JR SWAT 1: The Basics

Chapter 16: Sighting

Convention Center...

"Guys, we have a job to do." Hondo said sternly, as the other four officers followed him to a narrow corridor by the side of the main building, some 20 or 30 feet from the mobile unit.

"Hondo, c'mon. Tell us what's going on." Luca pleaded.

Hondo sighed. He grabbed the back of his head and took a few steps away from the group. Tan, Street, Luca and Deacon stared intensely at him. He held on to his helmet in one hand, while he placed the other on his hip. He then turned to face them and was met with concerned looks and frowns.

"Ok, look" he started, making a pause to sigh deeply, "Lynch called and told Hicks we about to get hit hard. The administration is going to make immediate changes."

The wave of complaining and whining was heard from the crowd.

"Why?"

"Budget cuts again?"

"No, worse" Hondo said. He took a deep breath. "Y'all remember when Lynch first arrived at HQ? She was supposed to take notes and observe, right?"

The others nodded, silently.

"Well, she did. She turned in a preliminary report, which was received downtown by the bosses who feel like it presents problems that they need to address...for us!"

"This was years ago!" Luca complained. 

"Problems?" Deacon asked frowning puzzled.

"Yeah. In her words and I quote, "underutilization of sources and qualified human capital" In other words, she thought we was sitting on our asses all damn day!" Hondo finished annoyed.

"What?"  Street asked puzzled.

"But...she saw us training! I don't understand." Luca snapped.

"Why would she say that?" Tan asked.

Hondo was surprised Deacon did not react at all. It was as if he was expecting it. Deacon bowed his head in silence. The squad leader stared at him, even took some steps towards the quiet officer.

"D, you know something 'bout this?" he asked squinting his eyes at the quiet sergeant.

Deacon lifted his gaze and took a deep breath. "Kinda. She thought we trained too much." Deacon said, getting everyone's attention. "Hicks told me that. She complained of us training and training and using tools and stuff for make believe...not actually being productive, according to her."

"She has some nerve!" Luca said disgusted.

"So, what now? More work?" Tan asked turning to Hondo.

Hondo turned to the group. "Hicks made some calls and told me they'd be releasing a new memo directed to us. Word is that thing is so loaded with crap, it's worse than a sewer!"

"They'll probably send someone to meet with us, I suppose." Deacon said.

"Aw, man!" Luca complained, while Tan shook his head.

"Dang it!" Street whined.

"But... listen up!" Hondo called, "We can complain all we want later. Now we got three nutjobs running around the city planting bombs. We gotta focus now."

"You're right." Deacon said, taking a quick glance at the others. He nodded his head. "Let's work on this and later we'll figure out what to do."

"According to the latest, two more bombs were set off. Each of the bombings have been targeted towards minorities. One a mesquite, another one in Compton. Witnesses claim to see the same van exiting the attacks. Three suspects. They wore masks and glasses at all times and they kept changing uniforms."