"Settling the Score" 4/4

By Rita Widmer

AN: All that crazy disclaimer stuff still applies, and of course feedback is always welcome.

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The man's outrage gave Mac the moment she needed to take control of the situation. Knocking the gun out of his hand, she took hold of his wrist and flipped him to the ground where she held him down. With a good whack she had him out.

She hoped the last member of the entourage was too busy keeping watch over the hostages to come after her. When the last part of the plan started she wanted to be the one in control.

She quickly moved the unconscious man to the office, and after unlocking the door she shoved him inside. There was no time to consider why these Caucasian men had decided to attack the Muslim center. That all could be answered later and now was the time to save lives.

Now came the hardest and most dangerous part. The last person standing was going to be scared but a fighter. Any wrong moves could set him off, and she needed him to be willing to accommodate to her wishes.

The hallways seemed eerily quiet to her ears. The only sound was the slight tapping of her heels as she made her way to the main room. Once there, she peered into the small window in the door. The last man standing was staring right back at her. He had been expecting her.

"They've found out who's responsible, Commander."

Harm looked up at the general. He had been deep in thought wondering how to break the order without breaking his career. "Which terrorist group is it?"

"It's not considered one by the government. It's one of those Aryan Nazi groups that have a group of supporters backing them up. There has been some bragging from the group on their website recently about how they would get revenge on the terrorists that had attacked their country."

"So what we have is an unorganized group of terrorists only wanting revenge."

"That about sums it up. There is one plus to this situation, an unorganized situation is an easier one to take over, but there is one problem. They maybe easier, but they will be willing to go the extra mile."

Harm's brows furrowed together. "They may capture them, but at what cost?"

There was no need to answer the question. They both knew that the cost could be heavy, and someone they knew could be part of it.

"Commander, just a little reminder for you. The Colonel is one great Marine, and we need to put our faith in her. I do, do you?" With that General Cresswell left Harm to his thoughts.

"I do," Harm whispered.

"Come in, Colonel, welcome to our little abode," the man said to her as he opened the door. "I was starting to wonder when you would finally join us."

Her only answer was to glare at him. The anger and fear was rising within her, and she knew it would not help the situation to take his bait. Gulping as quietly as possible she tried to calm her nerves.

"Why don't you sit in my chair? It is right up front, and in the middle of the action. That's the way you like it, isn't it?"

"I want only one thing, and that is for the children to be let go."

"And why should I do that?"

"Out of the goodness of your heart? No that would be too much to ask. How about I give up my weapon for it?"

"You insult me."

"I'm a lawyer, and I'm willing to make negotiations." She held up her gun towards him.

"I'll have the place blown up before the bullet even reaches me."

"Are you willing to take that chance? Let the children go, and I'll put my gun down. It's very simple. They are still young and eager to learn. You can still teach them of your ways." The bile rose in Mac's throat at that thought, but she had to plead to his wants not hers.

The man turned towards the children that sat around the room. "All under age 12 may go."

Mac sighed with small sense of relief. There would be some saved today. 'Now for the rest of them.' She would have to make quick action soon if she had any chance to save them all.

The man grabbed Adalia violently from her perch. "Take them outside, but I expect you right back here. Understood?"

Mac met Adalia's eyes firmly, and with a small nod, she tried to reassure her friend.

The children scurried out before Adalia, and Mac knew it was her time to move. The man turned towards Mac, and ordered her to put her gun down.

A moment later the sound of a gun going off could be heard, and then there was darkness.

The Earth trembled under Harm's feet, and he knew instantly what had happened. There was no stopping him now, but no one paid any attention to him as the police made their way to the center.

Heading around the curve, Harm came to a standstill as he saw what was left of the center. His legs trembled within, and for a moment he thought they would give out. Running towards the building, he noticed one figure emerge carrying something.

Before he could reach the ruins, the person had gone digging once again for more survivors. As the person looked up, Harm looked into the person's eyes. It was Mac. He soon joined her in the rescue, but when hours seemed to have passed Harm looked over at Mac just before she collapsed.

No one ever found out what had changed the terrorist's mind to allow the children go, but with minor injuries they were safe. The remaining teenagers and adults were not all so luckily.

Mac had helped save many that day, but she had slipped into a coma. Her fate and the other survivors was still in the air. Harm sat at her side, one very scared, but proud man.

The End (Well except for a little epilogue to be posted tomorrow.)