"Bre, we have an energy spike," Clio called, adjusting her position at the front of the boat, "I think that is either Val or Birgit."

"How high?" Jarred asked.

"Off the charts," Clio called, "who do you think it is?"

"Is there any other energy source on the island?" Jarred asked.

"Human energy source, not that high," Clio said, "where do you think it is coming from?"

"Birgit," Jarred said.

"Do we take her out?" Clio frowned.

"No," Jarred said, looking at Jesse, "how would those two play it?"

"If Madden wasn't aware of Birgit or where the energy spikes were originating," Jesse frowned, "there is a good chance he thinks Valencia is causing them. Val would take the lead until they got to wherever the energy was stored or the people it was being extracted from, if they are in the same room as the people they may try and find a way out if not Birgit would take over and find the source of the energy or a way to stop the energy being extracted."

"They have been through the equaliser and the modulator," Tania supplied, rechecking her weapon, "Birgit can pull on the emotions of others and drain their energy that way. Before they went into the garden we chatted, and she told me about her other abilities. She discovered she can return energy sources to the origin."

"What?" Jesse turned to Tania frowning, "when did this happen?"

"She found a lot of stuff happening since she has been through the process," Tania said, snapping her gun together. "She can sense changes in Valencia, but she is not sure what they are. It seems they can work separately and together."

"We're going to have to trust both of them," Breanna said, "she was not on the retrieval list, so I have no idea why Darcia wanted her brought in."

"Perhaps Madden talked her into it," Trevet said.

"He could have used subliminal suggestions," Craig said from the screen of a laptop. "Perhaps it was not Darcia who wanted Valencia retrieved. We know that not everything Darcia did was told to Madden, and I'm guessing it was the same from his side."

"How do we know that?" Clio asked.

"He would have known that Birgit existed and what she could do," Jared said, taking the mobile screen from Clio and sending the link to Betty at the base.

"What are you doing?" Clio frowned.

"Betty will be able to tell us how they got Valencia and Birgit onto the island," Jared said. "There may be many entrances, but we want one that isn't going to draw attention to an approaching boat."

Breanna smiled at Clio's astounded face, "You are good."

"Thank you," Jarred smiled, "ah ... she is just as good."

They watched as Jarred opened the link from Betty and amended the GPS coordinates.

"We're going straight at the island," Frank's smooth voice whispered, "if that is what needs to happen..." he adjusted course continuing to stare out the window.

"Five minutes," Tania called, looking over Frank's shoulder.

"We don't know what or who we are going to meet on that island," Breanna spoke while the group checked their weapons, "remember not to engage if we can help it."

"Not engage?" Clio frowned.

"We are there to extract those held against their will," Breanna said, "not take on Madden's forces."

"If we have no choice but to engage," Oran raised his eyebrows questioningly, "do we simply ignore them?"

"If you have no choice," Breanna looked at Oran pointedly, "engage."

"No one is left behind," Craig said, "remember to bring everyone back. Dead or alive. Godspeed everyone."

Breanna nodded as she closed and stored the laptop. Looking around at the group she saw Fiona staring out at the water as the sun made a fine line on the horizon.

"Fiona," Breanna moved to the silent, watchful woman, "what is it?"

"Since going through the... process," she stumbled over the words, "Valencia felt that something had changed in me. I didn't realise how much."

"Are you okay?" Breanna whispered.

"I'll be able to accomplish the mission's goal," Fiona cleared her throat.

"That isn't what I meant," Breanna said, "I want to know if Fiona is okay with what has happened to her."

Fiona's surprised gaze looked up, "Sometimes I think I am. Then other times, I doubt myself."

"If it feels part of you," Breanna gently laid a hand on the pensive woman's shoulder, "trust yourself enough to believe in yourself."

"Thank you," Fiona swallowed hard, "that means a lot."

Smiling gently, Breanna turned to move away pausing at the sudden grasp of her hand, "Wait," Fiona stared at Breanna, "something is different about you."

"Like what?" Breanna asked, "please tell me before we get to the island."

"Before," Fiona narrowed her eyes, "everything about you was binary. Now..."

"Now what?" Breanna frowned, paling, "Fiona, you're scaring me."

"Not everything is binary," Fiona smiled, "it's as if part of you returns to being human."

"Unenhanced?" Breanna frowned.

"No," Fiona shook her head, "not that. Your enhancements are in place, but there is a part of you that is becoming more human in a sensory way. Emotionally you are stable. Your enhancements are stable. Oh, I cannot put my finger on it."

"Don't worry about it at the moment," Breanna laid her hand over Fiona's, "there will be time to sort it out."

Nodding, Fiona smiled a little before taking a big breath and moving to Tania, who was motioning for her attention.

"Everything okay," David asked.

"Apparently so," Breanna chuckled, "it hasn't been like that for a while."

David smiled, looking past her, "Jesse wants your attention."

Jesse looked at Jasmine once more, "Are you absolutely certain."

"I phased into a fairly secure space on the island," Jasmine said, "no one saw me. It is known only to me."

"What is it?" Breanna asked looking between them.

"Tell her what you saw," Jesse prompted, "leave nothing out."

"I ..." Jasmine breathed in deeply, "phased into an area known only to me, on the island."

"You did what?" Breanna raised her eyebrows, "when? Now?"

"Yes, but no one saw me," Jasmine said quickly, "I saw them preparing for us."

"Explain," Breanna stepping toward Jasmine.

"There is no chance of us not engaging with the fanatics," Jasmine whispered, "but there are two camps."

"What do you mean?" Jesse looked up at her words, "two camps?"

"Not all of them agree with Madden," Jasmine said, "the bad news is ..." she whispered, "they are in the minority and are aware of Birgit and Valencia. In fact, they are hoping she will stop Madden's plans."

"Are you saying they are Darcia's fanatics?" Jesse asked.

"I'm saying they were aware of Darcia's plans," Jasmine said, "they don't agree with Madden's actions."

"Darcia and Madden were on two different roads," Breanna nodded, "one betraying or undermining the other."

"We need to put their plans into two different categories," Jesse said, "Madden type plans and Darcia type plans."

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"But how?" Breanna asked, "I doubt those guys will easily just give in."

"Prisoners of war," Jasmine said.

"We've never taken prisoners," Jesse frowned, "We don't work like that."

"They may be happy with that status," Jasmine shrugged, "they definitely are going to make it easier for us."

"Bre," Jesse shook his head, "we cannot show restraint while figuring out who these fanatics are."

"I agree," Breanna said, "that is why I'm not changing my orders. If they go down in the fight, so be it. If they turn and fight with us... so be it. It is all their choice."

Jesse watched her walk away, "First time for everything," he muttered.

"What do you mean by that?" Jasmine asked.

"In the old days, she would already have a list of who we are going up against," Jesse said, shaking his head, "she seems to be handling this differently."

"I don't think she has," Jasmine smiled, "your attention has been placed elsewhere."

Nodding and sighing, Jesse acknowledged her words. Fear gnawed at him as his mind went to Valencia and Birgit, wondering what they were going through and if they were suffering. He could not stop worrying about their safety, their emotional strength and of course, their rocky relationship.

"I need time to make things right," he murmured, looking into the water.

"Land ho," Tania called, giving a rare grin, "I've always wanted to say that."

Jesse found himself smiling at the rare moment of Tania being carefree. Looking over the waters, he took in the approaching island.

"Battle stations," he called, narrowing his gaze on the beach cliff, "we need firepower. Now."

He worked his way to his gear through the scramble. A barely visible line of men with guns could be seen on the mountain ridge.

"What is it?" Breanna called strapping on her utility belt peppered with various weapons.

"On the ridge above the beach," Jesse said, the urgency in his voice motivating those who didn't take his word seriously into action, "infrared shows foe's and high powered weapons."

"Reilly," Breanna called "Status."

"Contact ..." Reilly called, "three minutes."

"When do we come in range?" David called.

"Two," Jesse called, "we have heavy-duty firepower on that ridge."

"Can't we go another way," an unknown voice brought everyone up short.

"Newbie," Clio said, "it may not be a good time to interfere."

"I'm not," she stood facing Breanna, "let me save everyone. Please. Change course."

"Jasmine," Breanna called staring at the newbie standing calmly watching her, "coordinates for somewhere else."

"On it," Jasmine punched in new coordinates, and the autopilot adjusted, heading them away from the cave.

"Explain," Breanna squared up the new addition, "why did I head us in another direction?"

Newbie turned to Jesse, "You know."

"Heat-seeking missiles," Jesse said, "but I'm not sure which ones."

"What do you mean?" David asked.

"They are ..." Jesse frowned, "not manually fired."

"Jesse?" Breanna called, "that's a new ability."

Jesse nodded, "They are automatic missiles. They detect anything coming too close to the island."

"How did we not know that?" Breanna asked.

"They're new," Newbie said, "the installation probably happened in the last few days."

"We should have known," Breanna said, shaking her head.

"We do now," David said, "we need another way in."

Oran cleared his throat, watching his sister continuously, "Cara has been like this for the last few minutes."

"What is going on?" Jesse frowned.

Oran shook his head, "I'm not sure. She took my hand and hasn't let go."

Clio moved pushing her fingers into Cara's hair flattening her palm against her forehead. It was the closest she had ever been to someone's mind. The surge of mental images, thoughts, feelings and the processing of Cara's ability was intense, taking all of Clio's resolve to find the answer to their questions.

"She..." Clio panted before continuing, "she is connected to Valencia," Clio breathed heavily, "they are in the extraction room and Birgit is working on the destruction of the secondary energy source."

"What?" Jesse thundered, coming forward as though he could physically stop them. David's hand on his shoulder made him away of his actions.

"They have discovered Madden's plans," Clio said, focusing even more. "Darcia's disappearance has opened his ability to work on only his work ... nothing is in line with Darcia's plans," Clio sucked in her breath, "pole opposites."

Clio closed her eyes, realising Cara's head, sagging to the floor. Scott caught her limp body before she met the deck of the boat.

"She is not unconscious," the Newbie said, "merely overwhelmed."

Jesse watched in mounting horror as Clio opened her eyes, "He wants Valencia for himself."

"No," Jesse bellowed, straining to get to the side of the boat, "not Val."

"Jesse," David held onto him before stepping in front of him, "Val is clever," David spoke softly, "Madden will not know what has hit him if he tries anything with her."

"She will probably go with him," Jesse swallowed hard, struggling to get his emotions under control, "we fought before all this."

"Jesse," David spoke urgently, "get it together, man. Valencia needs you together."

Jesse briefly rested his head on David's shoulder as he sucked in air, "Can't lose her."

"You won't," David whispered, "no one can put up with Valencia for long, you know this. Besides, she's probably looking forward to seeing you."

Jesse found himself chuckling, "Yeah, she works on the person's patience."

David chuckled, "You should know you share quarters with her."

Jesse couldn't help the laughter coming. When he could catch his breath, he looked at David for a moment, "Thank you."

"For what?" David asked.

"Saving my sanity," Jesse whispered.

"Just returning the favour," David replied, glancing at Breanna, who smiled at him, "are you okay with sticking to the plan?"

Jesse nodded, "I..." he cleared his throat and straightened his shoulders, "I can do this."

David stepped away, offering his hand Viking style, "Brother."

Jesse looked at the arm offered before raising his eyes to meet the earnest gaze of a man he never expected to fight at his side. Grasping David at his elbow, he nodded through the emotion, swallowing before reciprocating, "Brother."

The automated voice of the autopilot announced they would be at their destination in five minutes. It was then the two men realised silence surrounded them. Looking around, Jesse found surprised and stunned gazes watching them.

"Jesse and David will be working together," Breanna said, "adjust your teams accordingly."

The low hum filled the boat as it entered the small sandy harbour. The sun began to slowly fill the ribbon on the horizon.

"Jasmine," Breanna called, looking at the beach spotting a few suspicious lumps in the sand, "you wouldn't have sent us here if there wasn't another way in."

Jasmine nodded, "It goes to the tunnels," she said, pointing up the beach.

"The plate awaits," Breanna nodded, "step up."

Jasmine smiled, "Listen up team," her words came slightly accented, showing her foreign ancestry, "when you get off the boat, make sure you stay directly in line with it. This beach is filled with motion senses and mines."

"Your father was wonderful," Simon said.

"Many enemies," Jasmine nodded in resignation, "we get off the boat in front, keeping a straight line and head toward the rocks directly under the cliff."

"What do we do when we get there?" Tania asked.

"Keep walking," Jasmine smiled, "trust me, once we're inside the caves and tunnels we'll be safer."

"Everyone," Breanna called, moving to the front of the boat, "follow Jasmine ... in every step."

"Wow," Newbie muttered, "no pressure."

"Yeah," Jasmine breathed in before meeting the Newbie's gaze, "wait until it's your turn."

"Before moving out," Breanna said, "whose team is the newbie on?"

Heads turned to look around. No answer came, "Newbie," Breanna called, "you're with me."

Surprise rode the air in the boat, "Anyone have a problem with that?" Jesse called.

A quiet muttering could be heard from the group as they moved toward the front of the boat.

"I tried to kill you," Newbie stopped in front of Breanna, "why do you trust me?"

"David was sent to kill me," Breanna said, "he is more precious to me than the air I breathe."

"How?" Newbie asked.

"Trust," Breanna said, "you have a choice on which side of the fence you want to stand. Now is the time to choose."

"My family," Newbie whispered on a sob.

"Are with one of our own," Breanna finished, "we will bring them out. They will have a choice in their own life."

Nodding, Newbie turned toward the front of the boat before looking back, "My name is Taz."

Breanna nodded, "Nicknames are okay, to begin with but names will always last."

Taz grinned, "Let go and kick ass."

"Now that I like," Breanna made a fist offering it to Taz, who reciprocated with her own fist bumping them together.

The group followed Jasmine across the sand into a hidden cave filled with enough explosives, ammunition and weapons to supply an army for months.

"Those are new," Jasmine pointed to the weapons, "now we know how no one knows about the automated missiles. Madden must have an investor who is in the military."

Jasmine turned to Breanna, "That's how Darcia was betrayed."

"What?" Breanna shook her head, "what do you mean?"

"Madden got all the information about what would make Darcia loose the contracts and then went to work to sabotage her and drive her the way he wanted her to go to achieve his end goal," Jasmine said, "she didn't have a chance."

"Jasmine," Jarred called, "these are not marked for Madden's attention."

"What do you mean?" Jasmine frowned, joining him at the uncovered crate, "if not Madden who?"

Jarred pointed to a label on the crate, "Don't know who that is but its not Madden," he looked up in time to see Jasmine pale, "are you okay?"

Staring at the label on the box, written in her fathers type of short hand with the names he used in his underworld dealings, Jasmine felt pale.

"Oh. My. God," she muttered, staggering against the wall, "look at the date. It ... he ... these boxes and trunks have been here since ..." she shuddered.

"Jasmine," Taz called, coming alongside, grasping her arm, steadying her, "what are you trying to tell us?"

Jasmine looked blindly into Taz's searching gaze, "He... " her breath shuddering in and out of her chest.

"Oh man," Taz muttered, "so your father sold you into Madden's programme," Taz said, "not Darcia's. You are armed with the truth, that can strengthen you. Don't let this get to you."

"He sold me," Jasmine frowned, gasping out the words, "my father sold me as a commodity. For weapons."

Silence met her words turning Jasmine took in the number of crates against the cave walls counting at least two hundred.

"Now I know what I'm worth. Since these are technically mine, we will use these to bring betrayal to an end," opening one, she found weapons she could not name, "what are these?"

Jesse came forward, quietly supplying the information as he saw it. They worked around the room, providing names and abilities to the weapons stored away. When all the crates stood open exposing an armory fit for a King, Breanna spoke quietly into the stunned silence.

"Take your pick Jasmine. Tell us where to plant them."