Decommission - Part Two

____Silently, the rebel squad of 12 soldiers cascaded down the hill, shrouded in darkness and unnoticed by the two guards at the gate. Too late to react, one of the guards saw them breach the hazy dome of light, and was brought down with a bean bag to his upper chest. Before the other could react, he too was neutralized with a well placed, non-lethal shot. As previously instructed, Hinckley and Stolitz broke left to deal with the rest of the guards. The gate was easily pried open and Berkey stayed behind to stand guard as the remaining nine members entered the manor. Once inside, Lien signaled all members to stop and gather around him.

____“Okay, proceed with caution. It should be a last resort, but if you have to, lethal is an option.” Lien was surprised to find his breathing even, and the words he was speaking to come out so clearly. He thought his body might know something he didn’t. “Charlie, we clear on that?”
____“No doubt there m’friend. I doubt we’ll need it.” Charlie gave that same smile.
____“This place does seem pretty deserted. Like we’re in an abandoned housing development or something.” Mary Urquhart scanned the foyer, mindful as ever. Lien was always glad to have her on missions; she was never off guard. A wide staircase stood prominently in the foyer, along with a few hallways that led off to the rest of the main floor. Three on the main, four on the second, and two on the third.
____“Right. Break off and search the place. Radio to a minimum, unless a case of FUBAR breaks. Go.”

____They all nodded in unison and scattered to their assigned parts of the manor. Lien took up the stairs after Mary, Scott, Charlie and two others; Wilson and Morris. Mary, Scott, Wilson and Morris went to the right as the staircase emptied onto the second floor. Charlie and Lien made their way to the second floor stairs in the east wing and went up halfway, before slowing to a crawl, and then stopping just as their heads could peek into a spacious third floor hallway.

____“Charlie, you go-“
____“I know where to go Lien. You just find that bastard Holland, and take him out.”
____“I love your enthusiasm Charles. Don’t worry. I’ll do what I have to. Now, go.” Charlie smiled again and went off to inspect his part of the manor, and Lien made his way to where Holland was rumored to be holed up.

____In the source reports, which had so far been incredibly accurate and a boon to the rebellion, most of the west wing on the third floor was nothing more than a burnt out husk. A failed assassination attempt on Holland with a defective firebomb months ago was the cause. Holland blamed his security forces for what he saw as willful ignorance, and banished them from his presidential manor. Holland may have been crazy to do it, but paranoia ruled him with an iron fist. For this Lien was thankful. He was starting to get reports of empty rooms from the team members. So far, so good.

____Lien carefully stalked the hallways, stopping at doors to listen for activity and occasionally looking in to verify their non-occupancy. He wanted to be sure his area was neutralized before going after Holland, and after one last room check, he was sure. This was a relief to be sure, but that nagging doubt he’d had before the mission began was starting to bubble up. It’s just nerves. Sometimes things really do go your way. Lien righted himself and made for Holland. It was going to be simple; a show of force, and the demand to come quietly. Holland was paranoid, but not stupid. Don’t let him be stupid.