Chapter 4
PART 4
Raskin barked, “Stand down. Security team will handle it.”
Mercer stepped forward.
“Sir, if that craft is carrying explosives, the security team may not have time.”
Raskin’s eyes flashed.
“I gave an order.”
Meera looked through the optic.
The fast craft appeared between rising sheets of water, vanishing and reappearing with each wave.
Not close enough for fear yet.
Close enough for math.
A sailor near the rail whispered, “No way she can hit that.”
Meera heard him.
She always heard everything before a shot.
The boat cut hard across the water.
On the deck, soldiers held their breath.
Raskin shouted again.
“Kane, step away from that rifle.”
Meera’s finger stayed still.
Not on the trigger yet.
Waiting.
Mercer moved between Raskin and Meera.
“Sir, you pull her off now, and this becomes your call.”
Raskin glared at him.
“It already is.”
Mercer’s voice dropped.
“Then make the right one.”
For a second, Raskin hesitated.
Not because he trusted Meera.
Because every camera on the deck was recording.
Because five hundred witnesses had just heard him call the rifle dead weight.
Because if the boat hit the ship while the best shooter aboard was ordered to stand down, there would be no way to bury it.
Meera’s breathing slowed.
The world narrowed.
The alarm faded into a distant scream.
The ocean became numbers.
The wind became pressure.
The ship’s roll became rhythm.
She saw the fast craft lift over a wave.
Saw the flash of metal near its bow.
Saw the way no one aboard it was trying to turn away.
This was not confusion.
This was intent.
Her voice was quiet.
May you like
“Confirmed hostile.”
Read Part 5 to find out what secret made Raskin hate Meera and that Barrett so much.
