The Arrest

Day 15

The Arrest

TIME: 7:30 pm

The backup assault team had engaged in a brief firefight with a lone agent that survived the explosion. They had no casualties and rendezvoused with Simone. The operatives then assisted Katy move Carolyn to the elevator for an easier trip to the infirmary. Eager to rendezvous for their date, Nick had listened to Gwenda's latest voicemail and had started walking toward her apartment building. With only a block to go at the corner of Calhoun and Meeting streets he walked past a drive through bank building and encountered a uniformed security police agent.

Sandy: I stand on the near side sidewalk between the bank and the condominium building, about 40 feet ahead of you. My gun is in my hand facing you.

Nick: Far ahead I see someone who appears to be Gwenda, her back is to me. I glance at you.

Sandy: "Stay where you are Mister!"

Nick: "Certainly, officer. What's the matter?" My heart beats thudding in my chest at the sight of the gun and the tone. I keep very still not moving my hands.

Sandy: "This is official Security Police business. This area is restricted."

Nick: "Oh." Hesitating. "I was just about to meet someone."

Sandy: "Who?"

Nick: "I, I can't see her. Maybe I'll give her a ring on my mobile to see if she's ok." Still not moving, noticing Gwenda but not wanting to cause her any trouble.

Sandy: "I asked you a question."

Nick: "Officer, I'm not sure why you're being so abrupt with me. I'll answer anything you want to ask me." I glance at my watch carefully not wanting to make any sudden movements. "It's just past seven thirty, is something going on?"

Sandy: "I told you this is official business. Identify yourself."

Nick: "Certainly officer. My name is Nick Vissiter, I'm a reporter, and I have ID with me if you want to see it, as well as all necessary documentation."

Sandy: I spread my legs in a shooting stance with a two handed grip. "Very carefully, and I mean, very carefully, remove your ID papers and drop them in front of you. Keep one hand above your head at all times."

Nick: My mouth dry and trying not to shake too much, I do as you say. I do it slowly, carefully, and drop the papers on the pavement in front of me.

Sandy: "Now, take two steps sideways, turn to your right and face the wall. Place the palms of your hands against the wall above your head."

Nick: I do as I'm told, moving slowly, awkwardly. I daren't speak for fear of starting something with the officer.

Sandy: I keep my gun trained on you as I step forward.

Nick: My breathing is fast and shallow, I'm genuinely terrified of what the officer might do. My eyes are closed as I feel you come closer.

Sandy: I kneel and pick up the documents. My eyes nervously eyes dart between you and the papers. I see your ID and gun permit. "Are you carrying your weapon?"

Nick: "N, no officer. It was given to me as a present, but I'm just wearing the rig at the moment to get used to it. I need shooting lessons if I'm going to avoid killing myself. It's back at my apartment, locked away."

Sandy: "Your papers are in order Mr. Vissiter, however you can not enter this area. Your address is nearby. I am ordering you to return to your apartment and remain there."

Nick: "M, may I pick them up, officer?"

Sandy: I kneel again and slide the documents a few feet ahead of me. My eyes darting back and forth again nervously. I step backward and resume the two handed grip.

Nick: "May I ask, you know I'm a reporter, is there something going on? Maybe I can report events if I know what is happening. And really, there is no need to point the gun at me. I'm not armed, and I'm certainly no threat to you."

Sandy: "Once again keep both hands in plain sight above your head. Use your left hand only to pick up the papers."

Nick: I keep very still, looking down at the papers. Then I stoop carefully as instructed, scooping the papers up clumsily.

Sandy: "I told you this is official Security Police business. You are ordered to return to your apartment. Remain there. Someone from the Security Police will contact you when the situation changes."

Nick: "Why, please? If there's an incident here, I'll gladly go elsewhere, but why do I have to stay there?"

Sandy: "The city is under Threatcon Bravo. I have given you the direct order. If you do not comply I will arrest you immediately."

Nick: "Arrest me? A reporter?" My heart is pounding. "Officer, you can see who I am from the ID. Please let me do my job and report on events. You can see I'm no threat of any kind. And please stop pointing the gun at me."

Sandy: I step forward. "You have had your last warning. I am placing you under arrest. Turn and face the wall again. Spread your legs and keep your hands well above your head."

Anne: I am a Security Police agent in uniform and on the opposite side of the street. Nick: I sigh heavily and do as you tell me. "Officer, this is a mistake. I'm just out for a walk, and I've done what you've asked. Oh well, do what you have to do."

Anne: I step out form a position of cover with my gun aimed at Nick.

Nick: I can hardly stand for my legs trembling with fear.

Sandy: I step forward and holster my weapon.

Nick: Chest rising and falling rapidly but determined to keep myself together.

Sandy: I press against Nick's back while securing handcuffs to his right wrist.

Nick: "Iffhhh" I hiss with pain but try not to struggle.

Sandy: I pull Nick's left wrist down next and secure the cuffs behind his back.

Nick: "Officer I won't struggle. But this is not a good thing to do."

Sandy: I feel under your left shoulder with my right hand I quickly check, your rig is empty.

Nick: "Officer, I did tell you I wasn't armed. I've co-operated all along the way, and I'll do what you want."

Sandy: I remain silent while grabbing the cuffs and pushing you forward. "Move!"

Nick: I stumble as the officer shoves me forward. "Officer, just tell me what you want me to do. No need to shove me."

Sandy: I force Nick to the drive in area and loop his wrists over one of the black poles. "Sit!"

Nick: "What, Officer, I'm not going anywhere, obviously."

Sandy: "I am sure of that. We will finish dealing with you later."

Nick: "What do you mean? Dealing with me?"

Sandy: I draw my gun again and turn away ignoring Nick. I return to where I was between the two buildings.

Nick: I sigh and awkwardly sit down on the pavement, my arms yanked behind me.

Anne: I turn away and walk toward Sandy.

Nick: I look from one to the other, mesmerized, fascinated, terrified. My arms begin to hurt as my shoulders are pinned awkwardly. Unable to see my watch, I wonder that at least five maybe ten minutes have passed now.

TIME: 7:37 pm

Becky: I am on the third floor of the 309 Meeting Street residences building. The air is thick with acrid gunfire smell and the floor is littered with spent shell casings. Two assault teams, four of us in total dressed in commando uniforms, had begun our attack about twenty minutes ago.

Amy and Traci breached the rear and went to third floor while Alicia and I breached through the main entrance to the first floor. The apartments there were empty as expected and we had noted good cover points to set up the ambush for the agents returning at shift change. We then had proceeded to the second floor to check the apartments and rendezvous with Ami and Traci. The apartments on the second floor were also empty and we suddenly heard movement above followed by the sound of a firefight. We had raced up the stairs to help and found ourselves in a hail of bullets.

My beautiful partner is dead. She never got a shot off. I would be too except the last enemy's gun had jammed.

Within a few minutes the returning agents had arrived and began taking defensive positions on the street. I had called for assistance and then gathered Alicia's MAC-10 and her spare ammunition.