Page 76 of Broken Forced Mate
“How?”
“By giving them a target they can’t resist.”
She points to a location on the map—an exposed position between our current defensive lines and the Amanzite storage facility.
“If they think they can capture me and secure the reserves simultaneously, they’ll concentrate their forces for a single decisive strike instead of the three-pronged attack.”
“That puts you in the most dangerous possible position.”
“It also puts their entire force in one location where we can hit them with everything we have.”
Her plan has merit, but the risk to her personally is enormous.
“They’ll send their best fighters to capture you,” I point out.
“Then we’ll need to be better.”
“We?”
“You don’t think I’m doing this alone, do you?”
The way she includes me in the most dangerous part of the plan should terrify me. Instead, it feels right. Natural. Like we’re finally becoming the partnership we should have been from the beginning.
“What exactly are you proposing?” Theodore asks.
Raegan traces routes on the map. “We position ourselves here, apparently vulnerable, but actually with clear escape routes. When they commit their forces to capture me, our fighters hit them from concealed positions.”
“A trap.”
“Exactly. But it only works if they believe they can take me alive.”
“Which means you’ll have to let them get close enough to try.”
“Very close.”
The room falls silent, probably waiting for me to refuse. Raegan would be acting as bait for forces specifically hunting her, with success depending on perfect timing and coordination. Her brother isn’t going to like it any more than I do.
“It’s suicide,” Jay declares.
“It’s our best chance,” Raegan counters. “Maybe our only chance.”
I want to argue, to find another solution that doesn’t put her at such risk. But looking at the tactical situation, I can’t see alternatives that don’t result in defeat.
“How close would they need to get?” I ask.
“Close enough for their capture teams to think they have me. Probably within fifty yards.”
“That’s too close. If something goes wrong—”
“Then we adapt and keep fighting.”
Her calm acceptance of mortal danger still unsettles me, but I’m learning to trust her judgment even when it conflicts with my protective instincts.
“What kind of support would you need?” Theodore asks.
“Hidden sniper positions covering the approach routes. Mobile teams ready to strike when the signal comes. And someone watching my back during the actual confrontation.”
She looks directly at me as she says the last part.
