Wings from Death

Chapter Fourteen

Grey walls surrounded me, the room rocked around, tossing everyone in their seats. I clutched a rifle close to my chest, as did the other nine people in the small holding. I never really enjoyed riding in the back of the police truck. Small slotted windows cast light from the passing street lamps onto the floor, briefly illuminating the room. The rumble emanating from the vehicle's engine reverberated off the bare walls. It was hard to think in the place; although I hadn't many things on my mind. I felt my weight press into the wall behind me as the truck rounded a corner. I thought of Jess and how she must be feeling. She has no idea what I'm doing. I should contact her.

"Okay everyone; we're approaching the drop-off, check your rifles and side arms," the voice came from the driver intercom, "And make sure your vests are fitted properly, have the person next to you check for you."

I checked over my rifle and pistol at my side, everything was in order. I had a tap on the shoulder on my right, it was a regular first response. He gestured to his vest, having me check over it and ensure it was correctly fitted. He returned the favour and gave a thumbs up to signal the all-clear. I nodded and returned my attention to the floor in front of me. Jess. I reached down into my pocket and pulled out my phone, the small screen illuminating my face, I began to type:

-Jess, I'm sorry I haven't got into contact with you earlier, I was caught up. I'll be a while still, but I will be back home tonight, I love you.-

I had just finished typing when I got another tap on my shoulder. I looked up and caught a disapproving look from the man beside me. I folded the phone shut and returned it to my pocket. I guess that wasn't the most professional of actions to do in the situation. The truck slowed, took another corner and steadily came to a halt. The man at the end of my row unclasped his seat bet and stood, turning to open the rear door. Everyone followed, turning and marching out into the darkness of the night.

I quickly scanned the area; a span of paved road, bordered by conifers, stretched out before us. The waxing moon cast a dim light, giving life to the pines that jostled in a steady wind. I sensed a thickness in the air I breathed; a storm was coming. Distant lamps illuminated the entrance to the Callahan estate grounds. I lowered my visor, the night vision device activated, turning the dim light bright, and eerily green. We had quickly set off on foot. To avoid being caught in the open, two teams were placed on either side of the road, close to the treeline. I was on the left. The entrance, a towering and sophisticated iron gate hinged at stone buttresses, glowed in the lamplight. No doubt there'd be cameras here. The teams had approached either side of the gate. One man opposite my team approached the tall fence that continued from the gate and had started cutting through the bars with a blow-torch. The metal quickly melted allowing him and two more through. I waited in silence until the lamps had been shut off. The glow of the blow-torch appeared again at the gate, melting through a chain that bound it shut. The torch flame extinguished and the three men pushed the gates open. I pushed forward, quickly passing the open gateway and onto the estate grounds. The two teams of five had scattered and now were heading directly to the mansion at the centre of the estate. We found cover in the gardens and trees surrounding the building.

"Alright, we split into groups and infiltrate the building," I heard from my ear piece, "Carter and Wes, you enter east."

"Understood" I responded

"Affirmative," called another voice.

I stopped concentrating on the orders once I had got mine. I crept around the building, the front curved around a central fountain, encompassed by pavement. I found Wes, indicated by the letters on the back of his vest. We had reached the eastern section of the building, and after locating a suitable entrance, had breached the door and started scanning the room for hostiles.

The room was big, and filled with stacks of crates, the green glow cast by the night vision helped see in the dark of the room. I turned to point my rifle at every position someone could hide in until I was satisfied no one was there.

"East entrance clear," I stated

Wes was already posted at the door leading further into the building. I approached him and stood ready to breach. I felt anxious. A thin band of light radiated from under this door. I lifted my visor, my vision adjusted, I turned to Wes and nodded. He turned the handle as a deafening whip-like crack blasted through the room. What was that?! I looked back at Wes who was similarly shaken, we returned our attention to the door. He didn't bother this time with a silent entry, he took a step back and planted a heavy boot on the door, except he missed it. Someone had started to open it. Wes had just clipped the edge and sent the chunk of timber swinging into the nose of the man behind, who screamed in pain and stumbled back. Wes had landed oddly and was slow to recover. Too slow. I spotted another man in front of him, pistol raised and ready to...

"Shoot....."