ESU workers were amazed at how little debris they needed to clear to be able to get up to the third floor of the TAC building. Majority of the debris seemed to be on the right side of the building, meaning that the staircases were largely free of damage. The workers were sure that the blasts that had collapsed half the building were from at least two different bombs, but the bomb squad had cleared the rest of the building from any more explosive devices. ESU was free to search for anyone that was still in the building, and, according to their list of people that had been in the building that day, majority of them were now classed as missing.
"Lieutenant Thader, we've got access," said one of the newer ESU guys. "The stairs are clear to the top floor."
"Good. I want twenty-three teams in this building, one per floor. Be careful and search thoroughly. Each team will take a copy of the sign-in list. Cross off names when you find the person, and radio it through to the other teams as well," said Thader. "Watch your team's backs, everyone, and stay alert."
"Which team are you joining?"
"The one for the twenty-second floor. I won't put anyone other than seasoned team members on the job of convincing Dr Bull and his team to leave the building."
Thader watched the first team go up the stairs to the third floor. When they had disappeared from view, he sent the second team in to go up to the first floor. Then he led his own team up to the twenty-second floor, where it was clear the biggest explosive had gone off.
"Watch out, guys. We need to be careful up here. Our list says that there are twelve people using offices on this floor. Three are being freed from the elevator already, that leaves nine people to find," Thader mentioned as they exited the stairs on the second floor. "Dr Bull and his team of analysts make up six of the missing people. The other three are analysts that work in offices up here too- Amber Jones, Scott Mark, and Thomas Wallace. Make sure you walk where there's a clear path, in case people are under debris."
His team nodded and separated into pairs to search the floor. Thader held back a sigh as he and his partner combed through the debris, looking for anybody that might be hidden.
Bull had taken over comforting Marissa while Chunk sat with the other two women and Benny. He was still stroking her head lightly, avoiding the cut above Marissa's left eye and the clear gash on the side of her head, but he was also searching the area with his eyes. He had thought he heard people talking, and was looking for the source of the voices, hoping that it was someone coming to help them.
"Dr Bull? Are you up here?"
Bull breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Thader's voice. "Over here," he called back. "We need a paramedic."
Thader appeared a moment later. "Who need's medical attention, other than Marissa?"
"Danny's got a sore ankle, we're not sure if it's broken or just twisted. My leg is injured, possibly broken now. I fell with the third explosion right on top of it."
"Okay. Cable, Benny, Chunk, are you guys injured?"
"We're good. We might have some cuts and bruises," said Chunk.
"Alright. Amber? What about you?"
"I'm fine. Cuts and bruises are the worst of it," answered Amber.
Thader nodded. He pulled off his radio and called for paramedics to assist on the second floor, then radioed through to the rest of the ESU workers that they could cross off Bull, his team and Amber off their 'missing' list.
"Got it, Lieutenant. We've heard from the rescue workers on the ground floor that the three people stuck in the elevator are free. Two are being taken to hospital for minor injuries, the third is okay and being debriefed as we speak," called back one of the workers on the first floor.
"Thank you, Hank. Meet the paramedics on the ground floor and guide them up to the twenty-second floor, over near Dr Bull's office."
Bull watched Thader replace his radio. "How bad is the damage?" he asked, squeezing Marissa's hand when she whimpered from the increasing pain in her body.
"The right half of the building has collapsed; several people are still missing. There were several people outside the building with injuries from falling debris, and rescue workers have already found a couple of people that were killed."
"What about inside? How many are gone?"
"None, yet. Hopefully, we won't find anyone else dead."
Bull nodded. "We need to get Marissa out of here ASAP. And we can't let her walk or sit up."
"Back injury?"
"We think it's possible. She's been complaining of back pain, but she did sit up earlier and can still move. We just want to be sure that she's okay."
Thader pulled his radio out again. "Hank?"
"Bringing the medics up now."
"Have they got a spinal board?"
"Yes."
"Good. Tell them they'll be needing it for a patient with a possible back injury."
"Got it." A few minutes later, Hank appeared, leading four paramedics over. "Figured you might need the extra help with seven people up here."
"Thanks. Can you take four people back down to get checked out in the ambulances?"
"Sure."
Thader turned back to the TAC analysts. "Cable, Chunk, Benny and Amber aren't hurt, but probably still should be checked out. I'll stay with the other three up here."
"Alright. Come on, guys. Let's get out of here." Hank helped Amber up and led the four analysts to the staircase.
"Who has the worst injuries?" one of the medics asked.
"Marissa, by a long shot," said Bull. "She's been complaining of back pain, head pain, and some leg pain. She can move, she sat up earlier without a problem, but she was buried beneath enough debris that she may still have hidden injuries. There's a gash on the right side of her head and a cut above her left eye that are still bleeding slightly. I think she's going into shock, too."
"Okay. We'll take care of Marissa. You need to get that leg checked out. It looks broken."
"I thought it was. Just be careful with her, please."
"We're always careful, especially with injuries like these." The medics carefully lifted Marissa onto the spinal board, freeing Bull to be checked along with Danny.