Chapter 12

“Look my car isn’t starting. It’s going to take longer to get there,” he told Pierce. “What change?” he asked. “How are you there? Fine no I understand.” He slammed the car door and started walking. “Tell the major Pierce change the meeting. He’s in a park. Elysian park. I’m grabbing a cab.” He told Kathy as he ran out the lot.

“Take the blue cab,” the phone in his pocket announced. The voice was super clear.

Karen was inside, waiting by the door to Jason’s room. She held out a bottle of water to the panting Kathy. “He knows,” she whispered, putting her finger to her lips as she moved inside. She flipped the privacy sign out on the door before it closed.

“It a big park,” Jason was on his computer and tapping a key. “I’m having connection issues. Check the events, and inform LAPD. No, I can’t get it to open here. I wish I had one of the TSSCs.”

Kathy was staring when Karen tapped her and then pointed to her ear. They both sat to listen.

McCann raced down the street to the cab and told the driver where he needed to be. His heart raced from the running. It took five minutes to get to the park.

The park looked empty from where they pulled up. McCann handed the driver a ten and got out. The moment the door was open the noise came from all directions. McCann walked in, unsure what was going on or where to go. Pierce had just told him to go to the bridge over the water.

The driver of the cab drove around the park. The other side was where the noise was coming from. What was going on he couldn’t tell. There were hundreds of people. Some in customs, some were in suits. There were even a few naked. Whatever it was, the media was also there.

Jason pressed a button on the earpiece. “What’s wrong?” he waved at Karen and pointed at the TV. “What stations?” he asked. “Two five and eleven,” he repeated. Karen tried all three. Only the third she tried was broadcasting.

“It is yet unknown what is happening. There are an estimated fifteen hundred people in Elysian Park. From what we have been able to determine, several activist groups are present. Several have already been arrested for various charges from indecent exposure to illegal weapons.” The reporter did that thing they do when they are listening to the studio before looking back to the camera. “I have just been informed that two of the groups are Immigration and Alien Rights or the IAR and a group known as TRTBAC, also known as The Right to Bear Arms coalition.

“Simon. Park and get in there. Find McCann. Get him out now,” Jason ordered. He picked up a headset from beside the computer.

“Sergeant Grants, how come I’m not hearing the noises from the phone?” Music started to play on the TV. “That’s great. How many ASDs do you have?” he was wishing that some places still had wired internet connections. “Get them all up. Two cover the crowd to the sky and two looks for McCann. Tie in with my laptop. Inform LAPD that we believe the situation has escalated. Tell them to be on alert for anything. The recommendation is for riot gear and vests, and EMTs should be on standby.”

Kathy got up and went out to the nurse station. Karen watched the news as Jason watched the screen on his computer, all hoping he was wrong.

McCann walked through the mass of people as he looked for the path to the bridge. He had not seen anything like it. He walked through a small grove of trees only to hear moaning. He saw a young girl lying on the ground, masturbating. She was far too young to be there.

He started to her and was beside her when she looked up at him smiling. “Want to help?” she asked sweetly.

McCann didn’t get to answer. A man took him by surprise and grabbed him. He was huge easily six foot tall and looking very heavy. With eh beard and longhair he looked like an overweight Bigfoot.

“He can’t help you sweetheart, but give me a few minutes I’ll be back,” the man told her.

“Okay,” she giggled. She didn’t seem to be bothered by the man’s looks.

“Go run away,” McCann yelled at her. She just giggled and went back to rubbing herself.

The man tugged McCann, dragging him. When McCann struggled, a knife was pressed to his ribs.

“Easy Doctor. If I wanted you dead you would be.” He started to walk faster. Just passed the grove he waved out to a small group of men. “You see them? They are looking for a special friend. Someone like you. You are about to make me a bit of money.” He had a very nasty laugh. “Not that you can use it, but give me your phone.”

The man stepped back and reached up to McCann’s shoulder, ripping the insignias off.

“He hasn’t changed. These won’t work here either.” He tossed both the phone and insignias. “You should have done what I told you.” He again waved at the men waiting. “See, while I’m going back to enjoy that pretty little thing, they will be enjoying you. You may enjoy it, but I doubt it.”

They walked slowly through the people milling around. McCann saw the group of youths running at them. One hit Pierce as he ran by, falling to the ground. It knocked Pierce’s knife away just enough; McCann took the chance and shoved it to the side before grabbing the wrist and twisting and slamming it down into Pierce’s leg. As Pierce screamed, McCann ran. Pierce pulled a pistol just as two police officers came into view.

Neither officer got a chance to pull their weapons. They just fell to the ground. Pierce yanked the knife free and began limping away. He shut off the cell jammer and made a call.

“Do it. He’s heading to the south end of the park.”

There was a buzz in the air a few seconds later.

Kathy and Karen had started to watch Jason’s computer. “You have him? Good tell Simon,” Jason commanded as he listened to the voice only he could hear.

The reporter on the TV started talking about a buzzing noise. Just as they all looked at the screen, the cameras focused on the sky. Jason looked at his computer.

“Pan, all ASDs, look up and around now.” Jason slammed his hand on the table. “Get someone out there now. Fifty calibers on the roof, take them...”

It was too late. The sounds of machine guns firing were just slightly duller than the screams.

“Pan, all ASDs, look up and around now.” Jason slammed on the table. “Get someone out there now. Fifty calibers on the roof, take them...”

Jason’s voice echoed in the room as he slammed on the keys of his computer. “I’m not seeing anything dam it. Move them. I’m getting more from the dam TV than I am from them. Why isn’t Henderson and Harland out?”

The two doctors were glued to the news broadcast. The camera spun upward catching a single drone as they strafed the crowd. As the cameraman panned left three more came into view before it cut back to the newsroom.

“What do you mean there is ... never mind use the ASDs. Send them into the propellers. Yes, I know that. If you have a better idea, I am all for it. Yes, and it will be over less than that. Get them in there now.” He slammed the keys on his computer. “If I had the ability to do it myself, I would, but it’s not possible. It is an order, captain.”

It was easier said than done. There were only four ASDs, and they were not designed for what he wanted.

He got a play-by-play over the phone. Three struck and exploded on the sides of their targets. It didn’t knock them out like he had hoped, but they stopped firing and turned away from the crowd. Just as the news cut back to the scene, the fourth hit the last of the drones. It was up in the air about three thousand feet up. The camera caught the small explosion in the rear. In the background, they could all hear the sounds of gunfire as an LAPD officer took the chance to fire as the drone fell.

Jason keyed his earpiece. “Tell them to stop shooting and vacate the area,” Jason demanded as he watched the screen.

The explosion was bigger than it should have been. The screen went black.

Jason tossed the headset and adjusted the earpiece. “I am on my way,” he said as he moved to the closet grabbing his clothes. “I am well aware of that,” he stripped off the sweats tossing them to the bed. “Fine. Keep two response vehicles crewed and get everyone else we have in the area in there, to help. Correlate with LAPD and emergency response.” He was half-dressed when his phone rang. It was the famed tone from star wars.

Jason grabbed it, yanking the charger from the wall. He hooked it on his belt. He tossed the wire as he keyed the earpiece.

“General,” he said flatly as he pulled on his shirt. “Yes, I know. I have already issued orders to get our people in there. We need to active med one and two. I also want to get in touch with Big Stick. They can be there in less time and are currently in port.”

Karen was staring as he spoke. Kathy was as well but less so. She was busy thinking of recent events.

Jason keyed the earpiece again, hitting the mute. “Ladies, why are you still here? You are going to be inundated in moments. I suggest that you get to whatever hospital it is that you work, Karen. Kathy, get your staff ready. Clear out the ER as best you can and as fast as you can. Tell them to call in everyone.”

“It’s not the staff I am worried about they will be here, we are sending out a broadcast. Our problem is that we went through a lot of supplies with the fire. This is a hundred times worse, and I don’t know if we have got replenishments from our distributor,” Kathy was on her own phone.

Jason hit the mute again. “No, General, I am here. I am dealing with the hospital’s staff. General, they are going to need a lot of supplies. Area hospitals had a massive fire to deal with in just the last twenty-four hours. We need the Navy to send what they can from all areas.” Jason nodded as he walked out the door. “I will let them know, general, but that is still a thirty-minute flight. Fifteen more to get loaded. It may not be enough.’

The television was back on with the studio people. Jason caught some of what was being said as he listened to the general. “General, we need to contact the governor. The National Guard needs to be activated. Yes, Sir. I don’t know if it’s connected or not, but it looks as if the entire area is blacked out.” He pulled his phone from its holder and started a text. “Yes, sir, as we speak.” He started out of the room, grabbed his keys, and rushed toward the elevators. The doctors were close behind him. “I hate that I need to general, but I need LAPD to send a car. They need to get several seizure orders signed by a federal judge. They can call me, and I’ll have them meet me. I will call back.”

He thought better of it and turned to the stairs, nearly plowing into Karen.

“Who the hell are you?” she blurted out.

Jason pecked her on the lips as she moved her out of the way. “I am nobody. Now, get going. They will need both of you.”

He was down the first flight of stairs before either of them reacted. Outside he started too cursed as he realized he didn’t know where his car was. He ran down the center of the lots hitting the alarm button hoping. He found it in the last lot.

He was catching his breath as he started the car and called up the GPS. What he was looking for was ten minutes away. It could be a waste of time but it was a chance he wouldn’t take. His phone connected to the system and sent a message to the screen.

“Detective Grace Harper is getting the orders. Text location to her.” Her number followed in another message. Jason had the GPS system send the destination to the number. Her response came a moment later.

“Fifteen minutes.”

“Respond, sooner the better. Bring backup units if possible.” He was weaving in and out of the traffic, nearly hitting one car as he sped through a yellow light. He had considered adding things to the car but hadn’t. Now he was regretting it. Siren and lights would have been useful.

Jason sped into the truck stop, screeching the brakes as he pulled into the trucker’s lot. Running inside he did what he hadn’t in some time. He took out his badge.

“I am Jason Myer. This is an emergency. I need three empty trucks with drivers.” He held up his badge as he yelled above the din of the dining area. It was not enough. Only a few closest to him even looked up. He couldn’t yell loud enough to get enough to shut up for anyone to hear him. He lifted his keys and put the whistle in his mouth. Before he could blow it, a waitress grabbed his shoulder.

“There is a PA system for calling truckers,” she told him as she pointed toward the cashier. “It covers the entire place.”

He thanked her as he hurried over to the station. It was a waste of time, but the Detective still had not arrived. Without the orders, the trucks were useless.

The waitress was on his heels. “Jamie, call the pa up. This guy needs to make an announcement. Quickly,” she urged the boy at the checkout. She must have been more than a waitress because Jamie didn’t even question her. He just handed the phone receiver to Jason and punched a few buttons. The din that followed got the room quieter than Jason’s yelling.

“I am sorry to interrupt your meals. I am Jason Myer with The US Army. There has been an incident not far from here. I need three empty trailers with truck and drivers. Twenty-six foot or larger.”

It was quieter and there were people looking but none moved or did anything. “This is a serious matter people. I need volunteers or I will take the first three I get to. Loaded or not.”