* * *
“We need to stay together,” Nat commanded quietly, as he took in the news that they had no radio contact. He gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw briefly. He knew he could rely on his three companions, after all, he had seen all of them in action – particularly Rob. However, none had received special forces training and this environment was particularly hostile.
“Cezar, could you ask the injured man to cover the stairs and warn us if the two try to escape that way. He’s got his back to a wall, so is safe from that perspective. I will cover you,” Nat asked in a whisper. The general hum from the various items of equipment, plus the sound of the pressurised water gushing from the damaged pipes more than covered his voice.
“Right,” Nat continued a few moments later once Cezar had returned. “We’ll move in pairs, Laura with me. We take the right hand side of the space, Rob, Cezar – you take the left. We move forward together. Objective, find and shut off the power source for the connections. Killing the hostiles is secondary.”
Following a quick check that their radios worked for where they were, Nat looked at each to obtain their consenting nods. The four shuffled into position, readying themselves before a dash to the next place of cover. While Cezar and Rob cowered behind a fuel tank for a generator, Nat and Laura found themselves behind a large cabinet, gently humming and vibrating from the power running through it.
The stillness persisted. Nat nodded to Cezar and both lay on the floor before peeking out, assault rifles nudged out in front. Bullets suddenly spat up concrete chips into Cezar’s face and he jerked back. “Damn, that was close!”
“You okay?” Nat asked.
“Yes.”
“How many?”
“Just the one. Should assume the other is on your side.”
“Where’s Rob? I can’t see him.”
“I’m just a couple of metres from the shooter; I was able to move while he was shooting at you. If he moves again, I’ve got him.”
“I thought I said we should stay together!” Nat growled, easily controlling his frustration at the success of Rob’s initiative – this could give them the upper hand. “What else can you see?”
“”Well, you are behind what appears to be a transformer, but it’s not what we are looking for – there’s another further along with a rag-tag of cables dangling from it. That has got to be our objective. It’s on your side.”
“So, if we…”
A spray of bullets towards their positions cut Nat off mid-sentence. Lights flickered and sparks flew as the transformer in front of Nat and Laura burst into flame. Cezar returned fire as Nat and Laura scampered for new cover, moving back from danger but away from their objective.
Having revealed his position covering Laura and Nat, Cezar came under intense fire from the man close to Rob, who took his chance. Rob slipped round the back to approach his target. As he did so, he saw the other hostile, who also saw him!
Damn! Move! Rob urged himself as the man twisted to target Rob. Bullets splattered into the concrete floor, off pipes and nearby cabinets as the man found his aim. Rob’s target spun round, aware of movement and his companion’s sudden change of focus.
Rob felt the bullets from both hostiles as he flung himself at his immediate nemesis and out of line-of-sight of the other shooter. “Arrrh!”
* * *
Laura, Nat and Cezar took their opportunity: Rob’s actions had distracted both shooters and they moved forward. But all too quickly one shooter turned his attention back to them since Rob had disappeared from his sights. He was confident; he knew Rob had been hit and that all four of his opponents were dressed as though civilians – civilians with guns, so a hindrance, but one that could easily be dealt with!
“I took your friend down and my colleague is finishing the job!” the shooter yelled. “Throw down your weapons and we’ll let you live. We’ll tie you up and leave you for the authorities to find while we disappear.”
Once Cezar had translated, Laura and Nat looked at each other, horrified. They hadn’t heard anything from Rob, but was that because of the general high-level of background noise, or truly because Rob was dead?!
“Rob?” Nat queried through their helmet radios. “Rob?” he repeated a few seconds later.
Nat clenched his teeth, working his jaw muscles for a couple of seconds as he took the silence in and noticed Laura’s now pale complexion. He knew the feelings Laura and Rob shared for each other and could only imagine what emotional turmoil she would be going through from the panicked look in her eyes. Damn! I can’t rely on her in this state! It’s down to Cezar and myself!
“Laura, I need you to cover our backs and make sure those guys do not get passed us and leave,” Nat ordered, taking charge. “Cezar, cover me as I make the first move. I’m going forward and will then cover you.”
Nat shouldered his assault rifle, withdrew his handgun, crouched down and looked up judging the distance. I hope this holds! he thought as he said “Now!”
Cezar opened fire sending a rapid burst of bullets towards where the shooter was hiding. The man dodged backwards for protection.
Immediately the gunfire started, Nat leaped, left hand outstretched above him, his right arm stretched out to his right. With his left hand, Nat grasped an overhead pipe that glistened with condensation. As hoped for, his hand slipped comfortably on the condensation allowing a smooth swing towards the generator housing opposite. With the added height, his eyes locked on to those of the shooter, surprised by Nat’s move.
The shooter’s surprised hesitation gave Nat the valuable second he needed. He squeezed off two shots as he swung, sending the man stumbling backwards for cover and Nat landed easily atop the generator.
Bullets suddenly pinged off the generator’s metal casing as the shooter recovered his balance. Nat rolled and lay flat out of sight, but had seen enough; “Have seen Rob. He’s fighting the other shooter.”
“Can you help him?” Laura implored, her concern for Rob’s safety clear.
“No. He’s a lot further forward than I expected, and I won’t get a clear shot.”
“Do we make a move?” Cezar queried, realising that Rob’s continued involvement could change Nat’s plans.
“No. Hold position while I reassess the situation.”
* * *
When Rob had leaped at the shooter nearest him, the other man had turned and started shooting. Rob’s forward momentum kept him moving despite feeling the tugs of bullets slamming into his left leg. But he didn’t even have time to wince at the pain, let alone to think about how badly he was wounded – the man he was facing had also started shooting!
Rob was still beyond arm’s reach and he could see the shooter’s cold, angry eyes within his close-cropped beard and haircut. Should have used my gun! Rob realised as bursts of fire and smoke spurted from the barrel of the man’s handgun, which had been hastily picked-up at Rob’s approach. Fortunately, he had been struggling to fit a new magazine into his jammed machine gun.
“Ooph!” Rob exhaled deeply as another bullet hit him square in the middle of his belly and another his left side, sending him spinning against a steel column that stopped him falling. As the shooter readjusted his aim to finish Rob, Rob thrust forward with his right leg, closing the gap on the man, just as a bullet slammed against the side of his helmet.
Swatting the man’s gun hand to one side, Rob barely had time to register that he had landed on his left foot and still felt strength there.
