Page 211 of Scars of Fate

“Guardian Control, listen carefully. We have evidence of a security breach at the highest level. Do not retransmit our coordinates. Do not contact General Kane.”

“Understood.”

“Find Colonel Hayes. Tell him the Brave is alive.”

The radio operator hesitated.

“Sir, Colonel Hayes has been detained.”

Adam stopped breathing.

“By whose authority?”

“General Kane.”

The line went dead.

Hawk checked the equipment.

“They cut the transmission.”

Wynn moved closer to me.

“What happens now?”

“We get off the mountain ourselves,” Adam said.

“How?” Boone asked. “A prayer? A miracle? A very long walk?”

I looked toward the river.

Lights moved across the opposite ridge.

Vehicles.

Meridian had found the service road.

We had minutes before they reached the ledge.

Then a different voice came through the radio.

Low.

Distorted.

“Brave Actual.”

Adam lifted the handset.

“Identify yourself.”

“An old friend.”

I froze.

I knew that voice.

Not Minser.