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A collective sigh filled the media cabin as Air Force One touched down and the thrust reversers deployed. Several reporters even cheered as they looked out to see the clear blue waters and pulled off their oxygen masks. The sense of relief was palpable.
But Spectre didn’t share their relief and he could see that Decker was equally uneasy. Spectre had taken his oxygen mask off as soon as they leveled off. He could tell they were at low altitude as they raced across the water. The pilots had finally complied with the emergency procedures for decompression.
To Spectre, though, that still didn’t explain the complete lack of coordination between the flight deck and the flight crew and Secret Service agents in the back. After a few minutes of level flight, he watched the nearest agent and Air Force flight attendant come to and check on the members of the media cabin. They both had seemed disoriented and confused. Spectre could tell that they were just as confused as the rest of the passengers on the jet. It made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.
As the aircraft rolled to a stop, Spectre looked out the window at the ramp to find a convoy of black Humvees rapidly approaching. Other reporters crowded around the small windows as they all watched the armored Humvees surround the 747 and men dressed in black and wielding AK-47s dismounted.
“Get away from the windows!” Spectre yelled as he grabbed two reporters nearest him and pushed them back. “Get down!”
Moments later, the aircraft rocked and shuddered as the aircraft’s four engines exploded nearly simultaneously. “Stay away from the windows and lay flat!” Spectre ordered.
One of the Secret Service agents burst into the cabin. He was wearing black body armor over his white button-down shirt and carrying an MP-7 submachine gun. “Everyone stay down and don’t move,” he ordered. “Stay away from the windows and don’t try to move from this cabin until the all clear. We’ll post a guard outside the door.”
Without waiting for questions, the agent disappeared, closing the secure door behind him. Decker stood and reached for her bag. She pulled her credentials out of her bag and headed to the front of the aircraft.
“Where are you going?” Spectre asked as he leapt up to follow her.
“We’re under attack, Cal,” Decker said as she continued forward. “I’m going to help.”
Spectre grabbed her arm, spinning her around. “Bullshit!” he said as he grabbed both arms and pulled her close. “You’re not trained for this, Michelle. There’s nothing you can do.”
Decker stepped back and twisted out of Spectre’s grip. “I have to Cal, it’s my job,” she said. “And yes, I do have training, thanks.”
Spectre could see the determined look in her face. He could tell he wouldn’t be gaining any ground with her. Her mind was already made up.
“Fine, then I’m going with you,” Spectre said.
Decker frowned. “No, Cal, you’re not,” she replied. “I love you, but you don’t have the training and this is not your fight.”
“The hell it’s not my fight!” Spectre replied. “You are my fight. I’m not letting you out of my sight. If you go, I go.”
Decker shook her head. “Cal, it’s not that easy. The Secret Service is not going to let you out of the media cabin. You need to stay here and help keep these people calm. I’m sorry Cal, but I have to help.”
As Spectre began to make a final plea, he heard muffled gunshots coming from outside. The fight for Air Force One had begun and the woman he loved was trying to jump right in the middle of it. He considered begging her to stay.
“I love you. So, please don’t die,” Spectre said after a long pause.
Decker laughed at his awkwardness and then leaned forward and kissed him. “You’re so cute, Cal. I’ll be fine.”
“Please be careful. You’re all I have,” Spectre said softly. His eyes were glassy and his voice trembled.
Decker kissed Spectre on the cheek a final time and then turned to walk out. She opened the door and turned to the agent guarding the door, flashing her badge and credentials at him.
“I can help,” she said as he studied her identification.
He pointed down the port side passageway. “The armory is up ahead and on your right. You can get your assignment there. We’re going to need all the help we can get.”
Decker made her way down the narrow passageway. The aircraft rocked as more explosions hit. She knew it wouldn’t be long before the attackers were aboard. They appeared to be well armed and very familiar with the aircraft’s protocols. She knew they would probably kill her, but she hoped they spared Cal. He’s already been through so much, she thought.
Passing two empty chairs where Secret Service agents were generally posted, she found the door that the previous agent had told her about. She knocked and held up her credentials to the small camera above the access keypad near the door. Seconds later, she heard the lock click and she opened the door.
Inside, she found Deputy Director Miller conferring with Agent Kaiser and several other agents. They were all wearing black Kevlar vests with the words FEDERAL AGENT embroidered in white across the front and back.
“Michelle!” Miller said as she closed the door behind her. “Are you ok?”
“I’m fine,” Decker replied. “Where do you need me?”
Kaiser handed her a vest and MP7 with three magazines. After putting on the vest, she pulled the single-point sling over her head and across her chest and hooked it to the weapon. She inserted a magazine and chambered a round before putting the other two magazines in her pocket.
“They’ve been targeting every possible access area, even areas that are not public knowledge,” Kaiser said. “It’s only a matter of time before they get in, but we need to hold it as long as possible. Do you know where the galley is?”
Decker nodded. “I think so,” she replied.
“You will join Agent Nunez and cover that cargo area access point,” Kaiser replied. “Hold it for as long as you can.”
“As long as I can? What’s our exit strategy, sir?” Decker said with a frown.
“There is none,” Kaiser said, shaking his head. “These people are pros and are using barrage noise jamming on every frequency, including satellite. Our communications equipment is completely disabled, including our handheld radios. The Air Force radio operators on the upper deck are working it, but it doesn’t look good.”
“Air Force One is not designed to be defended like this,” Miller interjected. “That’s why they fly with support crews and perimeter security.”
“But we can’t worry about that now,” Kaiser said. “We hold the line until we can’t anymore and then we fall back on Eagle.”
“What about the media?” Decker asked. Eagle was the code word for the President. If they were planning on collapsing to wherever the President was, it meant the news media, and more importantly, Cal, would be defenseless.
“If it gets to that point, we’ll all be dead anyway,” Kaiser said gravely. “Now, go!”