On Day 2, while the bulk of the Van Moisten protection squad were preparing
for the Mayor's Ball, I led a reconnaissance team out to the Van Moisten
Special Cake factory on North Island, consisting of myself, Tony Silverado,
'Chalky' and 'Nobby'. We surveyed the site and surrounds, and established
what normal security procedures were with local factory director. I was
worried that if we lost our flyers, we would have no way of moving the
principal out of danger during any attack. I therefore asked Lt Col
Silverado to take care of hiring suitable vehicles for the next day.
It was extablished that other than normal staff, who are identified by the
on-site JIM8000 system, visitors to the factory during the visit would
consist of a team of journalists from an industry paper to report on the
visit, and several deliveries of livestock and caracases. These occur in
sealed container lorries. I was worried that these might pose a potential
security risk, and flagged the matter with site staff, but they would no
countenance delaying deliveries. I spoke with Ms Van Mositen herself and
her director of operations, but neither would approve any rescheduling
either.
On the day of the visit, I positioned Chalky on the hill overlooking the
site, in order that it could not be used as a sniping position, and to get
an overview of any approaching traffic at a reasonable distance. One escape
vehicle was placed at the west entrance to the building, one at the east.
Tony and Nobby took charge of site gate security.
The team of journalists arrived and were cleared - although Tony became
suspicious of their camera drone, and asked Sgt Komarov to check it out
over a camera hookup. As it turned out there were no problems and the
journalists gained entry to the site and began setting up. We put their car
out of the way in the NE corner of the site.
The first expected stock delivery arrived and was cleared with no problems.
By now the flyers were on their way. We had two - the first contained Sgt
Komarov, Bennie Parker and a four-person security detail, plus Ms Van
Moisten's 'entourage', as well as our bomb specialist, who was to run a
chemical sniffer around the proposed tour route to make sure there were no
IEDs. This team landed - I took the entourage to one side out of the way
and the security detail moved to secure the perimeter of the landing area.
The first flyer then took off to provide eyes in the air and general top
cover. The second flyer, with Ms Van Moisten and a five-man close
protection detail, led by Frank Buck, as well as our medic, then landed.
Initially the tour proceded smoothly, but as we were approaching the end,
the pilot of the airborne flyer reported 'engine trouble' and had to make
an emergency landing at an airstrip some miles away to effect repairs. At
the same time, the next shipment was approaching the gates. However, it did
not seem inclined to stop. As it rammed through the gates Nobby and Tony
opened fire at the cab. The truck crashed the gates and careered across the
southside parking area, ramming the remaining flyer head-on, trashing both
vehicles. The container fell over and from the side (now top) doors armed
men began to emerge. Tony called an immediate evacuation of the principal
using the ground vehicles. He and Nobby then took up position behind their
ground vehicle and began to exchange fire with the men from the container.
The perimeter guards also began to fire on the intruders. Meanwhile Bennie
got to the other vehicle and started it up, while Frank and the close
protection squad forcibly extracted the principal from the factory and into
the vehicle. Frank, Bennie and two of the guards left the site with ms Van
Moisten, via the northside perimeter fence (just chainlink...). I followed
with the remaining two close protection members in the journalists'
vehicle, which we 'appropriated'.
The principal was clear of the factory site within a minute of the alarm
being raised. Meanwhile the firefight claimed Nobby and Sgt Komarov down on
our side and three down on theirs. The eight intruders were wearing light
armour and carrying light automatic weapons, like ourselves. They didn't
seem to be as competent or disciplined, however, and when Tony, in an
exposed position, decided to charge into the middle of them, they panicked,
and after a couple more had been downed with stun grenades they
surrendered.
The site was secured and the police informed. The principal was moved to a
secure location pending evacuation by the remaining flyer, once it was
'repaired'. The pilot has however been subsequently removed from any duties
to do with Ms Van Moisten, on suspicion that he had been bribed by the
mobsters.

Total casualties:
Us:
1 Flyer pilot (Van Moisten employee) dead
1 seriously wounded (Sgt Komarov) - no flowers, by request
1 flesh wound ('Nobby')

Them:
2 dead (including truck driver)
5 wounded and captured
2 unwounded and captured

After taking care of the police paperwork, we moved on with the schedule.
Day 4 and Ms Van Moisten's visit to her mother went smoothly. Given that
she had now survived two assassination attempts, she was persuaded to have
lunch with 'Henry' at home rather than out and Day 5 went smoothly. We are
now making preparations for the opening of the Van Moisten shopping mall
tomorrow (Day 6).

Masumi Minogue