Page 21 of Alpha Awakened
“I almost had you,” Hazard said as he copied the captain’s actions.
Ice scoffed. “Keep telling yourself that, Corporal.” He threw his ball of used tape in the trash, banking it in with barely a glance. “Do we have time to shower?” he asked Jax.
“No, come as you are.”
The three of them left the PT center and made their way to HQ. Inside the bustling building, they quickly strode down the halls until they reached the glass doors to the designated 448 briefing room. The major was waiting for them inside. Colonel Gibbs wasn’t there in person this time. He was on the video screen, the feed slightly fuzzy.
“Good, you’re here. Let’s get started. Colonel.” Ortiz gave him the nod to go ahead.
“Your capture of Mr. Brian Lewis paid off,” Gibbs began. “He let us know that someone new has taken over Vengeful Claw. The new leader has plans to disrupt shifter society.”
“Disrupt shifter society how?” Jax asked.
“We don’t know yet. But we do know the new leader’s name. Carlos Cortez.”
A picture of a young, clean cut Hispanic male popped up on the screen.
“What pack is he from?” It was possible to find out a shifter’s entire background starting with their pack majora.
“No pack,” Gibbs answered. “He’s from the shadow lands in Arizona.”
Hazard frowned in disappointment. “Ah. That’ll make it harder to track his history.”
“Indeed. That’s why I’m sending the 448 out for a retrieval. Bring him in so we can get to know him. It should be an easy task.”
Ice spoke, his voice deep and quiet.
“If you thought it would be easy you wouldn’t be sending us.”
“That’s true. I want this done right and I know you won’t let me down. Keep me posted on your progress.”
The colonel’s grainy camera feed blinked off, the screen switching to the Legion logo.
Ortiz spread out black and white photos of a busy commercial street on the table. They all leaned down to get a good look at them.
“From the information Lewis gave us, Cortez is in this building. The Mesa Shifter Outreach Center.” She jabbed a finger at a white building near the center of the block. “He has an apartment and office on the third floor. A local Legion unit has him under surveillance and they’ll be our transport on the ground. We’ll go in late at night when the public areas will be empty. With any luck, Cortez will be asleep in his bed and we can have him in custody before he realizes the soldiers in his room aren’t a dream. Any questions?”
Three voices respondedno. Hazard was already buzzing with anticipation, ready for the op.
“Then, let’s get to it. Wheels up in one hour.”
Chapter 9
September 3, 1982
23:30
Mesa, Arizona
“You ever been to Arizona, Captain?” Hazard asked as they sped down the streets of Mesa. A sergeant from the closest area base drove their armored vehicle, taking them to their target.
“Once.”
“What’d you think?”
“It’s dry.”
“I’ve never been. I imagine I won’t get to see much of it this trip beyond this road we’re on.” Through the darkened windows, Hazard saw local businesses, bus stop benches, and not much else.