Alex gave a small bow, looking at her more closely. She seemed relaxed but he knew there was lethal power coiled in that athletic frame. She wore two Israeli designed Barak pistols, which meant “lightning” in Hebrew. They were blunt and business-like – the power punch of a magnum without the weight. She had them both strapped on her front so the gun barrels pointed down toward her groin, creating a “V” shape for rapid access and firing.

“Adira.” Alex straightened, waiting.

He expected her, and knew she expected, or maybe hoped, it would be him. He knew everything about her – her name meant “mighty” in ancient Hebrew, and it suited her. She was related to the famous Chana Senesh, who was sent by the Kibbutz Sdot Yam to save Jews in the Nazi-occupied countries and was betrayed to the Nazi regime. Severely tortured, she never informed on her friends, never gave in, and for that she was sentenced to death. Adira Senesh had all of her ancestor’s grit and courage.

She rose to her feet; above average height, with a smooth olive complexion and dark eyes like pools of oil. She smiled disarmingly, but Alex knew she was a fierce warrior in the Metsada, and was responsible for single-handedly entering a Hamas terrorist tunnel network and rescuing a captured twenty-two-year-old border guard from a nest of ten Hamas butchers. No terrorists had survived.

Alex looked to his left. “Come into the light.” He turned to the right. “You too.”

Adira nodded. “It’s okay, we’re old friends.” The two large men came forward. Both cradled skeletal-looking automatic weapons in their arms. “Friends …” Adira repeated and shrugged. “Sort of.”

Alex half turned. “HAWCs.”

Casey and Sam came in fast, taking up positions just inside the door. Sam’s bulk filled the space, and Casey slowly shut the door behind them. They both retracted their face shields.

Adira looked coolly at Casey, the female HAWC returning the steady gaze. The last time they had met at the foot of the Black Mountain, Adira had bested her in a one-on-one fight. Casey hadn’t forgot it. Adira nodded, but turned away, not interested in the woman’s blazing glare.

Adira’s smile returned and she stepped forward to tap on Alex’s armor. “There’s still a man in there, yes?”

“It’s good to see you again, too.” Alex smiled. “And yes, still here, just a little more battle-scarred.”

“Like us all.” She stood in front of him, looking into his face. “Unfortunately, it’s the business we are in.” She turned to the giant figure in the room. “Sam Reid; big as a house as ever, I see. Still part robot, I assume?”

Sam grinned. “Only the best parts … and they all still work.”

She shook his hand warmly, and then called her own team forward. She motioned first to a dark eyed, formidable-looking man, whose eyes darted from one HAWC to the other, missing nothing.

“Agent Eli Livnat.”