Page 112 of Kai
“You’re trying to identify the occupants,” Cece guessed, leaning over my shoulder.
“Affirmative.” I spread my fingers apart over the screen and further enlarged the frame.
“Increase resolution,” I commanded.
“Increasing resolution.”
Cece gasped as the blurry figure in the cockpit gained definition.
“There you are, you fucked-up son of a bitch,” I spat between gritted teeth.
“It’s him!” Cece gasped. “Jack Levine!”
“Jack Levine in the flesh, along with his black Stetson.” I studied the picture up close. “He’s flying solo.”
“And that’s significant… why?”
“Because none of his mercs are with him.” My mind processed at top speed, considering a variety of scenarios.
“Do you think Tracker Team knows Levine’s here?” Cece asked. “Will they come to our assistance if we have to shoot him down?”
“We’re not shooting down anyone just yet,” I said. “Our job is to remain concealed and make our exfil destination tomorrow night. Guzman and Bozeman reported Levine was one slippery snake. We know this ourselves. Our guys are sharp, but it’s possible that Levine’s ditched his Tracker Team tails.” And most importantly, his boss’s surveillance, if I had this right.
“Bellator,” I said. “Home in on the aircraft’s tail number.”
“Homing in,” the AI announced, displaying a snapshot of the numbers.
“Activate satellite connection on fast track,” I said. “Bounce your signal.”
“Activating.” A small red circle popped up in a corner of the main screen. “Connecting.”
“Search the FAA aircraft registry database and establish who owns the aircraft registration number.”
“Searching,” Bellator reported. “Accessing database.”
Cece cocked her eyebrows at me. “I thought we didn’t want to break comms silence.”
“We don’t,” I confirmed. “But Bellator can stealth-connect through a complex web of emergency hookups. It’s able to piggyback on other signals to get us the info we need.”
“Won’t the transmission give away our location?”
“It’s fast-tracking to minimize the risk of detection, but there’s still a slight chance someone could pick us out. It’s a risk we have to take, given that Levine is circling so close to us. Bellator’s activation will also alert Tracker Team that something’s going on. If they’re able to help, they’ll do so.”
Cece seemed somewhat relieved at hearing this.
I didn’t tell her that, even if the team knew what the threat was, they might not be able to assist us. If I knew anything about the NWO hires, it was that they covered their asses. Levine was a mean SOB, but he wasn’t dumb. He’d probably deployed his best remaining assets to engage Tracker Team in order to keep them pinned down and out of his way. It’s what I would do if the situation were reversed.
The team’s ability to move was further complicated by their on-time capabilities to access our remote location without increasing the odds of detection and endangering Cece’s life. Since we were not under attack yet, Tracker Team and I had to stick to the logical approach. To protect Cece and complete ourmission, we had to stay put, watch, and wait. Not my favorite MO, but it was the best tactical decision.
Cece furrowed her eyebrows and pointed at the screen. It showed the Cessna flying around the southern tip of the island. “What’s he doing?”
“I’ve got a theory.”
“Care to share it?”
“Information acquired,” Bellator announced. “Cessna Turbo Skyline. Owned by Island Adventures.” One of the screens shifted to show us a GPS location. “Hangar Boulevard, Oahu, Hawaii.”
“That makes sense.” I knuckled my chin and continued to monitor the aircraft.
