*waves* I had planned to post this two weeks ago, then I ended up without internet for nine days, got my internet back on just to be without electricity for three days. So it's a bit late but here's the next chapter! I look forward to any comments and opinions.
Also: I think this will be 12, not 15 chapters. I am leaving it marked for 15 for the moment just for wiggle room because the muses can be fickle.
John's POV
When they reach the landing site the only people he can easily see are the four pilots chatting and detailing their vehicles.
Can you pilot them? He asks the cobra, remembering the earlier comment.
Not yet, but before this trip is done I will know how. The slightly older man responds absently.
He can feel the cobra sorting through minds of the pilots quietly. Taking the information and memories needed without leaving any trace of his being in their heads. It's all done with a type of efficiency that speaks of far too much practice. It's saddening, if unsurprising. Trackers tend to take that path after great physical loss more than anything and they hunt those who cause that loss, both their own and other peoples. He's well aware that both their squads Trackers lost their entire family. The only thing he wonders is whether Eric was this ruthless before too.
Let them pilot but not know it, he suggests, thinking it would probably be best if the person piloting is the one with the most practice.
Smirking, the cobra arches one dark brow in his direction, a flash of amusement flashing in those shimmering silver eyes.
Quietly the squad gets loaded between two helicopters before they are lifting off. Most of them are quiet, resting for whatever is coming up. Elspeth is full of nervous energy, the sort that keeps her perfectly still as she waits for it to be used in an explosion of force. Eric has pulled a laptop out of the pack he somehow hid, and is typing while his silver eyes occasionally check the pilots. Nathan appears to be meditating. In the other helicopter Jacob is reporting peace and calm, as if the group is mentally preparing themselves.
Once the helicopters land, he listens as Eric gives both pilots a command to leave and return when called for. Embedding it deep within their minds before the team gets off them.
"Cyanne, Thomas, scout the area without getting seen," he orders as he cautiously reaches out with his empathy, scanning the area.
Beside him Eric is sweeping the area with his telepathy, silver eyes narrow as he takes in the information. A moment later it is shared between them, allowing both of them to hear every person in the compounds thoughts.
"Well that's a bit of a situation," he mutters as he considers the information. "Any suggestions?" he queries with a glance between the two Trackers and the falcon.
Call for an extra ride. The cobra answers, head tipping to the side as he continues to think about it. Break several necks in the correct direction.
Make sure no one innocent is still captured when we leave, the viper responds almost as soon as Eric stops speaking.
"Help those we can, then quickly get back to where we are supposed to be." Jacob comments with a glance at the other two, a small frown curving his lips and curiosity in his eyes.
There are at least three people who are dying today, Eric states clearly. Two for harming children, and one I have been hunting for a while.
A shiver goes down his spine.
Their small group waits for the two to return, bringing back physical information to go with the information provided by Eric's sweep of the area with his mind. Of the eight in the pack, six stay quiet, giving information but waiting to see what is decided. Only Jacob and Eric seem to have opinions they are both willing to share. Jacob, of course, is a lot nicer about how he thinks things should be handled. He is also a lot politer in saying it. Eric on the other hand, is short and to the point, dead on for a rising body count.
"Eric, make sure there is enough to evacuate all captives. Only those three people die. We're going in like a shadow and getting out like one too." He informs them. "Once we get everyone we can out with minimum loss of life, we head to our original location destination."
Everyone nods in understanding and continues to wait for the rest of his orders. Why is he the one giving orders? Oh yeah, squad leader and pack alpha.
"Eric, Nathan, deal with whoever it is you're here to hunt. Elspeth, Christopher, Thomas, Cyanne and I will fetch the hostages and get them out here. Jacob, Zachary, be birds and be distracting. Any questions?"
"No sir," is chorused before everyone breaks apart to go deal with their situation.
Shield, he orders before they head into the compound.
What sort of stupidity is this place? Elspeth queries, I know that these are terrorists of some sort, but this almost feels like a set up.
He nods, frowning as he think about that. It really does feel like a set up. Not one by the military as a practice run but by someone else. He almost wishes there was a way to find out who and why.
That's a really foolish thought. Eric snaps at him, Extremely foolish. I can get answers.
Do it, he responds, feeling his skin heat up in a blush over the fact he forgot about Eric's talents.
The hardest part of being an alpha in a group like this will be remembering everyone's skills and abilities, he thinks as he glances about at the others in the group.
Quietly making their way past the guards who he knocks out with just a touch of iota gift, they quickly find where six people are being held captive. Two of them are high level officials, one is an ambassador, and the last three are aides.
Well this is a bit of a pickle, he thinks as he looks at the group. Will there be enough transportation for all of them?
Yes, Eric comments in his mind before he has even had a chance to ask. I summoned three to get us back. I also made arrangements to get our vehicles so we will be able to transport all of us.
He flinches, not wanting to know exactly how the cobra had pulled that off. Bad enough they were unofficially in a war zone when they were not supposed to be because they were officially still training. Still, it was something they needed to do, and really they were being sent into an unsafe zone without the entire squad because one gifted person wanted to be an ass to a bunch of shifters. He's betting that gifted man hasn't seen the markings on the two serpents or he probably would have acted different.
I'm unshilelding to tell them what's going on so we can get them out of here. He tells the rest of the small pack.
There is a round of sir from the group before he drops the shields.
When the humans all start talking at once he holds a finger up to his mouth, motioning for them to be quiet. "We don't want to wake the guards up."
They quickly quiet down thankfully.
"We're here to get you out," he tells them softly, "To do so, you will have to follow my instructions to the letter."
I can always take control of their minds and force them to obey, Eric suggests, slightly bored, Humans are a lot easier to control than gifted, shifters, or immortals. Their minds lack the shields inherent to those who belong to the Shadow Mistress.
Biting back a sigh, he mentally shakes his head. Last option only, if you please.
If you insist, the cobra replies.
I do, he retorts.
Quickly and quietly he details the plan to the six people they are getting out. He then makes sure they all understand the plans before getting the keys from Cyanne who picked them off one of the knocked out guards. Carefully opening the doors and trying not to make too much noise in case any of them are the type to wake up at the slightest noise, he lets the prisoners out before directing them through the complex to where their ride out of here is waiting.
Once everyone is in the helicopters, he has them drop shields and report in.
I've updated my publishing schedule, I will try and update one or two stories on Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The stories that will be updated depend on the day:
Saturday: Gift for John, Choices, Right Decision, Clandesitne, Changes, All the Powers That Be
Monday: Patron, Lost and Found, Baker Street Polyamory, Kingsman Academy, Oral Fixation, Daughter
Wednesday: Seeking, Trial & Error, Healing, Distraction, Learning to Live, Fae Born
Friday: Stillness in Silence, Recruited, Changes Continue, Unexplained, Unusual Relationship, Blessed
Not all my stories can be found on FF, some are on AO3 only
Tumblr about mine & other peoples stories: JaimiStoryTeller
I write do commissions for those who are interested, the info can be found on my tumblr under Donations, Commissions, and Cosmos
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