“Surrender immediately, or you’ll be shot.”

“We will push a hostage off the cliff, and another one every hour, until you accept our fair and just demands! Be reasonable or your children will die!” He slid his hand into his pocket and clenched the cold grenade.

“You must attack!” Masada followed Colonel Ness back to the chopper, which served as command center. “What are you waiting for?”

He got in, bowing his head to avoid the bar over the door. “Too risky. The kids-”

“They’re fifteen!” Masada jumped in after him. “They know the drill. They’ll lie down as soon as shooting starts. We have to attack!”

“That’s my Masada.” He touched her cheek. “Always on fire.”

The palm of his hand was the softest part of him. She grabbed his wrist but didn’t push away his hand. “Give the order. Don’t wait.”

“Trust me. Your brother will be fine.” Ness squeezed into the copilot seat and put on a headpiece. “Get me Central Command.”

The pilot fiddled with the radio knobs. Ness shut the cockpit partition.

Masada rolled up the steel cables. She knew Ness wasn’t afraid to fight. It wasn’t luck that had made him the youngest colonel in the Israeli army. But Srulie was in there-a hostage! Why hadn’t he stayed in the kibbutz to study as he had promised? Fear made her shiver. I can’t lose him! I can’t!

Ten minutes passed.

Another ten.

Intermittent, muffled voices came from the cockpit.

3:40 a.m.

Masada knocked on the cockpit partition. No response. What was he waiting for? Israel’s official policy was clear: No bargaining with terrorists! No releasing of murderers! Nothing but rescue at any cost!