Page 42 of Over the Edge

Cal finished the introductions. “Guys, this is Ronan Sturlison. Ran with me on the Reapers a few years back. Also known as Merlin.”

“TheMerlin?” Leo exclaimed. “You’re like, a legend, man.”

Axe and Jojo chimed in with sounds of recognition and surprise.

Ronan shrugged, supremely disinterested in his well-earned fame within the SEAL community.

When the others had fallen silent, Cal said, “I’m sorry to bother you like this, brother. But I need a favor. We need a favor. Off the books.”

“Obviously off books,” Ronan replied dryly, “or you wouldn’t behere.”

“We lost a man a little over seven months ago—“

“Swat Valley. I read about it. I didn’t plan that one, by the way.”

“Then you know my guy, Ken Singleton, wasn’t recovered.”

“I saw his body cam footage,” Ronan commented.

Of course he had. Ronan was the wizard behind dozens of SEAL missions over the years. He had a knack for out-of-the-box tactics that nobody else could duplicate, hence his work as a senior mission planner in the Pentagon these days. As far as Cal knew, Ronan wasn’t actively operating as a sniper any more. Which was a loss to the United States. The man was death incarnate behind a Barrett .416 sniper rifle.

“What did you think of the footage?” Cal asked.

“I don’t think your guy was dead when his camera was smashed.”

“That’s what we think, too. And that’s why we want to go after him, now.”

“He’s presumed dead. You know you won’t get permission to go after his remains. Not in that theater. Uncle Sam’s trying to get out of that part of the world, not lean into it.”

“We thought we’d run a mission plan up CIA channels.”

“Ahh.” Ronan clearly saw where this conversation was going. “You want me to plan a mission the agency can’t resist.””

“Seven months, my guy’s been over there.”

“I hear you. It’ll be a hard sell.”

Cal crossed his arms defensively. “We’ve got to try. He’s a SEAL. You know the code.”

“No man left behind,” Ronan muttered.

“You see the highest level intel reports every day. You know that part of the world like the back of your hand. If anyone can figure out how to help us get in, get our man, and get out, it’s you.”

“That’s unquestionably true,” Ronan said matter-of-factly. “But it doesn’t mean I’m gonna throw away my career trying to shove a suicide mission down the big dogs’ throats in the name of recovering a guy who may or may not still be alive.”

“I’m not asking you to sponsor the plan. I’m only asking you to engage in a hypothetical thought exercise with us. In your off-duty time. Here we are, just sitting around shooting the breeze. Nothing official.”

Ronan shook his head. “A search and rescue operation in the Swat region or thereabouts? I dunno if that’s possible, right now.”

“Since when do you think anything is impossible?” Cal snapped, frustrated. He glared at Ronan, who stared back impassively.

In desperation, Cal added, “I’ve already got two Reapers in theater. A man and a woman. Another one of my female SEALs. They should be gearing up right about now to head for the Swat Valley.”

“Where are they starting from?” Ronan asked, a definite note of surprise in his voice.

“Zagistan.”

“Karaken?”

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