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Realigning Destiny
By TT

Sometimes chance intervenes in our lives and causes destiny to jump the tracks. When this happens, fate steps in and realigns destiny’s course to bring us to where we need to be. But, as with the course of true love, the road of realignment doesn’t always run smooth.

Part 49 - Speed

The night sky was fading. The stars were disappearing one by one.

Slowly, the blanket of night rolled back to reveal the gray of pre-dawn.

The time was approaching for the action to proceed.

The keys to successful execution of the attack were speed and coordination.

As planned, the various government agencies didn't have time to mess up the plan, only to lend bodies to the one already in place.

The fact that Jed and Jim had proven more than able to handle and deflect the suggestions and demands that came pouring in had been an unexpected bonus.

Everything was in place.

The team had confidence in each other an their abilities.

That, of course, didn't mean that things couldn't go wrong, but it did increase the chance of success.

The gray faded to a mixture of pale blue and baby pink highlights.

Ever so slowly, the colors deepened and changed.

Heart and breathing rates increased in the waiting men as adrenaline began flowing through their veins.

For the briefest of moments, everything seemed to stop. The gentle breeze ceased, the noisome chatter of the birds halted and even the river was silent.

In that nothingth of a second, vision cleared, intent became purpose and success the only option.

Then the first edge of the sun's burning orb crested the horizon.

The command was given.

Time began again.

Though each second always has the same value, the perception of time is elusive at best. A second can take an eternity and an hour disappear in the twinkling of an eye.

In their combat-ready state, the men working with Ranger lived each fleeting second as though it was minutes.

Every action was crisp.

Every movement was necessary.

Every sight and sound was clear and crisp to an extreme the men knew only came in intense situations.

Each man knew the goal.

Each man had their orders.

Each man hoped they would be the one to find Campbell and DiMarco in order to be the one to teach the men the error of messing with one of theirs.

Each man would be disappointed.

“Dorm one secure.”

“Dorm two secure.”

“Dorm three secure.”

“Labs all clear.”

“Outbuildings clear.”

The reports came in one on top of the other.

A single shot sounded from the armory.

“Armory secure,” Tank informed. “One fatality.”

“Repeat!” came the command.

“Confirm,” Ranger responded. “One fatality.”

The men were all too well trained to ask the question, but they didn't need to since a moment later Tank broke protocol and informed them, “DiMarco is missing.”

With a speed that only parents and soldiers possess, Stephanie shifted from sound asleep to fully alert in a heartbeat.

Her eyes flew open as she first took in her surroundings.

Realizing she was at the Pierson's house, she then tried to determine what had caused her to awaken.

A few seconds later, the sound of a muffled cry reached her. It was a sound she knew because it was a sound she had made in the passed when kidnapped and gagged.

Slipping her hand under her pillow, she drew out her weapon.

As she sat up, she tuned her hearing to noises outside her room. There wasn't much to hear.

Slowly, she stood and slipped on her boots. Bare feet would be quieter, but not always a wise move.

With caution learned through life experience and Jed's monthly drilling, Stephanie made her way to the door and cracked it open.

There was nothing in her immediate sight.

Deciding it was safe to leave the den, she opened the door wider and slipped out of the room, keeping her back to the wall.

Months and years of training came to her instinctively.

She swept each room as she moved through the house.

In the kitchen, she found Mandy, her husband and Fox bound and gagged to chairs at the table.

Charlie was missing.

A whispered assurance that she would be back was the only encouragement she offered as she made her way to the front of the house.

One look out the front door was all it took to make her blood freeze and her training flee.

Out the front door, she saw a living nightmare.

DiMarco stood next to a nondescript SUV, holding Charlie to him, a gun pressed to the side of her son's head.

“How nice of you to join me,” DiMarco greeted, a soulless smile on his face, his normally empty eyes flaring with evil. “As I'm sure you are aware, your friends are currently destroying months of work. Of course, I was paid in advance, but it is still disheartening to put so much of oneself into an endeavor only to see it come to ruin before it could bear fruit.”

Stephanie said nothing.

It had only taken a few words from DiMarco to snap her out of her panic.

Somehow, she had moved outside and was standing only a few feet in front of the house.

Her training kicked in once more and she quickly sorted through her options.

There weren't many.

Looking down at Charlie, she easily read the fear and horror in his face. While he had witnessed his own parents' death and his father abusing his mother, none of that violence had been directed at him.

She had ensured he knew some self-defense and understood that the only chance they had was for her to get Charlie to act.

It was a very dangerous gambit and she was putting her son's life on the line, but DiMarco was a man without morals and would kill Charlie anyway, just for fun.

“What do you want?” she asked, surprised by the calm strength she heard in her own voice.

“Nothing much,” DiMarco informed. “You see, several years ago, you and I made a deal. And, while you haven't broken the letter of the deal, I would consider this morning's raid by Mr. Manoso breaking the spirit of it.”

Stephanie tried, but was unable to hide her surprise.

“Oh, yes,” DiMarco gloated. “I was aware of the planned attack this morning at dawn. Unfortunately, I was unable to warn my associated, Mr. Campbell. But, that is of little importance. I just came by to tell you that it is time for you to pay for your disobedience. Say goodbye to your son.”

This, apparently, was what Charlie had been waiting for. With all the power his child's body could muster, he stomped down on his captor's foot while simultaneously ducking and twisting away.

As if linked on some other level, the instant Charlie acted, Stephanie did as well, lifting her gun and firing with an accuracy she had only experienced once before in her life, back when she was first bounty hunting and Jimmy Alpha was about to kill her.

For Stephanie, though, this shot was more important than any other she had ever made.

This shot was for the life of her child.

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