Shadow One waited for the ropes to drop from the Chinook.
The aircraft held position above the rooftop, its twin rotors beating the air hard enough to push dust and loose debris across the concrete. The downwash pressed against them, forcing everyone to stay low. Straps tightened. Weapons were held close to the body. No one stood upright.
Ryan kept his eyes on the open ramp.
Inside the helicopter, silhouettes moved. The ropes dropped.
They hit the rooftop with a dull slap, swaying slightly from the rotor wash.
"Ropes down!" one of the crew chiefs shouted from above.
Ryan didn't waste time.
"Move!" he ordered.
His team broke formation and shifted into action, each man moving to a rope without crossing paths. It was clean. Practiced. No hesitation.
"Shadow Two, go!"
One of the operators stepped forward, grabbed the rope, checked his gloves, then hooked in and went up. His ascent was quick, controlled, boots braced against the rope as he climbed.
"Three, move!"
