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Rainbow could not have been more blindsided by the attack on Hereford. The unthinkable had come to fruition and if not for Nighthaven’s additional resources, the team could very well have ended up buried under still-smoldering rubble.
Nighthaven had extended additional air-evac services in addition to emergency relocation, smoothing out the chaotic process as much as they realistically could. An airplane hangar was a less than ideal space to house half a team of people, but a roof over head and refuge from gunfire was more than anyone could hope for.
Senior operators paced the hangar restlessly, counting heads over and over, pausing only to stare out at the evac flights as they landed and unloaded more personnel. The air buzzed with anxiety as support staff and operators alike meandered about, searching the faces around them for colleagues and friends. Hereford’s communications had gone dark shortly after the attack began, and the dread of uncertainty hung like a dense fog.
The helipad was slick with rain and the air was thick with humidity. Fog lights blared onto the shiny black surface of the pavement and people yelled orders over the loud hum of chopper blades. The helicopter took off immediately after the last person was unloaded, ascending quickly into the gusty rain bands as they washed over everything.
Bossa trudged into the hangar, his helmet tucked beneath his arm and hair dripping with rain. The sudden gust of cool air chilled him to the bone. He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do next and wasn’t sure if anyone around him knew either. People congregated into small groups, some tending to each other’s injuries and others sitting together in solemn silence.
“Marcelo?”
Bossa didn’t react, unsure if the voice was a hallucination driven by exhaustion. He felt a firm hand on his shoulder and flinched, turning around quickly to meet the gaze of a familiar face.
“Oh, Marcelo...”
Bossa was quickly pulled into an embrace. Feeling the tension in his body melt away, he hugged back, squeezing his arms so tight as if not to be dragged away.
“Apha…” He closed his eyes, leaning into the woman’s arms.
“I was so worried about you.” Aruni’s voice was barely above a whisper.
“Where’s Néon?” Bossa asked quietly. “And Nikolai? Are they…”
“I don’t know.” There was an uncharacteristic sense of defeat in Aruni’s voice. “Hereford is wiped from communications. Nobody can get in contact with anyone.”
Bossa didn’t respond, instead pushing his face into the warmth of Aruni’s shoulder. She patted his back gently, the strength in her embrace unwavering. After a moment she pulled away, holding Bossa by both his shoulders and examining his face thoroughly.
“There’s dirt all over you…” she frowned, using a hand to wipe dust from his uniform. “Are you hurt?”
“I'm okay…” Bossa shrugged.
“You look exhausted.” Aruni persisted, wiping a thumb across Bossa’s cheek. “And your face is covered in soot…”
“Yeah…” He stared down at the woman, his eyes glassy. “There were explosions…and things were on fire…and the building…it…”
His voice trailed off. Aruni shook her head, pulling Bossa back into her arms. He fixed his eyes on the floor behind her, feeling numb and empty. The ringing in his ears hadn’t stopped since he’d made it to the safety of the helicopter.
“I didn’t get to see them before I got sent in.” Bossa’s voice was strained.
“Néon?”
Bossa simply nodded in response. Aruni held him silently.
“I didn’t see Nikolai either.”
“Wolfguard would be the first to help with evacuation orders.” Aruni thought out loud. “If civilian staff are still arriving, I’m sure they’re alright.”
There was truth to her words. As Rainbow’s humanitarian unit, Wolfguard would likely be the last crew to leave the site. It was highly probable that they were still fully involved in search and rescue efforts. If they were all in one piece, that is. He tried not to linger on the thought too long.
“Can I tell you the worst part about all this?” Bossa pulled away, staring at Aruni with dead eyes.
“Of course Marcelo, you can tell me anything.”
“They stuck me with Shrike.”
“Oh?” There was a flicker of amusement in Aruni’s eyes. “Shrike?” She tutted. “I thought that they knew better than to do that.”
“Yeah, I should have been with Néon instead,” Bossa grumbled bitterly. “They could have stuck me with James or Håvard for all I care. But they sent me out there alone with that moron as his bodyguard while he did office work.”
“Alone?” Aruni’s eyes went wide, the glimmer of mischief extinguished. “It was just the two of you?”
“Yes, why?”
“That’s…” Aruni searched for the correct words. “You’re both so…”
“Inexperienced?”
Aruni’s expression softened. She grabbed Bossa’s hands into each of her own and gave them a knowing squeeze. He sniffed, averting his eyes.
“After the things you’ve gone through, I wouldn’t say you’re inexperienced .” She said softly. “Just unfamiliar, and rightfully so.”
“I guess…”
“How did Shrike fare?”
“I don’t know.” Bossa sighed, exasperated. “He got sliced up pretty good but nothing major.”
“Hm…” Aruni let the silence linger. “I meant more so in a team of two?”
“Terrible.” Bossa narrowed his eyes. “Like a little kid. He complained the whole time. He even-” He cut himself off, realizing that his teammate would be facing a world of legal consequences if he revealed the details of their standoff. “I don’t know. We saved most of the files off the joint server and some paper blueprints as well. He straightened up eventually.”
“I see. That sounds frustrating.”
“Yeah. It was.” Bossa mumbled. “He’s so ungrateful. Even after I saved his ass.”
“I’m so proud of you.”
A look of embarrassment promptly replaced the scowl on Bossa’s face. He returned his gaze to meet Aruni’s, her face aglow with pride.
“Why?” Bossa responded, flustered. “We didn’t do much.”
“It takes a brave person to do what you just did.”
Bossa blinked hard, his face burning. He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.
“It’s what everyone else does…”
“Don’t sell yourself short.” Aruni placed both hands on Bossa’s face, turning his head back in her direction. “Your skills got the two of you out of there alive and in good condition. Isn’t that something to be proud of?” She smiled. “Hold your head up, son. You are becoming an excellent leader.”
Bossa felt a warmth in his chest and a lump in his throat. He smiled back.
“Now,” Aruni spoke with love in her voice. “Why don’t we see if there’s a way you can get cleaned up.” She gave his shoulder a squeeze. “I’m sure you don’t want Néon seeing you in this state.”
Bossa shook his head. Aruni motioned towards a hallway, her hand steady against Bossa’s back as they walked. Rain pelted the metal roof above, creating a calming lull amongst the chaos. Despite it all, there was hope in Bossa’s heart. He’d made it out fine, and the others would too.