The day of the tragedy. During the middle of the day, on the 15th of November, with everyone in the city either at work or moving about. The reptile waited in the alleyway, hidden and at the ready, as he looked at the crowd gathered around the entrance of the new power plant for its grand opening. The day it was going to be turned on and supply the entire state of Florida with electricity.
Jackson had sneaked past the first couple of guards and got himself in a favourable position that would theoretically allow him to rush in and take out anyone foolish enough to get in his way. Of course, he made sure to set up a few explosives to prevent anyone from stepping in. His battle would not be interrupted by anyone.
He found it strange that the factory was being built on Brickell Key. Before he was put underground, he remembered the man-made island having hotels and luxury resorts built upon its foundations. However, it seemed ProTech took the time to buy the island and put an engine on top of it. It was strange to see the place made for people turned into an industrial pit, and for that, he had even more of a reason to destroy it.
Yet he needed to stay put for Mark. Sneaking into the tallest building in the city, which easily overlooked the island and the power plant it was stationed on, would give Jackson the advantage he needed. At least, an advantage that could guarantee his revenge. Jackson never doubted his own abilities; he knew he could overtake anyone there and get to Brian. But he could not allow the slightest chance of failure, not when he was so close. Mark would ensure things would go to plan and that any margin of error was promptly dealt with.
Jackson’s hand radio on his homemade vest crackled. ‘Alright, I’m in position. I have visuals of four security guards near the entrance, but so far, there are only civilians in the area.’
‘And Brian?’
‘In his office, by the looks of things. I honestly expect him to be with the crowd, giving a speech about the opening of the Ra Engine. I’ll keep him in his room, you just do your own thing.’ Before Jackson could head off, Mark made sure to contact him again through the radio. ‘Remember, don’t kill any civilians. Guards, sure, but no innocent people.’
The message was clear, and Jackson didn’t need to respond. They were all just people oblivious to the goings-on of someone’s deranged crusade. None of them deserved to deal with his wrath. But if they stood in his way and tried to slow his advance to get his revenge, then he would not hesitate to kill them.
As he walked out of the alleyway wearing a modified armoured greatcoat, with a shotgun slung to his side, and a pistol at the ready. Jackson aimed the pistol into the air and fired three shots.
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People panicked, confused as to what was going on and standing around like sheep. Seeing that they were not moving, Jackson continued his advance and fired three more shots to announce his intentions. Scattering and running for their lives, the crowd dispersed and created an opening into the factory, which Jackson gladly took advantage of. He bolted into the facility, gritting his teeth as his prize was near.
A security guard aimed his pistol at Jackson, but was quickly gunned down and killed on the spot. The second security guard, watching their partner die without hesitation, turned and ran away. Jackson fired a few shots at them, deliberately missing to ensure that they never think about putting up a fight. Jackson scanned the area, looking for any other threats in the immediate facility before pressing on, only to be relieved when it became clear that no one would put up a defence against him. To him, it was clear that Brian and ProTech didn’t get the most capable personnel to defend their most important project. It was like they didn’t imagine the possibility of an attack from an old enemy. But it didn’t matter, as phase one of the assault was achieved.
‘The bridge is clear, Jackson,’ Mark said over the radio. ‘You can set them off when you are ready, and I suggest you do it now. The police are rushing to your position. It seems someone didn’t waste any time in setting off the alarms’
Hearing that, Jackson pulled out a detonator for the first round of explosives and destroyed the bridge connecting Brickell Key to the mainland. Though Jackson did not doubt that there were other security guards, and it would only be a matter of time before a SWAT team would drop in to deal with the situation. He had to move fast.
Chucking the used pistol to the ground, Jackson readied his shotgun before approaching the entrance of the power plant. ‘Going in,’ he bluntly said over the radio after kicking down the front door. Dislodging the metal door and knocking it off its hinges.
Before he could walk inside, a guard popped out and tried to shoot Jackson, but was pushed back as his stomach tore open with a single blast of a shotgun. The guard gargled blood, holding onto his torn entrails as they slithered their way out of his open stomach. Without caring for their pain, Jackson didn’t grant them the mercy of death and instead ignored them. Casually crushing their guts with a single step as he continued into the facility, he left them for dead. All that mattered was his mission and his revenge; the well-being and mercy for others were secondary to what needed to be done.
