The Descending Count From Five

37.

Nothing is standard when so many unknown variables exist. The unknowns of who, how many and where limit standard operating procedures like a flash flood might create chaos in an otherwise sleepy village. Davis, Calahan, Neumann and Bromden are outside the compound that advertises itself as Prince Auto Parts, the location acquired through interrogation.

The building is of sprawling suburban utilitarian design, concrete, steel and asphalt. Two stories, retail below and residential above. Flanking both sides are giant parking, storage and demolition lots protected by dogs, locked heavy gates and razor wire. The lower level of the complex remains brightly lit despite being closed for business. There is a neon sign in the window advising and then asking that "Speed Costs Money - How Fast Do You Want to Go?" The second-story residential unit is also alive with light and appears to be capable of housing a large family, maybe four bedrooms. An industrial radio antenna rises from the parking area as if put there by NASA.

After a perimeter sweep, where a rear gate looks to be the weak point in the fencing, Davis directs the operation. Bromden reports rear stairs leading to the apartment with at least six people inside. He cautions that from the distance the intel was gathered via heat signatures there could be as many as eight, or yet another 2:1 bad guy to good guy ratio. Davis pairs the teams, announcing that their heavy duty bolt cutters, tranquilizer darts and the element of surprise will all play parts in the raid. He finishes the brief by saying that they will go in five. Neumann and Bromden going in from the rear once a demo charge blows the front door creating both a diversion and an entry point for himself and Calahan. Lastly he reminds them of the orders to take one of the hostiles for questioning.

They separate as Davis updates operational status on his com.

Calahan has already prepped the C5 explosives and hands Davis two additional clips for his AR. Davis checks his watch giving Bravo Unit time to get established, take the dogs, cut the gate lock and get to the rear stairs. Neumann reports they are in position and ready.

"Go." Davis says with urgency. He and Calahan trot across the street to the front door, pack the play-dough like charge to the aluminum door jam and wait.

"Dogs down, gate open," comes the call.

Davis signals five fingers to Calahan and they both leave the portico enclave to take cover. The explosion sounds like a hundred pounds of TNT in the still night. It is immediately followed by the shrill cry of the store's alarm system and the shower of water from its fire sprinklers. Davis and Calahan enter looking immediately for the stairs leading upstairs. Upon hearing the blast Neumann and Bromden climb the stairs two at a time and kick open the rear door.

People panic in chaos. People packing firearms shoot. The offense almost always has a tactical advantage in situations where they have created chaos as those on defense start shooting at anything moving.

Neumann and Bromden are met with a flurry of fire at the back door. It is cover for almost as soon as it starts it ends. Shouts of get downstairs, grab the kids and call for help echo in the panic of the moment. A door is flung open from above betraying its location to Davis and Calahan. They pick off the descending hostiles with deadly accuracy and move up the stairs and into the house. Two more fall to their skillfully motivated rush. From the rear Neumann and Bromden are now herding three people and two children, all with their hands on their heads towards the front of the house. Two hostiles, reading the situation, place their weapons on the floor at their feet, kneel and cross their arms above their heads.

Davis moves them all into the living area and starts the process as Calahan provides them with plastic bracelets and separates the adults from the kids, a boy and a girl of about four and six. They need answers quick. He makes an assessment and decides to push one appearing to be willing to talk. He is met with a barrage of vulgarities, indicating to Davis that this might get ugly. Davis asks again for information on who they are, what they are doing and who they work for. As he is asking the preliminary questions he notices the unspoken chain of command at work. The one being interrogated is looking at the older of them for instructions, a sign that Davis interrupts to mean he is the leader. Davis moves for check-mate, sending a nine-mil through and through into and out of the younger mans shoulder. The kids scream. Davis then moves in front of the man he suspects to be Prince and asks if whatever cause he is fighting for is worth dying for. The man answers without  thinking, yes.

Davis points to Calahan and then to the small girl, and prays that Prince will reconsider. Calahan stands over the girl with his sidearm drawn and ready.

He gives Prince to the descending count from five.