“How’s the commander and Dalton?” inquired Ramirez on reaching the group.
“They’ll survive.” Noticing the angry swelling on the side of Ramirez head, Sullivan indicted the woman with a slight nod. “Who is she?”
“She is Comrade Krisztina Evgeny,” replied Krisztina. “And she speaks English.”
“Good to hear,” said Colbert.
“Krisztina is concerned the explosives won’t kill the alien creatures or prevent them from escaping. Apparently, they can liquify their bodies and ooze through small cracks.”
Frowning worriedly, Sullivan refocused on Krisztina. “Is this true?”
“It is. Even if you turn The Kamera into rubble pile, I fear creatures still find way to surface.”
“That’s not good,” stated Sullivan. They had lost two good men on a fruitless exercise.
“However, not all is lost,” continued Ramirez. “Krisztina has come up with a viable plan that I believe will work and guarantee nothing in the facility survives.”
Sullivan turned back to Krisztina for her to explain further.
“Because of dangerous substances worked on before here, which I won’t elaborate on, a failsafe against anything escaping into outside atmosphere was installed. A nuclear device planted beneath lowest level.”
“An atomic bomb!” uttered Richard.
Krisztina ignored the man’s reaction. “Yes. I assume it’s connected to a self-destruct control located in facility somewhere.”
“Not much help if you don’t know where it is, but I’ll inform the commander of your plan and he’ll make the decision.” Sullivan turned to the infirmary door.
“I don’t need your commander’s decision to do anything,” argued Krisztina. “You all trespassing on Russian territory, something my superiors won’t look kindly upon if they find out. No, this is what we will do. We locate self-destruct control, set it off and leave. I assume you have transport to return you to wherever you come from?”
Sullivan nodded.
“Good, you take me along road safe distance, and I wait for my comrades to arrive.”
“Correct me if I’m wrong,” said Ramirez, “but Russian superiors don’t seem to have forgiving natures. Won’t you get into trouble for destroying their secret facility and the alien they wanted captured alive?”
“Why would I get in trouble when I tell my superiors it was Stanislav, head of facility, who now dead, blew it up? Sacrificing his life to stop alien from reaching outside world.”
Ramirez smiled. “Sneaky.”
“Do you know how to operate this self-destruct system if we find it?” enquired Colbert, buttoning up his jacket as he stepped from the infirmary. “I suspect it’s not like in some movies where a conveniently placed large red button is typically pressed to set it off.”
Dalton stepped from the infirmary and eyed up the pretty Russian.
“You heard her plan, then?” asked Sullivan.
Colbert nodded. “And I agree with her. The only way to be certain every part of the creature is obliterated and ensure our mission isn’t a total bust is to nuke it.” He looked at Krisztina while he waited for her to answer.
“Nyet, not exactly. I unaware of bomb until short while before,” explained Krisztina. “Though large red button would be preferable, I imagine it be a little more complicated. I’m assuming there is instruction manual in Stanislav’s office that provide information to activate it and where it is located.”
“Then that’s where we’ll head next,” stated Colbert.
After Krisztina had given directions to Stanislav’s office, Sullivan led them along the corridor.
Mason glanced at the antiquated radio gathering dust in the corner when it crackled into life and spat out a tinny voice speaking Russian.
“Colonel Grigori of strike force Kremlin to Siberia checkpoint 3. Be advised, we will arrive at The Kamera in sixty-three minutes. Request an update on the situation?”
The unmistakable thrump-thrump of spinning rotors barely discernible in the background above a noisy engine, indicated they travelled by helicopter. It wasn’t good news. Mason directed his gaze upon his Russian captive when the man spoke.
“Is best I reply, no?” suggested Sven, concerned he’d be accused of abandoning his post if he didn’t.
As Mason pondered whether he could trust the Russian not to warn the approaching force of the American presence at their secret base, the Russian colonel spoke again.
“Checkpoint Siberia 3, respond,” demanded the colonel.
Mason nodded at Sven and stood. Keeping the man covered with the rifle, he followed him to the antiquated radio.
“I’m surprised it still works,” joked Sven, picking up the bulky handset.
Mason pressed the tip of the rifle barrel against the side of Sven’s head. “You warn them we’re here and it will be the last words you speak. We hope to be gone before your comrades arrive, so except for you, no other Russian will be the wiser. As far as anyone will know, you followed protocol and did everything expected of you. If you force me to kill you, we will take your body with us and drop it in the tundra never to be found. Your comrades will believe you deserted your post, and the shame will fall on your family. Understand?”
Sven nodded enthusiastically. The barrel against his head would have been sufficient to ensure he complied.
“Comrade Sven Kazimir at Checkpoint Siberia 3 to Colonel Grigori, I understand you will arrive shortly. All has remained quiet here since my departure from the facility, and there’s been no activity above ground.”
“Received, Comrade Kazimir. Remain at your post and advise if the situation changes.”
“Da, Colonel.” Sven replaced the handset in its cradle.
“Return to your seat,” ordered Mason.
As Sven crossed to the table, Mason touched a hand to his radio mic. “Eagle 4 to Mother Goose, be advised, hornets ETA one hour. Repeat, hornets will arrive in approximately sixty minutes.”
Outside the facility, Kelly continually scanned the horizon. With no idea if the Russians would arrive by road or air, his gaze focused on the sky for approaching helicopters and then aimed binoculars along the road. The pilot’s gaze switched to the cockpit when Mason spoke over the radio, warning the team the Russians were almost here. Hornets indicated they would be arriving by helicopter.
Frowning from Mason’s message, Colbert replied, “Received and understood, Eagle 4. He then issued orders to Kelly. “Eagle 3 remain on post until advised and prep for a hasty EVAC with possible hurricane on our tail. Estimated safe distance, one click. Expected mission termination is currently thirty minutes, max.”
A little confused by what the American commander had just relayed to his men, Sven looked at the American as he sat opposite. “Your commander is mistaken. No hurricanes forecast this month.”
Mason grinned at the Russian who had no idea hurricane in this context was code for a strong explosive blast. “Us Americans make our own.”
Sven suddenly twigged what the American meant. “Oh.” If it destroyed the alien monster that had killed his comrades, he was all for it. He then had another thought. “How big will be explosion?”
“Big enough that you don’t want to be anywhere close by,” replied Mason. “Does that motorbike outside work?”
Sven nodded.
“When the time comes, you’ll need to ride it like the wind to escape what’s coming.”
Thankful the Americans weren’t going to kill him when their mission was completed, Sven nodded vigorously. “I can do that, and I not mention you Americans were here. I could be punished for being captured if I did.”