"How quickly they forget, that all it takes to change the course of history, is a single man..."
Vladimir Makarov's mind was working at a pace that even he had trouble keeping up with. The sounds of gunfire downstairs were getting closer and closer, and it was only a matter of time before they reached him. They would be close, but he was always one step ahead of them. He always was.
Anatoly appeared through the doorway behind him. "They've made it through the lobby!" He cried. "We need to get you out of here now!"
"I understand." Makarov said, not keeping his eyes off the computer screen in front of him. He continued to work calmly as he deleted countless files, wiping the hard drive so no infomation could be used against him.
More shots were heard, this time closer. Anatoly clutched his sidearm close to him, constantly checking the hallway.
"We're going to be cornered if we don't move now!" Anatoly said, panic in his voice.
"Done." Makarov declared, standing over the computer. With a final keystroke, all infomation concerning his operations had been erased. Nothing would be of use to Price now, and it would take him months before he could ever find a solid lead on him again.
"Great. Wonderful. Now we need to move!" Anatoly urged.
Makarov calmly nodded and grabbed his five-seven and suitcase off the table nearby. He walked at a fast pace side by side with Anatoly down the hallway, heading towards the elegant penthouse suite. Hotel Oasis had been such a quiet and serene place. It felt somewhat strange to Makarov to wake up everyday in such a richly decorated place. No doubt that strangeness was caused by his lifestyle he chose. Nevertheless, he had no qualms leaving such a place behind.
A group of armed guards rushed by, heading downstairs as Makarov entered the penthouse. Sitting in the center was a young woman with dark, thick hair. Her hands wrapped around her arms, almost trying to shield herself from the chaos happening around her. Her dark, hazel eyes locked with his, and she rushed over to greet him.
"Sister..." Makarov said quietly, embracing her gently.
"Vladimir, whats going on? Why is there gunfire?" Nina Makarov asked, looking up at her brother. "The guards, I've heard them on the radio, they say two men-"
"They're here for me." Makarov explained to her, holding her by the shoulders. "I've already planned for this, everything is all right."
Her eyes stared into his. He tried to read them. It was easy enough. She didn't believe him. Not a word.
"I'm getting you out of here." He said, still aware of the gunfire in the floors below them. "Theres a helicopter waiting for you on the roof. Anatoly will take you-"
"Why aren't you coming with us?" She asked, confusion in her eyes.
"I'll be right behind." Makarov assured her. "A second helicopter is here. I'll be on it once I've taken care of-
"Leave them!" Nina demanded, her hands tightening on his sleeve. Tears were beginning to swell in her eyes. "Just walk away. Everything you've done, everything thats happened, just leave it behind. We can start over. We can start again!"
A tear rolled down her cheek, she looked up at him, a mix of anger and sadness in her eyes. "You still choose revenge over me! Why can't you choose me!"
She stood there, silently crying and staring into his eyes. Makarov gently brushed a tear away off her beautiful face. Looking at her, Makarov realized how much she looked like mother. She had grown into a beautiful young woman. While he had grown into a vile demon. It was fitting, and he deserved it.
"Don't you see. I'm choosing you." Makarov said quietly, holding Nina in his embrace. "They will never leave us alone. I have to stop them here. It's the only way to give you the happyness you deserve."
He kissed her forehead. "S'ami bog. God is with us."
She gave a weak smile and nodded, blinking the tears out of her eyes. "S'ami bog..." She repeated, holding him in a tight embrace. For a moment, time stopped in the world for Vladimir Makarov. For once, he could no longer hear the gunfire or the shouts. For just a moment, a rare, precious moment, he felt at peace with his sister.
That moment however, was interrupted by an explosion a couple floors below.
Makarov and Nina turned to look outside the window. A black plume of smoke was rising from the side of the buliding.
"They're in the elevator..." Anatoly said, glancing towards the elevator. "We don't have much time..."
"Anatoly, take her and get out of here." Makarov ordered, handing Anatoly his sister and his suitcase. "Inside is directions and more then enough money to get you there."
"And you?"
"It will be harder for me to travel, so I'll leave seperate." Makarov explained, . "Once you've cross the border, leave the helicopter. Don't travel by plane and avoid urban areas, understood?"
Anatoly nodded, holding the suitcase in one hand, Nina's hand in the other. Makarov stared at the two before him. One, his sister and the most precious he had left in his life. And the other, his only true friend he had left in his life. The two had only met and known each other for half and year. And now they had fallen in love.
"I've given you what I hold dearest to me." Makarov said to his old friend and comrade. "Make sure she stays safe."
"My life will be her guard." Anatoly said, a rare confidence in his hazel eyes. "I promise you."
Another explosion. Makarov pushed both of them towards the rooftop exit."
"Go! I'll be right behind you!"
Makarov slammed through the door and onto the rooftop, sprinting across the helipad towards the littlebird standing by for takeoff. He glanced back, seeing Price right on his heels, anger and determination in his eyes.
"Go!" Makarov shouted to the pilot, causing the littlebird to lift off. Makarov jumped in the back just as the craft left the ground. He slammed the door shut and sat in his seat as the helicopter took off and left hotel oasis.
Suddenly, Makarov felt something catch the helicopter. Before he could react, Makarov watched Price in disbelief as he yanked open the door. The pilot hastily tried to kick the man, but Price easily blocked it, delivering a swift blow to the pilot's face and throwing him out into the night below. The co-pilot reached for his side arm, but Price was one step ahead. He stabbed his knife into the man's throat, forcing him back. A round went off, shooting the control panel.
The helicopter began to spin out of control. Warnings were going off as Price fought with the control. Makarov tried to reach for him, but the force keep him against his seat. The city lights blurred around him right until the sound of twisting and crashing metal.
Then there was darkness.
Makarov's eyes reopenned, and found himself staring at a firery wreck. He surveyed his surroundings, and realized he was still in the helicopter, in pain but alive.
He looked outside the front of the helicopter to see a man lying on the helipad, looking into the glass, still trying to recover himself. It didn't take Makarov anytime to figure out who it was.
"I've have not made it this far to be stopped by the likes of you..." Makarov thought to himself in silent anger. "I send Captain Mactavish a friend to accompany him in hell..."
Clutching his arm, Makarov forced open the door and stumbled out of the helicopter. His eyes met Price's in a deadly cold stare, and they both looked at the pistol laying in the middle of them. Both men began to reach it. Makarov limped, wincing in pain, but not keeping his eyes off the man in front of him.
Price reached the firearm first, but Makarov crushed his foot down, kicking the pistol out of the Captain's hand. He grabbed it and lowered it at the man's head.
"Goodbye..." Makarov said finally, standing over Price wounded but victorious."...Captain Price..."
A gunshot rang out, but not from Makarov. A sharp pain exploded in his shoulder and the impact of a bullet took him to his knee before he could pull the trigger. Makarov quickly spun around to face his attacker, and without thinking, fired three quick shots into his foe. Only after the man had fallen, did he realized who he was.
Yuri.
Just looking at his face made him think of the past. The past with Zakhaev. The past he was trying so hard to bury.
"How quickly they forget, that all it takes to change the course of history, is a single man..."