"'Bout time," Dusty said as he appeared.
Damian accepted his hand in greeting, looking around. The room was as still as a graveyard despite the dozen Guardians there. Dusty had called in the entire sector. If he were personally involved in the operation, something was very, very wrong.
"I think this is yours," Dusty said and handed him a few surveillance pictures taken of one of Czerno's safe houses in northern Virginia and an apartment building. Damian froze as he saw the photo of Czerno dragging Sofia to a car.
"How the fuck did she get to Virginia?" he roared.
"She flew," Dusty said, leveling a look on Jake, who stood in a corner with his head bowed.
Furious his order had been disobeyed, Damian started for the young Guardian. Dusty planted a hand in his chest.
"D, we need to get to her now. We know what he's planning," he said calmly. "You hear me? We know where he's taking her."
Damian met Dusty's clear blue eyes, blood boiling.
"C'mon, bro. If he finishes with her before we get there …"
They were fucked. Damian forced himself to focus on Dusty, though he wanted nothing more than to wrap his hands around the newbie's neck. The thought of Sofia in Czerno's hands did worse than anger him-he felt fear for the first time in millennia.
"You know where she is," he said.
"Yes."
"We'll do this your way, Dusty. We raze the place. No survivors."
"We'll drop you in first," Dusty said. "Whatever you don't destroy, we will. I called in the DC Sector for support as well."
"He's going with me," Damian said, indicating Jake.
"Agreed. Jake, prepare yourself. You've got half an hour."
It was a death sentence, and Damian saw the realization in Jake's eyes before the newbie left for the weapons room. The other Guardians filed out in silence befitting a funeral.
"He's the only one at station who can Travel," Dusty reminded him.
"I don't give a damn. If we can't un-fuck what he did, Czerno will destroy humanity overnight." And Sofia, he added silently.
"I'll put out a recruitment requirement for a new Traveler," Dusty said and begin handing him weapons.
Damian pulled off his sweater to reveal a black T-shirt and tucked weapons into his cargo pants, boots, and pockets. They were silent, aware this would be one of the most crucial battles they'd encountered in ages.
"Is she like the Oracles in your father's court?" Dusty asked. "Does she understand how important her gift is?"
"Not yet," Damian admitted. "She's this sexy little thing with beautiful eyes. Lots of spunk and stubborn as an ox. Nice rack, killer legs. So sweet and innocent. Were we ever innocent?"