Chapter 1
Prairie Avenue area; downtown Chicago, USA. Present Day…
“...Ok, second line, go in!” Sergeant Walker of the Chicago Police Department kept his eyes on his table-device’s monitor as he watched his team in action during the late-night operation!
His troops moved quickly and silently, their training and experience coming into play. He felt a sense of pride in his team, knowing they would be successful in their mission. He could hardly wait to hear the report when it was all over...But, that’s how Sergeant Walker always felt with every mission; especially when running Chicago’s SWAT jobs. Ever since the ’20 pandemic, America’s crime rate had rocketed and Walker could see the difference in his hometown.
“Line two in position,” came back one of the officers over the comm.
Walker scanned the perimeter one last time, his heart pounding. He nodded, and the team moved in. It was time to take back the city, and this house in this particular middle-class barrio was just the start, he thought to himself. He didn’t know what dangers were ahead, but he was determined to drive out the criminals that had taken control of the neighborhood.
“Let’s rock!” the sergeant softly said over the comm as he looked around at his advising team nearby; they were all in a parked dark-colored van one block away.
Walker's team in the large van watched in silence as his two lines of SWAT members rushed into one of those big, century-old houses in Prairie Avenue! The SWAT force quickly broke into the house and spread throughout the rooms. Sergeant Walker watched intently as his team searched every corner of the house, ready to face whatever they may find. He knew that the criminals had been using this house as a base of operations and he was determined to put an end to their reign of terror of drugs--both from the streets and in prescription form! The team moved fast, searching every room and closet for any signs of the criminals or their contraband...nothing!
‘Christ,’ Walker thought; having a sudden wash of dread, ‘did we go to the wrong house?’
But then...
“Captain Corn,” another of the officers called out over the comm; addressing Sergeant Walker by his radio call-name. “We’ve got twenty on subjects--third floor!”
“Execute, Night Hammer,” Walker barked to the SWAT-team lead!
The comm went silent for almost a minute, the only sound being the occasional static from the radio. Though Sergeant Walker and his advisors in the van were following the mission via various livestreamed videos by way of miniature cameras on a couple of the SWAT officers’ helmets, it meant nothing to them if the principals of the operation could not communicate with those in-theater! The tension in the van was palpable as the team watched the house, waiting to hear something from the team leader…
Walker’s senior team leaders with him in the high-tech van all gave concerned looks at him.
“Sound off!” the sergeant bellowed!
Then, both livestreamed videos went blank!
