Page 99 of Ripple Effect

“Right.” Turning to the captain of theLassen, who’s been letting our pissing match go back and forth without a word, Thorn gives his approval. “Alliance is on the bridge. My men will use the HUMINT provided to plan and strategize against the hijackers. We’ll spin up possible attack options against theSea Forcewhile preventing the hijackers’ escape.”

I interject at this point. “Remember, our goal is to take out the bogey with the least amount of lives lost. Taking the hijackers alive is the secondary objective.”

Thorn says matter-of-factly, “To you. But it is a mission objective to be considered.” Around the table, his team agrees silently by nodding.

“Not at the cost of the civilian lives,” I shout. My team pushes off the wall.

The captain stands. “In this case, let’s wait for the intel to point us in the direction we need to be going, men. Alliance, follow me. Let’s get you up on the bridge.” As he turns away, I hear him mutter, “Before any blood is spilled on my own damn ship.”

Silently, every member of my team follows the captain out of the room. I’m the last to cross over the hatch when I hear Thorn call out, “Cal?”

I pause with my back to him. “Yeah?”

“We know what’s at stake. This is a potential disaster. You need to be prepared for it.” The words are brutal, but I still turn around to face Thorn.

“Do you think anything could prepare me for what’s happening, whether I was sitting at home or here?”

“No. But right now, bury your emotions, Cal.”

I give him a humorless smile. “Don’t you know, Thorn? That’s what got me into this mess in the first place.” Quickly, I move out of sight and nod to the patiently waiting captain. “Let’s do this.”

69

Elizabeth

Year Six - Five Years Ago from Present Day October 23 1000 Hours GMT

Every time someone leaves the room, they don’t come back.

If I used my fingers and toes, I could count all of us. At least all that I can see. And meanwhile I cling to Linc’s hand whenever I can. I’d do it more frequently if I wasn’t terrified they’d rip him away from me too.

We’re bound with our hands behind our backs, ankles tied, and forced to sit blindfolded in the center of the room. I only knew how many people we started with because I heard them say “Ventitré.”

When I murmured that to Linc, he told me quietly, “That’s Italian for twenty-three. God, Elizabeth, if that’s all that’s left…”

That was the first time he grabbed my fingers with such a sharp pain, I almost gasped aloud. Because it meant the chance that his wife was likely not among the survivors. My tears were absorbed by my blindfold as I whispered back, “Libby. Everyone who cares about me calls me Libby.”

“Silenzio!” was shouted at us.

So, we stayed quiet. Waiting.

“Captain.” Alessio’s dark voice comes out of the dark. Both Linc and I tense. “If you would come with me, please.”

“No,” the captain bites back.

“I see. A pity.” Suddenly, there’s a strangled sound from where, I don’t know. The blindfold has distorted my sense of direction. “Give us a moment, Diego, then remove the blindfolds of our guests.”

“Of course, Alessio.” Another name, another voice. And soon, I’ll be able to put a face to it.

Not that it will do me any good.

Long moments go by. I reach behind me and squeeze Linc’s fingers as boots approach. I let them go just in time as my blindfold is ripped from my head. Tears immediately appear as the sunlight streams into my face. “Daylight,” I whisper.

“Silenzio!” Diego barks down at me. Tipping my head back hurts from the hit I took earlier, but I do. I recognize the man with the gun as the one who hit Linc. “Quiet! No talking!” I nod and quickly look down so I become more adjusted to the light.

A few minutes later, I hear shrieking screams. I begin to pant heavily. “You turn. You look!” Diego shouts.

Now, as much as the dark hampered me, I almost wish for it back. The blindfold would have saved me from watching as the captain is shoved in front of Alessio and the enormous glass window by one of the kitchen staff who danced around the first night waving his napkin.