NERVES OF STEEL

CHAPTER 8- PRIORITY

                The evening of the next day had arrived. Russo stood at the shore with both Diane and Ryan standing on either side beside him both dressed in green camo uniforms and standing at attention, waiting for the S.A ship to come pick them up.

              The ship soon arrived. It was a massive white vessel with sleek, sharp lines, as it glided silently towards the dock.  Two men dressed in black overall, stepped off the ramp as it lowered with a metallic lane.

"Shall we?" Asked one of them, directly to Russo.
"One minute, I'm still waiting for someone."
Someone? Who could that be?
Diane thought, nervous.

           Just then a figure could be seen approaching them from behind in hurried steps and her eyes were wide open in shock to discover that it was her Father. He was also going to come with them? How come? But he never told her of this. goddamn it! Why?! The last thing she needed was her Father on board while the plan got executed and worse, she couldn't give orders for a change of plans nows. It was too late.

              Soon, they all followed inside. The inside of the ship was sleek with polished steel walls and dim ambient lighting that gave the interior a modern appearance. The corridors were narrow, lined with rivets and thick soundproof doors leading to various secured compartments. They were lead further down to the grand cabin via a narrow winding staircase.

           The air was cooler, a soft hum of the ship's engines vibrating beneath their feet. The room was adorned with minimalistic luxury. A long, dark wood table stretched across the center, its surface gleaming under dim, warm lighting from above. Surrounded the dinning table, were high backed leather chairs offering comfort to the occupants. However, his escorts were asked to stay away and were led to a private area.

"My name is Tavern. Have a seat, Commander and let us begin." Said the Man entering the room through the front door. This wasn't Shadow. Diane thought. He never showed himself but still, this was an occasional important enough. She was only able to glance through the window as they were led away.

           There were several guards positioned on the wall and fully armed. In case of a fight, they were outnumbered two to one. Russo reasoned. Even as he sat at the table, his gaze never stopped moving around the entire space with calculated precision, though his expression remained composed and unreadable.

"About our discussion from the last time..." Russo started. "....what is it you really want?"
"How about we just focus on dinner for now." Tavern suggested.
"I'll have something to eat after this has been resolved."
"In that case, over the past few years, the S.A have been lacking financially. We would like for the military to personally finance every of our operations from now on."
"And what makes you think I'll agree to this?"
"Because it's either this or the change of government the nation so desperately needs."
"On one condition."
"Name it."
"That this will be the last time I ever offer you any help and you stay the hell away from my family for good."
"Sounds hard to believe, Commander."
"Money's what you want, isn't it? Well name your price and l'll have it done as long as you promise to stay the fuck back from now on. We've come so far to resort to playing hide and seek every now and then." He said.
"There's absolutely no need to get upset now." The other Man smiled. Just then faint beeping could be heard in the room.
"What's that?" Tavern asked with a frown. "Have you brought something in here with you, Commander?"

             
             Meanwhile at the compartment, Diane, Ryan and Warner were made to stay. Her Father couldn't stop pacing, worriedly. They were being guarded by five guards outside the room. It was only a matter of time before they discovered the hidden camera she had planted on Russo. That would stir up enough aggravation to sabotage the entire peace deal and then, he should be dead by the time they got to the other side where he was. The Perfect Plan. And soon enough, several gunshots could be heard coming from the dinning area.

"What was that?" Ryan asked, alerted and alarmed.
"That was definately from the dinning area. Damn it! I knew these people were up to no good when they had us separated. We have to check on the Commander." Warner said.
"But what do we do about the guards outside?" Diane asked, trying to discourage the rest.
"Here's what we'll do. Raise an alarm that will lure them in. We'll be hiding behind the door and once they're inside we'll shoot them from their backs as fast as possible." Ryan said.
"Brilliant idea, Serg! Let's do it!" Warner said.
Remind me to kill you later, Ryan. Diane frowned.

                 Once the two men had taken their positions, Diane called out in a high pitched scream.

"Help!!! Help!!! They've escaped!"
The door was opened by the men standing outside, wondering what the scream was about.
"Thank goodness you came in." She said. "I can't find my teammates."
"What do you mean you can't find your teammates."
"They seem to have disapp..."

Gun-shots!

"About time." Diane sighed.
"Let's go find the Commander." Warner said.

                Running through the corridors, they kept encountering several other S.A guards and a lot of open gunfire fights. In the process, Ryan got wounded. So they had to take cover and hide in a cellar.

"Hold on, buddy." Warner patted his shoulder. "Just keep breathing."
"Mmm."
"Diane?"
"Yes?"
"Change of plans, go see if the coast is clear. Find the Commander and get him out of here, I'll hold them off."
"What! No!" She panicked.
"Diane...."
"Dad, no!"
"What have I told you about letting our emotions get in the way of our work? Don't make me regret ever letting you come with us."
"Dad, I can't leave you to them. It's suicide."
"I have a chance at survival but the Commander most likely does not and he's our number one priority."
To hell with him. To hell with priority! She cussed, inwardly.
"But you are my priority, Dad."
"Enough, Diane!" Warner scolded. "Remember, his life before ours. Now promise me that you'll protect him with the last drop of your blood, Diane."
"Wh-what?"
"Promise me. Make me proud this once and promise me."
Make you proud? Her eyes were clouded with tears.
"Promise me, child."
"I promise. I'll find him and get him to safety."
"No matter the cost." He said.
"No matter the cost." She repeated with a nod. Getting to her feet, she saluted her father one last time and he did the same.
I love you, Dad and you had better not die. But she couldn't say the words. Emotionally, they weren't that close.

            
"Now where the hell is that fucker?"

Russo Montero your life depends on my father, if he dies, you die.