12 April, Palace Hotel, City K

As he moved, forward, Matthew heard the Heckler and Koch pistol discharge, and instinctively he raised the Sig Sauer that Bronwyn Li gave him with his right arm.?Before he could fire, he felt the bullet tear into his right shoulder, and he quickly moved the Sig Sauer to his left hand, and immediately started firing.

His position meant that he could not get a clean shot at the man dragging Lexi, but started aiming at those around him, knowing fully well that the magazine would have the standard 20 shot clip that they normally used.?Along with the spare magazine that he had slipped into the waist of his pants, that meant he would have 40 bullets total.

Considering the mantra that they had in the special forces for situations such as this, he was determined to ensure that it was one shot one kill.?The last thing John or he needed was any more civilian to be killed.?This was going to be hard enough to explain when everything settled down.

As it was obvious that other than the one pistol wielding bandit the balance of them appeared to have no small firearms, just their AK-47.?Other than a couple of men, who John and he took out immediately, the rest of the group appeared to have no idea on how to use the AK-47's.?As he and John were dealing with the men, the one dragging Lexi turned towards them, opening himself up to Bronwyn on the remaining side.

Matthew caught Bronwyn pausing for a second to wait for the cleanest shot she could get, before she pulled the trigger, with the bullet tearing into the head of the man with the pistol at Lexi's head.?As that bullet hit him, Matthew felt another round hit his right shoulder, causing him as he heard Lexi's scream, followed by other screams, to fall to the ground losing consciousness.

John noticed Matthew fall to the ground, but motioning to Bronwyn, they knew that they could not stop, until they dealt with the remaining bandits, who were trying to escape from the room while protecting the civilians there.

Within a couple of minutes, they had brought down the last of the bandits, and turned around to see what was happening behind them.?John headed straight to Lexi to check that she was alright, and Bronwyn was two steps behind him.?As he was helping Lexi sit up, Bronwyn reached and grabbed his phone from him.

Bronwyn said, "Secure line?"

John without turning said "Pin Alpha Bravo Tango Kilo Kilo Echo Foxtrot, secure Tango Delta Sirerra Delta Whisky Zulu Victor."

"Roger," was Bronwyn's immediate response, entering in the code before dialling the number she needed "Line Secure.?Legal Eagle Kilo Tango Whiskey Oscar here.?Code Red Major Civilian. Palace Hotel ballroom. Tango Alpha Roger Golf Eagle Tango Boss.?Boss Down, multiple gunshot wounds right shoulder significant bleeding.?Civilian and military medical teams required.?Police and security team needed immediately, significant numbers.?Contact Boss Adjunct and tell him to get in here immediately.?Legal Eagle Kilo Tango Whiskey Oscar out."

With that Bronwyn ended the call, tossing the phone back to John before heading over to the men that they had shot.?While it was not anything different to what she expected she needed to confirm reality.?She then moved over towards the bandits to see had they managed to take any of them down alive.

John meanwhile looked at Lexi, pulling out a handkerchief wiping away the blood and brain splatter from her face, and saying "It will be alright Lexi, help is on the way.."

All Lexi could do is scream and call out "Matthew.?Where is Matthew?"

John, making sure that he covered where Bronwyn was currently performing first aid on Matthew until medics arrived said "He is alright Lexi.?I just need to make sure that you are alright."

Screaming, Lexi said "But I saw him get shot.?I need him." With that her voice then become louder and she screamed "Matthew.?Matthew."

John, struggling to keep Lexi calm enough and prevent her from moving, so he called out "Andrew, Chester, Phillip.?One of you get here, I need your help."

Lexi continued to struggle screaming "Matthew.?Matthew."

John, placed his hands on her shoulders, placing enough pressure on her to keep her down, but this was a struggle, and all he could keep saying is "Lexi, calm down.?Let me check you out and then I can go and help others and check on Matthew."

Having had enough of being told to stay Lexi screamed in John's ear "Let me go you b*stard.?I need Matthew.?I am going to him."

Lexi forced herself to stand up, and saw Matthew on the ground, bleeding with people around him.?All she could do is scream and collapse to the ground.?John caught her as she started to go down, and as he lowered her to the ground, Andrew Chester and Phillip all arrived.?Looking at the three of them he said "Stay with her.?Do not let her move if she stirs, and once medical staff arrive, I will make sure that she is checked out."

Standing up John could see the panic going on in the room, with people trying to flee.?As loud as he could, he said "Could everyone please calm down.?As you are aware, I am a police officer, and help has been called for.?I need you all to move to the sides of the room.?As soon as police officers arrive, they will start taking statements from you.?Once you have given a statement you can leave, but if you leave before giving a statement you will be followed up and prosecuted.?And personally, on behalf of the Nang family, I apologise that what was meant to be a beautiful fundraising night for our foundation has ended this way.?We will contact each guest personally after everything has settled down."

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