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KRUGER SAT DOWN AT the secure video teleconference station deep inside the Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) in the Command Post at Edwards Air Force Base. He was still jet lagged from the flight, having been awakened from a deep sleep in his room at the High Desert Inn by Coolio with news of the attack on the team.
Ringo sat down next to Kruger and handed him a cup of black coffee. “Where are they?”
“They diverted to Warsaw. Sierra is staying with Sledge and Taylor. The rest of the team is airborne. Just waiting for Cowboy and Tuna to ring in,” Kruger answered.
“What a bloody mess,” the former British Special Air Service commando replied.
The video teleconferencing software suddenly displayed a popup that other users were ready to join. Kruger accepted the requests and was connected to Cowboy on the Gulfstream and Tuna in Lajes.
“Hello, gents,” Ringo said as the connections established.
“Cowboy, what the hell happened?” Kruger asked impatiently, skipping any semblance of pleasantries.
“Taylor was hurt pretty badly,” Cowboy said solemnly. “Sledge is hanging on, but he’s not looking good.”
“What happened specifically?” Kruger asked.
“We were ambushed at the industrial park by the airport. A dump truck tried to T-bone us but Sierra managed to evade it. The second vehicle was hit and rolled into a ditch. Taylor was injured during the crash. Sledge was shot during the ambush. We managed to neutralize the attackers. Six men in total.”
“Who was in the rear vehicle?” Kruger asked.
“Sledge, Taylor, Dusty, and Sparky,” Cowboy answered.
“Shit,” Kruger hissed. “Was Sparky injured?”
“He was knocked unconscious during the crash, but the docs checked him out and said he should be okay. He’s with us now,” Cowboy said.
“Any idea who did it?” Ringo asked.
“Woody said one of the Russian instructors was acting squirrely when we left,” Cowboy answered.
“Does he know which one?” Kruger asked.
“Alexei,” Spectre answered as his head popped into frame over Cowboy’s shoulder. “Hey, Kruger, busy night over here.”
Kruger turned to Ringo. “We need to pick Alexei up and have a chat with him.”
Tuna overheard Kruger and said, “Send someone to pick us up and we can do it. It’s not like we’re going anywhere anytime soon. They’re saying they’re going to have to fly a part in to fix this POS plane.”
Kruger shook his head. “No, you need to stay with the asset. The C-17 will be there in a few hours to pick up the parts to bring here.”
“C’mon, Kruger, we don’t need to sit here to babysit an empty cockpit,” Tuna argued.
“We’re not doing anything until we find out who these people work for and whether the mission has been compromised,” Kruger said.
“You’re not thinking of scrubbing the mission, are you?” Spectre asked.
“All options are on the table at this point,” Ringo answered.
“And then what? What about the threat?” Spectre asked.
“We will pursue other options,” Kruger said. “For now, just focus on getting everyone back to base and do your training as scheduled.”
“Sparky is going to need some time to recover,” Spectre said. “I know the docs said he’s okay, but he doesn’t need to be grappling and shooting guns until he’s 100%.”
“Do whatever you think is best,” Kruger said. “That’s your show.”
“Kruger, what do you want me to tell Director Chapman?” Tuna asked.
Despite Kruger’s authoritative nature, Tuna was still in charge of Project Archangel and technically leading the operation. He had direct reporting responsibility to the Director of Central Intelligence while Ringo reported to the U.K. Secretary of State for Defence. It was part of the new Project Archangel organizational structure since it had become a joint U.S. – U.K. unit.
“Let him know the status of the assets and that we’re working to have two ready. Everything else is on schedule,” Kruger answered.
“And the ambush?”
“You can let him know that we are working on getting our boys treated and then they’ll be back on their way to London,” Ringo answered. “It shouldn’t affect the mission.”
“Any other questions?” Kruger asked.
Kruger waited for a response. When there were no questions, he said, “Okay, then, we’ll figure out who was behind this and come up with a plan of attack from there. Let me know if there are any other changes.”
He ended the video teleconferencing session and turned to Ringo who stood and pushed in his chair.
“I will talk to Natasha and we will find out who did this.”
“Look, Kruger, I know you two are in a relationship and everything, but are we sure this wasn’t done by the people she works with?”
“I’m sure,” Kruger said flatly.
“What does the Russian government even know about this operation?”
“Only what they need to. The only people within the FSB that know about it are Natasha, Viktor, and Anatoly.”
“And there’s no chance their bosses asked questions?”
“Sure, there’s a chance. I doubt it, but there’s a chance.”
“I just question whether the entire mission has been compromised by the Russians. They are not our friends.”
“That’s what I’m going to find out, bub,” Kruger replied. “But until then, we continue as planned.”
“What does Natasha know?” Ringo asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Beyond the acquisition of the assets and the North Korean threat, what does she know?”
“That’s it.”
“You’re sure?”
“What are you getting at, bub?”
Ringo shook his head. “Look, I’m not trying to point fingers, but you’ve known this woman – what – maybe a year? And she’s FSB? I’m sorry, but it just gives one pause to ask questions, especially when the mission goes sideways and good men get hurt.”
Kruger’s jaw clenched as he stood, causing Ringo to step back defensively.
“You’re right,” he said with a soft sigh.
“I am?”
“Yeah, you’re right that I’ve only known Natasha for a year and that what happened tonight is a great reason to stop and ask questions.”
“But?”
“But I trust her. And I’ve been given no reason not to since we met. The Russians have the same intel on North Korea as we do about their EMP program. They reached out diplomatically to help, remember? Just because they don’t know the full plan doesn’t mean they’re not willing to help. Until I see concrete evidence that we’ve been compromised, I’m not pulling the plug on this yet,” Kruger said.
“I am just advising caution,” Ringo replied. “That’s all.”
“And we will be cautious. But unless you’re ready to send a team in country to do this the old-fashioned way, this is the best we have for now. And the clock is ticking.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Ringo said dejectedly. “That may just be our only option.”