Threatcon Delta

From David Alexander's Threatcon Delta: Assault on the Pentagon


  Within a matter of minutes the convoy had turned from Washington Boulevard into the North Parking lot of the Pentagon. Looking northward, the sprawling parking area flanked the Boundary Channel with the Potomac and the Arlington Memorial Bridge connecting Arlington to Metro DC visible in the distance. Looking south, was one of the five sharply angled building corners; in this case the one that divided Wedge Three, and the River Entrance, from Wedge Two, and the Mall Entrance. The River Entrance would be the objective of the main force, with a flanking force deployed to the Mall Entrance.

  "Everyone knows the parts they're to play," Saint radioed over the secure encrypted SINCGARS frequency used by the commanders of the takeover force. "We're almost at the objective. Good luck."

  He broke transmission and, one final time, checked the compact Sites Spectre M4 nine-millimeter submachinegun that was cradled in his lap, removing the full clip, working the bolt action to pump a live round from the breech, then thumbing the bullet back into the top of the staggered fifty-round mag and hammering it into the well at the bottom of the grip with the calloused heel of his big right hand.

  Then, as the lead vehicle juddered hard to a screeching full stop directly in front of the Pentagon's River Entrance, Saint was out the door and up on the running board, his arms waving as he directed the troops that emerged from the armored personnel carriers of the mobile unit and raced pell-mell toward the doors of the River Entrance directly ahead.

  Hot blood surged to Saint's head as adrenaline coursed through his veins.

  It had begun....