the chopper on the roof and radioed instructions to the pilot who was next up to fly. Then he dispatched the cycle squad to back up the stranded patrol unit. He flipped another switch to elevate the ramp.

The eleventh floor of VAMP headquarters was nicknamed "Snake Eyes". There was a corridor on Snake Eyes that ran the length of the building. On the west end of the corridor there was a sliding metal door that opened to the air one hundred and fifty feet above Grand Avenue. The corridor lined up with both Wilshire Boulevard and the hydraulic ramp that Bailey had just locked into position on the other side of the intersection. Six leather-clad men on motorcycles revved their engines and raced full speed down the corridor, single file, and out the opening towards the ramp. One after another they landed, descended the ramp, hit the street and speeded past the open fence on their way to save their friends at 6th and Alvarado. High above and slightly ahead of them the chopper flew, fully armed with Ramirez's finger on the trigger.

Inside the disabled patrol vehicle the three officers watched the bright red dot on the map get closer to their location. Bailey's voice came over the radio.

"Bad news is that Nevindoss is about a block away."

"We can see that," Duvall said sharply. "Give me some good news."

"Help is on the way. The Cycle Squad just left the building. ETA five minutes. Just try to hold on."

14