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Chapter 16
“Endgame II”
or:
“Shock and Awe”
Russia: Somewhere south east of Tsarskoye Selo around 1600 Hours:
Anna checked her watch. Dusk was approaching. She had that place chosen for a reason: With the dusk setting in, any person entering the clearing would clearly stand out against the sky – she had accompanied Uncle Fyodor often on hunting trips here.
For Anna´s purposes the insetting twilight was perfect. She checked for the two snipers. They had not moved an inch. But that would not do them any good. Anna had marked their positions. Time passed slowly.
Now it was almost half past five.
This was a game. A deadly one, one she intended not to lose. Her perfect pitch picked up a distant sound. Tyres on gravel: They were coming. Anna adjusted her VKS sniper rifle. The rifle was optimized for silent firing. It´s 12.7×55mm STs-130 subsonic round was perfect for the job at hand “I have to thank Vasyli – without him we would have been lost!” Anna shoved this thought resolutely aside.
In her sights she detected an incoming SUV. A heavy moss green Marussia F 2, Anna chuckled mirthlessly “Oblomov likes his toys”. The car halted in the clearing´s centre. It´s left backside door glided open. One tall dark haired woman, dressed in combat gear got out. She walked around the SUV. The right door opened automatically.
The Woman bowed and fumbled at something, then helped another person to get out. The awkward way she moved, she was obviously restrained. On her head she wore a red woollen cap. She was blindfolded and her lower face was covered by a panel gag.
Anna suspected she wore ear buds as well. Her posture, her blonde hair betrayed her: It was Chris! The Russian would have recognized the body language of her BFFL anywhere, anytime. And her heart went out to Chris.
The blonde had no idea where she was. Chris had just recovered from another orgasm. She had sensed that the car had halted. Obviously Natasha had got out of the car, because she felt the cool air on her skin. The door on her side glided open – and the blonde felt Natasha fumbling at her safety belt, before she helped her out of the SUV “Get out blondie and enjoy a breath of fresh air!” Natacha´s voice rang into her ears. Then silence again. Chris mumbled something not very polite into her gag: The Russian slapped her hard on her butt: Once, twice, a third time “I will miss our sessions Chris, won´t you too?” Natasha chuckled
“No, I will definitely not miss them” Chris mumbled into her gag. The Ear buds were on again – she was deaf, dumb and mute again.
Despite the vibrating knobs she felt soft floor under her soles. Where they in the woods? She breathed in deeply and inhaled the tangy aroma of the woods. Natasha held her firmly at her left arm. But Chris did not move “What could I do anyway?” At least the vibrators had stopped her devilish work.
Her pulse slightly returned to normal. She inhaled the cool air through the nose greedily “What now?” Natasha´s grip was firm, but not brutal. Chris hated this enforced inactivity – and supressed a curse as the knobs in her boots vibrated stronger again. Uneasily she shifted from her left to her right foot “I have many reasons to get back at Natasha, these boots are one more” Chris cursed.
Natasha checked the clearing. She could not make out anything out of the ordinary. She spoke in her head set “Eagle 1 and Eagle 2, could you identify a target?” Eagle 1 responded “Negative, I repeat negative, no visual contact” “Negative, no visual contact, Eagle 2 out” Natasha got a bit nervous, she felt exposed and she realized exactly why Romanova had chosen this site.
For any sniper worth his salt this was like a shooting range. But how good was Romanova? Even Oblomov had hit a road block, when he tried to access the Grand Duchesses record. Her Grandfather though had been a highly successful sniper at Stalingrad “The silent demon” the German Rank and File had dubbed him. He had a reputation for targeting Officer´s only: He had achieved 42 confirmed kills - if Romanova had inherited some of his Genes …
The security chief scanned the woods at the end of the clearing “Where are you Romanova? You are out there!” Grudgingly she had to admire how the Aristocrat had turned the tables, wrangled the initiative from their hands.
Anna watched as the dark haired woman scanned the area. She could have taken her out effortlessly. This had to be Natasha. But she was no real threat. The Russian aimed at the first sniper who aimed at Chris´ back as did the other one.
Those two had to go first “Come to Mama” she whispered and pulled the trigger. A soft plop, a perfect hit; in one fluent motion she changed target: Eagle 2 – another shot, another hit: Only two soft plops. Thanks to the subsonic noise almost noiseless.
Now Anna aimed at the driver of the SUV …
The sudden silence irritated Natasha. She had heard two soft plops “Eagle 1 do you copy?” No reaction “Eagle 1 do you copy?” Nothing “Eagle 2 do you copy?” Silence “Eagle 2 do you copy?”: Deafening silence greeted her.
The Russian grabbed Chris by the arm, her nails digging in her left upper arm sharply “Damn it!” Chris cursed as Natasha dragged her back to the Car, the blonde resisted. Natasha dragged stronger - Chris dug her heels in the ground, made herself as heavy as possible, which earned her another slap on her butt “Move! Bitch!” Natasha hissed in her left ear.
They had to leave! This was a death trap! “Ivan! Get ready!” she commanded “Move your stubborn ass Chris!” The blonde resisted with all her strength “I will not go back in this car!”
“You will pay for this stunt, when we are back at base!” Natasha hissed.
Natasha had barley ended, when the supposedly bullet proof windscreen of the Marussia F 2 dissolved into a myriad of splinters. Natasha froze: Ivan? Ivan´s head was gone … there was only a bloody stump left where his had had been.
Natasha withstood an impulse to take cover as a fourth projectile punched into the motor compartment of the SUV. “F*ck!” They were stuck! And her back up was still far away.
As if to confirm her cares an electronically amplified voice filled the clearing. The cool voice of Anna Romanova: “Lay down you weapon, get away from Chris!” Natasha made a move in Chris´ direction to use her as a shield.
But ere she got there, something iron hot grazed her left temple, she felt blood dripping down. Her head was spinning! The same cool voice rang out above the clearing again “The next one goes right between your eyes! Two metres away from Chris! Throw your gun on the ground, and lay down! NOW!
The security chief did not like that, but she complied. She had seen the marks which had hit the car: Romanova probably used a 12.7 mm projectile. A direct hit would make an ugly hole – no, not just a hole. It would smash her head in pieces. And Romanova would not hesitate to pull the trigger she knew – she looked at once had been Ivan´s head.
Slowly she retrieved her Makarov and threw it on the floor “Oblomov you were an idiot! I told you so!”
Hands raised over head, she slowly knelt down and laid down on the moist grass of the clearing and folded her hands behind her head. Natasha shivered – but not out of fear, but hot anger.
Anna stepped onto the clearing and moved forward. She had shouldered the Sniper Rifle and changed to her PP-2000 Submachine gun “Chris has to be deaf: she has not moved one millimetre!” Anna mused, as she moved forward. Her friend stood still as a statue.
Finally Anna stood only two metres away. Everything in her body screamed to rush at Chris, to hug her. But she withstood the impulse. Carefully she stepped nearer till she towered above Natasha. Her submachine gun aimed directly on the back of her head. She was so tempted to pull the trigger ….
Oblomov´s security chief had heard steps coming nearer, evenly, carefully – but steadily. Finally they came to a halt right before her, a melodious alto voice spoke. Coolly, measured, menacingly “Listen Natasha, I know what you did to Chris – and if we had more time, I would gladly use the tonfa on you, strap you on the rack – or whip your back bloody”
Natasha froze, how could she know? The voice continued “You will do exactly as I say – or I end you here and now. Are we clear?” “We are” Natasha lowly said. Her captor stepped on her back fully and pressed her face down the snow “I didn´t hear you!” The pressure on her back receded “We are clear” the Russian reiterated, louder this time.
“Right then” Anna continued “Where are the keys to Chris´ shackles?” Natasha thought for a moment about playing for time, but she sensed that violinist was not in the mood for any Bullshit
“In my jacket” she pressed through clenched teeth “So get them slowly and lay them before you on the floor! If you throw them or try any other bullshit I shoot you!” Romanova´s voice left no doubt, that she meant any word.
Natasha weighed the risks for the brief spell of a second, but then she slowly grabbed in her down filled jacket and laid the key´s on the floor.
The next moment something hit her with tremendous force on the back of her skull. She saw stars, then just blackness: Anna had hit her with the butt of her Submachine gun fully on the back of her head.
Natasha did not stir any more.
Maybe Anna had hit a bit harder than necessary, but that had been the woman who had tortured her friend. Anna listened. Nothing except the usual sounds in the woods, no sounds of high powered cars … yet.
They had to hurry.
Anna chanced a glance at her friend. Chris was still standing there. Still like a statue. The violinist sat to work. 10 minutes later she looked down pleased on her work: She had stripped Oblomov´s security officer, crotch roped her and hogtied her – with zip ties. Her mouth she had stuffed with her socks, before she had put a ball gag on top.
Her opponent´s pantyhose she had put to good use: One leg she had used as stocking cap, the other one she had tied to her victims big toes. This hogtie was very tight, one might say even cruel – but Anna felt no mercy. She had watched the video material. Grimly she looked down at her opponent “This is your lucky day!”
The violinist had just removed the shackles around Chris´ ankles as her perfect pitch picked up the sounds she dreaded:
High powered engines “Oblomov, you double crossing SOB!” Anna cursed – and fumbled at Chris´ ear buds, removed the left, then the right “Chris!” she whispered in hushed tones “You must do now as I ask. You understand me?”
The blonde nodded. The sounds of the machines came nearer. The blood pounded in Anna´s ears “Chris, I will lead you, but you must follow me” The blonde nodded a second time “I am still gagged and blind and shackled what should I do else?” She too had heard the sounds of the high powered engines. Her own impotence angered her beyond belief.
Anna took Chris by her left arm and broke into a run. The still blindfolded and gagged pianist stumbled along as best as she could. The sounds of the incoming vehicles were very near now they must have almost reached the clearing. Chris and Anna had still to clear over hundred metres to the shelter of the forest. They stumbled along.
Anna risked a look over her left shoulder. The first SUV had just cleared the passage to the gorge. Muzzle flashes, then the sharp rattata of automatic weapons. The fire was well aimed “Down Chris, down” Anna shouted.
With Horror she watched as one fire burst missed the blonde by inches only. Chris must have sensed it, she got awkwardly down on her knees, she threw herself on the ground. Just as she hit the ground, another fire burst riddled the air, where she had stood, seconds before.
Anna whirled around, knelt down, pulled her rifle from her shoulder and took aim at the first SUV. Bullets flew around her like a swarm of angry hornet´s, the screeching sound of an incoming mortar round – Anna threw herself to the ground. Not one second too early, as shrapnels cut through the air where she had just knelt.
The violinist struggled to her knees. Anna took aim again. She pulled the trigger: One shot, a second and third, all in in rapid succession. Obviously the driver lost control or was dead, because the car veered to the left and crossed the path of the second. With a sickening crunch both vehicles collided at full force.
One rolled over the over and landed on the roof, wheels turning, the other on its side: Only the third one held course, still doubling down on them. Anna knew, she had only one chance. She had to make it count, or they were screwed. The Russian pulled the trigger, once, twice.
The first heavy projectile punched through the front shield, hitting the driver between the eyes, the second hit the engine compartment. These last two rounds had been incendiary shots. The vehicle veered to the side, the engine compartment exploded in flames. The SUV landed it on its left side. Anna threw her rifle aside and readied her PP-2000.
Screams rang over the clearing. The left door of the vehicle was pushed open with a screeching sound. A man in combat gear tried to lift himself out of the back of the car. Anna did not hesitate a second.
Her short burst hit the man in the chest. With a horrible scream he sank back. The Russian emptied the whole 22-shot magazine of 7N21 armour piercing rounds into the wreck. It exploded into a fireball.
Anna was breathing heavily. The adrenaline rush subsided only slowly. Only the sounds of secondary explosions, screams for help, moans screeching metal – the stenches of cordite, blood, burning rubber – and smouldering human flesh hang in the air. The Russian changed the magazine of her submachine gun – and retrieved her rifle.
With practised motions she changed its magazine too. She heard a soft moan behind her: Chris! Anna wheeled around. Her friend was trying to get back on her feet. Blindfolded and shackled no easy feature – finally she stood. Also breathing heavily, trying to get her bearings.
Seldom Chris had felt so helpless: She too had heard the incoming cars, heard the fire of automatic weapons – and felt the heat of the fire burst barely missing her. Getting on her knees, throwing herself on the ground: Then the short pops of Anna´s rifle, the colliding cars, the explosions, Anna´s rifle again, another detonation:
A different sound then: The short bursts of a submachine gun, a piercing scream. Next someone seemed to empty a whole magazine. An explosion shook the ground … She registered different sounds now: Screams, the cackling of flames - and an eerie silence.
Getting upright on her feet with her shackled mitted hands was no easy feature. Finally she stood. From behind her, steps came nearer. She felt a gentle touch at her left shoulder “Chris are you alright?” Anna spoke softly. Chris nodded and mumbled something in her gag “I know” her friend agreed “ but your gag is locked, we must first get to the car and then to the landing field – it is not far, I will guide you, can you do that?” The blonde nodded – and Anna took her gently by the arm and they hurried along.
She felt safer, when they reached the woods “We must be a strange pair” Anna grinned, a tall woman in heavy combat gear leading a blind bound and gagged woman in a red skiing suit. She felt Chris uneasiness: The blonde could do nothing, she was condemned to impotency. Something her friend hated on principle.
Anna and Chris followed the trail, till the Russian spotted the Land Rover she had parked there. So far she had not noticed any pursuers. It would take time till Oblomov would learn of the disaster and even more time to dispatch reserves. When those would arrive on scene, Anna and her friends would be gone. She helped Chris into the car, adjusted her safety belt. Minutes later they were on the road.
On a secluded former airfield of the Russian Air Force, around the same time some kilometres away:
Nervously Anastasia shifted from foot to foot and rubbed her gloved hands to get some warmth in them. Vasyli´s men had secured a perimeter around the private jet, which was ready to take off. Minutes ago the young historian was sure to have heard some grumbling noise in the distance.
Where was Anna, was she alright? “Anna will get through, Romanova always does” she heard Vasyli´s deep voice. And it calmed her. The former soldier was entirely calm and collected. Now Anastasia believed what Anna had told her about her friend “he keeps his cool even in the thickest of melees, there is no better friend in a tight spot”
“They are coming!” one of Vasyli´s men shouted and pointed east: In the distance Anastasia could make out the lights of an incoming car, driving at high speed. With screeching tyres it came to a halt. The driver´s door opened and Anna got out, her face covered by camo colour.
Her eyes were bright. From the trunk she retrieved her gear. “Get her gear and bring it on board” Vasyli ordered. The Operative saluted crisply and went to Anna. The Russian thanked him and walked on the passenger side. She opened the door, bowed inside. Then she helped a woman outside.
It was the first time Anastasia saw Chris from face to face: She saw a tall woman with a red woollen cap on her head, her face obscured by a heavily padded sleep mask and her lower face hidden behind a panel gag. The blonde wore a red ski suit and matching UGG Boots, her hands were manacled before her body and her hands mitted.
Gently Anna led her to them “Her restraints are locked and we had no time to open them, things got a little bit tense” Anna explained almost casually – and Anastasia could not be sure, but under the camo colour her cheeks seemed rosy.
“Anna you get on board and leave” Vasyli pressed her “You are right” Anna nodded “How can I ever thank you? I am forever in your debt!” The former Spetznaz chuckled “You are not Anna Alexandrovna Romanova, you once saved my life, now I could save that of your friend – now go!” The violinist hugged him tightly and when they parted Anastasia was sure Anna had tears in her eyes.
Ten minutes later they took off. Chris was pressed into the seat as the jet accelerated. She was still processing the events of this day. In the morning she had been awoken in her cell, awaiting an uncertain fate – now she sat in a plane, and she couldn´t still believe it, they were headed home. She felt tears forming under her sleep mask.
Obviously the plane had reached it travelling height, because it stopped it´s ascent. A warm hand touched her gently at the shoulder “I will unlock your restraints now” it was Anna. The Russian fumbled at the lock of her sleep mask. Finally a soft click and Anna could remove it.
The sudden brightness hurt her eyes – and it took a while till Chris could see clearly: They sat in the passenger compartment of a Lear Jet. Their Lear Jet, the Lear Jet of Art Incorporated. Chris heard Anna cursing under her breath.
The locks of her gag were stubborn. But finally the Russian could ease the very large foam ball out of her mouth. The blonde moved her jaws tenderly to get back some feeling into them. Damnit her jaws hurt!
Anastasia was surprised: The pianist displayed no sign of impatience. Calmly and collected she waited till Anna had freed her of the manacles at her wrists and the mittens. Gingerly the blonde flexed her fingers.
Now, free of the blindfold and the gag, the historian could have a closer look at Chris: Her face was pale, she had dark smudges under her eyes – and looked tired, her blond hair matted and damp. Her emerald green eyes –Anastasia had never seen such a green before – were clear though.
“Thank you Anna” she spoke lowly “please, please get me rid of those boots – they are locked” Her alto voice was melodious – but betrayed her tiredness. And Anastasia could not and would not imagine what the woman had endured in the last seven days. She had seen only a fraction of the material from the dungeons – and that had shocked her already.
As Anna had removed the boots from her socked feet Chris sighed in relief and flexed her soles “This feels so good” There was silence in the cabin for a moment, then the blonde stood and hugged Anna tightly “It is so good to be home” she whispered.
Gently Anna stroked her back “Everything is alright Chris” Finally they broke the hug and the pianist stretched – and winced as something snapped audible at her back “I need a shower” she announced and began to undress – obviously not minding any spectators.
Anastasia noted that the blond moved very gingerly at times. Bowing down and rolling down the woollen socks took her some effort. As Chris stood finally stark naked in the Cabin, Anastasia gasped in horror: The whole body, from neck to ankles was covered with smaller or greater bruises, burn marks. The worst was the back side: They had faded but from her shoulder blades down to her ankles Chris´ skin was covered by welts.
Anna cursed loudly “I should have killed that bitch” Chris chuckled mirthlessly “Yes, she used the whip freely” she added “but it looks worse than it is – if you ask me, the hours on that rack were worse …” her voice trailed away.
To Anastasia it seemed as if the blonde did her best to keep herself together “I will have a shower now” Chris announced “and I am really hungry – and I have to remove some intruders, the bitch plugged me both ways” The blonde turned on her heels and tapped stark naked into the bathroom, far from moving with her usual grace.
As Chris had left Anna looked on her watch “I wonder if Oblomov already knows that his scheme failed” she smiled grimly “And I hope Natasha freezes to death!”
20 Minutes later Chris returned from the shower. She looked much better now “Thank you for bringing that set of clothes for me!” the blonde smiled. Chris wore a moos green turtleneck, jeans and two pairs green woollen socks on her feet.
With a sigh she let herself fall into one of the recliners – a flash of pain crossed her features and propped her socked feet on a table “If you had told me this morning that I would sit here in the evening? I would have called you barking mad” she said. Her face grew serious “Don´t tell me Anna, you let the bastard have the Romanov Treasure in exchange for me!”
The Russian smiled deviously “No Chris that SOB will find something, but not what he thinks he will. I have prepared a nice surprise – I will send him the coordinates in” Anna looked at her watch “thirty minutes – we should be home when he gets there so that we can watch the show!” But Chris had not heard the last words. She was fast asleep. Gently Anna covered her with a blanket.
Fondly she looked down at her sleeping best friend “I am so glad we have you back Chris” and kissed her on her forehead. And as the indomitable Russian turned Anastasia could see tears in her eyes.
This time she was sure, Anna had cleaned her face on board.