56

Safe house

Stockton lane

Richmond, Virginia

USA

Lat = 37 degrees, 33.2 minutes North

Long = 77 degrees, 30.0 minutes West

Tuesday 19th September 1989 (same day)

Twenty-one hundred hours EDT

With the exception of two members of team six whom were still keeping eyes on the warehouse, everyone else was now sitting around the large table in the kitchen area as Max laid out his action plan.

Tracy had brought a large whiteboard from the CIA HQ and a large pair of bolt cutters at Max’s request.

Max had spent a couple of hours prior to the briefing outlining the warehouse area along with the surrounding area where the hard perimeter would be put in place, on the white board together with a pad with his briefing notes for the AP.

Max began, “firstly all weapons will be supressed and we will be going in at this point here wearing full PASGT,” Max, pointed to the south western corner of the perimeter fence, “I will lead in with Roy’s team cut the fence and make our entry. Vas I want your team to take out the roof top guards with four snipers just before Roy goes in, your Intel states they should be visible from ground level is that still correct?”

Vas replied, “That’s affirmative sir.”

Max continued, “Roy once the rooftop guards are down simultaneously take out the two perimeter guards here on the southern and western flanks. Secure this area then move to take the two remaining perimeter guards out here on the eastern and northern flanks. Any questions so far?”

There were no responses so Max continued, “the main door here,” Max indicated the door on the eastern side of the building, “It appears to have a control box outside to operate it, once the roof guards are down Vas. I want your and four of your team straight in to back up Roy’s team, keep two snipers on standby outside. We need to be prepared to blow the doors if we cannot open them. Roy have one of your team with the appropriate charge for this. As soon as we are in Roy your team break to the left, Vas your team to the right and take them down, any questions?”

Tracy spoke up, “Max this may seem a silly question but would it not be better to use stun grenades prior to going into the warehouse?”

Max replied, “Under normal circumstances that would be precisely what we would implement Tracy; however we have to consider the Red Mercury device, any explosions within the warehouse could potentially trigger whatever system it may be linked too,” Max turned to Sergeant Cray their bomb disposal expert and said, “would you agree sergeant?”

“Yes sir, at present we have no Intel on the state of the Red Mercury.”

Tracy said, “My apologies Max, not really used to all this gung-ho action stuff.”

“No need for apologies Tracy, I always appreciate input from all sources, has anyone else any input?”

Max recommenced, “Tracy I want you and your father here at the southern road block on the junction with Old Osborne Turnpike and Bickerstaff road, which would also be a good place for the head of the Virginia Police to be. Once we have the warehouse secure we will call you in.”

Tracy replied, “I will advise him of this when I contact him to move his people in Max.”

Max looked at his watch and said, “Synchronise watches to twenty-one ten hours preciously on my mark,” he paused and the said, “Three, two, one mark, okay full weapons and equipment checks we roll at twenty-two thirty hours.”