Chapter 5-2
459 Words
Nasira entered the reserve command post, DC at her side and Benito a few steps behind. Their M4 carbines were already at eye level as they walked, iron sights in line with the guards’ heads. There were only two guards, but she knew there were more further inside.
‘Weapons down, earpieces out,’ Nasira said to the guards.
The guards, ex-Fifth Column security, reacted calmly. They placed their carbines on the polished concrete floor, along with their earpieces and attached radios.
Nasira moved forward, but DC blocked her. ‘Camera,’ he warned, pointing above their heads.
The single camera was aimed toward the command post proper, concealed behind two thick walls of glass. The guards seemed just out of its range. Or so Nasira hoped.
‘Move in that direction,’ she said, indicating the space away from the camera’s range.
One guard moved as ordered, but the other did the opposite, stepping right into the camera’s field of vision.
Nasira pinned her aim on him. ‘That direction. Now!’
He halted, right in the center of frame, and smiled confidently. ‘You won’t shoot me.’
Nasira heard boots from the tunnel behind them.
‘Drop your weapons!’ someone shouted.
She looked over her shoulder. Half a dozen security. These would be ex-Special Forces.
‘Shit.’ She sidestepped, removing herself from their view.
DC did the same, stepping to the other side. The disobedient guard drew his pistol. DC fired first. The guard’s face turned crimson, then he slumped on his back.
‘What the f**k?’ Nasira said through gritted teeth. ‘I don’t want no one killed.’
The security reinforcements were closer. Too many boots.
‘That’s a double negative,’ DC said. ‘And I’d prefer you alive over that smug son of a bitch.’
* * * *
Jay stepped through first. Four guards. More than he’d expected.
‘I’m sorry sir,’ one of the guards said. ‘This is a restricted—’ He noticed Jay’s M4.
Damien was at Jay’s side, carbine already aimed. He squeezed the secondary trigger and a hot red ring shot outward. It looked like a flaming hula hoop as it hit the guard. Jay watched as all four guards were swept clean off their feet. The glass wall behind them shattered, revealing an opaque glass room and two startled, partially deafened guards.
‘What the hell was that?’ Jay yelled.
‘Sorry,’ Damien said, ‘I was just—’
Jay fired his own grenade launcher. Another flaming hula hoop rippled through the air. The opaque room crashed to the floor along with the two guards. Inside the room: Sophia, tied to a chair in a straitjacket.
‘Wow,’ Jay said as he approached her. ‘They really didn’t want you getting off that chair.’
Sophia looked unhurt but surprised. ‘You’re here. Nasira found you.’
‘Twisted our arms into coming.’ Jay grinned. ‘Still deciding whether it’s good timing or not.’
‘Listen to me,’ Sophia said. ‘This base is compromised.’
‘It’s cool,’ Jay said. ‘I’m kinda used to that now.’
- Writer
