34. Diego

Alarge flock of birds flew overhead, heading south for the upcoming winter. Their calls to each other echoed through the air.

We were gathered around a small campfire with cups of coffee, our last moments before we split up. It was only a matter of time—minutes, hours, maybe days—before the Geneva Project found us in the woods. With several jets full of mercenaries, they'd be able to search the forests and mountains surrounding Anchorage pretty quickly. The fact that the cabin was only a day's hike or half day's run away from Anchorage, we'd be found sooner rather than later. If they started from Route 1 where it hugged the bay's coast, they could be here in half a day.

"I think it's our best shot at defending her," Guy said as he looked at the digital map of the broad surrounding area. "We put one team here." He pointed to an area east of the cabin, which was further upriver. "Another here." Which was southwest of the cabin, closer to Route 1. "A group stays here at the cabin." Roni and I, duh. "I doubt they are going to come from through the Glaciers; it would be the long way around and wouldn't be time efficient."

"So another team camped out a few miles away, closer to Anchorage to be the lookout, and to pick off the stragglers."

"They'd be our flanking team, assuming the mercenaries come from Anchorage as we assume they will."

"We need to figure out a signaling system to communicate. Cell service is super unreliable here," Guy commented.

"Agreed, and as for the walkie talkies, they could draw attention," Wells added.

"What about the old-fashioned way, a smoke signal?"

I shrugged. "That could work."

"But is it wise to divide and conquer like that?" Abbi asked. "With that many mercenaries expected, even if they come at us from two fronts, with smaller teams we are way more likely to encounter a worst-case scenario."

To be killed.

"But if our groups are still relatively close, we can get there within moments of the smoke signal going off, and we can use the element of surprise. We've been careful, and I don't think they know that we're here," Wells adds. "If Roni and Garcia stay at the cabin and we are forming a perimeter around them, then ideally we can pick off mercenaries working from the outside in."

"I don't like it," Jasmine said.

"Neither do I," Yates added. "I know I'm usually on board for the risky shit, but there's a lot of downside here."

"Are we sure it's best not to involve the local PD? Couldn't they help?" Christine asked as she chewed on her bottom lip.

Abbi set her coffee cup in front of her as she reached forward to grab the coffee pot. "Yeah, I'm not a fan of calling the local PD. This is way too large for them. But the FBI—this is up their alley. Why don't you let me make a call?"

"The Secret Service was infiltrated, and they are one of the best police agencies in the world. If that could happen, what makes you think it wouldn't be easy for one or two officers or agents to be swayed by the Geneva Project? We've never been super trusting of law enforcement—sorry, Abbi—and I'm not going to start now. Not with so much at risk."

Everyone in the circle met my eyes and gave a nod. They understood; it was just us.

"Well, in that case, I guess we need to create teams and get split up, huh? The private jets were all set to arrive yesterday. I imagine shit's going to hit the fan quick," Guy said.

"Christine, Mendez, and I will go to the western spot. Christine will hang back to light the signal and watch our flank," Wells said.

"Jasmine will do the same for Guy and me. We'll take the eastern one," Jones added.

"That leaves Yates, Natalia, Strong, and I to take the northern one, closest to Anchorage," Abbi finished. "Better to have the sniper do the hiding, and Natalia, you'll be in charge of the signal."

Natalia nodded in response.

"It sounds like we have a plan. We split up, and don't come back until this whole thing's over. It's very likely they could attack at night, so sleep in shifts and always be ready. If they do attack at night, the smoke signals will be worthless. If you can call, then do, but phones are our last resort."

We began breaking down the camp, so that each group could take with them what they needed. Hopefully if the Geneva Project came across my friends, they'd think they were just campers, out to enjoy the Chugach State Park.

"We've got this," Mendez said as he wrapped me in a hug, right before we were all going our separate ways. His hands clapped against my back and shoulder.

"I sure hope so." I paused as we still hugged it out. "And thanks."

He pulled back. "For what?"

"For showing up, like you always do." I gave him a smile, one I truly meant. He was my brother in every sense of the word.

"You'd do the same for me without thinking twice. Stay safe, and we'll see you on the other side of this."

"Stay safe," I echoed.

Within minutes, it was just me and Roni.