The Phoenix Conspiracy

  ***

  It had been a process, and there were small firefights in the corridors—one involving Miles and his escort, who had to practically drag Miles away from the combat zone, and a second involving Sarah’s team, though she had heeded her escort’s instructions, and they escaped more easily. In total they managed to recruit an additional ten sympathizers. Giving them a standing force of eighteen people able to attack engineering. More than the seventeen soldiers the major had at his disposal, but his superiorly armed and trained force was still more powerful.

  Pellew worried that the major, who must have known they would be forced to attack engineering, had placed most of his force there. Without a numbers advantage, Pellew and Calvin knew it would be impossible for their ragtag group to overcome Special Forces’ fighting skill and defenses.

  Which was why Pellew suggested what he did.

  “We’re going to assault engineering, and you don’t even want to be there to help?” Miles asked Pellew with genuine surprise.

  “I am going to help,” said Pellew. “But I don’t have to be there to do it. Look, I know the major. He will defend HQ more than anything else, if he perceives there is a threat to it. The threat won’t even have to make sense. He’ll follow his instincts. It’s his training. He will protect HQ, and that means, if we make enough noise down there, he will divert forces from engineering to HQ. Enough, probably, to let us take engineering.”

  “That’s an interesting idea,” said Calvin. “But if you don’t make enough noise, or you’re taken down too quickly, it will be a complete waste. And your command expertise and fighting skills might be more valuable breaching engineering.”

  “I’m flattered,” said Pellew with a mock grin. “But if I don’t create this diversion, we probably won’t be able to take engineering—with or without me.”

  “I could do it,” spoke up Osbourne, one of the other soldiers.

  Pellew didn’t say anything.

  Osbourne continued. “I will create the diversion. Give me several flashbangs and smoke canisters, and that’ll free you up to help take engineering.” He looked from Pellew to Calvin.

  “I’m good with that,” said Calvin.

  Pellew nodded, looking almost disappointed. “That works too.”