|
|
|
|
Fifth story in the Anatomy of a Field Operation Series
“Go!”
The word is given and we all move forward perfectly in tune. Josiah's voice booming out our presence to the sleazebags we've come to stop. Issuing commands that most of them don't follow.
We follow commands though. We move in on them like one of Ezra's fancy ballets. We each know exactly where the other one is, watching out for each other, covering each other's backs.
I can feel the adrenaline rush hitting my system. It seems I can move faster, respond quicker. My brain is taking it all in, categorizing everything, leaping ahead and keeping track all at once. The gunrunners seem to be moving in slow motion while we're all at mach speed. They're out of their league. Team Seven at its best, as it is tonight is an unstoppable force. I still can't believe sometimes that I'm actually part of this Team. That I was offered this one in a lifetime chance. And that they accepted me, a green kid with no field experience. Took me under their wings and made me part of them. I won't fail them.
Buck cuffs one he's thrown to the floor. A crack and flash from above takes out the man trying to charge him from behind. Vin above us all, like a guardian angel on high watching over all of us.
I fire again and watch a body fall that was moving towards Ezra. He turns to nod at me and give that funny two-fingered salute of his. Chris has a couple of them standing back to back flinching at his snarls as he cuffs them together. There's a cut-off yelp from the direction of Ezra and I head over that way to be sure everything's all right. I run into a few more and get sidetracked making sure they're secure.
Looking around, I see another one trying to make it out an open window. He's stuck halfway through and I can't help but laugh. It's really easy to just cuff his ankle to a nearby pipe and leave him half in and half out. Maybe I'll get a few points for that one and next time someone will bet on me. It would be really cool to have the guys think of me that way. On the other hand, I know what I do best, the technical stuff. Josiah always says to stick to what you know best. So, maybe I should give any points for that one to Buck.
I look around in the dimness of the big building for my roomie. If I can catch him before the others see, he can count this guy as his. He's not in sight and I move off in the direction I last saw him.
“Behind you, Buck!” I yell. I found him just in time to see a couple of those guys sneaking up on him. He was busy cuffing another one. Well, those two won't be doing any more sneaking any time soon. Buck and I took care of them. I move forward, my gun at the ready, to check on them and secure them if necessary.
When I finish with them things are quieting down. Most of the scum of the earth are either cuffed or rolling around moaning in pain. Some are lying real still. Just a little longer and we'll have it all wrapped up, all the criminal types disposed of, one way or another and we'll all pile back into the van. Happy over our success at shutting down another large operation, with a little sadness mixed in at the waste of lives and already discussing which group will fill the void we've just created. It's the nature of the beast we battle, Josiah says. Take out one part and another piece of slime will just ooze in to take its place.
There's a single loud crack. I know that sound and whirl to check on each of the others. Oh God! In what seems-to-take-forever slow motion a body is falling, shock and pain on the familiar face.
Continues in Part 6. Hands
Feedback is welcomed at Oracle7777777@hotmail.com