Returning to Base

Thirty minutes after the fight, a Blackhawk helicopter arrived at Graves' location. It hovered overhead, kicking up dust and leaves. The rotors' noise broke the silence of the forest. The helicopter lowered, finding a spot to land in the small clearing. Graves saw the door open and special forces stepped out and fanned out around the area. They quickly surveyed the surroundings for any remaining threats.

One of the team members approached Graves with a nod. "Specter-1, we're here to get you out. Any hazards we should be aware of?"

Graves shook his head. "Area's clear. The targets have been neutralized. Haven't you been briefed?"

The team member gave a brief, almost imperceptible smile. "Just the following protocol, Specter-1. We've got to make sure everything's safe before we move out."