24: Behind the Music (Countdown)

Sgt. Aiden Hines nodded to his team. They were tense, but ready. After days of chasing their target, they finally had a solid lead, and they were determined to bring him down.

They made their way through the mostly abandoned warehouse. Movement was a little slow, as random detritus littered the floor, but soon they made it to the center of the room, which featured some complicated equipment and a high-end laptop...but their man was nowhere to be found.

Hines was about to curse a blue streak when his radio crackled to life, and someone spoke—it was a member of another team, who were infiltrating from the opposite side of the building.

“We've got something! He's making another broadcast!”

Their radios gave a weird squawk, and a new voice came through. Rather than the gruff, serious tone of a police officer, this voice was full of slickness and forced charm.

“HELLLOOOOO Beacon City! It's everyone's favorite rambunctious radio rebel once again, bringing you the absolutely can't-miss, must-listen show of ALLLLL time! There's a slight change in the format, so if you think you've missed our big Number Three hit, don't worry—that's still to come! But right now we've got a special request from yours truly that we just GOTTA play! We're going alllllll the way back to 1991 for this one, and it is dedicated to the men and women of Beacon City's finest, who have finally gotten the upper hand...or have they?”

A simple guitar riff started playing. Hines turned to his team. “It isn't Iron Maiden, so I don't have a clue. Zhang? You know this one?”

Officer Jillian Zhang thought for a moment. “Sounds like Euro indie. Oh...dammit, this should be easy.” The instrumentals filled in, and Zhang's eyes went wide. “Jesus Jones! It's gotta—oh, shit. Sir, we need to get out. Now.”

Sergeant Hines grabbed his radio, hoping that he could cut in over the pirated signal. “Everyone out! Move it!”

A woman on the radio talked about revolution
when it's already passed her by

The other team hadn't gone very far into the building, but Hines's group had a long way to go. Zhang was the first out, as she had all but bolted for the door.

Bob Dylan didn't have this to sing about
you know it feels good to be alive

Foy and Kowalczyk made it out next, and Hines could see them break into a full run as soon as they got outside. Hines stepped up his pace, but tripped on something and cracked his knee hard on the cement. The searing pain told him that standing would not be possible, let alone running.

I was alive and I waited, waited

He heard Zhang's voice through his radio. “Sarge? Where are you?”

I was alive and I waited for this

He pressed the button so he could tell her, “You get this son of a bitch for me, understand?”

But he never made it that far.

Right here, right now...