Page 10 of Salute, To Bravery
Harper
T he chill air of the early morning is more biting than usual as I stride purposefully across the sprawling camp. Its meticulously organized barracks and high-security zones feel like a prison to me now.
Guards patrol the perimeter with vigilant eyes, their rifles slung over their shoulders, and the clinking of their gear punctuates the silence of dawn.
As I approach the command tent, the radio chatter spills from inside. There’s a constant stream of situation reports and commands. I pause, taking a deep breath to compose myself before stepping into the fray.
“Captain Riley, you’re early,” Sergeant Miles notes.
“Couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d get a head start on the day,” I reply, keeping my voice even.
There’s a large map dotted with markers and notes spread out on the table in the center of the tent.
Leaning over the chart, I pretend to examine the latest troop movements, but my mind is racing.
I’ve spent all night thinking about how I’m going to extricate Rehan undetected.
I’ve barely slept and am now running on adrenaline.
The plan forming in my head is risky. No, it’s downright dangerous. It isn’t just Rehan’s life at stake but my own and possibly the lives of thousands.
Miles interrupts my thoughts, oblivious to my inner conflict.
“We’ve got a convoy leaving at oh eight hundred, transporting high-value assets to the secure facility up north.
They’ll be taking the western route out of the camp.
Heavily guarded, as you’d expect. They want to get them out of the way before the battle starts.
Give the other side no reason to try infiltrate the camp. ”
“Yes, I was briefed,” I murmur, my gaze tracing the route on the map. The western route passes through a less populated area, which may give me the window I need.
“Will you be overseeing the transfer, Captain?” Miles asks, pulling up some documents on his tablet.
“No, I have other… assignments,” I respond, prevaricating. “But keep me updated on the convoy’s progress.”
“Will do,” he nods, turning his attention back to his screen.
I linger for a moment longer, memorizing the details on the map before making my way outside.
I head toward the motor pool where the vehicles are being prepped for the day’s operations. Sergent Cole, one of the mechanics, is already at work.
“I need a vehicle for a reconnaissance mission. Something unobtrusive,” I instruct, trying to sound casual.
He glances up, wiping his hands on a rag. “Sure thing, Captain. I’ve got just the thing.” He gestures to a dusty jeep parked in the corner. “This one’s not part of the usual rotation, but it’s reliable.”
“Perfect,” I nod and quickly check over the jeep. It needs to run smoothly. My plan depends on it.
The next two hours pass by in a blur of preparation and restless anticipation. I secure a few critical supplies from the storage—extra fuel, a medical kit, some non-perishable food— and all the while, I have to keep reassuring myself this order has come from above.
Secure the asset.
He has a prearranged place of safety.
No kills to our side.
POTUS.
As the time for the prisoner transfer draws near, I drive the jeep to a secluded part of the camp, out of view but within sight of the convoy route.
My heart pounds against my ribs, each beat a loud echo in my ears.
I intend to follow the convoy and free Rehan when the opportunity arises.
I haven’t been able to share my plans with Rehan.
I hope he doesn’t think I’ve abandoned him.
“This is it, Harper,” I whisper to myself as I watch the convoy vehicles line up. “Time to do what you were born for.”