The gravel crunched under the boots of the two leaders.
With a simple gesture from the two men at the head, the rest converged—silent, no radio chatter, no unnecessary movement.
The SUV's black hood caught the dull sheen of the overcast sky overhead, but it barely reflected off their armor. Twelve figures crouched low in a half-circle, rifles in ready position, but eyes scanning.
Shadow 4-1 didn't waste time.
"We're splitting the same way we came," he said, voice low, clipped. "One team on ground, one takes first. We switch floors after sweep. Shoot on sight. Maintain silence unless you're under fire. Clear?"
"Clear," came the quiet chorus—every voice but one.
Only after the rest answered did the other team's lead speak. "Good," he said with a short nod, "we're on the first."
One of the operatives behind him muttered just under his breath as he clicked off his safety and rolled his shoulders, "Had to be a creepy-ass hospital."
