Natesh’s feet crunched through the stones and seashells as he walked. The morning sun cast a beautiful light over the beaches beyond the runway. He wanted to stop and admire the monstrous green mountain at the heart of the island, but Lena trudged onward at a quick pace. A trickle of sweat slid down his forehead as he hobbled after her.

They reached the concrete structure with satellite dishes and a group of antennae on top. Razor wire lined the roof. Metal bars caged in each of the narrow windows, making it look like a small town jail. Lena’s fingers danced over the digital keypad as she typed in the code to the single steel door. Natesh heard a faint beep and then a click as the door unlatched. They entered the Comms Building, as it was known, and Lena sealed the door behind them.

She looked at him, her eyes filled with that ever-present intensity. He had seen that look from many a successful entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. Athletes called it the eye of the tiger. Natesh thought this metaphor fit. Lena was every bit the predator.

Her voice was flat. “So...are you all set?”

Natesh could feel the sweat between the tips of his fingers and his palms. “Yes. All set.” He tried to sound calm.

She saw through the lie. “You’re worried?”

Natesh said, “It’s just a lot to process, that’s all.”

“Yes.” She nodded.

“I’m fine. I’ve done this sort of thing many times. I’ll be fine.”

Disapproval flickered in her eyes, then calm. Her voice was soft as she said, “Natesh. We have watched you for some time now. You are quite capable. I know that you’ve never done anything like this before. But to be frank, no one has. Stick to your routine. Get in a rhythm, and be the conduit for others to provide the information.”

He nodded. “Sure. Sure. As you say. I will be good. Thanks.”

“I’m here to help.”

She said, “This is the Communications room. Major Combs and you will be the only ones with access. Take this paper. On it is your code that will open the outer door to this building. Memorize it. You won’t be able to take it with you. You’ll be able to go on these computers and get information from the outside world. These computers are on a censored and monitored network. You won’t be able to access to the whole Internet. If there are any sites that you need or information that you aren’t able to get, the email system only goes to one person. He is my colleague that will be able to do external research for you. We’re giving you this privilege because we want you to be the single point of contact for all of the members of the Red Cell. If there is information that you all need to access as you are making your plans, you’ll be the one to get it. Understood?”

Natesh nodded. “Yes.” He looked around the room. There were three spotless computer terminals. The computers were bulkier than what he was used to. Military grade, he imagined. There was another steel door at the far side of the room. It had a keypad next to it, just like the one on the outside of the building.