Page 138 of Storm Warning

“How do you know this?”

“Veronica Walker sent me an updated threat assessment from one of her contacts at the CIA.”

He stared. “They knew and did nothing about the threat?”

“Obsidian Storm wasn’t a priority since no one thought a threat was imminent. Now that the threat is looming, all eyes are on them.”

“But no boots on the ground.”

“No boots. Since President Martin gave us the nod, The Company sent agents to the area with orders to sit back and watch. They’ll do cleanup if we’re successful.”

“And if we fail, they won’t come to our rescue.”

“You’ve got it.”

“Unbelievable. That’s why I’m glad I joined Fortress Security. Our teams aren’t disposable. If one team is in trouble, the others rush to help. Seems like CIA agents sink or swim on their own.”

“I don’t know about other handlers, but that’s the way my handler worked.”

Andre cupped her nape, his thumb caressing her jaw. “I hate your being alone for eight years.”

“I’m not now.”

As the jet leveled off, Seth stood at the front of the cabin and faced the operatives.

“We have seven hours before we land. Zane just sent updated information on the compound and Obsidian Storm’s hold in the region. Check your email, then let’s adjust our plan and make new backups.”

Except for Brent, the operatives groaned.

“Yeah, yeah,” Seth said. “You have five minutes, then we’ll talk.”

As she read Zane’s email, Riley’s gut knotted. This wasn’t good.

Andre shook his head, grim-faced. “I’m glad we don’t have a bookie taking bets on the odds of Fortress succeeding this time.”

“No kidding.”

At the five-minute mark, Seth stood. “Let’s get to work.”

The operatives and Maddox adjusted the plans they’d already devised and created new backup plans. By the time the sixth hour rolled around, Seth and the others were refining details on five plans and five backup plans roughly outlined. When they ran through all the plans, the operatives would improvise. It’s what they did best, pivot and change directions in an instant.

Perhaps their ability to pivot and their over-the-top training at Personal Security International were why Fortress teamssucceeded against the odds. The Delta Force soldiers in charge of operative training didn’t pull any punches and accepted zero excuses.

Seth stood in the center aisle. “Let’s get to work, folks. We have one hour to revise the primary plans and the backups. Find the flaws and come up with ways to work around them or ditch the plan. Because we’re short on time, divide up by teams. David, you take plans one and two. Echo will take plans three and four. Artemis will take plans five and backups one and two.

“After we’ve revised and discussed the plans, we’ll tackle the remaining three backups as a group. Brent, if you don’t mind, look at the final three plans and come up with recommendations to strengthen them.”

“Copy that.”

Iona stood. “Artemis will meet at the back of the jet.” She smiled at Andre. “Sorry, my friend. You’re not invited to this gathering.”

Operatives scattered around the cabin laughed.

David rose. “M team is in the middle.”

“Echo, move to the front.” Seth motioned toward the empty seats beside him. “Go.”

The operatives gathered around their team leaders and began the hard task of devising plans to gut Obsidian Storm and destroy any virus they found in the lab.