BOOKSDRAMA Chapter 1776
Chapter 1776: Zoren, she's here!
Over an hour later...
A chopper descended on top of a hill where it was safe to land. Dust filled the air, but the men already stationed in the area quickly approached the aircraft.
Zoren stepped out first, followed by Atlas.
Mark was the first to greet them with a slight bow. "I've already sent men to scout the area and check the next island," he reported-they had arrived just minutes before them.
Zoren nodded silently and headed straight into the tent his men had set up as their temporary base. The next island was only a few minutes away by chopper, or about half an hour by boat. So none of them had experienced any delays.
Inside the tent, Zoren and Atlas found several men already working on their portable devices, tracking signals, and gathering intel.
"Where is she now?" Atlas asked, standing behind a row of men hunched over heavy-duty equipment.
While Zoren and Atlas tried to gather information on Penny's location-and their reinforcements-Angel stood by the entrance, casting a sidelong glance at Mark.
"That was fast," Angel muttered. "I thought we were quick, but I didn't expect you to beat us here."
Mark kept his expression neutral, saying nothing as he met Angel's eyes.
"I'm sorry that-"
Before he could finish, Angel clapped a hand on his shoulder with a loud pat. "Enough of that. She's safe. That's all that matters."
Still, Mark didn't feel at ease. He was supposed to be with Penny at all times. Even if she kept sending him off on errands, he shouldn't have let himself grow complacent. After all, Angel had never left Zoren's side.
"You did your best," Angel said, turning toward the tent. "Maybe if something had happened to her, I'd kill you. But she's fine-it's Penny. She doesn't go down that easily."
Mark glanced at Angel but didn't speak. He just stood behind him, rifle in hand, scanning the sky.
"So, how did you get here so fast?" Angel asked. "We were the first already en route."
"Aircraft engine difference," Mark shrugged. "We didn't waste time once they got away."
In truth, Mark and his team had already taken to the skies before Zoren and Atlas left Anteca. It was easy enough to reroute and follow the aircraft carrying Penny.
"I see..." Angel trailed off as he spotted another aircraft in the sky. He squinted, watching it approach. "Is that her?"
"No," Mark replied after a moment. "It's... Homeland Security."
"How can you tell-?" Angel began, but he stopped once he saw someone waving from the open door of the chopper. "Ah."
The men on the ground raised their rifles as the aircraft descended, approaching with caution. Once it landed, Mint stepped out, hands raised.
"It's me," she said, striding forward without hesitation, completely unfazed by the rifles trained on her. "Put the guns down."
Still, the men didn't lower their weapons until more people exited the aircraft. No one aimed at Hugo, who quietly made his way toward the tent where Atlas and Zoren were, and Mint was headed.
"She said put down the damn toys," one of the agents muttered.
"We will once we're sure you're not a threat," a member of Zoren's team responded, moving in to inspect them.
Of course, the agents were armed, but weapons weren't the main concern. What they were checking for were unauthorized communication devices that could
jeopardize the operation.
Once inspections were complete, another helicopter approached. Everyone looked up. Just like before, the new arrivals were checked thoroughly-except for
one:
"Get away from me," Charles barked as he marched toward the tent, not stopping for anyone.
Since not many people recognized him, Mark raised a hand to signal his men. "That's her father."
All eyes shifted to Charles, then to the soldiers accompanying him.
'That's her father?' they all wondered. 'Didn't know he was a marine.'
Without waiting for any clearance, Charles entered the tent.
"Penny-" He stopped, scanning the room filled with people. His daughter was nowhere in sight. "Where is she?"
"They're still checking," Hugo replied, standing behind a technician and scanning coordinates. "That's strange. She should've arrived before all of us."
Mint double-checked the data and nodded in concern. Charles marched over, peering at the same device.
"She's close," he muttered, running a hand down his face as he exhaled. "She's close. Has she contacted any of you?"
"No," Zoren answered, shaking his head. "I've tried calling, but the phone she was using has been off."
Charles let out another huff, his chest tightening. He looked around the tent- Zoren, Atlas, Hugo, Mint-but kept his face composed.
"I'll wait for her outside," he said, then turned and exited the tent.
Atlas silently followed his father out. Mint, meanwhile, turned to Hugo.
"Don't worry about the formation," she said. "I'll instruct my men to land somewhere else to avoid drawing attention."
Hugo nodded and watched her leave. Then he turned to Zoren.
"You alright?" he asked.
Zoren nodded, letting out a breath. "I should be. She'll be here any minute."
The two of them moved toward the technician tracking her location.
"She's close," Hugo repeated. "Let's wait for her outside."
"Mhm."
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But even as Hugo stepped away,
Zoren lingered. He stared at the
Com
tracking device, unable to shake the
nagging feeling in his gut. Penny
should've been the first to arrive. And
yet... she was the last. The content is on Novelxo.org! Read the latest chapter there!
'Did something happen?' he wondered.
His thoughts halted at Hugo's sudden call from the tent entrance.
"Zoren, she's here!"
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Zoren didn't hesitate. He stepped out
and looked up, spotting the incoming aircraft. His heart eased slightly. The content is on Novelxo.org! Read the latest chapter there!
"She's in there?" he asked, and Mark responded immediately.
"Yes, sir. It's the same aircraft that took her."
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Relief washed over everyone. Even
Charles sighed, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he watched the aircraft approach from a distance. The content is on Novelxo.org! Read the latest chapter there!
Their tense shoulders began to ease. Smiles-small and quiet-started to form
on their faces.
But just as relief settled over the group... a loud, distinct boom echoed through
the sky.
And in the next second, all eyes mirrored the same horror: something was
burning in the sky.
It was Penny's chopper.