Savvin did the math in his head: they were dealing with a circular area of about three square kilometers. He had hoped for a more accurate position, but it was better than what they’d been working with, not knowing which direction Kalinin and O’Connor had headed after leaving the helicopter wreck. They would cordon off the area quickly, then contract toward the center.
“Employ all available men,” Savvin ordered. “Don’t let them slip through the perimeter.”
56
KRASNODAR KRAI, RUSSIA
Harrison’s RHIB was in the lead as they headed toward shore. The SEALs in both RHIBs had shed their scuba gear and donned bulletproof tactical vests, camouflaged rain jackets and pants pulled from their backpacks, plus helmets with built-in communications and attached night vision goggles. As Harrison scanned the dark horizon, cliffs appeared in the distance. Maydwell identified their insertion point — a gap in the bluffs — and adjusted course. Just before reaching shore, he shifted the engine to neutral.
The RHIBs coasted to a halt as they ground onto the pebble-sand beach. The SEALs slid into the water and hauled the boats across the beach into the foliage. After hiding the RHIBs, they retrieved their M4 carbines with attached suppressors, which were loaded with subsonic ammunition to reduce the discharge noise. Harrison then led the squad up the slope into the forest.
After the day-long rain, the ground was soft and their boots sank into the mud in spots, slowing their progress. The two fire teams spread out, remaining within visual distance of each other, with Harrison leading one team and Senior Chief Stone the other. They had approached to within a half-mile of Kalinin and Christine’s position when Stone stopped, then spoke into his headset.
“Movement ahead.”
Harrison halted the squad and scanned the forest through his night vision goggles. In the distance, an armed soldier was moving in the same direction as the SEALs. To the left was another man and to the right, a third, the spacing about twenty feet.
Somehow the Russians had located Kalinin and Christine and were tightening the noose. After conferring with Stone, Harrison decided to punch through the Russian perimeter and advance quickly, reaching Kalinin and Christine before the Russians did. Stone brought his M4 carbine to bear on the closest soldier while the snipers in each team, Mendelson and Rosenberry, took aim on the soldiers on either side. Harrison gave the signal and they fired three rounds into each man, the sound of the suppressed shots masked somewhat by the heavy rain.
The three soldiers fell to the ground and the SEALs surged forward, collapsing into a single column to minimize the possibility they’d be spotted by additional Russians on either side. Harrison passed over the middle soldier, immobile and facedown in the mud. The other SEALs passed through the Russian perimeter, undetected in the darkness. Once inside the ring of Russian soldiers, the SEALs spread out again.
As they quickly covered the remaining ground, Rodrigues’s voice came over Harrison’s headset. “Over here. A cabin.”
The eight SEALs converged on the cabin. A stream of rainwater ran down the hillside, through the cabin’s entrance. Harrison signaled for a three-man entry, selecting Mendelson and Brown. The three men lined up along one side of the doorway, while Maydwell moved to the other side and Senior Chief Stone’s fire team turned outward, guarding against the arrival of Russian troops.
Harrison held up his fingers, counting down the time, then the three men burst inside, Harrison straight ahead, then Mendelson and Brown to each side.
The cabin was empty except for two individuals in a corner. The three SEALs brought their weapons to bear on them. Neither person moved.
Harrison lifted his night vision goggles and illuminated the two persons with a green flashlight, identifying Kalinin and Christine.
“We don’t have much time,” Harrison said. “Russian soldiers will be here soon.” To Kalinin, he asked, “How much assistance do you need to travel?” He glanced at Kalinin’s legs, which were extended in front of him, his right pants leg pulled up and his shoelace loosened.
“With one man’s help, I can hobble. But if we have to travel quickly, I will need full assistance.”
“Brown, Mendelson. Carry him.”
The two SEALs helped Kalinin to his feet, each man wrapping one of Kalinin’s arms around his shoulders. Kalinin was a tall man, six feet, but when the two SEALs stood fully upright, Kalinin’s feet dangled a few inches above the ground.
“That’ll do,” Harrison said.
Christine pushed herself to her feet, moving close to Harrison. “It’s good to see you,” she said.
Harrison didn’t reply. There’d be time to talk later. He turned off the light and replaced his night vision goggles, noticing that Christine was also donning a set she’d somehow obtained. She slung a backpack over one shoulder and he spotted a pistol in her hand, without a silencer.
“Don’t shoot unless we’re fired on first.”
Christine replied, “I’m not stupid, Jake.”
Harrison was going to explain that he was just making sure, then decided to drop it.
After the three SEALs emerged from the cabin with Kalinin and Christine, Harrison decided to head back out the same direction they’d come, hoping the Russians hadn’t discovered the gap in their formation.
Harrison led the way again as the SEALs formed a single file, with Kalinin and Christine in the middle. They had traveled only fifty yards before Harrison saw movement ahead. The spacing between the Russian soldiers was now only a dozen feet and there was no longer a gap. They were also advancing more cautiously, continuing to contract their spacing. Harrison ordered the SEALs to stop and cover, and the SEALs dropped down into the foliage as Harrison conferred with Senior Chief Stone.
Stone recommended they hunker down and take their chances as the Russians passed by. If they were discovered, they’d take out the nearest soldiers, then bolt toward the coast. Kalinin was going to be a problem, though. Mendelson and Brown couldn’t travel very fast with Kalinin dangling between them.
After Harrison informed the squad of the plan, he contacted the larger of the two SEALs carrying Kalinin. “Mendelson. Carry Kalinin on your back.”
Mendelson shrugged out of his backpack and handed his firearm to Brown, then explained the piggyback plan to Kalinin. Harrison then terminated audible communications until further notice; the Russians were almost within earshot. He signaled down the line, assigning each SEAL except Mendelson to an approaching soldier.
As the Russians continued their advance, Harrison kept his M4 trained on the nearest soldier, watching the man’s head. It moved slowly back and forth across the forest until it froze, looking directly at Harrison. The Russian swung his rifle toward him but Harrison fired first. The soldier went down and the other SEALs engaged, killing six more men, three on each side.
Harrison gave the order and the SEAL formation bolted forward, passing through the gap, with Christine in the middle and Kalinin on Mendelson’s back. There was a commotion on both sides and bullets whizzed through the foliage. Harrison remained low and checked on Mendelson’s speed, reducing his so as to not outpace him. Maydwell was the last in line, and behind him, the Russians were converging in a V formation, gaining ground. Mendelson was doing well, but the unencumbered Russians were traveling faster.
Mendelson’s slower pace gave Maydwell the opportunity to stop and fire on occasion. He dropped several Russians, but the others kept coming, their pace unabated. During one exchange, Maydwell took a bullet in his thigh and he stumbled to the ground. Rodrigues lent a hand, and the two men continued on while Rosenberry dropped to the rear to provide cover. It wasn’t long before Rosenberry was struck by three bullets: two were stopped by his bulletproof vest and a third dug into his left shoulder. Fortunately, Rosenberry was right-handed and his aim was unaffected.