The helicopter banked hard to the right, its nose swinging back toward the island.
Rotor wash intensified as the pilot pushed forward, dropping altitude while maintaining speed. The buildings ahead grew larger in the open door, rooftops sliding into view one after another as they closed the distance.
"Eagle adjusting course," the pilot said. "One klick out from flare origin."
Ryan shifted slightly against the straps, angling his head to keep the direction in sight.
The crew chief leaned out, one hand gripping the frame.
"Keep it low," he said. "We don't know what's down there."
The gunner swung his weapon toward the approach, scanning across rooftops and alleyways, tracking for any movement that didn't match.
"Scanning," he said. "No immediate contacts."
Inside the command center, Adrian stood closer to the screen now, eyes locked on the drone feed as it tracked ahead of the helicopter.
