Chapter 3

''Don't look back, Jaime,'' Steve told her. ''That'll tip them off that we see them. Russ can keep an eye on the rear view. As long as they keep their distance - for now - we should be okay.''

''We might have a problem...'' Russ said quietly, eying the car behind them.

It was too soon. According to the plan they'd so carefully worked out, they were headed to a phony OSI Safe House (rather than expose a real one's location), where hidden teams waited to help take down the terrorists. It was assumed they'd be followed (and 'jumped' when they got there)...but their pursuers were playing their hand too early, following too closely.

''It's not one of ours,'' Russ added. There were support units ahead and behind them but none in sight (since that would give away the ruse). They were on an expanse of highway that snaked through a dense patch of forest, so there were no side roads he could turn down, to see if the other car followed (and to try and shake them off if they did). He pressed his foot harder on the accelerator...and the other car kept up right behind them. ''Units One and Two, fall back,'' Russ called on the radio. ''We've got company and need back-up now.'' There was no reply; not even an acknowledgment. ''Units One and Two - do you read me?'' Nothing. It was not time to give up! ''This is vehicle 'Three Dwarves'! Snow White, are you there? Any units copy this?''

''The radio's dead?'' Jaime gulped.

''The radio's fine,'' Steve told her. ''Our friends back there have a frequency jammer.'' He keyed up his datacom. ''Oscar, do you read?'' Once again, there was no answer. ''Great; a very sophisticated jammer. We're cut off.''

Russ pressed the accelerator as hard as he dared on the narrow, winding road...

''Oscar, we've lost communication with the 'Three Dwarves'!'' Jack called from the other side of the Control Room.

''That's impossible - keep trying!'' Oscar insisted. ''Move vehicles One and Two back and send Three and Four forward to intercept in case they're in trouble!''

Hansen was already on it. All four cars acknowledged...then one by one they lost communication too as they got closer to their destination. Hansen furiously pounded the buttons, trying to raise someone - anyone - in the 'Three Dwarves' area on the radio...and got only dead air. ''It's a jammer!'' he announced. ''Either they're being followed or the car has...stopped...and the jammer was left behind to throw us off.''

The entire Control Room moved immediately into crisis mode. With no way to reach Steve, Jaime and Russ (or the four Security cars), they had to hope for the best...while assuming (and preparing for) the worst. The Secret Service was notified and State and local police (and Rescue) were dispatched.

Unit Two was the first to call in - or rather, the first to be able to transmit, as the Control Room radio blared back to life catching the NSB Security team member in mid-sentence. ''...and no skid marks evident at the scene, Sir,'' he reported.

''All units report, please,'' Hansen requested. ''Where are you and what's going on? Transmissions have been blocked since acknowledgment; I need full reports!'' Whatever had been jamming their frequencies had been disabled - either voluntarily or by force.

''This is Unit One,'' the first car transmitted. ''We were in pursuit of a vehicle leaving the scene.''

''Unit One, is the vehicle apprehended?''

''Negative, Sir. Our tires were shot out. Radioed for back-up...but nothing happened. Unable to ascertain number of occupants in vehicle or get a plate number.''

Oscar grimaced. Hansen continued checking in with the Security cars. ''Unit Two...what do you have?''

''Unit Two...'Three Dwarves' car off the road and up against a tree, impacting on the passenger side. Rear bumper also shows signs of an impact. Small amounts of blood, front and back seat.''

''I've sent an ambulance,'' Hansen told them. ''How bad are the injuries?''

''Car is empty, Sir. We've remained with the vehicle and Three and Four are searching the area. Awfully dense back here; we could use more help!''

''Units are on the way,'' Hansen promised.

The news grew more ominous with each transmission. Although there had (so far) been no bodies found, there was also no sign of Jaime, Steve or Russ. Then...a lone voice came over the datacom frequency, sounding frightened and very far away.

''Oscar...?''

Hansen grabbed the other mic. ''Jaime? This is Jack Hansen. Are you hurt? What about the others?''

''I - I'm by myself. Can't find anyone. I...'' Her voice trailed off for a moment. ''I know I'm s'posed to start by giving you my location, but...I don't know where I am...''

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