Say Yes, Senator

In less than a second my gun was in my hand, and I clicked the safety off. I popped up out of cover, gun rising to my eye level as I aimed at his head.

I squeezed the trigger, and his head snapped back, arms convulsing as he dropped to the floor with a loud thud.

A moment later a head was peering out of the front door, looking over to see the commotion. A few gunshots rang out from the doorway, going harmlessly wide. The door was closed hurriedly as I slid over the hood of the car and began to sprint across the road towards the van, which was parked haphazardly between me and the building.

Perfect cover. Idiots.

My eyes were on the van as I approached, checking there was no one hiding in waiting. The front seats were empty and a brief glance into the back told me that was empty, too.

An empty van. So they came here to grab something in a hurry. Looks like Conall is cleaning house, but unfortunately for him he’s a little too late.

I was one step ahead of him, but I had to act quickly. The element of surprise was in my favor, and I didn’t want any more backup to shoot me in the ass before I could act.

I weighed up my options and decided on a plan of attack. The front door was probably locked and guarded, guns trained on it. I’d have to find another way in and fast.

I jogged quickly to the wall of the building, head low. I was out of sight of the camera as I reached the tall, corrugated metal wall. I rested my back against it and chose a direction. I headed right toward the side of the building. I popped my head round to find a figure standing at the doorway, head swinging from side to side. He didn’t spot me.

“Ain’t no sign of him, Cathal! Where the fuck is he?” he shouted angrily.

I heard a muffled shout in response from the building, followed by the bark of another. A third voice shouted something inaudible in response.

“I ain’t going out front! You go! Who put you in charge, anyway?” the guy shouted, head looking back into the building.

A voice sounded from the other side of the metal wall behind my head. I could just about make out the words.

“Conall put me in charge, mon! Now get out dere before I fuck you up!”

The guy swore in response, foul language spilling out in a torrent. I heard him turn to head my way.

I took a breath and popped out from cover, raising my gun as I turned to steady myself.

Surprise, you ugly scumbag.

I shot him in the chest as I raised my gun and once in the centre of his forehead. He dropped to the floor, eyes wide in surprise.

I didn’t give myself time to think, acting on instinct. I ran to the open door as voices started shouting from within the building. I guessed there were four more of Conall’s men inside, at least.

I risked a peep through the door, seeing figures heading for cover around old, grey metal industrial equipment. A large, solid looking unit sat a few feet away from the wall to my left, and I couldn’t see anyone near if. It was about four or five feet from the doorway, I guessed.

Perfect cover. Here goes nothin’.

I threw myself powerfully into the doorway, dropping into a forward roll, my shoulder thumping heavily against the solid metal as I rose to crouch against it. A few loud gunshots pinged against the metal wall behind me, but I was too quick for them to get a decent shot.

Movement over to my right caught my eye, a head peering out from behind a large cylindrical shaped piece of equipment, chrome shining dully in the gloom.

I popped up from cover and shot the guy through the temple. He fell against the wall, twitching violently as he dropped to the floor with a thud.

Screams of anger and alarm sounded from across the building. I heard the clang of what sounded like a hatch opening. I peered around the side of cover to see the older guy who had arrived a while back popping his head up from a basement hatch.

“What the fuck is going on? I’m trying to work down here, you mor…”

“Police are here, mon! Hide! I’ll call you when it be safe!” I heard Cathal’s voice from over to my left, but I couldn’t see him.

“That’s right. The police are here! Now listen up, ‘cause I’m only gonna say this once!” I shouted loudly, eyes alert for any sign of movement.

“I’m taking you down, one way or another! Make this easy for yourselves, drop the guns and walk out slowly with your hands on your head! Do it now!” My voice echoed slightly from the building. It was met with silence.

“I’m a yardie, motherfucker! Ain’t no way I surrender to no police!” Cathal’s angry retort sounded loud, closer than before, off to my left.