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We were all huddled in the op’s room listening to the radio transmissions in real time. There was a loud cheer and congratulations all around as we received confirmation that the hostages were safe.
I waited anxiously for Sergeant Hanson to report in, hoping that we hadn’t sustained any casualties on our side.
A few minutes later his voice boomed over the speakers, “Mission accomplished, all hostiles terminated.”
I spoke into the mike, “Casualty report, Sergeant.”
He responded, saying that he had sustained a minor facial wound, the only injury to our team. He went on to report that all the hostages were alive and well, except for the Captain of the vessel, who had sustained a bad gunshot wound to his right leg.
I ordered him to proceed at full speed in a southeasterly direction un
