There had always been a sliver of hope in Henri’s mind that the Underworld still existed and that it could still be operational. He let out a long breath and stepped inside with Luka close behind him. Once he was indoors, Henri stopped and waited for the others to regroup around him. They had left four men outside to keep watch, just in case Zahra’s team slipped past Henri and the others.
“Lieutenant, your men—”
“Have been given orders to shoot anyone on sight that isn’t one of us.”
Henri took a long inhalation of the filtered air of his gas mask. He let it out slowly, deliberately. “Gentleman, I congratulate you on this historic feat. You’ve made your commander very proud.” He shouldered his rifle. “Now, finish the mission and clear this place of the vermin that have invaded these hallowed halls.”
“Commander?”
He faced the lieutenant. “May I speak with you, sir?” He looked around. “In private.”
Henri nodded. “Master Chief, bring up the Sno-Cat. The rest of you, secure this entrance.”
While Luka headed outside to retrieve the Sno-Cat, the other men ventured deeper inside, leaving Henri and Emil alone.
“Excuse me for saying this, sir, but I think it would be wise to contact Herr Krause. I am uncomfortable with keeping things from him, especially when it relates to this.” He motioned to the entryway.
Henri’s lip curled, but he calmed. Emil was correct, as he usually was. He was a soldier to the letter. Tobias Krause’s wishes superseded everything to him, even his field commander’s orders.
“Agreed,” Henri said. “Give me a moment. I will contact him myself.”
“
Tobias was filled with an emotion he had not felt for some time: joy. After decades of not knowing what lay beyond, his men had gained access to the Underworld. He cursed his shaky legs and weak bones. While his medicine kept the Grim Reaper at bay, it continued to degrade his body. It had been a necessary trade at the time. Now, it was too late to regret it.
The fact that Kane’s team had entered the facility without immediately succumbing to the toxins brought up another issue. What if the facility wasn’t as contaminated as they were led to believe? Would Dietrich purposely lie about it?
Tobias squeezed his fist hard.
If the facility had been accessible all this time…
He cleared his throat. “Excellent news, Commander. Now there is only one thing left for you to do…”
“
Tobias blinked. He took a mental step backward and reset. He was getting ahead of himself.
“Yes, of course, but also, if the facility is navigable, there is something I need for you to retrieve for me.”
“
Tobias needed to choose his words carefully. If he gave Henri too much information, it would only create more doubt and curiosity within the man. He had deeply disapproved of Ulrich’s relationship with his then-number two. Tobias needed to keep his current field commander focused on the mission, not the “what else” of what the Underworld housed.
“I need you to listen very carefully, Commander.” Tobias collected himself. This was the opportunity of a lifetime, and he needed his man to perform flawlessly. He closed his eyes and pictured where he wanted Henri to go. “At the end of the long entrance ramp, go right. Descend to Sub-Level 4. There, you will find offices. I need you to collect a precious item for me.”
“
“Because, until now, you didn’t need to hear it, Commander. But know that this item will grant us what we seek if it is successfully returned to me.”
“
This line of questioning infuriated Tobias, but what could he do? He wasn’t there. Even though he was Henri’s superior, he was not on the ground to lead the charge himself. He thought about giving Henri another lie, something to satiate his damned curiosity.
“Never mind that!” Tobias snapped. He squeezed his phone harder. “Can you do this for me, Commander? Because if you cannot, I will be forced to turn over your mission to Lieutenant Becker.”
“
“It is in a desk — a journal.”
“
