Page 385 of Broken Oath

Six minutes to move two teams, five weakened survivors, two prisoners, and all our equipment from the helicopters into the aircraft.

Tight.

Possible.

“What happens if we stay airborne?” I asked.

The pilot answered.

“We die.”

“Appreciate the honesty.”

“These helicopters can’t outrun fighters. We might defeat one missile with countermeasures, maybe two. After that, we’re flying targets.”

The mountain terrain offered concealment, but only until we reached the airfield.

I looked toward Fathom.

“Can we confuse their tracking?”

“Maybe.”

“I need better than maybe.”

He examined the map.

“If we separate, descend into two valleys, and kill our transponders, they’ll have to reacquire us.”

“Do it.”

Sarah looked at me.

“Splitting up makes both helicopters easier to destroy.”

“It also gives them two targets moving through separate terrain.”

“And Madow is on the other aircraft.”

“He’ll be disappointed to learn I’m not risking Wade’s team to protect him.”

Madow’s voice entered the radio.

“You need me.”

“We need what you know. Whether you survive long enough to tell us is becoming your problem.”

Madow fell silent.

The pilots banked in opposite directions.

The first helicopter disappeared into a valley to the east.

Ours dropped hard toward the western ridge.

The sudden descent pressed everyone into their seats.

Sarah grabbed Wade’s arm.