For once I don't have to warn you about the sex, this chapter ended up mainly plot! And I'm sorry about the ending, but it was a good place to end the chapter and the next bit will be up in a couple of days, I promise.
7
The teams gathered early for their meeting, not wanting to wait any longer knowing the importance of what they needed to do. Sam started to speak, not even having to get their attention first as all were already waiting for what was to be said.
'You've all seen the plan and Mark's suggestions for entry points. Surveillance indicates that there are a few men outside but it isn't heavily guarded, probably because they feel it is a remote enough location not to be discovered and they don't expect any sort of attack. However, there are security cameras covering the exterior and we don't know how carefully they are monitored. Nor do we know what counter-measures will be released if they do see us. Knowing what is going on in there we won't have the element of surprise of them thinking we are just animals.'
'Most of the cameras are on the roof, and we'll need to check it out but it appears that there would be access to the roof from these trees.' he continued, pointing at some of the photographs. 'I suggest that we send a cat in slightly ahead of the main forces, who can disconnect the cables up there so we won't be seen. Although it will alert them to something, we will have the advantage of them not knowing our numbers or where we are. It looks like there is never more than one man at a time on the roof, so if we pick our moment we should be able to take him out before he can alert anyone. A quick run round the top will then disable almost all their view of the exterior.'
'We will split into two teams, mixed dogs and cats, which will be four at each entry point. There are guards on one of those so they will need to be dealt with. Our intention is not to kill anyone unless absolutely necessary. I know that we are all disgusted by what they are doing in there, but we don't need to lower ourselves to that level. We should also remember that the guards may have no idea of what is going on and are just doing their jobs.'
'Once we have cleared the exterior we will enter the building at the two points marked. Inside, the mission is more flexible because we will have to deal with whatever arises. We can be fairly sure of the numbers of personnel because they have been seen coming and going, although there may be some based there permanently. There are also fewer details about the interior of the building, and we are reliant on the building plans with no idea if any modifications have been made. Whatever happens we will not split into smaller groups than two, so there is always someone with you to cover your back.'
'As you know, we have twin objectives inside. We need to gather as much information as we can about what has been going on in there and why. We also need to locate anyone who may currently be held and get them out of there. The plans and what the leopard held there can remember suggest that this area here...' he pointed to the blueprints of the building, 'is most likely to contain any labs due to the space available. One team will head to this area and deal with whatever they find. The other will sweep the building as far as possible for any other information or other areas that are key. The last thing we want to do is to leave anyone behind.' The men nodded gravely.
'Tilly, you will need to be with that second team. You should be able to sense the emotion from any weres held there and that should help us locate them. There will be a problem getting them out. We will need to hope that most of them are strong enough to come with us without assistance, and that there aren't that many in there.'
Tom took over the speech. 'The other matter is getting out. If we cause enough confusion and locate all or at least most of the staff present, there should not be an issue. We have been advised by the Council that part of the reason they have chosen us is that there have been several wolves and panthers taken. This means we will be less use in any research than other species they might not have encountered. However, it is vital that they do not gain knowledge of the strength or organisation of the Council and the member species that they do not already have. It is quite possible that they do already know we have a system of government, but it is unlikely they know much about the teams like ours. Should anyone be captured that information must not be divulged. We don't want to need to, but should we leave anyone behind a larger force will be sent in to rescue and destroy the place. That would put our organisation at greater risk.'
Everyone sat in silence after that, thinking about the possibility of capture by unknown forces for terrible reasons.
Tom continued. 'The first thing to agree is on the members of each team. Sam will lead the second team who will enter at the rear and do the sweep of the building with Tilly. He will have one wolf and one panther with them. I will lead the team entering at the front who will need to deal with the guards before they can get in, and will take the remaining people with me. We just need to decide which cat is doing the roof for us.'
Dill spoke up quickly. 'I'll do it.' The others looked around to him and he carried on. 'It makes sense. I'm the smallest and lightest of the cats apart from Tilly and you need her on the ground. It'll be easiest for me to get across those trees. Once I'm done I can join up with either team outside.'
Sam replied. 'That sounds like the best plan. I suggest you join with my team after, we'll have more ground to cover so could use the extra manpower.'
Dill nodded. Tilly shot him a thought.
'You just love to be the centre of attention, don't you.'
It was said with amusement so he didn't take it seriously.
'I could always get everyone's attention by telling them about us if you prefer?'
'I thought you said afterwards? You can tell them when you like, but this may not be the best moment.'
Dill agreed with her. He'd really only wanted her confirmation that they were mates, not to tell everyone else immediately. After the mission would be soon enough, and he didn't think that would be all that long. He just needed to know, before they went into danger, that she felt for him the way he felt for her.
The next few hours were taken up with discussions about the plan, until everyone knew what they would be doing. It was agreed Alex would go with Sam together with Den and Rob, whilst Cal and Finn would join Sam and Tilly. The Alphas felt it best that they each had their own Second with them, although they all knew by now they could work in any combination. The closer connections helped for discussion, but they all knew each other well enough by now that they would be able to communicate with everyone else no matter where in the building they were.
The final thing to be agreed was when. No-one wanted to wait, but they decided that they would set out the next afternoon, giving them an opportunity to scout the property that night and hopefully the operation would be the following one, assuming that nothing unexpected was discovered in their surveillance. They knew that the attack needed to be under cover of darkness, and they would have the advantage since they could all see in the dark with their enhanced eyesight.
* * * * * *
The next day passed slowly until it was time to leave, and everyone was on edge. The atmosphere in the house was tense and Tilly had to get out into the grounds to get away from the feelings of the others which were increasing her own feelings. Finally it came time to leave. Peter and Michael had begged to come on the reconissance and Sam agreed on the condition that one would stay beside him and the other with Tom, and at the first sign of trouble they were to get out of there.
It wasn't a long car journey, and in just over an hour they were about three miles away at the parking for a local beauty spot. It had been the base for the surveillance missions already carried out and judged to be the best location for parking the cars. The teams headed into the woods and quickly changed form to continue on foot. The first couple of miles were done at a run, but as they got closer to the objective they slowed and spread out, intending to form a loose circle around the perimeter and report on what they saw. Each kept their thoughts open so everyone could hear what they saw, and although most of them could tell easily who was talking it was more confusing to Peter and Michael who could not so easily distinguish one person from another.
'I see the main gate. There are two men there in the security box.'
'There is one patrolling at the rear. Check that, two, now crossing over.'
'One on the roof. Trees look good for access though, there's plenty of overhanging branches from the exterior. Some are a bit thin but show leaves so should be strong enough and not dead.'
'Back gates not guarded, only covered by the men patrolling. We'll need to pick our moment when they are out of sight at the sides.'
'Cameras are almost all roof mounted. One by the gate on a pole will be our only problem. Perhaps we can damage that once we are in.'
'I have sight of a man at a first floor window. Not in guard uniform so perhaps other staff. Looks to be an office.'
'The fence isn't electrified. Easy to climb for the cats if we need.'
'Main door at the front looks strong. Keypad at the side for entry. We should check the combination is the same as seen by the surveillance officers.'
'Back door chained. Will be easy enough to break.'
'No access points visible to east end. There's not even any windows.'
'West end has ground floor windows with bars. Two only.'
