When they were almost on top of the van’s rear bumper Nathan leaned on the Humvee’s horn and flipped the headlights on and off. The van’s driver immediately hit his own brakes and started to pull off onto the side of the road. Nathan followed suit, making sure that he stayed behind the van. When both vehicles were fully stopped on the narrow shoulder of the road both Nancy and Nathan remained in the Humvee and watched as both the driver and front seat passenger of the van threw open their doors and climbed out. Turning to face the colonel, Nathan again asked, “Now what?”

Nancy’s response to his question was nonverbal but understood. Slowly she reached down with her right hand and drew her 9mm pistol from its holster. Bringing it over to her lap, she grasped the slide with her left hand and jerked it back. After slowly letting it return forward, she flipped the pistol’s safety off. Only then did she turn to face the young paratrooper. “Wait for me.”

Nathan didn’t need her to spell out what their next move was. Picking up his M-16, Nathan worked the bolt to chamber a round, then flipped the safety off and onto the three round burst setting.

Nancy drew in a deep breath. “It’s show time,” she stated calmly before dismounting. As she did so she took great care to keep her drawn pistol down and close to her side.

Blinded by the Humvee’s headlights and unsure of what was going on, the two militiamen ordered Nancy and Nathan to halt. “Stand where you are and identify yourself,” the wary man who had been in the front passenger seat shouted out.

Knowing that her voice might tip them off as to who she was, Nancy said nothing. Noting her hesitation and the increased nervousness of the militiamen, Nathan responded instead. “There’s been a change in plans,” Nathan said with the deepest voice he could manage. By now the two militiamen had reached the rear of their van. When the pair stopped at either end of the rear bumper and turned toward the source of the voice, Nancy saw her chance.

Without hesitation she brought her pistol up, held it at arm’s length and pointed at the militiamen on the passenger side. She made no announcement, gave no warning. She simply squeezed off two quick rounds at the militiaman before her as fast as the pistol recycled and chambered the rounds.