Page 68 of Echo: Burn
"Cross is expensive," Stryker points out. "And we're not exactly flush with operational funds."
"We'll pay her price." Kane's jaw tightens. "This is bigger than money."
"There's a problem." Tommy's voice cuts through the planning. "I've been monitoring federal agency communications since Karina arrived. The Committee has deep surveillance on FBI, Homeland Security, Secret Service—every agency that should be stopping this. The moment we alert anyone official, the Committee knows. They'll accelerate their timeline or abort and try again later."
"So we can't go to the authorities," Mercer says slowly. "We have to stop this ourselves."
"A team of seven against a conspiracy that owns half the government." Stryker's laugh is bitter. "Great odds."
"Eight," Cray corrects. "I'm helping."
"Seven," Karina says firmly. "I gave you the intel. The rest is your problem."
"Then seven it is." Kane returns to the tactical map. "We move in six hours. That gives us time to rest, prep gear, and coordinate with Cross on the DC interceptions."
"What about the Whitefish facility?" I hear myself ask. "How do we verify what chemicals were produced there?"
"Standard evidence collection," Kane says. "Samples, documentation, photographs."
"That's not enough." I stand, ignoring the protest from my ankle. "Odin needs to verify the compounds. He's trained to detect specific chemical signatures. Without his confirmation, we can't prove what was made there or where it came from."
"Willa...”
"You need proper documentation, Kane. Chain of custody. Expert verification. I'm a licensed veterinarian with expertise in chemical exposure from military working dogs. My credentials give that evidence legitimacy that photographs and samples alone won't have."
Karina nods slowly. "She's right. Chemical evidence is worthless in court without proper documentation and expert testimony."
"She's also a civilian," Kane argues. "Not trained for tactical operations."
"I’ve killed people this week," I say quietly. "Held a position under fire. Survived a chemical weapons attack. At what point do I stop being a civilian and start being someone you trust to do her job?"
The room goes silent. Every eye turns to Kane, waiting for his response.
I can see the battle happening behind his eyes—tactical necessity versus the need to keep me safe. But he knows I'm right. He knows we need Odin's verification, and Odin needs me to interpret his alerts.
"Fine," he says reluctantly. "You come. But you follow orders. No improvisation. No heroics. You stay behind cover and let us handle the threats. Clear?"
"Crystal."
"And if I say abort, you abort. Immediately. Non-negotiable."
"I'll follow reasonable tactical orders," I counter. "But I won't abandon the mission if there's still evidence to collect."
Stryker grins. "She's got your number, boss."
"Everyone's got my number apparently." Kane returns to the tactical map. "Stryker, Mercer, you're with me on the Whitefish raid. Willa and Odin for evidence documentation. Sarah, you coordinate communications from here. Tommy, I need real-time surveillance on the facility and early warning if Committee assets move to intercept."
"What about me?" Khalid asks quietly. It's the first time he's spoken during the briefing.
Kane's expression softens. "You stay here. Help Tommy with surveillance. Keep Sarah company. This operation is too dangerous for...”
"For a kid?" Khalid's voice carries an edge. "I survived the Committee's detention facility. Watched them kill my family. I think I can handle surveillance duty."
"That's exactly why you're staying here." Kane's tone is gentle but firm. "You've been through enough. Let us handle this."
Khalid doesn't argue, but I see the disappointment in his eyes. The need to do something, anything, to fight back against the people who destroyed his life.
"Meeting adjourned," Kane says. "Get some rest. We move at 2200."
