by Anna Hackett
Shit. Reed had seen the ship, resting on the old runways of Sydney airport. The airport was right up against Botany Bay. “We could infiltrate from the sea. Go in under the cover of darkness. Quickly and quietly.”
“And we can plant the cube with the virus.” Natalya was staring at the screen.
Reed’s heart tripped. That meant she’d have to come on the mission. He did not want to take her there. Into the heart of the raptor territory, and into their fucking ship.
But as she turned and looked at him, he saw resolute determination. She wanted to do this. Maybe to prove herself, but also to strike back. And in the process, maybe heal the damage that had been done to her.
Damn. He released a long breath. Damn.
Suddenly the image whirled as Dev moved the camera. Throaty shouts came through the line.
“Shit.” Dev started moving. “I’ve been spotted.”
“Dev.” Santha’s jaw tightened. “Get out of there.”
“I’ll get to—” The feed cut off, leaving a black screen.
“Get him back,” Santha demanded.
Elle’s fingers flew over her comp screen. But after a moment, she sat back and shook her head. “I can’t. He’s gone.”
“Can we go in and rescue him?” Reed asked.
Holmes’ face was impassive. “No. I can’t approve it.”
Santha started to say something but Holmes shook his head.
“I’m sorry, but the majority of the raptor forces are located right on top of him. And more are within a short distance. If I send a team in, it’s a suicide mission.”
Santha ran a hand through her hair. “The idiot shouldn’t even be there. He wasn’t supposed to infiltrate their ship.”
Holmes gave her a tight smile. “Get used to having people on your team who don’t follow your orders.” He arched a brow at Marcus.
Hell Squad’s leader crossed his muscular arms and met Holmes’ gaze, looking like he didn’t give a shit.
“So there’s nothing we can do?” Natalya asked quietly.
Reed slid an arm across her shoulders. “He’s tough and damned good. All we can do is wait.”
Santha’s communicator beeped. She held it up, frowning, then she relaxed. “He got out.” She laughed. “He sent me a message. He got out and he’ll be home in a few hours.”
“Crazy bastard,” Reed said.
Natalya straightened. “We have to destroy those cubes. That’ll leave them without the energy they need to manufacture more tanks.” Her gaze landed on Noah. “Can you help me? I know we can get this virus working, and with the extra cubes Shaw snatched, we can test it out first.”
“You got it,” the tech genius replied.
Marcus faced his squad. “Meanwhile, we’ll get started on an infiltration plan.” His blue gaze fell on Reed. “You’re our water man. I could use your help on this.”
Reed nodded, his arm tightening on Natalya. Looked like he was going to hell again and taking his woman with him.
Chapter Thirteen
As the boat hit a small wave, Natalya gripped the edge of her seat. She was with Hell Squad and they were flying along the water, parallel to the shore. The long, narrow boat was soundless and fast. They hit another wave, salty spray bathing her face, and her stomach turned over.
Cruz stood at the front, operating the controls, with Devlin by his side guiding him in. Two lines of seats filled the back of the craft.
Reed was seated in front of her, just a broad, black shadow, but the sight of his strong shoulders made her smile. The rest of Hell Squad surrounded her. She was surprisingly calm. She could do this.
She pulled the cube out of the bag at her waist and turned it over. She and Noah had also programmed a second, backup one that also sat in the bag. She could sneak into the heart of raptor territory, plant the cube, and get out.
She looked toward the shore and saw the faint crescent of a white sand beach. Sydney had been well-known for its beautiful beaches. People would have flocked to the golden sand and waves on the weekends—either locals escaping the city or tourists soaking up the sun. She’d loved the beach and been one of the many vying for a patch of sand.
A few decades back, the pollution had gotten so bad that some days they used to close the beaches entirely. Then some tech company had used nanotechnology to create nanos that neutralized the water pollution, and the crowds had once again happily splashed, shown off their bikini bodies, and caught waves on their surfboards.
But now the beaches were empty and silent. No kids building sandcastles, or teenage boys spying on pretty girls. No tourists turning lobster-red under the strong Australian sun.
She sighed, her thoughts a bittersweet sting. But they were tempered by Reed’s words. They had to look forward. If they could get these aliens to leave them alone, then maybe she could wear that black bikini on the beach one day in the future. Watch Reed rise up out of the waves, watch Bryony and the other kids from the base running and playing on the sand.
She dragged in a deep breath. But first, they had to find a way to beat the aliens…the bigger, badder and better-equipped aliens.
Just focus on the mission, Natalya. One step at a time.
“You okay?”
It was a near-soundless whisper from the man beside her. Roth Masters was the head of Squad Nine, but Marcus had roped him in to help with this mission. He was also a dark shadow in the night, but she knew he had rugged features, and sandy hair, and was built just like the men of Hell Squad. Big and muscular. His squad was mostly women, and Nine was known for their impeccable timing as backup in a firefight.
She nodded. “Thoughts are whirling.”
“Look up,” he said.
“What?” She frowned.
“Up,” he said again.
She did…and saw the stars.
“See that long tail of stars there, right above us? That’s the constellation of Scorpio.”
She spotted it. “And that red star?” It glowed a little brighter, was distinctly red.
“Antares. Heart of the scorpion.”
“It’s pretty.” She smiled. “Thanks for the distraction.”
“Don’t let everything crowd in. Sometimes you need to clear your mind, and then focus on one thing at a time.” Roth nodded toward her hands. “You just think of getting that in place. We’ll get you there. MacKinnon will move heaven and earth to keep you safe, and then we’ll show these aliens not to mess with us.”
She turned the cube over in her hands. She and Noah had made numerous adjustments and tested the cube time after time.
They knew the virus would work this time.
They just had to get it in place, first.
The boat rounded the headland and into Botany Bay. For the first time since it had appeared in the sky over Sydney so long ago, Natalya saw the alien ship.
Oh, God. Bile rose. There were white and red lights on all around it. She saw figures moving around on the ground—raptor patrols.
But it was the ship itself that captured all her horrified attention. It was huge. It looked like some giant sea creature, crouched there, ready to dive into the water and attack.
How the hell were they going to get in there without being seen?
Now her gaze strayed to the head of the boat. Devlin stood straight and still beside Cruz. He’d made it in and out, and he was here to lead Hell Squad back in.
She glanced up at the stars again and then slipped the cube into the bag on her belt. Time to show the aliens she wasn’t just a damn guinea pig. A hand grabbed hers. Reed was still looking ahead, but he’d reached back. She smiled. God, she was so lucky he’d appeared in her life. At the darkest moment, her light had appeared in the form of six-foot-two-inch Reed MacKinnon.
They cut the engines and slid slowly toward the shore.
The boat stopped twenty meters out. “Everyone out,” Marcus whispered. “I’ve dropped a micro-anchor and line to tether the boat out here. Don’t want the raptors finding it on the shore.”
Everyone in the boat stirred, readying to head overboard.
“And remember, we won’t be able to contact base,” Marcus said, tapping his earpiece. “We can talk to each other, but we can’t send a signal out to Elle and risk the aliens detecting it.”
Everyone nodded. Reed turned. “Here.” He held something out to Natalya.
She took the tiny device. It was a small piece of metal with a mouthpiece.
“It’s a breather. Just slip it in your mouth and it’ll provide short bursts of air.”
She eyed the shore. “But it’s not far.”
“Just in case. And don’t forget your night-vision lens.” He helped her flick the small lens from the side of her helmet and over her left eye. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Be careful.” Another kiss to her nose. “No risks.” A light kiss on her mouth. “Stay by my side.”
Her eyes fluttered closed. How could he pull her in, touch her soul the way he did, with just featherlight touches?
A kiss to her right eyelid. “You get hurt—” a kiss just under her right eye “—and I’ll kill every raptor I can get my hands on.”
Her eyes shot open. He looked dead serious. “Same goes, Reed. You get hurt, I’ll make sure you only get cold water in your quarters for the rest of your life.”
His lips quirked. “Deal. Ready?”
No. Yes. She was going to see this through to the end. She nodded. She watched him slip over the side and heard the others following. Natalya eyed the dark waters, tinged green by the night vision, and pulled a face. Just think of your night swims with Reed.
“Natalya.” His face appeared at the edge of the boat. “Come on, brown-eyed girl. It’s only a short swim to shore.”
She climbed over, feeling far more awkward than Reed had looked with his easy flex of muscles. They were wearing modified, aquatic armor. It was more flexible, but less durable than the regular armor. It kept most of the water out, but the cool trickle that seeped through in a couple of spots made her swallow a gasp. Not too cold or shocking, but cool enough to feel it.
“Let’s go,” Marcus said quietly.
Natalya swam forward, following Reed. She saw the rest of the team ahead, they were staying low, just their heads visible above the water.
The shore got closer and she strangely felt herself steady even more. Sure, the alien ship ahead was scary, but their mission meant that other people might not suffer like she had in that raptor lab. That others wouldn’t end up turning into the enemy.
Reed was right. She couldn’t go back and be sharp, confident Dr. Vasin. But looking at him now, seeing him in his element, she didn’t want to go back. She could be a new Natalya and Reed was a major part of that new life.
A splash to her left made her glance over. She didn’t see anything, just a ripple in the water. A fish, maybe. She swallowed. Please don’t be a shark.
Ahead, she watched as some of the others reached the shore and ran, hunched over, into cover. She realized her chest was aching. The water obviously didn’t agree with her. She decided when this was all over, she was going to get Emerson to remove her scar.
Another splash and this time she felt something bump against her legs. Panic shot through her. God, there really was something in the water.
“Reed,” she whispered furiously.
“Nearly there,” he called back over his shoulder.
“There’s something in the water.”
“What?” With two powerful kicks he was by her side. “Keep quiet and keep moving.”
She put all her energy into it. She wanted out of the water. Visions of big sharks and sharp teeth spurred her on.
Suddenly, a commotion in the water behind her made her gasp.
“Fucking hell!”
It was Shaw.
She spun, saw Reed doing the same.
“What the hell?” Reed breathed.
Shaw was being jerked around in the water and was thumping…something…with the butt of his carbine.
Shark. She shook her head, her lungs constricting. Then the animal reared out of the water.
Oh. God.
Everything in Natalya froze. Not a shark. Worse than a shark. The creature was huge. It had a long body, bigger than their boat, covered in dark scales and a long ridge of spikes right along its back. Shaw was twisting, trying to hit it with his weapon. Sharp teeth were clamped into his armor, holding him tight.
“Let him go.” Claudia swam right toward the dinosaur-like, aquatic alien. The moonlight glinted off the huge knife in her hand.
She drove the knife into the creature’s side, making it thrash, but it didn’t let go of its prey.
“Goddammit.” Marcus powered past Natalya and Reed. “Hell Squad, get that fucker off Shaw. Knives only. We don’t want to use lasers and bring all the raptors down on us.”
“Stay back.” Reed touched her shoulder.
“Should I head to shore?”
“There might be more. Just stay still.” Then he was gone, his strong kicks carrying him toward the alien.
She saw the team converge. Claudia was dodging the creature’s flailing tail and it still clutched Shaw in what Natalya could now see was a vicious-looking mouth.
Reed and Marcus joined Claudia, stabbing at the animal. It let out a wild screech that made Natalya’s heart stop. What if the raptors heard?
She glanced back toward the shore, but didn’t see any movement. She knew Cruz and Gabe had to be there somewhere, worried.
The water around the creature churned as it thrashed. Then with a final screech, it dove into the water, taking Shaw with it.
“No, goddammit.” Claudia turned in a circle. She slapped a hand on the water. “No.”
“Look.” Reed pointed. Several meters away, a body bobbed up to the surface, hanging facedown in the water.
Claudia powered over. “Shaw!”
God, Natalya hoped he was okay. She kicked a little to keep afloat.
A ripple in the water ahead caught her gaze, made her chest constrict. Oh, no.
She saw a large spine rise out of the water, those spikes spearing into the air. The beast was slicing toward her.
A scream trapped in her throat. She wanted to swim in a mad rush to the shore, but she knew she wouldn’t be fast enough.
“Natalya!”
Reed’s frantic voice reached her. He’d seen the creature coming and was swimming in her direction.
She pulled out the knife he’d given her, tried to still her shaking hand.
And she waited.
The creature reared up as it neared her, and she saw an elongated face, jaws filled with ragged teeth, and two large eyes the size of dinner plates. They were fixated on her.
With the force of a runaway car, the alien rammed into her, snatching her in its mouth. She wanted to scream but she couldn’t breathe. She felt its teeth digging into her armor, and terror almost made her drop the knife. Instead, she thought of Reed. The future.
She jammed her boot down on a tooth and pushed upward.
She couldn’t quite reach. She pushed again, felt something tear and felt the prick of something sharp on the skin of her ribs.
But she gained the precious few inches she needed. It was enough. She jammed the knife into the monster’s eye.
It let her go. She fell several meters to the water and hit with a splash. The creature dove, and the force of it rushing past her pushed her under the surface. Water rushed into her mouth and she tumbled, head over heels.
God, she couldn’t breathe. Everything was black, and she had no idea which was up. Or if the alien would come back again.
She fumbled on her belt and snatched off the breather Reed had given her. She slammed it onto her mouth and pulled in a deep breath. Air. Precious air. She let herself float for a minute, and then kicked as hard as she could.
Her head broke the surface. She spat out the breather and gulped in air.
“Natalya. God.” Reed appeared and dragged her into his arms. Then h
e was powering toward shore, towing her with him.
He pulled her out of the water and carried her up the beach several paces, until he fell to his knees. He yanked her to his chest, holding her tight.
“You’re okay?”
She managed a nod, her fingers digging into his armor.
His hands ran over her. Her head, her face, her body. “You’re sure?”
“Yes.” A croaky whisper. “God, I was so afraid.”
“When I saw it grab you, I was terrified. Then it dragged you under.” His voice broke and he pulled her close again.
She just held on and breathed him in until her pulse finally started to slow.
She heard voices and lifted her head. Marcus and Claudia were dragging a lifeless Shaw from the water.
They laid him down and Claudia knelt beside him. “He’s not breathing.” She looked up. “Who’s got the resus kit?”
“Cruz?” Marcus pressed a finger to his ear. “Where are you? Shaw got attacked, we need the resus kit.”
“Coming,” Cruz answered. “We had to hide when a raptor patrol got too close.”
Claudia tilted Shaw’s head back. “Dammit, Shaw, you are never quiet like this, so talk, you cocky bastard.” She pressed her mouth to his and breathed.
The sniper’s hands reached up and gripped Claudia’s head, holding her to him as his lips moved against hers. Startled, Claudia pulled back. “Shaw?”
“Damn, you have the softest lips, Frost. Never would have guessed it.”
He sounded perfectly fine to Natalya.
“Damn you.” Claudia punched him in the gut. “You were faking.”
“Just got fucking beaten up and drowned by some sea monster, Frost. That’s not faking.”
She smacked him again, and he grunted, but this time it looked like the woman’s hit lacked power.
“Enough.” Marcus grabbed Shaw’s hand and helped him up. “If you’ve had enough of dancing with the wildlife, we need to join Cruz and Gabe. We still have a raptor ship to infiltrate.”
Chapter Fourteen
