Page 208 of Fury
The eight-person team, led by Rebel, started with a jog around the property. Everyone hoisted on their forty-pound rucksack, moved into formation, and started running. When they finished, they set down their tactical bags for sit-ups.
The morning was heating up fast and sweat was rolling down Slash’s back from the intense workout.
At fifty sit-ups, they moved to push-ups. And finally, they completed the drill with pull-ups. Slash’s arms burned from the strain, but she loved the extensive workouts, loved being with the team.
As target practice began, Hawk jogged over to the helipad to start his pre-flight check.
Slash glanced over at Elsa. She was sitting on the edge of the chair, riveted by their activities.
“Ready your shot,” Rebel said.
Everyone lifted their rifles, aimed at the targets, and held steady.
“Fire at will,” Rebel said.
The sound of multiple rounds rocketed through the quiet wooded area, muffled by her shooter’s earmuffs. Rebel held up his hand. The firing ceased.
The mechanical targets were moved back, and they repeated the drill. Again and again, she hit the target on or near its center.
The whirring roar of the chopper competed for her attention, but she continued firing at the target.
Another hand signal from Rebel. They pointed their weapons at the ground, then set them aside. One by one, they made their way to the helo. Today, they climbed in, rappelled out, no rucksack. They did this several times.
And then, it was time to climb up. Slash had no problem doing it without the pack, but when it came time for the dreaded climbwiththe pack, her back muscles were burning.
Sheneededto reach this milestone. This was the one thing she hadn’t been able to achieve during training.
Straining against the weight, she started the climb. Like every other time, she felt her muscles giving out at the halfway mark. Rather than stopping, like she usually did, she inhaled a deep breath, and pulled herself up. She felt like she was shredding her biceps, but she had to keep going. One agonizing tug at a time, she made it to the top. Now, she had to get herself into the body of the hovering aircraft.
Sin extended his hand. She could accept a teammate’s help or she could fight to do it on her own.
Take it.
She grabbed his arm, he pulled her in, and smiled. “Nice work.”
“Thanks for the assist,” she said.
When the morning drill ended, the team was both invigorated and exhausted. Mentally, Slash wanted to jump around like a two-year old. She’d finally achieved a goal that had been impossible to overcome. Today, however, she’d tried a different tactic, with better results.
Even though she’d learned how to be self-sufficient, how to be self-reliant, she’d accepted Sin’s outstretched hand. That was the true definition of teamwork.
They landed, made their way toward the building. Elsa stood there, applauding and beaming. “Amazing,” she said. “That was like watching an action movie.”
One by one, they acknowledged her as they traipsed inside. Back in the locker room, she helped Elsa out of the vest, shelved her ear and eye protection before taking a quick shower.
Minutes later, she returned.
No Elsa.
Oh boy.
She dressed in the pant suit she’d brought with her, threw on her signature pink lipstick and a little blush, then went in search of Elsa.
She was gonna get her ass kicked for sure now that Elsa was roaming around the black site unescorted. She found her nearby with Brit and Addison looking at pictures of their children on their phones.
Slash joined them.
“Can you keep a secret?” Addison whispered.
