The convoy moved through the desert at midnight.
Four vehicles. Twelve people. Ethan. Liam. Charlotte. Sonya. Nora. Alex. Derek. Richard. Elena. Dr. Tanaka. And a small tactical team led by Sonya.
The compound was visible on the horizon. Lights blazed from the windows. Figures moved along the perimeter.
Ethan studied it through binoculars. "He knows we're coming. He's prepared."
"Then why are we walking into a trap?" Liam asked.
"Because sometimes the only way to disarm a trap is to spring it."
---
The compound was larger than the satellite images had shown.
Multiple buildings. Guard towers. Fortified walls.
Derek scanned the perimeter. "Motion sensors. Heat detectors. Cameras. They've got everything."
"Can you disable them?"
"Not from here. I need to get closer."
"Then we get
