JR SWAT 1: The Basics

Chapter 25: Operation School Alone

"Tension continues to rise here in Davenport High School, as LAPD and other agencies continue to struggle to take control of the situation. A bomb threat was received, units were mobilized..." the lady in the screen narrated. "Two hours later, the police are still figuring out how to approach. Two detonations have slowed down the process, ending in a handful of noticeable injuries, ambulances and a decimated crowd. After the injured were taken to the hospital, the situation seemed to have reached its climax. We have reports that indicate the police has received first hand information on the suspects' whereabouts and composition of the bombs from inside of the building, in the form of a remote controlled vehicle sent by presumed hostages able to escape the criminals' grasp. After that information was analyzed, SWAT, MCTO, aka Mass Control and Tactics Operations Task Force, and LAPD, as well as Marshals, have changed their strategy to approach the building from the front and side to the back, hoping to avoid any more surprises. Unfortunately, another explosion happened just moments ago as members of the Bomb Squad attempted to remove a suspicious item from an unknown vehicle in the teachers' parking lot in the rear of the school. The number of injured..."

The crowd was silenced for a moment, with the sound of ambulances leaving the scene. Many of the leaders stared at the news reports and the aerial footage of the scene. Blazing fire and smoke became the protagonists, as members of law enforcement moved back from the lot and stared through the back fence.

Meanwhile...

"Operation School Alone, part 1. Bad Guy in the closet." Marv whispered, watching his crew get in position.

He situated himself between the darkness of the corner, taking full advantage of the low visibility. He was ready with tape in hand. Leyla did the same, but in the opposite side, very close to the storage room, rope on hand. Chen had slipped down through a compartment to the space beneath the stage. He tip toed to the front of the stage, making his way to the secret door that led to the audience. Kelly stood quietly beside the opened door of the storage room, ready with the small container of pepper spray in hand. Rubio stood opposite of her, cellphone ready.

Marv took a look at everyone and assumed Chen was ready. He shifted his weight forward a bit and took a quick glance. Leyla and Kelly were ready. He couldn't see Rubio, for the curtains hid him, but he could only hope the kid was ready. They didn't have much time to waste, so...here we go!

PSSSSSSSSSSSS

The signal. The younger boy clicked on the screen of this cellphone.

"MEEEEOOOOOWWWWW" sounded a kitty cat.

One of the men standing on the stage frowned and turned back. Meanwhile, the small compartment door below the stage opened slowly, as Chen tip toed his way out. He crouched his body down, making no sound. Some kids in the audience gasped, but Chen pouted his lips and placed a finger over them, gesturing for the crowd to remain silent. He turned back to the opening and removed a small bucket, which he placed next to him very slowly. The audience was intrigued, as slipped his hand in the space and retrieved a piece of rope. He tied one end to the lock from the inside, which was the only one the door had, and placed the other one in the floor. He turned to the audience, and again gestured for them to remain quiet. Good thing the man on the stage was distracted!

"What was that?" asked the intrigued man.

"Who cares!" responded the other annoyed, pointing the automatic weapon at the audience.

 Carefully, Chen crouched and moved his way to the front of the stage, right below where the men stood. He carried the bucket, settled it in front of him and crouched down. He remained motionless.

"I think it's a cat. I'll check it out!" the man said convinced, turning around and heading to the back of the stage.

"Hurry up!" the other man responded annoyed, shaking his head.