“Are we ready to proceed, Taras?” asked Nazarov as he adjusted his peaked cap on his head.
“Yes, sir,” said Taras. “The reanimation protocols have been followed to the letter. He is ready.”
“Okay, then. Let us begin. Everyone, keep out of sight, and do not say a word, or I’ll have you shot.”
Hayes and Gabrielle joined a group of guards standing in the dark behind the thawed tube. Hayes’ professional curiosity got the better of him. He took a step to his right, so he could get a better view of Nazarov while still staying hidden in the shadows.
Nazarov reached over and flipped open a latch holding the case shut. He gently pulled open the tube and stepped back. In a fatherly tone, he said, “Open your eyes, my child.”
Hayes’ heart began to beat faster. He wanted to move closer but knew it would cost him and Gabrielle their lives. Hayes chafed at being close, but not close enough to see the creature.
“That’s it, come to me,” said Nazarov, beckoning with his right hand.
A hulking beast with long, shaggy hair, dressed in an oversized Red Army khaki uniform, took one step, and then another, out of the tube. Water dripped from his uniform, pooling at his feet.
“My child, do you know who I am?” Nazarov asked the creature.
“Father,” croaked the beast. “You are my father.”
“Yes, I am.”
Hayes’ eyes widened. He couldn’t believe what he was witnessing. A creature that had been asleep for more than seventy years was standing less than fifteen meters from him.
“What is your name?” asked Nazarov.
The beast struggled to remember.
“Your name, my son. Can you recall your name?”
“Peter, you called me Peter,” said the hulking soldier.
“Peter, what is the last thing you can remember before your long sleep?”
“You. I remember you talking to my brothers and me.”
Nazarov smiled. “And what did I say?”
“You said you would be back for all of us one day, to seek vengeance on those who betrayed us.”
“That’s correct. Now, Peter, I know you are still tired, but I’m going to show you some of my new comrades in arms. Don’t be alarmed when you meet them, as they are not wearing a soldier’s uniform like you and me.”
The beast nodded its massive head.
“Taras, come here.”
The baldheaded enforcer walked over and stood by Nazarov. His face was devoid of any emotion.
“Peter, this is Taras,” explained Nazarov. “He is one of your father’s most trusted men. You will follow his orders and obey him as you would me. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Father,” replied Peter.
“Very shortly, we will begin to thaw all of your brothers. You will help Taras to bring all of my children into this new world.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Professor Hayes, please come here.”
Hayes broke out in a cold sweat. What could Nazarov possibly want?
“Now, please. Things could turn ugly if I were forced to raise my voice.”
Hayes saw the fear in Gabrielle’s eyes. He took a deep breath to calm himself and walked out of the shadows. As he got closer, he saw that the creature stood at least eight feet tall, with a mix of human and ape-like features. The creature had a prominent brow ridge, a thick square jaw, and long, coarse black hair on its head. It reminded him of a Neanderthal but was far too large to be an early man.
“Peter, this is Professor Hayes; he’s going to assist you and Taras,” said Nazarov.
The hulking creature nodded its head but didn’t say a word.
Nazarov patted Taras on the shoulder. “I’m going to have a word with Mister Hayes. You can introduce some of your team to Peter, and then begin the process of reanimating the rest of my children.”
Taras bowed slightly. “Yes, sir.”
Hayes followed Nazarov. They stopped next to two of Nazarov’s bodyguards. “I suppose you’re curious as to why I’m bothering to use you to help bring my children back to life?” said Nazarov.
Hayes cleared his throat. What did Nazarov mean by his children? “To say I’m puzzled would be to put it mildly.”
“Ever since we first met, I’ve sensed in you a great scientific quest for knowledge. You want to know how these creatures were created. How they were frozen, and how they’re being brought to life after more than seven decades of hibernation, don’t you?”
“Of course, I’m naturally curious. But the answers surely lie in the past. Your grandfather must have used advanced alien technology to create these beings, and then used the same expertise to freeze them for some future endeavor.”
“You are correct on both counts.”
“What I don’t understand is why the Soviets didn’t exploit your grandfather’s technological superiority.”
“Professor, there is so much to pass on, and so little time in which to do it. Join me for dinner in my tent tonight, and bring along Doctor Collins. I’m sure she’d enjoy the stimulating conversation.”
Hayes was confused. If Nazarov was planning on killing them, why was he suddenly being so friendly? “I accept. What time should we come for dinner?”
“I’m not sure right now. It all depends on the reanimation process, and how long that takes. Don’t worry; I’ll send some guards to fetch you.”
“I’ll let Doctor Collins know.”
“Well, now that we’ve got that out of the way, I think it’s time for you to get to work. Taras will show you what to do. I’ll have Miss Collins escorted back to the main tent. She can wait for you there. That is, unless she enjoys removing catheters?”
I don’t think I’m going to enjoy that either, thought Hayes. “Thanks for the heads-up. I’m sure she’d rather wait in the camp.”
Hayes stood and watched as Nazarov, accompanied by his guards, strode off, leaving him even more perplexed than before. Nothing made sense to him. He shook his head and went to speak with Gabrielle. Perhaps she could better understand what was going on. Somehow, Hayes doubted she knew any more than him.