Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Word: Stownlins



stownlins

[ stoun-linz ]

adverb Scot.

secretly; stealthily.

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               The figure slipped through the trees, unseen and unheard.  His shoes, specially made for just this purpose, made nearly no sound as they hit the ground.  His clothes were made so that no sound of fabric could be heard, while also minimizing his visual profile.  Unless someone was specifically looking for him, they would miss him completely.
               He paused just inside the tree line.  The facility lay sprawled before him.  The place was flooded with bright lights, surrounded by a tall fence, and crawling with guards.  The silent man checked his equipment.  Around his waist was a tightly cinched belt lined with small compartments, holding everything he needed.  He held several small, liquid filled, needle tipped pods.  Small needles rested in other compartments, and others held various pieces of electronics.
               On his wrist was an air launcher that was designed for the chemical laced needles in his belt.  Sure, a gun would be more directly lethal, but it was also much louder.  Plus, he was going for stealth, not destruction. 
               Satisfied with everything he had, he got to work.  He nearly glided down towards the fence.  It was tipped with razor wire, so no going over it.  Besides that was a sure fire way to be seen.  He pulled out a compact pair of wire cutters and made quick work of the fence.  He dashed forward, keeping a careful eye out for guards.  His dark clothes were next to useless in the lights the facility was casting off, so he would be finished the first time he was spotted.
               But luck was on his side and he avoided them all.  He hugged the wall and sidled forward.  He spotted a small service door used by the security team.  It was, of course, guarded.  And they were not a pair of cheap rent-a-cops.  These were trained professionals.  They were vigilant, and their eyes constantly scanned the area around them.  Their weapons were within easy reach, and the infiltrator had no doubt that they knew how to use them.
               The dark clothed man leveled his wrist launcher and fired.  Two puffs of air sounded, audible only to him.  Each struck its target.  The guards soon succumbed to the powerful tranquilizers and slumped against the wall.  This made entry easy.  But he was no fool.  He quietly eased the door open, just a crack.  He saw another pair of guards inside the door. 
               The man pulled out two of the bulbs, holding them lightly.  He knocked quickly on the door.  A guard eased the door open and poked his head out.  Before he could fully process what he was seeing, the bulb’s needle was stuck into his neck.  It was a matter of seconds before he was unconscious.  The infiltrator was crouched and ready for the inevitable.  The second hallway guard reacted and emerged from the door.  He soon joined his colleagues in a drug induced slumber. 
               The dark clothed man knew he now had a limited time to accomplish his mission.  But, he could at least delay the inevitable.  He did his best to prop each of the four slumbering guards into a crude standing position.  It would not hold up to even mild scrutiny, but it was better than nothing.  All that mattered was that he was inside the facility. 
               The easy part was over.  Now came the real challenge.    
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Probably not my best work, is it?  Meh, oh well.  I hope it's at least kind of entertaining for a little while.  That's all I can hope for, really.

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