Torn Shadows Part 7

A horde of rebel soldiers rushed toward the capital building. Major Hall pulled out his pistol and grabbed Lydia. He pulled her along as he ran toward the front door of the building. The rebels were silent in their approach. No shouting, no firing, only the rumble of their many feet on the lawn. Major Hall reached the front door and threw it open, and thrust Lydia inside. The rebels were now a mere fifty yards away. Major Hall rushed inside after Lydia and slammed the oaken double doors behind him. The rebel army scrabbled up the steps to the door, and tried to yank it open, but it was locked. Up ran a man with a large shotgun who with ease blew the locks right off of the door.
Several men grabbed the doors and swung them open. they ran inside to see a wall of federal soldiers, guns aimed. A firing squad. A dozen rebels fell dead at the first barrage. Aiden who was among the first to reach the capital building, now led a team he hand selected along the side of the building. Major Hall's men that he left in the truck had now set up a position near the east corner of the building and had sent men to get reinforcements.
For the next few minutes chaos reigned. Rebel soldiers continued to pour into the front door of the capital building and continued to be shot in waves by Major Hall and the federal guards. Aiden led his team to a spot along the front wall. He then had a ladder brought forward and mounted to where it led up to the second story balcony. Aiden was the first to climb, followed by ten of his men. They reached a door and broke through it into a parlor. From there they moved into the hallway. Aiden's orders were simple; capture the capital building and hold hostages to use as leverage in the coming takeover. He had hoped that the initial attack would have gone better. He had hoped that his men would have been able to take the main hall by now but the arrival of Major Hall had thwarted his plans. But things were not terrible. He had one ace up his sleeve.
Major Hall knew he could not hold this entry hall for much longer, he needed a better defense. He needed reinforcements, but those may take a long time to arrive so he would have to make due. He called for the guards to fall back into the hallway. The men ran, cracking off random shots behind them as they retreated. They turned a corner and saw five more guards with rifles coming to help. That brought their head count up to thirteen. Thinking fast, Hall had them split into two groups and set up on either side of the hallway. They overturned desks and cabinets and made barriers to hide behind. This was not an ideal defense but it would work.
Lydia had gone to the different offices, per Major Hall's instructions and had warned anyone in the building she came across. So far twenty two officials and service workers were making their way toward the counsil room, the safe point Major Hall had designated. She was making her way up the stairs to the second floor when she saw a group of rebels coming down the stairs.
The fighting in the hallway had grown fierce. Half of the guards were dead and there seemed to be no end to the horde of rebel soldiers. Major Hall had never realized how big this movement had become. It was time for another tactical retreat, but this would be more tricky with all the rebels firing at them. Suddenly, he heard gunfire from behind and turned to see two more guards fall. He turned and his heart stopped. There stood Aiden and ten other rebels each with a government official as a human shield.
"Stop firing!" Aiden shouted. His men shouted with him and the noise stopped. "Slide your weapons toward me and come out with your hands on your head!" Aiden commanded.
Major Hall knew he had no choice in the matter. He slid his gun and stood, hands on his head. He was soon followed by the guards.
"Come with me."
Aiden lead them all into the counsil room. Major Hall was devastated. Aiden now controlled the capital building, over thirty hostages, and...he glimpsed a women sitting in the corner....Lydia.

To Be Continued