AIRSPACE OVER THE NORTH SEAFORTY THOUSAND FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL11:45 PM LOCAL TIMEThe cargo bay of the stealth transport aircraft was completely devoid of light, illuminated only by the faint, eerie glow of the green jump lamps. The temperature inside the unpressurized cabin hovered around negative forty degrees, a bone-chilling cold that penetrated the thickest layers of thermal insulation. The deafening roar of the jet engines outside was muffled by the heavy, pressurized oxygen helmets worn by every single operative on board.Sofia Moretti stood at the edge of the closed rear loading ramp. She wore a highly specialized High Altitude Low Opening tactical suit. It was constructed of matte-black, friction-resistant polymer, designed to absorb radar waves and withstand the sheer, tearing force of terminal velocity. A heavy oxygen tank was strapped securely to her back, feeding life-sustaining air into her sealed helmet. In her hands, she held her customized, short-barrel combat shot