Laura's POV
"So, we're all clear?! Everyone fully understands their role? Our objective is to safely rescue the victim and apprehend all involved parties, obviously we would ideally prefer it to be without incident. Our informant however suggests that resistance is expected, and extreme caution should be used. The suspects are likely to be armed in some way, although we do not suspect they have firearms, and will also probably be disguised. We have only an estimate of their number, thought to be North of five. There is also strong evidence that we have a number of civilians present, also possibly with their identities obscured so as to confuse us. Any lethal weapon is only to be with discharged after express and direct verbal authorisation by me alone. Everyone clear? Great. Any questions?"
Nine of my ten strong SCO19 team reply in the negative. Sergeant Lawler, the one female member of the team does however indicate she has a question.
"Do we know anything about the identities of those inside the premises Guv?" she asks
"What we can say with certainty is that at least three of those inside are high profile people, very well known household names with a lot to lose. Every person in that building is to be secured safely and separated swiftly before being transported to the prescribed list of stations for interview. Anyone injured will be escorted by two pc's in an ambulance directly to Princes College hospital for treatment, before also being taken to a nick to be questioned. I don't need to remind you all that discretion and respect throughout this entire operation is to be observed at all times, with all arrested parties. The last thing we need is for this to get out before we have any solid evidence against any suspects, or for any of them to start legal proceedings against us, citing police brutality or coercion. Understood? This needs to be a clean op, 100% by the book if we have any hope of bringing charges against these people. Ok? Good, now, final checks please people"
Mutters of "Yes Guv" fill the stark body of the transit van we are seated inside, followed by the always terrifying but equally as exciting sound of ten Glock 17 pistols and four MP5 submachine guns being checked and signed out.
While my team check their weapons and comms I radio the two other team commanders and give final instructions to them both.
Returning my attention to my team once I'm am satisfied that everyone knows the plan I clap my hands together to get their attention. I have one final thing to say to them all before we exit the van and take up our first positions.
"As always guys.... others may follow the 'if you can't bring 'em in, bring 'em down' philosophy, we however ascribe to ......"
Ten voices join me in reciting our preferred words to live by...
"Only those who CANT bring 'em in, bring 'em down!"
"Ok, love you all guys..... let's get this done!"
We leave the van as quietly as possible, not wanting to attract attention to our presence. Police squad cars have blocked either end of the streets preventing entry to anyone, and a number of ambulances are also present on standby. The handful of other properties within the road have been evacuated and secured, their residents escorted to a local hotel until this situation is resolved.
"Operation 'Gatekeeper' is GO" I declare into my radio, indicating all officers take up their positions surrounding the house.
A few long minutes pass before I receive radio confirmation that all other officers are in position.
Ok....
...... here we go!
I pull out my phone and FaceTime Noah. He connects the call wordlessly almost immediately with his finger over his lip. He appears to be crouched beside a tiny window at the foot of some stone steps.... a basement window!
He again indicates I remain silent before turning his camera around and showing me his view and my stomach lurches. The scene before me is nauseatingly harrowing in the extreme and I clasp my hand over my mouth to keep from gasping aloud, and to suppress the wave of burning acid that has begun to make its way up from my stomach into my throat.
I have seen the aftermath of many a serious crime, experienced the horrors of brutal and violent crime scenes, questioned hundreds of suspects and witnesses, and comforted dozens of victims and their families, but NEVER before a few weeks ago had I physically witnessed such a violent crime in progress.... and now I am witnessing my second, and both involving my best friend!
I suppress my cries, swallowing them down and closing my eyes, taking a few seconds to concentrate on regulating my breathing and refocussing my mind. I need to detach myself from my feelings. Reminding myself that I am here in my professional capacity, and if I fall apart then Sydney's and many other peoples lives are at risk, I square my shoulders and again turn my attention back to the horrifying view that Noah is showing me to gain enough intelligence about individuals locations to make final decisions about how to proceed.
"Silver leader, come in, over" I calmly speak into my radio, my tone belying the anxiety and distress I am feeling.
"This is Silver leader, go ahead Gold leader, over" comes the immediate response.
"I have visual confirmation of 9 persons in the room. Repeat, that's nine persons confirmed present, seven appear to be hostiles. We have one subject secured in a chair, appears to be unconscious, positioned at 5 o'clock just behind the main entry point.
An IC1 female restrained by the wrists, almost naked and fully suspended in the centre of the room from a large hook above her head, also appears to be unconscious and seriously injured" my voice cracks at those final few words.
"Six masked naked males, 3 IC1 males, 2 IC4 males and an IC3 male are closely surrounding the female while a fully dressed IC1 male is flailing her with what appears to be a horse whip. The suspect with the whip is Harry Hartwell, repeat, Harry Hartwell. Approach with caution, this suspect is already wanted in connection with 2 ongoing murder investigations. There are what appear to be 5 large daggers on a table to his right. Silver team, move into second position. Bronze team, standby"
I'm coming Syddie, just hold on a little longer for me I mutter to myself before giving the order to my team to move in.
Let's end this!