“Two men down, sir,” came the reply. “Am having to retreat, cannot see for steam and bursts of hot water from punctured pipes. The way has become impassable.”
“Can you get to the junction box and disable it?” Farcas demanded.
“No sir. I am too far back and around a corner. The only way to take it out would be with a grenade.”
“No! That will do their job for them!”
* * *
Only the General remained impassive at the news. For everyone else in the command centre, shoulders slumped and heads fell into despairing hands with elbows lodged on desks. The General could relate to Farcas’ frustration and sinking feeling at that moment – two men down, close by, but no way in knowing precisely where amidst the maze of tunnels, twists, turns and stairs. How could two special forces professionals be taken by surprise by a couple of amateurs?! He had been confident in their ability, confident to send them off in small groups. This had become a true test of their training!
* * *
“Okay, soldier. Hold position. If the situation changes, move forward, take out the junction box and check on your colleagues. Everyone else, move!”
With renewed determination, all soldiers knew what to do and continued their search, acutely aware that their enemy was clearly skilled. Rob, Laura, Nat, Cezar and a couple of soldiers were soon the only group remaining in the main passage. When they came to a set of stairs leading downwards they all looked at Cezar for guidance as to what they should do.
“We stay together,” Cezar started. “The Lieutenant wanted us to remain in this passage so we have an easy exit route if we need one.”
“I agree we stay together,” Nat answered. “However, I have a hunch that whatever is going on is down below. We’ve seen plenty of pipes running vertically from somewhere beneath our feet up to the hall. There’s also a lot of vertical channels cut into the walls, all recently filled in with mortar. Those could easily hide the cables that have been referred to, or even explosives.”
While Cezar hesitated, one of the soldiers with them joined the conversation in broken English. “Me yes. Go down, me think.” The other nodded his support.
Cezar hesitated a few more moments, clearly torn between holding to orders and following a logical line of investigation.
“Yes?” queried the soldier.
Cezar nodded and looked at the two soldiers. “You lead.”
In a semi-crouch, weapons at the ready, they started down what became a long set of metal steps that turned back on themselves halfway down. As they approached the bottom, they could see what appeared to be an enormous plant room with large boilers, pumps, industrial batteries, generators and tanks for fuel and other liquids. Shots suddenly rang out and bullets pinged off the hot and cold water pipes about their heads. As pipes burst, jets of highly pressurised hot and cold water sprayed across the steps and steam filled the air.
The second soldier was hit by a stream of hot water and instinctively recoiled. As he did, he slipped, falling on to his colleague in front and the two of them tumbled down the remaining steps. As they fell, one dropped his assault rifle with a clatter on to a step close to Nat.
While Laura, Rob and Cezar returned fire, Nat stooped to collect the assault rifle, bounded down the rest of the steps through the spouts of water and steam. At the bottom, he rolled behind a generator where he opened fire to cover the descent for the rest of the group.
Cezar quickly checked on his colleagues, finding one dead from bullet wounds and the other incapacitated with a broken leg. Cezar helped the injured man to a semi-protected spot beneath the steps. Having agreed to leave the man with only his handgun, Cezar returned to Nat, Laura and Rob with the assault rifle. “How many did you see?” he asked.
“Definitely two,” Nat replied quietly, without taking his eyes from where he had last seen the hostiles.
The four moved positions and gathered together behind another of the silent generators where they had the clearest view.
“I presume this will be where they need to bring all of the connections together,” Cezar suggested.
“Agreed,” Nat replied. “The key questions are where, whether they have succeeded and whether their planned exit is up the stairs behind us, or if there is another route? If it’s the stairs, then we still have a chance.”
“I’ll have the head of security interrogated again,” Cezar said, picking up his radio. “Damn! No reception.”
* * *
When her phone rang late that evening, Nikki was on her laptop completing her latest report for Arroz to send on to Kamal. Looking at the display her heart suddenly beat faster; she always loved to hear his voice, but why was he calling her now, off-schedule?
“Emilio! Hi!” her elated tone evident.
“Evening, Nikki. How are things?”
Emilio tried to sound casual, but Nikki knew instinctively that something was up, but knew better than to ask. “I’m just about to send you my latest customer report. Deliveries are still being made, and our reports are that the goods are being moved on rapidly without a hitch.” Nikki continued to speak in code, just in case. “Within a couple of days we will have more than sufficient at each location for the overall objective and start continuous operations. With the customer’s approval, I suggest the mixing starts tomorrow. Given the schedule of deliveries, there is no risk of disruption to mixing.”
“Good, good,” came the reply, almost absentmindedly. “That may placate him slightly. You should proceed in that case. When would the end product go on sale if the mixing starts as you suggest?”
“Oh. If the mixing starts tomorrow, the distributors will be able to dispatch the product late the following day with sales starting immediately upon arrival.”
“Excellent. Unstoppable.”
The line went silent for a few intolerable seconds until Nikki could stand it no longer. “Emilio, there’s something on your mind. Almost as though the customer is not, or will not be happy about something.”
Emilio’s quiet breathing was all that Nikki could hear, but she daren’t say anything more. She ran nervous fingers through her hair and then started biting her nails. What’s happened?! This is not like Emilio!
Silent seconds continued to tick by before Arroz sighed deeply. “We have a production issue. The last ever merchandise left a few hours ago.”
Nikki knew that she couldn’t enquire further on the open line, but was desperate to know what had happened and why. If I hear the reason on mainstream news, there’s a serious problem! Another one! she realised with an unnerving gut-wrenching expectation. Somehow, she knew she wouldn’t sleep that night. But if the production facility has closed down, where’s Emilio?! “I’m sure the sales will be fine, though, darling. Where are you? Have you gone home?”
“Not yet. I’m heading home shortly and will be there for a few days.”
Ah, it’s really not good news then, Nikki realised, wishing she could go with him, but knowing full well that she still had duties to deliver.
“Consequently, I may be out of contact at times while I travel, but will watch out for your report. Delivering this will be much appreciated,” Arroz concluded before cutting the connection.
Nikki sat quietly in her room for a few minutes having sent the report, pondering the conversation before getting ready for bed.
