Hostage (Bodyguard #1)(15)
The next image on the screen showed a restaurant scene. A family of four sat at a table surrounded by other diners.
‘So where are the bodyguards in this picture, Connor?’
Connor searched the image for clues. ‘The obvious one is the big man in the suit standing by the window, but you just said it can’t be him.’
‘Correct. He’s the restaurant’s doorman. The actual protection team is here.’ The colonel shone a laser pointer at a couple having a seemingly romantic meal. ‘And also here.’ The red beam now shone on the young girl at the family table. ‘She’s one of our buddyguards. And that’s why you’ve all been chosen. To blend into the background. To become the unassuming friend. By not drawing attention to your Principal, you reduce the risk of making them a target.’
‘So why do celebrities always use the Hollywood type?’ asked Connor.
‘As a deterrent,’ replied the colonel, picking up a coffee mug and taking a sip. ‘If the Principal is a film star, for example, high-profile protection will keep any fanatical followers at bay. And, in these cases, generally the bigger and uglier the bodyguard appears, the easier it is for them to do their job.’
‘Makes Jason perfect for the role!’ remarked Ling out of the corner of her mouth.
Jason flicked his pen lid at her. ‘Careful I don’t step on you, mini-mouse!’
She caught the lid in mid-air without looking. ‘You’ll have to be quicker than that to get me.’
‘Ling!’ barked the colonel, bringing a swift end to the frivolity. ‘I realize Alpha team knows much of this already, but this session is designed to bring Connor up to speed and the revision is beneficial for you too. So tell me, what’s the key to effective security as a bodyguard?’
‘Constant awareness,’ Ling replied, her expression turning studious.
The colonel slammed his palm on the lectern. Amir almost leapt from his chair in fright at the sudden noise.
‘What did Ling just say, Amir?’
‘Erm … constant … awareness,’ he replied, stifling a yawn. The combination of working late and rising early had clearly taken its toll.
‘And you’d do well to remember that,’ warned the colonel. ‘If you’re aware, you’re less likely to be taken by surprise. And that could mean the difference between life and death for both you and your Principal.’
‘Yes, sir,’ said Amir, sitting up straight.
‘Now explain the relevance of the Cooper Colour Code.’
Amir swivelled in his chair to face Connor. ‘According to Marine Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Cooper, the most important means of surviving a lethal confrontation isn’t a weapon or martial arts skills but the correct combat mindset. He identified four levels of awareness – White, Yellow, Orange and Red. Code White means being totally switched off. This is where ninety-five per cent of people spend ninety-five per cent of their time – living in their own bubble. Like when you’re on a mobile phone and you cross the road without looking.’
Connor nodded, having been guilty of this himself many a time and once almost getting run over.
‘Code White is no place for a bodyguard to be,’ emphasized the colonel. ‘If you’re suddenly attacked, you’ll get a massive surge of adrenalin that your body won’t be able to cope with. It’ll trigger a state of fight, flight or freeze. This sensory overload will hinder you from protecting your Principal, who’s probably in the same state of shock. You need to be thinking straight, making lightning-fast decisions and taking the appropriate actions to get your Principal out of danger.’
The colonel’s steely grey eyes fixed on Marc. ‘So, what state of mind should a bodyguard always be in?’
‘Code Yellow – relaxed alertness,’ replied Marc. ‘There’s no specific threat, but you’re aware that the world’s a dangerous place and you’re prepared to defend yourself and your Principal, if necessary. You use all your senses to scan the surroundings in a relaxed yet alert manner.’
‘What’s the problem with Code Yellow, Jason?’
Jason looked up from his laptop. Tapping his pen on the lecture chair’s writing tablet, he thought for a moment. ‘Erm … while it’s simple enough to “switch-on” and become alert, the difficulty is in maintaining that state. You can easily drift back into Code White without even realizing it.’
The colonel raised his eyebrows pointedly at Amir to ensure he got the message. ‘But with practice you can “live” in Code Yellow on an indefinite basis. Now, Charley, explain to Connor the last two states of awareness.’
‘Code Orange is a specific alert. Having noticed a potential threat, you evaluate your choices. Run, fight or wait and see, depending on how the situation develops,’ she explained fluidly. ‘Code Red is the trigger. The threat has escalated into a hazardous situation. Having made your decisions in Code Orange, you’re now acting on them.’
‘Exactly,’ said Colonel Black, pleased with her response. ‘You haven’t jumped from Code White to Code Red in a single leap, resulting in potential “brain-fade”. Since your mindset is already in a heightened state of awareness, your body can handle the rush of adrenalin. This means you can run faster, hit harder, think quicker and jump higher than you could seconds before.’