Page 93 of Jenna's Protector
“We need intel on that wall and its security systems.”
“Already on it. Looking for blind spots as we speak. If not, then we’ll try something different.”
Blake grabs a tablet streaming intel from Command and Control. He pulls up scans of the camera placements.
“There’s a blind spot in the northeast corner. If we time it right, we can slip through undetected.”
“No-go,” Walt chimes in. “There are motion sensors inside. We’ll trip one the moment we’re over that wall.”
Mitzy’s voice comes through the comms.“You have two Rufi units with you. Their armor is invisible to the motion sensors. Send a Rufi in to disable the sensors long enough for you to make it past the wall.”
“Alright, let’s deploy the Rufi.” Ethan gives the signal.
We stand just outside the tree line, watching as the Rufi units move into position. One Rufi approaches the ten-foot wall, placing its paws against it. It stretches up, extending to its full height on its hind legs. The second Rufi uses the first as a springboard, leaping over the wall with a fluid, mechanical grace.
Ethan turns to us as we wait for the Rufi units to complete their tasks.
“We have a few options. The main house, the guest house, the garage, and the boathouse. We need to decide where to start.” Ethan’s voice cuts through the tension, grounding us. “Since there are four of us, we can split into two teams, each taking a Rufus.”
“If we locate the van, we’ll know where to focus our search.” I rub my temples, trying to piece everything together.
“The main house is the most obvious. It’s secure and has plenty of places to hide someone.” Blake paces, his eyes scanning the perimeter.
“But it’s heavily guarded. If we go in guns blazing, we might alert them before we confirm Jenna is there.” Walt shakes his head, glancing at the main house.
“The guest house and garage are smaller targets. Easier to secure, but they might not keep her there if they’re expecting a quick getaway.” Ethan folds his arms, his brow furrowed in thought.
“The boathouse makes the most sense,” I say. “If they need to move her quickly, they’ll want access to the water. They can’t defend this house well, but if they get her on the water, it’s harder to track her.”
“I agree with Carter, but we can’t ignore the possibility that she’s in the main house.” Ethan looks to the others, looking for feedback. “We need to be smart and think this through. We’ve only got so long before they realize we’re here.”
“The sensors are down. The patrol unit is scanning the area.”Mitzy’s voice cuts through the discussion.
“Send the patrol unit to check for any evidence of the van. Focus on areas with the highest probability of activity.” Ethan nods.
We watch the feed as the Rufi move swiftly and silently across the grounds. Their sensors scan for signs of the van. The tension is palpable, each second stretching into an eternity as we wait for an update.
“The patrol unit just picked up something,”Mitzy announces.“Fresh tire tracks lead to the boathouse down by the water.”
“Guess you were right.” Ethan gives me a nod of respect. Hethumps me on my shoulder. “Let’s move out. We check out the boathouse first.” Ethan makes the call.
All four of us approach the ten-foot wall, the imposing barrier looming before us. Blake examines the structure, his fingers brushing against the rough surface. Without a word, he kneels down, lacing his fingers together to create a foothold.
I step onto Blake’s hands, feeling the firm support as he boosts me. Ethan and Walt stand ready, their eyes sharp and vigilant. I reach the top and pull myself over, landing softly on the other side.
Walt follows quickly, his movements just as fluid. He swings his leg over the top, landing softly beside me. Ethan is the last; his ascent is smooth and efficient. He reaches the top, hanging there momentarily to assist Blake.
Their teamwork is seamless, a fluid dance of precise actions and silent communication. They move as one, each anticipating the other’s needs without a single word spoken. It’s clear they’ve done this countless times before. The fluidity and coordination of their actions speak volumes about their training and camaraderie.
The estate grounds are eerily quiet as we make our way toward the boathouse, our movements precise and coordinated. Hand signals pass between Ethan and his team, a silent language honed through years of training. Language I barely know, but I get enough to follow Ethan’s lead.
The boathouse looms ahead, a dark silhouette against the glimmering water. The scent of salt, brine, and seaweed fills the air, mingling with the droning of distant waves.
Following Ethan’s commands, we fan out, each taking a position around the boathouse. The water around it is calm, barely a ripple. The soft ground muffles our footsteps.
I spot fresh tire tracks, the ground disturbed and small rocks scattered. The tracks lead straight to a set of large double doors.
“Someone’s been here.” I point out the deep grooves in the gravel.