The convoy rumbled forward for another half hour before grinding to a halt at a confusing junction.

Several soldiers hopped out of the lead vehicle, scratching their heads as they stared at the web of paths ahead.

Sterling’s off-road vehicle cruised to the front and idled.

“What’s the hold-up?” Sterling barked, leaning out the window. “Why are we stopping?”

The lead driver jogged over, pointing at the terrain. “Captain, we’ve got a discrepancy. The map indicates a three-way split here, but… well, look. There are four roads. We don’t know which one is the primary route.”

Sterling frowned and stepped out, boots crunching on the gravel. Sure enough, four distinct paths wound into the wasteland.

Raven stepped out of the backseat, her gaze sweeping over the dusty trails. “Are we off course?”

Pike jumped down, sniffing the air like a bloodhound. He shook his head. “Old dust. Stale air. All four paths smell ancient. I can’t tell which one is new or used recently.” He turned to Sterling. “Captain, should we radio HQ for a satellite update?”

Sterling considered it for a second, then scoffed. “And report that we got lost at the first turn? No. I’m not putting a black mark on my record for a navigation error.”

“So, what’s the play?” Raven asked, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear. “If the map is wrong, we’re guessing. A twenty-five percent chance of success isn’t great odds.”

Pike rubbed his chin, a nasty idea forming in his eyes. He jerked a thumb toward the rear of the convoy.

“We’ve got that tail, don’t we? The Iron Spear crew. They haven’t lifted a finger this whole trip. Why waste our own men scouting when we have perfectly good cannon fodder right behind us?”

Pike shot Sterling a knowing look. “Let them bleed a little.”

Sterling’s expression tightened. He knew Pike and Raven were sore because Butch—the leader of the tailing group—had only bribed Sterling, leaving the two lieutenants empty-handed. They wanted to squeeze some value out of the hangers-on.

Sterling glanced back at the dust cloud trailing them. Finally, he nodded. “Fine. I’ll handle it.”

He strode toward the rear convoy. Butch, spotting the Captain, practically fell out of his truck in his haste to bow and scrape.

“Captain Sterling! To what do I owe the honor? Any orders?”

Sterling didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “My officers are getting restless. They think you’re getting a free ride. It’s time to pay the toll.”

Butch froze, his smile faltering. “Uh… what exactly did you have in mind, Captain?”

“The road ahead is compromised. We’re splitting forces to scout. You take a team down one path; we take another. We keep radio contact. Whoever finds the clear route signals the other.”

Sterling leaned in, his voice dropping to a menace. “And if you’re thinking of refusing… well, I hope you have the deed to another house handy. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee your safety.”

Butch winced. That house in Redrock Bastion had cost him his life savings. He’d only handed it over because he was exiled and desperate. He couldn’t afford another shake-down.

He thought fast. “I… alright, Captain. We’ll do it. But we had a deal, remember? You said you’d give me a shot at Jax. If we split up now, I lose him. How about this: Assign Jax to my scouting team. You give me the kid, I clear the road. Everyone wins.”

Sterling frowned, weighing the risk.

“Come on, Captain,” Butch pressed, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. “We can just turn back right now. I don’t need to wade into this mess. But that kid… he’s personal. He’s useless to you. Just toss him to me.”

Sterling finally nodded. “Done. But I can’t just hand him over alone; it looks suspicious. I’ll transfer a whole squad to your convoy. Jax will be one of them. That keeps my hands clean.” He fixed Butch with a glare. “And keep your mouth shut. If word gets out that I sold a recruit, I’ll bury you.”

“Understood! Loud and clear!” Butch grinned, bobbing his head. “We’ll handle it quietly.”

Deal struck, Butch followed Sterling back to the front.

Sterling turned to Pike and Raven. “Butch is in. We pick a road; he takes the other. But I need one of you to go with him. To ensure… compliance.”

Pike looked at Raven, a leer spreading across his face. “Rock, paper, scissors? Loser babysits the trash?”

Raven grimaced. “I’m a woman. Try acting like a man for once and volunteer.”

Pike chuckled, stepping closer. “Oh, I’m plenty of man. Want to find out?”

Shing.

The air hissed. Pike flinched, feeling a cold breeze against his chest. He looked down to see a clean slice through his tunic, the fabric parting to reveal his skin.

Raven held her blade loosely, her eyes dead cold. “Watch your tongue. Next time, I won’t aim for the clothes.”

Pike broke into a cold sweat, backing away.

“Enough!” Sterling barked, stepping between them. “Save the energy for the insectoids. We toss for it. Fair?”

He fished a coin from his pocket. “Lion’s Head is heads. Monument is tails. Pike, call it.”

Raven smirked. “I’ll take the Lion.”

Pike sighed, relieved. “Fine.”

Sterling flipped the coin. It spun in the air, catching the harsh sunlight, before landing in the dirt with a dull thud.

The Lion stared up at them.

“Yes!” Pike pumped his fist. “Looks like you’re up, Raven! Don’t miss me too much!”

Raven cursed, glaring at the coin. “Useless luck. Hmph. Men.”

She sheathed her blade and stomped over to Butch’s vehicle. Before Butch could even offer a greeting, cold steel pressed against his throat.

“Out,” Raven ordered. “I’m driving. You sit in the back.”

“Woah! Easy, beauty! Easy!” Butch threw his hands up, sweating. “Whatever you say!”

Raven climbed into the driver’s seat, radiating hostility.

Meanwhile, Sterling marched over to Jax’s truck. He scanned the recruits in the back. “You, you, and you. Everyone in this row. Get out.”

Jax blinked, confused. “What’s going on?”

His first thought was that VIPs had arrived and they were being kicked out to walk. He tensed. Running alongside the convoy in this terrain was a death sentence.

“Transfer to the rear vehicles,” Sterling commanded. “We’re splitting into two columns to cover more ground. Move it.”

Jax relaxed slightly. At least they weren’t walking.

He grabbed his gear and followed the others to the rear convoy. But as he approached the trucks, his blood ran cold.

Two familiar faces were waiting for him.

Viper, looking as greasy and treacherous as ever, stood by the cab. And next to him was Butch.

Butch caught Jax’s eye and grinned—a predatory, nasty expression. He slowly drew a finger across his throat.

Viper looked like a kid in a candy store, his hand hovering over the pistol at his hip. He was practically vibrating with excitement.

So that’s it, Jax realized, his stomach churning.

Sterling’s “warning” earlier wasn’t a warning at all. It was a forecast. The Captain hadn’t just tolerated the tailing group; he was in bed with them. He’d just served Jax up on a silver platter.

Jax climbed into the truck, his mind racing. He sat down, ignoring the taunts from outside, and fixed his gaze on the lead convoy pulling away.

They sold me out.

He checked his weapons. If they wanted a fight, he’d give them one. But he needed a plan, and he needed it fast.