A/N: Hi everyone! I'm afraid the rhythm of the updates will be longer than before from now on, as I have a tighter schedule to write. But I'm keeping the work, don't worry! Now we're reaching the heart of the plot, so I hope you'll like it! And please write me a review to tell me what you think about all this!
Chapter 11
_ What?
Sam couldn't believe his ears. Kossiak, dead? The nightmare was continuing, it was a catastrophe. Next to him, Grim sat up in alarm and gestured at him to switch on the loudspeaker. He obliged.
_ How did it happen?
_ Jdan told me that he only wanted to tell Mishka as he was an old friend of his and Igor's, Elena said, panicking, and I told him about Mishka in a coma. He told me Igor Kossiak has been ambushed in his house. He, his pregnant wife and two children have had... their throat cut...
Grim hastily rose and ran to the bathroom, and the next second Sam heard her vomiting violently. Feeling sick himself, he took a deep breath and asked with a queasy voice:
_ How can Voron be sure it's the CIA?
_ Because the murderer is the CIA mole, Elena stammered with difficulty. Jdan told me Kossiak had rescued him before he could be arrested, but now it looks like the guy had a mission. He had been turned, and had to kill Voron's commander.
_ Voron has him in custody?
_ No, he has been shot by Kossiak's bodyguard. But it was too late.
_ And now we have a war brewing between the CIA and Voron, Sam summed up darkly.
_ I fear so, Elena said. Jdan wanted Mishka to help him smoothe things out, but when he learned about him in a coma, he asked me to call you.
_ Why me? the Splinter Cell wondered. Fourth Echelon is no more, I'm retired. I can't do anything about it.
_ He told me you are the only American agent Russia has ever respected, aside from Mishka of course. And Mishka being with you for all these years, and the things you've done to help Voron, all this he said were good reasons to ask you to be their Ombudsman.
_ I see, he only said as Grim went back into the room, very pale but her eyes shining in anger. So what can I do?
_ I have his phone, Elena said. He asked me to tell you to call him if you can.
_ I will. Give me the number.
He hastily took a pen and a sheet of paper from the chest of drawers and scribbled the number, then asked:
_ Are you okay, Elena?
_ I cannot say yes, she admitted, but with a calmer tone. But Mishka is with me, Aliosha will be too. I will be okay soon.
_ Mishka will be devastated to learn about Kossiak's death, Sam said. He was an old friend of his, one of the last Russian ones.
_ He needs to wake up first.
_ No sign of awakening?
_ None.
_ Okay, Sam said, heart heavier. Thanks a lot, Elena. I'll call Jdan.
_ Good luck, Sam.
He hung up and exchanged a look with Grim. She had grabbed a few clothes and was about to take a shower, but she said grimly:
_ Kossiak was a good guy. And Mishka's friend. We can't let Voron and the CIA have a war, it would be a disaster. And it could lead to another mad leadership like with Avilov.
_ Yeah, and we can't save the Russian president's skin anymore, Sam said dejectedly. Please call Briggs and Charlie, my love. Tell them to come here in an hour.
_ Will do, Sam.
She left the room and he dialed the number Elena had given him. After two ringings the line was picked up:
_ Привет ? (Hello?)
_ Hello, Mr Jdan, he said calmly in English. I don't have the honour to know your name yet, please forgive me. I'm Sam Fisher.
_ Sam Fisher, the man said with a deep and calm voice, sounding relieved. I'm happy to see that Mishka's wife has called you. She seems nice. I'm Georguiy Antonovich Jdan.
_ It's an honour, Georguiy Antonovich, Sam said, using the Russian way to call his interlocutor. I was very sorry to hear about Igor Dmitrovich. It's horrible.
_ Yes, it is. And all the more since it's an American traitor who butchered him and his family.
_ The CIA mole was American?
_ Yes. Elijah Yashvili, born from Georgian parents. We convinced him to pass us info since ten years ago, but it looks like he double-crossed us. Bastard!
_ It's horrible, Sam repeated, wanting to stay calm in spite of his rising anger. But what can I do?
_ I'd like you to make sure the CIA is behind this, Jdan said seriously.
_ What do you mean?
_ You know we can't let such a murder unpunished. And I'm certain Yashvili was acting on orders. I want to know whose orders.
_ And why would I do that? I don't want any other death, especially an American one, you can understand that.
_ Yes, but my men are in a frenzy. They're calling for blood. And from what I know, there are around twenty American spies actually in Russia that we know of. These men are in death peril. I do all I can to avoid their killing, but I don't have Kossiak's authority yet. So I'd rather have a single name than a carnage in Russia.
_ I see, Sam said, lungs filling with lead. I'll see what I can do, but I'd rather avoid any killings.
_ So would I, Sam Fisher. Please hurry.
_ I will.
The line went dead and Sam got up, head spinning from worry. Retired, Fisher? he snorted inwardly. Not likely.
He took a hasty shower and shaved while Grim had one. Briggs and Charlie would soon be there. They had a quick breakfast and the doorbell rang as he was pouring them some coffee. He went to open and Briggs and Charlie entered, looking dark.
_ Thanks for coming, boys, Sam told them, shaking hands. Coffee?
_ Please, Charlie said, looking half-asleep.
_ For me too, Briggs nodded. The alarm clock was quite harsh.
_ Sorry about that, Sam said as they sat down in the kitchen. But there's an emergency.
_ Just a question, Sam, Charlie said, sipping the boiling coffee Grim had poured him. Aren't we retired? Fourth Echelon is dissolved, isn't it?
_ True enough, sonny, Sam said, rubbing his face. But we have a war to prevent.
_ Again? Charlie complained. Why us?
_ Because it's about Voron, Grim said.
Sam saw all eyes fixing on him. So he explained the situation and his conversation with Jdan. The looks of horror and revolt on the faces were explicit enough and matched his own. At last Briggs said:
_ Let me get this straight. The CIA mole agent Yamato told me about has been rescued just before being arrested here in the US by Kossiak and shipped back to Russia. There he killed Kossiak and his family, probably on CIA's orders. And now, Voron wants the head of his boss.
_ That's about it.
_ That doesn't make sense, Grim said.
_ I agree, Briggs said. Agent Yamato was furious about the mole. They couldn't turn him within two weeks, that's impossible.
_ A third party must be involved, Sam guessed. The one who ordered Yashvili to kill Kossiak. But who?
_ Who would want the CIA and Voron at war? Charlie wondered.
_ Wait a minute, Briggs said, dread on his features. What if Fedorova had been used too?
_ You mean... Sam started, appalled.
_ What if somebody suggested to Kossiak we learned about her release? And convinced her to kill one or more of us, in a last glorious stand? To take revenge upon us.
_ But Mishka told Kossiak he didn't want to see Fedorova again, Sam objected. How could they have known we would be there?
_ Because they probably know us, Grim said gloomily. They know you, Sam, and how you would react. They must have known we wouldn't trust the CIA.
Sam's jaws tightened. If this theory was true, then he had fallen right into a trap, and because of that Kestrel had almost died and was now in a coma. His fists clenched and he tried to keep his cool, but it was very hard. Grim visibly saw it because she said:
_ We must contact Yamato. And find who's behind all this.
_ I have his number, Briggs said.
_ Call him, Sam told him. We must meet him ASAP.
Briggs nodded and took out his smartphone. He dialed a number and at the last ringing a sleepy voice rose through the loudspeaker:
_ Yes?
_ Agent Yamato? Sorry to wake you up. Isaac Briggs here.
_ Mr Briggs? the agent said in surprise. What can I do for you on an early Sunday morning?
_ Sorry again, but we have twenty American spies' lives to save, Briggs said seriously.
_ What?
_ You heard me.
A few seconds of tense silence passed, then Yamato's voice rose, not remotely sleepy:
_ What do you mean, Mr Briggs?
_ Your mole, Elijah Yashvili. He fled to Russia, didn't he?
_ Yes, but how... ?
_ Yesterday he murdered Igor Kossiak and his family there. Cut their throats. You know about Voron's commander?
_ Of course, Yamato said, but I don't...
_ Kossiak was Mishka's friend, Briggs explained, and it's thanks to him that we learned about Fedorova. But now, Voron wants blood. They're convinced the CIA ordered Kossiak's murder.
_ What? But that's crazy! We wanted the contrary! I was hoping your friend Mishka would help us!
_ What do you mean? Briggs asked, his arched eyebrows reflecting Sam's surprise.
_ We guessed two weeks ago that Mr Loskov was still in contact with one or more of his former colleagues in Voron. That's why we haven't insisted to know who told you the info about Fedorova. We knew Mr Loskov wasn't spying for Russia, and we wanted to ask him if he would agree to become a spy for us. Unofficially, of course. Telling us some minor intel from Voron, but intel that could help us against them. These bastards are good.
_ Mishka is a loyal American citizen, Briggs said, but I doubt he would've agreed. Not because of any wavering loyalties, but because he has earned a quiet retirement and life.
_ How is he, by the way?
_ Still in a coma, Briggs said through a slightly constricted throat. But he's breathing alone now.
_ I see. Well, these news about Voron are terrible. But we aren't behind that murder, I swear. It's a disaster for us.
_ Well, the new Voron commander is also an old friend of Mishka's, but we don't know him. And he told us that his men want the heads of twenty American spies currently in Russia in retaliation.
_ This is a nightmare, Yamato exhaled. But what is your role in all this?
_ Jdan, the Voron commander, asked Sam to be the Ombudsman. Voron respects him because of his long career and fame as an exceptional agent, and because Mishka was one of his agents within Fourth Echelon. He doesn't want a carnage in Russia.
_ That's noble of him. But what will you tell him? Will he believe you when you tell him we're not behind this awful murder?
_ No, I think not, Briggs said. We don't know him enough, and somebody must take the blame. But we think another party is involved.
_ You think so?
_ It's either that or the CIA, Briggs stated calmly. So I ask you to investigate on your side, agent Yamato. We must be certain nobody within the CIA is trying to create a war between you and Voron.
_ Will do right away, Mr Briggs, Yamato vowed. But what about our spies?
_ Sam will do all he can to avoid the bloodshed, Briggs said while looking at his boss, and Sam nodded grimly. But we must find who's pulling the strings, and fast. And for that...
_ I understand, Yamato cut him sharply. You'll have access to your old equipment and headquarters, we have kept them in working order. I'll make sure you'll have all necessary authorizations to investigate.
_ Can you do that? Briggs asked in astonishment.
_ Yes, I can, Yamato said with a hint of amusement. I'm a supervisory agent, now. I have agent Hawkins' post, Mr Briggs. He's been fired. And I will send an agent to give you all you need at Fourth Echelon's premises. Your plane is still in its hangar. I'll ask my superior to be in touch with President McMurdoch.
_ Thanks a lot, agent Yamato, Briggs said with gratitude.
_ Just keep me posted, Mr Briggs.
_ I will.
Briggs hung up and Sam took a deep breath. He looked at each person around him and saw the same grim resolution on their faces. He asked:
_ Ready for Fourth Echelon's last mission?
They all nodded, and Briggs added:
_ And for Mishka.
Sam approved silently and drained his coffee. They had work to do.
One hour later, bags in their van, Grim was driving them to Mishka's house. Sam wanted to see him before starting the mission. He had a slight suspicion they would have to go to Russia soon, and he didn't know when they would come back. On the way, Grim said calmly:
_ Our tour of Europe is definitely cancelled, honey. But what about our wedding?
_ That I don't want to cancel, he told her seriously, putting a hand on her thigh. It's scheduled in a little more than two months, and we'll marry then, my love. Do you believe you can organize it during our mission?
_ Of course, Sam, she said evidently, shooting him a look of commiseration. I've done worse with Third and Fourth Echelon.
_ But you weren't pregnant, then.
_ No, but I'll manage. As long as I can get some sleep in my old cabin, everything should be all right.
He nodded, believing her. She had always had astonishing working capacities, and he didn't doubt she would succeed. But he knew he would have to restrain her. Soon she parked in the alley, and they climbed down. When Sam rang the doorbell, he heard Aliosha's voice saying loudly in Russian:
_ Mama! Someone is outside!
_ Stay behind! his mother ordered.
The door opened and Elena smiled at the sight of them, Aliosha hiding shyly behind her.
_ Hello! I didn't expect you today, and so early. All right?
Sam saw that she was a little worried. Maybe she could see their grim faces. He smiled and answered calmly:
_ It's all right, Elena. But the situation with Voron is complicated. We have a mission. We must leave.
_ I see, she simply said while they entered the living room. What can I do for you?
_ Nothing much, he admitted. But I'd like to see Mishka, if it's possible. Hello, Aliosha!
The small boy had peered at him through his mother's legs, and Aliosha said timidly:
_ Hello, Grandpa Sam!
Sam, heart filling with warmth, beamed at him. He told him:
_ I've come to see Daddy. How is he?
_ Daddy is asleep, Aliosha answered timidly but agreeing to hug Grim. He can't wake up.
_ Soon, kiddo, Sam said with a twinge of sadness. Soon he'll wake up.
_ Follow me, Elena said.
She led them to the back of the house to a small but brightly lit bedroom. On a single medical bed Kestrel was lying, looking asleep. He still had some drip infusions connected to his hands, and Elena told them they were there to feed and hydrate him. She walked next to the bed and said aloud, putting her hand on Kestrel's one:
_ My love, Sam and Grim are there. They want to see you.
Then she kissed him and exited the room, followed by Aliosha and Grim. Sam, left alone with his ops, took a chair and sat right next to him. He said:
_ Hi, sonny! You look confortable here. It's better than hospital, I daresay. And you have a charming doctor all for yourself.
He paused, eyeing his ops who didn't stir, and said, taking his hand:
_ I've got something to tell you, sonny. Brace yourself.
He took a deep breath and went on sadly:
_ Your friend Igor Kossiak is dead. The mole he had in the CIA betrayed him and murdered him and his family. So your friend Jdan, the new Voron commander, phoned you, but Elena took the call. She phoned me, and Jdan asked me to find the one responsible. The CIA also want me to find who's behind this. So Fourth Echelon has a last mission, sonny.
His heart squeezed in dismay. He would miss Kestrel in that mission, his calm and his experience with Voron. But the ops had to wake up from the coma first.
_ We'll miss you, sonny. But take the time you need. And when you wake up, I hope we'll be back and have succeeded.
He felt something under his hand, the one holding Kestrel's right one. As if the ops' little finger had twitched. He focused on his hand, holding his breath, but didn't feel anything else. Maybe I dreamed about it, he thought gloomily. I want him awake so much!
After two minutes he let go of his ops' hand and said sullenly:
_ I have to go, sonny. The team says hello and wish you well. See you very soon.
He got up and looked a last time at Kestrel, lying still on his medical bed. Life can be so unfair, he thought. But soon he would wake up. Of that he was sure.
He exited the bedroom and made his way to the living room. Grim and Elena were chatting calmly, but when they saw him they rose. Grim asked him:
_ Shall we go, honey?
_ Yes, he acknowledged. Let's find the bastard responsible for all this shit.