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THE TEAM’S GULFSTREAM business jet landed at Vladivostok International Airport in Russia and taxied to the remote hangar on the south side of the field. The massive Antonov AN-225 transport was parked in front of the isolated hangar.
The team quickly disembarked and went inside the hangar where technicians were working to reassemble the two Advanced Flankers. Kruger and Spectre met with Natasha and Anatoly, while Cowboy and Woody wandered through the hangar, inspecting the progress of the crews.
Kruger and Natasha shared a quick hug and kiss. Spectre could tell the couple deeply loved each other, but both were too focused on their respective missions to let their relationship interfere.
“Everything is ready for tomorrow,” Natasha said. “The meeting is set.”
While Natasha and Kruger discussed Kruger’s chat with Director Chapman, Spectre joined Cowboy and Woody as they stood next to one of the jets and watched the crews reattach the wings.
“So, this is how the bologna is made,” Woody commented, gesturing to the partially assembled aircraft as he saw Spectre.
“This is a good team. The jets will be fine,” Spectre said.
“Are you sure? I tried talking to them, but they just ignored me. I don’t think they even speak English!”
“They’re with DARPA,” Spectre said. “And they’ve been instructed not to talk to anyone, just as you were before we left. Everything is strictly need-to-know.”
“I wasn’t going to talk to them about what we’re doing. Just shooting the shit about the airplane.”
Spectre gently grabbed Woody by the shoulder and turned with him to walk away from the jet. Cowboy followed, laughing to himself as he watched the chatty pilot struggle with the concept of not being able to make new friends.
“Come on, Woody,” Spectre said. “Don’t worry about them. Let’s get our bunks set up for the night. We have a big day tomorrow.”
As they started toward the back of the hangar, they suddenly heard someone yelling Natasha’s name behind them. Spectre turned to see Viktor running toward Natasha and Kruger. He couldn’t hear what Viktor told him, but he appeared frantic.
“I’m going to go see what this is about,” Spectre told Woody. “Go ahead without me.”
“Oh, here we go again,” Woody said, shaking his head. “What could go wrong?”
“Relax,” Spectre said with a grin. “You’ll be very popular in Russian prison.”
“That’s what I’m worried about, dude!”
Spectre laughed as he walked toward the side door that Natasha, Kruger, and Viktor exited. He heard shouting in Russian just outside and his smile suddenly vanished. Something very bad was happening.
He slowly opened the door to find a half dozen armed Russian soldiers standing behind a Russian officer. He was angrily saying something to Kruger in what sounded like Russian as Spectre approached.
The soldier standing nearest the officer raised his rifle and pointed it at Spectre as they turned to see him. Spectre held up his hands and said, “Easy there. What’s going on?”
“Who are you?” the officer asked in English.
“I’m just a janitor,” Spectre replied. “Who are you?”
“This is Colonel Miron Ilyech,” Kruger said before turning to the officer. “Did I say that right?”
“Do you think this is a joke?” Colonel Ilyech asked angrily. “I will have you all arrested.”
“You are interfering with an FSB operation, Colonel,” Natasha said in Russian.
“I checked with Moscow, my dear. There is no such operation occurring on my airfield. You are in violation of the law,” he replied in Russian.
“What did he say?” Kruger whispered to Natasha.
“I said you are all under arrest,” Colonel Ilyech replied in English. “Along with everyone in that hangar.”
“Not gonna happen, bub,” Kruger said calmly. “I recommend you get back in your vehicle and pretend you never saw us.”
Colonel Ilyech laughed and then suddenly turned serious as he drew his handgun and pointed it at Kruger. The soldiers all pointed their rifles at Spectre and company in response.
“Do you dare mock me?” he asked. “You are in Russia!”
Kruger slowly raised his hands as Spectre, Natasha and Viktor followed suit.
“Colonel, I implore you,” Viktor said in Russian. “There is a mistake in Moscow. This is an official operation and you are interfering with matters of national security.”
“We will see about that,” Colonel Ilyech replied in Russian.
“Can we do this in English, please?” Kruger asked. “Also, put down your weapon before I take it from you.”
“Your arrogance is laughable,” Colonel Ilyech said as he kept the weapon pointed at Kruger’s forehead.
“I don’t think so, bub,” Kruger said before nodding toward the colonel. “Why don’t you take a look at your chest?”
The colonel’s eyes widened as he looked down to see the red dot of a laser trained on his chest. He looked to his left and saw that the men standing next to him also had them on their foreheads.
Seizing the opportunity, Kruger disarmed the colonel, flipping the gun around as he pointed it at him instead.
“Here’s the deal, bub,” Kruger said as the untargeted guards kept their weapons raised. “You’re outgunned here. By a lot.”
“This is an act of war!” Colonel Ilyech cried.
“Stop talking for a second and let me finish,” Kruger said as he lowered the gun. “This can go one of two ways for you – if you lose the attitude, you and your men walk away with a little more cash in your pockets and the peace of mind of knowing that the world will be a safer place after we finish our operation. Although, you’ll just have to trust us on that one because we won’t tell you what it is.”
“And if I refuse?” Colonel Ilyech asked. “Would you dare start a war with the Russian Federation?”
“Of course not,” Kruger replied. “Because that would never happen. You see, everyone in that building works for me. And I don’t work for anyone. We don’t exist. No one will hear your cries. No one will find your bodies. Your families will never know what happened. Is that what you want?”
“Well, no, but...”
“Dude, he’s offering you money and your life versus death. Are you seriously having trouble making that decision?” Spectre asked.
“I am a man of honor,” Colonel Ilyech replied.
“C’mon out, boys,” Kruger said over his in-ear transmitter.
Moments later, the rest of the team appeared wearing their body armor with their weapons trained on the soldiers. Tuna and Churchill took point while Sledge, Ringo and Dusty emerged from the flanks. Cowboy walked out from the hangar dressed in his armor as well, escorting Anatoly with a large suitcase.
“Tell them to lower their weapons and get on their knees,” Kruger ordered Colonel Ilyech.
The colonel gave the order in Russian and the men did as they were instructed. Anatoly left his escort a few dozen paces behind and handed the suitcase to Kruger.
“One million U.S. dollars to distribute any way you see fit,” Kruger said as he tossed it onto the ground in front of the colonel. “All we ask is for you to peacefully return to wherever you came from and forget you ever saw us.”
Before the colonel could reply, Natasha pulled out her phone and unlocked it. She swiped to a surveillance photo of the colonel’s daughter and bent down to show him.
“Consider carefully before you think of speaking of this to anyone, colonel,” Natasha warned in Russian. “The consequences will be severe.”
“Da,” the colonel replied as he nodded nervously in agreement.
He slowly reached for the handle of the suitcase and looked up at Kruger. “I am sorry to have bothered you. Please have a good evening.”
“Thank you,” Kruger replied. “Good choice.”