Hour Seven

In the Situation Room, the group watched as the Seals and Ron breeched boats and jumped into the water, heading to the beach. It was a moonless night, which helped the infrared cameras on each Seals' helmet to have clearer pictures. They watched as the Seals scrambled along the sand and climbed the small dune onto the vast lawn of the house where the President and First Lady had hoped for a relaxing vacation, but it had turned out to be anything but.

The Seals quickly divided into their three preassigned groups. The first group, Team 3, quietly made their way to the second structure and opened the unlocked door. They easily found the first individual, whom they identified as Agent Dan Marks. He was awake as the sedative had worn off, but was still tied up and gaged. He was released, ungagged and helped to sit up.

"The President? How is he?"

The head of the Seal team shook his head. "We don't know yet. But we'll find out soon. Just rest."

Marks nodded. There was really nothing else to do. The First Couple's safety was now in other hands.

"Team 3 Knight in the nest."

A sense of relief was felt by those in the Situation Room. One hostage found alive. Now for the other two.

Two of Team 3 members left the structure and made their way over to the power box on the side of the house, waiting for the signal to cut power for the other teams' entry into the house.

The two other teams got into position.

Ron was with Team 1, who was entering through the glass door in the back. That was the entry thought to be closest to where it was assumed the President was being held and Ron had a responsibility to the man to be there as soon as he could.

A whispered go signal was given.

Team 3 cut power and plunged the house into darkness.

Team 1 broke through the glass door and made their way into the kitchen. The first person they met didn't have a chance to pull a weapon. Abraham hit the floor without making a sound or a firing a shot.

The team made their way through the kitchen and into the Master bedroom. That's where three of the hostage takers were located. They returned fire as soon as the Seals breached the door. One Seal was hit in the shoulder and fell back. But the other two Seals took out two of the three hostage takers. The third dropped his weapon and held up his hands. One of the Seals immediately ran forward and pulled his arms behind him and cuffed him. Ron had already run to the bed where the unconscious President lay. He untied him and pulled out the gag. He also got on his communication mic and urgently requested a medic to the house.

"Team 1 Eagle in the nest."

At the same time Team 1 was gaining access to the kitchen, Team 2 broke open the locked front door and stormed up the front staircase heading to the room where the drone had seen another motionless image. The three guards in that room turned to fire, but were cut down immediately by the gunfire from the automatic weapons of the Seals. The Team members quickly moved to the bed where they untied Abbey and removed her gag.

"Team 2 Regina in the nest."

In the Situation Room a cheer went up as they realized that all three hostages had been rescued and were alive. Now the worry set in about their physical and emotional status. They wanted to know, but let Ron and the Seals focus on the task at hand. The National Security Council would find out soon enough.

"Are you okay, Ma'am? Don't move until we get a medic to look you over."

"My husband? What about my husband?"

"We don't know, Ma'am. Please wait. A medic is on his way."

Although extremely anxious about Jed, Abbey realized that she was probably in the early stages of shock herself and wouldn't do anybody any good if she collapsed.

"Okay. But please find out something if you can," as she laid back trying to bring her rapid breathing under control.

Seal team members roamed the house, checking for booby traps or any other surprises. They were relieved to find none and let their Command know that the house was clean.

Meanwhile, a Coast Guard helicopter landed on the back lawn. Four Coast Guardsmen ran stretchers across the lawn and into the house, two headed for the Master bedroom and two headed upstairs.

The first two reached the President and with the help of Ron, eased the still unconscious President into the stretcher and belted him in. They then headed out to the waiting helicopter. The other two entered the bedroom where Abbey lay.

"I really can walk."

But her words fell on deaf ears.

"Ma'am, please. Let us do what we think is best. Until you get checked out, we do not want to take any chances. Can you just work with us, please?"

"Okay." Abbey resigned herself to following orders. Other than feeling tired from the drugs and probably from dehydration from not having anything to drink for the past eight hours or so, she thought she was fine. She was more worried about whatever had been done to Jed. And what the stress of all this had done to his MS. But nothing would get done faster with her arguing with these guys. They were only doing their jobs.

By the time the two Coast Guardsmen got her stretcher out to the waiting helicopter, the rotors were moving in anticipation of immediate takeoff. Since there was only room for two stretchers, a second helicopter was on its way for Agent Marks and the injured Seal.

As soon as the helicopter took off, Abbey saw Ron sitting on the back bench. She got his attention and he leaned over her. With the noise of the helicopter making it difficult to talk to him, she tried to get some idea of how Jed was.

He knew what she was trying to ask and he shook his head. "Not good, Ma'am."

Her heart sank. That was what she was afraid of. But, because of the noise, she couldn't get any details. All she could do was settle down for the thirty-minute flight into Boston and hoped that he would make it to the hospital.