The Soldier Queen

Chapter 12 - The Jump

Thola’s POV

The flight was taking a long time but that was okay. It gave me time to plan with everyone else sleeping. I sat there staring at the map over and over. Now I know you’re thinking, ‘this woman is crazy.’ But, no. I was looking for places to set up camp and places that might house a hideout. I have been there before but when I escaped, the last thing I was thinking about was where it was located. On top of that, they might have moved, just in case. I was about ready to give up when I notice movement out of the corner of my eye.

“Find anything useful, Thola?” I hear Christian ask and looked to him.

“No. I just can’t seem to pin point where they might be.” I said sighing “Christian, can you answer a question for me?”

“Yes of course,” he answered.

“Why do I feel a bond with you? It’s not like the mate bond that I feel about Ek. It’s like... I don’t know but you feel... Safe.” I inquired, confused and frustrated that I don’t really know anything.

“I am your royal guard. I am here to keep you safe. It is a bond but not like Ekkhard. I can always feel your pain, I know where you are and sense your emotions. Now that you have your mate, though, the only things I can really discern are your pain and your whereabouts. I can also feel his as well. After all, he is the King,” Chris explained.

“Wait, King? That means I am a Queen? This is all so confusing! You all owe me one hell of an explanation when this is all done with,” I said. “Time to wake the others, we are almost there. It’s time to get ready to jump!” I said as I grabbed parachutes and started throwing them at the guys one by one, starting with Evan.

“Up and at ‘em boys!” I said throwing it right on top of him, making him groan.

“Aw c’mon, can’t you be a bit nicer?” he said but getting up and getting ready none the less. I do the same with Darrel then Frederick and finally Ekkehard who also got a kiss afterwards.

“Alright, Darrel and Frederick I need you each to take one of these…” I said setting a bag in front of each of them.

“Evan, you take this please,” I said giving him a reinforced computer bag. “Strap it here,” I said pointing to the extra strap that clips to his vest. “Good.”

“Ekkehard and David, here, take one each.” I said, passing them each a bag as I strap two bags to myself and think about why I have this extra bag.

* Flashback *

Heading towards the air strip I hear Miles call for me.

“THOLA WAIT,” he called.

“Yeah, what’s up boss?” I said turning to face him and notice that he has a bag in his hands.

“Here, I know he will want this. He left it for me to keep safe but, well, he is better with it.” He said pulling out a case that I know all too well.

“What the hell? He didn’t take this?” I muttered opening the case revealing the custom Glock 17 and run my hand over the inscription. ‘Zashchitnik moikh sester’ (My sisters protector). I chuckled when I noticed the Carbine Kit that converts the pistol into a rifle and I knew that this is exactly what I would need.

“Thank you Miles. I’m glad you thought of this,” I said turning and heading to the plane.

* Flashback Over *

“Lieutenant, its time,” the pilot says, bringing me back to the present as he opened the rear door.

“Alright boys, I want Ekkehard, Frederick, and Darrel out there first. Evan will be out next followed by David, then Christian, then me. Now, one last coms check,” I ordered and all voices came through, one at a time, in order of their jumps.

Finally, the time came to send my boys out. Starting with Ekkehard I check his straps are in place and his bags are secure. I send him out with a peck on his lips and a light tap to his shoulder.

“Be safe” I said.

He nodded and jumped. Frederick stepped up and I repeated the process minus the kiss. Checking his straps and making sure everything is secure, with a tap on his shoulder and a “Be safe,” he was gone. I repeated the process 4 more times and finally it was my turn. Looking to the pilot wishing them safe travels, I jump.

Feeling the wind rushing past me I check in through the coms, “Everyone’s shoots open?” I question.

“Yes,” I hear, all around.

Until I hear “No!”

Looking down, I see Evan and pull my arms to my body. I straighten my legs out behind me and fly through the air as fast I can to get to him.

“Cut the shoot Evan!” I order.

“NO, I c-can’t,” He said.

“Look at me dammit!” I yell, grabbing the straps of his vest. “IF YOU DON’T CUT IT NOW WE BOTH DIE CAUSE, I DON’T KNOW HOW TO USE MY WINGS YET!” I screamed in his face, to get the point across. It seemed to work.

“Alright,” he said.

“Good, I got you,” I said as he cut away his parachute. I get him to wrap his arms round my waist “HOLD THE f**k ON, THIS IS GOING TO BE ROUGH!”

“Okay,” is all I got out of him, knowing full well he was as scared as I was.

“Pulling now,” I warned him, as I pulled the cord to open my shoot, feeling him tighten his grip.

“Alright guys, we’re going to be coming in faster than normal because of the extra weight. Be ready,” I warned as I steered us as close to the landing zone as I could get us.

We made it to the ground and land with a thump.

“Not the most graceful landing but we’re alive,” I said with a huff, landing on my back. “Umm… Evan you can let go now,” I added, still laying on the ground with him clutching onto me. It was only then that I realized he was shaking.

‘Well what do you think, i***t! Of course he is shaking! That s**t was scary. He could have died,’ Sunny barked in my head.

“I, uh, I can’t. Just give me a second...” but immediately after he said that he was pulled away from me and I was lifted into the arms of my mate.

“DO NOT DO THAT AGAIN!” Ek said, his eyes black and I knew Ely was who was reacting.

“Sorry Ely, I can’t promise anything. All of you are my responsibility. I would do it for any one of you, but I will be careful. I promise,” I said as his face was buried in my neck, breathing heavily.

“Alright guys, lets go. We should be about 10 clicks away from our set up point. We will get everything ready to go and head into the town,” I said while I pried a reluctant Ekkehard away from me.

We made it to our spot and setup camp.

“Evan, set that computer up please and get Miles on the phone,” I said.

“Yes ma’am,” he replied, shocking all of us.

‘I guess saving his life made him change his mind about us,’ Sunny said proud.

‘Thank goodness. I was worried that we would have a hard time with him following our orders,’ I sighed back.

“Miles is on the phone, LT,” Evan called to me.

I got on the phone and explained what happened and let him know that we were all alright.

“Camp is set up and I will be contacting the informant in 3 hours to set up a meeting. We will be bringing them back,” I said.

“Alright, you guys be careful. Time to go radio silent, we don’t know who’s listening. Keep contact every half,” he ordered, ending the call.

Because we are so close I know that he wants me to contact every 6 hours. Confusing, I know, but that’s the way it is.

“Alright guys rest up. We get busy in 3 hours. Ekkehard, Darrel and I will head into the store with Christian for backup. David I want you and Evan to stay here with Frederick and scan the radio. See if you guys can intercept the signal they’re using. We need to know their moves,” I said rolling out my sleeping bag and finally laying down. After that scare I feel drained.

‘It’s not just from the jump that you’re tired, You’re also still getting used to me,’ Sunny informed me.

“Hi kitten, can I lay with you?” I hear above me and open my eyes to see Ek leaning over me with an expectant look on his face.

“Sure,” I said making room and closing my eyes. He just held me. Nothing more nothing less and it was nice. That was, until David came to let us know that it was time to prepare. I called Tarquinn to make sure that they knew we were on our way, and to hide and be ready to leave.

“Alright gear up,” I said. “But, remember we have to blend in as best as we can.” I leave to change into my skin tight khaki pants and tank top, sliding my bullet proof vest over top. I need extra pouches for my extra magazines filled with ammo. I walk back over and see Ekkehard practically drooling, making me chuckle, as I strap dual Glock 17 pistols to my thighs and cover myself fully with the same overdress that women wear here.

My guns are a tan colour with a stippling design and inscription that matches my brother’s. ‘Storozh moyego brata’ (My brother’s keeper). We have matching tattoos as well.

“Ready?” I asked.

“Yes,” they all answered in unison and we set out.