"It was terribly risky, maybe even hopeless. But one or two properly-armed, well-trained soldiers could hold off an undisciplined mob indefinitely.  Shughart and Gordon were experts at killing and staying alive.  They were serious, career soldiers, trained to get hard, ugly things done.  They saw opportunity where others could see only danger.  Like the other operators, they prided themselves on staying cool and effective even in extreme danger.  They lived and trained endlessly for moments like this.  If there were a chance to succeed, these two believed they would."