are, and I spot his teammate, Hot Sauce, headed my way. They stop to chat for a minute before the man continues in my direction. Seems like the two of us are teaming up on this watch.
“Hey,” I greet once he’s within earshot.
“Hey. You ready?”
“Yep. Let’s do this,” I reply, shouldering my rifle and falling into step with him as he heads for the perimeter of the camp.
We’re on our third lap around when Hot Sauce stops me. “You hear that?”
“Not sure. Sound like a twig snapping?”
“Yeah,” he replies.
“Then yeah, I heard it.” My words are barely out when the world lights up and shit gets crazy.
There’s a whistle – our only warning, that has me biting dirt – and then the world tilts upside down. Hot Sauce, not quick enough to drop to the ground, goes flying, and as debris from the explosion rains down, I feel a searing pain in my shoulder.
I crawl over to where he’s lying – too still for my liking – as fast as I can. I’m praying I’ll find him breathing. Thankfully, I do. But he’s not in good shape. His leg’s at a funny angle, so broken for sure. He’s bleeding from multiple places – the one that worries me most is the nasty looking wound on his temple.
Engaging my comms, I yell over the pandemonium to be heard. “Ah shit, I’m hit. Hot Sauce is down too. He’s not moving.”
“Fuck … fuck. Gator, switch to channel two so I can hear you,” I hear Knight shout.
“Roger that, Knight. Switching now.” I change channels and immediately am struck by the absence of noise.
“You there, bud?”
“Yeah, I’m here. Knight, I’m okay – shoulder’s taken a hit, but Hot Sauce is hurt bad. I’m going to need a medic. Can you spare Bear?”
“I’ll radio him. Get him over to you ASAP. Stay on this channel. I’ll switch between the two to monitor what’s going on, but I want to be able to hear you.”
“Okay. Thanks, Boss.”
“And Gator?”
