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The Mediterranean Sea glittered like diamonds and gems while good Southern Rock music filled the air. Dancers in bathing suits swayed poolside to the sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Greg Allman. A light breeze filtered across the ship and the sun shone in the faces of hundreds of very happy, slightly intoxicated passengers. White-jacketed waiters passed trays of tall, cold drinks with an umbrella and a cherry on top.
Two men sat below the pool on the Promenade deck of the Mediterranean cruise ship and gazed at the Mediterranean Sea. One man was older, short, stocky, and bald while the other man was in his forties, with dark oily hair, well-built but thin and wiry. The younger man had a snake tattooed on his right hand. The inked area was vicious and evil — a lot like the man. Both men were on their third drink.
“Now, this is living,” the first man declared as he gazed at the crystal blue water and clicked his fingers at a waiter who walked by their chaises. The waiter stopped immediately and smiled at the two men, his perfectly white teeth gleamed against his darkened skin. He pulled out his pad, ready for their order.
“Gimme another vodka on the rocks,” the older man barked in deeply accented English. “And be quick about it,” he added with a scowl.
The waiter nodded and glanced at the younger man who shook his head and waved him away with a flick of his hand.
The older man, Vadim, gave Snake an incredulous look. “What’s up, numb nuts? You quit drinkin’ for the day?” He sneered. “You a lightweight? Don’t tell me those assholes hooked me up with a sissy, lightweight boozer.” Vadim shook his head, leaned forward in his chair, and smacked Snake on the hand.
Snake felt his blood pressure jump as a red light flashed before his eyes. He remained calm. “Yeah. I need a clear head for tonight.” He surveyed the distance between his chair and the turn in the Promenade deck. He pointed and said, “That’s the place to do it. There’s no visualization at the turn and we have the metal staircase to block us. No cameras either. No one will see.”
The old man snorted but said nothing and continued to stare at the sea. “Piece of cake, baby play,” he said with a snort as he lifted his glass to his lips, drank deeply, and savored the taste of the clear liquid.
Snake kicked his companion on the foot and said, “Listen to me, old man. I wanna do this right. I’d like to hook a few more assignments like this, particularly at this rate of pay, so I can disappear somewhere forever, maybe to my own private playground.”
“Yeah, no kidding,” Vadim said. “This place ain’t bad though,” he added as he looked around the ship. “I loved the homeland and then New Orleans, but I think I may buy me a big boat and live at sea. I like the feel of it.” He paused for a moment, shut his eyes, and continued, “Yeah, a big old cabin cruiser with a cook... and a butler to round me up some native girls when I get the urge.”
Snake looked over Vadim and shook his head. The man was ugly. He had scars on his face and a long jagged line down his right arm. His left shoulder had obviously encountered several knives and/or bullets, possibly both. He could see the scars running up his arm where his muscle shirt ended. The man also sported the biggest nose he’d ever seen on a human. His face was permanently flushed from vodka and a network of circuitous red veins paraded around his face in angry red patterns.
Snake turned his head away. He figured no one ever looked Vadim in the face. He was too ugly and it was easier not to. He ran his fingers through his oiled black hair and changed the subject. “How do these doctors get all this money? I heard nobody got rich these days practicing medicine.”
Vadim turned, gave him an incredulous look, and snorted, “Ha, are you crazy? Ain’t none of these doctors paid for this cruise. It’s a big, fat reward from Blake Pharmaceutical. The doctors got this trip for free. They act like whores for these drug companies and do anything they ask them to do. They talk up the drugs and prescribe them... even if you don’t need them,” he said in an angry voice.
“Free? Are you kidding me?” Snake asked with a sneer on his face. “These doctors are here for free?”
Vadim rolled his eyes. “You don’t know nuthin’. Yeah, dumbass. Free. They do it all the time in New Orleans. Blake Pharmaceutical paid for this cruise, trust me,” Vadim assured him, as he spat his words at the younger man, an angry edge to his voice. “You know those medical assholes don’t pay for anything.”
Snake felt anger building in his chest, but held his tongue. “Are most of them from the US?” he asked in a neutral voice.
The man looked at him as if he was stupid. “Hell yeah, dude.” The Russian squinted at him and then shaded his eyes with his hand. “Where the hell you from, fool? Are you stupid or what?” Vadim asked. “What have you been doin’? Twiddling your thumbs? Have you done your homework for this assignment?” he asked as his beady, reddened eyes stared at Snake.
Snake’s ears burned in anger. He’d killed people for calling him less. His fingers blanched as he gripped the aluminum rail of his lounge chair. He turned toward Vadim. The look in his eyes was deadly. “I’ve been in Siberia testing sarin gas, asshole. That’s where I’ve been,” he said as his eyes burned into those of his companion.
Vadim cut his eyes toward his almost-empty tumbler of vodka. He could swear the ice cubes melted under the heated gaze of his companion. A few moments passed before he asked, “How’d that go? The testing, I mean, the sarin?”
“Fine, it went good,” Snake said as he gave Vadim a cool stare. “I have a few small canisters with me just in case someone gets in my way.” He rested his cold eyes on Vadim, the threat clearly implied in his voice.
Vadim nodded as his hand tightened around his glass and he looked at the water. I may have to kill this son of a bitch before I get off this boat.
Snake stared at him, but Vadim avoided his eyes. He felt the urge that always got him in trouble. The urge to kill. Better not go there yet; it was too early in the voyage. He willed himself to calm down.
Snake continued to glower at him, but Vadim ignored him and looked out to sea. “The sea sure looks pretty,” he said as he avoided Snake’s angry face.
Snake remained silent and sucked on his ice cubes.
Vadim reached for his shades and stole a look at Snake’s hand as the man grasped the aluminum rail of his lounge chair. The snake eyes on his tattoo rippled over the tendons in his hand. The inked snake looked as angry as Vadim felt. He sat quietly behind his sunglasses and watched as Snake’s anger continued to fester. There was no way the younger man was gonna get in his way during this trip.
Vadim made a decision. After they’d done their work, he’d steer clear of him. He felt the hairs rise on the back of his neck in anger. He was sick of these pieces of shit who thought he was less talented, less able, or less dedicated to the cause just because he was older. He longed for the peaceful days in New Orleans with his daughter and her husband. But of course, she was gone, killed by an ignorant US bitch doctor. He felt a flush overtake his body. He hated doctors. Maybe he’d kill a bunch of them after their main job was over. He felt his face redden with anger as he reflected on the last year. It had been a painful one for him; hence, the overindulgence in alcohol and sometimes the other stuff just seemed to be necessary for him to keep on keepin’ on. A second later, the Russian threw his glass over the side of the ship.
Snake noticed Vadim’s reticence... and his anger. “We got everything straight for tonight? I don’t want there to be any trouble,” he said in a voice that irritated Vadim to his limit. What the hell was this kid doin’ bossing him around? He was far more superior in every way. Why had the bosses put him in charge of the mission and not him?
Vadim nodded and said, “Yeah. All set. Everything’s okay. The plan ain’t changed since we set sail two days ago.”
Snake nodded. “Yeah, okay,” he said as he struggled out of the chaise. “I’ll meet you here tonight an hour and a half after midnight like we talked about, got it? That’s when our target takes his nightly run.” He stood and stared down at Vadim who remained comfortably seated. Snake noted how truly ugly the man was. Not even a mother could love a face like that. He shook his head and wished for next week.
“Yeah, I’ll be there. See you then.” Vadim said as he held the man’s eyes with his. “Remember, I’m in the stairway and you’re in the doorway. No cameras,” he reminded him.
Vadim watched the man depart, and noted the slight limp in his walk. Who the hell was this man and why have they hooked him up with him? Vadim was tired of having these crap partners. But, he said to himself, this is the way this organization works and I can’t complain about the pay. He accepted a fresh vodka and continued to sip his magic liquid and people-watched from his secluded chair on the ship’s deck. He fell asleep and awoke several hours later. Vadim’s “fresh” vodka had collected several gnats. He stood up and stretched. He felt great. This was an easy gig and he got to cruise the Mediterranean as part of the deal. Life was good... even for the bad guys. He picked up the glass and drank the vodka in one gulp. Gnats and all.