The man seemed on top of his game, even with tonight’s semifiasco. Although saving Noemi’s father certainly wasn’t a fail.

They had gotten eyes on the compound and the Petrovs’ force of strength.

Ranger sat down on a chair. Leaned forward. “I have a photographic memory. I can trace the entire compound, with the lights and the patterns. I have no doubt we can figure out a way to get us in there, grab the bioweapons, and exfil without casualties.” He took a drink. “Especially if we’re armed with more than my utility knife.”

“We will be,” Fraser said.

Ham crossed his arms over his chest. He turned to Colt. “How many guards did you see?”

“I had seven on the dock with me. Another on shore, and my guess is that there might have been a couple watching me in the shadows. Had a funny feeling in my gut.”

“That was just your dinner,” Ranger said.

Colt chucked his empty bottle at him.

Ranger caught it. Tossed it in a nearby trash can with a flick of his wrist. Clearly there was nothing wrong with his eyesight tonight.

“How are they outfitted?” Ranger asked.

“Standard stuff—AR-15s, probably picked up locally,” Colt said.

“We’ll need eyes on them 24/7 until we deploy so we know they haven’t moved the weapon,” Ham said. He turned to Ranger. “You and I will work up the op.”

Ranger raised an eyebrow. “Okay.” He took a drink.

“Colt, since you and Tae are already friendly, you tag along, see what you can do to help her and Zoey get that vaccine ready. I’d like us all inoculated before we go in. If I understand this virus right, it might be airborne, which means a stray bullet into one of those canisters kills us all.”

Colt sighed but nodded.

“You okay with that?” Ham asked.

“Yeah. Sure.”

Ham gave him a long look. Then, finally, “Let’s get some shut-eye. Beach run, 0600.” Then, “You good to join us, Colt?”

What was it with these people? “Try and keep up, squid.”

“You get to say that once.”

“Okay, old man,” Colt said.

“He likes trouble,” Dodge said, rising. “Can’t stop running his mouth.”

“This mouth kept Ranger alive today, buddy.”

Dodge rolled his eyes but grinned.

Overhead the stars sparkled. Ranger had gotten up too. “I’m going to check on Noemi. She’s completely freaking out about her dad.”

“Speaking of Dad, how is he?” Colt asked.

“Echo is staying with him.” Dodge walked up to his brother. Put a hand on his shoulder. “Good work tonight, Sam.”

Colt looked at him, the old nickname sliding through him, latching deep inside.

“Sam?” Ham asked.

“My dad used to say that Colt went in, guns blazing,” Dodge said, “and then it sort of evolved to calling him Sam, after Samuel Colt.”