Chapter 2 THE BETRAYAL

Jack's instincts screamed warning. He turned to see Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins and Sergeant Reed aiming their rifles at him.

"Jack, you're a liability," Jenkins spat.

The world slowed. Jack realized he'd been set up. "Traitors!" Jack shouted, returning fire.

The ambush became a blur. Jack fought for survival, taking down Jenkins' men one by one.

As the dust settled, Jack stumbled away, wounded and betrayed. His name would soon be tarnished and his family would be in danger. Jack stumbled through the desert with his vision blurring. Bullets whizzed past but he kept moving to save himself.

"Jack, you're clear!" a voice shouted. He recognized Lieutenant Tom Harris' voice.

"Tom!" Jack yelled, changing direction.

Tom pulled Jack into a nearby cave.

"Jenkins sold us out," Jack spat with rage burning inside him.

Tom nodded grimly. "I saw it, Jack. I'm sorry."

Jack assessed his injuries: shrapnel in his side, grazing wound on his arm.

"We need to get out," Jack said. Tom handed Jack a sat phone.

"Call Command?" Jack asked. Tom shook his head. "Who then?", he inquired. "Alex," Tom replied. Jack's brother, Alex O'Brian, former CIA operative.

"Get me Alex," Jack ordered. Tom dialed.

"Alex, it's Jack," Jack said, wincing in pain.

"Brother! What's happening?" Alex asked.

"Jenkins betrayed us," Jack replied.

Alex's tone turned cold. "I'll handle it." The line went dead. Jack looked at Tom and asked "What now?"

Tom's expression was resolute. "We will clear your name, Jack" he said.