Notes from Frank Bucks' notepad - days 1 and 2..

Well there are 22 combat specialists on this gig plus a medic, a bomb disposal guy and a suit.

We've formed three groups of six to take alternate shifts on standby, close protection and rest. The remaining four are available either for recce of future places to visit or to augment the security at home when we are out.

We have taken five vehicles for the mission. Two of these are fitted out with secure boxes for weapons for the standby team when we are out. This provides augmented capability in the event of a serious attempt to prevent us from achieving mission success.

The remaining three vehicles allow us to give some uncertainty to which of the vehicles the VIP is in. Her location is determined randomly each time we need to travel. The standby vehicles go one in front and one in the rear when we are mobile. All vehicles have a series of laser and radar detectors and other indicators to warn of targeting attempts or incoming fire.

Before our first trip out we established a series of 'actions on':

1. roadblock: forward vehicle (about half a mile) to report and if possible the main convoy detours round it. If not then we double back and take an alternative route.

2. Cutting in: lead vehicle comes back to deal with cut in from the rear. Three cargo vehicles split up and head in three different directions. The rear standby vehicle assists the front one if necessary.

3. Ambush: cargo vehicles split up (first forwards, second away from ambush, third rearwards). The two standby vehicles attack into the ambush to neutralise it.

4. Hit on arrival: grab the VIP and return her to the vehicle. Leave sharpish, no waiting for others to regain vehicles. The standby team cover the withdrawal and deal with attackers if necessary.

We discussed some other SOPs for the Ball but those were specific so no point mentioning them now. On arrival at the Ball we were in the process of moving from the vehicles up the red carpet when I detected a targeting laser, however it became apparent that this was only a ruse when there was a shot from the crowd (about three seconds after I spotted the window the laser was coming from).

The shot knocked Danny over but we had already put ourselves on alert because of the laser. I tossed a flashbang into the crowd while the standby guys popped smoke. The Major and a couple of the others grabbed the VIP and hauled her ass into the vehicle.

Me and Tony grabbed Danny and Sgt Komarov picked us up in the rear standby vehicle. Just as we were leaving the COPs were looking startled and wondering just what the heck was going on. Danny was OK, the armour took the shot. I reckon he should get a bonus.

--
Frank Buck
Security Consultant
Interstellar Freelance Unlimited