"Sir, I haven't done technical climbing in over a year." "We have a facility standing by. 48 hours of refresher training with the best climbing instructors in the military. Then insertion in 72 hours." She was quiet for a long moment.
"What's the asset's identity?" "Classified unless you accept the mission." "Then I can't make an informed decision." Patterson paused. When he spoke again, his voice was heavy.
"The asset is Captain James Park." Sarah's breath caught. Park. Lieutenant Park, who'd mocked her in that corridor. Who challenged her weapons skills.
Who'd become her assistant instructor and learned humility and skill in equal measure. Who'd deployed to Syria 3 months ago with a specialized task force. "He's alive for now, wounded but mobile. He's holding position in the monastery's lower levels with the extracted intelligence, but hostile forces know he's there. They're bringing in specialized breach teams."
"Our window is closing." "Sir, you're telling me one of my students is trapped, and you need me to extract him using a route only I know." "Yes, Captain. That's exactly what I'm telling you." She closed her eyes, saw Park's face the day of his graduation from her advanced course. the pride in his expression, the gratitude.
He'd told her she'd made him a better operator, a better man, and now he was trapped in a Syrian monastery, waiting for rescue that might never come. "If I do this," she said slowly, "I want guarantees. I extract Park, deliver him and the intelligence safely, and my recall is complete. I return to retired status with no further obligation."
"You have my word. One mission, then you're done." "I want that in writing, sir. Official orders specifying one-time reactivation with return to retirement upon mission completion."
"You'll have it within the hour." "And I want my choice of team. I don't work with operators I don't know." "Captain, the team is already assembled."
"Then disassemble it, sir. I'll work with Morrison, Walsh if he's cleared for the mission and two others of my choosing from my current student roster. Or I don't go." Patterson was silent for 10 seconds.
"Done. Submit your roster within 6 hours. But Morrison is a good operator, but he's young. Green. Are you sure?"
"He's ready, sir. I trained him. I know what he can do." "All right. 6 hours for roster submission."
"Briefing at Andrews in 48 hours. And captain, thank you. Park is a good man. He deserves a chance."
"Yes, sir. He does."
The call ended. Sarah sat in the darkness of her balcony, feeling the weight of the decision settling onto her shoulders like old familiar armor. She'd tried to walk away. She'd done everything right, retired honorably, taken care of her father, built a new life. But the warrior's path had one more curve, one more mission, one more impossible task.