On the motel roof-
The lead helicopter, bristling with weaponry, soared overhead. Samantha watched as it flew past. It circled the area once, then hovered overhead about twenty yards to the east of the motel. A booming voice came from its loudspeakers: "DO NOT APPROACH! STAY WHERE YOU ARE AND LIE DOWN! IF YOU DO NOT LIE DOWN, YOU ARE ASSUMED TO BE INFECTED AND WILL BE FIRED UPON! THIS IS YOUR ONLY WARNING!"
Behind the motel-
Mitchell, at the northwest corner of the motel, and Jim, at the base of the ladder, could not see the helicopters now with the building in the way, but they could certainly hear the warning over the sounds of the rotors whirring.
In the upstairs motel room, second from northeast corner-
"Guess we better listen," said Ellen, lying down on the floor. Bobby, Scotty, and Jenny did likewise. Max and Buddy lay down on either side of Jenny, their paws covering their ears.
In the upstairs motel room, southeast corner-
Hammond rolled over in his bed, having been awakened out of a sound sleep by the helicopters. "I'm already lying down, ya idjits," he moaned.
In the private room-
"Oh God," muttered Cathy Lathan to her husband Tony. "They're supposed to rescuing us, not threatening us."
Mr. Foo lay unconscious on the floor, his wife beside him.
In the first helicopter-
The nine passengers in the Huey waited as the helicopter prepared to descend. "Everyone stay on the alert!" ordered Captain Lereux, a big man with captain's bars next to a female lieutenant, Elizabeth Malone. "We're going into a hot LZ. That truck stop didn't blow itself up. Sergeant Black! After we land, take Sheen and set up an OP with a field of fire covering both buildings."
Javier Ramirez was one of only two civilians on board. He had been brought along for his expertise in communications, assisting the captain directly. The other was Zorie Spooner, who was the assistant to Lt. Angela Blanco, both of whom wore orange level 4 Racal suits designed to protect them against biohazards. They were needed for their expertise on infectious diseases. Airmen Nathaniel Lewis and Alexandria Mikhalin were communications specialists. The sniper team consisted of Sergeant Sam Black and Airman Bobby Sheen. They were the only ones wearing body armor on this chopper. The rest of the Security Forces were aboard the other one.
In the second helicopter-
"Hell, Sarge!" said one of the soldiers who was carrying a SAW in his muscular arms as he surveyed the area. Columns of flame still rose from where the gas pumps used to be. "This place looks like a war zone!"
"It is a war zone, Hockey!" said another soldier with sergeant's stripes on his sleeves and a nametag that read: McCain. "Don't any of you forget that! Don't let your guard down, not for a second!" He addressed his men. "Corporal Alanen, you and your team will be with me after we land. We're going to secure the motel once the civilians evacuate."
The corporal nodded eagerly, two of his men behind him. "Yes, Sergeant!" he said. "Ready when you are!"
"Good. Corporal Cole, you and your team are going to keep an eye on that place." He pointed at the T-Bone, the front of which had been blown wide open. "If you see suspicious movement, you are to open fire."
"You don't have to tell me twice, Sergeant," said the other corporal, his mouth set in grim determination. "I think we should eliminate them now, just to be safe."
McCain sighed. "That's a bit premature, Corporal. You know the rules of engagement."
