Page 70 of Code Name: Tank
“All right,” said Tank, moving to the central table, where the satellite imagery was displayed. “We need a solid tactical plan. Let’s map this out.”
He spread the detailed topographical maps across the table. “Three miles to reach the cabin. Dense forest, elevation changes, and December weather conditions.”
Kodiak pointed to the approach routes Onyx had identified. “These are our three options. Northern approach gives us the most cover but takes longest. Southern route is fastest but most exposed. Eastern approach splits the difference.”
I studied the options. “If Flint sent those coordinates, he knows we’ll analyze every approach. He’d anticipate the northern route—it’s what I’d choose for maximum stealth.”
“Which could make it a trap,” Atticus observed, leaning over the map.
Tank traced the elevation lines with his finger. “The southern route puts us in the open for too long. Anyone in that fire tower would have clear sight lines on our approach.”
“Eastern approach it is,” Kodiak decided. “Gives us reasonable cover and multiple fallback positions if things go sideways.”
I nodded. “Team assignments?”
“Primary team: you, me, Atticus, and Kodiak,” Tank said, looking to me for confirmation.
“Copy that,” I said, nodding again.
“Grit leads the secondary team for backup and support,” Kodiak added. “They’ll position here”—he pointed to a ridge about a mile from the cabin—“for overwatch and rapid response if needed.”
“Shadow Ops provides extraction support and emergency medical,” Admiral said, making notes on a tablet. “Alice and Lumi coordinate from here, maintaining communication with all teams.”
I examined their work, satisfied with the thoroughness. “Equipment?”
Kodiak had already prepared a list. “Cold-weather gear, full tactical equipment. Medical kit, communication gear, emergency beacon.”
“Contingency planning?” I asked.
“If communications go dark for more than fifteen minutes, the secondary team moves to extraction positions,” Tank replied. “If no contact for thirty, full Shadow Ops mobilization.”
Alice appeared at my shoulder. “Dragon, are you sure about this?”
Tank approached us before I could respond. “Transport’s ready. Weather window looks good for the next six hours, but there’s a storm system moving in that could complicate extraction if we’re not out by nightfall.”
“Let’s move out,” I said.
Thirty minutes later, the helicopter’s rotors sliced through the air as it lifted off from the compound, carrying us toward the coordinates that my gut told me would either save Flint’s life or end ours.
21
TANK
The helicopter dropped us two miles from the target coordinates, the rotor wash scattering fresh snow across the December landscape. The temperature was well below freezing, and the wind cut through our cold-weather gear. Winter in the mountains was unforgiving—every breath burned in my lungs, and the snow crunched under our boots despite our attempts at stealth.
“Radio check,” I said quietly into my comms as we formed up in the tree line.
“Kodiak, good copy.”
“Dragon, copy.”
“Atticus, solid.”
The terrain was brutal. Three miles of hiking through knee-deep snow, navigating around ice-covered rocks and fallen logs that could easily break an ankle. The short December daylight was already beginning to fade, casting long shadows through the pine forest that made every tree look like a potential threat.
The ranger’s cabin sat in the clearing exactly as our satellite imagery had shown, but the snow had transformed it into something from a winter postcard. Icicles hung from the eaves,and snow had drifted against the walls. Our footprints would be clearly visible to anyone looking, but there was no helping that now.
“Overwatch One, this is Tank,” I said as we reached the final approach. “Moving to staging positions.”
