High Alert

CHAPTER 35

It was afternoon of the next day on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Eight inches of fresh snow lay on the ground. Nick, Selena, Lamont and Ronnie stood looking at the two Russian helicopters that were going to take them into North Korea.

"They look pretty efficient," Lamont said. "Kinda like our Sea Stallions."

"Let's hope Russian stealth technology is as good as they say it is," Nick said.

Ronnie sniffed at the air.

"Storm's passed."

"I could've told you that by looking at the sky," Lamont said.

"The nose is more accurate," Ronnie said. "It also tells me this is only a short break. There's more snow coming, we just don't see it yet."

Nick said, "We go at 2200 hours tonight, whatever the weather. If the rocket is set up and fueling has started, we'll assume the bomb is on board. If they haven't installed the weapons package, it will be nearby. We have to play it by ear once we get there."

"Just once, I'd like to go in knowing we had all the intel we needed," Lamont said.

Nick laughed. "You're in the wrong business for that, buddy."

Selena yawned and said, "I'm going back to my room and get some sleep."

"That's not a bad idea," Nick said.

"Works for me," Lamont said. "Never turn down a chance for a few Zs. I learned that a long time ago."

They watched Selena walk back toward the quarters.

"She all right?" Ronnie asked.

Nick looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"I was walking past the head this morning when I heard someone puking. It was her that came out. I just wondered."

"She hasn't said anything. She was sick before we left. Could be a touch of food poisoning. I'll ask her about it later."

Selena was about to go into her room when she saw Valentina coming down the hall.

"Sister. Do you have a minute? We need to talk."

"I was wondering if we were going to get a chance before the mission," Selena said. She held the door open. "Come in."

Selena gestured at the chair and sat on the bed.

"You're looking unusually well, sister," Valentina said. "I think our Russian air agrees with you."

"How are you, Valentina? I hear things are getting complicated for you."

"In what way?"

"Unless our intelligence is mistaken, you've become quite close with Vladimir Orlov. You're moving in exalted circles now."

Valentina sighed. "I suppose I should not be surprised that you know this. Sometimes I think there is no privacy anymore."

"We gave up privacy when we took on these lives we lead," Selena said. "I've developed a habit of keeping things to myself that's become almost obsessive."

"Is that why you have not told me that you are pregnant?"

Selena was speechless.

Valentina laughed. "You should see your face, sister. It's priceless."

"How did you know?"

"I didn't, I guessed. It's something about the way you look. That, and the fact that you have been sick every morning you have been here. Also, we are sisters, after all. Sometimes I sense what you are thinking, even when you are far away. It's hard to describe, more of a feeling than anything else. It's different from the way I relate to other people."

"It's too bad that we're on different sides," Selena said.

Valentina shrugged. "That was written in our stars before we were born."

"I didn't know you were a romantic."

"I'm not, I'm a fatalist. Our lives are not entirely our own. There are some things we cannot escape or change."

Selena looked out the window. Nick and the others were still talking near the helicopters.

"How do you feel about this mission?" she asked. "Major Vasiliev is hostile to us. It's not good before an operation as tricky as this."

"That is one of the things I wanted to talk with you about," Valentina said. "He has a good reason to hate Americans."

"What's that?"

"His father was a helicopter pilot when we were fighting in Afghanistan. One of your American Stinger missiles brought him down. He survived the crash, but was hacked to pieces by the Afghan women."

"That's awful. But we weren't the ones responsible."

"For Major Vasiliev, all Americans are responsible. I was against having him on this mission but General Vysotsky overruled me. On paper, Vasiliev is an excellent choice for a covert operation in enemy territory, but his hatred is irrational. It may get the better of him."

Valentina stood. "There are things I need to do before we leave. Watch your back, sister."

After Valentina had gone, Selena lay down on the hard bed.

What will he do when I tell him? What if he doesn't want the baby?

Sleep never came.