Episode 7; Old wounds.
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players."
• William Shakespeare, As You Like It.
Location: Sownsville seaport.
time; 12 pm
Sam is talking with some men about when the shipment is coming yet.
when are they coming? Sam said
One of the men said kid, I know you work for that fancy organization but this is different and this is where are our expertise are and if you are tired you could quit. The black man said.
Why am I even working with this men seriously why did Dan Schinder the president put me with grown adult men who only think with their muscles and dick not brains ? Sam thought in her mind.
A few hours earlier that day.
After Sam saw the mission report on her phone she was contacted by Dan Schinder to come with the ISS and Miss bani was also informed to bring Sam to the ISS.
So Miss bani asked her to use her bike to go there.
Sam arrives at Dan Schinder the president of ISS office and knocks.
A sound from back the door to come in.
Sir, you requested for my audience about the mission report. Sam said.
Yes. I did. Well I have decided that you would be in touch with agents of the DEA about the shipment right. Dan Schinder the president
Yes. Sam said.
So meet at the team in charge of this operation meet Shawn Corbett and his team who would accompany you in this operation. Dan Schinder said.
Sam said I really thought I was going solo on this job. I'm Sam brooks.
Shawn Corbett said Okay, I have one ground rule for you don't do anything stupid and you listen to me and my team.
Sam thinks Rude, so you are J.I Goe type, huh
Back to present.
As they were waiting for the shipment a group of mercenaries were so present and headed by a man in a black and red mask and combat clothes like the military.
Once the cargo reaches the shore and the DEA moves in, you begin shooting from your assigned positions. Nobody fires before my signal. Understood?"
"Confirmed."
Then he watches the seaport.
Then the cargo truck moved into the assigned warehouse as several men begin to come to the cargo truck moved from the ship to the cargo truck to the warehouse.
The men followed the truck to the assigned warehouse.
Sam crouched behind the side of an unmarked vehicle, her eyes fixed on the cargo truck parked across the warehouse.
"Target is in position," Shawn whispered through his earpiece.
Sam glanced at the truck. Several men were unloading large rolls of fabric from the back.
"Looks like a textile shipment."
Shawn lowered his binoculars.
"That's what they want us to believe."
Sam looked at him.
"You think the drugs are inside?"
"I'd bet my career on it."
She touched her earpiece.
"DEA teams, hold your positions. Nobody moves until I give the order."
The warehouse fell strangely quiet.
Then Shawn's voice came through.
"Wait."
Sam frowned.
"What?"
"I don't see the second vehicle."
"Maybe they're late."
Shawn shook his head.
"They're never late."
A sharp crack split the air.
Shawn's expression changed.
"Get down!"
Gunfire erupted from the warehouse.
Bullets tore through the air.
"CONTACT!" Shawn shouted.
Sam dropped behind the vehicle as the windshield shattered above her.
"Where are they coming from?"
"Everywhere!"
Men in dark clothing emerged from behind the cargo containers, firing toward the DEA agents.
"Take cover!" Shawn yelled.
Sam pulled her weapon and looked over the hood.
"There are too many of them!"
"Fall back!"
"We can't. The shipment is still here!"
"Sam, that's an order!"
Another burst of gunfire struck the vehicle.
Sam ducked.
"They knew we were coming."
Shawn looked at her.
"What?"
"They knew."
Another explosion rocked the warehouse entrance.
Shawn grabbed Sam by the arm.
"Move!"
Two DEA agents were positioned behind the vehicles near the eastern entrance. Another team covered the warehouse from the opposite side. Sam and Shawn were in the middle.
Sam risked a glance over the hood.
Men were firing from the warehouse.
Then another burst came from behind them.
Her eyes widened.
"Shawn."
"What?"
"We're surrounded."
Shawn looked toward the rear of the vehicle.
Three armed men were advancing from the opposite side.
His face hardened.
"Everyone, fall back toward the alley!"
Sam fired twice before ducking again.
"They're driving us toward the warehouse."
Shawn looked at her.
"It's a kill box."
Through the smoke, Sam noticed someone walking toward the warehouse.
Unlike the others, he wasn't running.
He walked calmly through the chaos.
Black combat clothing covered his body. A dark mask concealed his face, marked with a streak of red across one side.
Sam stared at him.
"Who the hell is that?"
Shawn looked in the same direction.
"I don't know."
The masked man stopped.
He raised his weapon.
"Sam, down!"
She dropped just as bullets tore through the vehicle behind her.
The masked man turned and disappeared into the smoke.
Sam stared after him.
There was something about him.
Something familiar.
But she couldn't place it.
As she was distracted a bit.
A bullet grazed Sam's upper arm. Heat ripped across her skin.
She looked down.
Blood was already soaking through her sleeve.
"I'm hit."
Shawn glanced at her.
"How bad?"
"Not bad enough to stop me."
"That's not what I asked."
"Then don't ask questions you already know the answer to.
"Sam, get down!"
A burst of gunfire ripped through the air.Shawn suddenly shoved Sam aside.
The gunshot cracked.
He stumbled.
"Shawn!"
He looked down at his side. Blood was already soaking through his shirt.
"Keep moving," he said.
"You just got shot!"
"And I'm still standing."
Sam dropped behind the vehicle, but Shawn remained exposed for a second too long.
"Shawn!"
He suddenly staggered backward.
His hand went to his side.
Sam's eyes widened when she saw blood spreading across his shirt.
"You've been hit again!
"I'm fine," Shawn gritted out.
"You're bleeding!
His body jerked.
He collapsed against the vehicle.
Sam stared at him in disbelief.
"Shawn!"
He looked down at his side.
"Okay..." he muttered. "That one hurt."
Sam grabbed his arm.
"We need to get you out of here."
"I can walk."
"Great. Then walk."
Another burst of gunfire struck the vehicle.
Shawn ducked.
"Everybody fall back!" he shouted. "Forget the shipment!"
One of the DEA agents looked at him.
"Sir, the cargo!"
"It's compromised! We're leaving!"
Sam looked toward the cargo containers.
"They're going to get away with the drugs."
Shawn looked at her.
"And if we stay here, we're going to get killed."
Sam gritted her teeth.
"Fine. Where do we go?"
"The eastern loading dock."
"That's surrounded."
Shawn pointed toward the opposite side of the warehouse.
"Not the main dock. The maintenance tunnel."
Sam looked at him.
"You know about that?"
"I did my homework."
Another bullet struck the ground beside them.
"Now!"
Sam pulled Shawn down and they ran between the cargo containers.
"Cover them!" Shawn shouted.
The remaining DEA agents returned fire as Sam and Shawn disappeared behind the containers.
"Come on!" Sam yelled.
Shawn stumbled.
Sam caught him.
"You're slowing down."
"I've been shot twice."
"I noticed!"
"You're welcome."
"For what?"
"Saving your life."
Sam rolled her eyes.
"Save yourself first."
They reached the maintenance entrance.
Shawn tried the door.
"Locked."
Sam pulled a small tool from her pocket.
"Move."
She worked on the lock.
Shawn stared at her.
"You carry that around?"
"I'm an ISS agent."
"Right."
The lock clicked.
Sam pushed the door open.
"Inside!"
They rushed into the tunnel as gunfire echoed behind them.
One of the DEA agents shouted from outside.
"Go! We've got you covered!"
Shawn looked back.
"Fall back once we're inside!"
The agents began retreating.
Sam helped Shawn deeper into the tunnel.
After several seconds, the gunfire became distant.
Shawn leaned against the wall, breathing heavily.
Sam looked at the blood covering his shirt.
You're definitely getting medical attention."
"I'll survive."
"You said that after the first shot."
"And I was right."
Sam shook her head.
Then her expression changed.
"Shawn."
"What?"
"They knew."
He looked at her.
"Who?"
"The mercenaries."
"What about them?"
"They knew exactly when the shipment was arriving. They knew exactly where we'd be."
Shawn's expression hardened.
"You think someone leaked the operation?"
Sam looked back toward the tunnel entrance.
"I don't think it."
She paused.
"I know it." As Sam said there's still a mole in the ISS.
Shawn looks at her said you don't think DEA may have a mole.
I'm not sure but the ISS has an history of keeping mole so much for a secret security agency that keeps moles as agent. Sam said
Shawn looks at her then he groans as pain begins to take over his body due to his gunshots wounds.
Let me call a trusted medic.
Later that night...
A black car pulled up outside an abandoned warehouse.
Lander Spencer stepped out and walked inside.
The masked man was already there.
Lander stopped a few feet away.
Lander: "The DEA escaped."
The masked man remained silent.
Lander: "I assume that wasn't part of the plan."
The man slowly turned toward him.
Masked Man: "They were never the objective."
Lander narrowed his eyes.
Lander: "Then what was?"
The masked man reached up and slowly removed his mask.
Lander looked at his face.
Lander: "Ricardo."
Ricardo Leonardo Alfredo smiled.
Ricardo: "You sound surprised."
Lander: "I didn't expect you to come personally."
Ricardo: "Some matters require personal attention."
Lander glanced toward the entrance.
Lander: "And the mercenaries?"
Ricardo: "My men."
Lander nodded slowly.
Lander: "So the DEA has no idea who attacked them."
Ricardo: "Exactly."
A brief silence followed.
Lander: "Good."
Ricardo looked at him.
Ricardo: "The Black Meridian doesn't need unnecessary attention."
Lander: "Agreed."
Ricardo put his mask back in his hand.
Ricardo: "Then let's discuss why you called me here."
Lander smiled faintly.
Lander: "Sownsville is becoming very interesting."
Ricardo's expression changed.
Ricardo: "Because of the Vegas sisters?"
Lander didn't answer immediately.
Lander: "Among other things.
Meanwhile...
A car slowly entered Sownsville.
Inside, a woman looked out through the window at the city.
Rhea Vega.
She lowered her sunglasses.
Rhea: "So this is Sownsville."
The car continued down the road.
Rhea: "Interesting."
TO BE CONTINUED...