GhostWalkers 10 - Samurai Game

engine
.
    Ryland nodded.
That’s what we want. We’ll daisy-chain using det cord
.
    Daisy-chaining was a way of connecting several explosive devices by explosive cord to detonate off the same fuse so that they all blow at the same time.
    We want at least five minutes of time fuse so we can clearthe objective and be gone before the thermite attracts too much attention. Once you have the demo set, you move back to ORP—objective, rally point. It’s only a hundred meters from the objective, so noise and light discipline a must. If all goes according to plan, we are gone before they know we were ever here. At that point, we will make our way to the extraction point where the sniper team, Reaper Two at this point, will link up with us. From there we’ll catch a ride with Task Force 160 to the USS
Ronald Reagan
at sea in the Atlantic. We good?
    Ryland always tacked that last on, and everyone had better damn well be good with his orders. Everyone nodded and he waved them to gear up. They moved out in single file again, edging closer to the compound. Nico and Kadan slipped into the jungle, heading for their hill overlooking Armine’s quarters. Everyone else, in designated two man teams, drifted through the thick vines to work their way in close to be ready for the signal to go.
    Kadan’s voice moved through their minds.
Reaper One, this is Two
.
    Ryland answered.
Reaper Two, this is One
.
    Kadan’s voice was as calm as ever. Nothing ever seemed to shake him up.
Two is in position, we have a good visual on Armine’s house. As soon as the fucker pokes his head out, we’ll take it off
.
    Ryland replied.
Happy hunting; once you’ve got him, get to the PZ
.
    Roger that
, Kadan acknowledged.
    Ryland gave the command they were all waiting for.
Reaper One teams make ready. Go!
    Sam took off on his pre-chosen route. Sam had gone over and over it in his mind, studying the path he would take to the communications building. He knew every bit of cover possible to get to the building. He needed to get to a window and see inside the building to teleport into it. He had to have an actual destination. He had chosen his window ahead oftime. The building sat smack in the middle of the rows of dilapidated huts, basically open. The north facing window appeared to have the most cover.
    He moved quickly, getting the sickening jar of his physical body parts trying to catch up with his spirit. He emerged right outside the window in a crouch. He had only seconds before one of the guards spotted him. He lifted his head cautiously to peer through the dirty, yellowed pane. He just needed a spot where he could teleport inside unseen.
    Two men sat at a small, rickety table, with a radio in between them. Maps were spread out along one wall. Papers were strewn around the room. In one corner, dirty dishes attracted flies. His heart dropped when he looked in the other corner. Two girls lay in a bloody heap—both were tied up and they stared at the two men with swollen, dazed, hate-filled eyes. Neither girl could have been more than fifteen, if that.
    Bile rose in his throat. He shoved down the anger. It wasn’t as if this was the first time he’d seen such things. If he left them there, they were going to die in the ensuing explosions. If he tried to rescue them, he was putting not only himself but his entire team in added danger. Swearing under his breath, he made his decision. If one of them made a sound, he’d kill them both and then do his job. But if he could, he’d get them out of there.
    He took a breath, chose his spot, and moved with blurring, wrenching speed. He found himself in the corner, crouching behind a rusty water barrel, just a few feet from the girls. He made the smallest of movements, just enough to attract the nearest one’s attention. He’d already planned his move if she screamed. He’d be across the room, slashing the two men’s throats before he turned back to the girls. The compound had to be used to them screaming for a moment or two.
    He had one finger to his lips, but he didn’t hold out much hope. He knew he looked like another monster raiding their farm, killing their families, and subjecting them to a life ofabuse and rape. The girl nearest him turned her head, her eyes widening until she looked as if only the whites of her eyes were showing. He shook his head, keeping his finger over his lips.
    She swallowed hard and nodded, turning her head to press her lips against the other girl’s ear. She whispered.