Chapter 6
Emily waited.
The warning tone screamed.
She waited longer.
Then, at the last possible second, she dropped the A-10 beneath the missile’s path and dragged it toward a rock wall.
The missile followed.
Emily pulled up hard.
The missile could not make the turn.
It slammed into the canyon face above Qadir’s own men.
The explosion ripped across the north ridge.
Enemy fighters screamed and scattered.
The SEALs covered their heads as rock and dust rained down.
Briggs looked at Mercer, eyes wide.
“She used their own missile.”
Mercer nodded slowly.
“She knew it would track.”
The A-10 came through the smoke like a wounded animal that refused to die.
One engine coughed.
The frame rattled.
Emily’s hands stayed steady.
Qadir staggered out from behind a broken rock, bleeding from his forehead.
He grabbed the radio again.
“You think you can save them all?” he shouted. “You will burn with them!”
Emily heard him.
So did the SEALs.
So did Overlord.
For a moment, every channel went quiet.
Then Emily answered.
“No.”
Her voice was calm.
“I’m taking them home.”
She came around one final time.
The last enemy position sat above the canyon mouth, blocking the only path the rescue helicopters could use.
Emily had one clean pass left.
Maybe.
Her fuel was almost gone.
Her aircraft was damaged.
Her altitude was wrong.
Her escape route was worse.
Overlord said, “Hayes, if you take that pass, you may not clear the ridge.”
Emily looked at the horizon beyond the canyon.
Then at the orange smoke.
Then at the men below.
May you like
“Reaper Six,” she said, “when I fire, you run south. Do not stop.”
Read Part 7 to see if Emily survives the final pass.
