BLOOD TERROR

 

by

Peggy Hartsook

 

 

The crowd milling around the banquet room of the Ilikai hotel was large and noisy, as all of Honolulu's bluebloods jockeyed for a good position to see and be seen. It was a wonderful social event; it wasn't everyday Hawaii's governor was named the recipient of the Tokyo Business Corporation's Peace Prize and the general consensus was that Philip Roswell deserved the honor. He had worked tirelessly in promoting trade and commerce with Japan, as well as racial harmony in the islands, and this award was only recognition for his efforts. Of course, the media was out in force and everyone was sure to congratulate the Governor while he was on camera. It was just like congressmen from rival political parties lining the aisle to shake the President's hand after a state of the union speech, Steve McGarrett reflected wryly as he stood on the raised dais between the Attorney General and the State Treasurer, all applauding the arrival of the Governor in the crowded room. Some of the well wishers were just as sincere as those congressmen on television, Hawaii's top cop observed. He watched two of the Governor's bitterest political enemies take up a strategic position to glad hand him in prime television camera range.

 

McGarrett stifled a sigh of disgust and impatience. He was sincerely glad the Governor was receiving the award, but frankly, he thought the whole thing could have been done without his presence. He and Dan Williams, his second in command, had just arrested one of Hawaii's top drug dealers after an all night stakeout. Steve was tired and wished for nothing more strenuous than falling in bed. Chin had radioed him in the car to tell him the Attorney General thought it would be a good idea if all Hawaii's top state government officials were present to see the Governor receive his honor. So Chin, who was in charge of security for the banquet, had called Duke Lukela back at Iolani Palace to bring clean clothes for McGarrett and Williams. Dan unfortunately, had the misfortune of riding in Steve's car instead of his own, otherwise he could have safely ignored the whole thing.

 

The Five-O chief stood toward the back of the dignitaries, scanning the crowd and praying the Governor would be brief in his remarks. Chin and Duke, the only two members of the team officially on duty, roamed through the crowd and HPD officers were liberally interspersed throughout. McGarrett spotted Williams near the back of the room, having found something to capture his interest in the person of the pretty new female reporter at the Star-Advertiser. Steve shook his head ruefully; leave it to Danno to find someone interesting at any occasion.

 

With an effort, McGarrett jerked his wandering thoughts back to the ceremony, clapping dutifully as the Governor accepted the old plaque amidst great applause. Ingrained habit soon had his eyes scanning the crowd again, though, and McGarrett returned his gaze to the back of the room. There was a young Oriental woman near the door, almost hiding behind a massive man also of Oriental descent in a waiter's uniform. A distant warning bell went off in McGarrett's head; he tried to recall a telex he had received a couple of weeks ago from the FBI, something about a fanatical Japanese splinter group that might possibly be headed to or passing through Hawaii. The girl didn't really match the physical description attached to the telex, but there was something in her actions that riveted the Five-O leader's attention, as she purposefully made her way toward the front of the room, still partially hidden behind the waiter pushing the laden food tray. Steve, realizing he would look foolish if the girl was legitimate, nevertheless began to make his way toward the Governor. The lieutenant governor gave him a dirty look as Steve stepped in front of him to get closer to Governor Roswell, but McGarrett didn't even pause.

 

As he reached the Governor, Steve saw his worst suspicions confirmed. In a blur of motion, the big Oriental in the waiter's uniform reached to the bottom of the cloth covered cart and swiftly drew out two shotguns and handed one to the woman. Steve, hand clawing for his own gun, grabbed the Governor's shoulder and forced him down behind the speaker's rostrum, shouting in his ear, "Condition Red!" McGarrett shoved the Governor off to the left, trying to keep the escape route free from the people who were gradually realizing something was very wrong. Incredibly, Dan Williams was already struggling through the crowd to meet them, as Steve and the Governor literally crawled along behind the table and chairs. Thank God for Dan's mind reading abilities, McGarrett thought as he hurriedly shoved the Governor into Dan's arms. "Condition Red!" he yelled again and Dan nodded 'yes' and began hustling the Governor off the stage through a side door, not pausing to look back.

 

*****

 

Steve turned back toward the pair with the shotguns, the crowd's hysterical screams ringing through the room as a shotgun blast pierced the air. McGarrett was almost knocked off his feet as the panicked crowd surged past him seeking escape. He could no longer see the shotgun toting pair, nor Chin or Duke. Struggling to get back to the center of the stage, the Five-O chief didn't even see the tall, slender Oriental man behind him until a powerful arm hooked around his throat and the cold steel of a .45 touched his head. McGarrett twisted around trying to free himself but the grip only tightened and threatened to cut off his air supply.

 

A harsh, accented voice shouted in his ear. "Drop your gun now or I will order the mass executions of everyone in this room."

 

Feeling sick to his stomach, the Five-0 leader could see no alternative. The gun slid from his hand. Steve wished he could get a clear look at the thug wrapped around his neck.

 

The man behind him yelled, "Attention everyone! You will now sit down and be silent!" The mob paid no mind to him until he fired his revolver in the air and then casually shot a Honolulu banker in the leg. The terrorist's two confederates had fought their way to the main exit and now blocked the escape route with their shot guns. The remaining crowd milled helplessly in the room, eyes filled with fear darting desperately for a way out. McGarrett's captor tightened his grip before announcing, "All fascist pigs will now lay down their weapons immediately or I will execute the head pig right here!"

 

From McGarrett's limited point of view, it looked as though the order was being followed. He could see nothing of Chin, but Duke he saw out of the corner of his eye laying down his handgun and what HPD men he could see were doing the same. The man behind Steve called out, "Ishi! Meika! Come over here and bring all their guns."

 

McGarrett tried to break the choke hold once again and with a mighty wrench, succeeding in partially freeing himself. "Duke," he gasped, straining for breath, "don't let them --" His air was abruptly cut off again as the huge Ishi rushed over to give the unknown man a hand with his prisoner.

 

With Ishi now holding the Five-O leader in a death grip, re-applying the choke hold and twisting one of McGarrett's arms up behind his back, the leader stepped forward to address Duke Lukela.

 

"I will save you imperialist pigs the trouble of checking on us. I am called Chizuko and I lead this cell of the Oppressed People's Liberation Army. You will give us safe conduct out of here, with a plane waiting at the airport. After we have reached our destination, we will inform the world of the verdict of the fascist cop McGarrett's war crimes trial. It was our intention to make the Governor stand trial for his crimes, but the yellow coward crawled out of here on his belly. His primary stormtrooper McGarrett will stand in his place. If he is found innocent, we will inform you where to pick him up."

 

McGarrett listened to the man's cold tone with dread clutching his heart. He had been called a brave man by many, even fearless by some, but one of the few things that terrified him was the thought of being held hostage by some obscure fanatics and being killed for public consumption on the six o'clock news. His eyes mutely begged Duke Lukela to make a dive for his gun on the floor in front of him; Steve McGarrett would rather die in a crossfire right here than be dragged off to some rat hole and tortured to death.

 

Lukela was like a stag at bay, surrounded by wolves. His voice was steady however, as he replied tersely, "You can't be serious offering a deal like that. You'll never make it out the door, let alone the hotel. There's no way we'll let you walk out of here with McGarrett!"

 

Chizuko snarled defiantly, "You have no choice, pig! If we can't leave here now with McGarrett, there's only one thing we can do!" he swung around, leveling the gun at Steve's head

 

Duke Lukela stood rooted to the spot, indecision tearing his soul. Finally, with a bitter sadness, he nodded 'yes'. Chizuko smiled in triumph and nodded toward a side door where Ishi started dragging McGarrett. Meika followed, clutching a tablecloth full of HPD guns. Duke watched the group disappear through the door, anguish etched on his face. In all his years in HPD and now Five-O, he'd never been called on to make such a decision before. With a sick certainty, he knew he had signed Steve McGarrett's death warrant.

 

*****

 

Dan Williams struggled back through the fleeing crowd; onlookers pushing to get out and reporters pushing to get in. The Five-O second in command had put the Governor and several other high ranking officials in their limos and spirited them off to safe places. As he finally pushed his way out of the elevator to return to the second floor banquet room, he met Chin Ho Kelly racing down the emergency stairs.

 

"Danny! Over here!"

 

"Chin! What's happening?"

 

Before the Chinese cop could reply , Duke Lukela charged out of the banquet room, his face a mixture of agony and anger. "They've got Steve!" he blurted out.

 

"What?" For a fleeting instant, Dan Williams simply could not accept it -- the worst case scenario.

 

"They've got Steve and I think they're headed for a service elevator in the back. I'm not sure if they're going up or down."

 

Danno made a split second decision. Spying the hotel manager in the milling mob, he rushed over and asked breathlessly, "Can you cut all power to the elevators?" The man nodded he could. "All right, do it now! Right now!"

 

"Danny, they're going to kill Steve if you do that!" Duke exclaimed.

 

"We can't let them get out of the building with him," Dan replied, mind racing and discarding ideas of rescue as he talked.

 

The hotel manager returned. "My men are cutting the power now."

 

"Good. Duke, get an HPD swat team over here right away. Have you got a phone line to the elevator?" Williams asked the hotel manager as Lukela left on a run.

 

"Yes, for emergencies."

 

"All right, call them and let's make contact. Chin, have HPD seal all exits and for God's sake, lets get all these people and the damn reporters out of here. Get in touch with Interpol and find out who those idiots are. I'll get with the manager and get the specs on those elevators."

 

"Done." Chin hurried off and Dan Williams rushed over to the hotel phone with the manager. Danno didn't think he had time to wonder if he were doing the right thing, but he did, even for the few seconds it took to dial the phone.

 

The phone barely rang once. "No deals, pigs. No deals. If you attempt to force your way in, I will execute the head pig right now," the harshly accented voice snarled with anger. Before Williams could say anything, the line went dead.

 

Dan shrugged his shoulders. So much for negotiations. Time to find the SWAT boys. He would personally make that terrorist pay for taking Steve.

 

*****

 

Steve McGarrett's captors loosed a triumphant war cry as the freight elevator door shut behind them. Meika was quite young, only in her early twenties but she had the look of a devoted fanatic about her and she punched the button savagely at the door panel. Chizuko must be in his forties, with long stringy hair and a scraggly beard. Of Ishi, Steve could still see little, for the big man still maintained his choke hold. The Five-0 chief was considering his options when he felt Chizuko's eyes on him.

 

"You can stop thinking of ways to escape, McGarrett. Ishi was once a sumo wrestler. However, just to be safe," he approached the immobile McGarrett and insolently rummaged around in his jacket pocket to produce Steve's handcuffs.

 

With a smirk, Chizuko snapped them on, securing McGarrett's hands behind him. Ishi believed in taking no chances and slammed Steve to his knees, grinding his face into the wall with one massive hand on the back of the Five-O leader's neck.

 

Meika must be the team cheerleader, McGarrett thought muzzily as she said reverently, "Today is a great triumph for you, Chizuko. You will finally receive the recognition you deserve."

 

Ishi was apparently the practical one, for he remarked, "We did not get the Governor."

 

His tall, thin leader waved his arms expansively. "It does not matter. In some ways this is much better; McGarrett is a well known symbol of oppression and brutality; he is a stormtrooper of the Governor's; a pet pig to do his bidding. His death will hit the other stormtroopers much harder than the Governor's would. Also, he is well known throughout the Orient, his death will still have great public impact, just as the Governor's would have."

 

The well known symbol of oppression and brutality said with gritted teeth, "Your deaths will have great public impact too. They'll show every other half wit terrorist how not to handle taking hostages!"

 

Ishi cuffed him on the back of the head, hard enough for McGarrett to see some stars. Chizuko advanced on him as well, but then changed his mind. "Let him turn around, Ishi. He seeks only to provoke me. I want him to see that his plan is not working."

 

The elevator stopped and Chizuko looked up, triumphant changing to dismay as he realized where Meika had taken them. "You fool! This is the roof!"

 

"Well, of course," the young woman stammered, "I thought --"

 

"Our plan had split second timing! The helicopter did not even land if Toshiro could not see us. Why do you think I asked for a plane?"

 

Meika withdrew into the far corner, pouting. Ishi, as usual, gave nothing away and Chizuko continued mutter.

 

"Maybe you'd better give it up now." McGarrett's voice was deceptively mild. "You'll never get out of here anyway."

 

"Silence!" Mr. I-will-not-be-provoked Chizuko jabbed the down button when it became obvious Meika wasn't going to do it. "Our plan is as before," he made an effort to calm down. "This fascist pig will be our shield to freedom."

 

McGarrett tried again, even though the looks on Meika's and Ishi's faces told him it was hopeless. "Look, maybe you'd better consider just cutting your losses and getting out with your lives. You've already lost the Governor and now you've lost your escape route. The police downstairs will never let you just walk out of here." He saw glances traded among his three captors and then Chizuko raised his left fist. The other two instantly repeated the gesture. Disgust over came discretion on McGarrett's part as he muttered, "Just my luck to be taken by inept terrorists."

 

Ishi approached, no doubt to teach another object lesson when the elevator jerked to a stop, plunging the inhabitants to the floor in total darkness. McGarrett, although thrown to the floor, lashed out with both feet and felt exhilaration and a savage satisfaction as his kick found a target; judging by the scream, it had to be Meika. Hope surged back into McGarrett's soul; his guys were coming after him, whether he died in the resulting crossfire was almost irrelevant. He would not be dragged off to a meaningless death, a helpless victim of some deranged terrorists.

 

The elevator phone rang. Amidst a flurry of kicks and curses, Chizuko managed to get there first. "No deals, pigs. No deals. If you attempt to force your way in, I will execute the head pig right now." The fanatical terrorist slammed the phone down with a howl, "Death is the only alternative! Let them come!"

 

It was no doubt a comfort to the openly sobbing Meika, McGarrett thought as he struggled forward, intending to locate Chizuko and ram his foot into the man's mouth. A massive weight hit him squarely in the back however and he was driven to the floor again, no doubt by Ishi. With a gigantic effort, McGarrett was able to roll over atop Ishi and face the roof of the elevator.

 

The elevator's emergency light finally came on and Chizuko slapped Meika, hard enough to make her stop sobbing temporarily at least. There was a gentle yet perceptible touch on the roof of the car. Steve winced; there had to be someone who had just arrived up there and something, whether by unexpected slack in the rope or a misjudgment in depth perception, had given themselves away. McGarrett felt a sudden chill envelope him as he heard twin hammers of a shotgun being pulled back. The earlier euphoria he had felt melted away and he started struggling violently, but Ishi's superior strength and McGarrett's lack of leverage effectively stopped him. He could only watch now.

 

"NO!" he screamed out! He closed his eyes and faced the floor.

 

In the semi-darkness, Chizuko raised the shotgun and deliberately fired both barrels into the roof. The noise was deafening and debris rained down on the car's occupants, followed by the sickening thud of a body pitching down. The dust settled. In the silence, he could hear only the heavy breathing of the people in the elevator. Everything else was deathly still. He looked around. The extra light that filtered in from above drew McGarrett's gaze away from what he now knew was a fallen SWAT officer, back to the roof. There, for a split second, he saw Danno, one hand clutching his neck, teetering on the brink of the precipice. Steve knew it was Danno, despite the helmet and riot gear. It was the set of the shoulders and the fact that McGarrett was certain that Danno would lead the rescue party. After an agonizing moment, Danno mercifully pitched backward, away from the hole and Chizuko's deadly shotgun.

 

Almost as if he were a great distance away, McGarrett watched the now empty hole in the roof with a numb detachment. It wasn't until Chizuko loosed another blast with the shotgun that a tiny flicker of anger sparked and instantly became a roaring inferno. Somehow, the Five-0 chief wrenched free of Ishi's hold and got to his feet, ramming the gloating Chizuko in the stomach with his shoulder. The fanatical terrorist leader went sprawling and Steve, who now saw everything through a red haze of anger, savagely kicked him on the floor.

 

Meika launched herself at McGarrett's back. He shook her off effortlessly even with his hands cuffed behind him and continued his all-out assault on the bastard who'd shot Danno. It wasn't until Ishi slammed into his back with the force of a small hurricane that McGarrett was stopped. The ex-wrestler had hit him so hard that McGarrett had fallen over Chizuko's prone body and struck the far elevator wall with his head and neck taking most of the impact.

 

Stunned, McGarrett simply lay there; his mind refused to comprehend that the tide could turn against them so quickly. Chizuko scrambled to his feet and savagely kicked the Five-O leader in the ribs and Meika quickly joined in. Ishi contented himself with a single power kick that had McGarrett gasping for oxygen and feeling like he was going to suffocate. Then the three terrorists began a hysterical discussion of escape and Steve floated into a haze of semi-conscious agony.

 

*****

 

For Chin Ho Kelly and Duke Lukela it was their worst possible nightmare. Their boss was in the hands of bloodthirsty, unprincipled terrorists and now the second in command, Dan Williams, had fallen from the shotgun blast, in the depths of the elevator. They watched, horrified, as Williams teetered on the brink for a moment before falling back on the roof. Fortunately, the walls of the shaft were very close and Williams did not slide in between the walls and the car. But the situation remained grim for the two Five-0 officers. Chin and Duke stood at the edge of the elevator shaft, looking down at disaster. Dan Williams showed no signs of moving and the HPD SWAT officer had pitched forward into the car.

 

Of McGarrett's situation they knew nothing. Another shotgun blast through the elevator roof made both men, along with the HPD officers, draw back as the shot whizzed by. Chin risked another glance down and saw that the blast had mercifully missed Danny. The elevator car was swaying slightly as sounds of a furious struggle reached them. Chin had a terrible vision of a berserk McGarrett raging out of control down there, no longer caring if he had a chance or not.

 

Chin had to act swiftly. "Get me that phone line to the terrorist," he ordered Duke tensely. "Maybe I can distract them long enough to at least get Danny off the roof."

 

"Right." Duke handed Chin the house phone, which had already been dialed to the elevator car and hurried off. The phone rang on and on and Chin noticed belatedly that the sounds had ceased from the car below. Sick dread filled his heart until finally the receiver was picked up.

 

"That was monumentally stupid, pig." Chizuko's cold voice was smug with triumphant. "Another idiotic move will cost you McGarrett's life."

 

'At least he's not dead already', Chin thought with relief. "You know we had to try," the Chinese cop said, forcing down his hostility and endeavoring to make his voice sound reasonable. "But it's time to talk, brudda. You hold the cards."

 

"You had better not forget again, cop," Chizuko snarled. "Now, here are our demands!"

 

The veteran detective listened to the anticipated demands. "We're arranging a plane now," Chin said quickly. Lukela returned and covering the receiver with his hand, Kelly whispered, "What are the chances for SWAT sharpshooters outside?"

 

"Better than in there," Duke pointed downward. "Captain Grady says he and his boys can reach Danny and pick him up from the floor above. No one inside the car will suspect."

 

"He said that before," Chin said bitterly. Chizuko started talking again and as he began to listen, Kelly nodded a go-ahead to Duke. The Hawaiian moved off, speaking softly in a walkie talkie. Chin Ho Kelly stood listening to a fanatic's demands and wondering if his decision had not compounded an already bad situation.

 

*****

 

The SWAT team members had carefully shut off the hotel hallway lights, so no extra light shone in. Thanks to a manual switch, they had noiselessly opened the doors to the shaft. An HPD Swat man lowered himself carefully down to the roof of the elevator car, determined to avoid whatever little mishap had occurred the first time. He attached two extra ropes to Danny's safety belt along with the one that was already there. The helmeted officer quickly gave the rope a couple of quick tugs and the unconscious Williams was carefully raised up to the next floor into the waiting arms of the paramedics. Another SWAT officer nearby radioed the good news to Lukela. "Williams is safe. I say again, Williams is safe."

 

Duke Lukela acknowledged the message with relief. He nodded at Chin Ho Kelly, still talking to the terrorists. Chin closed his eyes briefly, gave silent thanks and returned to the stalemated negotiations. At least one member of the team was out of danger.

 

Their relief was short lived however. Chizuko's patience abruptly ended and his voice snarled with hatred . "Enough talk, pigs. I will wait no longer. You will immediately release us from this elevator or I will execute McGarrett right here."

 

"The plane isn't ready yet," Chin said desperately, trying to buy more time.

 

"My finger is on the trigger and the gun is at his head." The mocking voice of the fanatic was chilling in it's deadly calm.

 

"Okay, okay," Chin relented. "It will take a few moments to get the power back on." As the terrorist started to protest, the Chinese cop interrupted gruffly, "Save the threats. You know killing McGarrett in a closed elevator car with no audience has little publicity value. Not like your wonderful trial and public execution." He abruptly broke the connection, taking a moment's petty revenge on hanging up on Chizuko for a change, then turned to Duke. "Danny?"

 

Duke clicked off his walkie talkie. "Might not be as bad as we first thought. Some fragments went up underneath his helmet faceplate and one shell hit his arm. His face and neck were cut pretty badly and of course the force of the blast may have caused a concussion, but the paramedics at first glance seemed to think he'd be okay. He's in the ambulance going to Queens now."

 

"Thank God," Chin said fervently. "Now, we gotta handle this problem, brudda."

 

Duke hesitated a moment before asking, "Do we let them go all the way to the airport?" This time the decision would be Chin's but he felt reasonably confident he and Kelly were on the same wavelength. He did not mention a plane at all.

 

Chin looked him straight in the eye. "We have to get them outta that elevator. The marksmen set in the lobby and outside on the grounds?"

 

"All taken care of."

 

Chin spoke calmly, but the turmoil was evident on his normally placid face. "Tell them to get ready. Call when they have a clear shot. We can't let them take Steve out of this hotel. No matter what," he added grimly.

 

Duke nodded. "Agreed."

 

Chin redialed the number and was nearly panicked when the phone rang several times before Chizuko picked up the receiver. "That was a very stupid act of bravado, pig. You would condemn your leader to death simply because you have lost face. For all you know, Ishi snapped his worthless neck thirty seconds ago."

 

"If that is so, you'd better prepare to meet your ancestors, brudda. Real soon."

 

"Nevertheless, I will not lose face for your dull pride, stooge. Listen." There was a sickening whomp of flesh hitting flesh and a distant muffled groan. Chizuko came back on. "Remember this. For each act of prideful stupidity, McGarrett will suffer the consequences. Now, have my terms been met?"

 

Chin forced down the bile in his throat. "The plane is fueled and at the airport, ready to go. You will go out the service door of the hotel, where a van --"

 

"No."

 

"What do you mean, no?"

 

"Pig, you continue to waste time. We will go out the front doors. First however, we will stop in the lobby and read our statement to the assembled representatives of the media. We will be broadcast live throughout the islands."

 

"If you want all of that, I want to speak to McGarrett. And he'd better be able to talk and tell me what I want to hear."

 

Chizuko sounded bored. "Your threats mean nothing, pig. I command here. I might have let you talk to him earlier, but your foolish heroics and idiotic rescue attempts have hardened my heart toward your poor suffering. We already have one dead body here, a SWAT stormtrooper, in case you have forgotten. Would you like two?"

 

Chin felt his frustration corrode his good sense again as he fought the urge to order the SWAT men to go in firing, consequences be damned. With a gigantic effort, he retained control. "We are letting the media into the lobby now," he signaled an HPD man to give the go ahead. "It will take a few minutes for them to set up."

 

"Good. Call when they are ready. Do not take too long." The terrorist hung up the phone.

 

Chin's hand trembled with rage as he carefully replaced the phone. Duke handed him a telex. "It's from Interpol. Our boy is Chizuko Norgasaki, a homicidal terrorist from way back. He was kicked out of the Japanese version of the Red Army because of his extreme violence. He was rumored to be the trigger man of the Tokyo bank holdup in '68. According to Tokyo PD, he killed all four of the hostages taken, without orders from above and that's what got him expelled from the Red Army."

 

"How come this scum is still walking around?" Chin demanded in disgust.

 

"He's been on Japan's most wanted list ever since, they just haven't been able to catch him. He's been laying low since '68 and he hasn't been able to attract many followers."

 

"The other two?"

 

"The girl is Meika Warren, daughter of a wealthy American businessman and a Japanese mother. She got involved with radicals on her college campus; dropped out four months ago." Duke handed Chin a telex photo of a long haired girl with a sweet smile and shy eyes -- nothing like the hard eyed, short haired woman with hatred in her heart. "The third one," Duke continued swiftly, "is Ishi Yasuyuki, at one time one of Japan's better sumo wrestlers. He was caught in a betting scandal arranged by some Western businessmen and accused of throwing some matches for money. He's been out of work and out of luck ever since."

 

"Perfect," Chin grumbled, "one homicidal maniac and two dumb patsies."

 

"That's about it."

 

An HPD officer approached. "TV cameras are all in place," he said, distaste evident in his tone.

 

Chin shared his feelings as he shrugged into the bullet proof vest handed to him. Lukela did the same and the two remaining Five-O men took one last collective breath together. Then, Chin waved over the HPD men and the SWAT captain. "Your men are ready?"

 

"Positioned and ready. I've left a couple of marksmen by the service door, just in case," the SWAT captain replied.

 

"Right. What's your best angle -- inside or out?"

 

"My boys have a better sight line outside but we're ready to handle it either way."

 

"Okay." Chin hesitated and then took hold of the SWAT captain's arm. "Under no circumstances do they take McGarrett inside that van. Got it?"

 

"Understood." The Swat captain and the HPD commander left on the run.

 

Duke Lukela grabbed a rifle and hurried to his lobby position. With a grim, set expression, Chin Ho Kelly picked up the phone.

 

*****

 

Danny Williams awoke in a hospital emergency room with several people scurrying around him. He had surfaced briefly from his fog once before in the ambulance, grateful that the stinging pain was lessening. He wondered numbly about the wailing ambulance siren in the distance, decided it would be all right without him and promptly drifted back to unconsciousness. This time however, full awareness returned with a vengeance and he relived the moment of stark terror when the top hatch of the elevator exploded open with a shotgun blast. The world literally blew up in his face and then he remembered nothing more.

 

Williams carefully shifted position, relieved to find he still had full mobility in his limbs. A Hawaiian woman's face leaned over him, and quickly said, "Just relax, Mr. Williams. You've had a close brush with disaster but you're going to be all right now."

 

His throat parched and voice curiously weak, Dan asked, "What happened?"

 

"You narrowly missed being shot in the face, Mr. Williams."

 

Danno closed his eyes. "What about Larson -- the SWAT man that was also up there?"

 

The nurse, whose name tag read Leila Naloma, averted her eyes. "They only brought you in, Mr. Williams."

 

The Five-0 man said nothing, thinking about Pete Larson's wife and three kids. Finally, feeling the nurse's gaze still on him, he opened his eyes and asked, "So, how am I?"

 

"You're very lucky. A deep bullet graze on one arm, some metal fragments that flew up under your helmet faceplate have already been removed from your neck and face. You have a lotta stitches to show off to the girls. You also have a concussion but the doctor didn't seem to think it was very bad. You've been very, very lucky."

 

Danno felt numb; slow. He was overlooking something. He couldn't seem to make this weird transition from certain death back to life. Suddenly, however, a painfully vivid scene re-imprinted itself on his memory. Steve McGarrett held hostage by some fanatical Japanese terrorists.

 

Cursing himself for his slowness, he asked quickly, "What's the situation at the hotel?"

 

"I really don't know," Leila answered primly. "A hospital emergency room is usually a poor place to keep up with the news, especially on a Saturday. Now, if you'll just rest here for awhile, they'll be coming to take you up to your room shortly. Doctor Yasmin will see you there and let you know when you'll be released."

 

A sudden scream came from the hallway, along with a woman's voice cursing, "I'll have this baby right here if you don't move it!" Leila stopped her cleaning up of medicines and bandages and hurried for the door muttering, "I'll kill Sally for calling in sick today."

 

Left alone, Danny Williams stared at the ceiling, sick with worry. What had happened? What had gone wrong with his plan? Why did Larson have to die? Where was Steve now? Were Chin and Duke able to salvage the situation? Why didn't anyone tell him anything?

 

All these thoughts chased themselves around in his brain. He lay there for awhile, lost in theories and regrets and consumed by anger. He was vaguely aware of the uproar continuing in the hallway, as more people were brought in. No one showed up for the Five-0 man, however, and after a period of time, Danno began to think he was the last person on earth. He could stand this waiting in the dark no longer and carefully he struggled to sit up. The world immediately tilted sideways and he nearly gagged at the resulting dizziness. Williams was determined, however, and made it up and off the gurney on the second attempt.

 

Waiting out the customary nausea period, he cautiously minced his way to the door, intensely grateful that the ER staff had not cut his clothes to shreds in their usual manner. A quick glance down the hallway revealed a lot people standing around or in rooms. Some he recognized from the banquet. There didn't seem to be any nurses or doctors around. Summoning all his strength, Dan lurched toward the emergency room admissions desk. He found two hospital security men, their backs toward him, grouped around a small TV set.

 

"Poor bastard," muttered the first guard, a black man. "Looks like they beat the hell out of him."

 

"His boys would do better just to open up on them," opined the second guard. "They're gonna kill him anyway; it would save him this humiliation and they'd get those terrorists."

 

Like a man locked inside a nightmare with no escape, Williams continued his approach, now close enough to hear the tinny sound of the TV set.

 

"-- and we demand the freedom of our jailed comrades in Tokyo --"

 

Danno pushed through the two guards, ignoring their protests and quickly hushed questions when they realized who he was. Eyes locked on the screen, Williams felt the cold dread of the unthinkable surround him as he looked upon the battered, bloody screen image of Steve McGarrett, still impossibly locked in a choke hold by Ishi, only this time the ex -wrestler held a gun to Steve's head. To Dan Williams, it was a scene from hell.

 

*****

 

For Chin Ho Kelly, Duke Lukela and the other assembled Hawaii policemen, the wait for the elevator to arrive on lobby level seemed endless. Chin and a handful of picked HPD men stationed themselves at the service elevator's entrance, ready to act the moment the doors opened. Duke and the bulk of the men waited in the lobby with the news media, who were all clamoring for the best camera angles and set up points. Still more were stationed outside the Ilikai, both on the grounds and the surrounding buildings, as all traffic had been re-routed away from the massive hotel. Behind police barricades loitered the curious, the tourists and the natives, both for and against the police, McGarrett in particular. Pickpockets did a lively trade.

 

Chin waited for what seemed like an eternity until the elevator ground to a halt and the doors opened. Meika Warren stepped out first, one hand holding an assault rifle and the other clutched in Steve McGarrett's necktie, whom she jerked out behind her. McGarrett looked awful; Chin stared in disbelief as his chief nearly fell out of the car. Steve would have gone down if not for Ishi, who wrapped one massive arm across McGarrett's throat with deadly pressure. In his other hand, Ishi too held a gun, a .45 automatic pressed against his hostage's head. McGarrett still had his hands cuffed behind him and if Ishi had let him, Chin suspected his boss would have been doubled over rather than standing upright. Blood ran down the left side of Steve's face from a cut just above his eye, soaking his shirt collar. Lastly in this deadly little parade came Chizuko, keeping low, firmly in his huge henchmen's shadow. Chin would have laughed aloud had not McGarrett been in such danger. Chizuko, the brave and loud talker, kept low during the dangerous times.

 

Chin carefully stepped forward and instantly the guns swung toward him. "I'm Kelly," he identified himself to the head terrorist, all the while carefully scrutinizing Steve for some sign of recognition or awareness.

 

Chizuko stepped halfway out from behind Ishi and his captive, correctly interpreting Kelly's stare. "Yes, he's still alive, pig. But he won't be for much longer until I see those television cameras. Where are they?"

 

"Out in the lobby, as agreed. However, there has to be a change in our deal. You must release McGarrett before you leave for the airport."

 

Chizuko exchanged exasperated glances with Meika, who laughed aloud, high on the adrenaline and danger of the situation. "Fool," the terrorist leader hissed, "get this through your dull brain. You are not in control and you do not make demands. Remind him, Ishi."

 

The ex-wrestler tightened his hold and McGarrett, who had been half conscious, suddenly began choking.

 

"All right, all right," Chin said hastily. "Call him off."

 

Chizuko smiling evilly, nodded to Ishi, who loosened his grip. "Well?"

 

"In the lobby, as I said. Go make your damn speech," Kelly said wearily. The bizarre group headed for the lobby, the Chinese cop was heartened to see that pain had snapped Steve back to full awareness and his eyes were darting everywhere to assess the situation. As they passed Chin, his gaze locked with McGarrett's for an instant. Kelly didn't dare give anything away, but something must have communicated itself because after a moment, Steve actually looked slightly relieved as he was marched off.

 

Chizuko looked inordinately pleased with himself as he saw the massed cameras and microphones in the lobby. Here at last was his big opportunity to strike a blow for oppressed people (mainly himself) that the Establishment would never forget. He positioned himself in front of the microphones and started addressing the crowd. Ishi and McGarrett were directly behind him, while Meika stood off to the right, arrogantly covering the crowd with her gun. Kelly, who had followed the group in, joined Duke at the front of the crowd, off to the side almost directly in front of Meika.

 

Keeping a wary eye on the girl, Duke asked in an undertone, "Does he know?"

 

"I didn't have a chance to tell him anything, but I think he's got the picture," Chin replied softly. "They've beaten him badly. I'm not sure he can break Ishi's hold, even for a moment."

 

"A moment's all we'll need," Duke answered confidently. "I've got John Kamana over behind the potted palms and the bright TV lights. He's the best marksmen HPD has." After a moment's consideration, Lukela added, "We could take Chizuko and the girl right now."

 

"I know. I'm just not sure we could get a clear shot at Ishi fast enough," Chin worried. "Holding that gun right to Steve's head makes me very nervous about his reactions."

 

"-and we demand the freedom of our jailed comrades in Tokyo, as well as a general release of members of the Red Army now held in jail in Europe." Chizuko, emboldened by his success, had widened the scope of his demands. He had been speaking for several minutes now, enjoying every moment of his turn in the spotlight. He had forgotten about Ishi, Meika, even McGarrett as he espoused his political doctrine to the world. It did not matter anymore; nothing did except his one moment of fame. Somewhere during his ramblings however, the terrorist noticed he was beginning to lose his audience's attention.

 

Among the newspaper reporters particularly, there were a few guarded impatient expressions as they scribbled furiously to keep pace or behind the tape recorders there was some eye rolling as he uttered catch political phrases of the radical left. Among the 'pigs' there was careful, stony non expressions but the Japanese fanatic knew every stormtrooper in the room was out to get him if they could. Chizuko had realized the minute they had missed the rendezvous with Toshiro that they would never walk out of here free men. The only issue left undecided was whether they would surrender and rot in some stinking American jail or if he and his little band be remembered for something worthwhile. He knew what his choice was; as usual he decided for Meika and Ishi as well.

 

"I notice some of you doubt my sincerity to my cause," Chizuko said softly. "Perhaps this will convince you." Without bothering to turn around, he casually aimed his gun behind him and shot McGarrett.

 

*****

 

At Queens, Dan Williams reached for his gun, barely realizing the futility of the gesture. His gun wasn't there and neither was he at the place he most wanted to be. The security guards beside him cursed the terrorists in language strong enough to make a longshoreman blush. Danno could only stare at the screen in anguish. "Oh God, Steve," he whispered brokenly. "Steve!"

 

*****

 

Steve McGarrett sagged against his captor, blood blossoming from his side. The pain was intense and yet again he felt like he'd had all the breath knocked out of him. In a strange sort of way however, he felt relief; he was not going to be murdered by some nutcase in some remote hole -- a sad statistic soon forgotten. If only they hadn't gotten Danno, he thought blearily, consumed with regret. He was too tired to summon the raging flame of anger anymore. . . .

 

The expressions on Ishi's and Meika's faces were almost comical if the situation had not been so tragic. Chizuko's act of bravado had cost them their ace and despite Ishi's best efforts to keep McGarrett upright, it was too hard to hold the gun and the Five-O cop as well. For a split second, they stared at their leader, disbelief on Ishi's face, hatred and betrayal on Meika's.

 

"You fool," she hissed before the massed guns of the assembled erupted fire.

 

Chizuko was dead before he hit the floor; Chin and Duke made sure of that. Meika fell immediately after; for a second Ishi stared at his former comrades and then turned to make a run for the door, still dragging McGarrett along. The ex-wrestler had hardly moved two feet, however, when a single rifle shot whined, dropping him in his tracks. John Kamana lowered his gun and rubbed at his aching eyes, alight with a fierce pride, no matter how tired he was. He had done his job well. Now they had to find out if they were in time for McGarrett.

 

*****

 

Dan Williams and his two companions had watched in horror until Chizuko was killed and then the plug was pulled. Danno was in a frenzy to get back to the Ilikai; he was busily trying to bribe and/or threaten one of the guards to take him.

 

The black guard said calmingly, "Man, whatever's happened, has already happened. Just hang loose, bruddah. They'll be bringing them here." He did not add anything about where the dead might go or who the dead might be.

 

Williams was forced to concede the point and paced to the limit of his own exhausted reserves until at last an ambulance pulled up outside. The doors burst open and a gurney rolled in at fast speed, with a heartbreakingly familiar figure laying on it. Along with the paramedics, Chin raced beside McGarrett, holding an oxygen mask to his boss's face. Suddenly nurses and a doctor appeared, yelling, "Take him to three!" All Danno and Chin, who was barred at the door, had to do now was wait.

 

Chin belatedly realized who was beside him. "Danny!" he cried in delight. "Thank God you're all right!"

 

"I'll be fine, Chin. What happened to Steve -- I saw part of it on television."

 

Chin flinched in sympathetic pain. It was bad enough to have been there in person, but at least he'd had a chance at retribution. To watch it as a helpless television viewer. . . "Steve was shot once in the side, Danny. The paramedic thinks the bullet hit a rib and deflected upwards into a lung. It was rough getting him here and he'd been beaten up as well."

 

Danno felt his guts twist with hatred. "I take it you got them?"

 

"Oh yeah." Chin spoke with grim pride. "We got them."

 

Duke Lukela walked in, having followed in a Five-O car. The three remaining Five-O men exchanged warm glances and shook hands. They were not an emotionally demonstrative company as a whole, and they would hardly indulge in back slapping and group hugs with their leader still in danger. Still, it was sweet to have at least three of them together again after this long nightmare.

 

The adrenaline that had carried Danno up until now deserted him and his knees felt curiously weak. Chin and Duke perceived instantly what was happening and guided him to the nearest chair.

 

"Just rest, Danny," Duke advised.

 

"Yeah," Chin added soberly, "it's gonna be a long wait, bruddah."

 

Chin Ho Kelly's words proved prophetic and even Dan's dogged determination gave in to sleep before the doctor came out to tell them McGarrett made it through surgery. He was listed in guarded condition but the prognosis was good. Relieved, the Five-O group went home, to return the next morning. Danno managed to talk his doctor out of an overnight stay for himself, agreeing to go home with Duke rather than trying to stay alone. The doctor was reluctant, but gave in eventually.

 

The Five-O team reassembled early the next morning at Queens. Dan was stiff and sore, but generally felt pretty good, considering he had faced certain death the day before. The on-duty nurse tisked at them for being so early, but told them McGarrett had just woken up a few minutes before and was asking for Chin and Duke. The nurse balked momentarily at letting all three of them in at once, but after she had secured their promises that they would not stay more than five minutes, she relented. The team hurried in before she changed her mind.

 

Steve McGarrett, on oxygen, looked as white as the sheets he lay on. The bruises showed up darkly in the stark light and his throat still bore mute testimony to Ishi's strength. Steve stirred immediately at their arrival, eyes widening as he saw Dan in the front.

 

"Danno," he croaked, in voice hardly recognizable. "I thought you were dead!"

 

Williams stepped forward, a pleased smile lighting his face. "No, Steve. They just nicked me. I'm all right."

 

McGarrett stared at what seemed like a ghost. Danno alive! Happiness rushed in and the stinging of tears at the back of his eyes. "God, I'm so glad to see you, Danno." He couldn't say anymore.

 

Dan gripped McGarrett's hand. "I'm glad to see you, too, Steve."

 

Chin and Duke stepped forward as well. "I think the gods decided to smile on us after all, bruddas," Chin remarked.

 

Steve's throat ached and he tried to glance around for the water. Duke perceived the need instantly and held the glass and straw before him. McGarrett nodded his thanks, then asked, "What happened?"

 

Chin's shrug was deliberately casual. "They shot you and we shot them."

 

"Although they didn't realize it at the time, the Coast Guard caught the last member of Chizuko's happy little band, their helicopter pilot, fleeing the country in a drug dealer's boat. He was sure they had made him as an accomplice at the Ilikai, so he confessed right away to everything. He's resting downtown as we speak, pending Manicote's laundry list of charges."

 

The nurse poked her head in. "Sorry, guys, time's up. One of the doctors is here early on rounds today. I'll get reprimanded allowing all of you in at once."

 

Dan held up his hand. "We're going." The woman looked skeptical but withdrew. Turning back to McGarrett, he said, "Guess we'd better clear out, Steve. Is there anything you need?"

 

A ghost of a twinkle appeared in McGarrett's eyes. "One of you back at the office doing some work would be nice."

 

Grins broke out all around. Chin said hurriedly, "Duke and I are going to the office, boss. Danny's still officially on sick leave until Monday."

 

"What?"

 

Duke smiled. "Your doctor stopped by while we were waiting for word on Steve. We didn't wake you to hear it."

 

"Sounds like a set up to me," Williams grumbled.

 

"Just do what they say," McGarrett said in a near whisper. Exhaustion, both emotional and physical, was once again manifesting itself and he closed his eyes.

 

The nurse opened the door again, this time anger very evident. "Are you guys deaf?"

 

"We are going," Chin hastily reassured her. They headed for the door.

 

McGarrett's voice stopped them and he turned his head towards them, blue eyes intense. "Guys," he groped for words and finding none, just added, "thank you."

 

"We weren't going to give you up, Steve," Danno said huskily. "It took all of us, but --"

 

"We are a team," Chin finished for him. Under the nurse's glare, they left hurriedly.

 

McGarrett lay there, a weak, amused smile on his face, watching three of the bravest men he ever knew, sent on their way by one determined nurse.

 

PAU