"Flattery will get you everywhere," Jackson Mikel said dryly. Then his tone turned serious. "But I need to be clear about something, just like I was with Maya earlier.”“I don't care how much money you're offering or how many resources you're committing.”“If I think the plan is going to get people killed unnecessarily, I'll say so. And if you won't listen, I'll walk away. I'm professional, but I'm not suicidal.""We wouldn't want it any other way," Lord Cassian said firmly. "Your honest assessment is exactly what we need. Ego has no place in an operation like this.""Besides," Lord Wilson added, "you've worked with me before, Jackson. You know I don't ignore expert advice. If you see problems, I want to hear about them.""Good," Jackson said, sounding satisfied. "Then count me in. All the way in. I'll help plan both operations…the funeral attack and the prison break.”“I'll identify weaknesses, plan infiltration routes, establish contingencies.""And you'll join the assault team f

"Random within predictable parameters," General Carl Gerald immediately interrupted."I've seen the logs, Captain. Your 'random' inspections follow patterns. Every third vehicle gets a level-two search.”“Every tenth gets a full level-three inspection.”“That's not random. That's a schedule. And schedules can be exploited."He moved his finger to another section of the map. "Now look at the guard towers. Six towers, manned twenty-four seven. Excellent visibility, overlapping fields of fire. In theory, nothing should be able to approach the facility without being seen.""In theory," Debra Zachs said quietly, picking up on General Carl Gerald's concern. "But in practice?" "In practice, those towers have been in the exact same locations for three years," General Carl Gerald said. "Their sight lines are known. Their blind spots…and yes, there are blind spots that are mappable.”“A competent infiltration team could identify approach vectors that minimize exposure to the towers." "We co

General Carl Gerald straightened, his expression becoming more thoughtful and less angry. "We start by changing everything. Every protocol. Every rotation. Every predictable pattern gets scrambled.""Sir, that's going to cause significant disruption," Security Chief Thompson protested. "Our guards are trained on current procedures. Changing everything at once could actually decrease security in the short term while everyone adjusts…""Then we accept that short-term risk to eliminate the long-term vulnerability," General Carl Gerald said firmly. "Because right now, our long-term vulnerability is catastrophic.”“Anyone who's been watching the facility has complete intelligence on our operations.”“We need to invalidate that intelligence immediately." General Carl Gerald immediately said, his voice was barely above whispers.He began ticking off points on his fingers. "First, randomize guard rotations. I want different routes, different timing, different personnel assignments every s

“Yes…I know, too fast if I must say.” Commander Carlos immediately said as he stared at General Carl Gerald."We're treating this as a high-risk event. Multiple checkpoints, armed security, surveillance. After the cemetery raid, we're not taking any chances.""Good," General Carl Gerald said. "Double whatever security measures you had planned. If I'm right about Maya Denver targeting us, a funeral for one of our fallen officers would be an obvious target."Sara Gerald immediately looked troubled, she was only a sister of General Carl Gerald, the leader of the Elite Divisions Military units secret service agency and now she is already acting as a soldier."You really think she'd attack a funeral? That seems... extreme, even for her.""She attacked a burial," General Carl Gerald pointed out. "What's the difference? She's not operating under conventional rules of engagement.”“She's waging psychological warfare as much as physical warfare. Hitting us at Juliet's funeral would be a massi

"We can help with that," Debra Zachs offered, also moving closer to the phone. "This is Debra Zachs. I'm coordinating the funeral arrangements with the military honors division.”“If there are things you'd like us to handle, just say the word. You and your mother shouldn't have to deal with logistics right now.""That's... that's very kind," Victor said, sounding genuinely grateful. "We've been getting so many calls. Reporters wanting comments, people from Juliet's past reaching out, extended family asking about arrangements... it's been constant.""We can put a stop to the media attention," General Carl Gerald said firmly. "I'll have our public affairs office issue a statement requesting privacy for your family. No more reporters calling. No more camera crews showing up.""Please," Mrs. Anna Marcus's voice came through, stronger now though still thick with tears. "Please do that. I can't... I can't talk to strangers about my daughter right now. I can barely talk to anyone about h