JR SWAT 1: The Basics

Chapter 27: Run, run

"SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHH" they repeated over and over.

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

Silence.

Kelly heard nothing. No sound coming from the hallway. She checked one more time.

One Mississippi. Two Mississippi. Three Mississippi.

"Remember, when in doubt, count five whole Mississippis. If you're unsure, it's better to hold for your backup. If none is available, you count. No response? You move in carefully. Note the distance of your goal versus the distance of the obstacle." Officer Luca's words sounded loud in the back of her mind. He was right. Before she made any move, it was on her to make sure the plane field was safe.

Three Mississippi. Don't panic. Four Mississippi. Breathe. Five Mississippi. Here we go!

Silence.

"Kelly?" Chen called.

She turned to him. Note the distance of your goal versus the distance of the obstacle. She closed her eyes. The front door to the building was about 25 feet away, but it was wired. So, the other escape was about 100 feet from them. The distance to the obstacle.  The man holding the weapon was some 20 to 30 feet away, maybe 50. There was no way to tell. She had to sneak her head out to the hall and check herself, but...was there backup?

She thought for a moment. Marv! Yes, he was her backup. Officer Luca said backup is anyone or anything that can cover your backside or your blindside, any spot that you have no visibility and that could be used by the enemy to surprise you. Since Marv had slipped through the backdoor of the theater, which connected the hall with backstage, he had a plane view of the hall. If their plan had worked, and Rubio had lured the man out of the hall to the storage space up in the second floor, then they should be good to go.

"Never underestimate an enemy" she could hear his voice. Luca once told her that most criminals have a Plan D. According to him, plan D stood for Desperation. It was their move when their original plan didn't work. Usually it meant even more violence and random acts, which signify the ultimate element of surprise for the officers. What they never expected from the criminal. So, it was her job to call it before it happened. She had to always be on the lookout for Plan D.

"PSSSSTTT!" she heard from afar.

GASP

"Guys, be quiet!" she said desperately to the audience inside. She turned back to the door, this time peaking her ear completely through the opened space between the door and the frame.

"PSSSTT! Kells!" she heard Marv's words in the distance.

GASPS

Marv! Backup's here. No obstacle. Breathe.

"PSSSSTTTT!" she whispered back. She opened the door slowly, this time letting her entire body go through.

The hallway was completely vacated. She found Marv at the corner, where the long corridor turned towards the exit hallway. He stood looking all ways, wearing the big automatic weapon they removed from the guy in the closet. He stopped when he saw her, as he came slowly towards her. Kelly took a few steps out of the theater, closing the door behind her. They both tip toed towards one another.

"Let em all out. Guide them, Kell. I'll get the door, and Rubio! Go! Go!" he called.

She nodded her head slowly, then ran back to the theater.

Meanwhile...

"Sergeant, Captain wants us to pull back!" Tan yelled as Lee and he made their way back to the group next to the window.