As they left, she checked the main gate access. It would be tough, but she could open it from here if she had to. That would help Simmons's agents get in faster—or get out faster, if it came to that.
She flipped through the live camera feeds and found the main ventilation system, a centralized plant located in the main building. For such a small compound, they had a big system. She shuddered when she realized it probably helped control certain experiments, which made her think of Mr. K and what they'd done to him here.
They'd hit all their objectives, but Lucy couldn't help but feel that she'd missed something obvious. She looked at her computer, examined all the feeds, and everything looked fine.
The guys returned with the guard and laid him on one of the beds. Hunter shrugged off his extra-large pack and dropped it beside the desk. He must have used his para-strength to swim with that thing. He strapped his sword to his back and a pistol to his hip, and slung his rifle over his shoulder.
"Packing enough heat?"
"Can never be too prepared." He winked.
She grinned like an idiot, then focused back on the computer.
Luke stood over her. "Did you find the ventilation system?"
"Yep. I'll guide you using the cameras. Just do as I say."
Luke rolled his eyes. "This isn't exactly my first rodeo, Sis. I think I know what I'm doing by now."
Before they walked out the door, Hunter kissed her again. "You going to be okay?"
"I can handle myself. Don't worry. Now go! And be careful."
The boys left and made their way to the main building.
A buzzing filled Lucy's head, and she felt another presence settle in. 'Sam?'
"Hey, Luce. Status report?"
'We're in. Won't be long before the guys set off the sleeping gas in the vents. As soon as they do, I'll open the gate so you guys can drive straight in, okay?"
"Thanks. I'll be in touch."
As Sam shut the connection, Luke's voice came through the headset. "We're in the main building."
She checked the cameras. "Go right... keep going... now stop. There are two guards down the next corridor."
"Got it covered, Sis." Lucy watched the screen as Luke walked through a few walls and popped up behind the two guards, then knocked them out with chops to their necks. He grabbed their IDs and started undressing them.
"Hunter, Luke needs help."
Hunter rounded the corner, and together they secured themselves two uniforms and IDs. Hunter looked good in the form-fitting black clothes.
"I like these. We need some at IPI," he said.
Lucy chuckled. "Fashion later, boys. Keep going down the hall. You're getting close. Shortcut through the hangar to your left."
The guys entered the hangar, and Luke pointed to something. "Wow. Did you see this, Luce?"
She saw what looked like a cross between a tank and a helicopter.
"It's an AH-64 Apache," said Hunter.
Luke whistled under his breath. "Seriously badass."
Lucy noticed rocket pods and cannons hanging from what looked like a pair of stubby wings. That thing looked dangerous. "I hope we never have to go up against it. If they'd sent that in to rescue Beleth, we'd be mincemeat right now."
She scanned the rest of the hangar, which held a much bigger plane, probably the one they used for Beleth, and another helicopter with less armor, but still big.
Hunter showed off more of his knowledge. "The other chopper's a Boeing CH-47 Chinook. It's used for transport."
Luke looked up. "Hey, that's a pretty fancy roof. Looks like it might open."
Lucy's fingers flew over her keyboard until she found what she was looking for. "Okay, looks like I can open the roof if we need, or even keep it closed, depending."
Again, something tugged at her memory, as though she'd forgotten or overlooked something, but she couldn't put her finger on it. "All right, guys, time to move on. When you get out of the hangar, head west."
They followed her command and found themselves face-to-face with two guards just outside the door.
"Oh crap, guys. I'm sorry. Just stay calm and act like you belong."
They straightened their backs, and Luke saluted as they passed. Neither guard paid much attention to them.
Once they'd cleared the guards, Luke looked into one of the cameras. "What the hell happened, Sis? You nearly got our asses fried."
"Sorry. The helicopters distracted me. Won't happen again."
Fewer cameras inside prevented her from getting a full read on the building, but everything looked good from what she could see. "Go on in, but keep your wits. There are a lot of dead zones I can't get eyes on."
Hunter made a thumbs-up sign. "Roger that, Babe."
Babe? Seriously? We need to talk about nicknames.
In the heart of the building, she had only one camera with which to watch them. "Guys, I can't see much. Again, please be careful."