The C-17 Globemaster continued climbing through the dark Philippine sky while Basa Air Base slowly disappeared beneath the clouds below.
Inside the cargo bay, the atmosphere remained dim beneath red operational lighting.
The constant roar of the aircraft engines vibrated through the metal floor beneath everyone's boots while equipment straps rattled softly against secured cargo pallets.
Nobody slept.
Nobody even tried.
Because every single person aboard understood where they were heading.
Beijing.
A dead capital city buried beneath nuclear fire and infected hordes.
Ryan leaned back slightly against the fold-down seating while staring toward the ceiling of the cargo compartment.
"I still think this is insane."
One of the operators across from him answered immediately.
"That stopped narrowing things down months ago."
Several others quietly laughed.
Not because anything was funny.
But because humor helped.
Especially before missions like this.
