Chapter 33: Tracking the Lieutenants

Owen's coordinates led Jay and Elena deep into the forest, far from the cabin where they had left the Mastermind. The night was dark, the moon obscured by clouds, and the trees formed a thick canopy overhead. Jay kept his flashlight low to avoid drawing attention, while Elena scouted ahead, her senses alert for any sign of movement.

"We're getting close," Owen's voice crackled through the communicator. "There's a small clearing up ahead. The lieutenants were last seen there, but be careful. They might have set traps or guards."

Jay nodded, signaling to Elena. "Let's approach quietly," he said. "We don't know how many of them are out here."

As they moved toward the clearing, the forest grew eerily silent. Jay could feel the tension building, and he knew that a confrontation was imminent. They couldn't afford to be caught off guard.

Elena signaled to Jay, pointing to the edge of the clearing. There, hidden among the trees, they could see the faint glow of a campfire. Figures moved in the shadows, their silhouettes cast against the light.

"That's them," Elena whispered. "But I count at least five. We're outnumbered."

Jay considered their options. They could try to take them by surprise, but if they were spotted, they'd be overwhelmed. They needed a distraction—something to draw the lieutenants away from the campfire.

"Can you create a diversion?" Jay asked Owen over the communicator.

"On it," Owen replied. "Give me a few seconds."

Elena and Jay positioned themselves at different angles, ensuring they had a clear line of sight to the campfire. They watched as Owen triggered a small explosion at a distance, causing a loud boom that echoed through the forest.

The lieutenants reacted immediately, rushing toward the source of the explosion with their weapons drawn. Jay and Elena used the distraction to move in, silently approaching the campfire.

They found a map laid out on a small table, covered with markings and notes. It seemed to detail the Mastermind's plans, including the locations of other hidden bases and safehouses. This was the information they needed to dismantle his network.

Elena quickly rolled up the map, stuffing it into her backpack. "We need to go, now," she said, her voice urgent.

Jay nodded, keeping watch as they retreated into the forest. The lieutenants would soon realize they'd been deceived, and when they did, they'd be on high alert.

"Got the map," Jay said into the communicator. "We're heading back. Stay on high alert. They're going to come after us."

The lieutenants' shouts grew louder as they discovered the deception. Gunshots echoed through the forest, but Jay and Elena were already on the move, disappearing into the shadows.