Chapter 7

As soon as the towers, which were the last pieces of resistance, went down the Apache chopper swooped down onto the grounds of the estate like a giant, noisy bird. It hovered several feet above the immaculately manicured lawns, now littered with the remains of the towers and the guards. Ashley’s crew began jumping out of it. They worked with well-practiced precision. Some instantly took up positions to defend their comrades while others raced to pre-determined targets.

Ashley and Travis headed straight for their objective. Together they raced up what was left of the mansion’s crumbling front steps and hit the front door at a run. It flew open in response to Travis’s mighty shoulder that almost took if off its hinges.

Ashley gave directions without uttering a word. Without even bothering to stop, she pointed a finger at her second in command. The signal meant he was to take a couple of members of the squad to look after the main floor. She knew Travis would do a thorough search and destroy job on any enemy still not counted for. Without hesitation she raced up the stairs followed by several other members of her unit.