Exit 9

34

I.D. MINUS 6 HOURS 49 MINUTES

BLUEBIRD TIME 4:11 AM

“Rowan, report,” security officer Phillips said into the radio.

Nothing.

“Rowan, this is base. Are you receiving me?”

No response.

Rowan was a minute overdue checking in. Ten minutes ago, in his last report, he had made no indication of problems, radio or otherwise, but with the severe conditions on Yanok Island, that could change in seconds.

“Rowan, this is base. Report.”

Still receiving no response, Phillips contacted the watch officer. This being the day it was, the DOP’s personal aide, Major Ross, was serving in the role.

Ross’s voice came over the receiver. “This is the watch officer.”

“I have a non-response from perimeter security.”

“Who’s out there?”

“Benjamin Rowan, sir.”

“How long is he overdue?”

Phillips glanced at the clock on his screen. “Two minutes.”

The patrol officers were drilled on keeping religiously to their check-in schedules, so even a delay of half a minute was unusual.

“Had he reported any previous problems?”

“No, sir.”

“Send out a search team.”

“Yes, sir. Right away.”