Retaliation

CHAPTER TWELVE

Refugee Column, Near the Mongolian Border

“Boris, a good morning to you,” said Lev, approaching Boris’s sleeping tent. The weather had been better for the last few days. Both Lev and Boris appreciated it, if for different reasons. Lev, because, despite everything, they would still make the rendezvous if a day late. Boris had confirmed the pickup would be there. Boris because it meant that ADAM could verify that no significant forces were moving to intercept.

The Mongolian Pack Mistress had sent a message. The first part of it was a slight rebuke to Boris for not asking for aid or giving her warning of the refugees. The Mongolian Pack, unlike most packs of the UnknownWorld, often had someone either inside the government or advising them directly. The Mongolian government and people were, at the moment, thrilled that the Chinese had been hammered. Although China was a major trade partner, historically they were seen as a threat.

Mongolia had no problem accepting the refugees crossing their border but had no desire to make a great fanfare of it. With China weakened, Russia was now a bigger threat militarily. Still, Russia was out of position to do much to Mongolia, considering the existing tensions on its Western border with NATO and the Baltic States.

Also unusual was that the pack leader was female. It wasn’t unheard of, but Sarangerel was an unusual woman. She and Boris had fallen out of contact since the fall of communism, and Boris knew the rebuke was for him going insular and quiet on her.

She had sought him out to train her when she decided, at the age of thirty, that she wanted to lead the Mongolian pack. At times in history, he had been forced to take over from a vicious or stupid pack leader who crossed Peter. The idea of having that region’s pack leader indebted to him had a definite appeal. With Danislav and some of the other senior wolves assisting, he had tutored her not only in fighting but also in administration, law, and the Strictures.

She still owed him. While he probably should have sent a message to her, he had simply forgotten. He had sent the messenger back with apologies and an assurance that the refugees would not be there long. He reminded her that the Mongolians had walked the tightrope between hiding North Korean refugees and keeping positive relations with that nation successfully for years. Promising to discuss improving their communications with his oath-sworn leader, Boris had thought that the messenger’s eyes would pop out in surprise.

After all, he had refused for centuries to swear an oath to serve Peter. That was one thing that the Mongolian pack did know. For him to accept another as his leader was new and unsettling, he suspected.

When they crossed the border, Boris was at the head of the column. He saw a woman on horseback and smiled. Sarangerel had come to meet them personally.

“And how does the day treat you, Pack Mistress?” he asked her.

She scowled at him. “If there were not relatives between my pack and yours who thought to phone ahead, you would have me in a very bad situation, Boris.” She held her hands together in front of her, tapping the thumbs together. “What excuse do you have for me, Old Bear?”

“You’ll probably meet my excuse when the pickup for my people arrives. I suspect she’ll want to see them off.”

Sarangerel’s eye widened “I thought you were too much of another era to oath-swear to a female. Who is she anyway?”

His eyes darkened. “She is the woman who changed Michael, Sarangerel. That is all I really needed to know about her. The devotion that her followers show her was just the cream on the milk.”

“You mentioned him a couple of times. My people still think he’s somewhat of a myth, you know.”

Boris grabbed her down off her horse in a rapid movement. He shook her gently. “Don’t, whatever you do, say that to Bethany Anne. She lost him a few months ago. He now lies with the heroes. In his death, he prevented hundreds from being killed by a nuke, including myself. Swear to me you will not bring him up in front of her! I will not have you cause her pain, Sarangerel.”

Sarangerel was startled and a bit frightened, although her only sign of that was a subtle widening of her eyes. She had never seen Boris take such an action. What had been meant to be a passing comment had invoked fear in him. Real fear. “Yes, Boris. I understand,” she said, placing her hands in placation on his wrists. They tightened even more on her shoulders, so she added, “I swear I will not bring it up unless absolutely necessary.”

Boris released her shoulders “What do you mean ‘Absolutely necessary’”

“China’s Weres are up to something. I cannot get a read on it. You know how explaining them, and their attitudes might bring up their general contempt for Michael and his children. They barely accepted Peter’s punishments and believed Michael to be a boogieman invented by Peter to keep them under control. Your staunch support of Peter and the number of times you defeated their attempts at expansion was all that kept them in check. Now they are moving…”

“They will receive the same option my Czarina gave China’s government. Try to kill me, sue for peace, or die. You will not have the luxury the Mongolian pack has so often taken between me and their provocations, Sarangerel. With Bethany Anne, if you are a part of the UnknownWorld, you are on her side, or you will be hunted and eliminated. Neutrality will not be a solution for you, especially if you don’t want me to challenge for your pack and absorb it. Bethany Anne may not see it as I do, but the storm is coming. It is almost upon us. I will not leave any but allies at her back.”

Sarangerel was shocked. This was her teacher. He had taught her that unless the situation was most dire, neutrality was the best option. He truly believed such great changes were coming to make that threat.

She lowered her head in submission.

Boris turned and saw a black pod dropping from the sky. The two watched in silence as it stopped and hovered a few feet above the ground. Boris was surprised to see Dan open the hatch and wave to him.“Boris, Janna asked for some help from a more experienced interrogator. They have a live one apparently. So Bethany Anne sent me to pick you up and help. Come on.”

Boris bowed slightly to Sarangerel, “It seems other duties call. I hope to talk to you later, student.” He turned and hurried to the pod.