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6

'WHERE ARE THE BOMBS? WHERE ARE THE GUNS?'

The two helicopters hovered above Auckland, south of the mansion, as dawn eased its way over the city. They were filled with armed police officers trained to hunt down and, if need be, kill terrorists. They were the most highly trained civilian force New Zealand had to offer.

Today, 20 January, they had a criminal to catch. They had been awake most of the night, repeatedly running through a detailed briefing about the risk faced from Kim Dotcom.

This Dotcom was no ordinary criminal, they were told. This Dotcom, he enjoyed a gangster lifestyle. There was a DOOMSDAY device carried on his person at all times, which could (they were told) instantly destroy every piece of evidence of his criminal wrong-doing anywhere in the world.

He was violent, they were told. He liked guns and had lots of money with which he could buy lots of guns. There was an issue with impulse control — someone had been recently attacked showing he was ready, at any time, to lash out. Be careful, they were told. There is a gun-crazy, actively violent, gangsta-style German in the mansion who needs taking down.

There was a plan. Helicopters in, then ground team assault. Civilian clothes okay — one senior officer in uniform will come marching up behind. Ambulances on standby. The radio designation for the

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