Pannel & Hook

Chapter 29: The Black Parade

POV Nicholas

"May death never stop you"- MCR

Coming in on com number 4; the black parade will carry on to the target shortly.

"Alright, eyes on up, I know what you guys expect by being on a raid led by me but for this one, I want arrests, not bodies. Non-lethal rounds only, understood?".

"Yes, sir". Everyone in the back of the van replied without hesitation as I expected along with Salvatore Smee's usual look of disapproval.

     "There a problem, Smee?". The rat decided to smile a toothy grin as he was acknowledged.

"Just one, sir.". If I had the energy to groan and put one between his eyes, I would. "Well, being on a raid with the grim reaper, I was told you take no prisoners. Why not go in, gunz blazin, like the cowboy the entire black lagoon makes you out be and have a lil fun with these delinquents".

I gripped the handle of my gun and walked from my seat to squat in front of him and whispered just loud enough for him to hear me and clear enough for the others not to get any ideas from this schmuck.

"There's a good chance most of those 'delinquents' are just kids. So, with that being said, this is my Opp so if you don't like the way I run things then get the fuck out. Do you understand me?".

"I can't say I do". He smiled his toothy grin once more before he took a tactical glove to the teeth that made the back of his helmet hit the wall of the van.

Smee sat in his seat holding his mouth like he was aboutta throw up which in either case is good for me since he finally shut his fuckin mouth.

"Anyone else? No? Good. Switch your ammo". In quick fashion, they did just so without objection. "Alright...let's move".

It was 11 o'clock on the dot when the van came to a stop and our boots hit the ground. In theory, it was a simple plan. 3 teams, 12 each, 36 officers in total. Non-lethal rounds so no casualties meaning quick convictions if and when any were arrested. This was supposed to be quick and clean.

The warehouse was unlocked with no one guarding the front and seemed abandoned with no lights on site. We combed through the entrance with no resistance until we reached the office side until I signaled them to halt.

"This don't feel right, captain". For once Smee opened his mouth with something I agreed with which made this eerie feeling in my chest turn into fear.

"Alright, push forwards, cut the flashlights and switch to night vision". We pushed farther into the warehouse as I caught my breaths becoming heavier, and I wasn't sure who to worry about.

As we approached the more open area of the warehouse, I lifted my goggles to think for a moment before I heard a small tick-like sound followed by the sound of some things clattering against the gravel floor.

Like the open doors of a movie theater exit, we were met by unprecedented flashes of light with gunshots following suit.

"OPEN FIRE". I shouted at the top of my lungs as we went for cover and began to shoot at shadows practically wasting our ammo.

"Fuck this, SWITCHING TO LETHAL". Smee shouted amidst the gunshots and before I could order him to stop, he already did so and began shooting back with his shots booming over my voice before the others switched with the fear for their lives stronger than any, they had for me.

     The shots were lessened by the sound of it but at least 10 officers were taken by the ambush.

"Diaz...Michaels, Ryan. Tend to the wounded and call for back up. Everyone else...with me". The Lost Boys we encountered scattered like rats and knew damn well they were abusing the home advantage to their favor.

As we gained more ground, we came across a hallway diverting in two directions. "I probably should've said this back in the van but since we're clearly outgunned and outmanned, anyone who doesn't have anything to lose, come with me. If you don't then either stand back and wait for backup or try to chase the others...whatever you choose I won't think less of you".

Everything inside me screamed this was a trap and rightfully so with the red emergency lights activated in the hallway.

My squad was cut into pieces with a handful staying for backup and the others in the other direction leaving nine men with me.

We came upon a cracked door with the lights flickering from inside. I took a deep breath before performing a hail Mary and pushed the door open with my gun drawn and the others following behind.

It looked like a small manager's office and was quiet as a graveyard which became a wrong choice of words when I saw a dark figure rise from behind a desk with a long ass gun and started blasting before I could react.

I was hit in the chest with enough force to knock me to my knees before the buckshot opened the brains of four officers and another figure came out of the darkness with a blade and cut down another three leaving Smee and me.

He looked like he was shot but only in his shoulder with my primary weapon outta site, the two Lost Boys began to approach me like they were starving wolves ready to go in for the kill.

"Fuck it". I put my fists up close to me in a tight stance as the smaller of the two charged at me with murderous intent with their blade lunging to stab me but grunted in pain as I took control of their wrist twisting it almost to its breaking point before delivering my knee into their stomach before moving onto the other.

The other stood maybe 6'1" and weighed rough 200lbs by the look of their overall size and charred at me like a bull, pushing me against the desk with tremendous force ready to choke me.

Had I been anyone else he would've killed me by now, rightfully so as their hands wrapped around my throat, slowly squeezing the life out of me.

My mind tore through every combat tactic I knew but my thoughts grew blank as I fought and neared unconsciousness until I remembered that I needed to make it home to Nessa.

With all the strength I had left in me, I grabbed their thumbs, breaking them as I turned them the other way sticking out. As he screamed in pain, I heel-kicked him in the chest and piled on with a liver punch, and pulled out my sidearm shooting him in both shoulders and turning to the other hitting the knife out of his hand.

"Mannn!". The smaller one shouted under their muffed masks. "Man?". That voice seemed way too familiar just like the bigger one's figure.

"Take off your mask...NOW!". I raised my voice with the Colt .45 hollow tips pointed directly at their head.

They didn't move. I dropped it and pointed the barrel at Manuel's head jolting a muted reaction as they reluctantly lifted their black masks.

"Nathan?". Fuck. "Just come quietly and we can end this, please". His chest rose and fell without any emotion plain to see but anger. It didn't feel like it was just towards me...maybe it was because he got caught.

He reached into his pocket taking out something small, my eyes widening as I recognized it as a detonator.

"You sick fuck, you'll kill us all, drop the fucking detonator or I'll shoot". He remained silent and raised it as I lowered the hammer ready to shoot his friend since he didn't care whatsoever about himself.

"Nate...come on". He smiled and lowered it for a moment as I exhaled the most air, I've ever held walking to him, inches away from taking the detonator before I heard.

     "The captain's in here!". FUCK. I turned to Nate and saw his thumb was already on the trigger.

     "EVERYBODY GET DOW-". BOOOOM.