Page 146 of Scars of Fate

Every member of the Brave became alert.

Hawk closed his laptop.

Russ and Boone leaned toward the windows.

Lucas checked my harness and shifted as far as his restraints allowed between me and the cabin door.

“What kind of aircraft?” Adam asked.

“Military helicopter.”

“Identification?”

“None.”

“How far?”

“Three miles and closing.”

Our escort helicopters changed formation.

One moved ahead.

The other dropped behind us.

I looked through the window.

At first, I saw only mountains.

Then a dark helicopter rose from the valley.

No markings.

No lights.

A launcher mounted beneath one of its short wings turned toward us.

Lucas saw it at the same time.

“Missile!”

The pilot banked hard.

The world tilted.

Boone grabbed an overhead strap.

Russ braced himself against the wall.

Lucas leaned over me as far as his harness allowed.

A streak of fire crossed the sky.

The escort helicopters released flares.

Dozens of burning lights filled the air.

The missile veered away.