CHAPTER 31
"I'm going to call Vysotsky," Nick said. "I'll put it on speaker, but I'd ask everyone to remain quiet. Especially you, Freddie."
As you wish.
It was odd to call up a Russian general, much less the director of Russia's foreign intelligence service. Speaking politely with one of America's principle enemies was something new in Nick's experience.
He's a smoothie, Harker had told him once. You can only trust him so far.
Nick entered Vysotsky's number on his satellite phone. The voice that answered was rough-hewn.
"Da."
"General Vysotsky, this is Nicholas Carter, acting for Director Harker. She has asked me to speak with you and coordinate our mission together."
"Major Carter. I have heard much about you. You and your team are well known here. Major Korov spoke highly of you."
"Arkady Korov was an outstanding officer," Nick said. "He had become a friend."
"Different uniforms are not always a barrier to friendship," Vysotsky said. "Circumstances can create alliances where none existed before."
"As seems to be the case again."
"As in the past, we find ourselves facing a common threat. Did Director Harker explain why I proposed a joint mission? Why I feel it's the best option?"
"She did. Since neither one of us would consider standing down regarding Yun, I agree it's best to avoid any possibility of an incident between us."
"Good. I have spoken with President Orlov and he has given his blessing to the operation. You will be permitted to bring your team and weapons into our airspace. The nearest airbase to our objective is Petropavlosk-Kamchatsky, near Vladivostok."
"One moment, General. Let me pull up a map of the area."
Stephanie tapped on her keyboard. The map appeared.
"We can come in from Misawa Air Force Base in Japan," Nick said. "It's close, about five hundred miles by air."
"Be sure to let me know when you are about to take off," Vysotsky said. "Our air defense forces are efficient."
"Tell me what you have in mind, General. I understand that Colonel Antipov will be in command of your unit. Is that correct?"
Valentina was in Vysotsky's office, listening to the conversation.
"That is correct. She is here with me now. Is your team present at your end?"
"They are."
"Excellent. Valentina, say hello to your sister."
Valentina rolled her eyes. "Sister. You are well?"
Selena hadn't expected to hear Valentina's voice. "I am. And you?"
"It seems we will be seeing each other soon," Valentina said.
"There are things we should talk about," Selena said.
"If you wish. If there's time."
Vysotsky said, "Major Carter, how soon can you be here?"
"Thirty-six hours, tops. Possibly less."
"What is your information on the status of Yun's weapon?"
"We have the target under continuous satellite surveillance," Nick said. "So far, we do not believe the bomb has been brought to the site. Once it's there, we estimate a day to install it on the launch vehicle, then two days to prepare for launch. We still have a little time."
"That agrees with our own estimates. Once you arrive, we will have a detailed joint briefing. Valentina's second-in-command is one of my best officers, Major Vasiliev. He will be in charge of the assault. Colonel Antipov will be in overall command of the mission."
"I don't have a problem with your people being in charge," Nick said, "but we need to discuss it. I'm sure you're aware that clear boundaries of command in an operation like this are critical. If we get into a pissing match, it won't do anyone any good."
"You are direct, Major Carter."
"I would suggest that Major Vasiliev and myself maintain control of our individual units under Colonel Antipov's overall command. I have great respect for your special forces units. I have no doubt Major Vasiliev is a professional, but I am uncomfortable handing over tactical placement of my team to someone I haven't met or worked with in the past."
Valentina looked at Vysotsky as if to say I told you so.
"Very well. We will discuss it once you are here. Inform me when you leave Washington, and again when you are ready to leave Japan. The number you have will reach me anytime of the day or night."
"Will you be conducting the briefing?"
"I wouldn't miss it for anything," Vysotsky said.
CHAPTER 32
The Gulfstream assigned to the Project was down for maintenance. They hitched a ride on a C-17 from Andrews to Misawa Air Force Base in Japan. From there they'd transfer to a smaller plane for the flight to Petropavlosk-Kamchatsky airport in Russia.
Selena did her best to get comfortable on the orange strap bench that passed for seating in the cavernous hold of the plane. She wore a white camouflage uniform with scattered gray and tan colored patterns. In almost any winter environment, she would be invisible. Thermal underwear, gloves, and a balaclava that covered her face in the same camouflage pattern meant she would stay reasonably warm. The outfit kept her comfortable in the hold of the C-17.
Her field pack and a suppressed MP-7 were stored by her feet. A pistol was holstered on her chest and a fighting knife strapped to her thigh. The plane, the boredom of the journey, the pack at her feet, the weapons of death strapped on her body were all too familiar, something she'd gotten used to since she'd joined the Project. Everything was the same as usual.
Except everything had changed.
Selena's mind was in turmoil. The pregnancy tests had been positive. She didn't know why her birth control had failed, but it was a moot point. She wasn't showing, yet. Morning sickness usually started about six weeks in, too soon for any outward indication. She listened to the monotonous drone of the engines and thought about the life growing inside her.
She hadn't told Nick yet. She'd rationalized that she didn't want to distract him before the mission, but the truth was that she didn't know how he was going to handle it. Hell, she wasn't certain how she was going to handle it.
She was thirty-nine years old and set in her ways. A baby meant upheaval. She wasn't even sure she could have a safe pregnancy or bring a child to term. She'd taken serious wounds in the past few years, wounds that had torn up her insides and almost killed her. A round from an AK-47 had taken out one of her ovaries. It was a miracle she could walk, much less conceive.
I have to tell him. After the mission, when we get back.
When she'd been younger, she'd thought about having children. Her drive for personal independence and the fact that she hadn't met anyone she trusted as a potential father of her children had combined to make her put off the decision. As the years passed, she'd thought about it less and less.
That was a luxury she no longer had.
She heard the pitch of the engines change. Nick had been talking with Ronnie. Now he came over and sat down next to her.
"We're in the landing pattern for Misawa," he said. "We'll be on the ground in half an hour."
"I'll be glad to get off this damn bench."
Nick laughed. "All these years, they haven't changed much. You never quite get used to them."
"I'm not looking forward to this," she said.
"Because of Valentina?"
"That's part of it. Maybe even most of it. I don't like the idea that we're not in charge. I trust you. I don't trust her, or the Russians."
"It worked out all right with Korov."
"Yes, but he proved himself to us, didn't he?"
"So has your sister. She saved your butt in Germany. If she hadn't acted in Egypt, we'd all be dead."