ATF Universe
ONE
Vin Tanner adjusted the sights of the IOR 6x24mm Valdada Sharpshooter's Scope attached to his new rifle. His new weapon was the result of winning the annual ATF Sharpshooter's Contest in Orlando Florida. The new Steyr SBS (safe bolt system) Tactical Heavy Barrel rifle had been given to Vin along with a silver belt buckle. His participation in the contest had been instigated by Buck and JD. He had just joined the ATF team last year when the annual contest had been scheduled and had been able to beg off. He had resisted this year; trying to explain to JD that his skill with a rifle wasn't something he needed to prove to anyone but his own team. JD had persisted, pestering Vin until he had given in to entering the regional trails. Fortunately for JD, unfortunately for Vin, he had won all the way up to and including the Regional Finals. As the regional champion, Vin and his teammates had been flown to Disney World, where the National Finals had been held.In addition to rooms, the members had socialized with other ATF agents from around the country. Ezra passed his time lounging at the pool and arranging nightly poker games for the competing teams. Eternally popular, Buck had ended up the social event organizer for many of the teams from outside of Florida. Having spent much of his enlisted time in the Navy in Florida, Buck enjoyed showing everyone the sights and sounds of Orlando and the surrounding areas. Vin and Chris had gone to many of the events but had also used the competition as a mini-vacation, sneaking away on two occasions to spend time overnight at a near by resort.
The evening after Vin had finished first in the competition, both he and Chris had come back to the team suite of rooms to change for the Awards Dinner. Vin collapsed on the couch after putting down his first prize rifle. Closing his eyes, he let the adrenaline seep from his body. The contest itself had been an intense and close competition. Vin knew his sharpshooting skill would serve him well, but with all the skilled men and women competing he knew he had been lucky to win. Ezra had reminded him a little luck was never a bad thing.
The tiring part had been after winning when he had been unable to escape the crowd. Forced to make a small speech after winning, he had stayed accepting congratulations only because Chris had been at his elbow all the time. Finally Chris had made excuses to leave, and hurried the bewildered sharpshooter to their rented van.
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Now back at the hotel, Vin stretched his body the length of the couch, trying to ease the tension in his shoulders.
"A session in the hot tub might be good for that." Vin looked up to see Chris standing over him naked except for a pair of shorts. Taking in the lean tanned lines of his lover, Vin felt the heat in his groin begin to build.
"Thought we had to get ready for that dinner thing." Vin said as he reached up and softly traced the outline of the growing bulge in front of him.
"There was a note next to the cooler of beer in my bedroom, signed by Buck. 'Thought you boys might like some refreshments. You have until 7pm then we'll all be there to change.' I think Buck has a career as a tour guide." Chris smiled and brought out two cold beers with his other hand, pouring some of the cold liquid down his throat he dropped the note and pulled up Vin's shirt. Placing the cold beer against the exposed skin, Chris leaned over and kissed Vin hard on the lips.
Vin sat up abruptly as the cold can hit his skin. Chris moved his hand up to grab Vin's hair and smothered Vin's mouth with his own. Vin could taste the beer Chris had just swallowed. Reaching up he pulled Chris over the back of the couch and onto his body. Stretching underneath the blonde leader, Vin bucked his hips up ward feeling his own erection push against Chris' shaft.
"Come on. Let's not run short on time." Chris pulled away and reached down to take Vin's hand in his own. Pulling him up, Chris pushed Vin in front of him. Chris reached out and grabbed the tight ass in front of him. Vin reacted by grinning over his shoulder and pulling his t-shirt off over his head. When Vin stopped at the entrance to the bathroom, Chris reached around him and began unzipping Vin's pants. Chris felt Vin's hands join his and together they eased the tight jeans off over Vin's expanding erection.
Stepping out of his jeans and underwear, Vin turned around to face Chris and placed his hands on the waistband of Chris' shorts. Licking his lips ,he leaned forward kissing Chris fully on the mouth as he eased the shorts down below Chris' hard shaft. Reaching around with his right leg, Vin pulled Chris closer and ground his hardening shaft against his lover.
Chris responded by making a circling motion with his hips. "Vin. Get in the tub, please...now." Vin slipped his tongue from Chris' mouth and licked his way down the side of Chris' neck. Pausing below the ear, he let his mouth rest against the side of Chris' neck feeling the pulsing of the blood through Chris veins.
"No, now...Tanner, don't ...." Chris' erection was hard. Pushing up against his stomach, he ached to be inside Vin. Watching him all day long. The way his tongue slipped between his lips when he concentrated; the slight frown of between his eyes when he lined up the sights of his scope. He admired the profile of Vin's tight butt as he lay sighting his target. All of it had left him straining and swollen. "Waited for this all day." Chris pulled back his head and put his hands firmly on Vin's shoulders. Turning Vin, Chris stepped into the water, pulling Vin behind him.
Vin stood as Chris sat back in the water. Taking a step forward, he placed his penis a the level of Chris' mouth. "Suck me. Chris. Do me?"
Chris leaned forward smiling and placed his hand behind Vin on his buttocks. Opening his mouth, he took the tip of Vin's shaft in his mouth and started to lick. With his free hand he poured bath oil over Vin's cheeks and his own hand.
Vin felt the warm oil trickle down his back and pushed forward involuntarily. Chris took that opportunity to open his mouth and swallow more of Vin's stiffening cock. "Ah, Chris..yes. Deeper..suck harder..please.." Vin's hands put gentle pressure on Chris' head pulling it forward. He felt Chris' finger probe between his cheeks and spread his legs to make it easier. Vin felt Chris insert his finger gently, pressing inside with a circling movement. Moaning ,Vin thrust into Chris' mouth with an increasing tempo as Chris worked to open him.
"Oh, yes, that's the spot..Ah, Chris!!!!!" Vin began to spurt convulsively into Chris' throat as he felt Chris insert a second finger inside him and press downward on his prostate. "Can you ....ah..Chris.." Vin felt his knees start to give way as he finished pumping. Grabbing Chris' shoulders to steady himself, he let himself slip out of Chris' mouth. Giving in to his shaky legs, Vin knelt in front of Chris on the tub.
Leaning forward Vin kissed Chris fully on the mouth, snaking his tongue inside ; tasting his own cum. He felt Chris insert a third finger and press deeper inside him. Releasing Chris' mouth, Vin reached down and touched the tip of Chris' cock. Feeling it twitch in his hand, he kissed Chris lightly on the lips again and turned himself around. "Do me. Now!" Vin placed his hands on the bottom of the tub and pushed his buttocks upward.
Chris reached up and caressed the firm tight butt in front of him. "Are you sure? You ready?"
"Chris, I'm so hot for you. Gotta do me...fuck me..can't wait..." Vin gasped as he felt Chris' cock pressing against his moist hole. Pushing back against Chris, Vin felt the rigid shaft enter him and sink solidly inside him. "Oh.... God.......Chris........" Vin felt himself becoming hard again as his lover began a soft slow pumping inside of him. Vin began a counter motion to Chris' and soon both men were grinding against each other. "Yes...yes...yes..." Vin moaned as Chris thrust deep inside him. He could feel his own orgasm building but wanted to wait until Chris came inside him. Pressing his hand around the base of his penis, Vin squeezed trying to make himself last.
"Don't ...no..keep...let yourself go....let me see you spurt.." Chris panted out as he rode Vin hard. Reaching down he grasped Vin's hand and gently pulled it away from the hardened shaft. Stroking gently he soon had Vin crying out and holding on to the side of the tub.
Vin grabbed the tub to keep his balance as he spewed foamy liquid into the bath water. He felt Chris rise up and thrust one more time, hard deep inside him. The warmth of Chris' sperm spilling inside him sent him over the edge again and he spurted weakly a second time into his hand.
Exhausted Vin fell back into Chris' lap with Chris still deep inside him. Feeling Chris hug him closely, he let himself relax fully; trusting Chris to keep him safe. Both men lay sated, trying to find the energy to move.
Vin heard it first. A keycard worked the lock. Laughter and noise burst through the door. "Hello ...hello!!" Vin heard Buck's voice. Looking back at Chris quickly Vin eased himself up, moaning slightly as Chris fell out of him. Turning quickly he kissed Chris on the mouth and stepped out of the tub. Grabbing a towel, Vin slipped quickly into his bedroom. Chris sat grimacing ;holding his semi-erect penis. "Damn, Buck...your timing needs work." Chris washed himself gently trying not to think about the last ten minutes he had spent with Vin.
TWO
Vin adjusted his crotch to accommodate his swelling erection. Shaking his head, he tried to remove the memories of that weekend from his mind as he concentrated on getting the feel of the new gun. Vin admired the way the rifle felt in his hands. The small details like the angled trigger guard and hollowed out area on the pistol grip would make using the rifle wearing gloves much easier. As he continued to make himself familiar with the gun, Vin smiled as he felt his tongue slip between his lips. Vin laughed self conscious about his habit ever since Chris had pointed it out and the effect it had on his lover. "Chris...where are you when I want you.." Vin shifted again trying to find room for his swelling penis; smiling slightly to himself.Chris Larabee was were he didn't want to be. In a meeting. A meeting with Josiah and Nathan..but a meeting all the same. He was having a hard time concentrating since coming back from Florida. He had not told the team that they had all won eight days in Hawaii compliments of GUNS & WEAPONS magazine. As team members of the winning marksman, each had a free trip provided. He wanted to give them all time to settle down from Florida before he had to endure JD and Buck doing the hula around the office. Smiling at the thought, Chris looked up at Nathan. "Nathan, you know what hand-held you want, right?" Nathan nodded. "Ok, write out the specifications on the ones you want and two others and I'll approve your suggestions. Josiah, anything?"
"Nothing special, Chris. The schedule is pretty tight for the next couple weeks. Buck and JD are on loan to Team three for surveillance and Ezra is gonna work on that counterfeit scam Team 4 is trying to bust. Vin is teaching at the weapons range and Nathan and I are starting background work on that shipment of semi-automatics that disappeared from the airport last week." Josiah sat back and look at Chris. "So when are you going to tell us?"
"Huh?" Chris looked innocently at both men. "What?"
Josiah held up the advertisement from the magazine about the prize being awarded to the winning ATF marksman's team. "So am I gonna have to figure out how to get everyone off the schedule when they want to go?"
"Something like that. Wanted Vin to tell everyone, but he's too embarrassed. Thinks all this fuss over being able to aim a rifle and hit what you're aiming at...is all over done. So, here. You do it. And deal with the schedule, please?" Chris smiled his biggest 'thanks for doing this for me' smile, and heard Nathan laugh. Shaking his head, Josiah picked up the letter from GUNS & WEAPONS and went to make copies for each of the team members.
Chris was turning back to his computer when the phone rang. "Larabee." Chris tucked the phone under his chin as he swivelled his chair. Listening Chris heard the voice of an old friend from his days as a Denver Police Detective. "Dave? Dave Paster?"
"Chris. Hey, good to hear your voice." Dave Paster was now the sheriff of one of the outlying counties surrounding the Denver area. "Wish this was a social call, but it isn't."
Chris stopped his chair, hearing the tension in the man's voice. "What's up?" Concentrating carefully, Chris listened as his old friend spoke.
"We got a situation down here. Earlier this morning three men held up a quick shop over by Shepard's Burrow Intersection." Paster continued as Chris nodded his head recognizing the location. "One of my deputies pulled into the driveway as they were trying to leave. They grabbed the two college girls working at the shop. Scumbags used them as shields to get away. My man followed them till they hit a dirt four-wheel road leading up to an area with a number of meth labs. He blocked the road with his car and talked the helicopter into the area. Bottom line is we've got them hold up in their lab with the hostages. The place is wired with explosives and the women are inside with two of the men. We lost the third man."
"Your snipers able to get a shot?" Chris tried to picture the scene in his head while he motioned for Josiah to come back into the room. "Pick up on two." Chris said when Josiah stepped into the office. Seeing the look on Chris' face, Josiah sat quietly and picked up the extension.
"Naw..they're telling me they can't get a shot because of the explosives. Afraid that they'll set everything off if they miss. We figure the girls are as good as dead even if we are able to get one of them taken out. They've got shotguns taped under the chins of each of the women. If we're lucky enough to get a head shot at one man..the other one will pull the triggers on the women. The negotiator is talking to them now....but they're not coming out." Paster paused. Chris could hear the desperation in his voice. The man had a no win situation. Someone was going to die today and the sheriff was powerless to prevent it.
"Ok, Dave ..how can I help you?" Chris looked at Josiah both men knowing what the next request would be.
"I hear you got a man on your team that's good with a rifle. So good he's the national champion or something. I'm desperate here, Chris. I don't have the resources to help these women. My sniper says this....Tanner? Is that his name?" Paster asked.
"Vin Tanner, yes." Chris answered.
"This Tanner taught a class last year at your academy. Put ten shots in a one inch ring? Or something like that from over two hundred yards? Sound like your man?" Paster's voice had a weariness to it that Chris began to feel.
"That would be Vin. Look, Dave....huh, I'm gonna have to get clearance on this..." Chris tried to stall; not wanting to make promises he couldn't keep.
"I've already talked to your boss. He says the ATF is good with this if you think Tanner or your team can help out. Chris....I don't have much time here. A helicopter is standing by to come and get you and your men or just Tanner or whatever you want....I just...don't.." Chris heard Paster stop talking as he listened to someone. "Ok..you get some men and check that out...Sorry, Chris...looks like we've spotted the third man. I've sent some men to check it out."
Josiah put down the phone and gave Chris a thumbs-up. Chris shook his head. Evidently his boss had OK'D their involvement. "Ok, Dave? Have your copter pick me and two of my men up at the Fed Building downtown. We'll be on the roof landing spot. We'll have to swing over and pick up Tanner. He's out at the range but it's on the way to your location. Here's my cell phone number. Call me when your copter leaves, ok?"
"Thanks, Chris...thanks so much...I..." Paster stuttered, not knowing what else to say.
"It's ok, Dave. Just hope there is something we can do. If Vin doesn't have a shot, he won't be anymore able to help than your men. Being able to hit what you aim at is just the start." Chris hung up and looked up at Josiah. " Beep Vin for me, will you? Let him know what's happening." Chris went to get Nathan and fill him in.
Vin was concentrating so hard he didn't see Charlie Hawks approaching. The rifle was splendid. Vin was even amazing himself at the scores he was getting. Shaking his head, he grinned again at his fortune. He was getting paid to do what he was good at and living with the man he loved. Looking up at the sky he gave a silent thanks. A shadow fell over his sky, and Vin looked to it.
Charlie Hawks was standing over him. Vin took out his earplugs and looked questioningly at Hawks. "What's up?"
"You got a priority A call on your beeper. Here's your phone. Sorry...thought you'd want to know." Vin was in the habit of giving the Hawks, the ranger director, his beeper and phone when he was working on the range. Hawks usually left him alone answering the calls himself, but this was a Priority A call.
Vin took the phone and beeper with a nod of his head. Sitting up he noted the message on his beeper and called the office. Josiah answered. "Vin? Good. We've got a hostage situation. Chris, Nathan and I are picking you up in a copter in about ten minutes. Get your stuff. It's a hot zone." Vin didn't need bother to answer just clicked off the phone. Taking a deep breath, he broke down the rifle. Carrying it to his jeep, he grabbed his other rifle, flack jacket and overnight bag. Locking the jeep he told Hawks where he was going and made his way to the grassy area next to the range. Putting down the rifles and bag, Vin stood quietly waiting.
Chris saw Vin standing in the field and spoke to the pilot. Vin was aboard as soon as the skids hit the ground. Clasping Chris' hand, Vin slipped on a head set and strapped himself in. Chris was on the line talking to him. "Ok, just got an update. The situation has deteriorated. They killed one of the girls. These guys are totally out of control. Looks like the negotiator pushed a little too hard, got one of them pissed off so he took out one of the girls. Pulled the trigger on the shotgun and tossed her outside the shack. I don't know what we can do, but we've got a green light from upstairs."
Vin listened silently holding the rifle case in his lap. Meeting Chris' eyes for a second, he shifted his gaze to look outside the window of the aircraft. Josiah raised an eyebrow at Chris, and placed a hand on Vin's knee for a second. Vin acknowledged the touch with a small smile and sat back.
"Here, Vin." Nathan offered Vin a package that contained a sandwich and soda. "We've got another twenty minutes till we get there, you'd better eat now just in case things get complicated."
Vin nodded his thanks and ate the food quietly. "What do we know about the men?" Vin looked at Chris.
Chris nodded and began to speak. He knew how Vin worked. He was now ready to learn about his targets. Chris told him what he knew about the men and what had transpired. Nathan had done some quick work and gathered quite a bit of information about the trio. A father and two sons. All with long records for drug possession, sales and weapons charges. All had served time but had been out of site since their last release from prison. Now they were the problem of Team 7 and Vin Tanner was the team's last resort.
The helicopter circled around landing in a newly plowed field now lined with police cars. Chris and the rest were immediately taken to Jeep Cherokees and driven to the site of the lab. Dave Paster met them and introduced himself. "Chris, good to see you. Thanks again for coming. This must be Josiah, and Nathan (Paster shook hands with both men ) and you must be Vin." The sheriff took Vin's hand noting the long tapered fingers. Hands meant for high dexterity work. The work of killing with a gun.
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"Glad to meet you, Dave. Chris told us a couple academy stories on the way. You too were lucky to graduate at all." Josiah said trying to lighten the mood. Vin turned away from the men and began to take in the surroundings.
Their activity center was located on the side of a hill. According to Paster, the shack that held the lab was on the other side. He had men posted all over the hillside as well as blocking the roads. The men he had sent out on a tip looking for the "third man" had returned with nothing to report. None of the tips had panned out.
Paster took Chris aside and showed him a layout map. Josiah and Nathan joined him, Vin continued to look at the hillside. "Your man gonna join us, Chris?"
"Yeah, just a sec." Chris walked to Vin's side and placed his hand lightly on Vin's elbow. "Got a layout map, Vin. Wanna see it?"
Pulling his eyes away from the hill area, Vin nodded and moved to follow Chris. Joining the others, they listened carefully as Paster described the scene. "I've got my best marksman posted on this side of the ridge..about 75 yards from the lab. Men surrounding the back of the place...you can see there are no windows or doors on the backside." Paster passed out pictures of the building and surrounding area. "As you know most of these guys keep their chemicals in a bunker someplace not in the house. These guys don't seem to have a bunker; and you can see vats of chemicals as well as explosives sitting around the floor."
Chris passed the pictures to Vin and the others. "Have any close ups of the inside of the shack?" Vin said quietly.
"Huh...yeah, I think my marksman probably has most of them up on the ridge." Looking at Vin, Paster said. "I've got two spotters with high powered glasses who have been watching the place since this morning. They can probably answer anything you what better than me."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Vin turned to start the walk up the hillside.
"Wait, Vin. Hold on." Chris placed a restraining hand on Vin's arm. "Dave, let's make sure we understand things before we all get separated. We're not talking about surrender anymore, are we?"
"No. I've got the go ahead to make the call. I'm turning that over to you and your men, Chris. One girl is dead and these guys are crazy. They're not coming out without a fight. If we can't get something done before the sun goes down..that girl is dead. Hell, she may be already dead." Paster slapped his leg with his hat and looked down at the ground.
"Chris. Let's go." Vin turned to Nathan and took one of the headsets; adjusting it to fit his head, he started up the hillside. Chris looked at Josiah and did the same. All four men were soon equipped with the newest in communications gear and half-way up the hillside before Paster could fold up his map and pictures.
The sheriff's sharpshooter jumped when he saw the slim young man standing beside him. He hadn't heard anyone approaching, perhaps he had been concentrating too hard on the shack...perhaps he was tired. He couldn't believe that the man was good enough to get up beside him without his noticing. Dressed in jeans and a dark polo shirt, the man wore an expensive headset and an ATF baseball cap. In his hands he carried two rifle cases. One was scarred and the leather worn; the other pristine without any marks on it.
Chris came up behind Vin and looked down at the marksman staring back at him. The man looked tired. Chris stepped around Vin and knelt down beside him. "Chris Larabee. ATF. Friend of Sheriff Paster's." Chris stuck out his hand. The man took it while still staring at Vin. "That's Vin Tanner, our marksman."
"Yeah. Heard about him. Won the ATF thing this year, right?" The man said as he took Chris' hand.
Vin turned and spoke for the first time. "Where are the two men and the woman now, please." His voice was tight..all business. Even the edge of his accent was gone. The man joined Vin and started pointing out the windows and doors. "Thanks." Vin said to the man. "Chris I wanna see if I can get a different angle." Starting to walk away, Vin was stopped by the man's voice.
"Hey! This spot is as good as we can get. You think you're so hot cause you won a contest shooting at paper targets. Well, this is the big league, kid. You and your fancy rifle ain't gonna be able to get them either. Not both of them. The girl's as good as dead." The deputy jumped up and stepped angrily towards Vin.
Chris blocked the man with his body. "Leave it, mister." The man saw the stare in Chris' eyes and stepped back.
Josiah came up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder."You look tired. Perhaps a bit of food and drink down at the tent would be helpful."
Vin looked at the man and shook his head slightly. Turning, he worked his way across the ridge, looking for the spot he wanted. Chris came up behind him and put a hand on Vin's shoulder. "We're going down to the negotiator's set up. I'll call you for a radio check when we get there." Vin's only response was another nod of his head.
Vin kept the shack in view as he worked his way across the ridge. Keeping his eye on the wind direction, he could see the occasional movement of one person by the south window. Coming around a tree truck, he found another deputy watching the shack with a pair of high powered binoculars. The man looked up taking in Vin's outfit and rifle case. "You the ATF's man?"
Vin came up beside him and knelt. "Yeah, Vin Tanner. May I borrow your glasses?"
"Jim Burrows. Here you go." The deputy moved over so Vin could lay flat leaning outward on a small outcropping. From this spot, Vin could see into both windows at the front of the shack. Nodding his head in thanks, Vin took the glasses and studied the area carefully. Vin could see the girl. A slim woman ; in her early twenties...wearing a uniform polo shirt, she had tape across her mouth and hands tapped behind her. She was scared. Vin saw the look of disbelief on her face. This morning she and her friend were stocking shelves; six hours later, she was staring at her friend now dead on the ground in the front of the shack.
The dead girl's face no longer existed. In it's place was a bloody mass of tissue and clothing. Vin could see a bracelet still wrapped around a tiny wrist; the fingers of her hand turned upward. Hearing a voice shout, he quickly moved the glasses to the source of the noise.
Someone inside the shack was yelling. Flinging it's arms around, figure gestured and cursed at an unknown source. The girl flinched and tried to make herself even smaller.
"That's D.L. Perkins. He's the younger of the two. Takes orders from his brother and his father, most of the time; but I've seen him go off on people without a reason." The deputy whispered to Vin, stooping down so he could look out.
"You know these men?" Vin lowered the glasses.
"About everyone in law enforcement in these parts has had a run-in with a Perkin's family member. You probably got the history on them, didn't ya?" Nodding, Vin resumed watching the shack.
"Who's in charge inside, Jim? Who pulled the trigger on the girl?" Vin spoke softly as he adjusted the focus on the glasses.
"Howard...the older one...he shot her. Just like that!" Jim snapped his fingers. "Got mad cause our detective wouldn't get them some sodas. Grape sodas...shot a girl dead over grape sodas.
Jim watched as Vin opened the cast and began to assemble the Steyr smoothly and quickly while his eyes never left the shack.
Vin noticed the deputy watching him and smiled self-consciously. "Chris? Can you read me?"
Chris heard Vin's voice as he reviewed the placement of the deputies with the detective who was handling the negotiating. "Yeah, Vin?" Chris listened while looking up at the hillside.
"I'm gonna need you to spot for me. There's too little margin here. Need your eyes." Chris nodded at Vin's words and looked toward Josiah.
"Josiah, you'll need to take over here. Vin wants me to spot for him." Noting Josiah's assent, Chris shook hands with the detective and collected his optical gear. Climbing back up the hill staying out of sight of the shack, Chris quickly made his way back to Vin.
Vin looked at the disappointed face of the deputy. "Sorry, Jim. Chris has been my spotter for a while now. We're used to working together."
"No problem, Vin. I completely understand. Just wanted to see you work that rifle. Never seen anyone with such a natural feel for handling a gun. It's a beautiful thing to see." Jim turned as he spoke when his heard Chris making his way slowly half-crouched to their position.
"We'll talk when things are done. Maybe you can come out to the range and give it a try. I'd enjoy your company." Vin nodded as Jim slapped him on the shoulder as he rose. Shaking hands with Chris, he started to hand over his glasses but saw Chris was carrying a hi-tech optical device he had seen in a gun magazine.
"Good luck, I'll see you after, Vin." Jim slowly passed Chris as Chris spread a dark rubber mat next to Vin.
The unspoken connection that Chris and Vin possessed, had served them well as partners. Vin didn't need an extra set of eyes during paper target contests like the National Championship, but when there was a situation where the targets were moving and multiple a spotter helped out. Vin had tried a couple of the others first before giving in to the fact that Chris was a natural for the job. Buck had talked too much and been distracting...and Josiah back couldn't take the extended periods of been on the ground not moving for hours. Making adjustments in assignments, Chris and Vin had worked out their roles.
Chris was highly skilled in calculating wind and weather conditions for Vin as well as calling the movements of multiple targets. He could sense when Vin needed info and when he didn't. Vin handled the shot, ammunition and range calculations. Very little talking was done. A sideways glance, a raised eyebrow communicated a wealth of information between these two.
As Vin and Chris were settling in, the "third man" was become restless. He had been at the store with the 'boys' when they had spotted the cop. D.L. had panicked and backed into the store waving his gun around. He was their father, but they ran the show. Howard had been out of control since a teenager, so Ralph Perkins kept a low profile...letting his two boys run the business.
After loading the girls into the truck, they had been followed by the local cop until they hit their dirt road leading to the shack. There had been enough time to tie the women up in the shack and bring extra ammunition out of the bunker. But Ralph had gotten trapped in the bunker when the helicopter had suddenly appeared over head. Now five hours later he sensed a different attitude in the police.
Up until now Ralph had sensed that the sheriff and his men where reacting to what D.L. and Howard were doing. Howard shooting the girl and tossing her casually out the door onto the ground had ended that mood. From his place in the hidden bunker in back of the shack, he had see the arrival of three new men. His attention had been drawn to the tall lean blonde man who seemed to be in charge. The fancy headset he was wearing told Ralph he was federal. Probably ATF. Looking up to the hillside, he tried to spot the sniper he knew was hiding there.
The ATF meant trouble. If it had been just him, he would have turned himself in, but he knew the boys. There wasn't going to be any surrender here. The boys thought they were unstoppable hidden inside the shack. With the girl as a hostage, they would feel like they had the advantage. Ralph had a feeling that advantage had just been neutralized. When the blonde agent had picked up the high powered binoculars and started back up the hillside, Ralph knew the odds had just changed.
"Chris, we're gonna have to get this done quickly. Jim, the deputy that just left, told me a little about them. We have to eliminate them before they get agitated again." Vin had calculated the range after leveling his scope and was adjusting it accordingly.
"We need a diversion to move them both to the south window." Chris said as he scanned the shack repeatedly. "With the older one, Howard?" Vin nodded. "Holding the girl against him all you're gonna have is a head shot."
"I've gotta have the second one moving into my sights when I take out Howard. Can't give him time to hurt the girl. If you can lead him to me I can make the shot." Vin removed his eye from the scope and looked directly at Chris. " Timing is going to be critical here." Chris returned Vin's look and spoke into his mike.
"Josiah? Gonna need some help getting these boys to move. Need that chopper to come in loud and hard from the south. Vin needs the one at the west window to move and join the other man at the south window. Need you to arrange that and give me a lead of about 60 seconds before the chopper climbs over the hill." Chris paused letting Josiah take all the info in.
"'Kay, Chris. Let me find out how far out he is..I'll fill the sheriff in so his men can be ready. Think you two have a shot?" Josiah looked at Dave Paster as he spoke.
"Vin does and that's all that counts. Let me know when that chopper is coming." Chris kept his glasses trained on the west window. He would have to call the shot the minute he saw D.L. move to join his brother.
Vin took a deep breath and began to concentrate totally on the scene in his scope. Listening to his own heart beat, he began to time his breathing to coincide. Each breath was a full one taken in, then half let out and held. His finger closed on the trigger to the first stage waiting. The next time he moved it...it would be to fire. Howard Perkin's right temple was all Vin could see. Breathing and listening, he waited for Chris to call the shot.
Vin heard the sound of the chopper coming loudly over the south ridge. He saw Howard turn and shout to his brother pulling the girl's body and head tighter against his chest. Following with his rifle, Vin continued to breath waiting for Chris to call...waiting for the brother to move. Vin saw Howard shout again to his brother and turn back to look up at the helicopter now hovering overhead. Staying keyed on this target, Vin strained to hear Chris' voice.
Chris watched the younger brother. Josiah warning had been followed by the sound of whirling blades seconds later. D.L. broke away from the west window and started moving to join his brother. Hearing Howard shout, the younger man stopped, shook his head threw down his beer and leaped forward to join his older brother. "Vin? ....Now!" Chris' voice came out in a breath so as not to startle the sharpshooter waiting beside him.
At the sound of Chris' voice, Vin squeezed the trigger while breathing out...working the bolt he moved his scope to find the younger man moving up beside his brother. The air was filled with the haze of reddened spray as Vin's finger moved again and the second man's head exploded. Suddenly there was no one in the window. The sound of Vin's rifle echoing across the open air; the only sound. Chris watched for movement as Vin jacked another shell into the chamber of his gun. Keeping it trained on the window, he waited for Chris to call the scene clear.
Nathan knew it was coming but jerked inadvertently nevertheless. Howard Perkin's head disappeared with the precise placement of one bullet. Nathan watched as the girl screamed and tried to pull away from the falling body that held her. A second explosion followed when the younger brother made his way across to watch the helicopter's approach. Neither man could have known what happened. The strike was swift, calculated and clean. Nathan was sure the men were dead and almost as certain the girl was unharmed, but he waited nervously to find out.
A third man watched the scene from his hiding place in the bunker. He knew it was coming. That his sons were going to die. But he was surprised by the quickness of it. The swift damage done to his flesh and blood by some unknown man picking them off like cans on a rock. Did that man know? Did he feel the hurt run deep when he pulled the trigger? What kind of man ... Perkins watched the front of the shack for any sign that his sons had survived the attack. When the deputies made their way to the window and looked in, he could have taken them out with the blast of his shotgun. But they weren't the man Ralph Perkins wanted. He wanted the man who had taken his children. He would wait.
The deputies peered in the window. They could hear the girl crying as she stared at the splattered mess that had once been D.L. Perkins. Blood dripped from the body that held her. Telling her to say still, the men signaled for the bomb squad to check out the doorway before they entered.
Chris watched the men as they approached the window. Breathing a sigh of relief when they gave the two thumbs up signal, he felt Vin finally lower his gun. Looking at each other Vin reached up with his right hand and took Chris' left in his grip. "Thanks."
Chris nodded and rose up to his knees feeling his back protest. Watching Vin out of the side of his eye, Chris began to pack his glasses away. "Don't start Chris. I'm fine. I've been doing this longer than you have. Not saying it gets any easier..I'm just better at sorting these things out on my own for a while. Let's go. Wanna check on the girl." Vin quickly disassembled his gun and swiftly moved to join Chris as they walked down the hill side.
Josiah and Paster detailed the rest of the men to search the area while the bomb squad finished inside the shack. Nathan helped the paramedics untie the girl and move her toward the ambulance. Covered with blood and dirt, the girl clung to Nathan as he talked to her softly. Helping her into the back of the ambulance, he stayed with her while the paramedics began to check her out.
A collection of men where staring through the south window as one of the detectives took pictures of the scene. One deputy shook his head in amazement, as others discussed the shooting display they had just witnessed. Everyone turned and watched as Chris and Vin made their way into the clearing in front of the shack.
Chris crossed over to the window and leaned in seeing the two brothers close up for the first time. Vin passed by without looking taking off his body armor as he walked. Making his way around to the back of the ambulance, he stood silently as Nathan helped the girl finish putting on an ATF jacket. Zipping it up to her chin, he leaded over to rinse out the bloody washcloth in his hand. When the ATF agent moved from in front of her, the woman saw Vin for the first time. Standing quietly with bare hands hanging at his sides, he nodded slightly when she caught his eye. Rising up, she made her way to the back of the ambulance and jumped down facing Vin. "You're him. Aren't you?" Nathan turned as the woman brushed past him to face Vin. Vin looked carefully into her face.
"Does it matter? You're safe. That's what counts." He stood with his arms not moving.
Reaching out to take his hand, the woman pulled Vin's arm around her and buried her face in his jacket. "My name's Jane." She said looking up. "And it matters."
Vin smiled down and squeezed her closer. Feeling her warmth, the beat of her heart helped him put the vision of Howard and D.L. from his mind. He found it helpful going to the victims. Seeing the good side of what he did. "Name's Vin Tanner."
Looking up at the handsome man who had saved her life, Jane pulled away. Taking her hand she kissed her fingers and pressed them against Vin's cheek. "Thank you." Turning she stepped up into the ambulance again.
Vin stood a moment letting his eyes follow her. Planting the image of the woman in his mind. He smiled and lean his head back taking in a deep breath. Nodding to himself, he walked from behind the ambulance. Looking around, he scouted the area for Chris.
Chris was waiting for Vin with Josiah by the west side of the shack. Chris knew Vin needed this time to settle himself. They would talk about it soon, but not now. He watched as Vin noticed him and began to make his way across the clearing.
Ralph Perkins saw the lean, long haired agent crossing the clearing. He knew suddenly this was the man. The long confident stride, the tapered hands..the way he studiously avoided going to the shack where his boys lay. This was the man who had killed his boys. He had no other choice. Honor bound him to kill this man. His own life no longer mattered and the man coming straight at him was the reason. Grabbing his shotgun, he slammed through the door of the bunker into the open.
"You bastard!!" Perkins shouted as he raised his gun. Shooting from the hip, he pulled both triggers as he aimed at Vin.
Vin saw the movement at the same time as Chris. A vague flash of a gun muzzle, swept through his brain as he tried to fling himself to the ground sideways.
The blast took his breath away. Catching him in the left side before he hit the ground, Vin felt the hot burning burrow inside him and roll him over. Gasping he tried to hang on to consciousness as he saw the man walking toward him reloading as he approached. Feeling the warmth of his own blood spreading across his side, he heard Chris shout and saw the man fall forward, a bullet through his heart. Closing his eyes, he forgot everything except the tearing pain in his body.
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