Chapter 6
Time at Sterling Lines became a routine of ranges, long distance running over mountains, the gym and the Kill House. The Hit Wizards had had four close calls where they had to be ready to be called in at a moment’s notice. They were never deployed as, to Harry’s pride, the Aurors of the DMLE were able to handle the situations without incident.
Harry and Half-Pint were doing weight training in the gym when a Patronus in the shape of a Peregrine Falcon swooped in and perched on the weight rack. The falcon spoke with Perry’s voice “We’ve got a job on. Briefing room, now!” before vanishing in a silvery mist. The two wizards sprinted out of the gym and towards the HQ building.
Harry and Half-Pint arrived at the briefing room along with three other members of Red and Blue Team. Sat in the room were the entirety of Counter Terrorism Troop and the Hit Wizards. The Commandant was stood at the front of the room next to a large screen. Harry joined the Hit Wizards and once everyone had sat down, the Commandant spoke.
“2 hours ago, the British Embassy in Berlin was taken over by right-wing neo-Nazi terrorists. They have taken a number of hostages, including the British Ambassador as well as civilians and Embassy staff. Now, the Hit Wizards are here because the terrorists have wizards with them. Rudolph Drechenfeuer, a wizard that was part of Hitler’s inner circle during World War 2. He, and several other wizards, as well as non-magical terrorists have taken over the hidden magical floors of the Embassy. They have the Wizard Ambassador, as well as her staff held hostage also. The Prime Minister wants us on this as the Embassy is British soil, but for now the German Police are in control of the situation. The Germans are aware that if the terrorists kill any hostages then it becomes our show. Any questions?”
Red team leader raised his hand “Details of target building?”
“The Embassy is a four-storey building in the centre of Berlin. I understand that the first three floors are the regular Embassy offices, but the fourth floor is believed to be attic space but is in fact the first floor of the Wizard Embassy. I have been told that the fourth floor has been magically expanded so there is a fifth floor that can only be accessed from inside the building. There are buildings on either side of the Embassy, but the German Police were extremely efficient at evacuating everyone in the area so the only people on that street and the streets either side of it are the terrorists and hostages”
“Number of X-rays?” Mac asked.
“Twelve. Three wizards, including Drechenfeuer. Nine non-magical terrorists carrying sub-machine guns and at least two AK-47's. As far as we are aware, they are spread out. Six to the non-magical Embassy and six, including the three wizards to the magical Embassy. Any more questions? Any further details will come from the German intelligence on site. The German authorities are expecting us and not wizards, so you will all be travelling together. Off you go, and good luck”
“Looks like you’re slumming it with us” Mac chuckled to the Hit Wizards as they all filtered out of the briefing room.