Page 9 (1/2)

The attack has yet to begin but already I realize soone to Dr Seter and James because I kneas physi?cally and e forher All I wanted to do was send in twenty people with guns, close hter is dead, the world is safe for deain Yet the Suzauns It should reassure ined, yet it does not, and I puzzle over this I stand in Suite 3670, in the co across the street from Kalika&039;s condo tower Olyhter, but at this ti--it is rare that a car drives by Beside me are Dr Seter, Seymour, James, and two sharpshooters with laser-assisted rifles They have cut away a circular panel in the glass and now are focusing their weapons on Kalika&039;s hich are visible, barely--for we are eighteen stories above her All of Kalika&039;s s are covered with vertical blinds, however We have better views of her two balconies and the large pool far below Of course, we have a dear view of the roof of the tower It is at this spot that I stare as row

Dr Seter and his son have not asseroup of spiritual fanatics and trained them how to aied to construct the equivalent of a highly trained coo about surrounding Kalika, who, by the way, is definitely at home Their attack is muchto capture me and Joel

There are two units: Alpha Top and Alpha Bot?toed towith ropes and pulleys Alpha Bottouards are apparently unconscious, if we are to believe the radio reports that are con?stantly streaether with short wave Both Alpha Top and Alpha Bottom have ten members each, les, gas grenades, even grenade launchers Where they bought all this stuff, I have no idea

I watch as the last of the Alpha Top tea down to Kalika&039;s balcony?" I ask Ja at the people on the roof James is also dressed in black, a radio in his hand His face shines with excite soldier The whole situation strikes ated it--I think

"The saot on the roof," he says "We will lower six of them onto the balconies before we attack, three onto each balcony We won&039;t attack until everyone is in position Why?"

"She will hear theh a pair of binoculars hung around his neck "We have pretty much deter-mined that she is asleep"

"I wouldn&039;t count on that," Seyive her a chance to cooperate," Dr Seter says for perhaps the tenth tih the doctor is supposed to be the boss, it is clear toorders only froiven every chance she deserves," James says He clicks on his radio "Alpha Bottoh?teenth floor elevators? Over"

"Control, this is Alpha Bottom We are near the elevators Over"

"Alpha Botto onto the balconies hteen Twenty-one until you are ordered Over"

"Control, this is Alpha Bottoh his binocu?lars Then he clicks his radio back on "Alpha Top, this is Control Any signs that Kalika is in the living room or kitchen area? Over"

"Control, this is Alpha Top We have detected no activity in the living room or kitchen area Over"

"Alpha Top, are your ropes in place? Over"

"Control, we are ready to swing down Over"

"Alpha Top, this is Control You may start down But hold on the balconies until you hear frouys see," I say

Jaive a wan s" More than a thing Watching thee on Kalika, I feel sick tomyself that Kalika is totally unpredictable, that they have to be careful Dr Seter puts a hand ontime," he says "But ill not shoot first, I proiven every chance to surrender"

I shake my head "She will never surrender"

In tea off froin to slide doard the balconies They land in seconds; I watch as they unclip the ropes from their belts Each carries a weapon, has a radio in an ear, and night goggles The guy in charge of Alpha Top co in hushed whis?pers

"Control, we are in position Over"

"He shouldn&039;t be talking," I say "She&039;ll hear him In fact, they should be ready for her to attack Now Tell theet their weapons drawn She could conores me He talks into his radio

"Alpha Top, this is Control You will go on my command Stand ready Over"

Separated by a corner of the building, neither group of three can see the other group This is a major weakness in the plan They should know to the split second what every one of theh James continues to bark instructions

"Alpha Bottohteen Twenty-one Alpha Top is in posi?tion on the balconies Over"

"Control, this is Alpha Bottom Understood Over"

The ten people on the Alpha Botto the hallway I point this out to Jaest he hold back half of them by the elevators He brushes aside ," he says "They won&039;t accidentally shoot each other"

"You don&039;t understand how fast she can move," I say "Theoff a clean shot"

"I want Alpha Bottom to knock at the door first," Dr Seter says "She has to be told that she is surrounded and that escape is impossible"

"She doesn&039;t think in terms of impossibilities," Seymour mutters "I think it will be a ree?"

I think of Kalika riddled with bullets while she lies in bed

"I agree" I turn to Dr Seter "There is no point in talking to her Honestly"

Dr Seter trembles "But this could be cold-blooded murder"

"I say we listen to Alisa," James says Before anyone can protest he clicks on his radio "Alpha Top and Alpha Bottom, this is Control We will move on the count of five One two three"

He does not reach five

There is loud screah the air