58 |

Southeast of Burj Khalifa
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

 

Sherrie stood beside her idling vehicle, peering up at the sky, her locator beacon in hand as she watched the six chutes rapidly approach, the sounds of too many sirens in the distance.

“Here they come,” said her local contact, standing by the second vehicle.

Sherrie frowned, pointing to the flashing lights that were too close for her liking. “Yeah, and here they come.” She activated her comm. “Control, Coyote-One. We’ve got company closing in on our LZ.”

“Copy that, Coyote-One. Just recover them and head for the evac point.”

Sherrie shook her head. “I don’t think we’re going to make it. Like they say at the farm…”

She could almost hear her boyfriend frown. “You can’t outrun a radio.”

“Exactly. I think it’s time for Plan C.”

“Understood.”

 

Acton flared his chute, killing his speed just before his feet touched the ground. He spun around, hauling it in as he checked for the others. Dawson landed beside him, shrugging out of his harness instantly with a chest thrust, letting the chute blow away, time clearly of the essence here rather than proper policing of the equipment.

Acton did the same, mimicking the motions of the experienced operator as the wail of uncomfortably close sirens in the distance continued to become not so distant.

“Let’s go people, they’re going to be on top of us at any moment!”

Acton recognized the CIA Agent, Sherrie White, who was evidently in command on the ground. They exchanged quick smiles, and Acton rushed over to Laura, already standing by Sherrie’s vehicle.

Sherrie pointed at the back seat, the door already open. “Jim, Laura, get in, quickly.”

They jumped in, Spock joining them in the back with Dawson in the front. Niner and Atlas, along with Karlsson, were in the second vehicle, and within moments, both were underway, Sherrie hammering on the gas as if Laura were driving.

Acton turned in his seat, staring out the rear window at the flickering lights of the police in the distance, sighing with relief as they turned a corner, putting them out of sight. “I guess now we see who’s the better driver.”

Sherrie killed his spirit. “Not a chance. Even Dale Earnhardt can’t outrun a radio.”

Dawson apparently agreed. “Plan C?”

“Yup.”

Dawson activated his mike, announcing it to the other vehicle.

Leaving Acton to wonder what Plan C was, and how many more there might be.