Unexpected 6: Street's #1 Fan

Chapter 21: All for one

The men shook their heads in disappointment as Chris hung her head off her shoulders and turned towards the door. She made up her mind...it's done. Deacon and Luca looked at each other in disbelief. Both men followed her as she made her way to the doors. She really meant it. There was no going back!

She gabbed one of the door handles and pulled it, when...

"Officer?" she heard the chief call.

She froze. Was she not clear enough for him? She quit! It's done. But...he was still her boss, so etiquette and his ranking required her to halt and turned her body around to face him.

He had approached her and now stood just a couple of feet away, both hands in his pockets.

"You said the officer is lost somewhere?"

"Yes, chief. Last known location was in the middle of Riverside Forest & Reserve, 35 miles from downtown LA." she answered slowly, unable to look a the man in the eye. She knew anyone would hate her for her decision.... question her sanity! She looked elsewhere, except his eyes.

"And you said SWAT is incomplete?"

"Yes, chief. Our team leader and another teammate are still in the hospital. We have seven officers out for several reasons." she said looking down

"And there is no lead as to his disappearance?"

"The car that he was in was found with our teammate injured, but no sign of him. Patrol officers canvassed the area but found no traces of him. No real leads so far. Two of our teammates are interviewing the injured officer that was with him, and the investigation on a suspicious number led to nothing. Sir."

He took a deep breath. Chief took his left hand out of his pockets and rubbed his chin as he paced. He seemed pondering on something. She slowly raised her gaze, as she was surprised at the chief's demeanor.

"Officer Alonso, do you mind stepping outside?" he said raising his gaze at her, then he turned around to face his men, "Lieutenant, could you take the members of the board upstairs?"

"Yes, chief!" exclaimed the man on his right

Deacon and Luca were confused...and frozen. They didn't know what was going on!

When all parties excused themselves, the chief turned towards the veteran SWAT officers.

"Gentlemen?" he called, "Get me on the phone with Commander Hicks!"

---

"Ohhhh" finally! he could hear his voice. He swallowed and was delighted when he felt the liquid going down his trachea. He breathed in and was able to feel his lungs inhale and exhale. He tried wiggling his fingers, and finally he had sensation! His legs also said present. Finally, he was snapping back to reality!

Unfortunately, his excitement pretty much went out the window when he opened his eyes and began inspecting his surroundings. He panicked when he noticed the two IVs in his left arm, and the bunch of cables stuck on his bare chest. Where was his vest? His uniform? His undershirt?

He realized his legs were spread apart and tied to the bed. A bunch of tubes had been placed over his legs, but not connected to anything. Where were his pants? He felt the breeze as the fan blew air from mid thigh to his head. Where was his belt? He moved his head and didn't find his service gun, or his backup. Where were his weapons? His tactical gear? Why was he in his uniform tight boxers briefs?

Then, he made the worse move he could've done. He looked at the table to his left! He freaked out as he saw the testing tubes, one filled with a red substance, and the others identified with codes. He also identified a pee cup, like the ones you are given in labs. Next to it lied a long syringe, a pack of gauze, surgical scissors, tweezers, and many other tools that kept spiking his fear!

What the hell is going on? Is that my blood? Where am I?Owww! My head hurts. 

He continued to look around, getting spooked with all the abnormal stuff he found. He was surprised the place was completely built up of wood panels, no windows. He lifted his gaze a bit and saw that the small room continued behind the short false wall was at the foot of his bed. He continued to look around, when...

THUD!

"Darn it! There goes the screen!" he heard a female voice

Wait! I think I've heard that voice before. Man! If my head wasn't throbbing so much, I would be able to identify it. He tried concentrating when he heard footsteps in the other room.

"Hello?" he called. His voice was still cracking, but at least he could make out words.

----

"I cannot believe this! Woah!" said Luca, over excited.

"Are you gonna break up with Black Betty now?" Deacon teased

"Never! She knows she's my one true love, but.... this baby right here, woah!" Luca said staring at the armored vehicle provided by the Chief's security detail.

The chief had done a 180 on them and agreed to support the mission. He summoned US Marshalls and the FBI and in less than 20 minutes Luca, Deacon and Chris stood in front of a small militia of 40 armed and geared men and women, ready to lead the charge in the rescue mission of Officer Street. Chris had no idea what had happened and what in the world did Luca and Deacon say to him, maybe Hicks had something to do with it, but honestly? She didn't care. She would take all the help she could get! With only 8 or 9 SWAT officers there was no way they were going to be able to rescue him. Air patrol and even FBI agents were also working with SWAT to track down any and all leads! It was incredible!

As part of the package, the chief had included the latest armored terrain combat machine, fully equipped with everything Deacon thought could be needed for World War 3! The thing was bigger than Black Betty, contained not one but two slots in the top for automatic dispensing weapons, space for a crew of 9 or 10 in the back, plus medical first response bag with enough supplies for 12 people! No to mention double the high tech in the front and terrain trek wheels. It was a monster!

"Man! Why can't we have one of these! Feds always get the best toys!" complained Luca

"Luca, focus!" Chris said grinning while shaking her head slowly

They were geared and ready, with three commanding sergeants to lead the convoy of cars. The only problem? The area was vast, covering more than 100 square miles! Not to mention that it has a natural reserve to one side and an animal sanctuary in the other. So...they needed to cover a lot of ground and Street had already been out for just over four hours! They couldn't waste time, especially if he was hurt. Commander Hicks had arrived and situated himself in the Mobile Command Center (MCO). Arlington Road had been closed down and the center established in the kilometer where Officer Tan had been found.

"Luca!" Deacon called, as the sergeants lined up to get instructed.

One of the men, with a tag that read SANDERS, took a commanding lead. He approached Deacon, and handed him the chart with all of the information about his crew.

"Lieutenant Sanders of Southeast Division. Are you Sergeant Kay? What are the instructions, sir?" he asked sternly

Deacon looked at him, and then on the folder. He glanced at Luca, who nodded slowly, then took a step back. He gestured towards Chris who was standing between he and Luca. "Lieutenant, this is officer Chris Alonso, she's leading this mission."

Chris, who was fidgeting with her cellphone, immediately stopped what she was doing and lifted her head. She frowned at Deacon, as the veteran officer avoided her stare.

"Excuse me? This mission is led by a female officer?" asked the Lieutenant in disbelief.

Boy, just woke up a sleeping giant!