When we stepped out of the SUV I could literally smell pack members on the breeze. I was so close to home and yet I couldn’t go anywhere near them until this threat was taken care of. We set up camp and checked in with the rest of the teams. We were one of the last two to check in.
No one had any trouble getting to their position and I don’t know if I should be suspicious about that or not. I chose to keep the idea that somebody on the enemies’ side probably knows something about us moving out of the compound.
The following day, we got reports of our tech and cyber team being set up and picking up movement.
“Tracker, you’re good to go. Looks like they are moving their latest shipment.”
“Thomas, the team you are tracking has doubled in size. They seem to be in a holding pattern.”
“Brogen, is your team ready to intercept? You have about an hour before the first wave. The lead truck seems to have all equipment, take it out before you attack, it could buy some time.” “Nickolas, move your team North one supply truck has veered from the route”
It was a constant barrage of information all day. 1! forgot what it was like to have so many people in my head, it was starting to give me a headache.
“Midge, there’s been no sign of Mike at all. I have a bad feeling about that.” Nathaniel said over everyone, most of the chatter died down.
“What do you mean ‘no sign?” Osiston asks, opening the link to several more people. Based on the look on Lillian and Jena’s faces they were added. And probably the rest of the team leads.
“We saw him at his camp last night, and then nothing at all after he went inside his tent. They packed his shit this morning. I’ve been on this watch personally.”
“We’ll figure it out. Are we still the closest to his last known position?’ I can’t dwell on what might have been missed, he’s on his way, I can feel it and he’s ready for revenge after we got away from him. “If he stays on the path he’s been taking for the last two days, yes you are in his path.”
“We’ll start a scout party and keep you updated. He’s not that smart, but I’m pretty sure the people around him are.”
“I want a check in every fifteen minutes from here until we find him, understood” Osiston asks, well I guess growls is more like it.
“Understood.” The three of us say together.
“Let’s pack up and start heading that way.” I point just Northwest of us. “It didn’t seem like he was following the coast, but he may be heading to the island entrance or somewhere near it.” Both girls agree and we make quick work of camp.
We decided to leave the SUV parked as if we were hiking. It will mean more flexibility if we do find him and we can leave unnecessary gear here too. Jena and I have been working with Lillian and Sierra on shifting without destroying clothes, so none of us need to worry about any heavy bags slowing us down. I
We walk for most of the day staying about twenty feet apart so we can cover more ground trying to smell if they have been here or not. When the sunlight starts to change to a darker yellow we shift our position in a wide arc and start to head back to where we came from. We didn’t find anything, but it sure beats waiting around for nothing to happen.
Once the sun set behind the mountains and the air started to take a cooler turn and dusk set in, we heard it. A crackling fire and murmuring voices. I stop and the girls follow suit, no questions asked. We are that attuned to each other and have developed a high level of trust. They listen too.
We don’t mindlink, none of us want to miss anything, if these are rogue wolves. The conversation sounds serious, but whispered. They know anyone could be watching. At least they have some common sense.
“That b*tch was supposed to be here. They f*cking lied to us. Probably set us on a wild goose chase just to see how long we would stay out here looking for her.” One guy says.
I can only see profiles with them being between the firelight and us.
“Yeah? I dare you to call Mike and tell him that. See what he says about the wild goose chase.” The guy in the center pulls out a phone. I look back and forth to the girls at my sides. They are here for one of us and Mike isn’t here. What does that mean? We also know, some of them, at least can’t mind link so they are reliant on cell phones. We can probably make this work.
I tilt my head to the right signaling Lillian to head the way and to the left for Jena. We are going to surround them, one for each of us.
“Osiston, we have some activity. Three guys, they mentioned Mike, but he isn’t here. They are using cell phones to communicate. We are going to try and neutralize these guys and see what we can find out.” “Stay safe, Little One.”
“Always.” I giggle at him. And he just huffs.
