9 Chapter 9: Hostage Exchange_1

"Look, the robber is coming out." Yetta Astir's fair face flushed with a slight thrill. She quickly drew out the gun from behind, squinted her eyes and aimed at the robber's head.

"Don't shoot, he's got a hostage." Hearing Rex say this, Yetta noticed that the robber was holding a gun to the head of a hostage, and her heart sinks a bit.

Will Astir signaled to Albert coll, who immediately ordered a negotiation expert to start negotiating with the robber: "You're surrounded now, lower your weapons, release the hostages, and surrender is your only way out..."

Before he could finish the word "out", a loud 'pop' and a bullet precisely hit the car engine front, right in front of the negotiator, who recoiled in fear and dared not say another word.

"Damn cops, you really think I'm scared?!" The robber spat heavily onto the ground and yelled.

"Such audacity." Seeing the robber acting so boldly and fearlessly, Yetta turned purple with anger. If it wasn't for the numerous hostages in the robber's hands, she would have rushed in with her gun a long time ago.

The robber pressed the gun heavily on the temple of the hostage, his finger tight on the trigger, and shouted with a booming voice: "The hostage is now in my hands, any fool dares to move, I will take him down on the spot."

Considering the safety of the hostages, Will Astir quickly ordered: "Everyone stand by, do not act rashly."

Seeing the police officers hesitant to attack, the robber felt a great sense of satisfaction, he barked out: "Now get your chief to talk to me."

Will Astir took a megaphone from Albert Coll's hand and calmly shouted to the robber: "I am Deputy Secretary Astir, speak to me if you have something to say. As long as you do not harm the hostage in your hand, we can discuss everything."

The robber had seen Will Astir on TV, knew that he indeed was a city leader, so he spoke directly to him: "Relax, I'm more trustworthy than you coppers. As long as you agree to our terms, I can assure the safety of the hostages."

"First thing you need to do is to withdraw the snipers deployed on the rooftops." The robber swept his icy gaze around and said coldly.

"Fine, I agree." After Will Astir said it, he exchanged gazes with Albert Coll and ordered the sniper on the roof to be withdrawn. "Is it alright now?"

The robber looked towards the roof, indeed the black barrels of the guns had all disappeared, a secret sigh of relief escaped him. But just as he was about to look down, he saw a ray of light reflecting from a nearby building window.

The robber immediately realized that there were still snipers lurking in the surrounding buildings, he roared in rage: "Damn you coppers, you dare to fool me." Saying that, he shot the hostage in the right leg, who fainted on the spot in pain.

"Damn it!" Yetta, seeing the robber daring to assault someone in front of so many police officers, was so irate that she almost jumped out from behind the car, swearing in her heart that even at the risk of her own life, she had to arrest this absolutely ruthless gang of robbers.

"Damn cops, you dare to deceive me." The robber cursed and pointed his gun at the hostage's head again, shouting, "I'm giving you one more chance! I'm counting from one to ten, if you do not withdraw all snipers, I will go in and kill all the hostages inside, even in death, they will accompany me."

The robber's arrogance completely infuriated Will Astir. Looking at the robber, Will Astir slowly said, "All Eagles prepare, we are ready to initiate Operation Snakecatcher."

Only Will Astir and Albert Coll understood his coded words. They were planning to stake the lives of the hostages and his own political future. He ordered all snipers to aim at the three robbers, only waiting for him to give the order to blow their heads off.

However, at that moment, Will Astir's phone rang. In such a critical situation, he was about to pick it up, but upon viewing the caller ID, he calmly answered the call.

"Leader, hello. Yes, yes, I am at the scene, preparing to launch the hostage rescue plan... What, you said my sister is also inside... Oh, I understand. Don't worry, we will safely rescue all hostages and live up to your expectations."

After hanging up, a look of unprecedented heaviness descended on Will Astir's face. Begrudgingly, he waved his hand and ordered: "This is Will Astir, this is Will Astir. Operation Snakecatcher is now aborted, Operation Snakecatcher is now aborted, all Eagles return to standby, return to standby."

The plan to snipe the robber had fallen through, Will Astir had no choice but to continue dealing with the robber: "I have recalled all the snipers as per your request, you can rest assured now."

Seeing no reflection from the building across, the robber continued to speak to Will Astir: "I'll trust you one more time. Now, make way and bring me an armored car."

With no other choice, Will Astir and Albert Coll exchanged a look. Will Astir called into the megaphone: "All we have here are normal vehicles, no armored cars. If you want an armored car, we've got to have someone fetch it from the station. Give us some time."

"Fine, I'll give you ten minutes. If the car doesn't arrive in ten minutes, I'll kill all hostages as I said before. Also, a warning, if I find you playing any tricks, I'll kill him instantly."

Will Astir switched off the megaphone, pulled out a cigarette with a heavy face, and started to smoke quietly.

As he had just said, if he failed to ensure the safety of the hostages inside, not only could he be dismissed from his post, he could also forever be shamed, never able to recover his reputation.

"Astir, what should we do?" Albert Coll asked Will Astir with an equally grave expression.

Will Astir thought for a while, discarded his cigarette, and determinedly said, "We proceed with our original plan. Prepare an armoured vehicle, we will send someone in. During the key exchange, we tackle these ruthless criminals."

"Rather than waiting for the key exchange, why not take the initiative and take the adversary by surprise." A glint passed through Albert Coll's eye as he whispered the suggestion to Will Astir's ear.

As noon arrived, the harsh sunlight had been roasting the earth all morning, filling the air with a burning smell.

Although the kidnappers stood in the shade with their hostages, their foreheads were drenched with beads of sweat, as if they yearned to jump into a swimming pool.

"Damn, it's really hot here! Once this job is done, I'm off to South America for some steak. I heard it's still winter there." The thought of succulent beef from the Pampas made the kidnappers feel hungry.

At this point, Will Astir picked up his megaphone, shouting at the kidnappers, "We've already sent someone to fetch the car. It's currently on its way. However, due to some traffic, it'll be a while before it arrives."

"Let me tell you, if you want the hostages to live, don't play tricks with me." With hostages in hand, the kidnapper seemed to have total control over the situation.

"We're not playing tricks. When the car arrives, you'll see for yourself." As Will Astir finished, he turned his gaze towards the hostages and continued, "But before that, you must ensure the hostages' safety."

The kidnapper looked down at a hostage, and although the hostage was ghastly pale from blood loss, his breath was still strong. He can't die yet.

"You can rest assured. This guy has only lost a bit of blood. He can't die." The kidnapper said, nonchalantly.

"He's stable now, but if he isn't taken to the hospital soon, things might get complicated. We can't risk it. We can only rest assured once he's been sent to the hospital," Will Astir said seriously.

The kidnapper sneered disdainfully, "Then send someone to grab him!"

"We plan to exchange him with one of ours." Will Astir said calmly.

"I'll go over and you exchange me with him. After all, the life of the police chief holds more value than his." At this point, Albert Coll spoke up. As the chief of police, a severe kidnapping case in his jurisdiction could potentially end his political career. Rather than that, he would prefer to take the risk.

The kidnapper sneered, "Sorry, I have no interest in your bald and unattractive self. If you're really desperate to exchange a hostage, then I want her." And with that, the kidnapper pointed at Yetta Astir standing behind Albert Coll.

The onlookers were shocked. The kidnapper was turning down the police chief, opting instead for a female officer. They couldn't figure out the kidnapper's motive.

Will Astir and Albert Coll exchanged a glance, the same question flashing in both their eyes: Did he know that Yetta was my (your) daughter?

Will Astir shook his head, reassuring himself that Yetta's identity was very confidential. Other than Director Coll and a few bureau leaders, no one else could possibly know she was his daughter.

"Secretary Astir, Director Coll, rest assured, I'm willing to exchange myself with the kidnapper." Upon hearing the kidnapper's demands, Yetta Astir ran over to Will Astir and Albert Coll without hesitation, volunteering bravely.

"Yetta, you..." Will Astir turned to look at his daughter, opening his mouth to say something, but ultimately said nothing.

"I disagree!" Albert Coll opposed, "Yetta, you lack the experience to face kidnappers like these. I don't believe you can complete this task."

"Director…" Before Yetta could finish, Will Astir interrupted, "Director Coll, I appreciate your concern, but as a police officer, Yetta has the duty to accept this task."

"Secretary Astir, Astir, Brother Will, you cannot allow Yetta to take this risk. She's your flesh and blood!" Albert Coll desperately tried to dissuade them.

"Does only Yetta have parents? Don't these hostages have parents too? Director Coll, there's no need for further discussion. I respect Yetta's decision." Will Astir approached Yetta, softly patted her shoulder and said, "Yetta, dad believes in you. When you come back, I'll personally present you with a medal."