Chapter 9
Sleep is much better today. I only wake up once from a vague disturbing dream and easily fall back to sleep in the bright room, so nice and comforting, the sunlight. I wake up around noon having slept about 5 hours. I guess monitor duty with Jeb and Dan and working out with the punching bag really helped.
At 1:30 pm, lets see that's 1330, I am at the control room getting my gear. I've been working on thinking in 24 hour time instead the 12 hour am/ pm clock, since that's what Rangers men use. The guy at the equipment room gives me a standard flack vest, a hand taser, a stun gun, and some pepper spray. I put these in my cargo pockets and then of course get one handgun from the arms room and put it in my hip holster. This is to be used in self-defense in case things go really bad. But this should be a last resort as Bond officers are not supposed to kill their FTA even if some bonds technically say, dead or alive.
I realize I am carrying 2 guns and a knife, I guess, if you count the stun gun I have on me as I have my all-purpose utility knife in my right ankle cargo pocket. As I check my equipment and put it on, I see Ranger on the floor of the control room working away with the day crew. I wonder how long he has been up?
I want to go over and talk to him, but he is engrossed in some kind of meeting over data with the guys and now it is time to go meet Lester and his team in the garage. I finally catch his eye smile and wave at him. He smiles and nods before plunging back into the rows of monitors and whatever is rolled out on that giant sheet of paper on the desk.
We've been sitting for an hour waiting and watching. It's been 30 minutes since John Brown (yep bet that's an alias) came home. The guys are giving him time to relax and let down his guard before they go in. Lester is sitting shotgun as he is team leader. His two men Noah and Ben (short for Benjamin) are in back with me and Michael is in the driver seat and no he doesn't go by Mike unless it's an emergency and you don't have time to say his whole name. I am just repeating what he told me. Too many Mikes out there, I guess?
Our FTA is wanted for aggravated assault, arson and suspected drug trafficking, but drug trafficking is not on the arrest report. Not enough evidence was found to make that charge stick oh and he is suspected of several murders. Again, not on the arresting report or the bond. He wouldn't get bail if he was actually charged for murder but the police got him for what they could. Word on the street is, don't cross him or even make him suspect you might. If you do, you'll never be seen again and forget about a funeral. In fact, I am not sure why he was given bail. Great lawyer, I heard.
"That's all just his street cred right? It's not all real?" Ranger keeps a bunch of scary rumors floating on the streets about him that are complete fiction and others that are mostly fiction.
"Maybe. But let's not take any chances." Lester says as he turns in his seat to assign who take the front door and who covers the back and then hands everyone ear pieces.
"Remember NO chatter, just mission talk." He looks at everyone but his eyes land on me a second or two longer before he puts his earpiece on and exits. Whatever. I won't just chitchat on the live line. It's too dangerous because it's distracting. Besides, even if it posed no danger, the control room monitors the live lines and knowing some unknown person is listening just kills all desire for chitchat.
I move to the driver seat for my role as look out. The guys move out; Lester and Michael go to the front door and Noah and Ben disappear behind the building to cover the back. The moment that I hear Lester give the command and see him disappear into the front door I move the SUV from down the street to right in front of the duplex. If they tell me to drive around back, there should be a service alley for trash I can access at the end of the street I think. The dog is still barking. He started the moment Lester entered the property but he is locked in the dog run that is at the right front side of the yard .
I hear some more commands from Lester as he clears the front room, then commotion. Glass breaking and yelling coming from the house then Noah on the line. He and Ben have caught John leaping out the bedroom window but it has to be the door as that room is on the 2nd floor. He lands and it sounds like he is fighting as they give chase.
"Hold him. Moving!" I hear Lester's voice call into my ear and I know he is telling the team in back to hold John as best they can, he is on his way to them to provide backup with Michael.
I can hear more commotion outside through the windows of the car I have rolled down. There is not much on the headset as they are designed to not pick up background noise but to respond mainly to the voice of the user. But I can hear a few grunts and other cries that let me know they are in heated struggle or pursuit around the property. Then silence. I wait holding my breath. I have a bad feeling about this, so I roll up the windows.
In the dimness I see a tall, bulky figure lumbering around the side of the duplex. Strength rolls off him despite his slightly halting limp. He stops stalk still, then turns his head and I swear he looks me straight in the eyes. He shouldn't be able to see me that clearly through the window shield at this distance. His eyes are dark and bottomless and I shiver as it reminds me of staring into a watery abyss at midnight. When I am unable to see anything but miles of black smooth water and only the occasional ripple shows something beneath is near. He grins but the smile never reaches his eyes. Then after what seemed like forever under his fathomless stare, he turns slowly and lumbers into the front yard.
"Sierra one to Charlie team leader do you copy?" this is the 3rd time I have called to Lester. I started the moment I saw that guy come around the corner from the back and I repeated it again right before he locked eyes with me.
Silence. I get nothing but silence.
"Control room do you read? This is Sierra One, Charlie team's lookout, please send back-up. I suspect the team is down. Please respond." Opps I should say over right? or maybe not? I mean this isn't a radio but it is sort of since we have call signs and I'm Sierra one not S1. It doesn't matter ,I tell myself, just focus on what does matter. I take a calming breath. Hoping the Control room was listening to our line as I know there are many team live lines talking at the same time.
"Charlie leader please respond over. …..Rear op team do you copy? Any team member please report your situation….Are you guys alright!" I know the last one was completely the wrong format, but I don't care. I just need anything even a little sound to know they are alive.
"Sierra One this is the Control room are you safe at your current location? Over."
"Control room this is." (oh hang it all).. "Yes. Over"
"Siera One. What is your location? Over."
"I am outside the Skips duplex in the car. No one is harassing me." Silence on the line I wait and finally
"Sierra One, Hold position and monitor. IF the target comes towards you, do not engage. Repeat do not engage. You are to drive away immediately. Over"
"Just leave!"…..(opps I mean) "Control room what about the team? they may return and need help…um..Over" I keep forgetting to say that. I start the SUV and wait as that is the escape driver protocol.
"Negative. Drive to safety at the first sign of hostility. Back-up will arrive shortly. Do you copy Sierra One?"
"Yes. I understand." I say feeling helpless and frustrated. I wonder how soon back up will arrive? If a team comes from Rangeman that is at least 20 minutes IF they don't hit bad traffic. If there is one in the city closer, that can just drop everything and come, then maybe it will be sooner. But it doesn't look so good. It is close to 4 pm, I mean 1600, so rush hour is in full force.
I lookup he is staring at me grinning that creepy serial killer grin. Ok so I've never met one but that is how I imagined one would grin. There is something about him that isn't quite right, like, not human I mean. For a moment his black bottomless eyes seemed to have a tinge of red to them but when I looked closer the red waters have rippled back to inky black. It feels like my mind is being pulled towards him.
He turns and I know. Somehow I know, he is planning the fun he will have completely destroying my fallen team. I hear the dog near his feet yipping excitedly and I sense his delight in unleashing it on them. After that warm up, the party will start. This dark thought echoes through me, born from his hideous smile. Before he turns away, his glimmering eyes promise me he'll be back for me, once he's done playing.
My heat is thundering in my head. I can't let this happen to them. I won't let this happen! I promised not to follow them in unless called. But John came out her to me. I press the accelerator and the car lurches forward, bumping over the curb and slamming into the so called John Brown tossing him into the middle of the weeds and dirt of the front yard. I leap out of the car.
Where is that dog. Where is that damn, Dog!
The dog is crouching near his master, his tail between his legs, but the moment I appear he instantly is lunging towards me a growling bark erupting from his rows of teeth. Snap. His leash yanks him back. It is caught under his owner's leg giving me a second to reach into my cargo pants. He is straining, pulling, the leash is coming untangled. I step back as he surges forward and I spray aiming at his nose and eyes. He sneezes and whines. I cover my mouth and nose with my sleeve and spray the pepper spray again in a sweeping motion towards him but he is retreating now, whining and crying, toward his kennel. Once he enters the dog run, I close and latch its gate.
Just as I turn around, I see John is getting up. What?! I pull out my stun gun, aim, say a prayer and fire. I sigh in relief as I see the prongs actually stick in him connecting me to him. Before he can react or pull the prongs out, I press the trigger sending volts into him down the trail of wires. He freezes and shakes but then stands there and starts to take another step. I press the trigger again. He falls to the ground but begins to crawl, scoot towards me while pulling the prongs out of his chest with his free hand. Oh no you don't! I fire another set of prongs into his back and send a volley of volts into his muscles. Finally, he falls flat on his stomach and lays still. What a maniac. What are you?! There's definitely something not normal about him.
I grab his outreached hand and cuff him to the pole of the chain link fence. His other hand is under him curled up at his chest so I leave it there. I don't want to get too close, as even though I shocked him 3 times, I have no clue when he may revive.
I get back in the car and keep the engine running. I am the lookout and I am watching him. If he tries anything, I have a giant 2 ton battering ram and I will knock him back down.
Five minutes pass and I am watching his every breath and movement like a hawk.
"This is Charlie Leader all members report in." I let go of my white knuckle grip on the steering wheel and almost cheer in relief at the sound of Lester's voice in my ear. I almost start asking him how he is but I wait a beat hoping other team members will answer his call. When there is nothing but silence, I respond
"This is Sierra one, John Brown is here in the front yard.. uhm, incapacitated. I'm ready in the SUV. Do you need me to come pick you guys up?" there is silence. Uhm "Over." Got to remember that.
"Charlie Leader to Sierra one, hold your position. Charlie team sound off your locations. Over." Lester is looking for everyone. He's in the dark as much as I am. There is no sound on the line as I hold my breath and wait for anyone to respond. I roll down the window in case anyone calls out and it isn't on the live feed and to better hear any change in terminator John over there.
"Charlie Lead this is Alpha Lead we are in route, ETA* 15 minutes. Echo team is also in route, respond Echo Lead. Over." Rangers deep voice rings in my ear surprising and soothing me all at once.
"This is Echo team leader affirmative we are in route ETA 5 minutes. Out." a higher timber voice but firm and confident comes over the line
"Charlie Leader to Alpha Lead, good copy. Assessing and locating field team. Sierra One your status. over." Lester responds he doesn't sound upset but he doesn't sound like himself. I figure he must have a concussion and was out cold as it is hard to believe he lost his ear bud and was searching for it this whole time while the FTA was fetching his attack dog.
"This is Sierra one. John is still…uh" (out cold, no) "..secured...over"
"Sierra one hold position and guide backup once they arrive. Out." After Lester's final message I sit in the silence occasionally looking at the side yard for any sign of my team members. No one appears.
I see some flinching over on the ground where the not quite human John is laying. I might have to zap him or run over him again if he gets all crazy on me. Suddenly a black SUV screeches to a stop next to me. The calvary has arrived? No that would be Alpha team and its leader. Sigh. But I smile in sheer relief. It is definitely the much needed backup.
The driver stays put but 3 other guys jump out and start to rush toward me but I wave them toward the back and shout out the window that the team is somewhere lost in the back parts of the duplex. Two team members run toward the back with their first aid bag. The driver and the guy riding shotgun, I am guessing he is the Echo team leader, go to John and start securing him in leg and wrist irons.
Once done the Echo team leader runs towards the back and joins the rest of his team. I hear a voice in my ear as he runs towards around the side of the building.
"Alpha Lead this is Echo Lead, we are on site and the target is secure. Recovering Charlie team. Out."
The Echo team driver remains and watches John with me. Well I am glad to know lookout isn't a made-up job just for me, I think as the echo team driver and I stare into the silence.
5 minutes later I see Lester hobbling out with a bandage on his head and Michael also. Ben is slung over one of the guys from Echo teams shoulders in a fireman carry but he is awake but looking pale. Is it his leg? Then I get a better look and see the deformed left leg and blood covering his pants. Oh yea, definitely broken. I look away feeling the blood rush out of my face as I'm sure I saw a bone sticking out.
As the men get closer to the car I get out and open the doors so they can put the guys inside or get whatever they need out.
"Noah?" I ask Lester as he comes closer.
"He's awake. But we don't want him to walk out."
"Broken leg?"
"No he was out for a while so we don't want him to exert himself" Ahh bad concussion. Got it. I've actually had 1 or 2 of those myself. I recovered well with lots of rest.
While Echo team adds additional splints to Ben leg and check him for other injuries, I and Lester help Michael into the front passenger seat. He seems a bit dazed and banged up and he is wincing as he slides in. Based on how he guards his side and his breathing pattern I am guessing his ribs are injured on the left and a head injury also. What a beast John is. I recline the seat some to take some pressure off his ribs.
As I think this I hear a yelling screaming. Lester and I turn and John is getting up. He is on his knees and swinging at the Echo team driver who was guarding him but is now ducking and moving back.
I can definitely see red tinged in his black empty eyes like a dark blood moon but without any light. Fury builds in me I spring to the chain link fence pick up my stun gun and squeeze the trigger and hold it long and hard. He freezes and shakes and shakes and shakes and when I let go he kneels for half a second before he falls forward and is still
Echo Team, Lester and all of Charlie team look on in silence.
"Bomber...damn" Lester breaks the silence.
"I am the look out. I am just looking out for my team" I hand the stun gun to the shocked Echo team driver. The wires and leads are still attached to John Brown . I never took them off as I didn't want to stay that close to him. I just hooked the gun on the chain link fence at the edge of the property near the SUV.
"I stayed here. He came to me. I didn't follow anyone or leave my lookout spot." I say to Lester. He just hugs me and shakes is head. I know it's ok. That he doesn't think I broke my promise.
I turn back to Michael, and put a cold pack on a large bump on his head. I grab some gauze out of the first aid kit and start to clean up his scrapes and other wounds on his arms. IF there isn't too much blood I am ok. I once bandaged Rangers arm when he was shot, (he said grazed by a bullet) without feeling I'd faint. But I was also rather furious at that lady who shot him at the time too.
I hear Lester start to chuckle then he is laughing and so is Echo team. I am not sure why but I don't mind. It doesn't seem like they are laughing at me. More likely at John Brown. Echo team is moving around again and some of our team is looking around too and the are looking less dazed.
A moment later a third SUV pulls up and Ranger jumps out of the shotgun seat along with 2 other guys. He looks relieved when he sees the Charlie team members are mostly all here but then a bit annoyed. Oops I think someone was suppose to inform him about what was going on by now. Call in a report is what it is called.
He comes straight over to me gives me a quick once over. Satisfied, he moves on to look at the other guys.
Lester and Echo Lead give a fast report to Ranger and by the time they are finished Alpha team has run to the back of the duplex and got Noah and he is loaded into the back of Ranger's SUV . They used some kind of mini stretcher that unfolded before my eyes. It is rather cool. Alpha team then comes over and scoops Michael out of his seat and transfers him to their vehicle also. Before I know it all the injured members except Lester are inside the Alpha Team SUV and the driver is backing up and turning around, getting ready to take off. This all happened in 5 minutes flat and Ranger never uttered a word that I could hear. How does he do that? Lots of training? Told them before they arrived? But still, it's like his men understand his intent and then do it without him giving them orders.
"Come on Lester we are waiting on you" The driver yells. Ranger looks up at his team driver. The driver's stance changes instantly and he says
"Charlie Leader. We are ready to escort you and your team to the hospital." Lester nods at the Alpha team driver
"Charlie Lead, I request you come with us immediately. " Lester waves the driver on and tells Alpha team he will follow in a moment. The driver nods and they roar off down the street.
"Lester?" Ranger gives him a steady look
"I'll get checked, as soon as this bastard is behind bars" Ranger looks him over nods, then turns and comes straight to me.
I am sitting in the driver's seat of the Charlie team SUV. Mainly, to keep out of everyone's way as they grab, scramble and load people into vehicles. He opens my door and pulls me out onto my feet.
The guys are moving John into Echo team's SUV. The entire team has him surrounded. Their weapons are trained on him and I smile to see my stun gun prongs and wires are still attached to him. Though I wonder if the gun has much juice left in it. I watch their progression, holding my breath slightly.
"Babe" Rancher cups my cheeks pulling my gaze away from John Brown and his men. He gazes into my eyes then searches my face and kisses me softly then pulls away slightly and his eyes continue on downward searching, looking, assessing. He then pulls me into a soft embrace and his hand starts at by head in a soft caress trickles down my neck ,across my back over my shoulders and then gently down my arms until his hand slides across my palms to my fingertips in a slow almost sensual clasp.. He sits me back down on the seat and now his fingers are caressing each leg starting at the thigh over the knees and on down to the ankle. Hmm. This isn't just an intense all over lover caress is it? Once done he looks me in the eye again.
"You alright?" he asks. Um I was, but not now. Boy I've missed you.
"I'm fine." I whisper. Ranger lets out a tiny sigh and nods his head. He seems relieved.
He then puts me in the passenger seat then talks a moment with Echo team leader before Lester gets in with Echo team and they drive off. It's just Ranger and me alone in the Charlie SUV.
"So Lester is going to the police station….and then the hospital?" Ranger nods "You told the Echo leader to take him there afterwards no matter what, huh." I say with a grin. Ranger smiles and looks at me. Of course, he did.
When we get back to Rangeman Ranger goes to the control room and starts prepping for Alpha team's mission tonight plus all the other teams too. I know he coordinates which night teams get what missions. He will probably leave around 9 or 10 and get back around 5 or 6 am. I suspect him taking Alpha team out to meet us, really put him behind.
Its around 6 so I try to eat dinner, but I'm not hungry. I text Lester to find out how the guys are. They are all doing fine. Michael is waiting for the orthopedic surgeon to see if he can just set his leg and cast it or if he needs to go to the OR for pins and stuff to hold the bone in place while it heals.
'It will all be good' he texts
You got to love their attitudes. But he is right. The leg will heal even if he needs a few screws and a little metal plate to make the bone stay in place until it is strong again.
The other guys are banged up and have concussions of varying degrees but after days of brain rest, they will get better.
'No Video games or TV. I text back to him. Just rest your brain. That includes you too Lester"
'I'm fine beautiful' Lester texts back.
'out cold. didn't answer me on the live feed' I remind him
'only for a minute'
'More like five or more. So rest please. Don't make me come to your place'
'would you really 😉 😊 party!'
' No party. I 'd ask Ranger to come up with some way to boobytrap your bedroom door and I'd hide all your electronics '
'not funny steph. But he patrols all night and works on the day crew so he won't have time to torture me'
'true. But if I did come I would just keep sending you to bed to sleep far away from all light and noise so please just rest. I don't want to worry about you too.'
'ok beautiful I will'
'thanks' I click my phone off
Now I know the guys are going to be fine, I can eat dinner. Going out of the building today was good. I was able to fight something real. Be part of a team and contribute to solving a problem again. I felt a little in control of something or at least I felt I made a difference. And today was the first day in over a week that contained no monotony from being cooped up. Unfortunately, night is coming soon with its dark shadows and haunting dreams. I sigh. Oh well, I guess there is always monitor duty.
Notes for Readers
*ETA-Estimated Time of Arrival
FTA- Failure to Appear (in court so skipped their bond)
Radio Etiquette/ Speak
When starting a radio type conversation where many people are on the line, a person should say their call sign and then the call sign of who they are speaking to.
Over- means I am done with my message but I am expecting a reply from the person on the other side. This prevents people from being talked over and lets the others know they can now respond.
Out- The conversation is over. It's like you are hanging up. Take note "over and out" shouldn't be said together as they contradict, as asking for a reply, but saying the conversation is over does not make sense.
Each letter of the Alphabet has a phonetic name that never changes so this is helpful when spelling words or if you are using any letters to designate things (like teams). The letters P,B,V,D can sound the same on a radio or phone line. Below are few of the phonetic names of letters but the entire alphabet was not written below. If you want all the names it can easily be found online under searches such as phonetic alphabet, radio etiquette
Alpha – A
Bravo -B
Charlie-C
Delta-D
Echo-E
Foxtrot- F
Sierra-S
So Stephanie was called S-1 the first letter of her name with the letter 1 next to it. Most likely a quick designation made up for the day team. As it isn't a very sexy or imaginative call sign guys, come on!