Chapter 10
(A/N: the hotel in this chapter is completely fictional!)
"Stay connected!"
45 minutes ago
Sergeant Greg Parker looked at his teammates peacefully seated around the table in the briefing room. He was relieved to see the tension and anxiety that had hung in the air lately had markedly decreased. Spike and Sam were talking about something, laughing loudly. Lou and Jules had their heads bowed close over the PDA screen and were smiling at some picture. And most importantly. Ed was smiling broadly as he listened to Wordy chatting about the latest antics of his girls, his expression unfocused and insouciant.
It seemed as though they made it through this crisis without losses, thank God.
A loud siren blared interrupting his thoughts.
"Hot call, Team One, gear up!"
"Winnie?" Greg quickly went to the dispatch desk. "What have we got?"
"We have received a bomb threat. 805 Dixon Road, Alexander Hotel," the dispatcher informed them, casting a quick glance towards Spike. "Reports indicate two bombs but we are waiting for confirmation of that information. The bombs haven't been discovered yet. Police are evacuating the building."
"God, what psycho wants to blow up a hotel?" Spike exclaimed in amazement, quickly heading to the armory cage. The rest of the group followed him.
"I'm waiting for information from CSIS, they are already involved in this case," Winnie added.
"CSIS? Well, that's interesting. Okay, Winnie, keep us informed on the fly," Greg said, turning to the armory cage seeing Ed coming out already fully equipped.
They exchanged glances.
"You're not cleared for full duty, Eddie," Greg spoke up hesitantly.
"Sounds like you gonna' everyone on this, Greg ... I'm fine, Boss. I can handle it," Ed replied calmly.
Greg looked at his watch. There was no time for hesitation. "Are you sure you're ready for this?"
"As ready as I'll ever be, Boss," Ed grinned. "Don't worry, I won't let you down."
Greg looked at his friend for a second longer, then nodded. He made his decision. "Okay, Eddie, but command truck only. Come on, Team! Fast is good!" He waved his hand to others.
30 minutes ago
"Team One, new deal," Winnie's voice came through the radio in the SUV, "Boss, I've got Officer Williams of CSIS on the line; he will give you all the details."
"CSIS?" Seated next to Greg Ed looked at him, surprised.
"Obviously we are not dealing with a lone maniac. It's some organization if the intelligence agency and national security are involved," Greg frowned, not taking his eyes off the road and anxiously tapping his fingers on the steering wheel.
"Sergeant Parker?" A voice came over the radio. "Agent Timothy Williams, CSIS"
"Sergeant Gregory Parker, SRU." Greg announced. "We are all ears, Agent."
"We don't have much time so I'll be as brief as possible. CSIS recently received information about a new extremist group. About six months ago, they separated from a peaceful group of opponents of nuclear energy. They declared themselves ecological terrorists-"
"Hey!" Spike's voice interrupted him. "There's a conference on nuclear power starting today. This hotel is one of the venues for the conference!"
"Yes, that is their target. We found out that they were planning a terrorist attack during this conference. A week ago we organized a raid on all the branches of the group and managed to detain most of the participants but a few were able to escape. We managed to pick up their trail and we are currently preparing an operation to arrest them but half an hour ago we got additional information that two bombs had already been planted at the Alexander Hotel with the detonations set to coincide with the start of the conference. "
"Do you know the exact time?" Sam asked.
"The conference starts at 10 am."
Greg and Ed looked at their watches and exchanged glances.
"We're running low on time ..." Greg muttered with vexation.
"Yes, that's why we've come to you. We've contacted all divisions including the army but we have very little time and you are the closest. Police are conducting evacuation of participants and visitors to the hotel."
"Agent! Do you have any info on the bombs? Do you know what explosive they're using?" They could hear the concern in Spike's voice.
"Apparently, it's likely to be RDX ..."
"Oh shit ..." Spike gave a muffled curse.
"Spike?" Ed sounded worried.
"It's one of the most powerful high explosives. Nearly twice as powerful as TNT ..." replied their explosives expert. "Agent, what else is known about the bomb? Or bombs?"
"Yes, I have just received confirmation that there are two bombs. According to our information, there should be a total of almost 800lb of RDX," Williams informed them.
"What?" Spike exclaimed, dumbfounded.
"Spike? That's a lot, huh?" Wordy asked with obvious concern.
"Guys, this will destroy the building completely!"
"Yes. Maximum damage, that is what their leader admitted; their purpose is not just to attract attention or to scare but to shock. City, country, world ..." Williams said grimly.
"Where would they get so much RDX?" Sam asked.
"They stole a truck carrying nearly two tons of fertilizer. This was a signal for us to act."
"Wait. Why fertilizer?" They heard the surprise in Jules' voice.
The answer to that came immediately from Spike. "Ammonium nitrate. The most common fertilizer that farmers use. It's very easy to get hexamethylenetetramine from it, the raw material for the production of RDX. It won't be very clean, but ..."
"But capable of causing damage," Ed finished for him.
"A hell of a lot of damage!" Spike said. "And something else... this substance, RDX, if it is not clean from impurities, it is very sensitive to mechanical stress. But cleaning is difficult and expensive, so ... we have to be very careful, guys."
Greg frowned. "Got it, Spike. Agent Williams, is there anything else? We're almost on site."
"Nothing more, Sergeant. As soon as I have new information, I will inform you immediately."
"Okay. Keep us updated." Greg said, and increased speed.
25 minutes
The black SUVs of the SRU pulled up on a wide square in front of the hotel.
"We've almost finished evacuating the hotel and nearby buildings," the police head of operations greeted the group of SRU officers.
"Almost is the key word," Sam muttered, frowning as police continued to lead terrified civilians from the main entrance of the hotel.
A policeman shot an annoyed look towards Sam. "Sir. There are two wings on each of the eight floors, four meeting rooms, and underground parking. There are nearly 2000 people in the hotel itself and just as many have been evacuated from the area around the hotel and neighboring buildings. We had only 30 minutes! "
"It's all right, officer. Good job." Greg said in a reconciling tone. "Do we know if there are still people in the building?"
The officer sighed "There are my officers still searching the building. We have already done two passes and now we are checking for the third time. I'm confident there will be no one else left when we're done, "he answered wearily.
"Officer, what about the bombs? Your people haven't noticed any suspicious items?" Wordy anxiously looked at the building in front of them, knowing that they had too little time to scour such a large building.
"No. I didn't get any reports of suspicious items," said the officer. "Damn, is someone really going to blow all these people up? In the name of ecology?"
Greg sighed heavily. "It's a large blast in a public place. Such terrorist attacks almost always cause panic among the public. Panic provokes instability in society, affects the economy. That's how the terrorists work, it's their aim, it's got nothing to do with ecology. Okay. We have to find these bombs, guys," Parker turned to his men." Ed, you're on restricted duty, run command post. Wordy, you lead the group. "
Wordy nodded. "All right. Officer, we got to keep that perimeter wide. We need to move all the cars, move them all back. We need to vacate this area immediately, please! Some of these bastards could be somewhere near. What about mobile communications? Do we know if there is radio-detonator?"
"We blocked all mobile communication in this area immediately. The police channels in operate."
"Okay. Thank you, officer." Wordy turned to the group.
23 minutes
"Spike, what have we got?"
"Eight floors, one main entrance, two wings. Two large conference rooms in each wing on the ground floor. Restaurants. Storerooms. Underground parking in the right wing. Hotel's plan is already on your hand-helds," Spike kept his eyes on image on the screen of his PDA.
"Okay team," Wordy nodded, "We're splitting into Alpha and Bravo. Spike, Boss and I are Alpha, left wing. Sam, Jules, Lou, Bravo, right wing. We'll start from the ground floor, conference rooms, restaurants and rooms nearby. "
Spike raised his hand, calling all to attention, "Okay, guys, RDX is likely to be in the form of a white powder. Similar to the ordinary sugar. It could be in bags or packed in big boxes. Open all boxes, inspect any large containers, canisters, lockers but … be careful!"
"Okay, everyone, eyes and ears open. Let's get moving," Wordy waved to the group and they quickly went to the main entrance of the building.
"Stay connected," Ed, looking after them said in his radio, And you be safe out there ...
Then he entered the command truck.
22 minutes (Command truck)
"Winnie, I need to communicate with the head of security of the hotel," Ed called the SRU dispatcher.
"Ed, mobile phones in the area are blocked. I can try through the police channels, ask them to find him and to get in contact with you."
"Okay, Winnie."
He waited, his teeth clenched, listening intently to the radio communications of his team in the building. He didn't take his eyes from his watch, the hands inexorably approaching ten o'clock. What if they hadn't set the timer for ten exactly? What if it was set before? Heck, sitting in the SRU office with documents had been hard but sitting in the truck when his entire team, all of his friends were in the mined building, unable to help them, forced only watch and listen was a real torture for him. He definitely needed to return to active duty. No matter what he would have to do this. He would endure anything, any discussion, any psychologists, any therapy but he needed to return to duty; he had to muddle through it somehow.
"C'mon, c'mon," he muttered under his breath, drumming his fingers on the table. Suddenly, he was surprised to see that he was without his gloves. Where could he have leftthem? He fumbled in his pockets distractedly, in vain. Special gloves with non-slip surfaces were useful while holding weapons and while driving; they protected his hands from cold and wind during the long wait in a sniper position. But today it is not necessary. The loss of gloves is not a big problem for someone who is seated in the truck, he chuckled.
"Ed?" Winnie's voice crackled through the comm. "I have Chief of Security on the line for you."
"Thank you, Winnie." He heard the click of the communication channel switching. "Sir, Constable Ed Lane, SRU. Were there any recent deliveries to the hotel? Large bags? Boxes? Anything granular? Building materials? Anything like that?"
"Five days ago, there was the delivery of a new generator," came the fast response. "That's the largest delivery that we've had recently. We had the guys in from the electric company; they mounted the new generator in the technical basement. But this company has been working with us for several years; I know these people personally. They had their building materials but there was nothing unusual, I checked."
"What else has been delivered recently? Have you had anything repaired?" Ed nervously drummed his fingers on the table in front of him, waiting for an answer. Anything? Any clue that could help his people inside the building?
"Yes ..." The chief faltered for a second. "I don't know if this is relevant ... but two days ago, one of our vending machines broke down. The guys arrived from servicing and said that the problem was serious; they took it away for repair. They examined the other machines and took another one for preventative measures, they said. Yesterday they brought them back, but they have not yet been connected. They said that..." he did not finish, as Ed interrupted him.
"Boss, guys you hear that?" he called out his team.
"Copy that, Ed," several voices chimed in unison.
"So. The two vending machines. Our two bombs. Good job, Eddie," he heard Greg's satisfied voice.
"Chief, where are these machines positioned? One in each wing?" Ed asked.
"Exactly. Damn, I should have guessed! It's obvious!" exclaimed the man, "They put them temporarily in the service spaces near the conference rooms. Today they were going to move them into the halls ..."
"Guys?"
20 minutes
"Utility rooms near the meeting rooms. Checking," Wordy confirmed.
"Bravo team?"
"Got it, Ed," came Sam's reply interrupted by his heavy breathing and the sounds of running footsteps.
Ed released a small sigh of relief - at least now they knew what to search for.
18 minutes
"Bingo."
Spike was standing before a typical large vending machine with a red and white sticker reading "out of service" on its facade.
He approached it cautiously, pulling a portable scanner out of his backpack. For several long seconds, he stared at the screen, frowning and muttering something to himself.
Wordy and Greg waited tensely, standing next to him, involuntarily casting glances at their watches.
Spike nodded affirmatively. "Okay, guys. We have to pull it away from the wall, very carefully," he put the scanner to one side and stretched out his hands, intending to start moving the vending machine.
"Wait, wait!" Wordy stepped closer and grabbed his shoulder, stopping his movement, "What if there are movement detectors?"
"Well, they set it against the wall, somehow?" Spike shrugged, grinning slightly.
"Spike, are you kidding?" Greg and Wordy exclaimed in unison.
Spike shrugged, "Come on! I'm sure there is no protection against movement!" mild irritation and impatience were mixed in his voice.
Cautiously, they moved the big machine from the wall and Spike closely examined its back surface.
"Yes, obviously the back cover was recently taken off. And they were doing it in a hurry. There are fresh tracks on all bolts. Come on, guys, we need to remove it quickly."
They started to unscrew the bolts holding the rear panel.
16 minutes
"Bravo Group, Sam? Have found it?" Ed queried worriedly.
"Not yet, Ed. Lou, check that room!" Sam replied, his breathing ragged from running.
"It's probably near one of the load-bearing walls, so the effect of the explosion would more powerful," cut in Spike's sharp voice. "Listen, Sam, when you find it, you'll have to unscrew the back cover. Move it extremely carefully. When this material is in the form of a powder, it may be not stable and we do not know the type of detonator that they used," Spike started on the last bolt holding the cover.
Ed didn't tore his eyes from his watches, "Sam?"
15 minutes
"Wait ... Yes, there is! We've got it! Vending machine, out of service. We're moving it away from the wall."
"Finally!" They heard Spike's sigh of relief. "We've got the back panel off. So... hello, hello, hello... What have we here?"
They slowly and carefully removed the back cover, checking for any wires coming from the panel. They weren't any but what they saw inside made them freeze for a moment.
The entire inner space of the machine was filled with densely packed gray bags filled with some bulk material. All the bags were tightly linked and braided with webs of wires. They all converged at one point in the bottom of the machine - to the small device with red digits on it.
Spike sat back on his heels, surveying the task before him.
"Spike?" Wordy asked hoarsely.
"13.48" Ed heard Spike's answer and knew immediately what it meant. Automatically, he set the minutes and seconds on the countdown timer on his watches. He activated it, glumly watching the seconds run back ...
"Well, we have 13 minutes, even more. Just great..." Spike muttered. "Nice work, highly professional... although I get the impression that whoever did this had to hurry. It seems that there should have been additional protection but for some reason it was not installed ..." Carefully, he examined the detonator without touching it, "The chain is duplicated, an electronic detonator on a timer with multiple phase signaling and intermediate detonator."
"Sounds not so good," said Greg tensely.
"Well, everything is standard. Now... " He grabbed his backpack. Digging in it, he took the necessary tools and returned to the bomb with wire cutters in his hand.
"Don't hurry, Spike. Just don't hurry," Wordy anxiously watched the actions of his teammate.
"Bravo, how are you doing there?" Standing to one side, Greg called the second group.
"Just removing the back cover, boss," Lou replied quickly.
"Got it. Spike?"
"All right. Simply need to act successively. It will be enough to cut all of these contacts. White at first, and then -"
"Wait, wait! How about electronic countermeasures?"
"Maybe with an EMP," Spike shrugged, "But no guarantees. And there's no way I can get one here in time. So the only way to disarm it is old-school, pliers and cutters."
"You mean that it is necessary to cut ALL these wires?" Wordy interrupted him anxiously looking at the thick tangle wires in front of him, "Isn't there a one special wire that will shut it all down at once?"
Spike snorted, "You want to make it like in the movies?" He raised his head and looked at Wordy with a smile. "Yes, I need to cut all the wires in a definite sequence."
"Hell, there are a lot. You sure there's enough time?" Greg frowned in consternation.
"Absolutely. I can handle. You can go, guys," Spike said quietly.
"What?! Forget it!" Greg and Wordy exclaimed simultaneously, "We'll do it together, it will be faster!"
Spike stood up and gave them almost an annoyed look. "Stop. You know the rules, guys. One man down range."
"Greg, Wordy. Spike's right. Get out of there," Ed, who had remained silent before and had just been listening intently, broke into the conversation.
Greg and Wordy still did not make a move to leave.
"Listen, I'll have this detonator out after about 3 minutes, if I start now! Go!" Spike almost cried, "I can't begin to work with the bomb while you are here!"
Greg sighed, nodded and gripped Spike's shoulder, "Okay, Spike. Just stay connected. Ed! Wordy and I are leaving," and they ran towards the exit.
"Copy that" Ed said. "Bravo team report."
"We have removed the back cover, Ed!" They heard Jules' voice over their headsets. "Spike, what's next?"
"Excellent. So, do you see bags, Sam?" He addressed only Sam now, who as a former member of JTF2 was obviously more experienced in handling explosives than Lou and Jules.
"Yes, a lot," Sam replied briefly.
"Okay. And wires?"
"Yes, a lot," there was obvious tension to Sam's voice.
"So, it's okay. Just do not touch black and red wires yet! Begin to cut all the white wires! What's on your timer, Sam?"
"Spike, it seems we have a problem..." Sam said in disappointment. "I don't see a timer nor I do not see any other detonators."
12 minutes
Ed felt a sudden jolt of fear. Something had gone wrong.
He could no longer stand sitting in the damn truck away from the clicking triggers and ticking numbers. Safe in a street surrounded by sentries of squad cars. Just listening and taking the record of team's negotiations.
He stepped outside, looking intently at the building before him.
"Damn!" he heard as Spike swore. "Jules, Lou, both of you immediately get out there! Sam will cope! Sam! Describe to me what you see! Just do not touch anything! Damn, I have to be near the second bomb, not you!"
"Calm down Spike, just calm down," Ed immediately chimed in, hearing the excitement and worry in Spike's voice and his heavy breathing. Now, working with a one live bomb and remotely with another Spike needed to be completely calm and focused.
"Bags, fastened together with ropes and yes, the wires," Sam replied, "Wires goes backward... I can't see... Spike, I think the detonator could be hidden behind these bags ... Wait ... I have to remove one bag. "
Spike immediately responded, "Sam, wait. Don't! Touch! Anything! You hear me? Your bomb is different. There may be some other type of detonator. If that bag holds the trigger, when you take it off ... Listen! I'm almost finished with this bomb. I'll be there soon. I'll handle it myself. Just don't touch anything!"
"I know, Spike," Sam responded with a bit irritated tone. Ed almost could picture him rolling his eyes at Spike's words and understood the reason for it. Of course, Sam was an experienced soldier and he didn't need to be reminded how to deal with a live bomb. Of course he would be extremely cautious. " I'm sure it can be safely removed."
"Damn, you can't be sure of that, Sam!" Spike barked, "Boss, tell him not to touch anything!"
"Sam," Parker's strained voice came into their headsets, "Wait a second, okay? Lou, Jules, get out of here. Is that clear? Report!"
"Got it, boss. We're on our way out, "Jules and Lou replied, without arguing.
"Sam, are you sure you can safely remove the top bag?" asked Parker.
"I'm sure," came a quick confident Sam's response.
"Good. Do it."
"Boss!" they heard furious Spike's exclamation, "It's not right!"
The main entrance door opened and Ed saw two figures, running across the square. Greg and Wordy.
"Spike, calm down. You know that Sam is familiar with this crap. He can handle it," Ed said in his headset, "Just focus on your task. Okay buddy?"
10 minutes 25 seconds
Greg and Wordy ran up to the truck and stopped near Ed.
"Spike report!" Greg's voice was still a little panting from recent rapid running.
"I've finished. Bomb defused. Sam, I'm coming for you. Hang in there," Spike's labored breathing filled their comms.
They were standing in tense expectation.
10 minutes 10 seconds
Suddenly, there were some movement and shouts in the far end of the square.
"Damn, now what?" Greg said with obvious anxiety and quickly switched over to police channel, "Parker, SRU. What the hell is going on?"
"SRU, we've got a breakthrough on the perimeter! One civilian came through the perimeter! He's running toward the underground parking gates!"
"Okay. We're on it, "Parker glanced at Wordy and he, nodding his head, rushed to the building.
"Greg, he needs back-up, this might be one of those bastards," Ed pulled out his Glock from the hip holster and almost ran after Wordy when Greg suddenly grabbed his arm.
"No Eddie, you are not going anywhere. I'll cover him, you stay in the truck!"
Spike's sharp voice came in their headsets, "Sam, have you removed that bag? Talk to me! Do you see the damn detonator or not?"
"You hear him boss?" Ed said quietly, covering the microphone with his hand, "Spike is nervous. You must stay here. You need to be with Spike and Sam now. No time to argue, Greg! Wordy and me, we'll be on the third channel. Come on."
One brief moment they looked into each others eyes. Greg desperately did not want to do this. Inside him, his instincts were screaming against this, but ... Ed was right. No time to argue. He forced himself to unclench his fingers and let go of Ed's arm.
"Okay, Eddie. Stay connected ..."
Ed smiled with a corner of his mouth, nodded and darted toward the right wing of the building, catching up with Wordy. Greg looked after them as they both disappeared into the yawning darkness of the open gates of the underground parking.
9minutes35 seconds
Standing alone near the command truck Greg looked at his watch again. Less than 10 minutes. And all his team still in this damn hotel! He tore off his cap and wiped his forehead. It was spring and the air was still cold, but he could feel the sweat running down his back and neck. He stared at the building. Finally, Lou and Jules emerged from the main entrance and Greg allowed himself a small sigh of relief. The two of the team are safe.
"Spike?" Sam's voice sounded tense. "I've removed one bag ..." Something in his tone made Greg frown.
"You see the detonator, Sam?" he asked. There was a pause and Greg was almost ready to repeat the question when the answer finally came.
"Yeah, guys, I see it. But... Shit..." Sam suddenly gave a strangled curse.
"Sam, report!" Greg turned chill with horror. Four of his men inside ... He saw Jules and Lou suddenly stop in the middle of the square, apparently also hearing Sam's curse.
"Sam!" Spike barked.
"Sam! What's on the timer?" Jules's voice cut in right after Spike's cry, she did not even try to hide her fear.
"9.20. But guys... it's protected. Spike, I can see obvious countermeasures. And I'm not sure it can be removed, quickly," Sam said, dejectedly.
"Okay, Sam, I got it. You just..." Spike said between gasps of air.
"I know Spike. Don't touch. Just wait for you," Sam said grimly.