"The area is secure," Jarred called, joining Craig at the extraction point, "we can move out."
Craig nodded, "Good to know," he sighed, following the truck's route leaving with several children and adults, "Tina's driving that truck."
"How is she doing?" Jarred asked.
"She says she's well," Craig shook his head, "but I'm worried, she is pale, and I need to visit the babies."
"Why do you say that?" Jarred frowned, glancing around cautiously.
"She winced a few times in my presence," Craig sighed, "they need to spend time with me even if she doesn't want to. I need to ensure everyone survives."
"What will you do if Tina doesn't?" Jarred asked, stepping back at the sudden fury in Craig's expression.
"That is not an option," Craig said between gritted teeth, "they all have to survive."
"Just checking," Jarred said, holding up a hand in surrender, "looks like Val and Birgit have finished their scan."
"Everything okay?" Kelvin called, joining the assembling group.
"Don't know if I'm the only one, but it feels like we're being watched," Valencia said, "I'm not sure where it's coming from a high point or from one of the nearby windows."
"It's an eerie feeling," Jasmine nodded, "as though they knew we would be here."
"The truck has gone," Craig said, "we need to leave quickly. You're not alone, Val; I also sense those eyes."
The group gathered around Jasmine, preparing to leave.
"Oh no," Birgit whispered, looking over Jasmine's shoulder, "get us out of here. Now."
Jasmine nodded, breathed in and vapourised, taking the group with her.
The group appeared in the courtyard, some stumbling slightly while others crouched, gaining their bearings.
"That was the fastest travel we've ever done," Jarred said, clearing his throat, "I didn't know you had it in you, Jas."
"There seemed to be an urgency around it," Jasmine said, drawing energy from Birgit, "so I got us here quickly."
Birgit groaned, leaning on Jasmine's shoulder, "That was close."
"That was too close," Kelvin gasped, rubbing his chest.
"What was too close?" Jasmine asked, glancing between them, "what happened?"
"We were about to be netted," Craig sighed, "a good job evacuating us ... we need to be more careful."
"Why would the people we're trying to help net us?" Kelvin asked, frowning.
"They weren't part of the cluster," Valencia whispered, "I bet we're being watched. Our movements are being monitored, and they have someone waiting for us wherever we go."
"Someone is betraying us," Craig sighed, "it's only started recently, so it has to be someone new. That is a lot of people ... but one of them is telling the other side where we are and what we are doing."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
"Who?" Jonathan asked
"We need to find out," Craig said, suspicion racing through him, "for now ... no talking about any operations outside the tech room. We will need to sweep to ensure meeting rooms and the tech room are not bugged."
"On it," Simon called, following the group inside.
"Craig, did you hear about the man who tried to take out one of the children?" Calla called, rushing into the courtyard.
"No," Craig frowned, "do you have a picture?"
Calla pulled out her mobile phone and poked at the screen before turning it toward Craig.
He paled before cursing under his breath, "Where is Breanna?"
"The tech room," Calla said, stepping aside and letting the furious man pass, "I hope he can talk calmly."
"Bre's not in a good mood?" Jonathan asked.
"Not very calm today," Calla sighed, looking at Jonathan with a worried gaze, "neither is Michael ... they just found out what has happened at a safe house and in the field. Bre is barking orders like a drill sergeant, and I don't think Craig will be happy about what she wants to do either."
"What does she want to do?" Jonathan asked, walking her inside.
"I left just before she told everyone, but from Iris and Daisy's reaction," Calla shook her head, "I think it's something extreme."
"Hmmm ... after the team stopped that madman downtown and now this extraction," Jonathan stopped walking, frowning.
"What is it?" Calla asked.
"Both times, it was Nigel who advised on what was required for the mission," Jonathan mumbled, "do you think Craig suspects him of being the mole?"
"It's probable," Calla said, "you're needed to help with the sweep, and I need to get back to the tech room."
"Tell Daisy I'll see her tonight," Jonathan called as he moved in the opposite direction to Calla.
"I will, but she already knows," Calla grinned, striding toward the tech room.
"Breanna," Craig thundered, entering the tech room, "the man who tried to take out one of the children, who is he?"
"I was hoping you could tell me," Breanna said, turning from the console, "you need to calm down."
"Calm down," Craig spluttered, "we're nearly netted as we leave the last extraction. One of the men in the refugee group tries to hurt one of the children, and I need to calm down."
"Yes," Breanna said, straightening slightly, her hands balling into loose fists at her side, "you need to step back and take a breath."
"We have a mole, and you don't seem perturbed by it," he snarled, "are you going to find out who it is betraying us?"
"Perturbed? I'm more than perturbed. I'm furious," Breanna bellowed; closing her eyes, she breathed deeply, "I'm looking into it," Breanna murmured, releasing her breath.
Iris glanced at Breanna, caution flaring in their depths. Slowly and carefully, she moved toward another computer bank, continuing to work.
Craig glared at Breanna, resting his hand on his hips, "Perhaps you should also look into the fact that the man in the picture is supposed to be dead."
"How do you know?" Breanna asked, narrowing her eyes.
"I saw him die," Craig bellowed, "dammit, Bre. Where did he come from?"
"I don't know," Breanna said, her voice raising in volume with each word, "he arrived."
"That's not good enough," Craig yelled, punching the nearby wall.
Silence met his outraged display.
"Go to your quarters and cool off," Breanna said icily, "I don't want to see you again until you have your emotions under control."
"What?" Craig spluttered, glaring at his sister but left the room under Breanna's icy stare.
Stalking down the passageway, he walked toward the suite he shared with Tina. It seemed only a short time ago he was doing this and trying to make his mind up about other events in his life.
Calla came down the passageway toward him, speaking on her mobile. It sounded urgent. He turned to watch her as she moved past him. The last of her words floated to his sensitive hearing. The attacker had been moved to the infirmary.
Moving toward the door of his suite, he stopped. He needed to find out who this man worked for, where he had come from and if he was the same person who was supposed to be dead. More importantly, should this man be here on a mission, he needed to know what it was and stop it before anyone was hurt or, worse, killed. How did a child play into anything, and was this man also an infiltration?
Looking around, Craig noted the empty passageway. Time to follow his gut. Quickly he headed in the direction of the infirmary. It was time for answers, and he was going to get them ... one way or another.