TIFFIN 3

59

We were able to have a small reprieve with all the men.

Captain Willard ran them through protocol and necessary precautions, though it only lasted ten minutes.

After many hugs and reprimands about being safe, the entire squad headed out, minus a few guards.

Give or take an hour or so, we spent  sitting on our asses and thankfully didn't have to memorize any buttons.

The guard that had been assigned the duty to watch over us wasn't very enthusiastic and grumpily explained what monitors to keep watch for. 

We were then assigned several pairs of headsets and wires, making a whole new fear explode through me.

There weren't any knobs or buttons I needed to fret with, but I couldn't help but worry there was something I'd mess up eventually.

Maybe there was a secret phrase or signal I was supposed to use.

A few times our guard asked me if I was feeling ill because I had turned a shade of green.

I refuted his worries, knowing I could stomach this down. I needed to do this for Kylie. I needed to do this for my child...

Yes. When we finally put away the son of a bitch, my child wouldn't need to worry. 

Before I was prepared, a voice crackled over my headset:

"We've made it to the warehouse. Fucker had reinforcements around the entire property. The damn idiot didn't cover it all though. Get ready for shit to hit the fan."

Our guard pressed his buds closer to his ear, growling. 

"Sure thing, captain. I'm turning everything on now."

With a flew clicks (which turned out to be red switches on the computers' activation station), the monitors switched on, creating a faint glow. 

There were a few that displayed activity on the outside of the warehouse. It wasn't a fabulous space by any stretch. It was an empty wasteland, offering nothing but gravel and dead grass.

I saw that our team had ditched their vehicles that served better as tanks a good ways down the private trail and headed towards the property by foot. 

Hidden among the growth of trees and flanked by a few guards stood our men, standing at attention. They seemed nervous but I knew deep in my heart they could handle this. 

Marching into the brave was none other than Captain Willard flanked by an enormous team. They moved with stealth that was unimaginable. Much better than I'd seen displayed on television shows.

My eyes moved desperately across all monitors unsure of what to do. I nearly jumped in my skin when I saw- heard- them kick in the warehouses door. 

They still moved with stealth though anyone inside would be aware of the invasion.

Multiple things happened at once, causing my breathing to become labored and it wasn't due to pregnancy pains.

As I saw Willard and his guards moving down a darkened hall, I also a small figure covered in dirt and soot, that I was sure was Kylie, tied to a pipe, and a few people hurrying around in some part of the warehouse, flitting through filing cabinets.

I wasn't sure if it was the right move, but I screamed to the captain at the top of my lungs:

"I- I see her! Kylie!"

Despite my rash behavior, Willard's voice remained steady. 

"Alright, Mrs. Tiffin. Can you tell me which monitor she's on?"

I began hyperventilating. 

"I don't know... I-"

"Take a deep breath. You're all right. Each of the monitors have stickers with numbers on them."

Looking at Kylie's monitor, I saw the sticker clear as day. 

"Okay," I huffed out, "It says F67."

I didn't recieve a response, but the result was immediate. Kylie began screaming in relief when a group of guards busted into her prison. 

The monitor showing the people searching the filing cabinets displayed everyone throwing their hands up in surrender. 

Then, on a monitor I hadn't noticed until now showed an unfamiliar man and a face I couldn't forget even if I tried- 

Diedre. 

Then, in a giant cloud of smoke, the screen went offline, turning black. 

What the?

"Um... captain Willard?" I asked timidly. 

No answer. 

"Sir?" Our guard asked, tapping his headset.

Only a faint crackling ensued. 

"What's happened?" I demanded. 

The guard gulped. 

"We may have lost some men." 

Fuck.