Page 2 of Silent Dust
“Nova, any tails on the boy?” Bear asked, shifting slightly to get a better view through the throng of people.
“Negative,” Nova replied. “Got a clear line of sight on Link, but the crowd’s too thick. Hard to see the boy..”
“Link, if he approaches, let him speak first,” Bear instructed, his voice firm but reassuring. “Don’t scare him off. Blast, cover Link’s six.”
Jason “Blast” Jennings moved closer, his eyes scanning the perimeter like a hawk. He stayed just out of the boy’s line of sight, blending seamlessly into the crowd’s ebb and flow. His fingers hovered near the grip of his sidearm. Every muscle in his body was coiled, prepared to shield Link from any sudden threat. Blast’s breath was steady, his mind sharp, as he trackedthe subtle shifts in the crowd. His presence was a silent promise: Link was not alone.
The boy finally reached Link, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and curiosity. He hesitated, glancing around as if weighing his options. “M’ster,” he said in broken English, his voice barely above a whisper. “You… look for something?”
Bear held his breath, the noise of the marketplace fading as he leaned in, listening intently through the comms.
“Maybe,” Link replied, kneeling to the boy’s level, his voice gentle. “What do you know?”
The boy shifted nervously, glancing over his shoulder again. “I… I help. I hear things.”
“Easy,” Bear whispered, his heart racing. “This could be our lead.”
“Hear him out,” Dog added, his instincts kicking in. “He might be scared, but kids like him often know the streets better than anyone.”
“Just don’t forget to offer him a snack afterward,” Moose quipped. “You know, to sweeten the deal.”
Bear shot him a look but couldn’t help the hint of amusement that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Focus, Moose. Hear what the kid has to say.”
The boy leaned closer, his voice trembling. “I know where he is… but not safe talk here,” he urged, darting his gaze around. “They watch. You trust me, yes? I no enemy. I Samir. I help.”
Link exchanged glances with Bear, gauging the tension in the air. “If it’s a trap, then you’ll be in just as much danger as we are,” he said slowly. “Ok Samir, if you have information that will help us, we can protect you.”
The boy hesitated, weighing the risk against the urgency of what he knew, but the fire in his eyes showed a determination beyond his years. “Deal!” he whispered, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. “After dark, after first militiachange, we meet. I come to you. Building behind old market, near alley where street vendors set up. It hidden, but I know way.” His voice shook a little, but his resolve was clear.
With that, he turned and hurried away, slipping into the crowd of vendors and shoppers. The team stood still for a moment, processing the brief encounter and the weight of the information they had just received.
Bear’s gaze lingered on the spot where the small figure had vanished, his mind racing with possibilities. “Let’s move,” he finally said, breaking the silence. “We need to secure that building and ensure we aren’t walking into a trap.”
“Right behind you, Boss,” Warden replied, his expression serious as he scanned the crowd for any signs of danger. “We’ll need to set up a perimeter. If Al-Harb’s got eyes on that kid, we can’t let them see us coming.”
“Link, you’re with me,” Bear instructed, gesturing for the younger man to follow. “Keep that comms gear running. We’ll need to coordinate with Nova and the others.”
“On it,” Link said, adjusting his equipment as he fell in step beside Bear. “I’ll keep an eye on the frequencies. If anyone’s listening, I’ll catch them.”
Bear scanned the perimeter, then turned to Moose and Dog. “You two take the rear and watch for any tails. We can’t afford to be blindsided now.”
Moose cracked a sly smile. “Don’t worry, if anyone tries to sneak up on us, I’ll make sure they regret it—like a bad magic trick gone wrong.”
Bear recognized Moose’s humor as a shield against the rising tension. The jokes came quicker now, a way to keep nerves at bay. Still, Bear had to keep him grounded.
Dog grunted, rubbing the back of his neck. “Back in my day, we didn’t have time for fancy tricks or jokes. Just keep your eyes open and your mouth shut. This isn’t a game.”
“Focus on the mission, Moose,” Dog added with a sharp glance. “We need clear heads. You know how fast things can spiral out here.”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” Moose said, pretending to sigh. “But a little levity keeps the darkness at bay, right?”
“Unless you’re the one disappearing,” Blast chimed in with a grin as he joined them. “Stay sharp, everyone. We’re not just after Al-Harb—we’re protecting this kid.”
Bear nodded, appreciating the reminder. “Blast, take the west side of overwatch. Nova, you cover the east. Keep your eyes peeled for anything unusual.”
“Got it,” Blast replied, already moving toward the shadowed alleyways lining the western edge of the market. His silhouette melted into the crowd, every step deliberate, every sense alert.
Nova’s voice crackled softly through the comms. “East side is clear so far. I’m in position.”
