Unexpected 1: Trojan Horse

Chapter 8: Shakespearean Tragedy

"Hey Hondo! Do you think this plan will work? What if they..." Tan didn't have the heart to finish that question. He lowered his head.

"C'mon, now! They're fighters", barked Hondo, as Luca, Deacon, Rocker, and many of the other SWAT officers moved in, surrounding them, including Hicks. "Both of them. Street and Chris...I feel - no! I know!- I know they haven't given up. They're smart. Captain Hauser knows much more about this stuff than we do. His team deals with these extreme conditions all the time. They are trained for this." he noticed all the eyes placed on him, and he knew in that moment he had to step up. He took a step back and looked at everyone with fierce determination in his eyes, "Guys, we have to fight negative thoughts from our minds. I know we're scared. Those two, they mean the world to us. They're our teammates, our friends. They need us, now more than ever. We have to work together, provide all the support we can to Captain Hauser and his men. Right now, our friends' lives depend on them, and it's our job to help in any way. I don't give a damn if it means holding a damn rope or wiping off the sweat off their faces, I'm doing everything in my power to help get Street and Chris outta that fire alive. I'm not giving up on them. Are you?"

The entire group shook their heads in unison. "Well, then, let's MOVE!" called Hondo.

Hicks tugged his shirt and pulled him aside. "Hondo", he lowered his face and Hondo could see his eyes getting watery, as he shook his head, "This is my fault. I gave both of them orders to return and provide backup for you and the others." Hondo stopped at his tracks, and turn to face his commander

"Commander, why? I thought they were in the third floor because they hadn't had time to get on the chopper!"

"No. Damn!" Hicks looked everywhere, making sure no one was close, "They called out when they captured two of the suspects. The assistant of the mayor was right by my side and I kinda panicked. Street said they apprehended two suspects, and rescued three hostages, and that they were heading to the chopper. Instead of continuing with the mission, I thought they could help to end the massive fight in the first floor so I gave them orders to retrieve. Send the hostages and suspects with the two LAPD officers, and head back down for backup. I am so sorry. It's my fault they're trapped in that hell hole!" His eyes became more and more red as he talked, slower and slower. He gave out a long, slow sigh.

"Commander?" Hondo put his hand in the man's shoulder, "you couldn't have known. You called it as you saw it. Don't worry, Hauser and his men will do everything in their power to get em back safely. We'll get em!"

"If they die, I-"

"They wont! We got this!" Hondo stopped him, frowned with a serious and mad face, and clinched his jaw. No way was he letting Chris and Street die. No way he was gonna lose another officer under his command. Erika was more than enough. He was gonna get these kids out of that fire, one way or the other!

~~third floor, five minutes before~~

Another 12 inches of ceiling rumble has fallen, in the last 10 minutes. This thing was really gonna crumble to the ground. The air had become thicker, darker and deadly hot. Chris found herself sweating profusely, having to wipe her face continuously, to evade drops invading her eyes. It had become difficult to keep the mask on. However, nothing -absolutely, nothing!- could detour her thoughts. She was in trouble, and so was Street!

He was dying. Right there in her arms. His eyes were shut, his skin burned, his neck soaked with blood, face destroyed...it was just an ugly painting that not even Picasso could complete. Street. Jim. James. James Street.

The name just wont go away, in her mind forever. Wont be erased. Forever and ever. The name of that special someone who never got the chance to hear what she had to say. To learn about her true feelings. Never had a chance to plan out their future. The one who dedicated a farewell letter to her. That stationery tucked away in his locker back in HQ, with her name written on the envelope. What could he have written? Nobody would know. Not even her....and she wasn't about to find out! No. Please, no.