Page 91 of Undone
Amber
Who knew that so much of preparing for battle consisted of sitting around and waiting? It was enough to drive a person mad. But seeing the Nevada skyline and feeling the sharp sting of summer sun on my arms and face helped to pass the time. Alaska had been gorgeous, and would always hold a special place in my heart as the location I became Mrs. Fite, but being “home” filled me with an energy that no other place could.
I was pretty sure Rylen felt it too. In those moments, as we sat around with our friends, all of us quieter than usual, Ry actually looked content. This is where we were meant to be. Right here. Right now. The time to fight had finally come, and we’d done all we could to prepare. Knowing it would go down in less than twelve hours was a relief.
A murmur of voices rose from the area where the comm guys were working. Matt waved Top over, and we all watched, sudden tension in the air. After a minute of listening, Top whistled and waved his arm for everyone to gather. We jumped to our feet and went.
“Looks like we’re preparing for back-to-back battles,” Top said loudly enough for the mass of soldiers to hear. I grabbed Rylen’s hand as we listened, and he pulled me closer to his side.
“We attack the base at 0300. It’s my estimation that we’ll be in control of the base by sunrise. Then we prepare for what they’re calling the Master Vessels in two days’ time. We are fairly certain there are three ships, but what we don’t know is how big they are. Based on the mass numbers they’ve told us, I’m thinking big. And the metal exteriors they use, made of Baelese elements, will not be easy to destroy. We’re going to have to fight dirty, using both ground and air tactics. We cannot let them land. We must take out their ships mid-air. Am I clear?”
“Hooah.”
My insides twisted at the thought of those ships and the sheer numbers of aliens on them. Not to mention whatever high-tech weapons were aboard. I rubbed my face with my free hand.
“As soon as we take over the base, we’ll need to make quick inventory of their stock, and get set up for an offensive attack. We need every single damn one of you, so do me a favor, will you? Don’t get killed.”
I didn’t join the others in their chuckling responses.
“All right, clear out. Except Amber Fite. Where is she?”
I lifted my chin, and he waved me over. Rylen joined us, and Top cleared his throat.
“I’ve been going over the numbers. I think instead of having you infiltrate the base with our secondary crew after their main building is bombed, I’m going to have you drop into the encampment with the paratroopers.”
Um, excuse me, butwhat? I blinked, shaking my head.
“I’m sorry, I don’t . . . are you saying . . .” My hands went clammy and my throat closed up.
Top nodded. “You’ll be jumping in.”
“I . . .no. I’m sorry, but no.” I shook my head a little too hard. “I’ve never jumped out of an airplane.”
“You’ll be jumping tandem with Sergeant DePaul.” New York Josh stepped up, at attention, with his hands clasped in front of him. He gave me a grin and nod. I blanched further, stepping back.
“You can do it,” Rylen told me with his gentle confidence.
I was literally breaking into a sweat from every pore.
“I’ll take care of everything,” Josh said. “I’ll hold you nice and tight. You’ll just have to hang on and enjoy the ride.”
Rylen crossed his arms and frowned, muttering, “Better not enjoy it too much.”
Ugh. I kept shaking my head.
“Look at me,” Top said, so I did, clenching my teeth. “You’re our best medic. We need you where there’s possibility of the most injuries.”
“Tater and Remy are in the encampment,” Rylen reminded me.
My heart leapt at the sound of their names, and a thrill shot through me. Then I thought of jumping out of an airplane again, and I was lightheaded.
“Come on,” Josh said. “We’ll go over the details and I’ll teach you what to do on the landing.” He hitched his head to the side and walked off toward the nearby field.
I glared at Top, then Rylen. Rylen nodded towards Josh’s back. “Go on. No fear.”
With a cat-like growl, I walked away from them, not happy about this surprise change of plans. The only thing that lightened my heavy steps was imagining being there to liberate my brother and best friend. Were they okay? Healthy? How would they fare this battle? The more I thought about them, the more my steps lightened. By the time I stopped in front of New York Josh, my chin was higher, and I was ready to learn.
