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

-21-

    We convened at a point. Reyna had already sent James the coordinates for the League encampment, and she scoped the area, giving us a bird's eye view. So, together, Cleve, Reyna, James, Petrov, Jensen, Jacks, Leroy, Bennett, Stephens, Ando, and I gathered at two tables pushed together, pouring over a rough sketch James came up with. The pilot herself was ordering us some food, despite the fact none of us were hungry. We were too frazzled to be sleepy, either.

"Do you think anyone has ever been this close before?" Ando asked after our eyes began burning from staring at the map.

"To what?" Jensen responded.

"Getting into the League."

I took a deep breath, never wavering my gaze. "They have. It didn't work, though."

James came over then with a waiter in tow. Our midnight snack was basically just Chinese takeout, only a little less greasy and a little more healthy. Ando complained that it wasn't authentic. Jacks engulfed his as if it was his last meal—which it may well be. I didn't even touch mine, and neither did Cleve.

"Proper food intake stimulates brainpower," Reyna told us disapprovingly as she munched her own noodles.

"So does a normal life," I countered.

"There is no normal in this life."

I didn't answer.

"My team can go in first," Cleve told me lowly. "Clear the way."

I shook my head. "Splitting up would be better. Go in at two different locations."

"You know your guys aren't as qualified as mine. I have Petrov, Jensen, and me. You could be killed."

"We could all be killed. This isn't up for debate, Cleve."

She took a short breath, glaring at me.

"Are you still with me or not?" I asked.

"Care to share with the rest of the class?" Jensen asked us. "Or is this lovey dovey talk?"

Cleve stabbed my side, forcing me to look her in the eye. "I already said I'm in. I'm not giving up now. But if there was any a time to back out, it would be now."

I shook my head. "Not while she's still in there."

That seemed to satisfy her. Cleve looked back to the group and said in a louder voice, "My team—we'll enter here..."

  ----  

It took us hours coming up with a plan. Everyone had different opinions, and despite already seeing them through at Conway's, the recruits couldn't help but argue over if Cleve and I should stay leaders. Well... they more argued if I should stay a leader. Cleve was more than qualified. But I was the only one who knew what we were looking for.

James would stay in the air. If anything happened, she would not only be our one connection to G.U.A.R.D., but also our only backup. Stephens and Bennett were chosen to man and protect the vehicles.

Stars still glistened in the sky when we started out again. Still dark. Still night. That meant we had a few hours before the sun broke through the clouds, a few hours to save Ally. Everyone slept but me. My leg kept kicking up and down. My heart beat too quickly. Last time I tried to rescue anyone, it had gone south very quickly. I prayed almost nonstop on the trip.

And then we were on the ground again, weaving in and out of a forest to our possible doom. I forced my hands to stay steady. When we began getting close, we all descended to the grass, army crawling forwards. I smudged damp soil over my face, then continued forwards, keeping my eyes peeled for any League scouts. James said they were guarding the camp with three different methods: the scouts, the "civilians," and the guards. The scouts perched in trees, sneaking through the tall grass, and basically trying to remain invisible as they kept watch for intruders. The civilians were agents dressed like—you guessed it—civilians. If any actual citizen happened to come tramping through the woods, they would come across guys who looked exactly like them, who would send them on their way in the opposite direction. The guards, though, were decked out in the full-issue League gear, and they barely left any gaps in their patrols for us to sneak in.