Kicked Out of Special Forces, She Infiltrated Enemy Territory — To Rescue the President's Son

The crosshairs trembled slightly as Commander Maya Reid adjusted her grip on the Barrett M82 sniper rifle. Through her scope, she watched the heavily guarded compound nestled in the mountains of Azovistan, a small breakaway republic that most countries didn't officially recognize. Somewhere inside that fortress was Eli Harrison, the President's son, held captive for 47 days. One shot would determine whether he lived or died. Whether Maya got redemption or joined the long list of disgraced special operators who never found their way back. Maya wasn't supposed to be here. Not after what happened in Damascus. Not after she'd been stripped of her rank, her team, and her future. But sometimes the people who shouldn't be anywhere are exactly the ones who need to be everywhere. The wind picked up, sending dust swirling across the barren landscape. Maya made a slight adjustment to her scope. Six hundred meters below, in the courtyard of the stone fortress, four guards patrolled with military precision while two more manned the watchtowers. Intelligence suggested another dozen inside. All heavily armed. All with orders to execute the hostage at the first sign of an American rescue operation. "Command, this is Nightshade," she whispered into her secure comms. "In position and awaiting authorization." Static crackled in her ear. Then the voice she'd been dreading. "Nightshade, this is Director Harlow. You are not authorized to be there. Return to extraction point immediately." Maya's jaw tightened. Same old Harlow. Same bureaucratic mindset that had gotten her kicked out of Delta Force six months ago. "Sir, with respect, we have a clean window. The target is confirmed on site, and I have visuals on all external security positions." "Commander Reid, may I remind you that you're no longer Commander of anything?" Harlow's voice dripped with contempt. "You were explicitly ordered not to pursue this operation. The diplomatic channels are working."