‘We’ve spoken to the school caretaker. He’s confirmed that he unlocked the school fully this morning. We don’t believe the terrorists have keys, but they may have barricaded themselves in.’ He pointed at the map again. ‘They will need to let the children out to use the toilet. That means there will be young people coming and going from Block Blue, the toilets, into Block Green, the dining room. You need to take advantage of that.’

‘What if they’re counting people in and out of the toilet block?’ Max said.

‘When you enter, we’ll create a distraction in the opposite corner of the school. An explosion. That should get their attention and give you time to slip into the toilet block and from there into the main hall. Once you’re inside, your objective is to give us full details of the situation. After that, you’ll need to wait for further instructions. Are there any questions?’

There was an anxious silence.

Hector nodded. ‘Good,’ he said. ‘We’ll do a quick comms test. Then we’re moving in.’

13

Advance to Target

The comms test took no more than five minutes. A voice Max didn’t recognise spoke into his earpiece. The recruits replied. When they had confirmed that two-way communications were operational, Hector led them back to the transit van. Max heard someone wailing from behind the cordon. Maybe a family member of one of the hostages? Looking up, he saw two police helicopters circling. He realised he was sweating.

‘We’re taking the long way round to the north-west corner of the playground,’ Hector explained as the transit moved away. ‘The terrorists may have people beyond the cordon watching us. The driver will make sure we’re not being followed, then will drop you a short walk from the goods entrance. You’ll approach on foot.’ He looked around at the recruits. ‘It’s not too late to drop out,’ he said. ‘If you’re having second thoughts, say so now. This is the real deal.’

Silence.

It took five minutes to deliver the recruits to their drop-off point. Max could feel the vehicle circle a roundabout several times to flush out anyone following them. When they came to a halt, Max checked the time. 12:57. A voice came over his earpiece.

– This is Zero Alpha. Do you copy, Cadet Force?

The recruits looked at each other uncertainly.

‘Roger that,’ Max replied tentatively. He found that the military jargon came naturally to him.

– Drone footage shows that the access route is clear. Advance to target. Repeat, advance to target.

‘Go!’ Hector barked as the transit door slid open. And as they bundled out of the van, he shouted again. ‘Hey!’

The recruits turned to look at him.

‘Stay alive, recruits. Remember, this is not an exercise.’

He looked grim. It wasn’t the most encouraging send-off Max had ever heard.