Having expected as much, Nancy made her way into the building as quickly as she could. She entered with her pistol drawn and ready. Nathan was at her side with his rifle up and planted squarely against his shoulder. Together the pair rushed down the long corridor past the 1st Squad as they finished their grisly work. Immediately behind the two officers came the 2nd Squad led by Sergeant Gandulf with the journalists in tow. When Gandulf came up behind Nancy, he whispered in her ear, “2nd Squad is up.” These were the first words spoken during the raid.

Upon hearing this, Nancy nodded. “Looking good. Form ’em up and let’s move out.”

Jan made her way forward in the wake of the paratroopers. As she weaved her way around the spreading pools of blood she did her best to remain calm and collected. Focus, she told herself as she followed the trooper assigned to protect her. Focus on what you need to do when we get to the governor’s office. She struggled to forget that it had been her son who had done this. She had to ignore the fact that they were all still in great peril, embarked on a venture that could go to hell in a heartbeat. “Think positive,” Jan mumbled to herself again and again. “Think positive.”

Forward and upward they went. Equipped with night vision devices, 2nd Squad took the lead. With weapons at the ready, they hugged the walls as they advanced. Still flanked by Nathan, Nancy walked down the center of the corridor a little farther ahead as she made her way to the wing of the building where the governor’s office was located. All eyes were on her left hand, held up and even with her head. When she wanted them to move up the Guard officer simply waved her hand. They were so close and so attentive to her every move that she didn’t need to wave it but a few inches. When she thought she heard something or she wanted them to stop while she moved ahead a bit farther for a look-see, she lowered her hand. The lower she dropped it, the lower the paratroopers following her crouched down and prepared for whatever was coming their way.