Page 59 of Scars of Fate

I crouched behind Farid and peered through a narrow opening between the rocks.

Dust rose beyond the bend.

The engine slowed.

Then stopped.

A door opened.

Another.

Boots struck the ground.

Boone raised his closed fist.

Every frightened whisper vanished.

A shadow moved across the trail.

Then a man stepped around the bend carrying an assault rifle.

He wore a dark uniform without markings.

A second man appeared behind him.

Then a third.

Boone’s finger tightened against the trigger.

“Identify yourself!”

The first man immediately raised one hand.

“Colonel Hayes sent us.”

Boone didn’t lower his rifle.

“Verification.”

“Bluebird Seven.”

“Challenge?”

The man looked directly at him.

“Courage runs deep.”

Boone’s shoulders relaxed slightly.

“Love runs deeper.”

The man nodded.

“Good to see you, Brave.”

Relief swept through the civilians.

Some began crying.