THE CAGE (The Chosen Series #3)

CH37. ♖xb5 ♛xb5

"We are approaching final destination. Would you like to initiate stealth mode?" Liz communicates through the speakers, breaking my concentration. I release my bottom lip from between my teeth, the skin slightly tender, and continue to navigate Bell to fly at 250' above the current land mass.

"Yes," I tell her and drop another 50'.

The AI's response is instant, alerting me that she's successfully infiltrated the surrounding surveillance radars.

Most radars are looking for aircraft traveling above 500'. However, to ensure our landing goes smoothly, our shields and interference with their radars will make us invisible to their systems and should allow us to arrive undetected.

The Under, designed with the guidance of my oтец and financed by Dimitri Mikhailov, was constructed deep within the rocky terrain of the Glavestone mountains. Built within the structure of the Denali Dam, it has multiple hidden levels, many of which are underground. From an outsider's perspective, it looks just like a functioning reservoir. But all someone needs to do is access the elevator behind the reception desk, enter the correct code to open the second control panel hidden into the side of the steel wall, and select down to discover the secrets hiding below.

This makes my job a little more complicated as I have to avoid the radar monitoring the flightpaths in the surrounding areas and watch out for foot patrols and other land-based interference.

From the blueprints I retrieved from Alexander's network, it was clear that the private entrance, with its own landing pad used previously by Отец, is not currently active or manned.

I assume this is due to its location at the top of the wall. The only entrance to this area, other than via air, is through a half-mile-long corridor leading from level 5, where Отец's office and the playroom are. Alexander and the others wouldn't know its use without access to that floor.

I inhale sharply at what I know will be waiting for me in the playroom. Only my Brother and Shay know what occurred there, and none of us thought we would ever need to return. But for my family, I'm willing to do what it takes to get them out.

"Liz, switch to autopilot and prepare us for landing."

"Autopilot activated." With Liz in control, I remove my headset and exit the cockpit. Resting on one of the cabin passenger chairs is my kit and another bag containing abseiling equipment that I managed to grab when I stopped to refuel at one of our bases.

"Preparing to land." Liz's voice fills the cabin, and I check my watch. It's a little past 6:00 AM. Peering out the windows, I can see the first signs of the sun appearing over the horizon, notifying me that I have 10 mins before the boys arrive.

I reach out my senses and feel their presence. However, I cannot pinpoint their location due to the interference caused by the materials used to construct the Under.

Given the altitude of my position compared to the rendezvous point, I calculated it would take me 30 mins to meet them. This is where the abseiling equipment comes into play.

Strapping myself into the harness as the Bell lands, I put my earpieces in and cover my head and face with the hood on my suit. As soon as we are 20 feet from the ground, I have Liz open the door, and I jump.

Landing like a cat, I bounce up on the balls of my feet and run the remaining distance toward the top of the dam wall. I don't have to worry about the helicopter being sighted. Part of Liz's programming allows for a hologram to appear around the external chassis. This should avoid any human detection, as it looks like there's nothing there.

So unless someone decides to do the 10-mile climb/hike to reach this side of the dam wall, I don't see anyone physically stumbling across an invisible aircraft.