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“Yes, sir. We’re apprising law enforcement now and getting them en route. I’m checking the estimated time for an emergency vehicle to intersect with you. Stand by.”
“Okay, Tango,” Ethan said. “We’ve got resources.”
He looked back to see if Mrs. Harcourt had done what she was supposed to, and she hadn't. She fussed with the safety belt, unable to get it into the slot, crying.
“Tango, get in the back.” Ethan tipped his head. There was probably a command for that, but Ethan’s brain wasn’t coughing it up.
Luckily, Tango was as smart as they come.
Ethan continuously checked the mirrors. He didn’t want to get farther from the motorcycle-guy, left unharmed and unimpeded, and think that was that.
Whatever was going down took intelligence and skill, and Ethan wouldn’t allow himself to get complacent.
“Osbourne, this is Communications.”
“Osbourne copy.”
“We’ve been tracking your progress. The ambulances cannot get to you, load the victims, and get the subjects to the hospital faster than you can if your vehicle can make it that far. However, they do have respiratory equipment. How do you wish to proceed?”
“To the hospital.”
Ethan thought that might be the case. Ambulances had to drive the speed limit even in an emergency. The only things they had that made things a little faster were the lights and sirens to move people out of their way.”
“We’re routing you to the hospital. We have communicated with the emergency department. The hospital is aware you’re coming in with a drugged and unresponsive male. Can you give me any more data on the first subject?”
“Male. Age around thirty-five. Height around six feet—weight around two hundred. He’s muscular and seems fit.”
“Understood. And Mrs. Harcourt?”
“Female, age mid-thirties, average height, slender build.”
“What is your condition, Osbourne? Have you sustained any injuries, sir?”
“Negative to personal injuries.” Yeah, his hand was throbbing from that punch, but his knuckles bent fine, and he didn’t seem to have lost any hand strength, so he’d assume nothing was broken.
“I’ll stay with you on this open line until your position is secure. You’ll be getting to the highway in the next five minutes. You will take the first exit onto the highway.”
“Yes, ma’am. First exit onto the highway.”
Something about the woman’s voice on comms reminded Ethan of his time in the military. It was precise. It was calm. There was knowledge and best practices waiting for a need. This person had his back.
The fact that this satellite information went through to the Iniquus Headquarters was miraculous. Ethan wasn’t sure how all that worked since Tango was in the car. He might ask later, but Ethan knew Iniquus had developed the comms for when the dogs had to go into collapsed buildings to rescue their protectees.
Ethan also knew that Iniquus worked closely with DARPA, the scientific branch of the U.S. military. Through that connection, Iniquus got to test the newest R&D in the field before special forces deployed the technology.
So while he was curious, Ethan might not get an explanation of how that all worked.
Ethan continued to wrestle the whale of a car down the highway.
“Communications, this is Osbourne.”
“Copy, Osbourne.”
“I look like a crazy person driving this behemoth. I don’t need lights or sirens to get a clear path. This car is swerving all over the place and scaring the other drivers. They’re steering clear.”
“Do you believe you’re putting yourself or others in danger?”
“No. I’m just wondering if a cop’s going to pull me over for drunk driving. I don’t want to take the time to talk my way out of the situation.”
