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"Ring! Ring!" The telephone rang shrilly. Nykki reached tiredly for the receiver. "Hello, whoisit?" she mumbled into the headset. "Alex, I'm glad you're back. James Wilder here. Gather in lecture hall C immediately." The Director put down the phone. "Hello? Hello?" Nykki spoke to the silent phone. She glared at the clock, five in the morning. "Damn! What's this all about?" She hurriedly got out of bed and roused her twin. "Nicholas! Get your coat, there's a meeting in lecture hall C, pronto." She switched on the light and ran a comb through her hair. Nicholas stared at his twin with bleary eyes. "What's happening?" "I don't know, Wilder just called. I think this is the big field test he was talking to us about. Ready?" she asked her twin, pulling on her jacket. "I'm coming, I'm coming. Wait up." She opened the door.
The twins rushed down the hallway, and the first person they met, was Brent Shepherd looking awake and cheery. Nykki scowled at him. Brent didn't see Nicholas in the shadows behind Nykki. He scrutinised the dark circles around her eyes, then smiled. "Well Alex, I thought the reason you didn't do to the bar with us yesterday was because you were really tired, I guess you weren't. Just a piece of advice: An FBI agent is always on the ready, despite the conditions. If you keep up like you do, you'll never make it." He sneered. "Why, you son of…" Nykki started to say angrily, but was stopped by her twin. "Stop it, both of you! It's an unearthly hour to be awake, much less to argue," Nicholas put in. "Nick Mason! You… you're back! How ... What… Why…" Brent spluttered, stopping dead in his tracks. "When did you get back?" "Yesterday, with Alex." Nicholas looked at Brent standing shock-still in the middle of the corridor and gave a disgusted snort. "Come on, you're wasting time. Let's go Alex." He marched off, Nykki trailing behind. Brent Shepherd looked at the twins, and quickly, but rather dazedly, followed behind.
The Director, James Wilder, watched carefully as the cadets took their seats in the room. He looked at the twins, and saw the fatigue on the girl's face, but there was really nothing he could do to help her. He turned his gaze upon her twin, he looked normal, though a little thinner, not surprising for someone who had been locked up for a few weeks. James Wilder smiled a little wryly at Nicholas, then turned his attention back to the group of students sitting in front of him. "Today is your big day. Just to give you some background information. This," he said, pointing to the Constitutional Law professor, George Hupperman, "is the victim. Please introduce yourself." George Hupperman stepped forward, his hands tied behind his back. "My name is George Hupperman, and I'm the president of a large banking corporation. These men want money, or they'll kill me. Please help me." He stepped back. Nicholas had a hard time suppressing his laughter at the professor's little speech. He grinned at his twin. To his surprise, she did not return the smile, but just concentrated on the people standing in front. He shrugged and looked back at the Director. Wilder continued. "These five men, and myself, are from a well-known terrorist group." The five men were Walter Goodman, assistant Director; Robert Finch, Jonathan Sanders — judo instructor, Mark Hash and Christopher Wilder. "The ransom note in the brown envelope on the table. You can only open it ten minutes after we have left the room. We decided to make this a little easier for you by preparing the ransom beforehand. Your mission is to find us and subdue us, meaning to take us back to this room, with or without delivering the money. You can use your firearms, but only blanks. Also, every bullet you use means a deduction of your total score — the idea is to complete the mission without using any violence, understand. Another thing, there's a time limit to this little exercise, it is now a quarter to six, this field test is officially over at nine o'clock. In other words, you don't find us before nine, you've lost. Any questions?" Brent Shepherd spoke up. "Sir, is there a specific higher command that we're supposed to follow during this exercise?" "Why ask me? I'm a terrorist, remember?" the Director answered. "No more questions?" he looked around. "All right then, you can open the envelope in ten minutes, at exactly six. Good luck." As the academy instructors filed out of the door, Christopher caught Nick's eye, and mouthed something at him. "Is she all right?" Nicholas looked at the exaggerated mouth movements and finally deciphered what Christopher was trying to say. He nodded vigorously in answer. Christopher seemed to heave a sigh before stepping through the doorway. Immediately after the departure of the instructors, Brent Shepherd stood up. "Okay guys, you heard the Director. The first thing we've got to do is to establish a higher chain of command. I establish myself as the officer-in-charge of the case, and ... Bickerstaff and Parker are the assisting officers. Any protests?" Nykki opened her mouth to speak but was stopped by Brent. "Good." He looked at his watch. "Six o'clock exactly. Pierce, the envelope." Pierce Bickerstaff handed the brown envelope to Brent, who immediately tore it open. "Leave $500,000 ransom money in unmarked bills in the academy park, beneath the oak tree numbered two hundred and one, by six-thirty. Signed, the terrorists." He handed the note to Dale Parker, from whom Nykki snatched it. "Well, I suggest we go and deliver the ransom mow. Lisa Pontini, where are you?" Brent looked around for the petite brunette. "Here," a high-pitched voice answered. "Lisa, you're in charge of the maps. Tell me, where is oak tree number two-oh-one?" A lot of rustling and searching. "Got it, it's in area Charlie One, slightly more than half a mile away from the administration block, across the big field." "Okay, Parker and Butz. The two of you are to deliver the money. The rest of you come with me. The two groups will keep in touch using walkie-talkies, got it?" Brent did not even wait for an answer as he ushered everyone out of the room.
"What do you mean you lost him? The man was right in front of you. How can you lose a man like Goodman?" Brent shouted into the walkie-talkie. "I don't know," answered Dale Parker, the frustration clear in his voice. "We were following him, and suddenly, he just disappeared!" His voice was slightly lost in the static. "Forget it, come and rendezvous with us at the field. Goodman had to past through it to get the money, and to slip by the two of you. We'll be there in five minutes, at six-fifty. Right. Over and out." Brent switched off the transmission and swore. "What utter fools I have working for me!"
Nykki straightened and looked at all the cadets bent double over the grass, frantically scanning the ground with torch-lights, searching for any clue of the kidnappers' passing. She still thought that Brent was looking in the wrong place, but the last time she tried to tell him that, he told her to mind her own business. It's time to knock some sense into that muscle-bound skull of his! she thought furiously, and started to walk towards him. Suddenly, a voice rang out. "Brent! I found something!" It was Leander Westfield. Brent ran over the uneven ground to where Leander was standing. "Look!" Leander waved a piece of paper in front of Brent's nose. Brent grabbed it from his hand. "What does it say, Brent?" the other cadets asked. "Collect money. Rendezvous at the old shack. Wilder." Brent read out. He looked up at his mates. "Well, it's quite clear where they went. We'll get them well before nine. Come on, let's go." "Wait!" Nykki suddenly put in. "Don't you think this is all too easy? Why would they be so careless as to let such an important message drop? Brent, I think the message's dud, I think they just want us to run round these woods all night!" "Brent, I think Alex is right," Leander put in. "Yeah. I think we should try a different approach, instead of searching blindly like this." It was Nicholas. "Alexander Mason," Brent glared at her, anger flashing in his eyes. "This is the only clue we've got so far, and we're going to follow it. We've set up a higher chain of command here, and if you don't want to follow it, you can just go and set up your own operation. For the matter, all of you who don't agree with me can go and do it yourself. But I'm warning you, if you fail this test, it's not my fault. Bickerstaff, Parker, we're leaving." Nykki stood watching nine of the fourteen cadets walk off behind Brent. She looked at the four who stayed with her. Her twin, Leander Westfield, Howard Butz and surprisingly, Elizabeth DeWitt. "Well," Ellie DeWitt spoke up after a moment of silence. "What do we do now?" Nykki grinned widely. "Now, we go and kick some butt."
"Nicholas, go to the weapons store and get the emergency gear. Take the list." Nykki handed a long list to her twin. "Alex, I can't get anything without the list an officer countersigning." "Damn! Does the officer have to go with you? Or can he just sign on the list?" "I think you can just sign on the list." Nykki picked up a pen and hastily scribbled something. "Who's signature is that?" "It's the Director's, I saw it once. If the man asks why it looks a bit weird, tell him that the Director sneezed when he was signing it." Nykki chuckled softly. "And if he asks why I need so much gear?" "Tell him that it's for a display for some senator who's coming to visit — make up your own story. I'll go with Howard to check the phone-lines. I'm very sure that they're cooped up in one of the buildings. Leander and Ellie will go with you." "Right, see you later." Nicholas grabbed Leander and Ellie, then headed to the storage room.
"Nope… no… no… Stop." Howard immediately stopped moving the wiretap at Nykki's word. "Well?" he asked impatiently. "Is it them?" "No, but I want to listen to this conversation." Howard grimaced at her. "Okay," she said, "you can go on now." Howard moved the wiretap up again. "No… no… no… Stop." Nykki listened closely, then flashed a grin at the man knelt beside her. "Got them, I hear Wilder ordering breakfast." "Great!" Howard picked up the campus map and looked at the position of the wiretap. "Right, they're in the administration building, meeting room six, second ..." He looked at the map more closely, "No, third floor, west wing." The door of the basement opened then, and in walked the other three members of their group, with Nicholas pushing a large trolley filled to the brim. "Have you found them?" Ellie asked. "Yes, they're in meeting room six," Nykki answered, sharing a smile with Howard. "Did the storage people buy your story?" "They fell for it, hook, line, and sinker. Although the man was a bit suspicious of the signature at first, but after we explained about the sneezing, and about the fireworks display we have to put up, he just handed everything to us." Leander replied. "We've got some news though. Brent and his people have turned back, they're catch up with us soon." It was Nicholas who spoke up this time. "What do we do?" Howard Butz was the one who came up with the idea. "Why don't we try some delaying tactics?" "It's rather unscrupulous…" Leander said doubtfully. "But it is necessary," Nykki put in decisively as she handed the map and a walkie-talkie to Howard. "Do your worst." Howard quickly adjusted the frequency, then pinched his nose and spoke. "This is control calling operation leader, control calling operation leader. Do you read me?" Brent's voice. "Loud and clear. Over." "This is control, we've received new instructions regarding your mission. The terrorists were seen at co-ordinates Charlie-zero-three. Over." There was a lot of rustling as Brent's people pulled out the map. An exclamation. "Control, are you sure? It's in the middle of the swamp! Over." "Positive. They were spotted there ten minutes ago. Over." Ellie swallowed her giggle. "All right, control. We're going there now. Over and out." The walkie-talkie became silent. The five of them burst out laughing. "Howard, that was priceless! Well, we won't have to worry about Brent for some time. Let's get started, they may leave the room after finishing breakfast. The plan — we use the two-prong assault, with one person as back-up. Ellie and Howard. The two of you enter through the front door. Remember, don't shoot. Leander, you'll go with them, but as a back-up. Guard their backs properly, in case the terrorists posted a guard. Treat this seriously. Nicholas and I will enter through the windows, very noisily, and give you three the chance to come in. It's now seven-thirty. Use a smoke bomb to create a diversion outside at eight-fourteen. We'll crash into the room at exactly eight-fifteen, and you enter immediately after you hear all the crashing." Nykki looked around. "Ellie, could you get two jeeps prepared and parked outside the building after this? We need them to bring everyone to the lecture theatre." She replied positive. Ready everyone?" Four heads nodded. "Right. Let's get to work."
"Brent, this is a restricted area, we don't have any authority to go in. We have to go round." Pierce Bickerstaff was saying to Brent. Brent hesitated, then he spotted a piece of cloth hanging on wire fence. "The terrorists came through here, and we'll follow them. Come on, let's go." He hauled himself over, the others followed suit. They had not progressed far before the dogs came howling. "Quick, retreat!" shouted Brent as he ran full speed and scrambled over the gate. The others followed at his heels. Panting for breath, adrenaline still coursing through his veins, he spoke to Pierce. "I think we should go round instead." Pierce nodded mutely, looking at the three Dobermans on the other side of the thin wire fence.
Leander looked at his watch, and motioned to Nykki who was putting on her gear. "Alex, it's time." She nodded in reply, then turned around. "Did I get this on the wrong way?" "It's correct, just a bit too large on you," her twin replied, tightening the straps on his clothes. Clad in black riot gear, with straps and safety lines slung over their shoulders, the twins looked exactly like professional SWAT team members. "Okay," Nykki said. "It's time to carry out the plan. Howard, go and get your stuff; you too, Ellie; Leander, just be ready. Good luck team." She picked up the gloves on the floor and was putting them on when Ellie approached her. "Alex," she said shyly, "don't get hurt." Before Nykki knew what was happening, Ellie kissed her hard on the mouth, and followed Howard and Leander out of the room. Nicholas regarded his twin with an amused smile on his lips. "Well," he started to say, "what will you tell Ellie when all this is over?" "The truth, I just hope she can forgive me." She sighed. "Come on, it's already eight. Time to go."
"Did I ever tell you that I hate heights?" Nicholas was saying as the two were perched over the side of the administration building, securing their ropes. He had a very good view from where he was standing, the whole academy was spread out before him, with the 'home woods' at the edge of the field. "No, you haven't, Nicholas, and I don't really care at the moment," his twin answered distractedly, threading the rope through the loops on her belt. Once finished, she looked back at her brother. "What time is it?" "Eight-ten. Time to get ready." The two positioned themselves to swing over the parapet, Nykki took the gun from the holster and held it in her hands. Nicholas counted down. "Two minutes more… one minute… thirty seconds… twenty…" They heard sounds coming from the meeting room. The others were doing the diversion. "Ten seconds… five, four, three, two, one, NOW!" The two swung down and crashed through the glass windows. "Freeze!" they shouted in unison, guns pointing at the officers. "You're under arrest!" As the 'terrorists' turned around to look at them, three others burst through the door, also holding weapons at the ready. "Move!" Nykki commanded, "hands up and against the wall, all of you, now! Leander, free Mr. Hupperman." Nykki shoved the terrorists against the wall. "Spread your legs ... wider!" Quickly, Nicholas, Ellie and herself searched the terrorists and handcuffed them, while Howard went to remove the gas bomb. Leander was having some problems with George Hupperman, who seemed to be hysterical. "Calm down, sir, calm down ..." Nykki could hear him saying. She found herself searching the Director and handcuffed him with relish. "Well, sir, how did we do?" she asked. "Do we graduate?" "Yes, with honours as well." He smiled at her. "All right! Thanks." The five of them ushered the terrorists and their hostage out into the waiting jeeps.
Nykki was driving the jeep containing Nicholas, the Director, Mark Hash and Chris Wilder. She suddenly saw a group of people scattering from the road in front of her. She recognised Brent Shepherd's blond hair and gave a wicked inner smile. She drove up to them and stopped. Brent cautiously put his head out of the bushes and looked at the officers handcuffed to the jeep. "Oh Brent, didn't you know? Exercise is over. That thing you told me about the two-prong assault, it was excellent! Carried quite a punch." Brent stared at her with his mouth wide open. "Well, we've got to bring these terrorists in now, sorry, there's no more space on the jeep, so you'll have to walk back. Bye, see you later." Nykki drove off in a cloud of dust, leaving Brent still standing open-mouthed.
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