The Existence Triad Legacy
Earth Wars Series
Polar Hearts
By Sara Steege
-4-
The Heart of Mystery
He’s been quiet for a long time.
Standing with arms folded across her chest, Odessa Hadar listened intently for Jack’s next update. A quick glance at her watch wrist confirmed he was being slack in keeping them posted. But as much as she wanted to point this out to the mercenary, she held her tongue. As unprofessional as he had seemed to her earlier, she realized he wasn’t the "maverick" she’d made him out to be. For one, he didn’t show any of the signs of cocky-man’s syndrome—he didn’t take every opportunity he could to show-off, or boast an annoying amount. In fact, of all the people in the team he was the most soft-spoken, acknowledging commands and information with a simple "yes" and never saying anything that wasn’t necessary. Just the same, he did what he was told and without a fight. That alone was a sure sign of a professional attitude.
But that did not make his silence now any less bothersome. The captain was losing patience.
Glancing again at her watch (three seconds had passed since she last checked it), Odessa exhaled in irritation. This is taking too long. We need to move on.
Despite the urgency of these thoughts, she still kept her silence. His last report repeated the same thing ever other report had stipulated since he entered the perimeter lane. There was no security to speak of, not a camera or turret in sight. Every building was the same dimension, utterly uniform, and probably just as empty as the first one had been. Each alley was the same, expanding out to the street with an identical alley across from it. In the center of it all was the cylindrical tower standing stark and cryptic. Unfortunately, when Jack was closest to it, he still couldn’t see it clearly because the twin buildings flanked it, rather than the exposing alleyways. Though he hadn’t explicitly said so, the captain had sensed his wondering silence and told him they would investigate that after he finished the sweep. The aim of this part of the mission wasn’t to cover the whole compound inside and out. The point was to get a general idea of the design, how the complex was divided, so that she could effectively divide up the team to scout the place more thoroughly.
Jack’s reports, Odessa felt, served this purpose, giving them—herself and Mina’s group in the MBU—a good idea of the layout. He had been concise and detailed when Odessa prompted him in the beginning, and had since been timely in giving regular updates. Now that he was silent, she figured he must have good reason as to why he wasn’t specifying what he saw. Perhaps he was scrutinizing something and didn’t want to report until it was conclusive. Perhaps he was busy performing some special test to prevent falling victim to an unseen trap. Either way, it was her turn to be trusting. Or so she told herself.
Right. The team must work together. There must be mutual trust for us to function. He’s done well thus far, so there mustn’t be anything to be worried about.
And yet the captain’s doubt could not be dismissed. Her lips tightened into a firm line, her eyes narrowed in vexation. Of course, he could not be reporting back because he went charging off on his own, like he did before, and conveniently forgot to tell us. Exhaling again, her arms tightened. This is foolish. We’re on the same team. In the heat of combat there’s no time to for distrust. Tipping her head, she looked at her wrists folded one on top of the other across her chest. I’ll just take matters into my own hands.
Without another thought, she unfolded her arms and, touching two gloved fingers to the headset, opened her mouth to speak. But before the sounds even formulated in her throat, the reply crackled over the headset, "Sweep completed—I’m back at the entrance." He paused a moment before continuing, "This place looks deserted, but there’s something…odd about it."
Odessa found his tone unsettling. "Can you elaborate?" she asked.
He sighed, at a loss. "I’m not really sure. But I feel pretty confident you’ll know what I mean when you get here."
Uncertain what to make of this, she exhaled through her nose said, "Right." Waving the others to attention she added, "We’ll meet you at the entrance."
"Acknowledged."
Already, the others were gathering in front of her. Drake stepped to Odessa’s right and faced the rest of the group. From the way he regarded Evans and Rasmus, she thought he looked like he wanted to say something.
"Sergeant," she said softly to him, "is there something you would like to say before we head off?"
A smile broadened across his face, as his eyes met hers momentarily. "There is something I would like to remind everyone," he declared, though his attention was focused on Evans and Rasmus. "This isn’t a game. We have no idea what we’re about to face, or even whether we are going to face anything at all. But the heart of the matter isn’t whether this place poses a threat or not, but that it could pose a threat. That above all, we should keep in mind as we go in, for your safety and for your teammate’s safety." He paused a moment for effect. "Our job isn’t about the implications of this or anything else—we leave that to the Department of Civilian Operations. We’re here to investigate the nature of this facility. In order to do that, we have to be careful and not let our guard down."
Silence descended as this settled in with the troops.
Well said. Odessa nodded in satisfaction. Drake had articulated precisely what her sentiments had been from the very beginning.
"Sounds like the military equivalent of C.Y.A.," spoke Konstantina.
"Well, that is what it is, is it not?" replied Vasilis. "We are covering ourselves from attack, from within or without."
"Naturally," returned the Russian, folding her arms. "Politics don’t matter. That’s why I joined the military."
"So are we all clear?" declared Odessa.
"I’ve got no complaints," Evans said.
"Rasmus?" Drake inquired, looking to the Private.
"Yeah, I’ve got no problem with that," Rasmus answered.
Returning his gaze to her, the sergeant said quietly, "That’s all I had to say."
"Right then," Odessa uttered definitively. "Once we meet Jack at the entrance we’ll split up into two teams, Alpha and Bravo. Vasilis, Konstantina and I will make up Alpha team. We will investigate each structure individually from the inside. Drake will lead Evans and Rasmus on Bravo team. You three will secure the nearby area outside and cover our entrance. Is that understood?"
Everyone spoke uniformly, "Yes."
"Good. Any more questions?"
There was a short pause before Konstantina spoke up. "Which team will Jack be on?"
Odessa turned to face the slope’s edge where they would soon to cross. Mission orders hadn’t stipulated which team the mercenary would go in with, just the primary personnel. The sensible choice would be to put him on the inexperienced team with Evans and Rasmus. He would help keep them out of trouble. Furthermore, he was already equipped with a COM-set, and had proven himself a capable communications representative.
"Jack will go with Bravo team," she said, turning back to face the group. "He’s already familiar with the layout from the outside so he’ll function as the com-rep." Odessa said directly into the mouthpiece, "Did you hear that Jack?"
"Roger," he acknowledged. "I am to assist the Sergeant and Private Evans and Rasmus."
"That’s right." Looking up to the rest of the group, she asked, "Are there any more questions?"
There was a general shaking of heads in reply.
"Good then." Holding out her rifle, she turned again toward the slope. "Let’s move out!"
▽ ▽ ▽
Here they come.
From the shadows of the gate corridor, Jack saw six white figures heading his way across the snowfield. Within moments they flooded into the dark passage, splitting into two groups along either side. Straightening at their approach, the Sha’hyn squinted in the dimness, trying to discern each figure’s identity. Vaguely he registered the bulky form of Drake settle into place at Jack’s right. He assumed the two following in behind the sergeant were Evans and Rasmus, though he could see neither of their faces in the obscurity. The figure striding purposefully towards him he assumed was Captain Hadar. Likewise, he detected two other indistinguishable forms behind her, presumably Konstantina and the Vasilis.
"It’s darker here than I expected," he heard the captain say quietly as she took her place beside him.
"The better the cover for us," he returned, using the same hushed tone that she used.
She seemed to nod, a shifting movement in the shadows. "Well, you know where to be. Keep your team informed of everything that’s going on."
"I’ll do my best."
The words sprang from his mouth immediately, ignorant of the meaning they had in his heart. Speaking them now produced an echo in the corridors of his mind, haunting him again like a chill wind.
(Always do your best.)
Navigating uncertainly in the darkness to his place behind Drake, Solin tried to readjust himself. The remembrance had pushed him off balance, just when he finally felt secure and sure…like he used to be.
I am doing my best.
Focusing externally, Jack grew aware of the nearness of the bodies around him, fidgeting and stirring in the darkness and releasing clouds of vapor in the frosty air. Suddenly his EV suit felt suffocatingly tight, like the death-grip of a ravenous boa constrictor. His gaze drifted to the silhouette of Captain Hadar standing at the end of the corridor, unconsciously awaiting the go gesture. He did not have long to wait.
Immediately the group plunged into the inner grounds, spreading our into wedge formation, with Drake and Hadar in the lead and the rest trailing. Each member stood a fair distance apart, alertly plodding along with darting eyes and bobbing heads. The captain directed them to the right-hand structure, gesturing over her shoulder for Jack’s side to spread out. Complying, Bravo team extended around the side of the building, while Alpha trailed along behind their leader to the front of the gate. Reaching the wall, Drake crouched down and the others quickly followed suit. The sergeant was at the corner of the building, looking towards the captain’s team.
Jack was startled by the sound of the headset squawking in his ears. "We’re going to open the entrance to the building," the captain’s voice rang clear through the COM-set. Less distinctly he heard, "Corporal, take that control panel over there." Distantly he heard boots crunching in the snow as they shuffled into position.
"Acknowledged, command," Jack spoke into the headset. "Notify again before you enter."
Evans and Rasmus, presumably seeing the confirmation, gathered close behind Jack for the update. Turning to Drake, Jack said, "Sergeant, Alpha team is going to penetrate the structure. What are your orders?"
The older man’s blue eyes stared thoughtfully at the ground a moment. Looking up he said, "So far the perimeter is clear, but should someone come along I want sentries on either side of the entrance. We don’t need two to a side, so we’ll have one man at each corner. Evans will take the corner across the entrance from here—" (he gestured over his shoulder to the place in question) "—Jack will take the one going counter-clockwise from that, then Rasmus, and myself. Is that understood?"
There was general agreement.
"Now," the sergeant continued, "Jack is the only one with a COM-set, so I want everyone to say in visual range of each other. This is a ravine, so don’t shout unless you’re already in trouble."
That’s a pleasant thought.
Drake returned his attention to Jack. "Be sure to notify the captain of our situation as you get into position."
"Yes sir," Jack returned.
"Now," Drake concluded, "get to your positions!"
"Yeah, whatever," Rasmus said as he rose and began to jog along the wall to his position.
"Yessir!" Evans anxiously affirmed, bounding to his feet and heading off along the side of the structure.
With a nod, Jack followed right behind them. After arriving at his designated spot, Rasmus stopped and stood with all the arrogant grace that composed his being. His eyes were on Evans.
As the young private passed Rasmus, Jack distinctly heard him say menacingly, "Don’t get so excited you shit yourself, Private. That’d be bad for morale."
Evans skidded to a halt around the other side of the building, as if in shock. His enthusiasm seemed to drain away, like water from an uncorked pail, replaced by passive anger. From the tense character of his posture, Jack knew a confrontation was imminent, but he was unsure how to handle the situation and hesitated. In the meantime, Evans returned fired. "Hey, what’s your problem, man? We’re on a mission! Can’t you take that seriously?"
"A mission!" Rasmus returned, "Like hell! This kind of crap is for chicken shits. They don’t need to call us out here to come inspect some fucking empty base in the middle of fucking Siberia. This is a joke!"
Without thinking the matter further Jack reacted.
"Rasmus," Jack spoke, striding like a dangerous cat toward his target. "If you’re not happy with the situation here you have all the freedom of an independent, rational American to walk home. Of course, in doing so you revoke every privilege you’ve earned as a loyal, if indecent, soldier, for you would be party to insubordination, at best. At worst…well let’s not talk about that shall we?"
Every word he uttered was like a knife slash. The deserving victim of Solin’s quick tongue only stared back in outright shock, as if he hadn’t expected the merc to speak so swiftly in retort. And with every unblinking second, Solin returned Rasmus’ gawk with a steady, fearsome gaze. His eyes seemed to say, there will be no more of this, uttering the same message that had been implied in voice. The glare continued for a moment longer after Jack coolly continued past the stunned private.
I hate bullies.
Meeting up with an almost speechless Evans, who could only whisper, "That was really cool! Thanks man!" once they were at Jack’s designated location. Then, before Jack could reflect on his action, Captain Hadar’s voice chimed in his ears, "What was that about?"
"Nothing of consequence," Jack swiftly returned. "We’re in position at each corner of the structure. We’re ready when you are."
For a moment, Jack thought he heard…chuckling.
"Acknowledged, Bravo team," she said. "We’re proceeding inside."
Waving at Evans, Jack received a nod. The young soldier knew they were going in and crouched at the corner, his back to the mercenary. Jack gestured likewise to Rasmus, who turned and waved to Drake.
An odd means of communication… His mind turned to self-awareness, seeing himself in the eyes of an observer, rather than participant. The sequence of waves and command was primitive; indeed quite basic considering the age they lived in. A supposed future, a dream crushed by the iron creed of war. They had had their conflict, they had contested over who would be the final ruler of the earth, and it had resulted in nothing. Nothing but the bare waste of lives and resources, flattening the world to a burn out cinder. In their fighting the great powers devalued the very thing they sought to own, to control. The earth. Our home. Our world. Had their hearts been as empty and frigid as the place that surrounded them now, he wondered. To damn the generations that followed them to live in a place of such implicit suffering, to make their children shoulder the burden that would come from their own thoughtless squabbling. Where were they now? Now that all their empires were gone to ash and clay. Only a whisper of their legacy to be found in the structure of the world today.
Yes, their children had risen from the fire and smoke to rebuild that which was precious to them and their forefathers. They had come of age and were willing to make their voice heard. We will not make the mistakes of our ancestors. We will rise and shape this world into something greater. It will be a place of peace, where no one man nor country will claim supreme power over all else. This is our quest.
"There’s…nothing," Odessa’s voice spoke.
"What?" Jack blurted, returning to reality.
"There’s absolutely nothing in here!" she repeated. Faintly he made out another voice (he assumed it was Konstantina by the lack of accent) saying, "Not a goddamn thing!"
"Nothing?" Jack repeated in disbelief.
"Hey Jack!" Evans uttered down the alleyway, trying not to shout, "What the hell’s goin’ on?"
"The building is empty!" he called back. Empty as everything else here.
"What the fuck does that mean?" Rasmus exclaimed, his voice faint with the distance.
How the devil should I know?
Returning his attention to communicating with Alpha team, Jack spoke, "Should we proceed onto the next building, Captain? Doctor Giles?"
It was with the utterance of the Doctor’s name that Jack recounted there had been little, if any, input from the MBU for a considerable length of time. On the other end of the line, the captain must have reached a similar conclusion for she said experimentally, "Doctor Giles? …Mina, are you still with us?"
After a moment of unanswered silence, Jack said, "They must have lost contact sometime during the last few minutes. She hasn’t given her input on anything for quite some time."
"Damn!" The captain seemed to seethe for a moment longer before she announced, "Well, there’s nothing we can do about it from here, except hope they’ll get whatever it is under control soon. For the moment, let’s concentrate on doing what we came here to do."
"Roger."
"Tell Drake to relocate to the next building on this side of the road."
"On my way."
Waving for Rasmus’ attention, Jack verbally passed on the message. As Rasmus communicated the situation to Drake, Jack trotted over to Evans, who still crouched tensely at the corner of the structure. The young private turned at his approach, "What’s up?"
"We’re moving on. Same positions, I presume."
Evans rose to his feet and they began walking down to the perimeter corridor. Before they reached their positions on the next structure down, the private asked, "How long we gotta do this?"
"Till we’ve explored the whole complex, I presume," returned Jack.
"This’ going to take forever! We’ve already been out here for how many hours?!"
Was I ever this impatient? "We can’t afford to run through this place quickly. There are too many unknowns."
"I guess that’s right. Have to trust the chain of command, yeh know?"
Jack nodded, but his mind wasn’t focused on the pecking order. We are just the first wave. Our judgement will result in the immigration of others to this place, where they will pick it apart and figure out why it’s here, or destroy the occupants, should there be any. He looked around them. This was as desolate and empty as any place could be on earth. The notion that it could be so important was unnerving to him. We are desperate. We do not wish for another war, only for peace. The cost was too much to bear for the last time. Here the line is drawn. In this land of shadows and ice.
An unknown strength sustained him, yet his fear was all but forgotten. Only a trace of it was left, quivering in the back of his mind. It shuddered with knowing the unknowable.
A trickier trap.
"Bravo team, we’re in position. What’s your status?"
Reflexively, Jack suspended his reverie to reply. Yes, they were in position. And again the process repeated itself. Alpha entered, while Bravo team stood by. And again, the structure was empty, a hollow shell. The cycle repeated with the shift from building to building, wholly unchanging. Everything seemed to be in continuous winter, never a varying or shifting detail, or new attribute. There was only emptiness and cold, sustained by the ever-present, if sometimes ignored, awareness of fear. A betrayal was eminent. Though they could not say from where.
Confounded by their lack of findings, the split teams turned their attention to the heart of the enigma they found themselves wandering uncertainly about. They gathered together at the foot of the cylindrical tower, breaking the chain of invariance with a shift to something new and unfamiliar. Standing in the shadows, ankle deep in a swath of snow, Solin gazed at the object of his fear and was thankful he was not alone. The very sight of it chilled him like an icicle spearing his own heart.
I mustn’t fear…
"There is a door around the back, but it is frozen shut." Vasilis reported, rejoining the group with Evans.
"What about the front?" Captain Hadar asked.
"You mean the one from the road?" Evans asked. "There’s some kind of panel, er—electric lock or something. I’m not the one who’s an electronics expert."
"Show what you’ve found to Konstantina and Rasmus. The rest of us will rest briefly here."
Vasilis studied the captain. "Are you sure it is safe to wait here?"
"I’m fairly convinced," the captain replied, "that we don’t have anything to worry about out here. Everywhere we’ve turned it’s been deserted. In fact, it is…as Jack said earlier, odd. Almost eerie."
"I know what you mean," returned the Lieutenant. "Undoubtedly we are the only ones who have set foot upon this place for who knows how long."
A solemn expression crossed the captain’s face and Jack noted the swift change of subject. "Besides, we’ve been drudging along in the snow for several hours without meal."
Sergeant Drake nodded in agreement. "We could all use a moment’s rest." Stretching, he added, "Some of us aren’t as young as we used to be."
The two officers chuckled good-naturedly. "I understand that, though I still have some time ahead of me," commented the German.
"Use it wisely," Drake said. "You never realize how precious youth is until it’s gone. You should enjoy the moment."
"Mmm." Captain Hadar seemed to be thinking. "’Keep your eyes on the ground and you will never miss anything precious.’"
"Who said that?" Jack asked, detecting the formal quoting tone.
Her eyes were focused on some faraway point when she said, "That was something my father used to tell me." As if in afterthought, she added more quietly, "When I was little."
"Hey!"
Their attention turned to the ardently waving form of Evans in the distance.
"Look’s like they’ve found something," the captain commented before jogging over to the threesome. Jack and the others trailed behind her. Behind the animated private, Rasmus was picking at an exposed electronic panel with a screwdriver. Konstantina was standing next to him with her tool bag unbuckled.
"What’s up?" the captain asked.
"What’s up is that I think I can crack this fuckin’ thing," replied Rasmus. "Provided Miss Smart-Ass over here can provide the right tools."
"Gimme a break," Konstantina returned, "I’m not used to being someone’s tool jockey."
"Good then," Captain Hadar said. "How long do you think this will take?"
"Uh, maybe a couple more minutes. It’s not hi-tech or some shit like that, but a lot of the panel’s frosted over. There ain’t a lot of conduction going on, if you know what I mean."
"Right," the captain said. "We’ll prepare to penetrate the tower."
"Wait one moment," Jack said. "So this door used to work but now it doesn’t because it’s been frosted over?"
"Damn straight" Rasmus returned, not flinching from his work, "What about it?"
"Wouldn’t it make sense for some kind of protection from the elements to be put upon it if it was going to be exposed to this kind of environment?"
"Maybe it’s pre-EV-safe equipment. How the fuck should I know?"
"I would like to remind everyone that the rear entrance was frozen shut as well," inserted Vasilis. "It is logical that this front entrance suffered the safe fate."
"What’s your point, Jack?" Drake inquired.
Maybe I’m wrong. "It just seems strange that of all the buildings it’s this one that isn’t a simple matter to unlock."
His words ended in silence as this sunk in with the rest of the group. Captain Hadar was the first to speak. "That is a valid point. However at the present time we can’t just give up—"
"I’m not saying we should give up," Jack interjected. "We should be aware that what we’re walking into could very well be a cleverly devised trap."
The captain nodded in consideration, her brown eyes met Jack’s. "Point taken."
"So what the fuck d’you guys want me to do?" Rasmus questioned. "Leave this thing as a piece of crap?"
"I don’t think that will be necessary, Private," said Captain Hadar. "We still have a mission to carry out. We must cover every square inch of ground, inside or out. Otherwise we cannot be certain what danger it poses."
"Indeed," added Vasilis, "There is still the possibility that there is nothing inside but ice."
"And that," the captain agreed. "We will use the same strategy we have been using—Vasilis, Konstantina and I will penetrate the interior while you four cover the ground from outside. Any objections?"
"Only if it’s more fucking dull out here than it is in there," Rasmus commented. "I’m tired of this standing around and waiting crap."
We are anticipating a fight. We will not be disappointed.
"Since you’re needed in the front to open the door, Rasmus, you will back us up directly from here. Anyone else?" she offered, studying their faces for any signs of reluctance. "Jack?"
Creeping on the edge of Solin’s awareness was that sense of danger, of deceptive peril that had been there from the start. "I only want to remind everyone to be careful," he said.
"Isn’t that what we’ve been doing all along?" Konstantina said with a wink.
With that, the seven prepared for entry. The curved side of the building made Bravo team less able to view each other around the building, but they compensated by keeping farther away from the entrance. Despite the tongue-in-cheek reassurances from his teammates, Jack could not assuage his anxieties this time. He knew something was going to happen, though he could not yet say what.
Be careful. By the devil. There is more here than there appears. It is far too convenient for everything surrounding this building to be empty and easily accessible.
But what if it is just an empty compound, abandoned and forgotten? he asked himself.
Waiting tensely for the status of Alpha team, Jack evaluated this possibility in the face of all he had seen and experienced within the complex. Yes, there was no evidence of any traffic or signs of occupation anywhere. Yet there was something intangible in the desolate, frozen ether that reason could not quite grasp. It felt odd. Like the eyes of invisible specters were watching from the shadows…unseen and unheard.... Even the captain had admitted to a certain degree of uneasiness. But the question was, how much of this was just from their own anticipation? How distorted were their perceptions of reality from what could happen, the possibility that there could be danger here?
And then there was the issue of what happened to the MBU. Was their loss of communication the result of some special phenomena relating or not relating to the complex, or was it just a mere coincidence? He could not say.
I must trust myself. His left hand squeezed into a tight fist. I cannot afford to contradict myself in a critical moment.
"Rasmus has connected the door mechanism," came Captain Hadar’s voice through the headset. "Please stand by."
"Acknowledged command," Jack replied.
They would be entering soon, he knew, and they would be walking into the heart of the whole matter. This is the nexus of mystery, he reflected, looking over the slick tower walls. This is the source of all the questions. Are there answers woven into its walls?
Solin paused. There was something in this, he sensed, something worth pursuing. What could it be? Why is this here? What does this tower have to do with the emptiness, the cold barren danger? Everything has been open to us, easy to penetrate…to get us into position.
Breath halted in his lungs. He looked up, the revelation striking him all at once. There was little tactical advantage in letting the enemy penetrate your base, explore it thoroughly, pick it apart and deem it clear…unless it wasn’t the real part of the base. In his mind’s eye he saw and reinterpreted the black tower rising out of the ground—this wasn’t the real base! Everything they had scouted out was a decoy, a façade concealing the true center, the tower and it’s underground network. And now, now that they finally arrived at the gate and were proceeding inside—
They’re waiting for us.
But the realization had come too late. By then the trigger on the bomb had already been activated with the opening of the door.
"No!"
A thunderous explosion came from the back of the building, where Evans was stationed. Jack didn’t see him clearly, for the young private’s body was engulfed by the massive fireball that was quickly striking outward towards Jack. He spun briskly around, hastened by the slick surface of the snow, and pumped his legs madly, pushing for every inch. Ahead of him was the sturdy wall of one of the concrete structures they inspected earlier, a suitable destination. Heat licked at him from behind, threatening to bite. Rather than fall victim to the fireball, another jarring blast knocked him off his feet. The force was enough to roll him violently against the wall he was trying so desperately to reach. With a painful crack, the world faded into oblivion. Obscure noise flooded his ears. Then there was nothing.
▽ ▽ ▽
Standing just inside the tower entrance, Odessa felt the ground beneath her begin to vibrate. Then a deafening boom resonated throughout the expansive chamber, and the ground bucked uncontrollably as she and the women standing to either side of her struggled to maintain balance. Dust and sheets of ice loosened from the walls in a shower, filling the room with a powdery smog. Visibility in the room was already poor from the ambiguous darkness that encompassed the room, but the opaque cloud revealed the movement of forms. Before the confounded captain could identify what they were, however, the explosion of noise and force abated abruptly.
"What the fuck was that?" Rasmus charged, able to feel the force just even from the doorway.
But before anyone could answer, the shifting shapes in the mist became corporeal. Flowing out of the haze were about fifty black-uniformed soldiers, decked out in riot gear. Her ears were livened again by the noise of their boots scurrying across the paved floor. Within moments, the troops surrounded the surprised Alpha team. Watching in spectacular fascination, Odessa turned and saw that they had snuck through the entrance and routed Rasmus in as well. All of the black soldiers were armed.
"Ah, I see we have some visitors."
The captain turned to the sound of the voice. Emerging from the haze was a tall woman, garbed in the same black uniform as the others. Unlike the others, her face was concealed by black cowl. As she approached, the circle of armored soldiers parted to let her through, closing with her wake. Standing plainly and unarmed before Odessa, the woman pulled away the cowl concealing her mouth and nose. She matched the captain’s stern gaze with her jade green eyes.
"Who the hell are you?" Odessa demanded.
The woman’s lips curled into a sardonic smile. "Why, we are your captors. And you are trespassing."
"Trespassing?" Konstantina breathed in disbelief. "Last I checked Siberia was owned by the Russian League."
"Not this part of Siberia, little missy. You are in our territory now."
"And just who are you?" Odessa inquired.
"Now, now. It isn’t polite to demand things you yourself aren’t willing to divulge. First you need to tell me who you are. And just exactly what it is you are doing here, sneaking around my compound."
The captain hesitated. In the event of contact with an unknown group, the mission plan stipulated they should not by any means expose where they came from. In the event that the complex contained nuclear warheads or some other devastating capability, the only way a counterstrike could be implemented would be if someone talked. She was not going to be the one responsible for that error.
"I repeat: who are you and how did you get here?" the woman demanded, her tone as straight as stone now.
Odessa straightened rigorously. Her lips straightened into a firm, resolute line. She was not going to talk.
In response, the woman inhaled deeply. "Well, if your going to be that way, I ask that you empty your weapons."
Looking around her, Odessa met the gaze of her captured companions. Had their faith been betrayed? Would they follow her?
Konstantina returned her gaze firmly, confident in their leader. Yes, she would serve faithfully, steadfast and reliant to the very end.
Rasmus’ sentiments were clear by the look on his face. He wanted to fight, even if the odds were against them. It wasn’t intelligent fearlessness, but it was bravery nonetheless. If this came to blows, she could count on him fighting for her.
Then Odessa turned to her second-in-command. The lieutenant said nothing, conveying her thoughts with a look alone. Think carefully, she seemed to say. Her wisdom pointed to the fact of the matter—they were surrounded, and far out-numbered. Resistance would result in the instant eradication of each one of them. But there was no way of telling what would happen to them if they yielded their weapons.
We have no choice. Odessa faced the woman once again. After a brief moment longer, she proceeded in emptying her rifle and sidearm of bullets. As the first shells tinkled to the ground, her companions behind her began to follow suit.
There will be another time to fight, she thought. And, looking back up into the hard green stare of that woman who had so quickly out-matched her, she was absolutely certain this was not the end.
