“Sir, I feel fantastic. I don’t think I could run a marathon, but my energy is returning and my pain is manageable. Getting Ozzy on that bird is the most important mission we have right now.” Sanders glanced at Cynthia. “If I lose consciousness, you’ll know where to stop because I know exactly how many kilometers it is. We’ll pay attention to the odometer in the truck and use it as a guide.”

“Great,” she said, panic making her voice breathy. “As long as we’re paying attention.”

“Doctor Myers—Cynthia—if you’re not comfortable with this, don’t do it,” Rick said. “Despite Peña’s claims, we can make it work with one less shooter.”

Did she need them to, or could she do this? She only had to drive a truck down the road, a distance less than she drove to her favorite restaurant in Bethesda.

She looked at Rick. His face remained stoic, his eyes hard. He gave nothing away. At last, she said, “I can do it.”

Something flashed in his eyes, something she couldn’t read. Without another word, he nodded and returned his attention to the map. She appreciated that he didn’t argue with her and accepted her at her word. Now she needed to make sure she didn’t let him down.

“Okay, so you three are in the truck here,” he said, pointing. “At our mark, you floor it. Cross the bridge. Keep driving. Swanson scouted ahead and saw no activity. It’s just about nine and a half kilometers.”

“Nine point four-two,” Sanders said.

Rick continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “It should take you twenty minutes or less. Right here,” he said, drawing his finger along the road, “is a wide field. The road runs right alongside it. This is where the helicopter is going to land.” He looked at her again, his green eyes shining with intensity. “Park in the jungle on the other side of the road. If we aren’t there by oh four thirty, unload Ozzy and Sanders and get yourselves into the field. Sanders will have the radio, so he’ll be communicating with the bird.”

She studied the map. It all sounded completely reasonable, provided she discounted the several hundred insurgents in the area. “What do we do if Chukuwereije soldiers come?”

Sanders spoke up. “We kill them, ma’am. As many as we can before they kill us, anyway.”

A knee-jerk reaction caused her to pull back. “I don’t want—”