“Which part, what, that a girl is..”
“No! About the weapon. Always point the rifle in the direction you are looking. Tell me and quickly what would have happened if the terrorist had followed this rule?”
“I..I would..”
“Yes you would be dead. Now don’t make that mistake or you will be dead. Now pick up the weapon, it’s called an AK47 and it’s an assault rifle not a machine gun.”
“But John, wait a minute, just wait, I can’t go against these guys. It’s the police’s job not mine. I should end this call and phone the police – they can deal with this sort of thing.. I mean I’m just an out of shape bank manager.. I can’t..”
“You can Mark and you will. You have to. If you don’t Amelia will die. And the police have already been called and are now aware of what’s happening. And do you know what they are doing? They’re setting up a square mile perimeter and are calling in the army. They won’t deal with this, they can’t deal with this. And if you don’t deal with this Amelia will die. There are two more death squads. The Canary Wharf security team are fighting off one of the terrorist cells deep within the shopping centre and are doing the best they can without weapons, they are good lads, I know some of them, ex-armed forces, good men and as they overpower the radicals with sheer numbers and brute force they will take their guns and use them against the remaining bastards. As you will use yours. That leaves one remaining element of four and they are headed in to West India Quay as we speak. Their final destination is the Cineworld. Now are you ready to act without hesitation and to listen without protest?”
“But how the hell do you know all this? What the hell is going on?! Damn it John how can you possibly know these things???”
“I know these things - And that is all. It is inconsequential how I know. But what is important is life. Your life. Amelia’s life and the lives of the innocent people who I know you are capable of saving. You see Mark, now you have passed the point of no return. You have to follow this through or you will have blood on your hands. Now are you with me. And does it make a difference that I fully believe in you and that I have complete faith in you, I always have. And you should have had that beer, it would have quietened your mind and it would have made you accept these bizarre, and terrifying, circumstances just that little bit easier. But that doesn’t matter now, what does matter though is that you are fully committed from this point on. Are you ready?”
Mark stood in the doorway unmoving and silent. He didn’t reply, he didn’t say a word. And John didn’t push him for he knew that this would be the moment of full commitment or complete withdrawal and denial. Mark waited for longer than John had anticipated and John was about to say something when Mark finally spoke:
“I thought alcohol was always bad, in all circumstances, that’s what they told us at the AA, that’s what everyone says… but here you are in the middle of the most terrifying and crazy experience of my life telling me that I should have had that beer!?”
“In advanced weapons and tactics training all over the world they use sleep deprivation. Obviously this was not possible so alcohol was the next best thing. It turns the brain off you see, being very tired and drunk are similar but the one and perhaps only advantage is that you take instruction more easily and you learn quicker. Because the brain doesn’t interfere. Now forget about that. We wasted enough time as it is. You won’t be able to set up an ambush for the two Tangos that come back up those escalators now. But I need to help you get that weapon fully loaded and operational. Are you finally with me?”
“Yes.”
“Good now let’s do this.”
EIGHT
Charlie Whisky One and Charlie Whisky Three had just entered the Canary Wharf Tube station and they were both pleased to see the absolute carnage and chaos their actions had created.
Women were screaming and grown men were crying and if they weren’t dying they were running. Running and shoving, pushing and clawing at the person in front of them. Their instinct to survive apparently overrode any humanity in them. As One sprayed his weapon and cut down a young man in a sharp suit in front of him he noticed another man shove the woman in front of him out of his was and down the escalators – she broke her neck during the fall and on the way down the same man who had pushed her walked over her lifeless body.
As the two terrorists reached the top of the escalators they each pressed the emergency stop switch on the escalator in front of them. The desired effect was accomplished and both elevators stopped abruptly sending the dozens of people on them hurtling down. While they were there One gave Four the instruction to reload. They both did so and One spoke:
“Now my brother, kill these cowards and these capitalists slowly and joyfully while I video tape it all. I have it streaming live to the internet!”
The two men stood at the top of the tall escalators in Canary Wharf station and looked down at the pandemonium beneath them. Sunlight from behind them seeped into the station and gave their silhouettes an almost angelic glow from below. An eerie cacophony of automatic gunfire, human screams, running feet, the Canary Wharf emergency alarm and the sound of One laughing, reverberated throughout the halls of the station. Four unloaded his weapon and carefully replaced his magazine with a fresh one containing another 30 rounds and then began to systematically execute the defenceless human beings below.
Four was a very good marksman and the majority of his victims died instantly from a bullet to the head. One noticed this.
“In the body, Four. Rather shoot them in the body. It takes them longer to die then and it’s more painful. In the stomach is the best!”
At the moment a new sound was heard by both terrorists and they turned around to face the entrance and saw that three security guards and a policewoman were charging at them while screaming in anger. Their actions were brave, of that there was no doubt. And perhaps if they had kept quiet while launching their assault they may have succeeded. Alas they did not succeed and they died.
One even had enough time to once again put away his video camera and raise his AK which was slung across his chest ready with a fresh magazine. One and Four cut the officers down with ease. The female cop went down with the most difficulty. She seemed really angry about what we are doing, One thought to himself. But she went down in the end as did the three security men.
“At last” said One. “I can take my police officer’s head.”
He pulled out the video camera and gave it to Four. And reached into his kit bag and produced a hacksaw and walked over to where the dead policewoman lay. Blood oozing from her ears and mouth.
“Now film this. Is it on?”
“Yes.”
“Good” said One while he knelt next to her body, grinned broadly and lifted her head off the ground by pulling it clear by her blonde hair. He placed the hacksaw under her neck and began to cut.
“You fool!” said One and let go of the officer’s hair. Her face hit the floor as she muttered something incomprehensible, blood spilling from her mouth as she tried to plead for her life.
One walked over to Four and slapped him around the back of his head.
“It’s off you idiot, see the red light is not on” as he took the camera and switched it on.
“Now let’s try this again and we’ll have to be quick as we are wasting time and their army will have been alerted by now.”
Quickly and without spectacle this time One walked back to where the brave officer lay and proceeded to hack off her head. Finally after gruesomely fighting with stubborn bone he ripped the head clear and held it above his head. Blood dripped from the neck to the ground as One spoke in his native language into the camera.
“To all those watching this be warned that this will happen to you if you continue in your wicked ways. Your sex and lies and capitalism and war. Turn it off, quickly turn it off.” And the broadcast was ended once more.
By now the upper levels of the station were deserted and everything was going to plan. The civilians had
been driven to the platform levels and into the heart of the affluent shopping mall underground where a battle was also now being fought between the Canary Wharf security staff and the terrorists. The security personnel had taken heavy casualties already with over a dozen of their men and women gunned down but they had killed one terrorist and taken his weapon.
Meanwhile One and Four had double-timed it down the escalators and were headed towards platform level, the final location of their Tube Station attack orders. The massive killing ground would be Platform Level. The hundreds if not thousands of bankers and civilians who would now be trapped, helpless with nowhere to go and nowhere to run. The other attack element who began their assault from within the shopping mall had also kettled their victims towards and into Platform Level. The entire Jubilee Line had been shut down and there truly was no way out.
It would be a murder pit of the most terrifying and massive scale. Here is where the high explosive grenades packed with rusty nails would be used.
NINE
Meanwhile John had explained to Mark how to load and unload a magazine from the assault rifle and how to aim and fire. And had stressed to always squeeze the trigger and fire in small bursts and to never pull the trigger and let the weapon fire madly in long bursts.
The training was far from adequate and neither of the men felt comfortable about Mark’s weapon handling skills. But they had no choice and he had to get moving.
“It’s time to go” said John.
“I know. But before I do I’m going to call Amelia…”
Beep. Mark’s phone sounded in his ear and alerted him to a received message. He pulled out his Blackberry and read the message aloud.
“Mark, where r u? Am in cinema – something’s happening. Gun shots, explosions... Security have led us all into the upstairs cinema and have locked the doors. Don’t come here, not safe. PLs call police. I cannot get call reception in here… I hope u get this text.. love u.”
“I’m going to her” said Mark and headed towards the cinema – a five minute run from where he now stood.
“Wait Mark. You must first help the people trapped underground.”
“They are not my concern. I don’t know them. The police or army will help, I must get to my Amelia.” And Mark broke into a run.
“Think of the girl Mark. Think of the cheeky redhead.”
And Marked stopped running and slowed down to a jog and then a walk and then stood still. He lowered his head and brought his free hand up to his face and gripped his own hair and pulled it, teeth clenched.
“FUCK!!! What the bloody hell is going on. Why bloody me?? I’m no hero. FUCK!!! What if I go down there to help people I don’t even know and Amelia dies, I won’t be able to live with myself or what if I die which is much more bloody likely. I’ll be dead and Amelia will be alone if she survives and I’ll be remembered as the idiotic have-a-go-hero! Ah shit! What the fuck is going on!! Please God be with me, help me…. Ahhhh!!”
“I’m sorry Mark. I really am. But this is life. You must try, we must all try. If you don’t your life will be ruined from this day forward. Try, please. Just try.”
“This is life?!! Try, just try, to fight armed bloody terrorists!! When I’ve never fired a gun in my life. TRY you say! Then if this is bloody life what advantage or reason do I have to fight these bloody cunts who kill people – they will bloody well kill me. That’s why as an intelligent man I have to walk away John. I’m sorry but.. I..”
“Me Mark. You have me. I am, I was, SAS, remember I said I was in the army, well I never left, it’s a long story but… anyway I am SAS or I was. And I am in your ear, I am with you. I am your man. And if you haven’t noticed you are holding a … ‘Machine Gun’ and you have already defeated one of those cunts – you killed him remember?”
“You’re SAS. I always knew something was up with you.”
“Again I’m sorry Mark, but there is no time. We have wasted too much already. Please just try and save as many lives as you can. It is the best option for your soul. Please my friend.”
Without another word Mark turned on the spot and began to run towards the station entrance.
“It’s an assault rifle John - Not a machine gun. And I’m surprised at you, an SAS man should know these things” said Mark with a weak smile.
TEN
Amelia had just arrived at the Cineworld in West India Quay. Stupidly she had missed her stop at the Canary Wharf DLR station because she could have sworn she had seen Mark’s good friend John. She was sure it was him. And he had even waved at her. She was about to get off when she heard her name called aloud. She turned to see what looked like John sitting down. He was in an adjoining carriage and was wearing a baseball cap that obscured his face. But he sounded like John, and he or someone else had called her name and he had the same athletic build as John. But the bizarre thing was that when she went to the carriage to greet him he quickly got up and ran out of the doors just as they closed. Amelia couldn’t get off and missed her stop. That incident had changed her plans drastically and was what had led her here. She was eagerly awaiting Mark’s take about his friend’s strange behaviour, if indeed it even was John.
Now though, she walked up to the counter and purchased two tickets to The Hobbit.
She showed her ticket to the friendly security guard and explained that her boyfriend Mark would be joining her in a short while, she described him to the guard and left his ticket with him and proceeded up the escalators to the 3rd floor bar. They had some time to kill before their movie started and she thought they could have a cheeky drink and a bite to eat while they waited.
She pulled out her mobile and dialled Mark’s number, she wanted to tell him what movie they were going to watch and that she would be waiting for him in the bar. No signal. So she waited until she had seated herself at a table and had ordered herself a glass of white wine and tried again. No luck.
The waitress who had just taken her order explained to Amelia that there was no voice service in the building as a repeater tower had gone down yesterday morning or something like that but that text messages still worked fine.
Amelia thought she would enjoy the wine and then send Mark a text message in a little while. She was looking forward to seeing her Mark and was surprised at just how much she really was looking forward to it. Their relationship had been a whirlwind romance if ever there was one but for some reason she felt as though she had known him forever and before the beginning of time. And since before then too.
Amelia never did things the traditional way either. She hated conformity – never believed in it. She did what she wanted when she wanted and more importantly the way she wanted. And today was no different - for during the screening of The Hobbit she was going to ask Mark to marry her. No bells, no whistles and no ring either. Because if Mark said yes then that is all she would ever ask for. As she didn’t actually believe in the concept of marriage. But the romantic in her at least wanted to ask the question. The more inquisitive and probing side of Amelia also wanted to carefully judge Mark’s reaction to the question as she knew full well how his last marriage had ended - though she would not tell Mark this. But his initial reaction to her question would speak volumes. And the underlying reason for the question? She was scared. She was falling for Mark hard and she wanted to be sure he felt the same way.
Amelia sighed and drained the contents of her glass. She had butterflies in her stomach and she thought she may just be able drown them with the wine.
ELEVEN
Mark ran into the Canary Wharf tube station entrance, AK 47 slung across his chest and the dead terrorist’s bag, containing extra ammunition and grenades, on his back, as instructed by Tailor. Definitely The Tailor Mark now thought to himself. He noticed the bodies of the three dead security officers and the decapitated police officer. A couple of survivors were milling around staring blankly. They baulked when they saw Mark and the weapon and ran out of the station.
Canary Wharf Station on the Jubilee Line is
one of the Underground system’s most modern. It’s deep as well and it has huge internal dimensions which fact often leads to it being compared to a cathedral. Weddings have even been held at the station because of its grand cathedral ambience.
From ground level Mark would have to descend two sets of long escalators separated by two floors – offshoots of which led into the busy shopping mall. It’s the busiest station outside of Central London with just under 70 000 people per weekday using the station. It is the near perfect target for terrorists.
Mark could hear a chopper in the sky directly above him. There were four in total circling above – two police choppers and two media helicopters.
“You must be careful now Mark, not only of the Tangos but of the authorities and civilians as well. They won’t necessarily see you as a good guy.”
“Yeah well, let’s deal with the guys who definitely are the bad guys first.”
As Mark descended the escalators, taking them three steps at a time, the smell of death and cordite met his nostrils. He almost puked. The sight of blood and guts strewn across the usually sparkling floor didn’t help either. Here and there on his way down he caught glimpses of injured and dying civilians. He noticed with subdued joy though that already he could see uniformed paramedics and unarmed police officers attending to the wounded or ushering them out of designated exits. Funnily enough though, none of them were heading in the same direction he was – down. Down to where the noises from below gave Mark goosebumps.
The sound was a mixture of terrified screams, crying children, pleas for help, gunshots – the unmistakable and gut wrenching sound of AK47 fire; it makes a sound unlike any other assault rifle, that of a whip – the sounds speak of intent and evil - the odd thud of an explosion could also be heard.
“Is it just me or am I the only one stupid enough to be going down there?”
SAS Para-Ops: MEGA SET - SAS Para-Ops Books #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 & #6 Page 3
