G.U.A.R.D. Book #4: Tracked

-20-

    Some of us slept on the way. Bennett had the entire back row to herself, so she just laid out and promptly began snoring. It reminded me of the cabin at Station 3, where I could hear everyone sleeping. It made me kind of miss those days. Despite every wrong thing that had happened.

Reyna charged her phone and clip-com through an outlet in the car, constantly tapping away on the devices. Leroy was also asleep, but Jacks kept his eyes glued on the outside. Not to gaze at the scenery. To make sure nothing bad would happen.

Because Reyna had to come all the way from Base 12 (an hour-long trip), and we had to make plans for stealing our arsenal from G.U.A.R.D., we actually didn't leave until after dinner. The Hunters and Alek had to have been going crazy. Maybe I should've left them a note. Tell them not to worry, or something.

But then I guess they had a reason to worry.

In her jet, James flew high in the air, way faster than us. She was our protection if things went south.

After three hours, Lisa's electronic voice said, "We have approximately five minutes before arrival."

Bennett snorted awake, pushing herself to a sitting position. Jacks woke Leroy up. I gazed outside as we began descending. It wasn't long before a familiar sight came into view. A curving road branching off the main one, leading straight to a magnificent, black gate. Stone walls surrounded the estate, which held a gigantic mansion. At the front of the huge house was a stone courtyard, holding statues of all kinds. I remembered running through those still, icy figures with gunshots in the background, running from the League with all I had. Man, that was so long ago.

Lisa took us down, and Leroy took over the controls again.

"So this is where this Conway dude lives?" Jacks asked.

"Yeah," I said, staring out the window.

Jacks snorted. "Man's got money."

Understatement.

Leroy parked just at the beginning of Conway's land, at the start of the curving road. With relief, we got out and stretched our legs.

"I assume you have a plan," Reyna said, gazing at the hulking mansion over the trees.

"Half of one," I said. She sniffed in disdain.

Cleve and her team came not long after.

"Okay," I said once we were all gathered in a circle. I crouched by the ground and, with the light from Reyna's phone's flashlight, I drew a square in the soil. "This is the house."

Petrov snorted. "Well, I think we all agree we're glad you didn't become artist."

Jensen chuckled.

"Hey," I said. "Not important. Look, Conway has guards on patrol. One at the main gate here," I drew an "x," "and another around the top of the driveway. I'm sure there are more around the premises, but those are the only two I... remember."

"You know," Jensen said, "you never actually said how you know of this place."

"No, I didn't. Conway also has a butler, but he's old and thin. Not a threat, except he could sound the alarm. Conway himself is in no way a fighter."

"What about house security?" Cleve asked. "Any alarms?"

"Or trip-wire missiles?" Jacks joked grimly.

"Not that I know of, but I'm sure he has some."

"And the plan?" Reyna prompted.

"Jensen, Ando, Petrov, Bennett, I need you to take out the guards," I said. Then I quickly amended, "And by 'take out,' I mean knock unconscious. Got it?"