Chapter Nine

Six am the next morning and the team were moving through the rugged uneven ground. They had ninety minutes to reach the RV and make contact, it should be ample time even with the pace they were currently forced to take.

Peter Quinn had not had a good night- the infection was beating him- it was clear to everybody. He was pale and sweating and overwhelmed with trembles. He staggered as he walked and nobody around him even knew how he was still on his feet, but somehow he was and he kept on moving. No complaints- no energy wasted on talking he just kept moving, hoping that his next step wouldn't be his last.

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Colin Wood surveyed the room in silence- it was basic, but it was clean and he could make it work. Silently he set up his instruments and the few portable monitors he had managed to acquire. He was as ready as he would be to see the young operative again after so many years- and he would try everything in his power to save the young man.

"Thank you for helping doctor" Carrie stated with a smile as she watched him setting his equipment to his own liking.

"Please call me Colin" he replied, barely looking up. "Are we still on track for arrival?" he asked when he had finished.

"Final check in is due in ten minutes so we will be able to confirm then" Carrie stated. "Would you like a coffee?" she offered, keen for something to do to pass the time. He simply nodded with a smile- sensing that Peter obviously meant something to the woman in front of him, there would be time for him to find out some more about that he was sure of it. The woman scurried away to put the coffee maker on, he was surprised at how equipped the house was- but then he supposed it was supposed to look like a normal house. Five minutes later he headed downstairs and gratefully received his mug of steaming coffee. He leant against the table as he saw the two agents preparing to be patched in to a transmission and a few moments later the wait was over.

"Delta one we are in position" Rob's tired voice confirmed over the air.

"Situation update" Dar requested almost crossing his fingers.

"We took a battering at that last point, but we are in tact" Rob responded, simply confirming they had suffered no losses.

"Head to point Zulu- target of arrival is 0900hrs, you need to cross at point Alpha Whiskey Six Seven nine" Dar stated. Rob noted the code and repeated it back, all noted.

"Reception?" he asked.

"Arranged- codename mongoose 2 meet and greet" Dar confirmed. Rob breathed a sigh of relief.

"All received- see you soon- out" he replied disconnecting. They were too close to home to risk being on air for too long. He looked through the code carefully. They had seventy minutes to travel just over a mile, that was more than doable for them. He decided to allow the team a further ten minutes rest, it was more dangerous to get there too soon and be waiting around. He updated the team quietly, cautiously optimistic that they would finally be safe. He finished beside Quinn- the man looked no worse, but he certainly looked no better either.

"Nearly there man" he stated, Quinn barely nodded in response "you going to make it?" Rob asked quietly.

"Only one way to find out" Quinn responded with a sigh. The men sat in silence, pondering what they had been through and what was still to come. Soon it was time to muster, and get moving- it was time to get out of here.

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Carrie and Saul sat in silence it was 0850 and they could not have been more nervous. Davies had left two hours ago to make sure the final checks were complete. Dar had promised that the distraction was arranged and everyone knew their role- but Carrie hated being so far away from where it was all to go down. She just had to wait a little over an hour and they should be on the way to this being over, but that hour was going to feel a mighty long time.

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Yusef looked around, looking at the length of queues in each lane- they were almost even which worked in their favour- until ten men joined his all at once, but he had to hope Saul had arranged something, anything to remove attention from him.

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"This is it guys- ditch as much kit as you can' Rob instructed as the men stowed their rifles and webbing. Sidearms concealed in their fatigues, but no other means of defence by firearm anyway. Rob took a breath and moved forward, Dar had instructed them to all join the same queue at the same time- which was unusual, but he had to have faith it was for a reason. The lanes in front of them all seemed about the same length and were all moving at a similar pace. He nodded to the team and they moved forward, no hesitation or fear in their stride even if there were both in their hearts.

Watchful eyes surveyed the queue, looking for any hint of danger before it was too late to withdraw. Rob ensured that Quinn was stood between him and Callum, a helping hand available if the gravely injured man needed it- there was no way he was going to allow him to fall at the final hurdle. He took another step further, one more step and it would be the point of no return- surrounded by military and police they would have no option but to approach the guard and hope for the best. With one final deep breath the moment came and he stepped forward the team following, refugees all around them and tradesmen that worked both sides despite the risk. He crossed his fingers and sent up a little prayer as he knew there was no chance to run now if it all went wrong.

Just as Rob was third in line there was an explosion to his right and suddenly there were guards and troops everywhere. People dropped to the ground and screams filled the air.

He closed his eyes and his chin dropped to his chest, it was over- they were caught, they had to be. It had all been for nothing.

End Chapter Nine