Chapter 7: The Supply Run

"We’re short on Class VIII," James announced during the morning brief. "Ramírez, you’re with me and Jax. We’re driving to the main hub to pick up the medical restock."

It was a two-vehicle convoy. Just us and a security detail in the rear truck led by Thorne. The tension in the lead Humvee was thick enough to choke on. I sat in the back, my radio headset on, listening to the ambient hum of the valley.

James was driving. He didn't speak. He kept his eyes on the road, his hands gripped tight on the steering wheel. Through the rearview mirror, I could see his eyes flicking to me every few minutes.

"Sir," I said, breaking the silence. "About the cave..."

"Don't," he interrupted, his voice a low rumble. "We don't talk about the cave, Specialist. We don't talk about anything that isn't mission-essential."

"Is my life mission-essential?" I asked, the words out of my mouth before I could stop them.

The truck swerved slightly. Jax, in the passenger seat, suddenly became very interested in his map. James didn't answer for a long time.

"Everything in this truck is essential," he finally said, his voice straining. "Including the RTO."

It was a cold answer, but I saw his knuckles turn white on the wheel. He wasn't indifferent; he was terrified of being anything else.