Chapter 32: You're Already Surrounded by the Two of Us!
David maintained steady control of the van while Frank sat in the backseat, methodically checking his weapons and tactical gear.
The atmosphere was so heavy that even the radio remained silent—nobody wanted background noise while preparing for what might be their final mission.
David's vehicle stopped at an intersection, waiting for the last traffic light before leaving the city limits.
Ryan suddenly broke the silence. "David, have you ever thought about what you'll do when this is over? When you can go back to your normal life?"
David's hands tightened on the steering wheel. After a moment, he shook his head. "I just want to be reunited with my family as soon as possible."
David monitored his wife and children through surveillance cameras daily—a constant reminder that served as both motivation and torture. Sarah, Zach, and Leo had no idea their father was still alive, watching over them from the shadows.
But without that connection to his family, David knew he'd sink into complete despair. They were his anchor to sanity.
Frank operated the same way—revenge was his driving force, the only thing keeping him functional after losing Maria, Lisa, and Frank Jr.
Ryan's motivation came from his obsession with genetic enhancement and the pursuit of cosmic-level power.
"David, everything you're doing is for a better future. You're fighting now so you can return to your family. But have you thought about what comes after? What kind of job will you find? What gifts will you buy for your kids when you can finally come home?"
David shook his head blankly. He genuinely hadn't considered the practical details.
He fantasized about reuniting with his family, but never contemplated the mundane realities of rebuilding a life. Being a good husband and father in America required more than just showing up alive.
Ryan glanced at Frank through the rearview mirror. "You could end up like Frank here. Living like a ghost—nobody cares about you, nobody remembers you when you're gone. Sounds peaceful, right?"
David managed an awkward smile but said nothing.
Frank looked up with cold eyes. "Mind your own business, Ryan. I don't need your psychological analysis."
Frank never accepted kindness or concern. Instead, he embraced all hostility and violence, then systematically destroyed anyone who crossed him.
Ryan shook his head slightly. "I really should have enhanced your emotional intelligence along with your physical capabilities. But whatever—as long as you're happy being a functional psychopath."
Frank paused, realizing Ryan was subtly insulting his intelligence.
Frank's shooting was a thousand times better than his verbal sparring. After a long pause, he could only manage, "You're such an asshole, Ryan."
"Thank you. At least I don't carry my dead family's memory around my neck like a millstone, and I don't get emotionally compromised when people try to kill me."
David's van was positioned two kilometers from Rollins's secure facility.
Drone footage clearly showed armed guards stationed throughout the estate perimeter, including patrol teams with attack dogs trained for combat scenarios.
The three men huddled in the van, studying the tactical display on David's laptop.
"Frank, what's our best approach?"
Frank studied the compound's layout with professional assessment. "Standard infiltration protocol: one person draws fire from the primary approach while another breaches from an alternate vector."
This was textbook special operations, but personnel assignment was problematic.
Frank possessed the tactical expertise to execute the distraction, but he was determined to personally eliminate Rollins and avenge his family's murder.
Ryan's ability to create an effective diversion was questionable—at best, he might provide an opening for Frank's infiltration. If the enemy reinforced their position, Frank would face overwhelming odds.
David enhanced the satellite imagery, highlighting several tactical markers with red dots across the compound.
"Nearest NYPD response is 17 kilometers out—approximately 30-40 minutes from emergency call to arrival. Military helicopter support from the nearest base could reach us in under five minutes."
"That's a problem."
Agent Orange was a CIA section chief. If his position came under attack, military assets wouldn't hesitate to respond with lethal force.
Ryan was still too weak. If he possessed Hulk-level capabilities, he could simply charge through the compound and tear Rollins apart with his bare hands.
Turning to David, Ryan suggested, "Why don't you create the distraction?"
David recoiled as if he'd seen a ghost. "Are you insane? I'm an intelligence analyst—a civilian! I'm not ready to die yet!"
Frank sighed. "I'll handle the diversion. I'll engage as many hostiles as possible while you carry the explosives. Once Rollins comes under direct attack, his security detail will converge on my position. That's when you detonate the charges and eliminate everyone."
Frank retrieved a tactical backpack from the van's equipment cache—filled with military-grade C4 explosive compounds.
He handed David the remote detonator with careful instructions. "This is the trigger mechanism. Only activate it when I give you the explicit command."
"I object!" Ryan immediately protested. "What if he gets nervous and accidentally triggers it while I'm in the blast radius? I'll be vaporized!"
Frank and David assumed Ryan was exaggerating for effect.
Grabbing their weapons and ammunition, Frank opened the vehicle door and stepped into the night.
Ryan repeatedly emphasized, "I'm serious, David. Do NOT touch that trigger until you receive direct orders to detonate."
Several minutes later, Ryan had infiltrated the tree line adjacent to the estate.
"Beep!"
"In position."
"Copy that."
Frank's response was accompanied by immediate gunfire as he eliminated a perimeter guard with a suppressed headshot.
Instantly, alarm klaxons shrieked throughout the compound. The security team split into two groups: one retreated to defend the main villa, the other moved to engage Frank's position.
Frank's tactical plan assumed they would pursue him into open ground, but the guards maintained defensive positions within the compound.
"Plan's changed! Ryan, provide flanking support. We eliminate the outer perimeter first."
"Roger."
Ryan raised his assault rifle and began advancing. Random shots were ineffective at current range—he needed to close distance.
Sustained gunfire echoed from Frank's position. Ryan reached the villa's exterior wall and opened up with automatic fire.
BRRAP! BRRAP! BRRAP!
Approximately twelve guards remained outside. Ryan emptied his magazine but only neutralized two targets.
The remaining guards wouldn't stand stationary while under fire. Their movement created the opening Frank needed to advance his position.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Ryan took cover behind the villa's stone wall, pulled the pin on a fragmentation grenade, and hurled it toward the largest concentration of hostiles.
BOOM!
Frank arrived from the opposite flank, establishing crossfire that quickly eliminated the remaining external security.
Frank reached the reinforced entrance and attempted to kick it open—the door didn't budge.
"Blast-resistant security door. Hand me the C4."
He attached explosive charges to the door frame, adjusted the detonation frequency, and shouted into his comm: "David, detonate now!"
BOOM!
Debris showered the area as the ground shook. The explosion blew a massive hole through the villa's entrance.
Frank bundled the remaining C4 together and hurled it through the breach.
"Detonate!"
BOOM!
Another thunderous explosion rocked the structure.
Frank charged directly through the smoke and flames, with Ryan following close behind.
The assault was over in three minutes.
Only three people remained alive in the villa: Ryan, Frank, and William Rollins—Director of CIA Covert Operations and the man behind Agent Orange.
End of Chapter 32
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