“I’m sure your tolerance grows in leaps and bounds with the amount of cash I’m willing to invest in the project,” Korgan said dryly. “And whether you can talk me into relinquishing command. Stop trying, Novak. It won’t happen.”

“Answer me,” Alisa said. That interaction between them had almost convinced her, but she had to be sure. “Yes or no.”

Novak shrugged. “It was a tentative yes even before I got off the helicopter this morning. Getting rid of Masenak and Reardon is a project definitely worth doing. The only question mark was Korgan. I had an in-depth report on the rescue of those girls at Szarnar sent to me while I was on the helicopter last night.” His lips turned up at the corners as he glanced at Korgan. “It’s no wonder Lakewood’s nose was out of joint. You were quite…” He seemed to be searching for a word. “Acceptable.”

“Enough of that puckish humor. I know you’re enjoying it, but he got them out, didn’t he?” Alisa asked. “Why tentative?”

“I had to meet him and see if that rescue was a lucky fluke. And if it wasn’t, if he had a plan in mind to make this attack come together fast. From what you told me, there’s an urgency.”

“Yes, there is,” she said. “You were satisfied?”

“About Korgan?” He nodded solemnly. “I believe he’ll do in a pinch.” He added quickly when Alisa frowned, “And I like the idea of using this village as a secondary base to launch troops and drones. From the map it appears to be the right distance from Masenak, and safe until the actual attack. Plus Korgan appears to have the council tucked into his pocket. That’s why we were running so late. I had Korgan take me to that council house and introduce me to the members.”

“Drones?” She had caught that word and whirled on Korgan. “You didn’t mention using drones again?”

“I wasn’t sure I would. But they can be precise and deadly weapons if used correctly. Precision is even more important for an attack on Jubaldar than it was on Masenak’s camp. Sasha, Gilroy, all those innocent workers…”

“Will you be using the same experimental drones you used at the camp?”

He shook his head. “Not necessary. That jungle was a nightmare. I can set up the usual overhead drone to navigate these mountains and program it to zero in and go down at exactly the right moment.”

“You’ll be here doing it yourself?”

“No way.” His voice was adamant. “Not again. I’m going to be at Jubaldar. I was trapped by my own technology at that base camp. No one else could do it.” He nodded at Novak. “But Novak’s experienced with drones and these aren’t anything innovative. He’ll be able to set them up and launch after I give him the figures.”

“Lucky me,” Novak said wryly. “So, I’m to make an armed camp of Samlir, maintain a crew on standby ready to launch, and be your techno specialist. Not exactly what I’m accustomed to be doing.”