He stepped over the painted white line.
“All due respect, Captain,” said Arlo, “but if we dive, how do we get past those defenses we saw on Cricket’s feed?”
“Ever hear of the kamikaze?” Ted said. “They were Japanese pilots during World War Two that—”
“I know what they are,” Les said. “They did their duty for their country during war, and we’re going to do ours as well, for all humanity.”
“I have a suggestion, if I may,” said Timothy, speaking up for the first time.
“Go ahead,” Les said.
“Perhaps a distraction might help you get into the base. We have enough rockets to take out the bulk of the defenses that Cricket documented—not all, but most.”
“That will tell ’em we’re here,” Arlo said.
“They know we’re here,” Michael said.
Les nodded. “It gives us a chance to sneak in and evens the playing field if we use nukes. So the question is, who’s with me?”
“I’m with you, sir,” Michael said.
“I’m here to avenge Ramon,” Edgar said. He put an armor-piercing round with his cousin’s name written on the brass into the sniper rifle and worked the bolt.
Sofia stepped over the line.
Arlo grunted, “Got to prove I’m thunder and lightning, I guess.”
He stepped over, and Hector did, too, leaving just Lena and Ted grounded.
“Come on, sweetheart,” Arlo said. “Remember what you told me last night?”
“Shut up, Arlo,” Lena said. She walked over and grabbed Edgar’s hand.
“Oh, I see how it is,” Arlo said.
Ted sighed and stepped over the line. “I can’t let Arlo die alone.”
“I ain’t dyin’,” Arlo said.
“You’re all very brave,” Timothy said. “I will watch over you the best I can with the crew while you’re on the dive, and once you near the target, we will give the DEF-Nine units some fireworks.”
“Upload the DZ on our minimaps,” Les said. “And get the rest of the support crew in here.”
Timothy uploaded the drop zone the team had chosen from the maps and satellite imagery. It was in the middle of a valley that would give them cover and let them avoid some of the forest.
Samson, Eevi, Alfred, and the two technicians who had signed on for the dangerous journey all filed into the launch bay.
Michael checked his wrist monitor. Cricket was still online somehow, though so damaged that it couldn’t fly. He kept an eye on the cameras that were still documenting the graveyard.
Samson, Alfred, and the two technicians walked around checking that all dive systems were operational.
Michael checked the charge on the laser rifle. It was down to just 8 percent. He jammed the battery back in, then stepped aside and opened the note that X had given him before they left. He had yet to read it, wanting to save it for the last minute.
“Timothy, take us to twenty thousand feet,” Les said.
As the ship started down, Michael opened the note.
Dear Michael,
The day you came screaming into the world was a day I will never forget. Your father insisted I hold you, but I was drunk and almost dropped you on your head.
That’s how we first met. I literally almost killed you.
“Clear launch bay,” Les said.
Michael looked up from the note, saving the rest.
“Good luck, and Godspeed,” Alfred said. “I pray you all return safely.”
Samson coughed into his handkerchief. “Give ’em hell,” he rasped.
He and Les shook hands, and he turned to Michael.
“Be careful, Tin,” Samson said. “I want Bray to grow up with a father and become as good a man as I’ve watched you become.”
“Thank you, sir.”
They hugged for what Michael realized was the first time. Even more surprisingly, Eevi also gave Michael a hug.
“I don’t blame you for Alexander, you know,” she said.
“Thank you,” Michael replied. “He was a good man and died bravely to save us.”
“He sure was…” She took a deep breath. “Good luck down there.”
The support crew departed, and while the Hell Divers lined up to jump, Michael went back to reading the note.
Since then, I’ve watched you grow into a man who is rare in this world. Selfless, kind, brave, wise. I could go on and on. Bottom line: You are the best of us, Michael. You are our future, and while I can’t be there with you to fight for it, know that I’m fighting for it, too, halfway across the world, and I will never give up.
No matter what happens, I will always be with you, even in death.
I love you like both a son and a brother.
Michael stopped reading and looked up to blink tears from his eyes.
“T-minus five minutes to launch,” Timothy said.
“Status reports,” Les said. “Phoenix One, online.”
“Phoenix Four, ready to dive,” Lena said.
Ted and Edgar both confirmed they were good to go.
“Raptor One, ready,” said Michael.
“Raptor Two, ready,” said Arlo.
“Raptor Three, online,” said Hector.
“Raptor Four, good,” said Sofia.
“Nearing jump altitude in one minute,” Timothy said.
Normally, a red light would have swirled in the launch bay, warning everyone to keep clear, followed by a pulsating blue. But Timothy had the entire ship in stealth mode.
“Ah, shit, this is really happening,” Ted said.
“You’ll be okay,” Edgar said. “Remember your training.”
Michael continued reading the letter from X.
You saved my life over a decade ago and have continued to make me a better man every day we’ve been together.
Thank you for reminding me to accept my past without regret, handle my present with confidence, and face my future without fear.
As the king of the Vanguard Islands, I promise you, Bray will have a place to grow up that is worthy of humanity, and I pray both you and I will see him grow up there.
Michael tucked the note back in his vest just in time for the final warning.
“Prepare to dive,” Timothy said. “You dive so humanity survives. Good luck, my friends.”
Michael nodded at the AI. “Thank you for everything, Timothy.”
A countdown came on their HUDs.
Michael’s heart thumped with conflicted emotions. These could very well be the last moments of his life. He didn’t want to leave Layla alone to raise Bray. But if he didn’t do this, their home would never be safe.
Ten…
Nine…
Eight…
The launch-bay doors hissed open, letting in the gusting wind. Michael and Les both stepped out in front of the groups and shook hands.
“For Trey,” Les said.
“For Trey, sir,” Michael replied.
Three…
Two…
One…
“We dive so humanity survives!” Les shouted. He leaped into the darkness, and Michael followed right behind, yelling the same thing.
They speared into the inky void. Normally, Michael felt weightless the first few seconds of free fall, but today he felt gravity pulling down on him, or perhaps it was something else.
He brought his hands to his body and formed a human spear.
He bumped on his night vision, and the view turned green. The sky was packed with clouds, but there was no hint of lightning.
He looked up past his boots to check the other divers. Everyone was out of the launch bay. Normally, the battery units would glow, but today they were all covered.
Michael moved away from Les. The other divers did the same, fanning out from each other for safety.