Chapter 10- Cairo Blues
Addendum: Welcome to a pivotal chapter of Nightingale. After the events of last issue, Bond will appear infrequently from now on. He will still be the focus of this story, of course. However his appearances will be limited to flashbacks and reference, rarely in person. But don't worry; he will be back, probably by the end of this saga. His part will be played. An exciting adventure awaits Natalya and Anasova as they trek around the world in their bid to stop the Avatar Conspiracy. They will be aided by many of Bond's friends and a few of his enemies. So strap on tight and enjoy the ride!
Cairo, Egypt. The Land of the Dead. "The Big Sleep"
Figuratively speaking, of course.
Much indeed had changed since those wondrous days when the Man-God known as Pharaoh ruled half the known world. When Egypt was itself considered the shining bastion of civilization. In those days, Cairo was called "Maktub Allaha".
"The Birthplace of the Rising Sun." A most grandiose title indeed. A city to be most proud of.
Unlike now.
Presently, Cairo was to put it politely. A shithole. A refuse dump for the dregs of the Arab world.
It was all true. Decades of British and Turkish domination had finally taken its destructive told upon it. Corruption, Nepotism and Inefficiency abounded. Woman's rights were at an all time low. Their lives treated like chattel. Deprived of basic necessities and abused by the men of their clan, life for them was sheer misery and torture.
For free thinking single women, Cairo was hell reborn on earth.
Thus, it was not exactly the safest nor nicest place to visit. Especially for two drop kicking scantly dressed females.
Like Natalya and Anya Anasova.
Cairo was a place of prime opportunity for them. Somewhere inside that decrepit city was Aliya Sahib, an influential mercenary facilitator that occasionally hired out muscle to contracting syndicates. He was their only link to the mysterious Avatar Alliance that had caused so much havoc in the past few days.
"Word is breaking out on the streets, that something big is about to go down." Anasova was calmly leafing through a thick file. The past six hours had indeed been hectic for her, but she was coping with it well.
She had handled worse. Much worse.
This was simply a walk in the park.
"Let me guess, Avatar?" Her fellow Russian colleague drawled. Natalya Simonova was a calm astute woman who was presently right in her element. Completely focused on the mission, Natalya's face was serene with the exception of a fierce glint in her eye. She was someone who would not suffer fools easily. Intelligent and compassionate, Natalya was in essence the antheisis of her older counterpart.
Major Anya Anasova. The renowned Agent XXX.
"Not exactly. All we have are rumors actually. What we do know is that a giant amount of activity has been detected here on the ground. A vast amount of personal has been deployed, for some reason. While the evidence is yet unclear, there is some indication that a military uprising is about to take place." Anasova carefully replied. Natalya silently mulled upon her colleagues words.
They were not to be easily dismissed. Anasova's word held a dangerous import to them.
Dangerous and wild, this EX-KGB operative was a former lover of Bond and a renowned renegade. Anasova was a legend in her own time. She also had an unfortunate reputation of being a maverick. Anasova did things her own way. By her own rules.
However, if there was one thing that could be said about Major Anya Anasova. It was this.
She got the job done.
Natalya actually felt a kind of kinship between them. It was only natural of course. There were many similarities between them that contributed to that assumption. Both women were capable, beautiful and seductive. They were a lethal combination.
However there were differences though. Subtle but noticeable.
A consummate professional, Anya's methods could be...overly enthusiastic...at times. Natalya personally thought she took a little too much fun in her work. But she did not judge. It was not her place too. All the agents Natalya had their own distinct way of coping with things.
Espionage work could be aggravating to say the least, Natalya thought wryly.
However Natalya instinctively knew one thing for sure; Major Anya Anasova was one of the "good guys".
And that was no lie. She may have had a checkered past, but Anya Anasova always stood on the side of the angels.
The two women also shared a common interest. 007. Anasova had long ago since abandoned her relationship with Bond though. She now merely regarded him as a fond acquaintance. Natalya however was a different story. She still had feelings for him. Strong feelings. Corny perhaps, but it was true. Natalya would not allow herself lie to herself, not in this matter. It would have been most dishonest. A breach of her personal code. She would deal with it in her own way. Heaven knows how she planned to make their relationship work though.
Bond was not exactly an easy person to live with.
The two women had now come into an easy alliance to stop Evelyn Immogen from destroying the earth. It was supposed the umpteenth time something like this had happened, but it had to be taken seriously. The stakes were much too high. Besides...
It was not as if they had other things to do.
At this moment, the two women were in the air discussing the situation. Natalya was piloting the mobile helicopter with her usual expertise and competence. She seemed completely at home with the controls. Wearing a pair of dark shades, Natalya had a cool and confident manner about her. She seemed totally unflappable.
"Where exactly do you want me to land this?" Natalya asked calmly. She needed to touch all the bases here.
"We'll rendezvous at a small airstrip twelve miles from the city outskirts and make our way from there. I've done this many times." Anasova reassured her.
"Is it safe?" Natalya insisted. Avatar's tendrils had reached every part of the world. There was a real possibility that their location had already been compromised.
"It's a...private...location you might say." Anya explained stoutly "None of our networks know about it. I've had it built a few years back as a back entry point into the country. It has everything we need. Weapons, cash, transportation. All available through the assistance of the black market. "
"You've been a bad bad girl." Natalya chided her mischievously. "Let's just hope your activities were not…traced." She continued with a bit of trepidation.
Anasova said nothing. There were little guarantees she could give in a business such as theirs. Anything was possible. Anasova knew that Natalya understood that.
Their only option was to simply hope for the best.
After twenty minutes, Natalya followed Anasova's instructions and arrived at a desolate oasis devoid of life. It looked completely deserted. Natalya studied the area expertly for minute details and gave her colleague a swift nod. It was not an airstrip, but it was close. Her first suspicions about this place were right.
It was just what they needed.
Anasova typed in a command on the laptop in her hand and waited. Nothing happened for a minutes as Natalya struggled to keep the copter in mid air. Then a grinding sound was heard as a Buick sized entrance appeared in the sands below. It was an unearthly sight.
Trying to keep the copter steady, Natalya brought their vehicle down into the entrance below. It was not easy with the howling winds and all, but she managed it. The two women retreated from the copter amid the blinding wind. Dust got into their eyes. Anasova hurriedly pulled out a remote and typed in a command. The shutter doors began to close slowly, shutting out the din of the crowd.
Finally, there was silence. Blessed silence.
Natalya felt prickly chills come into her skin. It was bitingly cold. Cairo was a land of extreme temperatures. Of blinding heat and sub zero winds. Pursing her lips, she took a second to acclimate herself to it. From a corner of her eye, Natalya could see Anasova doing the same thing.
"Interesting place you have here." Natalya said after a moment.
"It used to be an old Iraqi weapons storage centre. It's been abandoned since the Gulf War before I rediscovered it. I did some checking. All records of this facility were lost in the chaos. Destroyed most likely because of the rush. I doubt anyone even remembers where it is." Anya said musingly
"Come on, we've got a lot of work to do." Saying this, she stalked off into the darkness. In the spirit of the moment, Natalya followed.
They came into a rectangular room hundreds of feet in length. In its centre was a large table. On it was a detailed map of the city, highlighting escape routes and places for egress. Surrounding the walls were racks of weaponry and sophisticated surveillance equipment.
"This must have cost you a pretty penny" Natalya stated flatly. This facility was most impressive.
"A little." Anasova admitted. She idly began to clean the dust off her feet.
"Most of the equipment was already here when I found it. A little dry cleaning and Voila." Anasova spread her hands out. She seemed proud of her housekeeping
"Now that you can stop gawking, why don't we discuss our plan to get in?" She motioned to a large map of the city. Natalya followed and studied it intently. After a minute, she made her observations.
"From what you've told me, there has been a Hubbard of activity all around the city. If Sahib is a recruiter as we think he is, he will be hanging out in one of these four locations." Natalya tapped out four points on the map.
"I suggest we start on the North-East Quadrant. The Al-Shahir Tavern. Our reports show Sahib spends most of his time there."
"Do you think Avatar knows we are looking for him?" Anya's eyes were deep in thought.
"You know the answer to that." Natalya said grimly. She had no illusions on that fact.
"We will have to move in fast. Make a big impression and get out. No point in being subtle here. I've checked his file. Sahib may pose as a militant but his only true concern is himself. He owns no Avatar no true loyalty. He can be bought."
"And Avatar knows this." Natalya reflected on this silently "We have to get to him before they do. Immogen will most likely order him eliminated to tie up any loose ends."
"Time is our enemy here. It is possible Sahib may already be dead." Anya reminded.
"I guess that means we'll have to go in faster." Natalya looked at her colleague "I am ready when you are."
" I thought you would never ask" Was Anya Anasova's slick reply. Motioning her younger colleague to come forward, Anasova turned to lead Natalya to her safe house's armory.
There was much work to be done.
Forty minutes later…
Natalya and Anasova were right on their way. Loosely dressed in a comfortable manner, they were aiming to make about a large splash in the local society. No punches would be pulled. They were going to make noise and be seen and heard.
This city would remember them. For a long while in any case.
Taking a sip of cold mineral water, Natalya could already see the lights of the city brighten up the evening sky. It seemed almost unreal. There was a strange stench in the air. Sticky and unclean. It almost made her wish that a biblical flood of old would come down to sweep it all away. A most refreshing thought to be sure, but highly impractical.
The mess would be impossible to clean. And unlike her Anasova was never one for details.
Looking at her companion. Natalya noticed an impassive sneer on Anya's face. She was secretly enjoying this. The legendary Agent XXX was back in the game. In view of this, Natalya thought back on what she knew about Anya Anasova.
Perhaps the rumors were true.
It was said that the scars in Anya's life had finally taken its told on her. That the EX-KGB Major craved danger like an opiate. She was both reckless and irresponsible.
Like a certain British Agent, Anya once knew.
Worshipped but unloved. For the past few years, Anya Anasova had been living her life on the edge, never looking back. Nothing could brake her in. Her life was a whirlwind.
Natalya made a mental note to test this theory later.
As if she could read her thoughts, Anasova shot her a confident smirk. It bespoke of cool confidence and eager anticipation. This woman would fight till the very end and not let her partner down. She would not give up.
What more could Natalya ask?
The Young Russian leaned back into the harsh desert air, letting its burning sensation bite all over her. Dressed in a black nylon overall with her golden shoulders exposed. It gave her both an alluring and poised look. Boutellicci would have sworn his soul to be the first to place her in sculpture, preserving her in marble for all eternity.
An incredible beauty. There was no other way to put it.
She was far more attractive than Anasova. And she knew it. A maddening thought.
It was an unconscious thing really. The way she spread herself out. Her movements were precise in aesthetic sense and that was precisely why women envied her.
She didn't know she was doing it. That was the most astounding thing.
There was no pride. No deceit. It was all natural. Natalya made it look all so easy. Anasova felt a pang of jealousy and dismissed it immediately. This was hardly the time for recrimations.
Natalya's limbs were limbered and tight. Firm. Light brown with a golden tan. With her reddish hair, Natalya's aura literally radiated with rebirth and promise. New possibilities were indeed possible for the man who had her favor.
Still in her late twenties, Natalya's eyes were mysterious like a cat. Emerald green with a clear glow. Blindingly seductive. They drew men in like a magnet.
Unfortunately for them all, Bond was her only love. She had her flings of course, but they had never amounted to anything.
An expert in several fields of computer science and espionage, Natalya had a brainy intelligence that caused those who underestimate her to pay dearly.
None of them survived a second shot.
Anya Anasova was another matter. In her mid thirties, she had aged gracefully. A classical beauty of the Russian mindset, she bespoke of her heritage in a proud and elegant manner. With full lips, Anasova bespoke of a passionate nature, which had been devoted to her late fiancée, now dead. That fire however had yet to be put out.
Anasova sought action to fill that need. Black haired with raven tailed locks, this EX-KGB major was a literal angel of death when enraged. Lethal with a fearsome demeanor, her skills were tempered however with a strict code of honor. Though she had grown cynical over the years, Anasova remained true to herself no matter the circumstances.
No matter the odds.
Finally, they reached their destination. The Al-Quesa Quarter of the city. The marketplace was in show, with merchants hawking their wares. There was a festive mood in the air. Hoodlums and shady customers abounded though. Through their jeep, Natalya and Anasova could feel stares bearing down on them. It was a most unnerving feeling. The two women ignored it and moved on. They had a long day ahead of them.
The Al-Shahir Tavern
Not exactly the most modern of dives. It was simply put a stinkhole. Boisterous music could be heard from it far away. A hotbed for mercenaries and dissidents looking for a cause. Any cause.
Informers, thieves, security personal, all types could be found within. You simply had to take your pick.
It reminded Natalya of an Old Western Saloon. Anything goes as the saying went. The law was a heartbeat away. Not exactly a healthy place to attract attention.
"Let's ride partner." Anasova remarked playfully. With a sinking feeling, Natalya realized things were about to get messy. Very messy.
"You armed?" Natalya asked quietly.
"Not really. You?" Anasova raised her eyebrow in a discreet query.
"I hope to borrow one from someone inside." Natalya calmly explained. Sensing the skeptical look on her partner's face, the young Russian simply grinned 'I am sure nobody will mind."
"Good bet" Anasova said sarcastically as the duo strolled across the street.
The two agents drew stares from all around the neighborhood. Their beauty was extraordinary. Their vibe and manner literally put them in the very spotlight. Purposefully they strode towards their destination.
"They're looking at me" Anasova taking in the view before her.
"No actually. I think they are looking at me." Natalya remarked calmly "I suppose they are wondering how much we will cost for a night."
"I doubt they'll be able to afford it." Anasova said sweetly, without malice.
"I'll say." Natalya pronounced flatly. She was taking in the entire situation in stride.
Thus, with a sudden fling of the tavern door, the two women made their dramatic entrance. A sudden hush fell upon the floor. An elderly Muzzerin sipping a cup of tea sputtered and went aghast. His tongue sticking out with abject shock. A young Bedouin's eyes went as round as saucers. The sight that met their eyes was simply astounding.
Two scantly dressed women had just entered a conservatively oriented male dominated watering hole.
Well wonders could never cease. Now…this was certainly a recipe for disaster. The only question that remained was this…Who would make the first move?
"Good Evening gentlemen, Allow me to buy a drinks for everyone around the house around the house." Anasova cheerfully pronounced. "Please…Please. Don't stand on ceremony on my behalf. It's the least a Lady like me can do
The room remained flabbergasted. No one could think what to say. Natalya on the other hand seemed completely unconcerned, but surveyed the surroundings calmly. She could handle this little crowd easily. She had faced worse odds, after all.
This? This was nothing.
Anasova rumbled over to the Barkeep "I'll have a Mountain Tall" she said sprightly. When there was no response, Natalya simply plowed in " No? How about some vodka? A Martini? How about some Beer? You do have Beer, don't you?" She insisted with a curious gleam in her eyes.
"How about just a glass of water?" Natalya said helpfully. She was calmly standing next to her colleague.
The Barkeep's eyes bulged and a litany of Arabic curses emerged from him like a tide. The two women calmly let him finish.
"Did you get that?" Anasova innocently asked, as she leaned nonchalantly against the Salon table.
"I think he's probably all out" Natalya said flatly. She turned and addressed the flustered man "Of beer, I mean." Sensing what about to occur next, Natalya felt she owned the Tavern Owner an explanation.
It was the least she could do, after all.
"Well to tell you the truth, we did not come here to drink at your fine establishment" Anasova looked around the room wrathfully. "We came here on serious business. Most dangerous business in fact." She said pointedly.
"We are looking for Aliya Sahib. I hope one of you gentlemen could point us out to his whereabouts." Natalya said hopefully.
"We would be most grateful." Anasova said suggestively.
There were no takers. Natalya inwardly grimaced. Things were not going well.
"Perhaps you ladies would like to take your business elsewhere" A soft cultured voice entered the room. Natalya and Anasova turned towards the source of the voice.
Well speak of the devil.
Coming through the door was a spindly man with three bodyguards. Dressed in a western suite and a confident sneer on his face, Aliya Sahib confronted his two interlopers.
"What business may I ask do you have with me? I have many appointments ahead." Sahib said irritably.
Natalya disliked the man intensely. Here was an individual that profited from peoples suffering and fanned the flames of wars for greater benefit to himself. He believed in nothing and a cultivated a natural arrogance, which was undeserved. Worst of all...
He had no Class. Nor style.
"We merely like a name Mr. Sahib, for a person you may have...referred...to recently. We simply wish to know who he was working for."
Sahib's face remained impassive "I am sorry Madam. I am but a humble businessman, who knows nothing about referrals of any sort. In any case, such information is confidential. Perhaps you had best leave." There was a touch of menace in his voice. It promised violence if Natalya did not back down.
"Mr. Sahib. We know about your involvement with a certain...party... Their reliability is most questionable, I assure you." She stared pointedly at him "I am sure you either know or guess who we are. And the people we represent. I think it would be best for us all if we discussed this matter privately upstairs."
Surprised by this civil response, Sahib seemed uncertain. After a pause he agreed.
"In that case, I think we should adjoin to my personal suite upstairs to conduct our business." He looked around the tavern suspiciously "Discretion is after all a key factor in our line of work" Sahib gave Natalya and Anya an appreciative stare "After you ladies." They were happy to comply.
They were finally getting somewhere.
Sahib's suite was outlandish to say the least. A far cry indeed from the slum downstairs. It was obvious that Sahib did a lot of business here. Overlooking a paneled terrace, it provided a bird's eye view of the city. It was breathtaking. Rare tapestries abounded giving an exclusive feel to the surroundings. Precious China and rich carpets lay all around.
The Merc business certainly paid well, Natalya thought glumly. A sad comment on the state of the world. Its scum invariably rose to the top.
Sahib led them to an adjourning table. It was laden with fresh fruits and silver coffee utensils.
"So...you are the famous Natalya Simonova and..." Sahib stared at Anasova "The renowned Agent XXX." He hissed "This is certainly…an honor." The oddly shaped man seated himself on a divan cushion and graciously motioned Natalya and Anya to follow.
"I have heard rumors that you two would be showing up. Your reputation precedes you." Sahib glared at Anya "Especially yours, Major Anasova, that little stunt of yours last October cost me an extraordinary amount of money."
Natalya looked at her colleague. Anya shook her head "It's Ancient history."
Sahib said vehemently "Not to me, My Dear. I lost almost Fifty million dollars. Perhaps we should discuss remuneration, before we proceed." He said pointedly. The bodyguards around him tightened their holsters.
"How about we discuss about saving your life?" Natalya calmly continued. She strove to break the deadlock.
"Oh and how is that so?" Sahib seemed clearly amused.
"We know you worked for the Avatar Alliance."
At that name, Sahib frowned. "I work for a lot of people, My Dear. Rather unpleasant ones even like your friend Zukovsky. Yes...I know him. He is a competitor of mine in providing...how shall we say...unlicensed goods. It was on his direction, that Major Anasova here disrupted a transaction of rare Romanov Paintings. Tell me Major, did he enjoy telling you to do it."
"Most assuredly." Anya Anasova said pleasantly. Natalya shot her an irritated look. She was not helping things.
"I can understand your concerns Mr. Sahib. But you know who we represent. Surely you understand the threat Avatar poses to everyone. Yourself Included. They disrupt the status quo. Making business difficult for all parties."
"Your experiences with Evelyn Immogen and Mr. Cox should have taught you that much."
She was stabbing in the dark on that note.
To her surprise, Sahib nodded seriously.
"That Miss Simonova is the only reason you are still alive."
"Galen Cox. Do you know him personally?" Natalya nodded "Well then you know Cox can be most ...inflexible...at times." Sahib's voice hardened "He personally maimed six of my men. That cost me a lot of money, and their latest ventures here ...give me a very bad feeling."
"So you will tell us what we want to know" Anasova affirmed.
"No, My Dear." Sahib nibbled on a grape. "It simply means that I am willing to sell you Cox's location for a sum. I am a merchant after all. Shall we say a price of...four million dollars?" He idly wiped his fingers on a cloth.
"Interesting. How do we know it's any good?" Natalya asked. They finally on track here.
"You do not trust me? Oh I am heartbroken Miss Simonova. I was hoping that we could go out after this transaction. Maybe become closer acquaintances." Natalya ignored the clumsy flirtation.
She would not dignify it with a response.
"Nothing in Egypt goes on without my permission." Sahib boasted. He strutted about the room with an airy wave.
"Avatar may have gone underground, but my men can rip them out like the fools they are." He offered Anasova a glance "Now Major. Four Million dollars. Australian, of course. Is that acceptable? Or perhaps, you would like to leave...in pieces." His eyes glinted with hidden fury. Sahib's patience was growing thin.
It was clear he still held Anasova a grudge. It would be repaid now.
One way or another.
"A second please, Mr. Sahib. While I confer with my colleague." Anasova shyly pronounced.
"Of course." Sahib said imperiously. The two women went by a corner.
"Let me guess. You don't have the money." Natalya said. It was a statement of fact.
"Did you see me bring a wallet with me. We are just going to have to go with plan B."
"There was a plan B?"
Anasova simply stared at her in silent annoyance.
"Yes I was just joking. It's just that it is so...crude."
"It works. And that's all that matters." Anya frowned with annoyance "Look I've done it several times. It never fails."
"I hope not. Did you believe that fool? Avatar must be all over him." Natalya sneaked a glance at Sahib "He'll never know what hit him."
"Probably. But I think he must have some idea on where Avatar is based here. They obviously have something going on."
"So Plan B?" Natalya said wearily
"Plan B" Anasova agreed.
The two women walked back to Sahib. He was busy reading a document when they returned.
"So have you come to an agreement?" Sahib asked with a note of impatience.
"Yes. All we have to say to you is this..." Anasova sprang into action, aiming for Sahib's neck. Natalya also launched herself into the fray, tackling the guards.
There could only be one ending...
To be continued.