Page 70 of Bound By Water
I glance at the screen on Nash’s laptop and watch the footage from the drone feed. So far, everything has gone to plan. The element of surprise is on our side. Neither Hightower nor Raven expected us to attack them. We’ve never done it before. Next time, it won’t be so easy.
Lights wink out at the facility, and a minute later, the gate opens to reveal soldiers, weapons on the ground, as they face Oliver, David, and the rest of James’ team.
“Leisa, you’re a go,” I murmur into the comms at my throat. Turning to my men, I hold up my fist, then make the motion to move out.
Running out of the forest, we join the rest of our team at the entrance, then move in together. Nash breaks off to join Oliver’s team. I tap five of my men and point to the other side of the facility. They’ll provide initial cover, then break off to search for prisoners. I point to this side and raise my gun, leading my team into the facility. We’ll take out any opposition along the way.
Angling myself in the lead, I drop a couple of soldiers, then hit the next hallway and do the same. My men search the closed doors behind me, clearing them one-by-one. Aware of the clock ticking down, I realize we need to move faster. Based on my best guess, we have about ten minutes until Raven figures out this facility is offline.
“Jackpot,” I murmur, finding closed doors with glass windows set into them. I peer into one and see someone lying on a cot. I bang on the door. “Want out of here?”
The petite brunette jumps up and stares at the door. “Who are you?”
“Does it matter?” I ask her. When she merely folds her arms across her chest, I give her my best don’t fuck with me look. “We’re sure as hell not Raven.”
Her eyes narrow for a second, then she shakes her head. “Get me out of this hellhole.”
I break the glass and open the door. “Be careful, electricity is down. You’re welcome to leave or go back to our compound, where it’s safe. Up to you. How many are on this side?”
“A few,” she replies tersely, unwilling to provide me with numbers. I don’t blame her. “Get this collar off. I’ll help.”
Stepping back, finger on the trigger in case this goes sideways, I nod at the soldier to my right. He places the prod Nash designed on the collar and short circuits it.
She immediately rips it off and rubs her neck. Skinnier than I originally thought, she raises bony arms and extends her hands. Glass shatters and doors open all the way down the hall. Damn, she’s powerful. I wonder if they’re all at that level.
Men and women, boys and girls, of all ages tentatively shuffle into the hallway, powers held at bay by the collars around their necks. All of them bone-thin like the girl next to me. It’s obvious Raven used starvation and those damn collars to control them.
“We don’t have much time. Line up, and we’ll get your collars off,” I tell them, raising my voice so everyone can hear. “Once they’re off, head outside. You can set out on your own or go with us.” Power leaks from a few of them. “Every single one of the individuals in my unit has abilities. If you try anything, this will get ugly real fast.”
A grey-haired older man steps forward. “Who are you?”
“Phoenix,” I reply, motioning for him to move into line.
He snorts. “Phoenix is a myth.”
That stings. “Well, damn.” With only a thought, I hold my arm out and light it up. “Maybe you can’t see me. There, that’s better.” Several people murmur to each other. “We’re Phoenix. We have a compound that’s safe. If you want out of here, get in line. If not, you’re welcome to stay and greet Raven in five minutes, give or take.”
The thought of Raven terrifies them into action. It takes little time to get the collars off. Several rush out of the facility.
A young man steps forward. Dark hair, tall, and practically a skeleton. He pulls the brunette closer and tucks her into his arm. “I’m Lance. This is Dani. We don’t give a fuck who you are. Just get us somewhere safe.”
Three minutes later, we lead our remaining group to the helicopter sitting in front of the facility. The other team is already outside loading up the ones they rescued, and I walk over to them.
“How many?” I ask tersely, keeping my weapon ready.
“Eleven rescued, seven are going with us,” James gruffly informs me. His eyes are bright with unshed tears. “They look rough. Raven’s put them through hell.”
I clench my teeth but give him my numbers. “Nineteen on my side, fifteen returning.” Thirty total prisoners. Not nearly enough, but it’s a start. “Get Adam to put them to sleep and head back.”
Lieutenant James Brock salutes me and steps into the bird where Adam is already administering his command to them. I raise a fist and step back twenty feet. Circling the air, I order the bird back to base. Once that one leaves, the second one arrives, and I motion for half of our men to load up.
Where the hell is Oliver?
“Major, get a move on. Enemy will be here any minute,” I spit into the comms.
“On my way,” he replies tersely. “Be there in two.”
Damn it. “Stay alert.” We took out roughly twenty of their men, but the rest are still standing in the courtyard where Oliver left them. No one has moved. I don’t like the thought of leaving them alive to fight another day, but I won’t kill an unarmed man.
