…….

Max was in her office reviewing the latest report from the first team assigned to clear K1. It came in about half an ago. Shane and her team did a thorough job of paving the field for next phase of the plan. Alice and her crew should be at the compound by now planting the seed to track the slightest of movement within 100 yards of the house. It has been a difficult and costly mission for her to, personally undertake. She knew this day would come but the nearer it gets the worrier she becomes. It will be either her life or the end of a lifelong calling. She was willing to risk both in exchange for another chance.

She absentmindedly leaf through a few vacation brochures on her desk. Even though Tina was made aware of the dangers associated with her work, Max knew that the true extent of her profession would shock Tina. Her next task would be getting Tina and the baby safely out of harm way without causing them any unnecessary concern. Max found a few places that should be suitable for Tina and her child. She gathered the brochures and left the office early for home to consult with Tina.

~~~~~~~~~~

Bette strapped the rifle onto her back and begin her descends toward the house. She spotted a new group of people arriving on the premise. The latest shift would normally spike her alertness but earlier anomaly overwhelmed the usual safeguards. Her primary goal was getting to those voices. She halted progress briefly to consider the choices, to safely exit or chance it for an unsure notion?

Their melodic laughter re-emerged and infused with the gentle breeze, hypnotizing her senses. Compellingly, Bette slid rapidly down the slope on her back. She came to a stop at the end of the cornfield within another 50 feet or so from the white picket fences. The open grassy field offered nothing to keep her shielded from danger. She scanned the expansive landscape for a safe spot. The shed stood out like an eye sore.

‘The most obvious place is the most secure location. There’s a certain safety in the midst of danger.’ Bette recalled the phrase learned in one of her survival training. There was no other choice beside the obvious. She calculated the distance and the many moves it would take to get there. Bette unloaded the rifle to the ground and prepared herself. She risked it and dashed out into the open field. Fifteen feet deep in the green zone, Bette took a dive, rolled forward and lay flat on her belly.