Delta One snapped to her right.
The cries of three women reached her ears. Delta One paused, her eyes glittering brighter than before.
Unarmed, limbs bound by something tight, she gritted her teeth. Hostages, no doubt.
"All units, this is Delta One. Be advised. Confirmed civilians inside the compound. Check your fire."
"Copy, Delta One," Dmitri replied calmly, though gunfire still echoed faintly in the distance.
A scream cut through the hallway. Then a man stepped out from behind a corner, dragging two women by their hair.
"You take one more step and I will start shooting!"
Delta One advanced slowly toward the corner. Her HCMAR lowered slightly, but not by much.
Thermal overlay flickered across her vision.
Two heat signatures knelt on the hallway; the other stood behind them with a raised weapon.
Heart rate unstable and profuse sweating, Delta One scoffed. Amateur.
The raider's voice trembled. "Drop your gun! I know you're there. I swear I'll kill them!"
