Part 12 (2/2)
The screen showed a group of deeply tanned, unshaven, dark-haired men carrying overstuffed duffel bags. They wore an uncoordinated array of street clothes, with a few hip holsters visible under loose-fitting, b.u.t.ton-down s.h.i.+rts. Their attention was focused on two sharply dressed men standing in front of a three-vehicle convoy.
David pulled his arm to get a better view of the tablet screen. ”They're pros, all right. What do you know about the two suits?”
”We've identified the paler gentleman as Nick Leeds. Sources indicate he's former CIA. Special Operations Group. Based on what little we know about the Cerberus operational structure, my guess is he's the operational area's second in command.”
”And the other guy's number one?” said Nathan.
”Doubt it,” said Jose. ”This is just an errand run. An important one, maybe, but not important enough to drag an operational head to this s.h.i.+thole.”
”This is a Cerberus team?” David asked. ”Kind of rough looking compared to what we've seen so far.”
”Not sure. Logic says they're Cerberus, but something is off,” said Jose, checking his watch. ”We need to get you out of here. This picture is forty minutes old.”
”Forty minutes!” hissed Keira. ”How far away is the airport?”
”I'm confident this location hasn't been compromised yet. They drove to a location even farther away, so we've got a buffer.”
”Still,” David said. ”Can your team brief us on the way out? I'd like to get moving.”
”Give me thirty seconds of your undivided attention, and I'll turn you loose.” Jose pressed his finger against a street-level map tacked to the wall next to him. ”This is your starting point. You'll-”
”Jesus, I didn't realize we were this close to the border,” said David. ”What is that, two hundred feet?”
”More or less,” answered Jose. ”Foot and vehicle traffic are light on Francisco Madero at night, so it's our best option. You'll be in a tunnel for about a hundred feet to get there, and it'll put you out at the back of a vacant lot facing the road. Do exactly as your escorts say. Getting out of that exit might be a little tricky.”
”I presume this is our escort?” said David, nodding at the silent duo standing behind Jose.
”Meet Alpha and Bravo. We kept it simple for you. You can tell them apart by the A and B duct-taped to the front and back of their ball caps. No names, just Alpha and Bravo.”
David nodded.
Nathan looked them over. Fit, no-nonsense types wearing local clothing over concealed tactical vests. Compact night-vision headsets fitted under their hats. Each carried a short-barreled version of Nathan's rifle, fitted with a hefty suppressor and magnified optical sight. An imposing pair, for sure, but he'd expected a slightly larger group-like an infantry squad.
”Only two of them?” he said.
”We're moving an armed group on foot through a dense urban area. The six of you will attract enough attention. Can we get back to the map?”
Nathan nodded, following Jose's hand.
”Your escorts will determine the best route, so follow them closely. If you get separated from them, head east until you reach Calle H, then turn south. Your destination is located between Calle H and Calle I on Avenida Marmoleros Sur. Just get yourself to that block and we'll take care of the rest. Two point one miles total.”
”Why can't we drive there?” Nathan asked. ”It would take us three minutes.”
”Noncartel vehicle traffic is rare in Mexicali, especially at night.”
”And six people dressed in tactical gear carrying weapons is common?”
Jose smirked.
”Can we get going?” David asked.
”We're going to knock out the power grid for about twenty minutes to cover your movement,” Jose said. ”You'll be deep into the neighborhoods when the lights return. Power outages are pretty standard in Mexicali. Any questions?”
Nathan turned to his wife and son, who shook their heads. He turned back to Jose. ”We're ready.”
”All right. Good luck to you and your family, Nathan. I hope our paths cross again. We could use your help,” said Jose, extending a hand.
He accepted the gesture, then watched as the man shook Owen's hand and patted him on the shoulder, then grasped Keira's hand firmly. ”Keep him out of trouble,” he said.
”We wouldn't be here if I had any say in that,” she said.
Jose smiled. ”It's not too late to reconsider my offer. We can protect your family.”
”Man, you're relentless,” said David, breaking in. ”We're be fine. Thank you for saving the rest of my Marines last night. Good luck with your mission. G.o.d knows California could use a break.”
Jose raised a handheld radio. ”Cut power in nine-zero seconds.”
A digital voice responded. ”Copy that. Cut power in one and a half minutes.”
”Let's go,” said Alpha, hustling to a closed door set in the far right corner of the wall holding up the maps. He reached for the door handle, pausing to address the group. ”We move single file, in the following order, until we reach our destination or you're given different instructions. This is our default formation: Alpha and Bravo first, followed by Nathan, Owen, and Keira, in that order. David brings up the rear. The three Fishers keep their safeties engaged. Everyone else exits the tunnel cleared hot.”
”My son isn't packing,” said Nathan, immediately regretting his joke.
”He should. Especially out here,” said Alpha, cracking a short-lived smile. ”Don't worry. We'll take good care of Mr. Owen. Just stay close at all times, and stay down if the s.h.i.+t hits the fan. Clear?”
”Clear,” said Keira.
”Clear,” he added.
”The missus beat you to it,” said Alpha. ”Time to boogie.”
He yanked the door open, exposing a mostly dark void, lit sporadically by light green chem lights. The lights barely illuminated the tunnel, serving little purpose beyond proving that the murky abyss indeed continued forward.
”Night vision on,” said Alpha, pus.h.i.+ng his goggles in front of his face. ”Hands grab the person in front of you. Short, quick steps until we get to the exit.”
Nathan pressed a hand against the front of his helmet and slid the integrated visor down, suddenly able to see all the way to the end of the shoulder-width tunnel. He turned to his son, who had already lowered his visor.
”Good to go, buddy?”
His son nodded, apparently too excited to use words.
Keira pulled the night-vision goggles mounted to her helmet down in front of her eyes. A faint green glow illuminated her face.
”I'm good,” she said, giving him a thumbs-up.
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