G.I. JOE: America's Special Missions Force Chapter 3
Volgograd, Russia May 22, 2010
The limousine was flanked by two white SUVs as it hurried down the highway toward the Volgograd International Airport. In the back of the limousine, Kirill Andreev was having the most heated phone conversation of his career as Assistant Minister of Internal Affairs.
"Yes sir, I'm sure there is no connection between myself and the Chechens. There's no way the Americans will..."
"Fuck the Americans!" The Minister of Defense screamed. "They're the least of our problems. You have no idea of the players involved in this! The fact that your meddling has cost us a squad of our best troops and opened us to retaliation from..."
"From what, Minister?" Andreev asked, his curiosity getting the better of his diplomacy.
"Never mind that. Just hope that your career is the only thing lost from this. The president wants you in his office as soon as you land."
"Yes sir. I'm scheduled to land at two."
"You had better prepare to kiss a lot of ass. Your fuck up has pissed off the entire administration!"
"Understood sir, I'll.." Andreev said as he realized the call had ended.
"Shit," he said under his breath. Andreev had already made plans for his family to leave the country. Now it was a matter of figuring out how to escape himself.
He had already figured out who he would have to bribe when the SUV in front exploded into a ball of flame. The limo slammed to a halt as flames began leaping up from underneath. Behind them, the trailing SUV had stopped and the doors opened as it exploded. The engine of the limo exploded, driving shrapnel through the dashboard and killing the driver and bodyguard.
Andreev was deafened by the blast and didn't notice the flames coming from the front until his eyes started watering from the smoke. In a panic he tried pushing open the doors, finding them sealed. He could feel the heat beginning to blister his skin. Motivated by fear he kicked at the windows, fighting to release himself.
From a rooftop half a mile away, the masked man in gray camouflage watched through the scope of a PSG-1 sniper rifle. He stayed until the limo had burned to the point of being unrecognizable. Then as the police and fire engines arrived, he walked to his bag and took out a radio.
"Firefly to Baroness, money has been received and the job is completed. Thanks for the business."
U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower, somewhere in the Mediterranean
"So you have no idea what Dr. Monev may have been up to?" Colonel Abernathy asked.
"No, he was always secretive and kind of intense." Dr. Adele Burkhart told him. "We kind of had a falling out over Peter. He seemed more concerned about proving the scanner than helping."
"And Doctor Bender?"
"I had only met him twice. He was a student of Archibald's, a little bit out there to be honest." Burkhart thought for a moment. "He was a radical. And prone to taking short cuts. Also he had an odd snake obsession; he always wore a cobra hooded tie tack and I once interrupted he and Archibald talking about cobras. The look he gave me was one of the scariest I had seen. Up until the past few weeks that is..."
Abernathy, Wilkinson and Hauser all exchanged looks as they sat around "Peter's" bed in the ships infirmary; something that didn't go unnoticed by "Peter". He tilted his head inquisitively at the three.
"Can you remember anything that was said?" Abernathy asked.
"Just bits of it, really. Things like 'I spoke with the cobra' and 'the cobra commanded or commander'. The only thing that stood out was 'the scanner could create a new breed of viper'. Like I said, he was out there."
"Thank you, Doctor. You've been a lot of help." Abernathy exchanged another look with Wilkinson. "Captain, you said you may have some information on our friend here?"
"Possibly, sir." Lonzo Wilkinson said as both Dr. Burkhart and Peter perked up. "It was in Afghanistan in '02. There were two guys that rotated into my Ranger platoon. Both of them had a tattoo like our friend here. There was Tommy, he was Japanese-American and another guy we called Snake. He was about 'Peter's height and build and didn't say much."
"I can't remember his real name, they weren't with us more than six months. Then they were picked up by some black ops group. Snake was one of our demo guys. Also he was scary with a knife. He and Tommy were amazing. They were like having an extra squad with us."
"So you can check your records and get a name that we can match him to?" Burkhart asked.
"I'm afraid not, doc." Wilkinson looked at Abernathy who nodded. "I checked already. There's no record of either of them. Someone went back and wiped out all trace."
"So there's nothing?"
"Pretty much. It gives us a starting point to start digging. Who knows what was missed. Nobody can erase all trace of a person."
"Okay, I need to get ready to brief General Flagg so that's all for now." Colonel Abernathy told them. "Doctor Burkhart, thanks again. Captain, Sergeant; the General's forwarding some intel I need you to go over."
"Sir." Wilkinson and Hauser said as they stood up.
"Colonel, if you learn anything else about Peter please let us know." Burkhart said.
"Of course Doctor." Abernathy smiled at her then turned to Peter. "Actually I would like to stay a moment, Peter. If you don't mind? I have something to discuss."
Peter nodded as the others left.
"I think Lonzo's on to something about you." Abernathy began. "If you're interested I have an offer for you." When Peter nodded he continued.
"I want you to join our outfit. Once you recover from surgery we'll send you through a few months of evaluation to see your full capabilities and then put you through any training we think you'll need. After that you'll join Lonzo's team."
Peter absentmindedly rubbed his chin through the bandages as he considered.
"I don't need an answer now, but please think about it. We will, of course do everything possible to find out who you really are."
Peter nodded and held out his hand.
"We're off loading Doctor Burkhart and the others in four days." Abernathy said as he took Peter's hand. "Let me know before then."
As he closed the door Hawk looked thoughtful for moment. "And when you do find out who you are," he said quietly, "I hope you'll forgive me."
Undisclosed location in the Western Hemisphere May 23, 2010
"Report, Baroness." The raspy voice said as the attractive woman in a black jumpsuit entered his chamber. She stopped in front of the cobra shaped throne, well aware of the squad of Crimson Guardsmen in the shadows; and the figure noticeably absent from his normal place behind the throne.
"Major Bludd and Firefly were both successful." The Baroness said, squinting her icy blue eyes against the darkness. "The only loose end is Andreev's contact in the Russian Mafia. He was the go between Basayev and Andreev. Josef Shelkov, former Soviet Army administrator. Last seen in Georgia."
"That is being taken care. You have done well." She could see her reflection in his mirrored face mask as he regarded her. "Send a bonus to Firefly and let him know we will have further use for him soon. You will leave immediately to take charge of Project Daedalus."
"Yes Commander," She said as she turned and walked away.
U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower
"So the name Cobra pops up again." General James Longstreet Flagg said as Colonel Abernathy finished his report.
"Yes Sir, I'm beginning to think we're on to something big."
"You may be right, Clay. I wish I had more information for you. It seems we've been stonewalled from every direction. The only thing I have is from Sergeant Provost before he disappeared two days ago." Flagg passed a printout to Abernathy.
"He's found a possible link to a hostile party that may be influencing the upper levels of government and will be off the grid for awhile? Sir, this sounds like a wild goose chase."
"But it's all we have. With the level of corruption surrounding this administration, anything is possible. You didn't serve when President Johnson was in office, but his administration was much the same and ended up with a Soviet agent in a high level cabinet post."
"So how should we proceed?"
"Cautiously. We keep everything in unit for now. I want you and Major Wilkinson to work out the best course of action. Along with a contingency. As of right now, Task Force J is off the grid. After what happened with the rescue operation, I'm not risking the proper chains of command."
Abernathy was silent for a moment. "Sir, if this as big as we think; we'll need a larger force than what we have. There's no way we can keep this quiet."
"Let me worry about that. I think that myself, General Austin and Admiral Colby can come up with a solution."
Bat'umi, Georgia May 26, 2010
It was humid in the Black Sea port city, a drizzly morning had turned into an unusually hot afternoon. Josef Shelkov wiped his brow as he exited the back of his Mercedes S65 AMG sedan. He was short and pale, with what was left of his hair graying fast. He coughed as the humid air pulled the breath from his four hundred pound frame, then returned to wiping his brow.
The restaurant tried it's best to be authentic French, and had long been his favorite in the city. The price of the menu insured no one would interrupt his meal and his reputation guaranteed his favorite table was always available. One of his four bodyguards opened the door and the host quickly greeted him and escorted the group to his usual spot. To find it occupied by an Asian man in a well tailored white suit.
"On time, General Shelkov. I like that." The Asian said in flawless Russian. He smiled at Shelkov though his eyes remained a cold brown. "I was afraid I would be kept waiting, and I do hate waiting."
"How dare you sir." The host said. "This table is reserved for Mr. Shelkov and his party..."
"Mr. Shelkov is fine with me being here; aren't you General?"
"I think you should leave before I have my men remove you." Shelkov said with an attempt at menace.
"That would be unwise," Storm Shadow told him as he smiled again. "I'm certain you want to hear what I have to say. Well I should say, what the organization I represent wants said. Or would you prefer the same type of meeting that your friend Andreev had?"
At the mention of the recently deceased Russian Assistant Minister of Internal Affairs, Shelkov hesitated. He started sweating, even though the air conditioning kept the restaurant cool.
"It's okay my friend," Shelkov told the host. "My guest and I have much to discuss. Would you please delay the server."
"Very well sir." The host said as he seated Shelkov.
"So who are you? FSB? SVR?"
"Let's just say I represent people who's business covers a lot of interests. And right now you are one of those interests."
Shelkov paled at that. His mind wandering to rumors of a secret organization that had been steadily building influence. Perhaps to the point of influencing governments themselves?
"I'm sure we would be better off discussing these things alone." Storm Shadow said, letting a hint of coldness touch his voice. Shelkov quickly motioned for his bodyguards to leave.
"So what do you know of Andreev and Basayev's operation in Dagestan?"
"Very little. I supplied a courier to Andreev."
"Yes, I'm afraid that courier is no longer with you. We couldn't take chances on someone so unimportant having information about us. I'm assuming that your courier kept you informed; yes?"
"Yes," Shelkov swallowed.
"And you have shared this information?"
"Of course not. The whole idea seemed foolhardy to me. But I am a professional."
"That is very good. Fortunately you aren't unimportant, so we may be able to come to an agreement?"
Shelkov frowned at that, wishing he could stop sweating. He nodded his acceptance, afraid to speak.
"Your smuggling organization intrigues us. We would like to make use of it on occasion. At no cost of course."
"Of course," Shelkov said. Realizing that he was making a deal with a very real devil.
"Also we may need use of your other assets from time to time. Nothing major, just the occasional project."
Shelkov nodded again.
"Very good. I see you continuing to stay important." Storm Shadow smiled reassuringly. "Finally we understand that a lot of valuable information comes to you. We would appreciate if you pass it on to us."
"Yes, no problem."
"Well I thank you for your time." Storm Shadow said as he stood up. "And I'll let my employers know how willing you are to cooperate."
Storm stopped as he walked by Shelkov.
"I almost forgot."
"Yes?" Shelkov asked when Storm Shadow didn't continue.
"I was told to leave you something to show how important we hold your cooperation." Storm Shadow placed a small white box in front of Shelkov.
Shelkov gulped as he stared at the box, noticing that it wasn't completely white. Dead center on the top was a small red cobra. He hesitantly reached out and opened it. He fought back the urge to vomit as he gasped. He recognized the ornate ring, still attached to a fresh bloody hand, as belonging to his driver. How had this man done this and still made it to his table so quickly...
"Don't worry, I made sure not to make a mess of your car. It is a Mercedes after all. Good day, General."