The Bear

Moscow

The sullen sky blanketed winter’s grip on the outskirts of Moscow. The closing night gave them just enough cover to slip out of the big city and into the surrounding farmlands, which from the sheer size of the Russian capitol, was no easy feat. Moscow was one of the largest cities in the world. Getting out just wasn’t that simple.

“How long is this going to take?”

“We’re almost where we need to be, Sasha,” Donald replied. “Just another thirty minutes.”

“And we’ll be where?” Anya asked.

“Where you’ll train for a few days.” Donald turned at the next intersection, the others noticing the lights were becoming fewer and fewer. “This is also an escape route for you.”

“This is so far away, how the hell can it be an escape route?” Danil growled.

“Because it has a gravel runway for a plane.” Donald looked in the mirror at Danil. “You’re the pilot, correct?”

“I am,” he answered immediately.

“You’ll have to take time to familiarize yourself with a plane we have. It’s stashed away for emergencies. And I’d call this, well …” Donald fell silent.

“What kind of plane?”

“A small twin engine plane. Seats six.”

“That’s not much room to spare,” Ivan replied.

“You’ll just have to squeeze yourself in, Ivan. I’m almost surprised they let someone as tall as you into the services. Machines aren’t built for people like you.”

“Why are we heading west?”

“There is no easy way to get out of Russia from here. The quickest way is to fly, and heading west is the closest border.”

“Which is why I’m in this group,” Danil replied.

“That’s likely one scenario. But there’s no guarantee this route would be available. It’s our last option.”

“What’s the first?”

“We’ll cover that later.”

The drive continued and the world that now surrounded them was as dark as it would become. Even still, the glow from the city lingered in the background, the night never fully taking hold in that direction. The lights of Moscow were just too overpowering. Donald turned off to a gravel lane, the rocks making themselves known on the underside of the SUV. The headlights grasped shacks and outbuildings that were lost in night’s fold, slipping back into darkness as they passed. Another hundred yards and the vehicle pulled up to a large house. Donald cut the engine and turned off the lights.

“We’re here.”

“We’re where?”

“Your training grounds, Polina.” Donald opened the door and stood, trying to shake the stiffness from his legs. “But first it’s a good night’s sleep for everyone. We begin in the morning.”

“Doing what?”

“Major, if I am correct, none of you have done anything like this in a long while, or at all. It’s weapons and room to room fieldwork.” He turned away from the building as the last ones piled out of the SUV. “You’ve got three days to begin to develop teamwork.”

“Three days?” Anya exclaimed.

“Three days. Nothing more.”

“That’s not much time,” Ivan replied.

“What did you think was going to happen over here? This is an in and out mission. Sadly, I don’t know what you’re going to get yourselves into. But I need to prepare you for a firefight.” Donald turned and began walking toward the building, his boots kicking loose gravel. “Time to bunk down.”