No Other Way

"But the hostages are still inside. If we don't complete the mission, we can't go back," the chief said, looking at the dark, cavernous building. He marveled at how such a massive place had gone unnoticed until now.

"They sure know how to hide," he muttered to himself.

"Everyone!" he shouted into the megaphone, "Prepare your weapons. If they don't come out, we're going in!"

His command was immediately met with the resounding response from all the officers behind him.

"But sir, Mr. Mason just..." one officer whispered in the chief's ear, "He's from Country Z..."

"Ignore that," the chief said, impatience clear in his voice. "If he dies, we'll say he acted heroically, a people's champion."

The officer bowed his head and replied, "Yes, sir."

At that moment, all the officers geared up fully armed.

...