SCENARIO ONE

THE THIEF, THE NEO NAZI, AND THE RUSSIAN

THE NEO NAZI

Things were going much better than expected, Hans thought happily. He glanced over to where the captive Eroica sat slumped in a chair, battered and bruised. He was pleased that the KGB had been interested in his "acquisition." Rumor had it that Eroica was actually a NATO contractor, and considering the amount he had negotiated for him, a very valuable one. Hans would have liked to break the perverted faggot into pieces, but that was out of the question. He had promised to deliver the thief undamaged. He had, however, taken great delight in messing up his pretty face.

"Hey, he's awake again," he heard Otto say with a laugh.

Hans watched as Eroica struggled to sit upright, a cruel smile twisting the corners of his mouth. "Just in time," he replied, glancing over to the door. "Show the gentleman in." I think we've made him wait long enough.

Otto opened the door, motioning to the man waiting on the other side. "He'll see you now."

The newcomer entered and stopped dead. "I thought you said he was unharmed," he said in a disapproving tone—in Russian.

Hans frowned. Couldn't the commies as least send an agent who speaks German? We're Neo Nazis, for Christ's sake! He decided to have some fun with the man and continue in German, hoping this would annoy him. I hope you have to struggle to figure out what I'm saying. "The queer didn't suffer any permanent damage, Mr. Chekov," he replied with a sneer. "He tried to put up a fight."

Chekov gave him a disapproving glare that sent a chill down his spine. Now he understood why this man had been sent to make the exchange.

"Do you have the money?" Hans asked, trying very hard not to sound as unnerved as he felt.

"As agreed," Chekov replied as he placed the case in his hand on the desk with a thump. He held out a hand, inviting the other man to open it, which he did. Hans looked at the neatly stacked bills and smiled before nodding to his men.

The Russian turned to Eroica. "Untie his feet," he ordered. "I'm not carrying him."

"You might want to," Otto replied. "He kicks."

"I can handle a faggot who kicks," Chekov replied coldly as he crossed the room. He glared at the man who was nearest. A moment later, the man was untying the thief's feet.

Suddenly the door burst open. "Hans! The building's being surrounded by NATO!"

"What?" Hans gasped, looking at Ernst's panic-stricken face. He jumped to his feet and turned to the window, his men joining him. At first, all seemed quiet. Then he saw three unmarked vans in very suspicious locations.

"They must be after the queer!" Otto snarled, throwing a glace back at Eroica.

"NATO doesn't give a shit about a civilian faggot thief," Chekov replied coolly.

"He's one of their contractors!" Ernst protested in English, his American accent unmistakable. He realized his error immediately and repeated himself in German.

"You stupid Yank, where did you hear that? The only interest NATO would have in this faggot would be to hand him over to Interpol."

"You commie bastard!" Hans snapped accusingly, spinning around to face him. "You led them to us!"

"Don't flatter yourself, you're small potatoes. They're after me. I expect they're still upset that I took out one of their agents."

"Who did you kill that has all of NATO on your ass?" Hans snorted derisively. "Iron Klaus?"

Chekov casually lit a cigarette and took a long drag on it. Then he met the man's accusing gaze and said calmly, "Yes."

The room was overtaken with an awestruck silence.

"You killed Iron Klaus?" Hans said in an almost horrified tone. No more Iron Klaus breathing down our necks! Finally, we'll be able get the respect we deserve! No more worrying about NATO— Shit! They're right outside! "And you led all of his men here!" he thundered. "You fucking moron! I thought you were a pro?"

Otto decided this was his signal and reached for a gun, which seemed to be the signal to everyone else to do the same. He realized his mistake too late when Chekov drew a weapon with a silencer on it. He took out the three juniors in quick succession before they had a chance to even aim their drawn weapons. Then he turned to Hans with a small smile on his face.

Hans looked into the man's eyes, and realized too late who he was. Iron Klaus!

This was his last thought before two bullets ended his life.