The Exchange
Werner Hall stepped off of the elevator and walked towards the entrance to the penthouse suite. This was the agreed place for the meeting. He was wearing a long coat and a suit. His hair was slightly greying and his face was one that looked older than he actually was. His dark brown eyes had seen so much evil throughout the years. Concealed under his suit jacket was an old beaten but reliable Colt M1911A1 pistol. The pistol had gone through 3 wars before being liberated by Werner when he left Army Intelligence to start his career in the CIA.
Harvey Crane was slightly younger. He was nervous for two reasons, the first being the fact that he was carrying a gun, something he hadn’t even used since his training 13 years previously. The second reason was that he was in the field. Harvey spent most of his time sat at a desk reviewing intelligence or cracking encrypted files retrieved by field operatives. This was his second time in the field and from his perspective once was quite enough already. He was carrying a large silver case in his right hand.
Megan Callahan was used to these sorts of dealings. She was a field operative with 11 years experience, and before that she had been in the Marines for 7 years. She had always been determined to make it as a woman in a man’s world and that was the reason that she pushed herself harder and longer than any other agent in the history of the CIA. She applied for every advanced course she could which is why she was an expert in not only hand to hand combat but weapons based combat. Although you wouldn’t think it by looking at her. She was a pretty 5’6 brunette who could look glamorous in an evening dress and deadly in combat gear. Under her long jacket was an MP5K holstered in a custom made shoulder rig she created. She was also carrying a Beretta M9 pistol in the small of her back.
The team approached the door which had two men holding some sort of AK variant assault rifles. Werner identified them as AKMS rifles due to the handgrips and muzzle brakes.
“I’m here to meet with Mikuláš Marek.” Werner said to one of the men. As he did he stood tall with his back straight trying to make himself appear as big as possible. Showing the enemy that you are powerful was how Werner described it. It was something he taught new recruits when it was his turn to instruct at The Farm.
“Hold on a second.” One of the guards said. He spoke English but not very well. His thick Czech accent caused him to pronounce the “S” in second with more of “Z” sound.
The team watched as the guard took out a small radio and spoke in Czech into it. The reply was also in Czech and then the guard returned the radio to his inside jacket pocket.
“You may enter.” The guard said opening the door without looking.
The team walked in one by one. Entering the room felt like they were entering some sort of palace. There was a huge window which displayed Prague in all its beauty. A sea of little lights flowed across the distance. The inside of the penthouse had a hanging chandelier the size of a small car and a wide open lounge area with three sofas arranged in a “U” shape facing towards the lavish fire place. In the middle of the sofas was a large coffee table with a glass top.
Werner and his team approached Mikuláš and his men. Already he had breached the agreement and Werner was quick to point this out to him. “I thought we agreed on only two men as back up. I see seven.”
“Well we never agreed on women being a part of the deal.” Mikuláš replied with a smug look on his face.
Had the situation been different Megan would have smacked the smug look off of Mikuláš’ face with relish. But she suppressed the urge and just smiled pretending that his comments amused her.
“How about we change the deal, I give you the weapon and you give me the woman.” Mikuláš suggested. His English was very good, even with his Czech accent he was easily understood.
Harvey started to rub his thumb against his fingers nervously.
“How about we just make the deal we came to make.” Werner said with some degree of authority.
“All right.” Mikuláš replied. “I was just trying to be funny.”
“Don’t quit your day job.” Werner quickly replied. This caused Mikuláš to smirk.
One of Mikuláš’ men handed him a case.
Mikuláš took the case from his man and placed it on the coffee table opening it and spinning it around so that Werner and his team could see. “VM chemical nerve agent. A nasty little weapon.”
“Are you sure that is all of it?” Werner asked.
“But of course!” Mikuláš replied with a tinge of outrage in his voice. “What do you take me for? Some American businessman?” He said with a short chuckle.
“Harvey.” Werner said.
That was his cue. Harvey walked over to the coffee table and opened up his case. He selected three random vials out of Mikuláš’ case and inserted them into the device that was built into his case. He opened a small laptop computer that was a part of the device and started to type various commands. A progress bar appeared as the contents of the vials was being analysed.
The analysis took a matter of minutes but it felt like hours had passed. Both Werner and Megan were scanning the room with their eyes. Watching the actions of each person in the room. Every small movement they made. They both locked on to one of Mikuláš’ men when he scratched an itch on the side of his head. They were both waiting for any sort of aggressive action.
Mikuláš seemed to be getting impatient. He barked something in Czech to one of his men and they returned with a glass of Vodka. Just as his lips touched the brim of the glass he pulled the glass away. “How rude, would you like a drink? I have many fine...”
“No thank you.” Werner interrupted.
“What about your lady friend?” Mikuláš asked with a pervy look on his face.
Megan shook her head when was she really wanted to do was to pull out one of the knives she had on her person and cut off his balls with it. There was something about the way Mikuláš looked at her that she really hated. It made her skin crawl every time he smiled at her.
Suddenly the computer bleeped and Harvey turned back to Werner. “It’s VM.” He started to explain the chemical make up when Werner stopped him by just raising the palm of his hand and nodding. Harvey replaced the three vials and closed up his case.
“My money?” Mikuláš asked.
Werner took out his cell phone and hit a number on his speed dial. “We have confirmation. Send the funds.” He said before ending the call and placing the phone back into his pocket.
A second later Mikuláš’ phone rang and he answered it. A voice on the other end explained that €100 million had just been deposited into his account. Mikuláš smiled and nodded to his men.
In a split second Mikuláš’ men all pulled out AKMSU assault rifles from behind various counters and tables. The AKMSU was a smaller carbine model of the AKMS.
Mikuláš reached into his jacket and drew a Heckler & Koch P30 9mm pistol. “I’ve changed my mind.” He said smiling. “I think I’ll keep the weapon and the money.”
“You son of a bitch!” Werner exclaimed. “We had a deal!” He said louder and angrier.
“I’m amending it.” Mikuláš replied. “I keep the money and the weapon and you get to live.”
On the roof Everett Hobbs was crouched down listening to the events in the room and watching through a video feed from a concealed camera on Werner’s jacket. Everett had been a CIA field operative for just over 6 months, but he had 8 years in the Navy SEALs, 2 of those years were in the elite DEVGRU unit, formerly known as SEAL Team Six. Everett was the teams back up man, in case the operation went bad it was his job to make sure the team got out safely with the weapon. As soon as he saw the weapons drawn he leapt into action. He was geared up in full assault gear.
On his chest rig were 8 spare magazines for his MP5SD3, which was propped up against the wall he was sat against. He also had his SIG Sauer P226 pistol holstered in a chest mounted holster. There were two spare magazines for the pistol on the rig.
Everett unzipped a black bag and pulled out some rope and a breeching charge. The breeching charge was actually a piece of sheet plastic with an extendable pole attached to the back. In the middle of the square was an explosive charge.
Everett tied the rope to the base of a large air circulation vent. He tugged on the rope several times before moving quickly back towards the edge of the roof. He picked up the MP5SD3 and slung it across his body. He picked up the breeching charge before clipping the rope to several places on his vest. Everett began his descent, repelling down the rope towards the large penthouse suite window.
Securing the breeching charge was simple; he extended the pole and manoeuvred the device into position and gently pressing it against the window. Around the edges of the breeching charge there was a strong adhesive that would stick to pretty much every material it would need to. He prepared himself and sent Werner the signal that he was going to breech in ten seconds.
Inside the penthouse suite the guns were still pointed at Werner and his team. He had been buying time trying to talk Mikuláš out of the double cross but Mikuláš wasn’t having any of it. Suddenly he heard the signal he had been waiting for, 3 quick squelches through his earpiece. “All right fine! You made your decision.” That was the prearranged code phrase to let the other two team members know that Everett was going to breech any second.
The team turned around and started walking towards the door, they then all in unison quickly dived for cover.
Mikuláš’ men were about to open fire when the window exploded sending glass shattering inward. They all were thrown off of their feet by the shockwave.
Everett repelled through the window, his right hand was holding onto the grip of his MP5SD3 and the second his feet touched the floor the weapon was up at eye level and he wad firing quick two and three round bursts at Mikuláš’ men. The gunshots were quick and quite due to the suppressed design of the SD series of MP5 sub machine guns. The only noise you could hear was the metal clicking of the mechanics of the MP5 ejecting the spent shell casings and inserting of a fresh round rapidly.
Before they knew what had happened 4 of Mikuláš’ men were laying dead on the floor with two or three small holes in their heads.
Everett took cover behind a large pillar as Mikuláš and his men returned fire.
Their weapons make a lot more noise than Everett’s. This alerted the guards who were outside the room.
The guards came crashing through the door only to be put down by two .45 ACP rounds a piece from Werner’s M1911A1.
Megan had unattached her MP5K and was firing in the direction of Mikuláš and his men. She put down Mikuláš first who was wildly shooting his pistol at Everett. She then dispatched of two more of Mikuláš’ men before ducking down to reload.
Everett quickly dropped down to the floor laying flat out from behind the cover and firing the rest of his magazine into the remaining guard. Seven 9mm bullets cut through the guard’s chest as if it were made of paper. He fell lifelessly to the floor. Everett leapt to his feet and reloaded the MP5SD3. He dropped the empty magazine into his dump pouch which was attached to his belt by his left hip.
Harvey was laid in the foetal position behind his cover shaking.
Werner walked over to him and picked him up onto his feet. “Shake it off, we need to move fast, get the case.” Harvey picked up the case with the chemical weapon.
Everett was busy placing a couple of blocks of C4 into Harvey’s case and rigging up a remote detonator. He rushed back to the others with the case.
“Leave that.” Werner ordered.
Everett shook his head. “I’ve rigged up a little surprise in this.”
Werner wasn’t pleased as Everett was deviating from the plan.
Harvey finally managed to pull out his Glock and held it nervously in his right hand, the chemical weapon case in his left.
Everett got by the door to exit and quickly looked out onto the corridor and pulled his head back in as several bullets flew towards him. Reinforcements were already there. He threw the case towards the oncoming men.
The men assumed that they had given up the chemical weapon to try and get their freedom. Their assumption was short lived as the case exploded causing the walls to crumble and a shockwave which blasted the men 10 feet backwards. Their internal organs were tenderised by the shockwave. Everett was the first into the corridor. His MP5SD3 was at eye level as he moved slowly across the corridor.
Megan was following him with her MP5K aimed forwards. They reached the stairwell and stacked up against the door.
Everett opened the door. The loud echoing sounds of footsteps ascending the stairs could be heard.
Harvey noticed that the elevator was moving as well. “The elevator is coming up.” He informed the rest of his team.
Everett pulled out a flashbang and pulled the pin. “When this blows we move fast.”
Megan nodded in acknowledgement.
Everett tossed the grenade down the middle of the stairwell and pulled the door closed.
The flashbang exploded engulfing the stairwell in a blinding flash of light and a loud echoing bang which caused the approaching men’s ears to bleed.
Everett was the first into the stairwell. He leapt down the stairs skipping several of them at a time. His weapon was constantly at eye level.
Megan was behind him, she was moving down with her back against the wall and side stepping to cover the lower part of the stairs.
Werner and Harvey followed. Werner kept Harvey in front of him and watched their back for any pursuing forces.
Megan was the first to open fire. She shot one of the approaching men who was now staggering blinded and deafened by the flashbang. The sound of her MP5K echoed throughout the stairwell.
Everett joined in with the firing taking down another one of the approaching men. Gunfire from below caused Everett to jump back against the wall.
“I need another mag.” Megan said.
Without thinking Everett reached into his vest and pulled out a fresh magazine and handed it to Megan.
She reloaded her MP5K and dangled it over the banister firing blindly towards the approaching men. She emptied the magazine in just under five seconds. “Mag.”
Everett handed her another magazine before reloading his own MP5. He then used a series of hand signals to inform her that he was going to move down and that he wanted her to lay down cover fire so he could get closer.
Megan nodded and switched the MP5K to single shot. She then leaned over the banister and started to fire single shots at the men who were lower down.
Everett moved quickly on his toes to make a less noise as he could. He got onto the same level as the remaining men and fired rapidly at them all in quick short controlled bursts. “Clear!” He shouted.
The team moved down the stairs.
Gunfire erupted from further up. The men in the elevator had heard the commotion in the stairwell and were now attacking from their high ground.
Everett had just reloaded his MP5 when the rest of the team caught up. Without even being asked he handed Megan a fresh MP5 magazine.
She loaded the magazine and slapped the bolt shut. “You two keep going, we’ll hold them off.” She said to Werner and Harvey who nodded in agreement. Her MP5K still on single shot she returned fire.
Everett moved to the level below and opened fire on them from a different angle. He had now switched to single shot so he could conserve his ammunition.
Megan moved to the level below him and fired five rounds spaced out as Everett moved to the level below her.
They continued this down three floors before they both had to reload. Everett had only two magazines left, one each. Then they were onto their sidearms. They both continued the same fire and manoeuvre tactic that they employed earlier.
To Everett’s surprise two of the men had managed to move quickly and quietly ahead of the other group. The emerged on the level above him. He quickly fired a double tap to one of the men’s chests from his MP5SD3. He quickly moved to the next target who was still a bit dazed from seeing his friend suddenly killed. Everett squeezed the trigger twice in quick succession and to his horror the MP5 was empty. Without hesitation he let go of the sub-machine gun and grabbed the P226 on his chest rig and released it from its holster. He brought the pistol up to the target and fired 3 rounds off in quick succession, two to the chest and one to the head. The sound of the P226 firing echoed loudly throughout the stairwell.
The other man staggered back from the two shots to the chest and his head snapped backwards as blood and brain matter exploded against the wall behind him from the bullet to the head.
Everett and Megan moved quicker now, they had given up on the fire and manoeuvre and were now racing to the basement level where their transport was waiting.
Werner and Harvey burst through the door into the parking lot. They immediately spotted the van that was waiting for them and raced towards it.
Suddenly two guards with pistols opened fire on them both. Werner shoulder barged Harvey behind a car before rolling to the other side using another car for cover.
“Stay behind the wheels for cover!” Werner yelled at Harvey.
Harvey now had his Glock up. He had put the case down and was holding the Glock in a two handed grip.
Werner reached up to the wing-mirror of the car he was taking cover behind and yanked on it repeatedly until it broke off. He then used the mirror to see where the guards were.
The guards had taken cover behind two cars at either side. Their weapons were both aimed towards both Werner and Harvey’s positions.
Werner clicked the magazine release on his M1911A1 and checked how many rounds were left, four rounds. He decided to switch the magazine out for a full one which gave him seven in the magazine plus the remaining bullet in the chamber. He laid flat out on the ground and looked under the cars. He could barely make out the feet of one of the guard at Harvey’s side. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone quickly writing a text message to Harvey.
Harvey’s phone vibrated several times before he fished the phone out of his pocket. He opened the text message from Werner. It read: When I open fire I want you to fire on the guard on my side. Harvey read it and panicked slightly. But he accepted that he needed to do this. He looked over to Werner and nodded.
Werner gave Harvey a quick thumbs up and then took aim. He fired three times quickly. One of the rounds caught the guard in his left foot which cause him to squeal in pain.
As soon as the shooting started Harvey broke cover coming up from behind the car and levelled his sights towards the guard on the left side of the parking lot. He opened fire. Bullets flew out of the barrel of his Glock until the slide locked back. He stood there still squeezing the trigger even though nothing was happening.
Werner walked down to the guards and put a bullet in each of their heads to finish them off. He then returned to Harvey and took the Glock out of his hand putting his hand on Harvey’s shoulder. “It’s OK. You did good.”
Harvey looked Werner in the eye and half smiled. It was the first time he’d fired a gun at something that wasn’t a paper silhouette.
Werner didn’t waste any time and grabbed the case hustling Harvey towards the van, who was still in a small amount of shock. As they reached the van Werner heard a loud bang behind them. He spun around and pointed his M1911A1 towards the sound but saw Everett and Megan running out of the stairwell. He opened the van and handed the case off to Harvey who got into the back. Werner climbed into the driver’s seat.
Four men appeared at the stair well and were fired upon by Megan.
She fired off six rounds from her MP5K before it clicked empty.
Everett made sure there was no lull in the firing as he immediately opened fire with his P226 when Megan’s fire stopped.
Megan switched to her Beretta and waited until Everett’s magazine was expended before opening fire.
They both kept bullets going downrange whilst moving backwards towards the van.
The two remaining men had taken cover. Each time one of them tried to come from behind the cover bullets flew in their direction.
Megan and Everett reached the van and climbed in both reloading their pistols as they did.
The men both came from behind their cover due to the lull in the gunfire only to jump back behind cover when Werner opened fire with his M1911A1. He fired five shots before his M1911A1 was empty.
Megan and Everett both opened fire at the same time with their sidearms as the van’s engine roared to life and they drove quickly out of the parking lot. Everett closed the side door as soon as they were clear.
The van weaved in and out of traffic towards a pre-arranged pick up point where a helicopter was waiting to take them across the boarder into Germany where a Gulfstream was waiting to fly them back to the US.
