Chapter 4: Team Players

The heavy oak door swung shut behind and the numerous locks were reset and secured. Makarov surveyed what would be his temporary home for the next day. The place was small and tight, almost like living in a basement. There were no windows, no sunlight. The place had a slight musky smell and hadn't been renovated in years. The place seem to have been forgotten by everyone else going on with their lives

In the biggest room of the safe house were Makarov stood was the main living room. Despite its size, it managed to cram a single old sofa and a big table, complete with chairs surrounding it. The whole room itself was lit by a single hanging lamp, providing sufficient light to navigate it safely.

As Makarov walked from the living room to his room, he passed through the small kitchen that was directly to the living room itself, which was basically a combination of an old stove, a sink, and a fridge. The cabinets were old and dusty, some missing doors none the less. It seemed to be the last place you want to eat a meal, let alone prepare one.

A hallway led Makarov past a small bathroom with an old shower and sink with a mirror hanging above it. He continued past a series of doors till he reached the one in the way back. He opened it to a simple bedroom. The bedroom was small with room for only for a bed and nightstand.

Simple was the obvious word to describe it, but it mattered little to him. It would serve its purpose and the thought of sleeping in a bed was appealing enough to overlook the obvious flaws. Makarov had enough of sleeping in the back of an ambulance, not an experience he had enjoyed.

He set his rut sack on the bed and returned to the main room to be greeted by an his friend.

"Long time, no see my friend!" the man said, shaking Makarov's hand while talking "How was the drive?"

"Boring and uneventful." Makarov replied, returning the handshake. "Something that you could easily find enjoyment in Anatoly."

Anatoly only grinned. "You think you know me so well."

"Not think, I know." Makarov countered, smiling at his old friend.

Makarov had known Anatoly since his service in the Russian 98th Guard Airborne Division. Being placed same squad, Makarov and Anatoly had quickly became friends, relying on each other to survive basic training as well as actual combat. When Makarov was discharged, Anatoly gladly followed suit, and had helped him since. Loyal, always optimistic, but easily worried, Anatoly could always do what Makarov needed to be done, and would do it right the first time, something he was thankful of.

"Where are the others?" Makarov asked.

"Well I believe Victor should be here within the hour." Anatoly replied. "As for Krill and Lev, well…"

Makarov quickly looked up at Anatoly to see a worried look across his face

"What do you mean well?" Makarov asked suspiciously.

"Well," Anatoly began. "Since you hadn't arrived you, they kind of went out a drink, to pass the time…"

"WHAT?" Makarov said harshly. "They went outside?!"

"Yes… I kind of figured you wouldn't like that…" Anatoly quietly said.

"Why didn't you stop them?" Makarov hissed.

"I tried, I swear, but they just laughed and pushed me out of the way, the two are brutes!" Anatoly replied, a panic now in his voice. "I sent Yuri to get them, but-

"If they think they can-

A series of knocks at the door interrupted Makarov. By reaction, both men looked towards the door, both knowing who was behind it, especially Anatoly.

"Anatoly, open the door." Makarov ordered as he started to back towards the hallway out of sight. He would see how they acted while he was away, and then give them quite a lesson.

Anatoly, understanding what Makarov was planning, nodded and headed towards the door, undoing the series of locks, Makarov watching out of sight from the hallway. As Anatoly unlocked the final lock and opened the door, Makarov looked on in disgust as Lev and Krill entered, laughing to one another. Pushing Anatoly out of the way, they half stumbled over to the sofa, both sighing in unison as they sat down.

"So Anna, didn't cry too much while we were gone, did you?" Lev said in a drunken slur. Krill Laughed and replied to Lev.

"He probably was worried sick that we'd never get back." Krill replied. Both men laughed together, clearly drunk.

"I was worried you'd get arrested, and then lead the police to our front door." Anatoly replied.

"Well, look around!" Lev proclaimed loudly. "As you can see, the police are right behind us! As you can tell, with all the banging on the damn door!" Lev and Krill again laughed, Anatoly clearly starting to get annoyed with the two. Makarov would have fun teaching them a lesson.

"If Makarov were to find out that you left the safe house-

"What Makarov doesn't know won't hurt him." Lev retorted.

"And what if, he was to find out, hypothetically of course?" Makarov asked.

Lev and Krill froze and looked in horror to see Makarov staring directly at them, freezing them in their place. Both men stood silent in fear, now suddenly sober.

"M-M-Makarov, sir, we didn't know-" Krill began.

"Know that I had arrived while you two were out on a little date?" Makarov asked.

"Makarov, please, we didn't know that-" Lev said.

"No, you did know, yet you still disobeyed my orders and jeopardized this ENTIRE operation because you two were a little BORED!?"

Both men were staring at the ground like kids before a principal, silent and still as statues, Makarov staring them down. He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead.

"I have not come this far and this close to be faulted by the stupidity and incompetence of two drunken fools!" Makarov hissed.

"Makarov, please just look around, everything is- Lev began.

Makarov swiftly pulled out his pistol, pointing it directly at the man's temple, silencing him instantly.

"Do not tell me everything is fine. I have been at this for far longer the either of you, so don't act like you have everything under control." Makarov said coldly.

"So you will have me shot for it? Just like that?" Lev asked, uncertainty in his voice.

Makarov slightly lowered his sidearm. He couldn't just shoot them, both Krill and Lev both essential to the operation as much as Makarov hated to admit, and he couldn't be empty handed when the bullets started flying

"No…" Makarov started, now fully lowering his firearm. Lev relaxed a bit, seeing now that the weapon wasn't pointed directly in his face. In the same instant, Makarov flipped the pistol around, holding it by the barrel and struck Lev across the face in one fast swift motion, knocking him out cold instantly.

Krill stepped back, eyes in panic looking down from Lev to Makarov. Anatoly only winced but still looked on.

"But it doesn't mean I can't teach you some discipline." Makarov finished. His gaze went from Lev to Krill.

"Take this piece of drunken trash to his room, and I'd better not see you till morning as well." Makarov snapped,

Krill said nothing and quietly carried Lev to his room. Krill was smart enough when to keep quiet and retreat. As the sound of the bedroom door closed, both Makarov and Anatoly found themselves alone again.

Anatoly sighed. "A little rough don't you think?"

"The only way to teach discipline is to break bad habits." Makarov replied simply. "And that's all I did. Now how much you want to bet they'll never pull that stunt again?"

"Well, its not that I don't doubt you, it just the methods..."

"The methods are only necessary, and they can both still do their jobs, that all that matters to me."

"If you say so."

Makarov pulled a single cheap cigarette and a pack of matches. He struck a match and lit the cigarette, the smoke filling the air. Makarov breathed in a breath of smoke and let out a long sigh. He didn't smoke because he was addicted, but rather when he needed to pass the time or when he was stress. It seem to be the one thing that could calm his nerves.

"You know those things can kill ya…" Anatoly warned."

"Hmph, I don't think smoking should be my biggest worry in my line of work Anatoly." Makarov replied

"I'm just-

Anatoly was interrupted by another knock at the door. Both men once again focused their attention at the metal entrance.

"Ah, that must be Victor!" Anatoly proclaimed.

Anatoly rushed to the door and quickly got it opened. The door opened to not one men but two standing in the doorway, a bag swung over his shoulder. He quietly walked into the room and Anatoly quickly shut the door behind him.

Makarov was pleasantly surprised when he saw not only Victor, but Yuri as well. "It good to see you again Victor. Yuri." Anatoly greeted.

Victor only nodded and looked over towards Makarov. His gaze met his, and Makarov recognized his dark, cold eyes. He had a dark shaven head with tattoos clearly visible on his neck. Cool, collected and quiet, Victor could easily be described as Anatoly opposite. Victor always held a serious, mature tone, putting his work before everything. The man was determined, as well as a cold blooded killer. He was also one of the few that could disarm someone who was pointed a weapon directly at his face, an important life saving skill that both Makarov and Anatoly were very familiar with. Makarov had learn to fight with his hands before he ever held a gun, a lesson that had saved his life countless times and countless times to follow.

"Victor."

"Makarov"

"Its been nearly a year, correct."

"More or less."

Makarov put out his cigarette. "I assume you had no problems getting here?"

"None."

"Good, just what I'd expect"

"Are we going tomorrow?" Victor asked anxiously

"No." Makarov answered. " We still need to go over the plan as a group."

Victor sighed. "Whatever, just so long as were not sitting in this hole for a week."

"Trust me, I want to get out of here as much as you, but I'm not taking an unnecessary risks."

Victor simply shrugged, slinging his bag over his shoulder and taking his leave. Yuri soon followed, a small smile on his face.

"Can't really get used to him," Yuri said, closing the door and redoing the locks. "How have you been my friend?"

"Surviving Yuri, as best one can."

Yuri. A man that Makarov trusted with not just this operation, but maybe his life as well. He had no doubt owed his life due to his line of work, so such a claim won't be false. Makarov put his trust in few, even his closest comrades. Somehow Yuri possessed a rare trait that allowed such a trust to exist.

Yuri was average looking, and he seemingly hadn't aged a day since Makarov seen him nearly five years ago since Zakhaev's death. Afterwards, they had went into hiding, trying to avoid the power struggle that followed after the civil war. Though he would never admit it openly, he was glad to see him again.

"Is everyone here or are were still waiting on your man?" Yuri asked.

"Nope, everyone has arrived Yuri-" Anatoly started.

"No, he hasn't arrived yet." Makarov interrupted.

Both stared in confusion "Other guy?" Anatoly asked in confusion. "Makarov what are you-

Anatoly was interrupted again by the familiar pattern of knocks at the door. Anatoly looked in confusion from the door to Makarov and Victor. Makarov hadn't told Anatoly, Lev, or Krill about Allen or his meeting with Shepherd. They would know sooner or later anyway, it would be just easier this way.

"Anatoly, I'll get the door." Makarov said.

Anatoly only nodded as Makarov walked to the steel door and unfastened the locks. Makarov opened the door to see a tall, slender, dark haired young man with olive tone skin and green eyes. His gaze went met Makarov's in silence.

"Alexei Borodin I presume?"