Page 72 of West Bound

“And who’s our fourth?” Rowan already assumes he’s along for the ride, and he’s right.

“Him if we’re lucky.”

“She know how to ride?” Hudson’s eyes land on Zephyrine.

“No,” she answers him. “But I’m willing to learn.”

“Make that two of us. I’ve met your horses but never ridden one.” Rowan frowns at the idea.

“We can get you a refresher, and Zephyrine can learn. It’s easier than it looks.” I look between them, thankful when Zephyrine doesn’t disagree with me.

“I can help too,” Dakota offers. “Hazel might be home for a visit soon, and she’s excellent with first-time riders.” She gives Zephyrine a reassuring look because the doubt is showing on her face.

“How long do we have?” Rowan asks.

“Less than a month.”

“A month? To find a fourth, a combat pilot, map the property, teach these two to ride, and come up with a plan that makes those odds work?” Hudson gives me a skeptical look.

“We’ve pulled off difficult plans before.” Rowan turns to his friend.

“Difficult, yes. Impossible, no. We tried impossible once, if you remember,” Hudson recalls, a flash of something crossing his face before he clears it.

“We all survived.” Rowan shrugs dismissively.

“Barely.” Hudson emphasizes his displeasure at the memory that the rest of us aren’t privy to.

“It’s possible, just requires good planning and timing. We’ve got three-fourths of the crew already,” I insist.

“Half. You’ll need a pilot and a backup in case something happens to him, especially if we’ve got the cavalry on our heels coming in hot. But half is still a good start. Especially since we have her. The rest we can manage; we’ll just have to work our connections until we find something.” Rowan’s always up for chaos.

“What are you doing about the cameras?” Grant interjects. “If you’re using the cameras to map the property, what stops him from just reporting the theft and putting you all in jail?”

“I’ll patch in clean security footage when I hack it. But I also plan to take out the local electric grid when I do it.”

Hudson makes a guttural sound of disbelief, and it echoes in the silent room. The faces around the table stare at me with concern.

“How do you plan to take out the local grid?” He asks what everyone is clearly thinking.

“A small EMP device.”

“Right. So what’s the backup plan?” Hudson looks around the table skeptically, surveying to see if there’s anyone who's on board with this.

“We don’t have a backup plan,” I reply honestly because I doubt the governor will make good on the directions I sent him. “But I’m open to suggestions.”

The table’s quiet then. However unhinged and nearly impossible my plan is, it’s the only one we have.

“So we’re moving forward on this one?” I look for a consensus.

“Sounds like we have no other choice.” Hudson’s still skeptical, but he’s willing to acknowledge our limited options. “If everyone on the team is willing…”

“Tell me what I can do to help.” Grant nods his approval.

“Just let me know when you want me back out here. I have a few trips I have to run for Charlotte, but I can make it work,” Rowan agrees.

I look to Zephyrine last, waiting to hear what she has to say. She might not usually have a vote on this particular council, but she’s an honorary member for the time being. The most important one, if we’re honest.

“I’m in.” She nods, but the way her eyes catch mine, I can read her underlying concern. She’s willing but worried. I have my work cut out for me to get her to a place where she feels confident.