Colonel Cobalt ordered SWAT, DEA, FBI, and the US Marshals to stand down. Not willing to lose any more men, they’d complied.
It was time to let Infinity end this shit.
He squeezed his weapon, but held his position as did the rest of the unit. All but Dillon had made it back in time to go on this op. A text from his brother said he and Luke were caught up in some other business.
River gave the hand signal to move forward in pairs, with the exception of Oliver, who made his way up and back as they continued through the murky water, keeping beneath the low overhanging trees.
He shifted beneath his gortex rain gear, the heavy material would keep out the night’s numbing cold and damp, but right at the moment, it was heavy and hot as fuck. He wiped at the sweat trickling down his temple.
Thank fuck it was early January and they didn’t have to deal with deer flies. So far, they’d only scared away two alligators.
“I still think one’s tailing us hoping for a snack,” he muttered, keeping an eye to his right while Zane guarded their left. He tugged his rifle strap higher over his shoulder.
“Don’t worry, alligator attacks are rare,” Zane assured him. The guy read enough text books that Isaac didn’t doubt him.
“Bite me,” Ethan snorted. “They attack all the time.”
“No, you’re wrong,” Zane countered. “From 1928 to 2009 there were only 24 recorded alligator attacks in the US. That’s an 81-year time span.”
“No shit?” Ethan sounded somewhat mollified.
“Don’t worry, I don’t think they’d want a bite out of your smelly ass,” Blade said and dodged the swipe of swamp water flying her way.
Ethan followed up the wave of water with the middle finger to Blade.
“Too bad Brewster washed out or we could have given him up as a snack,” Zane drawled real slow like.
“Pussy, couldn’t take it,” Ethan snickered along with the rest of them.
“I heard he broke his leg training for another unit,” Holden said.
“Yeah, kind of hard to run with a steel plate in your leg,” Oliver piped up with what sounded like sympathy for the guy.
“Hey, Oliver?” Blade said.
“Yeah?”
“I hear Brewster would gladly give you a piece of his steel,” she cackled.
“See, I think you’re wrong,” Oliver told Blade. “I heard Brewster’s steel was after your skinny ass and you bent over and took it,” Oliver told Blade.
“Shut up or I’ll give you both something to bend over for,” Holden said, and the unit broke out in snickers.
“Wrong, Wreck.” Pia retorted. “I know you bat for the other team.”
“Is that right, Wreck?” Oliver asked with a grin.
“Cut the chatter. Brewster didn’t break his leg, that was Miller,” Maddox growled.
Isaac snickered when Maddox sent a dark look at them.
He’d go into the bowels of hell for the captain and had done just that not too long ago when Maddox had been captured behind enemy lines. Every single one of them felt the same way. Even the newest members, who’d been with them the shortest amount of time, had heard of the story of the rescue of Maddox Stone before coming to the team. Bravery like that got commended and recognized.
With a few more snickers, the unit settled down as they continued along the river. They’d sleep when dark hit. He figured that would be in about three more hours.
Maddox called a halt about an hour before sundown. They made up a small camp within the wilds of the Louisiana River, far enough from the riverbank to at least get out of the water.
He finished putting up his jungle hammock and then made his way over to where Ethan and Colin had made chow. The chili heated over a smokeless fire tasted amazing. He took his cup over to his hammock to sit on the edge. Finished, he handed his cup to Archer and Holden, who were clean up. Everyone shared jobs, nobody was above the other when it came to mundane stuff.
Pia and Blade would be taking the first half of the watch and he and Zane would be taking the last half of the night guarding camp. Oliver went around making sure that everyone had their gear stowed above ground and that all the hammocks and fastenings were secure. It never hurt to double check.
“Sleep tight, boys,” Blade said and climbed upward on a nearby massive bald cypress. Maddox had picked the area because of the advantage the trees gave them.
Zane’s hammock was next to his and he climbed in. He waited for the bed to stop swinging before he shifted on his side and stared across at Zane. The soldier was facing him and returned his smile before closing his eyes.
So much for that talking.
“Psst.”
“I’m awake,” he said softly and sat up. He’d taken off his boots and wet socks at some point. Now, he tugged his pack closer to pull on fresh socks before putting on his rain gear and jungle boots again. They were still damp, but with dry socks they were wearable.
It was midnight when he checked his watch. He saw the temperature had dropped to forty-five degrees. He rolled from his hammock and movement caught his eye. Zane was already up, bent over, and lacing up his boots.
Isaac turned in the opposite direction to take a piss, and then pull on his gear. Making his way back to camp, he took the granola bar and coffee from Pia.
“Thanks,” he whispered and chugged down the coffee before scarfing the breakfast bar. He checked the clip in his rifle, tugged on his hat, and left his backpack resting in his hammock until they broke camp.
Following Zane, he approached the bald cypress tree and saw that Pia had placed pegs. Pulling up his night vision goggles, he climbed as high as possible but still maintained his cover before he settled his ass on one of the large tree branches. Checking on Zane, he found the man looking his
