Chapter 421 - Danger and Trouble (15)

11 May, JL International Mall, City F

Without waiting, Joseph picked up a secure phone and dialled Legend's contact and placing it on speaker. As soon as Legend answered Joseph said "Legend, Aramis here. I need to speak urgently to Head Honcho."

"Aramis, he is on his way with Porthos and D'Artagnan to City F. When he heard that it was a JL International Mall targeted…"

"He figured that Athos would need backup."

Legend continued, "Correct. He is aware that there were fights over who had jurisdiction but that initial fight has at been temporarily resolved. He is aware the longer this takes, the more problematic the situation will become until we step out from being involved in the investigation. While Athos has the rank, he figured two generals would be better to handle the situation until that time is reached."

"Is he reachable?" inquired Joseph. Given the previous fight the boss had, it was obvious that Head Honcho would be required.

"Give me a couple of minutes and I will have you patched through, but Athos remain where you are."

Matthew shot Joseph a look but knowing that Head Honcho was about to be patched through he realised that disappearing would be problematic when that happened.

Soon the silence was filled "Aramis, Legend indicated you needed to speak to me."

"Yes sir, Athos is…"

"Being problematic. Let me make it clear that you are to remain outside, in the temporary command area until I get there. The pilot has indicated we should be landing within ten minutes, and assuming that there are no issues I understand it will be around a fifteen-minute drive…"

Matthew angrily responded "I have already briefly been inside..."

"Not on this line. I can already guess who you think but you and I will talk about that when I get there. Aramis, you head inside, with cameras and take all footage that you can for review."

Before Matthew could argue, the call was terminated. Joseph turned to Matthew and said "We have our orders Boss. I promise you; I will make sure that we head towards the area where we are almost absolutely certain that we saw Lexi, and make sure that you get news if she is found as soon as possible."

Joseph, turned opened the tent flap that the soldiers he ordered out had closed and headed towards the equipment area saying, "Those who are needed head back in there."

As Joseph walked away, Matthew stood there fuming. He wanted to, no needed to be in there not only for his job but he needed to find Lexi. How would he tell their son, let alone the rest of their family and friends that he sat there doing nothing.

As the soldiers walked back in, Matthew sat down. He figured that he could wait the thirty or so minutes before Head Honcho arrived before heading in. It would be the most challenging thirty or so minutes he had faced in a long period of time in sitting and being unable to do a thing. However, had he given away something to Joseph already only just having been brought into the inner circle. Officer N's intelligence. Joseph was not dumb, but of the three like his code name there was some things he treated as sacrosanct, like a priest who took confession.

Meanwhile Joseph was kitting up with the soldiers getting ready to enter the Mall. As those here were people, he had no idea about, he was aware he needed to get immediate control. Firmly he said "Ladies and Gentlemen…"

That drew the attention of the soldiers, so Joseph continued "No saluting, because we have no idea who is behind what has happened and whether they are waiting to target senior officers to hamper the rescue and recovery mission or an investigation into what happened. I know we only have limited body worn cameras. I will wear one, and I want all the rest worn while we are in there. For those without. If you do not have a body worn camera, use your phones to record what you see. The more information we gather the better. I want three volunteers."

Quickly three hands went up. "Move to the side please. As to the balance of you, split into three groups." Watching the soldiers separate quickly, Joseph pointed to one and continued "This group, please remain behind. The rest of you, head over to the police and you are to work with them as they investigate evacuating people that you can into the hands of the medics before returning. Go."

Joseph watched the groups head over to the police. They had the easier task. "I want the balance of you to split into four teams. Our responsibility is to evacuate people where possible on the edges of the blast area. They will likely have less wounds from the IED but will be in shock. Get each person you can safely out to the medics. As you are doing that, I need you to carefully look for this person."

With that Joseph selected the photograph Matthew gave him earlier and showed it around before then selecting the still they had obtained from the CCTV footage just before the explosion. Once he was certain that they had seen the two images, he continued "This is the General's wife. She was here for her personal business and has been caught in the situation. If you come across her, escort her, not to the waiting medics, but to the triage area and immediately report that you have found her to General Rong. He should be in the command tent. Now are you ready."

After a chorus of "Yes Sir" Joseph led the remaining soldiers towards the entrance of the Mall.

** the code names Aramis, Porthos, D'Artagnan and Athos refer to the characters in the Three Musketeers (written by Alexandre Dumas). While Athos may have been more appropriate for Ben or David, Athos's background as a member of societies elite fits Matthew more**

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