"We cannot win a war of attrition. We have to decapitate them."
"We hit the front as per the plan," Aldric said.
"Good. Hopefully, when the line starts to buckle, Aaron will step out. He'll come out to stabilize the defense, leaving Judas to us."
"And that is our window," Seraphine said, looking at Lena.
Jake stepped into the circle. He looked small among the armored adults, but his presence was heavy. "And Aaron is mine…"
Matthias opened his mouth to object, but Jake silenced him with a look that was far too old for his face.
"No heroics, kid," Helga grunted, though she grinned. "Just keep him busy while we smash his toys. It will be Lena to take care of him, ok?"
"He nodded."
"Let's move," Seraphine said.
The group dispersed.
…
…
…
The perimeter of the War Hound base was a fortress of scavenged industrial waste. Walls of welded scrap metal and reinforced concrete rose even to twenty feet high, topped with watchtowers where sentries scanned the area with bored eyes.
