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Mirana drives through the streets of L.A., drumming her fingers against the steering wheel as she sips her coffee.
"S.W.A.T. requesting a Hostage and Crisis Negotiator for a 417. Suspected mental illness, be advised, he has a hostage,"
"Show 7-Adam- 08, HCN Cabrera responding," Mirana says into her radio.
"Copy that, attaching you to the call and sending the address to your box. Suspect is a Daniel Rivers, a veteran honourably discharged after two tours"
Once she arrives, Mirana gets out of the car, pulling the vest over her head before clipping it on as the S.W.A.T. team leader runs over to her.
"I assume you've been briefed?" He asks.
"Daniel Rivers, twenty-four," Mirana nods. "Just came back to the States after two tours"
"I hear you're good," The man says as they duck under the barricade.
"That's because I am," Mirana retorts before eyeing the man who is holding a crying woman in his clutches. "Get your men to move the perimeter back"
"What?"
"He thinks he's back in a war zone, alone against the enemy," Mirana says. "Look at him. He's terrified"
As the S.W.A.T. officer begins to give out orders, Mirana places her hands on her head before slowly walking forward. The woman whimpers, her eyes wide and pleading as the man presses the gun against her temple.
"Hi Daniel," Mirana says, keeping her voice soft. "My name's Mirana"
"How do you know my name?"
"Everyone in L.A. knows your name right now Daniel," Mirana says before glancing at the woman. "Who's this?"
"She's collateral damage," Daniel says. "I need to stop them from breaching-"
"Daniel, look at me," Mirana says. "Look into my eyes okay?"
Daniel's gaze shifts from the woman to Mirana, his eyes flickering with a mix of fear and confusion. He hesitates for a moment before reluctantly meeting Mirana's gaze.
"Good," Mirana continues, her voice calm and reassuring. "Now, I need you to listen to me, Daniel. I'm here to help you, okay? But I need you to lower your weapon and let the woman go."
"No, this is the only thing keeping the enemy from attacking!" Daniel snaps.
"Tell me about your tours," Mirana says. "My fiancee did two tours of duty in Iraq & Afghanistan as a United States Army Sergeant"
"I... I was in Iraq," Daniel says. "Saw things... things nobody should have to see."
"I can't even begin to imagine," Mirana says, taking a small step forward. "My fiancee, I know he still struggles to separate this life from the army and he's been out of the army for over a decade. Still wakes up on a set routine, folds his clothes a certain way, follows orders to the literal meaning of their words. So you must be really struggling right now. You're on edge, scared that someone's out to hurt you"
