Page 15 of Silent Dust
Meanwhile, Bear and Raven stood at the center, gesturing toward a weathered, chipped table that served as their command post. Panther shifted, ready to move at a moment’s notice, while David “Vapor” Russell remained quietly observant, his gaze flicking from the map to the room’s shadows.
Bear’s steady voice broke through the low hum of preparations. “Let’s get down to business,” he said, pulling out a tattered map of the area as he tapped key points.
“We’ve got two days to coordinate, gather intel, and finalize our approach,” Bear began, eyeing the team around him. “That warehouse is heavily fortified. We’ll need to pick our attack points carefully. Primary mission: destroy Silent Dust, and either capture or eliminate Al-Harb.
“First order of business,” Bear said. “We’ll coordinate schedules and establish a rotation for perimeter security, we have Blast and Todd “Banshee” Anderson out there now. Some of you will be guarding and resting during shifts, but others will be out reconning the area, gathering intel. Samir’s going to help guide those teams through the terrain—he knows this place better than anyone.”
Moose stepped forward, pulling out a notepad. “I’ll take the next shift.”
“Good, Panther can go with you,” Bear acknowledged, then looked at Raven to make sure she was ok with his choice.
At her nod, he continued, “Next, Havoc, Warden—after Moose and Panther. Banshee, you and Link trade off monitoring communications and tracking satellite feeds of the warehouse.
“Just remember to keep it professional, boys,” Bear interjected, a smirk tugging at his lips. “We’re not here to start a podcast.”
“Aw, come on, Bear,” Banshee teased. “We could totally do a live broadcast from the field. ‘The Adventures of Alpha and Charlie Teams!’”
“Yeah, and we’d probably go viral for all the wrong reasons,” Link added, shaking his head with a laugh.
“Sleep is a priority,” Bear reminded everyone. “We can’t afford to be running on fumes when we hit that warehouse. Let’s aim for two-hour guard shifts. After each shift, we’ll regroup to share intel and adjust our plans.”
“Alright, let’s get to work. Remember, our objective is to destroy the Silent Dust stockpile,” Bear said.
“Just one question,” Cobra interjected, a playful grin spreading across her face. “Is there a coffee pot in this place, or are we expected to run on adrenaline and sheer willpower?”
“Adrenaline and sheer willpower are the secret ingredients around here,” Dog replied, and dug through his pack. “Here.” Dog tossed a can to Cobra, who caught it and showed it to Havoc.
“Instant coffee? You’re really selling us on the accommodations here,” Havoc said, feigning disappointment. “I was hoping for a five-star experience.”
Raven chuckled, her demeanor softening momentarily. “If it helps, I hear instant coffee pairs well with chaos,” she quipped.
“Alright, let’s talk about the primary entry points,” Raven began, her finger tracing a hand-drawn map of the warehouse. “The main gate is heavily guarded, but we can exploit the old drainage tunnel Samir mentioned. It might be risky, but it’s our best shot for a stealth entry.”
Bear nodded, mentally noting the plan. Warden and Nova were assigned to scout the tunnel further, ensuring it was clear of debris and hidden traps. “We’ll also need to establish a secondary exit,” Nova suggested, glancing around at the team. “If things go south, we need to know where we can retreat quickly.”
Bear’s eyes landed on Moose and Panther, positioned near the windows, alert and scanning their surroundings. “Moose, Panther, you’re on perimeter duty around the exit point. We need to keep our escape route locked down and secure.”
Meanwhile, Blast worked closely with Havoc, discussing the specifics of the explosives they would use. “I want maximum impact on the warehouse structure,” Blast instructed, his voice steady despite the chaos outside. “No chance for recovery, no collateral damage.”
Havoc grinned, a glint of excitement in his eyes. “Leave it to me. We’ll rig the place to come down like a house of cards.”
As the day passed, the teams carried out night reconnaissance missions, slipping quietly into the darkness to observe guard rotations and map weak points in the enemy’s security. Samir, despite his youth, proved invaluable—a local born and raised—his intimate knowledge of the terrain guiding them through hidden paths and unseen dangers. His familiarity with every ridge, every alley, gave the team an edge they couldn’t have managed on their own.
At the end of the second day, they gathered for a final briefing. Bear stood at the head of the table, flanked by Raven and Samir. “We’re going to move in at first light. Charlie Team will breach the tunnel while Alpha Team provides cover. Once we’re inside, we neutralize any threats and destroy all the chemicals.”
Samir, who had been quietly absorbing the conversation, suddenly spoke up, his eyes brightening with an idea. “The street kids help!” he suggested, his voice steady but filled with enthusiasm. “They know place better than anyone; they make distractions.”
Bear turned to Samir, intrigued. “What do you have in mind?”
"The kids play 'round warehouses, know how make noise without get caught," he said. "They can make distraction—maybe knock over trash cans or make small 'bomb' . It pull guards away from main gate."
Raven nodded, considering the suggestion. “That could work. If we can get them to make a ruckus, it might just give us the window we need to slip in through the drainage tunnel.”
Bear leaned back, contemplating the idea. “We’ll need to ensure the kids are safe and that they understand the risks. But if they’re willing to help, it could give us the edge we need.”
Samir's face lit up with excitement. "They like to help. They hate Al-Harb, want to protect home. I talk to them, tell what we need."
“Alright, let’s integrate that into our plan,” Bear said, feeling a surge of hope. “If Samir can rally the kids, we’ll coordinate the timing of the distraction with our entry. It could be the perfect cover.”
