John O'Brien - Taken

“What are…” Those are the only words one of the guards gets out as the thin light of her laser centers on his chest and her finger twitches; once, twice.

The two loud coughs of her carbine charges the room with energy. Two similar sounds erupt next to her right shoulder. The first guard is thrown backward into the chalkboard with a loud crash. Her bullets fly true, impacting in close succession on his chest. They rip past the rib cage and through the soft lung tissue before exiting the back and hitting the blackboard with two thudding collisions. Two blood spots flower on his chest as he hits the board and falls. He hits his chair off center and collapses sideways sending it scooting into the desk.

The second guard is hit in near identical locations and hits the chalkboard sending an eraser and several sticks of chalk flying. He too falls over his chair and to the floor with a thump. This scene is repeated in five other rooms. It’s all over quickly. There is no sound from the other classrooms. The sound of her suppressed gunfire covered any others. That’s a good thing , she thinks knowing that means they struck simultaneously.

Heads look up from the cots with her entrance, the guard’s attempted question, and the sound of their gunfire, quiet as it was.

“Everybody stay down and be quiet. We’re here to help,” Lynn says addressing the group as she directs her team member to assure the bodies are down for good. Lynn checks in with the other teams and they report the rooms are clear. Phase two is off to a good start.

One guard is apparently still in this world as she hears a gurgling emitting from behind the desk. It’s dark to the others in the room. The only sense they have available is the sound of her voice. There is a whimper from the far side of the room.

“It’s very important everyone stay quiet,” she says. “We’re here to get you out but we need your help.” Another shot rings out and the gurgling stops. Squeals erupt with the gunshot.

“Be quiet!” A voice commands from the darkened room.

“Gonzalez?” Lynn asks in a questioning voice and then locates her sitting on her cot.

“First Sergeant,” Gonzalez answers rising. The sound of one of their own talking to the invading strangers quiets the room.

Lynn walks over, shakes Gonzalez’ hand, and then pulls her into a quick embrace.

“Where are Bri and Michelle?” Lynn asks.

“I’m not sure. We were separated after dinner,” Gonzalez answers. Lynn gives a very quick synopsis of the situation and plan.

“Greg, start rounding up our guests. Black Team, fall back to the hall,” Lynn says into the radio.

She directs four of her team to the far end to cover the entrance and keep an eye out to see if they’ve drawn any attention to themselves. She keeps her partner with her to be able to support either team. Echo team members enter the hall and begin escorting the women out.

“Jack, we’re secure and bringing you company,” she calls.

“Roger that. Bring ‘em out. The outside looks clear,” Jack responds.

The hall fills with the shuffling of feet and murmurs of quiet conversation. Lynn breathes a sigh of relief. It’s not over by a long shot but they have the captives, are safe for now, and are on plan.

I step out into the dark night letting the door close silently behind me and crouch by the corner of the gym looking over to the office. I’m the eyes outside and I send prayers and good thoughts to those in the classroom building. I put a special wrap of protection around Bri. If anything goes wrong, she could be in the direct line of fire. I just don’t see any other way to get the kids free. I know the teams will do their best but once the first round leaves the chamber, all plans fall to the floor and variables are introduced.

I hear Lynn give the command on the radio. Seconds later, a series of quick strobes flash from the nearest classroom windows. It’s a rapid series, almost non-existent, and all falls dark once again. I check the office to see if the lights have drawn any attention. The same dull glow emits from the windows with no movement. I hear Lynn check in with the teams. It’s done. They have the rooms under control.

“Jack, we’re secure and bringing you company,” Lynn calls.

“Roger that. Bring ‘em out. The outside looks clear,” I respond.

I see the entrance doors open slowly. Two members of Echo exit and dart across the pavement to take stations near the edge of the trees. They will guide the captives to the pool door. The stars above provide a little light but the absence of the moon makes for a darker night. Two others exit and head to opposite corners of the building while Greg and the remaining Echo Team member crouch at the entrance door itself. Faces appear at the open doors. Greg gestures and a small group runs across the street to the trees and is guided to the door.

I tell each group to wait in the pool area as they pass by. I see Bri run in with one of the groups. I rise and meet her as she approaches, giving her one mighty hug. My heart soars at the sight of her. A tear of joy wells up in my eye and I feel the tension of worry evaporate. My kids are okay.

“I’m so glad to see you,” I say into her ear continuing to hold her close.

“Glad to see you too, Dad,” she replies.

I want to continue hugging her but time isn’t stopping for me. I release her and usher her inside. Michelle stands close by and I give her a nod, thankful she is safe as well. Julie stands in the background waiting for Bri. I can tell she’s a little confused. After all, I’m not her most favorite person in the world but the teams and I did just bring her out of the classrooms. Perhaps she doesn’t know what her position is with regards to the kids in this new world. I don’t know. She ends up giving me a tight-lipped look and turns with Bri toward the pool. I give Gonzalez a pat on the shoulder as she passes. The last of the groups cross the road and are followed by Echo Team. I tell Greg to have his team drop the claymores they are carrying by the door and escort the others into the main gym. He disappears and the door shuts.

“McCafferty, they’re on their way in and we’re up. Meet me outside of the pool,” I whisper.

“On my way, sir,” she replies.

“Lynn, they’re in. Head back and meet me at the pool door,” I say.

“Copy that, Jack. We’re on our way,” she responds. McCafferty arrives at about the same time as Black Team.

I have Lynn and her team help carry the claymores to where the guards have established their barracks. We creep through the silent building where the women were housed. The faint smell of gunpowder lingers from each open classroom door; a reminder of the quick assault. Wait about thirty-five minutes and there’ll be a lot more of that smell , I think passing the last open door.

We check the area before exiting the building and proceed quietly up to the doors of the barracks. I have Black Team leave the claymores and head back to the gym to help out Greg.

“Get everyone ready to start taking out the tower guards. Wait until you hear the first of the claymores go off and then start. McCafferty and I will wait here and clean up any leftovers,” I tell Lynn.

“Will do, Jack,” Lynn says giving me a quick kiss with her fingertips. Yeah, it’s awfully hard to kiss with NVG’s on. Black Team backtracks and disappears into the building we just traversed.

Crouching by the doors, with McCafferty keeping an eye out down a hall very similar to the one we just came through, I pull out the fuse pencils and line the claymores up. Taking a pair of pliers, I crimp each of the fuses and then place them in the fuse wells. I am crimping all of them quickly as the desired result is to have the claymores all go off at once. Any time delay between crimping them will result in that much time difference between the mines going off. It wouldn’t do to have the first one go off and the others explode into empty rooms. Kind of defeats the purpose.