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Derek nodded to a DoD representative seated at the far corner of the room. Technically, the U.S. military couldn’t operate blatantly within the homeland. But the rules had been circumvented covertly when needed.
“Senator Robinson invited us,” Derek said. “Washington DC needs all the help it can muster. They’ve struck at the heart of our security. Another direct hit could paralyze DC and cause panic at a national level.”
Derek took a seat beside him. Jack appeared after a few minutes, nodded to him and Nathan and sat beside Derek.
The directors of the FBI and DHS, together with the MPD Chief of Police, headed the meeting. Several FBI agents, officers of the MPD, and SWAT teams were in attendance to discuss strategy and tactics in case of another attack.
The CIA remained a silent entity, sitting quietly in the corner, observing.
The Director of DHS took to the floor and recounted the events of the previous night, starting with the number of casualties and the extent of structural damage.
Viktor was getting restless as he appraised the room before him. Such a gathering of important players vital to the nation’s security was making him uneasy. He began scanning the room for human and non-human threats.
“FBI and DHS agents will be working closely to make sure such an attack will not happen again. We are now working under an elevated threat level. Curfew will be in effect for most of DC for the next three days, after which we will re-assess.”
Derek shifted in his chair and leaned in to Viktor. “Are you getting the same vibes I am?”
Viktor grunted.
Derek’s phone chimed with a silly ring tone.
“Fuck!” he muttered, obviously forgetting to silence his phone and mouthing an apology to annoyed looks cast his way.
“Sophie found it amusing to mess with my phone,” Derek explained his less than manly ring tone when Viktor’s brow shot up. His friend checked the caller ID and appeared conflicted whether to answer it or not. He silenced it and let it go to voice mail to return his attention to the meeting.
“We’re receiving updates from the NSA regarding imminent Al-Qaeda threats. The identity of the bombers has not yet been released to the press.”
Viktor already knew the identity of the bombers. Tim had found the website with their video declaration of martyrdom. Both were U.S. citizens who had trained in Al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan.
“The National Guard will be on standby. There are concerns about attacks from the air such as was done on 9/11. We’re working with the FAA to expand restricted air space temporarily.”
Questions were being fielded from the MPD police officers since they were the first line of defense against the terrorist attacks. Traffic rerouting and tourist evacuations were also a concern.
Viktor’s phone buzzed. Checking the number, he frowned. “Why is your wife calling me, Lockwood?”
Derek’s face paled as the implication hit him, the call from Sophie was urgent. His friend immediately stood up to exit the room to make a call to his wife.
Everyone heard the whistle before the room exploded in a thunderous roar of fire and debris that took down the outside wall of the room.
Shit. Viktor thought. The gathering of DC’s finest was under attack.
10
RPG!
The explosion knocked Derek sideways as pandemonium took over. Another explosion rocked the outside of the meeting hall in the direction of the entrance of the building.
“This is a fucking set up!” Jack yelled as he hauled Derek behind a row of chairs.
“You think?” Viktor yelled back. “Stark, you ready?” Nathan nodded grimly.
By this time, there was a frenetic exchange of assault rifle fire. Viktor recognized the “rat-tat-tat” of an AK-47 in between rounds of the M4-carbines used by the building’s security personnel.
The MPD and the FBI agents who survived the first explosion drew their hand guns and took defensive positions. Viktor searched for Yeager and saw him taking his boss—the CIA director—toward a rear exit door.
“We’ve got incoming!” somebody yelled.
Another explosion rocked the room just as everyone scrambled away from the gaping hole on the wall.
