World War III

by Heath Jannusch

  “I’m just going to Mason’s,” laughed Lex. “I’ll see you soon.” He turned, jumped into the Hummer, with Jillian sitting next to him and Jesse riding in the back with Tyler.

  “And tell my wife I’ll be home late,” Mason shouted, as the Hummer sped away.

  The Hummer skidded to a stop in front of the jailhouse and Jesse, Jillian and Tyler all climbed out.

  “Cole should have the keys,” said Lex, nodding toward the door. “Tell him you’re with me.”

  “Thanks,” said Jesse, as Lex drove away, headed for the abandoned house where Mason and Savannah had taken up residence since arriving in Clearview.

  Hiding in the shadows beneath the steps of the Shady Lady across the street, the Russians watched, as the passengers unloaded and Lex drove off.

  “Look,” whispered Yuri, pointing at the Hummer’s government license plate. “Let’s go!”

  Yuri and Sasha stood up and sprinted after the vehicle, dodging in and out of shadows, as they followed it down Main Street. “Hurry,” hissed Yuri, when the Hummer turned left onto a residential street.

  “Who goes there?” bellowed Sheriff Garrett, as he stepped out of the dark, a bottle of vodka gripped in his hand.

  Without missing a beat, Yuri withdrew a knife and slashed the large, burly man’s throat. The Sheriff dropped the bottle and grasped the slit in his neck, as Yuri plunged the knife deep into his plump belly. He twisted the blade and watched, as life drained out of the man’s eyes.

  “Want a drink comrade?” asked Sasha, handing Yuri the bottle he’d caught, as it fell from the Sheriff’s lifeless hand.

  “Get rid of the body,” whispered Yuri, glancing around to see if anyone had seen the encounter.

  Sasha quickly dragged the Sheriff into an alley and deposited his body behind a dumpster. He took a swig from the bottle of vodka and spat the contents onto the ground. “American’s don’t know good vodka,” he hissed, tossing the bottle in the dumpster.

  When Yuri and Sasha reached the road where the Hummer had turned, they followed it into a quiet neighborhood. Spreading out, they began searching for the vehicle.

  Lex pulled into Mason’s driveway and knocked on the front door.

  “Lex!” gasped Savannah, opening the door wide. “You’re back! And Cleo?”

  “She’s here with me,” smiled Lex, as Savannah wrapped her arms around him.

  “Did you find your mother?”

  “Yes we did,” replied Lex, returning her hug. “She’s here too.”

  “There!” whispered Sasha, pointing to the Hummer, parked in front of a quaint house.

  Yuri nodded and they quickly crouched behind some bushes. They were too far away to hear the conversation, but could see Lex and Savannah hugging.

  “When did you arrive?” asked Savannah.

  “A few minutes ago. Shiloh and your husband found us up in the mountains. We drove into town together.”

  “Where is Michael?”

  “He asked me to tell ya he was gonna to be late,” said Lex. “Apparently there’s been a jail break. Some Russian POW’s, as I understand it. A search party found some tracks and everybody’s headed out that way. Mason told me he had some night vision goggles and other equipment that might be useful stored in the basement. I’m supposed to get the supplies and meet up with the rest of them.”

  “Not before you’ve eaten a nice hot meal,” said Savannah, pulling Lex into the house.

  “I really should join the rest of them,” countered Lex, as he was dragged inside.

  The dining room table was laid out with a feast fit to feed a king. And the candles in the center of the table, created a romantic ambiance.

  “Forgive me,” said Savannah, noticing the expression on Lex’s face. “I was planning a surprise evening with my husband, but I guess that isn’t going to happen. But, there’s no point in all of this hard work going to waist, especially since you’ve just gotten back. I think you deserve a nice hot meal. The rest of them will get along just fine without you for a little while,” she added, as if reading his mind. Savannah guided him into a seat at the head of the table, where she’d placed a plate and utensils for Mason. “I hope you like Steak,” she said, hurrying into the kitchen.

  “Do you think it’s him,” asked Sasha, as he and Yuri peered through the living room window.

  “It must be,” said Yuri, watching as Savannah poured Lex a glass of wine. “Let’s go!”

  “Do you mind if I load some of the supplies into the Hummer, while you finish with dinner?” asked Lex, not wanting to offend Savannah, but feeling like he shouldn’t stay long.

  “I suppose if you must,” she called from the kitchen. “But hurry, dinner won’t be long. How do you like your steak cooked?”

  “Medium, please,” said Lex, as he opened the door to the basement and descended the steps. When he reached the bottom of the staircase he flipped the lights on and was surprised by what he found. Mason was exaggerating when he said a ‘few other supplies’. The basement was stockpiled, as if he’d been preparing for World War III.

  “It must be him,” said Sasha, as he and Yuri watched Lex through a basement window.

  Lex quickly found the night vision goggles and loaded them into a crate. He picked up the crate and turned to leave, when the lights suddenly went dark.

  “Hello? Savannah, is that you?”

  Lex peered into the darkness, as hairs on the back of his neck stood erect. He’d learned long ago to trust his instincts, and he had a gut feeling something was wrong. Although he couldn’t see or hear anything, he felt sure he wasn’t alone. He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, gripping the crate tight in his hands. “Who are you and what do you want?”

  When no answer came, Lex stepped forward into the dark. He suddenly caught a flicker of movement from the corner of his eye, as someone moved in the shadows. He crouched low and began to wish he’d brought his gun downstairs with him. When the attack came, it came from behind. Spinning on the balls of his feet, Lex swung the crate around and brought it down hard on his assailant’s head.

  The crate shattered from the impact and he felt the sharp sting of a blade, as the man slashed a knife across his chest. He quickly grabbed the unknown assailant’s wrist and the two of them rolled to the ground, wrestling for the knife.

  The lights suddenly came on and Lex could see his attacker. Sasha grinned at him and tried to jab the knife into his stomach, but Lex rolled away and out of reach. He sprang to his feet and stomped on Sasha’s wrist. The Russian screamed in agony and released his grip on the knife. Lex quickly jumped on top of the soldier, pinning him to the concrete floor. He grabbed the knife and was about to end the Russian’s life, when a voice from the shadows stopped him.

  “I would not do that if I were you,” said Yuri, holding a gun to Savannah’s head.

  Lex froze where he was and peered into the shadows, searching for the man whose voice he’d heard.

  Yuri stepped forward, using Savannah as a body shield. Her hands were tied behind her back and a gag had been taped over her mouth.

  Lex stood up slowly, releasing his grip on Sasha.

  “Good,” said Yuri, “very good. Now, drop the knife and kick it over here.”

  Lex could see the wide-eyed fear in Savannah’s eyes, as he did as instructed.

  Sasha scrambled to his feet and retrieved the knife from the floor at Lex’s feet. He grabbed Lex by the shirt and with an evil grin, pressed the knife to his throat. He was about to kill Lex, when Yuri stopped him.

  “No Sasha! Do not kill him yet, we still need him alive.”

  Anger flashed in Sasha’s eyes and for a brief moment, it appeared as though he would disobey the order.

  “Lieutenant Sasha Razin, you will not kill him until I say you can!” Yuri was no longer pointing his gun at Savannah, but instead at Sasha. “I will not repeat the order.”

  Sasha slowly lowered the knife and tied Lex’s hands behind his back, before forcing him toward the stairs. When th
ey reached the top of the staircase, Lex was forced into a chair at the end of the table, directly across from Savannah. He watched helplessly, as Sasha stood behind her and pressed the blade of his knife to her throat.

  Yuri joined Lex at the table and sat down next to him. “Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Captain Yuri Petrov and you, Michael Mason, are an agent for the Central Intelligence Agency, code named Condor. Is that correct?”

  “No,” hissed Lex, struggling with the rope tied around his wrists. “You’ve got the wrong man!”

  “Of course that’s what you’d say,” said Yuri. “You’re a hard man to find Mr. Mason.”

  “Apparently not hard enough,” replied Lex. “And like I said, I’m not Mason. What’s this all about anyway?”

  “Straight to the point,” smiled Yuri. “I like that.”

  “Listen to me you communist bastard, if you hurt Savannah I’m gonna kill ya, slowly, very slowly.”

  “Ah, I see,” said Yuri, “and if I do not hurt her, will you cooperate?”

  “No,” replied Lex, “but I’ll kill you fast instead of slow.”

  A roar of laughter erupted from both Yuri and Sasha.

  “I like your spirit, I really do,” said Yuri. “But, unfortunately I don’t have much time. So, here is what we are going do. Every time you lie to me, I will have my comrade cut you. The Triads use this form of torture in Asia, are you familiar with it?”

  When Lex didn’t answer, Yuri continued. “The Triads would cut an enemy over a thousand times, avoiding any major arteries, so as to keep the victim alive as long as possible. Sasha here is an expert in such methods.”

  “Go to hell!” spat Lex.

  “Oh no my friend, it is you who are visiting hell tonight. Sasha…”

  Sasha walked over to Lex and slid the blade of his knife across his arm, leaving behind a thin trail of blood.

  “You’ve just experienced your first cut Mr. Mason,” said Yuri. “How many cuts you must endure is entirely up to you. Now, where is the information you stole from the United Nations office in Geneva?”

  “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about!”

  “I don’t believe you Mr. Mason.”

  Lex shook his head in frustration and anger. He wanted so badly to kill these men, but lacked the means with which to do it. “I’m gonna kill you,” he hissed. “Especially you!” he added, looking straight into Sasha’s eyes.

  “Yes, yes,” said Yuri. “I know how very much you want to be free right now. Oh yes, I can see the rage in your eyes. This can all end right now, it’s up to you Mr. Mason. Where have you hidden the stolen information?”

  When Lex didn’t answer Yuri raised his hand, signaling Sasha to make another cut. He poured himself a glass of the wine and began eating the food Savannah had prepared, as Sasha went to work.

  “This is good,” said Yuri, as he sliced the steak and took another bite. He ate some asparagus and began playing with his twice baked potatoes. After taking a few more bites, he pushed the plate away. “Now,” he said, pouring himself another glass of wine, “onto business. You are a secret agent of the Central Intelligence Agency, are you not?”

  “No, I’m not,” said Lex.

  "Don’t lie to me!” screamed Yuri, slamming his fist down on the table. “You are a government agent! And your codename is Condor. This is all information we already possess. If you lie again, I’ll have my comrade remove one of your wife’s fingers.”

  “She’s not my wife!”

  Sasha grabbed Savannah’s hand and forced it onto the table in front of her. He pressed his knife against her thumb and grinned at Lex.

  “Just think,” said Yuri, smiling at Lex, “how bad your wife’s cooking will become when she’s missing her thumb.”

  “No!” said Lex, struggling to free himself.

  Yuri raised his hand, signaling Sasha to wait. “You have something to say?”

  “I don’t know what you want from me?”

  “I want the information you stole,” said Yuri, “and the names of everyone who’s seen it?”

  “What information?”

  Yuri finished his glass of wine and stood up. He grabbed the steak knife he’d used to cut his steak and sliced open Lex’s shirt. He pressed the blade to his chest and dragged it from his shoulder to his stomach. He then repeated the process, but in the opposite direction, drawing an X on his chest. “You will talk!” he screamed, when Lex grimaced, but made no sound.

  “Screw you!” hissed Lex.

  “Where did you hide the information?” asked Yuri, removing one of Lex’s fingernails. When Lex didn’t respond, he removed another and another. The torture continued for over an hour, but with little effect.

  “Nothing,” said Sasha, after he’d finished searching the house.

  “Why don’t you tell me what I want to know and end you suffering?” asked Yuri, as he pressed salt into the open cuts on Lex’s body.

  Lex stared up into his captor’s face and smiled, “Piss off!”

  “You’re tough,” admitted Yuri, “but not tough enough. Of that I assure you!”

  “Someone’s coming,” said Sasha, as headlights flashed across the ceiling. “Just kill him!”

  “We can’t,” said Yuri, “we need the information.”

  “He isn’t going to break,” hissed Sasha.

  “Everyone breaks,” said Yuri, “it’s just a matter of time. Secure her in the basement,” he added, glancing at Savannah.

  Sasha quickly did as instructed and returned with two sets of keys. “Look,” he said, holding up the keys. “I found snowmobiles parked out back.”

  “Good,” agreed Yuri, as he sliced the ropes securing Lex to the chair and forced a gag into his mouth. “Take the supplies and meet me out back,” he instructed, tying Lex’s hands behind his back, as someone pounded loudly on the front door.

  The Russians found a sled next to the snowmobiles and while Sasha tied the sled to one of the vehicles, Yuri stuck a syringe into Lex’s neck and tied him to the sled.

  Lex’s vision turned blurry, before everything went black.

  When no one answered, Mason kicked the door open. Although he had the key, the door was bolted from the inside. “Hello?” he called, as he entered the house, gripping his gun in his hand. Shiloh, Cleo and Ian followed, all with guns drawn and ready to fire.

  Mason glanced at the dining room table and the candles burning low. He frowned, realizing that his wife had planned something special and once again, he’d ruined it all. “Savannah? Lex?”

  “Are you sure they’re here?” asked Ian.

  “The Hummer’s parked out front,” said Cleo.

  “I’ll check downstairs,” said Shiloh, opening the door to the basement. Ian followed him down the stairs, where they found Savannah, bound and gagged.

  “Mason, down here!” shouted Ian, as he checked the remainder of the basement.

  “What happened?” asked Shiloh, removing her gag and cutting the rope binding her wrists.

  “They took him,” gasped Savannah, when her mouth was free.

  “Took who?” asked Cleo, descending the steps behind Mason.

  “Lex,” cried Savannah. “They tortured him because they thought he was…” she hesitated, glancing at Mason and unsure of what to say.

  “They thought he was what?” asked Ian.

  “They thought he was me,” said Mason, finishing his wife’s statement.

  “Why would they want you?” asked Ian.

  “Because I have something they want,” explained Mason.

  “Like what?”

  “Information,” answered Mason, wrapping his arms around Savannah. “It’s going to be okay,” he whispered, softly into her ear.

  “How could they confuse you and Lex?” asked Shiloh. “It’s not like the two of you look alike.”

  “No,” agreed Mason. “They probably don’t know what I look like.”

  “They called him Condor,” offered Savannah, rubbing her wrists where the
ropes had been.

  Mason glanced at Cleo and noticed a single tear run down her cheek. “It’s going to be okay,” he assured her. “We’ll get him back.”

  “I don’t understand,” said Ian. “Why are they after you?”

  “Because I used to be a covert agent for the C.I.A. and they want the Intel Cleo and I acquired on our last mission.”

  “And by acquired, you mean stole, right?”

  “Something like that,” admitted Mason.

  “What are they going to do to Lex when they realize he’s not you?” asked Shiloh.

  “Kill him.” Cleo whispered the words so softly they were barely audible.

  “That’s not going to happen,” said Mason. “How long ago did they leave?”

  “Only a few minutes,” said Savannah. “I think they took the snowmobiles.”

  Mason grabbed a set of keys dangling from a rack by the stairs and said, “I’ll get him back.” He turned and ran up the stairs, followed by Shiloh, Cleo, Ian and Savannah.

  Mason opened the backdoor, leading to the last remaining snowmobile and was greeted with a barrage of gunfire. Splinters of wood slashed his face, as he fell backward and into the kitchen. “They’ve got us pinned down!” he screamed, as dozens of rounds riddled the house.

  “Who does?” asked Ian, still confused by what was happening.

  *******

  “It’s not him,” said Bruno Salvador, speaking into the handheld radio, as he watched Lex and Savannah embrace one another before entering the house.

  “Hold your fire,” instructed Snake Eyes. “Mason is the target.”

  Snake Eyes was surprised when he received a call directly from President Hamilton, asking him to find Mason and retrieve the stolen Intel. This mission was already his top priority, but with the Commander and Chief in his pocket, he suddenly found limitless means at his disposal. “Get your men into position,” he added, speaking to Lt. Gardner, standing beside him.

  In addition to bringing Bruno Salvador, Snake Eyes had also requested three Special Forces units, each comprising of a dozen highly trained soldiers. The man power he now commanded should be more than enough to subdue one rouge agent.

  “Yes sir,” said Lt. Gardner, turning and signaling for his men to disburse. They immediately disappeared, fading into the night.