by Mark Spaid
“What can you do?” She asked.
“Little Wolf, when I was digging around did you feel anything?”
“No.”
“Alright, I’m going in again and if you feel any sensation, tell me.”
“Okay, get going with it.” Dave started up again moving left to right to try and find the path.
“Oh,” Little Wolf moaned. “I felt that.”
“Okay,” Dave said and probed with the tweezers until he felt something. He tried to grab it but it kept slipping away. Then one more time and he had it. Slowly he pulled the tweezers out and there it was and it was a big one and in one piece so there were no fragments. He laid the tweezers on the table, sighed deeply and shook his head.
“Well,” Little Wolf said.
“That’s it.” Jozette was relived and Little Wolf let out a groan of satisfaction. Dave sewed up the wound, doused it with whiskey then bandaged it up. He gave Little Wolf four painkillers. Jozette grabbed Dave’s arm and looked at him with wet eyes.
“Thanks, Dave,” she said with a trembling voice and he winked.
“You thank me now just wait until you get the bill.” Jozette smiled as she wiped Little Wolf’s brow. Dave found a chair and sat down to rest and recover emotionally. He wasn’t a surgeon or a doctor or anything actually. He was a trained EMT and that’s all. Whenever the group was in trouble and they needed a medical person they turned to Dave. He didn’t look forward to playing doctor but he had many times and would do so again in the future if necessary.
“How are you, Madam President?” Bonnie asked.
“I’m fine, Bonnie, my concern is with the people who’ve been shot and those people who are out there risking their lives to keep the heads of state safe.”
“I know, Ma’am.”
“President Deniken, when will your security forces arrive?” Ellen asked.
“Unknown, Madam President. Soon I hope.” Ellen turned to Bonnie who shrugged her shoulders.
“I wonder if Valerie tried to get back to Washington,” Ellen posed.
“I hope so,” Bonnie said.
“Henry and Andrew could’ve worked something out. How many secret service agents were back at the hotel?”
“Three or four, I’m not sure.”
“That’s not enough. Trent was right, I should never have come here with the scant security we had.”
“He usually is right but hopefully we can get you back to Washington safely.”
“That’s not important to me.”
“Of course, it is.”
“Oh, I don’t have a death wish but what matters most is that there’s not a nuclear incident.”
“You think there’s a chance of that?”
“With these Stalinists involved anything’s possible.” Bonnie nodded.
* * *
“Yes, Comrade,” Radinsky said over the phone to Kulagin.
“And they have made no effort to break in?”
“No, Comrade, I have the doomsday device in place. If they break in the missiles will launch.”
“Okay, I want you to vent ten of them, the Americans will pick up it up on their satellites and raise their security level and that’ll step things up. We want to be on the edge when we make our demands. We want everyone scared”
“Yes, Comrade.” Radinsky went to the control panel and vented ten missiles as instructed. Steam and smoke escaped giving the impression of a launch warm-up to a satellite. Kulagin was playing with fire but he had nerves of steel and besides he didn’t care if the world was plunged into a nuclear exchange. His mission was on the edge of atomic suicide from the start. If it went that far…he couldn’t care less. Crazies like Kulagin are the most difficult ones with which to negotiate. They want to die and don’t care who they take with them.
* * *
“General Zumwalt, sir,” Jerry Fillmore said as he walked up to the general’s console.
“What is it, Sergeant?”
“Sir, satellite images show the missiles being vented at Kapustin Yar.” General Zumwalt sat up as Deke Winters heard and came over.
“He can launch by himself, sir,” Deke said and Walter nodded.
“Get me General Ledger on the horn.” In an instant the phone was handed to the general. “Hello, Tommy, it’s Zumwalt. We’ve got a problem. Our satellites have picked venting of the missiles at Kapustin Yar.”
“So, they’re ready.”
“Yeah, get all planes in the air, buzz their airspace; I’m going to DEFCON Two.”
“Yes, sir,” General Ledger said and Zumwalt handed the phone off.
“Warning them, sir?” Deke asked and Walter nodded.
“Take us to DEFCON two, Deke.”
“Yes, sir.”
* * *
“Sir, there’s been a change in the situation,” Cheryl Wallach said to Don Lexington as they stood in the hall of the first family residence.
“What?”
“You and your children need to go to the bunker, now.”
“Why, what’s happened?”
“I can’t tell you that, sir.”
“Does it involve my wife, please tell me if something’s happened to her.” Wallach sighed and looked away for a moment.
“We know nothing more about the President; this is another matter and you need to proceed to the basement immediately.” Don thought for a moment then realized what it meant and nodded.
“I understand…Brian, Shelly, come with me, we’re going to the basement.”
“Why?” Brian asked.
“Because I said so, now move it.” Shelly didn’t hesitate and Brian finally shrugged his shoulders and followed his dad to the basement and the bunker. The Presidential Emergency Operations center (PEOC) lies under the Whitehouse and could withstand a nuclear attack.
“Dad, what’s happening?” Shelly asked.
“Is it Mom?” Brian asked.
“No, though she’s still being held somewhere.”
“What is it then?” Shelly asked.
“Agent Brewster didn’t say for certain but I sort of gleaned that it involves the military.” There was silence for a moment.
“You mean nuclear weapons,” Shelly posed.
“Yes.”
“Are we going to be attacked?” Brian said nervously with a scared look on his face.
“Not necessarily, I think they’ve moved the DEFCON level closer to one.”
“You mean like the movies?” Shelly asked.
“Something like that, yes. This group in Russia who kidnapped your mother and the Russian president mean business and I’m guessing that they might’ve taken over a nuclear facility to get what they want.”
“You know that for a fact?” Shelly asked.
“No, but it’s the only thing that makes any sense.”
“What do we do?” Brian asked.
“Sit here and wait.”
“Wait for what?” Shelly asked.
“Some good news,” Don said.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“Comrade, more men are here,” Kolchevsky said.
“Good.”
“Comrade,” a disheveled man said as he came into the lobby out of breath.
“What is it?” Kulagin asked.
“We’ve hit resistance. They have some weapons.”
“What happened?” Kulagin asked.
“We lost seven men.”
“What!” Kulagin screamed.
“There are more here, Comrade,” Kolchevsky said again.
“Send up six and the rest stay here to stop the security forces when they get here!” Kulagin yelled. The men, who were standing in the lobby heard; Kolchevsky counted some off and they took off.
“Are you going on the air, Comrade?”
“Not as long as we’re losing.”
“I wouldn’t say we’re losing.”
“I would. If we don’t take over soon security forces will be here and we’ll be in a shootout.”
“Will we surrender?”
/> “Never.”
“We all die then?”
“Yes, but the missiles will be launched first. We’ll take the whole world with us when we go,” Kulagin said and Kolchevsky’s eyes widened as he blew out a long breath.
* * *
“I can hear people rushing up the stairs,” Trent said as he and Andy listened in the stairwell of the thirtieth floor.
“What do we do?”
“Go higher and maybe they’ll thin out as some explore the floors.” Trent was right and the numbers began to dwindle as one or two explored each floor. Around the fortieth floor the foot-steps had diminished to about five people. “Okay, we set a trap here.”
“How?”
“We use that closet door.” It was a service closet and Trent set a ruse by hanging his coat on a mop handle facing the door. These men were killers but still amateurs. “Hide up there and get a shot at the door. I’ll stay inside the closet.”
“Right, I’m on it.” Trent went inside but left the door ajar inviting someone to look inside. Andy had a rifle and Trent only a knife. They waited and after ten minutes the door to the stairwell opened and two men moved slowly up the stairs. They saw the door slightly open and one man pushed the door slowly. Trent had removed the light bulb so it was dark and only an outline could be seen. The man moved closer to the trap and Trent stabbed him in the throat and he fell dead. The other started to fire but Andy shot him in head.
“Let’s go up,” Trent said after they shoved the bodies in the closet and closed the door.
* * *
Zhadanov was on his own and proceeded cautiously. He hid in a nook at the top of the thirty-eighth floor and waited. He had a knife and an icepick so he had to hope for a lone raider. It was ten minutes and the door to the stairwell opened. He peeked and saw two men creeping up the stairs. This was going to be hard but there were no easy choices in this game. One had his gun in front of him but the other had his in his belt. Vladimir had his opening. If it worked, he might survive but if he was off by a hair, he’d be dead. The two crept slowly…Vladimir could see them but he was hidden. They stopped and he thought they might’ve made him but then they moved again. Closer and closer they came to the spot where he’d make his play. He gulped then they were where he wanted them. In a flash he moved out and threw his knife at the guy with the gun…he was dead and as Vladimir jumped at the other guy a gun came out and fired. He was hit but landed the ice pick in the guy’s neck and he fell back down the stairs. After a few moments the guy was motionless. Vladimir felt his left arm and yes there was a bullet in his bicep. It hurt and he took a few seconds to catch his breath then started up the stairs. He had both guns with him but he was losing blood and was weakened.
* * *
“What next?” Julieta asked.
“We get aggressive,” Tatiana replied.
“Isn’t that what we’ve been doing?”
“No, just toying with them,” Tatiana said with a smile.
“So, what do we do?”
“We get creative.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.”
“Come on, I’ve got an idea.” They ran up the stairs to the 60th floor and moved the couch out of the way of the elevator doors. Inside, Tatiana hit the button for the fortieth floor.
“Now they’ll get on the elevator.”
“Yes, now follow me.” Tatiana climbed on the rail of the elevator and grabbed the hatch door on the ceiling. She opened it then climbed on top of the elevator.
“What are you doing?”
“Come up here and find out.” Tatiana extended her hand and Julieta climbed on top also. Tatiana closed the hatch door.
“Why are we doing this?”
“To lure in the prey.”
“And we’re the bait?”
“No, the elevator is the bait, we’re the trap.” Julieta shook her head and Tatiana motioned for her to be ready with her knife. The doors opened on the fortieth floor and they waited. Three men got on and the door closed and headed upward. All three men held weapons so the two women would have to be fast or die. Tatiana held up three fingers and indicated she’d count down then they’d jump. Julieta took a deep breath as they counted down 3, 2, 1 then Tatiana jumped through the hatch followed by Julieta. The men were taken by surprise and that one or two seconds was all they had. Tatiana had a knife in each hand and was between them. She instantly stabbed both men in the throat. Julieta was momentarily frozen as Tatiana grabbed the gun of the third guy and they wrestled for a few seconds. He was big and strong and pushed Tatiana to the floor and was ready to fire when a knife was shoved in his back. He dropped his weapon then fell down on the floor of the elevator dead. Julieta stood there in shock…it was the first person she’d ever killed.
“He’s dead?”
“Yes, nice work, you saved me and thank you for that now get ready. The elevator dinged on the sixtieth floor and Tatiana grabbed a weapon from the floor. Julieta did the same thing and the door opened. They peaked out the door and saw two men about fifty feet down the hall. They were already on the top floor. Tatiana stepped out followed by Julieta and they both leveled their weapons. Instinctively the men turned and Tatiana didn’t wait. She opened fire and cut the two men down in an instant.
“How do you do that so quickly?” Julieta asked as she stood transfixed.
“Instinct, I guess. Hold the elevator door and I’ll get a bench or something.” They blocked the elevator then moved around the floor looking for any more men but saw none.
“There’s the room,” Julieta said. They moved quickly and knocked on the door.
“It’s Julieta and me,” Tatiana said and the door was unlocked and opened.
“Get in here…are you okay?” Jozette asked and they nodded yes. Julieta ran to Little Wolf.
“Brave, how are you?”
“Not bad; Mr. Dave removed the bullet.” She felt his head.
“You’re warm, do you think infection has set in already?”
“Perhaps but I don’t feel feverish and I’m not in any strong pain.”
“I’m glad,” and she kissed his cheek.
“What happened with you?”
“We saw some men.”
“And?”
“We killed them.” Little Wolf’s eyes widened.
“Did you kill any of them?”
“One.”
“Wow.”
“He was about to kill Tatiana.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. These guys are so bad I don’t see myself losing any sleep over it.”
“I’m glad, Maiden. I was worried but I was glad you were with Miss Tatiana.”
“Me too-she’s incredible, Brave.”
“She’s that alright.”
“What happened?” Justin asked Tatiana.
“There are men coming up and they’ll be here soon.”
“Did you have any encounters?” Jozette asked.
“We did.”
“And, since you and Julieta are here, I assume…” Jozette started.
“Yes.”
“Hello.” Tatiana turned around and saw Dave looking down and smiling. She hugged her husband and he squeezed back.
“How are things here?”
“We’re holding and waiting for what to do next.”
“How are the wounded?”
“The president’s aide has a flesh wound and I removed the bullet from Little Wolf’s leg. He’ll be okay but he needs an antibiotic.”
“And the secret service guy?” Tatiana asked.
“Not so good,” Dave said softly. “He needs a hospital and soon.”
“Where are the others?” Warren asked.
“We don’t know; after separating we didn’t see them again,” Tatiana replied.
“I hear something,” Belinda said and there was a knock on the door.
“It’s me, Wilson.” Dave opened the door and Trent came in followed by Andy and Vladimir. Dave shut and locked the door.
“Is that all?” Dave asked and Trent nodded.
“Andy needs some first-aid and so does Vladimir,” Trent said and Dave sat in a chair next to Andy and examined the arm.
“Some skin and muscle damage but the bullet isn’t in there. I’ll bandage it and give you some pain killers. That’s all I can do.”
“I’ll take it and thanks,” Andy said as he leaned his head back. Dave looked at Vladimir’s arm.
“The bullet is still in there. Try not to exert yourself. A doctor should take it out whne we get out of here.”
“Way to be optimistic, Doctor,” Vladimir said.
“I’m not a doctor…just an EMT.”
“I know but today you are a doctor.” Dave nodded.
* * *
“Pavel, Abram, over here,” Yuri Petrovsky said softly from behind a tree. They were to meet in a park in a small community away from Moscow’s prying eyes.
“Yes, sir,” Pavel said.
“I have a car ready; we need to get going,” Yuri said and they climbed into the tiniest car any of them had ever seen. With their knees up to their chins they drove for an hour and stopped in the country down a dark lane hidden by trees.
“I take it there’s a plan?” Abram asked.
“Yes,” Yuri said but didn’t move from the driver’s seat.
“Well,” Abram said.
“Well what?”
“What’s the plan?” Pavel asked
“Oh, the plan, yes…we wait,” Yuri said.
* * *
“Comrade, we’re on the fifty-ninth floor. They must be on sixty,” Kolchevsky said as he stood holding an assault rifle.
“You must’ve known that’s where they’d end up,” Kulagin said.
“Yes, Comrade.”
“How many men did we lose?” Kolchevsky hesitated as he never liked to incur Kulagin’s wrath. “How many!” Kulagin snapped.
“Twelve that we know of and one of theirs.” Kulagin seethed as his breathing elevated and he clenched his fists and stared straight ahead.
“Get everyone here.” Kolchevsky moved quickly around the first floor and returned.
“Kolchevsky, Manatov, Lanewsky, Denisovitch, Ricekin and the rest of you; this is it. We all go up to the top. Bring the television equipment. We’re going to breach the door and televise to the world, showing them our hostages.”