The MV-22 Osprey climbed hard through the burning skies of Beijing while the dead city disappeared beneath them.
Inside the aircraft, nobody spoke for several seconds.
The atmosphere inside the troop compartment remained heavy from adrenaline, exhaustion, and the nonstop gunfire they had just escaped from underground.
The roar of the tiltrotors filled the cabin while red interior lights illuminated the operators strapped into their seats.
Several of them were breathing heavily.
One operator finally removed his helmet and wiped sweat from his face.
"…I officially hate China."
Ryan looked toward him immediately.
"You hated China before this mission."
"Yeah but now it's personal."
That actually earned a few tired laughs from the team.
Not many.
But enough to briefly ease the tension.
Doctor Lin remained seated near the rear bulkhead while tightly holding the secured data case against her chest. Even now, she still looked shaken from the underground facility.
Honestly—
