Commander Cole says with an amplified voice, “Is everyone okay? Yell if you can hear me.”
Some victims come out of hiding behind desks covered in white chemical from the extinguishing device. Commander Cole sends them up to the roof triage to be airlifted and continues to search the floor for survivors.
Commander Cole says, “Let’s clear some rooms, Pete.”
Operator Pete replies, “Roger that.”
Commander Cole and operator Pete stack on the wall next to an open door with flames blazing out. Commander Cole detaches an extinguishing device from his backpack. He pulls the pin and throws it in the burning room. It douses most of the fire. Then Commander Cole and operator Pete enter the room, finishing the flames off with their foam guns.
Commander Cole and operator Pete go to clear another office. Again, they stack on the wall next to the shut door. Commander Cole checks the door. It is locked and hot. Commander Cole looks down and sees the sign of a potential back draft as some smoke come out and go back under the door. Commander Cole puts up his hand signifying halt.
Commander Cole sees a textbook case for an explosion waiting to happen. He says, “A potential back draft. Wait here.”
Operator Pete replies, “Roger.”
Commander Cole detaches his multi-ax from his leg and extends it to regular length. Then he chops off the doorknob then quickly retracts the multi-ax and attaches it back to his leg. Then Commander Cole detaches his last extinguishing device from his backpack, back kicks the door open, and gets back behind the wall.
Immediately, a sucking sound is heard, and a blast of fire comes out the door. Commander Cole quickly pulls the pin on the extinguishing device and throws it in the room like a blaze. The room becomes manageable. Commander Cole and Operator Pete both enter the burning office shooting foam. The room is quickly under control.
Operator Pete says, “I’m going to look around for more survivors, Commander.”
Commander Cole replies, “Roger.” Before leaving, Commander Cole goes to check a closet in the room. He opens the door and sees a business lady with her little girl curled up in the corner.
Commander Cole says, “Are you okay?”
The business lady, Judy Kersh, says, “I think so.”
Commander Cole says, “Locking yourself in like that made you hard to save.”
Judy Kersh replies, “After the plane crashed into the building, I heard a man yell, ‘Death to all Americans.’ So me and my little girl locked the door and hid. Then a loud explosion happened. It was getting so hot in here, I thought we were going to die.”
Just then Omir opens the elevator door. He is angry that he couldn’t get his vest laced with explosives to explode. Then he sees almost all the fire put out by the ARTT unit. Omir sees Operator Pete by the impact site, and in a rage, Omir runs out of the elevator toward Operator Pete. Omir tackles Operator Pete and tries to push him out the window. Operator Pete hangs on, but the terrorist almost fell out of the building and is hanging on by Operator Pete’s repel rope. Operator Pete immediately pulls his survival knife and is about to cut the rope. Then he hears a voice.
Commander Cole says, “Don’t do it, Pete. We are here to only save lives. Don’t take the law into your own hands.”
Operator Pete replies, “This terrorist just tried to kill me and everyone else. An eye for an eye, I say.”
“You know, we don’t roll like that. Chances are he was born into terrorism and brainwashed from birth that killing Americans is a just thing. I doubt he knows not what he does is wrong. Control your emotion, get your judgment right, and deal with the variable.”
“Maybe you are right. It looks like it’s your lucky day, Mr. terrorist.” Operator Pete puts the knife away and pulls the terrorist up into the building by the rope. Then the terrorist gets on his knees and begins to make a worshipping motion toward Operator Pete, rocking back and forth.
Operator Pete asks, “Commander Cole, what is he doing?”
Commander Cole replies, “It looks like you’re getting worshiped. I think he is thanking you for sparing his life.”
“Not sure if I should have.”
“Your conscience will thank you later.”
Just then the authorities and firemen arrive through the elevator. SWAT quickly arrests the terrorist. The firemen and ARTT operators put the rest of the fire out. They attend to Judy, her daughter, and the rest of the victims. All three ARTT choppers then take turns lifting people off the roof with their carriages at a quick speed due to structural building integrity concerns.
The situation is contained, and the fire is put out.
13.
New York Mayor Graham is giving a speech to the public after pinning medals on the ARTT members.
New York Mayor Graham says, “Terrorist attacks are not going away anytime soon. The only question is how New York will deal with it. After witnessing the effectiveness of the New Jersey ARTT unit, I am considering legislation that will create an ARTT unit in New York. The New Jersey ARTT unit took the initiative by coming out of their jurisdiction and risked their lives by possibly getting shot down to save lives in New York. Our state is in debt to these brave men. Please give a round of applause to the New Jersey ARTT unit.”
Right after the speech, Commander Cole pulls New York Mayor Graham aside.
Commander Cole says, “New York seems to be a favorite target for terrorists groups. You might want to consider establishing an ARTT unit here as soon as possible to protect the city from a huge loss of life should a similar catastrophe happen.”
New York Mayor Graham replies, “In due time. Let me use funds to take care of repairs to the city first.”
Commander Cole nods yes.
The ARTT unit mingles after the ceremony with the guests. Commander Cole runs into Maggie.
Maggie says, “I always knew you would make it back to the Big Apple.”
Commander Cole replies, “Great to see you, Maggie. I guess I just needed some time to get over 9/11. The unit is going for some dinner. Do you care to join us?”
“You know I’m down.”
Commander Cole and Maggie smile as they leave with the ARTT unit for dinner at their favorite restaurant.
At the restaurant Commander Cole gives a toast and says, “To a job well done.” All ARTT operators touch glasses and drink. Commander Cole says, “Confronting terrorists again, I feel the past catching up with me and I’ll eventually have to atone for past sins.”
Operator Johnny replies, “Terrorists will always be commander. No sense worrying about them.”
Commander Cole nods and says, “Eat well boys, you deserve it.”
14.
Retreating back to his secret underground hideout, terrorist leader Jahari is watching New York Mayor Graham pin medals on the ARTT team on his TV. Jahari is by his followers.
Jahari says, “We must account for this ARTT unit next terrorist attack on New York. They saved many that would have died. This Commander Cole looks familiar.” Jahari looks closer at the image of Commander Cole on TV. He has a look of disbelief. “It can’t be.” He remembers seeing Commander Cole when he was a part of the Marine Force Recon raid on his father’s secret Middle Eastern compound. He vividly remembers Commander Cole’s face as he fearlessly walked out on the battlefield without a gun or any protective gear, almost like he was taunting Jahari and his men. Jahari is enraged by the memory.
Jahari says, “It is him. I could never forget that face. The only American soldier to survive the U.S. raid that killed my father in his secret compound. ARTT, New York City, and this Commander Cole must die.”
The end.
Look for the n
ext book in the State of the ARTT series called Fall of the Empire State.
AUTHOR
Michael Reagan was a former U.S. Marine infantryman, 0311. He saw the effects of PTSD on soldiers. As a behavioral science major, he studied the biological psychology behind PTSD and adrenaline. He wrote this story to shine a light on military PTSD, suicides, and the powerful impact of the 343 emergency responders who died on 9/11.
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The State Of The ARTT Page 10