Second Strike

CHAPTER 62

^MOSCOW,

^{AUGUST 17, 7:43 P.M. MSK}

“Bor reports that all assets are in place and they are ready to execute.”

Mikhailov leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers in front of his chest. “Is he satisfied that the impediment has been removed?”

“He made no mention of the impediment. I gather, therefore, that in his estimation he is no longer an issue,” Vasiliev replied.

“No matter. The impediment was Bor’s concern, not ours. The event would take place regardless. Summon General Maximov, Stetchkin, and Egorshin. Tell them to meet me for a final briefing before implementation.”

Stetchkin sat alone in his office examining time-lapse aerial photographs of Russian troop movements in the Caucasus on his desktop computer. There were dozens of photographs spanning the last three days. The last series of six photographs showed no movements whatsoever. The troops had reached their penultimate destination. Now they were merely staging, coordinating, and preparing.

Stetchkin tapped his keyboard and a completely unrelated image appeared. It was a single document: the final assessment report from Egorshin’s unit, prepared by Egorshin himself. All simulations had been concluded. The unit’s preparations were complete.

Stetchkin manipulated the mouse and the screen displayed another image pertaining to Egorshin’s unit. It was a long list of categories and names. Next to each was a small box. Every single box contained a checkmark. In the upper-right-hand corner of the screen was a small digital clock, the numbers of which were declining. It was a countdown. Very little time remained before all of the digits reached zero.

Stetchkin tapped the speaker function on his desk phone and then pressed four keys. There was a brief buzzing sound before someone picked up.

“Yes, sir.”

“It is time,” Stetchkin said and disconnected.