Vixen

Chapter 22

Reece
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"3 minutes!" The pilot shouted.

There was a rumble in the military plane as we levelled out. We all sat in the small space clad in camouflage, with big parachutes, helmets and large assault rifles on our sides.

I was about to stand from my seat next to the door,"No!" Harley said suddenly shaking her head, "No— I'm not ready." She rubbed her knees and I could sense her stress.

I stopped moving and sat down, "Why aren't you ready?" I asked cautiously, not wanting to make anything worse or trigger something.

She looked restless, breathing heavily, "I'm just not. We—I need to go over the plan again."

I heard the others groan from close to my side, "Watch it." I warned them and they immediately shut up. We were packed like sardines in a tin, shoulder to shoulder.

"Okay," I said. It was a tough mission so I didn't blame Harley for wanting to be sure. I leant forward, resting my forearms on my knees, "First we jump," I smirked, "and then you're going to separate over to the trees to the north of the base, yeah?" She nodded. "You're gonna have Leonardo there as your spotter—"

"I still don't need a spotter. I'm better at judging distance and wind speed than him anyway." Harley rolled her eyes. I knew she didn't need a spotter, she's deadly, but for my own peace in mind—she couldn't be alone.

Harley was the best sniper I knew— and I've known a good few from my line of work. To be fair, she was taught by Dominic and Jake since she was a teen, so I'm not surprised.

"He needs the company." I looked over to him, sat next to Harley, and he nodded understanding that I needed him to do that for me, "and all you have to do from there, is guard the entrance with that brilliant aim you've got." I spoke calmly, contradicting her nervous behaviour.

Leonardo got a couple marines to join our rescue mission which seemed to ease Harley's mind, knowing it wasn't just me and Jay. I would've done it alone, should've actually; it would've been faster and I'd have more chance of surviving. But they had every right to be here.

She wasn't the only one antsy; Jay was itching to ditch this plane for his brother.

"Okay..." She took a deep breath and tilted her head back to the curved wall, her helmet making a small clank against the metal of the small fuselage, "Okay." she whispered.

"1 minute!"

I gave a tight-lipped smile to Harley knowing she was internally freaking out. This was her first 'mission' and the first is always the worst.

I stood up, "Alright!" I said smiling, "Everyone check your parachute string is accessible and your rifle and ammo are secure!" I shouted enthusiastically.

Despite the seriousness of this mission, I was so fucking excited. This was my element and I lived for moments like these: full of adrenaline and action.

I slammed my hand on the big red button with a mischievous smile, this was my time to shine.

The end of the plane opened slowly exposing the sky. A sharp, chilly wind rushed into the small space as the gap got bigger and bigger until the slanted ramp was opened completely. The wind whipped around us furiously as we got closer to the drop out point.

"Harley, you go first." I said.

She looked at me with slightly widened eyes before standing up. She took a deep breath as she edged towards the edge. Looking down, she gasped, and stumbled backwards in shock.