by KC McLaren
So much for not being dismissed out of hand Egil thought to himself. “I don’t believe the PM is the intended target, Carl.” Egil said, getting frustrated with how the conversation was going. “Until a few moments ago and seeing you here, I had no idea of the PM’s whereabouts. But are you willing to ignore what I’ve said?”
“I won’t ignore you, Egil. I have no choice but to call this in. And sorry, but you need to hand over any weapon you have and stand down. I’m not asking.” Carl said as he moved a hand down to reach for his weapon. Egil knew there would be little chance of him counter acting Carl’s movements, and if it came to it, regardless of their background together, Carl would shoot without hesitation. He had to think quickly before things got out of hand resulting in more wasted time, or even worse, one of them ending up eating a bullet for their troubles.
“Wait! Just bloody wait. You can have the weapon. Just answer me this one last question. Please, Carl, we are running out of time.”
“It’s you that has run out of time.” Carl replied. “I’ve already given you more time than I should. You know the protocols I need and will follow. Don’t make me pull my gun on you, Egil. Hand over your weapon now. This is your last and final warning.”
Egil ignored Carl. “The Prime Minister, he is here for a meeting with Jonathan Beckett on the thirty-ninth floor, yes or no?”
Egil saw a flicker of acknowledgement in Carl’s eyes and his body relaxed. Carl reached for the side of his body, Egil took a step backwards thinking he was about to pull out his gun. Instead he pulled out a two-way radio from underneath his jacket.
“Sit Rep. Tango-Two to Big-Bear. Code-One-O-one. I repeat Code-One-O-one.” Carl spoke into the radio then angrily said to Egil. “You better be right, Egil. All hell is just about to rain down on you.”
Immediately a voice came back over the radio, “This is Big-Bear. All posts check in now. I repeat all posts check in now, Code-One-O-one, I repeat Code-One-O-one.” Further chatter came over the radio as the different security detail personnel reported back into ‘Big-Bear’.
“We need to get up to that penthouse, Carl. And we need to do it now.” Egil said.
Carl moved up close to Egil, and started eye-ball to eye-ball, “We? We don’t have to do anything. Do you know there has never been a Code-One-O-one placed on a PM in the last twenty years? Have you got any idea what you’ve just made me do?”
“Never thought you were the type of person to be worried about your career, Carl,” Egil replied.
Carl shot Egil a glare of contempt. “My career? Jesus, what are you on these days, Egil? For your information, the Prime Minister is not even supposed to be here. In fact, for all concerned, he is not. And I’ve just announced to all and sundry, he is. That Code-One-O-one will automatically bypass all security protocols we have in place here today. In less than ten minutes the people no doubt the PM was keeping this meeting hidden from will know where he is. Thankfully, within three minutes a bunch of armed offices from SCO-19 will be on scene. As I say, ‘we’ won’t be doing anything. You have no idea what you’ve just done…”
Carl was interrupted by the radio chatter. “Big-Bear to Tango-Three, come in. Sit Rep, Sit Rep. Tango-Three comply.” No reply. Again the radio cracked up. “Big-Bear to Tango-Three, come in. Sit Rep, Sit Rep. Confirm. Tango-Three confirm.” The only reply over the radio was the deafening sound of static.
The two men looked at each other, instinct taking over their thoughts.
‘Big-Bear to Tango-Two. Get me eyes on Tango-Three. ETA for SCO-19 two minutes out.’ The radio spouted out.
“Copy that, Big-Bear. I have an MI5 Officer on scene. Egil Finstad. Advise further required.” Carl replied, taking a step back but still keeping his focus on Egil.
There was a moment of silence that seemed to last for ages. Carl this time took a deliberate step further back, this time rested his hand on his gun. Egil could plainly see his intentions, comply or be shot.
‘Have you got the situation under control?’ The voice asked over the radio. Carl put his hand on his sidearm. “Yes, Sir.”
“Seems Mr Finstad has a reluctant admirer. Tell him to co-ordinate SCO-19 arrival. If he is not armed, give him a weapon and get him a radio. You? Get down to that garage and get eyes on Tango-Three ASAP.”
“Copy that, on the way.” Carl released his grip on his sidearm letting it slide back into the holster. “You heard. SCO-19 will be here in a few minutes. I want the first team in that garage, second and third team on their way up to the penthouse. You can have my radio. I will use my ear-piece for comms from now on.”
Egil stared back, confused.
“I can see what you’re thinking.” Carl held up the radio and looked at. “These are off the grid till that code is announced. We never thought in a month of Sundays it would ever be needed. Was the gun a bluff, or do you need my backup?”
“Nope, no bluff.” Egil replied.
Carl smirked at Egil, “And no doubt even with your lazy neutral stance, I bet you believed you could have pulled on me first. Crazy bastard! Good luck. Dial one-seven-one-nine on the radio to get hold of me on my comms.”
“I apologise for the career comment, Carl.”
“Yeh, right? You knew exactly what you were doing, what buttons to press for the information you wanted, and on purpose. Glad you did though, and I accept the apology. Glad also I didn’t have shoot you.” Carl winked at Egil, then turned away and strode out of the reception area. As he exited Egil could see him withdraw his weapon and burst out into a sprint towards the garage underground car parking.
It was not what Egil was expecting, being left with supervising SCO-19 when they arrived. And now knowing that the Prime Minister was in the building, things just seemed to get even more confusing. Even more concerning, what was the PM doing meeting with Jonathan Beckett in secret. The questions just kept on coming. He noticed the concierge walking over to him. I’ll deal with you in a minute, he thought, he took out his mobile and dialled Jason.
“Thought you weren’t going to use this mobile, Egil.” Jason said as he answered the call.
“Things are moving along fast. Too fast, where are you?” Egil replied.
“Funny you should ask. I’m just pulling into the car park of 1 Millharbour. Thought you would like some company, considering the shit has just hit the fan. One minute I’m getting comms asking where the hell are you, next I am hearing SCO-19 is on the way to where you are. Then some ponce has called a code red on the PM. What the heck did you do now, kidnap him? Taken him hostage, I don’t think Valhalla will help you on this one, Egil.”
“Funny you should ask about the PM,” Egil said mocking Jason’s jokes. “He’s here meeting with Jonathan Beckett, and that ponce? Was me. Now get your arse into the reception area, I have a job waiting for you.” Egil replied pleased to know his partner had turned up, he could do with some friendly backup.
“Well, life is never boring with you around, Egil...” Jason said.
As he cut the call, the concierge stood in front of him looking rather annoyed and frustrated. “What the hell is going on here?” he demanded.
“Nothing that concerns you. However, you will do exactly what I tell you, this is a matter of national security.” Egil replied, and this time he meant it. “I want everyone out of this area in two minutes. I also need access to the lifts that goes up to the thirty-ninth floor in the main building.”
The concierge looked at Egil and from the look on his face, Egil knew he was not going to have any problems with him. “I’ll get you some master key code cards to use. We’ve had a few problems with the lifts and lights in the underground car park in the last hour or so.”
“Thank you. Be warned, there will be a bunch of very heavily armed police turning up in a few minutes. All I can say is that we believe there is a situation developing on that floor.” That should frighten the shit of the guy and make him comply with anything I need. Egil watched the concierge rush off to get what he asked for and
told anyone who would listen to get the hell out of reception, so much for being polite. Just as well there are not too many people around, nothing like a panic to get people moving, Egil thought to himself.
“Ha, Mr Finstad, in the flesh and still breathing I see.” Jason said as he entered the reception area. Egil smiled back at him.
“It seems I have a few more cat lives up my sleeve.” Egil replied then genuinely said, “It’s good to have you here, Jason. Thank you.”
“No problems, I was getting bored trying to turn you into a ghost at Canary Wharf. But it’s good to see you are well, Egil.” Jason approached Egil, raising his arms up.
“Don’t even think about giving me a man-hug, Jason. I’ll shoot you here and now.”
Egil was saved from the man-hug as SCO-19 turned up in the car park, all sirens blaring, lights flashing, Armageddon made to order.
“Jason, get hold of that mad-hatter concierge running around like a headless chicken and calm the fool down. He will give you some security cards to get us up on to the thirty-ninth floor. Find out where their CCTV room is and get me eyes on the underground car park. This Brad guy is here, he is heading for the penthouse and the PM is there too. There’s an SCO-19 security detail member on the way now.”
“Roger that, Egil.” Jason replied already on his way to the foyer reception desk.
Egil turned back towards the entrance area just as a heavily armed SCO-19 team rushed in. He recognised the lead team member who was barking out orders over his comms. Egil spoke into the radio he had, “Tango-two to Big-Bear, come in.”
“Well now, why am I not surprised to see you here?” Immediately Egil was surrounded by the other four team members, guns raised and pointing directly at Egil. The team leader barked orders to his men to lower their weapons.
“The last time I saw you Mr Finstad you were telling me to state I’ve never seen you. Twice in one day, and I still have no idea who you are. I have to say on the way down here, I was commanded to take you into custody. And now, I am told to take orders from you. For a spook, you sure are one spooky man.” He walked over to Egil, held out his hand. “I’m Jakes, pleased to meet you, I think. My men have secured the area, we have four teams of five in place. What’s next Mr Finstad?”
Egil shook Jakes hand and repeated into his radio. “Tango-two to Big-bear, come in.” There was no reply. “Please, call me Egil,” he said to the officer. “I need one of your teams down to the underground car park on the east side.”
Egil brought the officer up to speed and told him as much as he knew.
Jakes barked out orders on his comms commanding one of his teams to secure the car park as requested. “We are in a Code One-O-One ThornScope protocol status. That means all public communications, mobiles, or anything that receives a public transmission within a thousand-yard perimeter is either blocked or under our control. No one in, no one out, no media. We have only one priority and objective, and that is to secure the PM, at any cost. Do you understand me, Egil?”
“I am fully aware of the protocol. Listen Jakes, whilst I am familiar with protocol I’ve never been involved in this One-O-One code before…”
Jakes cut in, “None of us have, apart from in training. I have my orders, and apparently they come from the same guy who told me that you were never at the Canary Wharf car park. So for you Mr Finstad, it’s in for penny in for a pound.”
Egil again tried to call Big-Bear, and again there was no reply. He looked worryingly at Jakes, “I don’t suppose this protocol would take out the SCO-1 comms too?”
“Quite the opposite.” He replied then spoke into his own comms. “CallSign001 to Big-Bear, come in. CallSign002 to Big Bear, come in.” There was no reply. “Damn it, I just spoke to him and was told there was nothing out of the ordinary on the thirty-ninth floor.” Jakes barked out further orders. “CallSign001 to all teams, Big-Bear down. I repeat Big-Bear down. Priority to breach and secure.”
“I’ve got security passes waiting at the reception desk for the lifts.” Egil said to Jakes.
“We don’t need them, I told you we have full control over the complex, including its computer systems. Have you not heard of ThornScope?” He said smirking. “Take off your coat, Egil. I’m afraid we don’t have any further time to assess the situation, we don’t do negotiation with a One-O-One.” Jakes turned to one of his men. “Give Mr Finstad a combat vest, weapon and comms. Keep close to me, keep your head down, and don’t get in the way. Let’s move out.”
Egil took his coat off then put the combat vest on. Then sprinted to the rest of the team. They were now rushing towards the reception lifts in combat formation. He fumbled with the radio trying to type in the number Carl had given him. He declined the weapon offered thinking he’d never carried one in almost two years. Now he was being offered them as if they are going out of fashion. He took out his weapon, cocked it, then placed it into the holster that came with the vest. Multi-tasking was obvious something he needed to improve on, he thought to himself.
Jason caught up with him. “You need a hand, Mr Circus Master?”
“Yes, take this radio, type in one-seven-eight-nine and try to get hold of Carl. We’ve lost contact with the penthouse.”
He gave Jason the radio, then managed to put the comms on putting the earpiece awkwardly over his head to fit properly. As he rushed towards the lifts, he noticed other SCO-19 team members escorting the remaining people out of the area. Most were staring blankly at their mobile devices, obviously wondering why they could not get any connection.
“Right, I’ve dialled in. I am on the way to the CCTV room, I’ll update you from there.” Jason replied.
Jakes was also barking into his comms as they arrived at the lifts. Egil could now hear the chatter over the comms he had been given. One of Jakes men held in his hand what Egil could make out as something like an I-Pad but somewhat larger, very military looking. He was on one knee in front of the first lift. He looked up and spoke to Jakes as both sets of lift doors opened.
“These two sets of lifts do not directly open up on floors forty-six and forty-seven. We can get to floor twenty-eight and the top floor that has some sort of café bar. There are stairs that lead up and down to the target area.”
“Ok,” replied Jakes, “We’ll split into two teams, you stick with me Egil.” Jakes gave orders to his team. Two men to stay with him to go to the top floor. The other two to take the other lift and disembark on the twenty-eighth floor, both teams to work down and up to the forty-seventh. He spoke into his comms, “CallSign01 to Trojan01. Sit Rep.”
The Trojan01 team had made their way to the underground car parking garage, Egil listened intently.
‘Trojan01 to CallSign01. Car park secured, one hostile secured. Two friendlies down. SCO-01 officer on scene. Sir, the lift here is not responding. It’s not under our control. We could take the stairs to the forty-seventh, but that will take us at least fifteen minutes.’
“Jakes,” Egil interrupted, “I have a man in the CCTV room, I am sure he will be help with the lift, if their computer systems are held there too.”
Jakes nodded in agreement. “Hurry, we don’t have much time.”
Egil pulled out his mobile and tried to call Jason. “Jason, can you access the complex’s computer systems from where you are?”
“Yes, Egil. You don’t need to use your mobile, I’m linked in with SCO-19 command. I’m just in the middle of a reset of the underground car park lift’s system, thirty seconds at the most. It’s been hacked and I can’t bypass it without a reset.” Jason replied.
Egil looked at Jakes. “Did you get that Trojan01?” Jakes said into his comms. ‘Copy that’. Came the reply.
“Egil, Jake,” Jason said urgently, “I can’t see the hostile Trojan01 say they have in custody. He isn’t on the CCTV cameras. All I can see is a Ford Transit Van, Carl and the team. Wait…” Jason said. “I can see what looks like a shimmer and a blur. Trojan01, get that guy’s coat and cap off him.”
“Shit. That’s a new one on me…” Jason blurted out over the comms.
“What is it, Jason?” Egil asked.
“The hostile is wearing some sort of camouflage. The cameras are not picking him up clearly and…” Jason abruptly stopped in mid-sentence.
The ground shook under Egil’s feet shaking everyone around him. The vibrations weren’t enough to knock people off their feet. The sound that arrived felt like a thunderous storm that had just woken up threatening a sudden down pour. He could feel being pulled down, someone had grabbed hold of him, dragging him down onto the floor. An instinctive reaction and as he looked around Jakes had a hold of his arm, not that he needed much encouragement to get down.
Jakes was by now on his comms telling everyone to report in. Jason came on. “It’s the underground car parking. The CCTV’s have gone out. Can’t see a damn thing… An explosion. Shit, I think the van exploded…”
Chapter 33 | Time to Fly
JONATHAN FELT THE CAPTOR’S hands on him roughly lifting him up off the floor. “I’ve told you I'm not here to kill you, Beckett. As for your friends and anyone else that’s up to you. Stop trying to be the hero, you’re coming with me. It will be safer for everyone all round,” he said quietly into his ear.
“You’re nothing but a murderer,” Jonathan spat out, hatred in his voice.
Before Jonathan realised what was happening, the captor stepped in front of him, a hand gripped tightly on Jonathan’s throat, fingers digging in hard. He could feel his head spin, the cold eyes of the captor for the first time showing anger and complete disgust.
“Take a look around, you smug condescending bastard. People died here today, good people. Regardless, don’t think for one minute you can judge me. And if anyone is to blame, take a good look at yourself first,” the captor said.
He released his grip and Jonathan almost fell to the ground again, stars popping in his eyes. Coughing and defiant he stood up straight and looked straight back into the captor’s eyes. He seemed to be weighing up if it was just simpler to put a bullet through Jonathan’s head and be done with it.