Chapter 415 - Danger and Trouble (9)

11 May, JL International Mall, City F

After hanging up the phone, Matthew finished walking to the temporary command centre, saying "Where are we at?"

Joseph said "Preliminary triage work set up, and those of us here are doing what we can. As soon as medics arrive, we can ramp that up. I am about to head to a door to see what I can observe inside."

Matthew nodded, before adding "I will go with you." He turned to the soldiers around "Keep getting set up. When we have more tents here, start establishing units for a field hospital. The medics will need it. We will be back in a few minutes."

With purpose Matthew and Joseph headed towards the closest mall door, before being stopped just short of it by two police officers "This is a crime scene and you cannot enter."

Angrily, Matthew spat out "Get out of our way. We need to assess the situation to determine what we are doing."

"This is a police investigation, and the scene is being secured until we are ready."

Motioning to Joseph, Matthew kept moving forward saying "At this moment I really do not care. Just try and stop me."

"It is private property and unlike public land you have no rights…"

"Rights. How little you know. This is being deemed a terrorism incident, and we have joint authority with the police over the scene. And even it you want to argue over that, I have the owner's authorisation to do what is needed…"

"As if," came a smart reply.

Sick and tired of the attitude, Matthew said "Maybe I should introduce myself. I am General Matthew Rong."

"It would not matter if you were the chief of the military. This is private property of JL International."

Smiling Matthew took a slight step back before saying "As I said I am General Matthew Rong, and you want to argue with me. I own thirty-five percent of JL International and am a non-executive director of the company. You want to stop me from inspecting my property, try me. And even if that is not enough the balance of the board of directors just authorised me to deal with this matter for the company as I am on scene."

Matthew turned to Joseph, adding "Colonel Pang, get these people out of my way."

Joseph, sensing the frustration of Matthew, promptly responded "Yes Sir," and moved pushing them aside to allow Matthew to head to the door, promptly following behind him.

As they reached the open door, they drew their personal weapons, carefully moving just inside the building, peering further into Mall to see what they could see. Joseph turned to Matthew and nodded, signalling to him carefully advance, and step by step them moved further inside, carefully observing everything they could see. Yes, it was darker inside, but with no lights inside the building that was expected.

After about two minutes they had moved carefully about fifteen to twenty meters inside the building before Joseph said "Boss, things look good here."

"Here is not the issue. I looked at the construction schematics earlier today. Unless significant explosives were used and placed around the whole building it should not be an issue. My concern is in the open public area and what we will find."

Without waiting Joseph moved forward about ten meters before saying "Boss, you were right to be concerned."

Matthew quickly moved to where Joseph was standing and peered into the open public area. While there was some damage, the issue was the scene before him. Hundreds of people injured on the ground, bleeding. "Thoughts?"

"Suicide bomber? Device loaded with ball bearings and other shrapnel. Depending on who is responsible, possibly covered with substances that impact bleeding and clotting."

"Not if a crime gang, that would not be their style. If ISX were around, they would. Some others might, but if the Devil was involved no," came Matthew's quick reply

"I would think it would."

"Joseph, we know he wants to target the government. Dead people only hurt him, whereas living people who want to blame the government suits his needs more." Matthew paused and said "But we need to treat the scene as if chemicals were used to increase risks."

"Got it. Shall we…"

"You go and tell the everyone how to treat the situation. Set up decontamination procedures. But I am going in slightly further…"

"Boss, people go and look for Lexi…"

"No, I need to do this presently. But I promise that I will not move too far in."

"No…"

"Colonel Pang, that is an order, you know I can give them, and what the consequences are for disobeying an order."

Matthew looked directly at Joseph and he received the message but before he could move, they saw four people walking towards them. As they reached them, Joseph said "Please follow me, and I will escort you outside." Looking at Matthew he added, "Boss I will do what you ordered, but send a few soldiers in to help you."

Without giving Matthew a chance to respond, Joseph quickly moved outside, turning occasionally to ensure the four ambulatory victims were following him.

Seeing Joseph heading out Matthew turned, and carefully started moving further inside, watching every step he was taking to prevent disturbing the scene. With every step the sound of people groaning in pain was getting louder. They needed medics in here as soon as possible as the risk of people dying from lack of medical treatment would increase with every minute they were here.

After about five minutes of carefully moving, pausing after each step for fifteen seconds, Matthew finally reached the edge of the open public area Looking up, he could see some minor damage that more appeared to be from ball bearings hitting railings on higher levels and some localised destruction where, if they were right the suicide bomber stood and killed those standing his vicinity, but a preliminary look made him believe the damage to the building structure was not going to send it collapsing down.

He carefully looked towards the escalators to see if he could easily see Lexi, but with the number of people on the ground that was impossible. It was so tempting to go in and find her, but that was not what was needed. They needed to get the victims out safely, moving from the outside in.

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