Chapter 24
Inside the tactical briefing room of the USS Vanguard Shield, the red battle lanterns flared to full intensity. Commander Hayes materialized on the main secure display, his piercing gaze locking directly onto Ryan Carter.
"Lieutenant Carter, your operational mandate has shifted," Hayes stated, his authoritative tone cutting through the room like iron. "Vanguard has infiltrated the hostile vessel and localized the warhead. However, the syndicates established a terrestrial secondary launch facility at an abandoned naval shipyard on the southern shore of Long Island. If that ground station transmits its automated telemetry burst, the warhead will detonate offshore. Your SEAL squad is designated as the primary strike element. You have thirty-five minutes to breach the facility and destroy the transmitter array."
Ryan stepped forward, his posture rigid. "Is Vanguard holding the vessel alone, sir?"
"She is currently pinned in the belly of that floating bomb, delaying their firing sequence to buy your team the window you need," Hayes replied solemnly. "If your assault fails on the mainland, she dies in the blast alongside millions of American citizens. Move out."
"Hooyah, Commander," Ryan answered, his voice devoid of fear.
Ten minutes later, a stealth MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter skimmed thirty feet above the choppy, black waters of the bay, racing toward the darkened industrial shoreline of Long Island. Inside the darkened cabin, Ryan checked his rifle chamber, looking across the row of his brothers-in-arms. They were young, tough, and eager for glory.
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"Listen up," Ryan addressed them through his tactical headset, his voice carrying an unyielding command that commanded immediate obedience. "Tonight, there are no medals. There is no press release, and there are no photographs. We are not fighting for accolades. We are fighting to clear the way for a lone operative standing in the dark who has carried this entire country on her back without asking for a single thank you. We do not stop until the array is scrap iron."
The helicopter flared over the weed-choked tarmac of the ruined shipyard, and fast ropes dropped through the side doors. Ryan slid down into the cold rain, his rifle barking twice the instant his boots touched gravel, dropping two exterior perimeter guards before the alarm could be sounded.
