Success of the Broken Banner

Chapter 13: TEO

Kilo led us to the kitchen, the wooden chair scraping against the floor as he yanked it out for me. A silent apology for our earlier clash. I sank into the seat, fingers intertwined on the table, anticipation building for Kilo's plan. Echo dropped down beside me, his arm draping casually over the chair back, a comforting weight. Across from us, Kilo planted his palms on the table, leaning forward.

"I won't waste your time," Kilo stated, voice echoing off the walls. "Amelia, you're the target. You're the bait in this trap."

"Bait?" Echo's body tensed, chair scraping as he leaned forward. "No, Kilo, you can't put her at risk like that." I reclined, arms crossed, curiosity burning brighter.

"Explain."

"You'll sit outside by the fire, back to the fence. An easy target. Echo, you're our sniper, you'll be on overwatch on the roof. Pick off anyone who jumps the fence, wound them enough for Amelia and me to..." He trailed off, a cold glint in his eye.

"Kilo, this..." Echo trailed off, gaze locked on his friend. I could sense the tension thrumming through him, his fingers digging into the chair back.

"Do you trust me?" I cut in, turning to Echo. He hesitated, then gave a curt nod.

"Yes."

"Then let me do this." Confidence rang in my voice. "I know you'll keep me safe." Echo's lips compressed, but he jerked out a nod, a silent promise that he'd see this through, no matter how much it went against his instincts.

Kilo's finger jabbed through the air, his gaze pinning me in place. "You want us to win this fight ahead? You need training. Being part of this team means you have to be just as strong as your unit." His words struck like a challenge, a gauntlet thrown at my feet. "Once you're healed up, we're going to start by getting you familiar with close combat. A gun can't be your only form of protection, especially with a mission that takes stealth."

A thrill of excitement churned in my gut. I nodded, the motion sharp. "We'll start our setup in about an hour, when the sky turns dark. Echo, get everything you need ready on the roof. Amelia, you're with me." His voice rang out, firm and resolute.

Echo pushed to his feet, his hand brushing a fleeting touch across my shoulder blades as he moved away from the table. I rose, falling into step behind Kilo as he strode towards the truck. The metallic clang of the tailgate echoed through the evening air, followed by the rustle of gear being shifted through. Then, Kilo's hands emerged, a tactical vest clutched in his grip. "Put this on under your shirt," he ordered, "right before we start the stakeout."

I took the vest, its weight familiar and comforting. "Just in case, take this too." A glint of metal appeared in his hand, a large knife balanced deftly on his palm. He offered it to me, handle first. "Echo's one hell of a sniper, I don't doubt his abilities. But if there's more than what he can handle at once, use this. Only if you need to, and while staying low to the ground. Echo isn't one to miss, but if you move the wrong way...you'll end up on that long list of his."

I closed my fingers around the knife's hilt, a shiver running down my spine at his words. "Only if needed, and stay low, got it." My voice was steady, despite the flutter of nerves in my chest.

Kilo's smirk was the first hint of a smile I'd seen from him that day. "You got it, kid." He clapped a hand on my shoulder, a gesture of approval. My gaze drifted upwards, towards the roof where Echo was setting up. The setting sun cast him in silhouette, his form a menacing shape against the fading light. I blew out a slow breath, shaking off the lingering jitters. With a final glance at Kilo, I turned and walked back towards the house, readying myself for the night ahead.