Free Designated Survivor by John H. Matthews Page B

to the left. Avery to the right on point.  Subdue over shoot. We don’t want to alert anyone we’re here and we don’t know who might be actual tangoes or who’s just been coerced. This is recon only. I repeat, this is recon only.”
    Levi checked the monitor one last time then nodded as he pulled the fiberoptic camera from under the door and stepped back. Grace pulled the door open as Holden moved in, rifle up and ready, and turned left as Avery turned right. Grace went through next followed by the rest of the team.
    They moved down the hallway to the right, Avery taking the lead as Holden became the sweeper, walking backwards. Corbin was in front of him and made sure Holden never backed into anything or anyone. At the first corner Levi moved to the front and ran the end of the thin cable with a high definition camera mounted in the tip around the edge at floor level then nodded and stepped back. Avery went around the corner with his rifle scanning left and right as he cleared the way and everyone followed.
    They were in the main congressional subway on the House end of the Capitol. Senators and Representatives used the private electric train cars to move between the office buildings, out of sight of the public. The team reached the stairs and escalator leading up to the first floor of the Capitol building. The escalator was still running in the silent and empty halls.
    Once up to the first floor they fanned out to check all directions. The maze of hallways are home to the windowless private offices for members of Congress, usually the newly elected with less seniority to claim something with a window and perhaps a view in one of the office buildings surrounding the Capitol.
    “This is freakin’ me out,” Grace said.
    “How the hell is nobody here?” Levi said.
    The level cleared, they moved to the stairs that would take them up to the second floor and the entrance to the House of Representatives. Holden led the way with the rest of the team behind him, their weapons angled out to cover all directions, fingers stretched across the trigger guards to avoid accidental firing.
    They reached the landing for the second level and the floor was littered with the dead bodies of Secret Service and Capitol Police officers as well as more than a few civilians. Just to their left was the door to the main hallway that ran in front of the House of Representatives.
    “Scope it,” Grace said.
    Levi stepped up to the corner and used the fiber optic camera once again. His head began to nod then stopped and he held a fist up. Grace looked over at the monitor and saw nothing but bodies on the ground. Levi pointed at a dark area at the far end of the hall. A moment later there was the slightest movement. Grace motioned for Levi to keep an eye on the monitor.
    He scanned the rest of the team then stepped quietly to Netty and whispered in her ear. She gave him a confused look then shrugged. She took ten steps back away from the team and faced the other direction.
    “Oh god, somebody help me,” Netty cried. “Is anyone here? Oh my god it hurts. PLEASE! Somebody help! I’ve been shot!”
    Grace was back at Levi’s side watching the monitor. As Netty began her act the movement stopped for a moment then finally a shape emerged from the shadow.
    The black uniform of a Capitol Police officer in tactical gear appeared as the person moved slowly towards them, still 50 feet away. Grace gave a signal to the team to be ready, that they only had one target sighted.
    Netty cried in pain again. The uniform moved closer, becoming clearer on the small monitor. A black balaclava covered the face and an assault rifle was raised. The figure’s steps were unsure and slow.
    Grace leaned in to Levi’s ear.
    “He looks nervous as hell,” he said.
    Levi nodded then reached to his belt and handed Grace a six inch black canister. Grace looked at it and nodded. He glanced at the monitor and pulled the curved aluminum pin on the canister and