Solid State

The day is finally here; everyone is in deep though as they make their way to the seaports to stake it out first. The ship won't arrive until the early morning, but Easton wants to be in place and ready a few hours before it docks. Sean accompanies them before he has to meet Dante at his home. Naomi begins to put on her disguise and Demetri is going to be under cover as a warehouse foreman that sits directly across the dock. A team is on standby near the docks as well; they will be ready to go in and sweep the area once given the OK. At the top of the warehouse, in the restrictions of the roof, two snipers sit ready for a single command from the Captain. Scattered throughout the vicinity there're about 20undercover cops. Naomi comes out of the "˜Cable' police van with a short blonde wig and a black sweat suit, she has a CD Walkman, which is a communication device ~ they can hear and speak to each other. Sean is looking through some binoculars and notices some of Dante's men arriving at the port.

"Boss check it out, our guys are early" Easton takes the binoculars. Sean turns around and sees Naomi; he cocks his head to the side and smiles.

"Don't you say a word" she warns him.

"I was gonna say you look good as a blonde" Sean wears a smirk. Easton informs Sean that he should be on his way to Dante's home and Sean agrees. Sean grabs Naomi by her arm and pulls her away from everyone. He stays silent for a moment, just staring at her and she stares back.

"Be careful out there, any signs of foul play you abort, got it?" he manages to say.

"Don't worry about me. I'm in it until the end, I got your back Sean." She places her hand gently on his chest. He covers her hand in his, caressing her face with his other hand. "˜Don't get yourself killed Naomi...please don't get yourself killed' Sean thinks to himself. He pulls away and leaves, resisting the urge to say more to her, resisting the urge to look back.

Once in Dante's home Sean places the briefcase full of cash on the table. Dante is more than pleased.

"Good to know I can actually count on someone to come through" Sean knows the comment relates to Cross but thinks nothing of it and doesn't ask either.

"Ready to make some money Roberto?" Dante asks as they walk out the house towards the limousine.

"I'm always ready Mr. Clericuzio" they make their way to the ports. At this time Demetri already spotted the ship on it's way to dock and informs Easton.

"Sean and Dante are on their way as well" Naomi tells Easton.

"Good, everything is on schedule then, Vega, I want you in position before they arrive" Naomi nods and heads towards the boardwalk.


Sean and Dante arrive just in time to see the ship docking. Dante's men get out first and escort both men inside the ship. After Dante inspects and sees everything is in order they exit the ship and meet with some other clients. Sean can see Naomi in the distance stretching by the boardwalk. He tries to focus on the deal Dante and him are closing. The clients are satisfied and agree on a price. Everything Dante and the customer say is recorded and Easton is pleased ~ they finally have some hard proof evidence against Dante that will put him away for a long, long time. Naomi hears the Captain give the order to move in. She slowly begins jogging towards Sean's location. As if in slow motion Naomi sees Dante's men bring someone out of the limousine, she does a double take and realizes it Athena.

"Oh no, Sean they have Athena" Naomi says with panic in her voice. Sean's mind begins to work really fast ~ if they have Athena then Dante knows about Cross, therefore he knows about Sean. He can't afford to panic so he stays calm. Naomi informs Demetri that it might be a set up. Demetri gets ready for the worst. Athena is dragged to where the men are and she gives Sean a helpless look.
Dante yanks her down, so that's she's kneeling on the floor.

"One more thing to care of Roberto and we can call it a day" Dante says with an evil laugh. "You see I thought I could trust Athena here, but I was wrong" he pulls her hair back and Athena screams in pain. Sean puts all his effort in staying calm. "All this time she was fucking around with my own cousin! Weren't you, you whore!" he spits in her face and she glares at him in disgust. Sean stays silent not knowing what to make out of the situation. "Now, what to do with you? What would you do Roberto?" the question Sean had been dreading. Some how Dante suspects about Sean but isn't quite sure, so this is his way of finding out ~ a test of loyalty.

"All units stand by, I repeat stand by" the Captains voice seems to boom in Naomi's ear. "˜This is it' ~ Naomi says to herself.

"I'm moving in" Naomi informs.

"Hold your position Vega" Easton commands. Naomi stops in her tracks, desperate to get to Sean and Athena.

Sean contemplates the situation at hand. Dante wants to kill her no doubt about that; the question is, will he do it right there.

"I would kill the bitch, wouldn't you?" he keep his composure. Dante smiles widely and takes out his gun.

"Your absolutely right." Dante waves the gun in the air and from behind Sean, a forklift appears and two men are carrying a metal barrel. One is holding a blowtorch.

Athena's face looks horrified and tears she's been holding stream down her face.

"Dante please... don't do this." She begs for her life. Her eyes shift to Sean pleading for him to help her.

"Boss?" Demetri says, wanting to moves in as well. Naomi begins to jog towards them again.

"Vega, what are you doing, we haven't been given any orders to move in yet?" Easton questions. Naomi doesn't answer him instead she directs her comment to Sean.

"Sean I'm moving in, simply nod or shake your head, are you ready to end this now?" she reaches for her gun and Sean nods slightly. She looks towards Demetri's way and he nods as well speaking on his communication device.

"It's ON ladies and gentlemen, let's do this" he takes his gun out as well and begins walking towards Sean.

"Damn it Hicks, Vega? Swat team move in NOW!" Easton commands.


To be continued...