The Heist:
The Plan:
What could go wrong with a perfect plan?
We’ve seen it in movies; the bad guys (that often look appealing) planning to rob a bank and steal millions of dollars. We see them in their secret hideout before carrying out the crime, meticulously planning and pouring over what their individual roles are. After years of planning and "dry running," we hear the leader say, "It’s a perfect plan, we going to be rich. Nothing is going to go wrong!"
We watch with bated breath, hyped up and on the edge of our seats as they start getting ready to pull off one of the "biggest bank robberies" of the century. Some of us are silently rooting for the "bad guys."
Meanwhile, on the other end of town at the police precinct, in a tiny office, sits a tired, somewhat cynical detective- a detective who has "seen it all" and who has spent his life fighting for justice. He got wind of the plan and is tenacious about thwarting said robbery. He knows if he catches the criminals, it will look good and, he, will be a hero (but he is not interested in heroism) because he focused on doing the right thing.
At the criminal’s place, emotions are high with adrenaline kicking in, weapons are being checked and double-checked. There’s not much time now! The clock is ticking, and at precisely 09h00, the city will be disabled and shrouded in chaos. They have their "electrical guy" that will be pulling the switch. Access to phones and Internet lines disabled by one of them. The alarms across the city to be deactivated! And all Emergency Services will be "occupied" based on the diversion (the explosion they planned to set off at Wall Street). Every media outlet will be "running with the story,” with trying to find out how many people, if any, could be trapped inside the building, injured or killed. After all, the media were flooded with calls (by the bad guys) to expect this!
It’s a bullet-proof plan!
Nothing could go wrong!
The city will be disabled for 24 hours!
There will be enough time for them to make their escape.
En Route:
Except, the detective, let’s call him Ivan, finally convinced the Captain of the squad to listen to him, and now, there were a few of them (those with who he is friends with and some who have seen his record and heard about him), ready, armed and waiting to go downtown. The Captain tried to speak to the powers that be-the Chief, the Mayor, the Governor about Ivan’s information, but no one listened. Thank God for the Captain and his teammates or else, Detective Ivan would be on his own.
"Let’s do this, gentlemen," barks the "bad" guy; let’s call him Vaqso.
The bad guys consist of many because there are many from various companies and Government departments who are part of the plan.
"Let’s destroy this city," he continues.
Breaking news: "There was a massive explosion at Wall Street." The voice of the reporter, coming through the airwaves, makes Ivan nervous for a few seconds. What if his source was wrong? What if there is no robbery? If it was all a lie, it’s not only his but the Captain’s and the teams, reputation and careers that would suffer.
He nervously wipes his hands, hands that feel as if a tap is attached to them. They can’t stop sweating! "You need to chill," he tells his wayward thoughts, "so many people could get harmed if we do nothing!"
Detective Ivan is in charge of the operation; let’s call it Operation Victor.
Finally, after what seems to be a lengthy drive with almost deadly silence in the police van (as each team member silently sent up prayers for safety, thinking about their families and friends), they round the corner to Saaga Bank. The largest bank in the city!
"Let’s go get these guys!"
Part 2:
In the next episode, read what awaits Vaqso and his friends.
For Shabnam and SahariTHJ heroes
