"What the hell was that?" the Captain asked. "Were we cleared to go in there?"
CAOC Analyst one said, "No sir, they were using human shields. We never got the green light."
"Put me through to State," Major Allen ordered. "They're going to be all over this."
"Get those monitors up!"
Another CAOC Analyst said, "We got a bogey!"
A third CAOC Analyst informed, "Wasn't Air Force!"
"We got the CIA on the line?" Major Allen asked.
"I've got Langley on the line," the Captain replied. "They want to know if it's us."
CAOC Analyst one said, "No, it definitely is not us, sir!"
CAOC Analyst two stated, "It wasn't Navy."
CAOC Analyst three added, "Wasn't Marines."
Major Allen yelled, "I need answers! Can I please get eyes on target?"
CAOC Analyst said, "Negative, negative. Cannot identify."
"Get me Colonel Rhodes from weapons development down here now!" He paused. "We ran an ID check and cross-referenced with all known databases. We have nothing."
"Any high-altitude surveillance in the region?" Rhodey questioned.
"We got an AWAC and a Global Hawk in the area," the Captain answered.
"So, this thing just appeared out of nowhere? How come it didn't show up on the radar?"
CAOC Analyst informed, "Got a minimal radar cross-section, sir."
"Is it stealth?"
"No, sir, it's tiny. We think it's an unmanned aerial vehicle."
"Colonel, what are we dealing with here?" Major Allen asked.
"Let me make a call," Rhodey said.
"Sergeant, clear a hole."
"Hello?" Tony said in a questioning tone, answering a call.
"Tony?" Rhodey called.
"Who's this?"
"It's Rhodes."
"Sorry, hello?"
"I said it's Rhodes."
"Speak up, please."
"What in the hell is that noise?"
"Oh, yeah, I'm driving with the top down."
"Yeah, well, I need your help right now. Or your sister's, but I figured I'd try you first."
"It's funny how that works, huh?"
"Yeah. Speaking of funny, we've got a weapons depot that was just blown up a few clicks from where you were being held captive."
"Well, that's a hot spot. Sounds like someone stepped in and did your job for you, huh?"
"Why do you sound out of breath, Tony?"
"I'm not, I was just jogging with Maritza in the canyon."
"I thought you were driving."
"Right, I was driving to the canyon, where I'm going to jog with Maritza."
"You sure you don't have any tech in that area I should know about?"
"Nope!"
A CAOC Analyst said, "Bogey spotted!"
YOU ARE READING
Rise of the Hero
ActionThree friends enter the war in different ways. One is drafted, one volunteers, and one, by chance, is given an opportunity. But war only leads to tragedy, and is it one the three are willing to face? Years after the end of the war, two siblings ar...
