The Russian Woman

Chapter 6

Colonel Konstatin Novikov watched elements of the 22nd Special Purpose Brigade and the 14th engineers board the Antonov AN-124 that would take them to Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. This flight consisted mostly of engineering, signals, and logistics units. So far everything was going well. From Khmeimim, the units would head overland to Deir-ez-Zor and establish a base for the operation.

The first order of business was building an airstrip. The gigantic hold of the Antonov had plenty of room for the bulldozers and other construction equipment needed. After the strip was ready, supplies and men would be flown in directly.

Novikov had more than four thousand troops under his command. It was only a question of time before the presence of the 22nd was discovered by Western intelligence. American satellites and spies on the ground made that inevitable. To delay discovery as long as possible, the brigade would be transferred in increments over the next few weeks.

The area had been an extensive war zone for more than a decade. The Federation already had a contingent of regular army in country. The additional troops would be justified as part of an ongoing counterterrorism mission.

As he watched his men board the plane, a proverb came to mind. Russians had a proverb for almost every situation.

The wolf can be hired as a shepherd very cheap.

Novikov was an accomplished, experienced officer, the epitome of a professional warrior. After thirty years in uniform, he was nearing the end of his career. He'd been fighting Russia's enemies for a long time. He'd seen hard combat in hard places, and it showed. He never smiled. His eyes were dark and brooding, under slanting lids that spoke of a time when his ancestors rode with Ghengis Khan.

Like special forces units all over the world, Spetsnaz brigades were a breed apart from regular units. The boundary between officer and enlisted was sometimes blurred. There were no conscripts in his brigade, no one who wasn't a committed and combat proven professional. No officer could command such men unless he'd proven himself worthy of the job. It took more than competence in the field, although that was fundamental. For the best units, a bond was established that had nothing to do with rank.

It was an Alpha Male world, and a rough one. Novikov believed in leading from the front. He could drink any man in his unit under the table. He could out march them and out fight most of them. He respected his men and they returned that respect. The brigade was his life.

The 22nd Brigade was one of the most decorated units in the Federation. Novikov had shaped it, and he was proud of it. EAGLE would likely be his last assignment, a final engagement against a determined enemy. The order to deploy into Syria and prepare for action against the Kurds was a welcome relief from the training routines and peacetime boredom of Rostov.

He was looking forward to it.

The Kurds were skilled fighters, experienced after years battling a variety of enemies set on destroying them. They were reasonably well armed, courtesy of the Americans, and had additional heavy weaponry they'd captured in battle. Novikov expected fierce resistance.

There was no question who would win, of course. Novikov's troops were superb and far better equipped. As good as they were, the Kurds could not hope to defeat the Russians. Still, they would provide needed combat experience for his men.

Novikov's executive officer, Major Nikolai Gorky, walked up and saluted.

"Ready for departure, sir."

Novikov returned his salute. "Very well, major. I'll be following in three weeks with two of the special detachments. You have your orders."

"Yes, sir. We'll be ready for you."

"There's been an increase in terrorist activity in the area," Novikov said. "Watch your ass, Nikolai. Keep your eyes open."

"Always, sir."

"Carry on."

"Sir."

Gorky clicked his heels, saluted, and jogged over to the plane. A moment later, the loading ramp lifted and closed. The four big engines on the huge plane spooled up and it began to move. Five minutes later it rose into the air, headed for Syria.

Operation EAGLE had begun.