Unexpected 1: Trojan Horse

Chapter 7: Greek Flame

Hondo, Deacon, Tan and Luca got together just outside the SWAT Mobile Command Center, where Hicks was waiting. He seemed extremely distressed, and ready to tell horrible news to the squad. He immediately took off his black glasses, and positioned himself in front of the monitor in the outside of the bus.

"Team, this is bad. Very very bad" he began, as the firefighters and the rescue units made their way unto the scene."Our air vision tells us the ceiling was badly affected by a serious of explosions. Seems something detonated inside the third floor, to the right and back side. The part of the roof that had not been reinforced has come down completely. The whole building may collapse in a matter of -"

"I would say about 30 minutes, tops!" yelled Captain Hauser, as he approached the group. He was in full gear, and his men quickly set up to the side of the building. Within a matter of seconds, they took all the hoses down and began spreading the building with large quantities of water. "Listen, the way this building was constructed, if one side collapses, the whole thing comes down." He turned to the screen at the side of the mobile center, which showed blue prints of the building. "These fools, or whoever had the brilliant idea to remodel, reinforced only two sides, front and left side, while leaving the others completely vulnerable. Add to that the amount of acid and toxic materials inside of this place-"

"-and we have a ticking time bomb!" complete Hicks. He placed his hand over his head and ran it all the way down the back of his neck, as he tried to stretch. "Hondo, the maps just shows one door and one accessible window in the entire flat. Sky images show the door is already ashes, and that area is pure hell. NO way the chopper can access the building."

"Wait, commander." Hauser said immediately  stepping in the middle of the semicircle of men, "You cannot be thinking of going in there! No! It's too dangerous. God knows how the air is and if the flames have taken over. You guys wouldn't be able to sustain neither the smoke nor the heat!" protested Hauser.

Hicks stepped in front of him, watery eyes and all "I have two officers in that inferno. We have to get 'em out!"

Hondo took a step forward, which was just between the two leaders.  He turned to the firefighter.

"Captain, they are not responding, but my gut says both are still alive. Maybe put on their masks and looking for a way out." Hondo said, as Luca put a hand in Hick's shoulder to calm him down.

"Look, I get it. But it's too dangerous. The only exits were the door to the roof, which is inaccessible and collapsed by now, and the other-", he moved closer to the monitor and tapped one part of it,"-baring it hasn't been surrounded by flames or compromised by the explosions- is the opening of the stairs."

"Yeah, but it's gonna be impossible to get through the stairs either way. One of the shooters caused an explosion near the septic tanks in the first floor, which were just beside the stairs. That area was just closed off by the bomb squad. They said no one could get any closer  because of fear of chemical poisoning."  Tan reported. He was getting desperate, looking everywhere, staring at the flames and smoke coming from the third floor.

"Hauser, we have to find a way to access that third floor.",Hicks looked at Hondo,"Hondo and Luca, study the prints, let's see if there is any way to access the third floor. Tan, Deacon, talk with the bomb squad and see if they have cleared the area for access."

"NO!" Hauser yelled, and stepped in the way of the squad, "No way I let you guys head to that burning hell. You'll just add more bodies to the lis-"Hicks stood right in front of him

"Hauser get outta the way!"

"NO!"

The two men were facing off, noses almost touching, jaws clinching, fists closed.