The Decay

Chapter 13 - Infiltration

13

Mike awoke in a dark cell. His head hurt, probably as a result of being knocked out by someone. He felt for his pen. Still there. Both his pistol and silver coin were gone. He looked around him, trying to figure out where he was. The cell was rather small, with just enough space for a small bench to sleep on. The bars were rusted but sturdy. A small candle was lit in the far corner of the cell, the only light source present.

“Are you guys ready?” asked Anita. Daniel, Ellie and Marcus all nodded. “Let's review the plan a final time: Ellie and I head towards the main office. Mike will meet us there dressed up as a mercenary, with 2 uniforms for us. You guys head for the fueling area, place this C4 on a fuel tank and get clear before making it explode. Any questions?” “No,” said all three of them in unison. “Mike's counting on us. Let's do this!” Daniel and Marcus sped off across the field in front of them, staying behind cover when possible. The darkness of the night would help them stay hidden. The moon was the only thing shining light on their route. Anita and Ellie went in a different direction, towards a large fence.

Anita pulled out a pair of wire cutters and started cutting a hole in the fence. Ellie stood back, looking out for any mercenaries. “I'm done, let's go,” said Anita quietly. They sneaked through the hole and on to the back side of the building. The airstrip was visible from here, the fueling area directly across from them. As they moved close to the wall, Ellie saw a window higher up. “Boost me,” she whispered. Anita proceeded to lift her up to the window, which was unlocked. Scrambling with it for a few seconds, Ellie succeeded in opening it. She looked for movement and when she saw none, climbed through it. Anita jumped and pulled herself up.

Mike waited patiently for a moment to strike. He was oddly calm, considering the situation he was in. A guard appeared in the doorway. “Hey, you. Come over here a second,” said Mike. The guard entered the room. After turning on a lamp, he walked over to Mike. “What do you want? The boss is coming to see you soon,” he said, annoyed. Mike stood up and pointed at a brick on the wall. “Can you see what is says?” The guard was confused. He leaned closer to the bars, peering at the brick. Faded blue characters were written on it. “I can't...” Taking a quick step backward toward the bars, Mike produced the pen and stabbed the guard in the eye, fast as lightning. The guard tried to recoil, screaming, but it was too late. Mike grabbed the mans shirt through the bars and pulled as hard as he could. His head smashed into the bars forcefully before sliding down next to the bars, unconscious. Mike stuck both his hands through the bars, attempting to search the man for keys. It took him a while but he managed to move him in a way to access his pockets. He found the key in his right back pocket. After unlocking the cell door, he went over to the man, stripped him of his uniform and other gear, before dragging the man into the cell. A gag in his mouth ensured his silence. Locking the door, Mike dressed up in the uniform and left the room.

Daniel and Marcus ran across the field at full speed. The large fuel tanks were close by. Two guards stood nearby. Daniel dropped down, his silenced sniper aiming at the head of one of them. Marcus moved quickly towards the other one, silenced pistol in hand. When he was at close range, Marcus signaled to Daniel who took the shot. The guard dropped dead as Marcus himself shot the other man twice in the chest. The coast to the fuel tanks was clear.

Anita and Ellie moved through the corridors towards the administrative block of the air force base. Movement down the corridor. Anita made a gesture to tell Ellie to keep hidden behind the wall. Anita turned the corner and was just about to pull the trigger when she saw the mercenary raising his hands. “It's me, don't shoot,” said Mike. Anita smiled. “Good to see you. And happy I didn't shoot you.” “Yeah, let's go,” said Mike. “This way.” The three of them headed down a long corridor and into an empty room. “Put these on, I'll keep watch,” said Mike, handing them a pair of uniforms he had found in a changing room. When they were ready, they proceeded down the corridor. A sign pointing to the administrative block pointed them to the right in the next corridor. Movement ahead. Anita and Ellie dropped back, walking a few steps behind Mike. Mike pulled out his knife and walked towards the mercenary. The mercenary looked at Mike, nodded, and kept moving. When he was out of sight, Mike turned to Anita and Ellie. “Seems like these uniforms work. They have no idea who we are,” he said, relieved. “Neither do I want them to find out,” said Anita. “Let's get going, we won't know when Daniel and Marcus are ready before we hear the explosion,” said Ellie. A few doors down, was a large office. “It has to be in here. Let's hurry,” said Anita.

Daniel and Marcus approached the fuel tanks. “Marcus, pass me the C4,” said Daniel in a low voice. Marcus threw a satchel of C4 to Daniel. He caught it and placed on the back of one of the tanks. “Let's hope this works,” he said before signaling to Marcus to get away. They sprinted away from the fuel tanks and took cover behind a large tree. “You ready?” asked Daniel. Marcus nodded. “On three. One... two... three!” said Daniel. Marcus detonated the C4 charge.