March 27, 1981
Ural Mountains
He wasn't asleep for long, to his surprise. Gathering his senses he stood up and peaked around the edge of the cave to glance outside. The snow storm seemed to be coming down harder than it had previously. He looked at his watch, which looked nearly frozen. It was still dark out but he knew he had to keep going. He could sleep once he reached base. Gathering what strength he had he continued his way uphill. The sleep he did get would at least give him enough energy to freshen his senses. He walked for a while and eventually the storm died down some.
He came across an animal, it nearly blended in with the environment. The large grey wolf seemed nearly blurry because of the snow getting in his eyes. He immidiatly stopped in his tracks staring at the animal. It began to approach him with sharp teeth. He began to slowly reach for his holster as he saw another of its kind step from around a tree. His hands were shaky from the harsh tenperatures. Waiting to see what the animals would do he had a firm grip on his weapon. As one of them charged in his direction the second followed seconds later. He whipped out his weapon and shot the first one. As it collapsed into the soft white flakes of snow, the second managed to pounce on him before he could take the shot, the sharp points of its paws cutting deep into his mid section. As his Redeemer got knocked from his hand the strong animal got on top of him.
Anthony held back the head and shoulders of the wolf. He screamed out as he exterted himself to push the beast off of him as he managed to land a solid left hook to its head. Buying himself a few seconds he dove for his weapon and took the shot. Seeing the predator down, he got back to his feet. With only four bullets left, he put the Redeemer back in it's holster. He put a hand to the deep cuts across his abdomen. His hand was painted in deep red blood. With no medical supplies, he had to keep moving. He looked up the mountain and saw that he was a little over halfway there.
After nearly an hour and a half of continous stumbling up the mountian, he finally collapsed, face first into the snow.
"Just a small nap.." he mumbled.
His blood began to stain the pure white snow beneath his body. He tried to fight the exhaustion but it began to overtake his body. As he began to shut his eyelids he began to hear familiar sounds. Voices.
"Come on Anthony, it's not far. You have to make it there so I can tell Mama of your victory."
The voice of his younger sister was recognizable to him instantly. However he could hear that she was no longer a child. She was older, but still very young. His eyes widened.
"Elena." He thought for a moment.
"I want her to be proud." He uttered, a tear began to form in his eye.
"We shall tell her together." Her voice echoed.
He began to crawl, ignoring the pain.
"Where are you!" He asked desperate to find her.
She didn't respond. Before he could shout her name again he heard another voice.
"Let's go Bell, move it."
"Lazar! Why can't I see you! Why didn't you tell me?!" He was angry but felt guilt that his friend's blood would forever be on his hands.
Another voice. "Bell, you can't sleep now. People need you, more than ever." Park said. He paused, as if he had seen a ghost. Part of it was because he sort of did.
"I can see you..." he was confused for a moment. "Wait!" He shouted as she began to walk away behind a tree. "Please!"
He pushed himself to his feet and rushed after her. He went around the same tree she did and saw that she was nowhere to be found. He fell back to his knees, overwhelmed with mixed emotions. He held his head in his hands.
"Anthony, why are crying?" a woman approached him from behind. He looked over his shoulder to see his mother. "I want to remember more about you Mama." He uttered, wiping tears from his face. She put a hand on his shoulder. "Come, lets take a walk." She said offering him a hand. As they walked up the mountain he noticed that he no longer was able to feel the pain in his mid section.
"You were always very smart, much like your father. You and him never got to spend much time with each other like you wanted to. I remember you wanting him to teach you how to hunt." She smiled.
"Do you remember who did though?"
"Aleks." He remembered.
"Yes. You were so excited too. I used to write letters to your father about all the things you and your sister did. All the new friends you both made and all the accomplishments you had. He would always tell me how proud he was of both of you and how much he loved you both." They both smiled. "But when he came home one day with the terrible news that he would have to leave for the draft, it hurt all of us. Especially you, since you never got to spend enough time with him anyways, the draft certainly didn't make things any easier. But when you were older I remember you coming home from school one day. I could see the concerned look on your face as you told your sister and I about the military offer you were given. It of course nearly broke your sister's heart, which is why you never accepted their offer." His mother paused, looking saddened. "Not until a few days later after the bloodshed that occured."
"You got caught in between the fighting?" Anthony asked.
"I cannot tell you all that happened. That you must find out on your own. But it is time that I leave you."
She pointed up the mountain. There it was, base.
He hugged her tightly. "Thank you." He said with his eyes closed. Having refreshed a few parts of his memory, he began to feel more like himself again.
"There is one last thing I must tell you. Do not be afraid, Anthony. Be strong, and never give in. Do whatever is necessary to help this country prosper."
"Thank you." He mumbled, his eyes shut tight.
"Do not be afraid any longer. Let go." She saod softly.
He slowly opened his eyes and she was gone. All the pain from the deep injury in his mod section had returned. He was still losing blood quickly. He felt fatigued but as he came upon the base, the sky had started to brighten, the sun not yet out. He could see soldiers stationed outside. As he approached he waved his arm to get their attention. Once he knew they saw him he finally allowed himself to collapse.
March 29, 1981
Ural Mountains
Perseus Base
He woke up startled. Opening his eyes he observed the room around him. It was dimly lit with tanncolored tiles covering the walls. He removed the warm blanket that covered him along with the IVs in his arm. Placing his feet on the cold tile he stood up, feeling soreness in his torso.
At the same time, Perseus opened the door.
"It is good to see you, Comerade Petrov." The older man smiled. "I knew you would make it." He patted him on the back. "Here." Perseus laid some clothes on the bed for him to change into. "Step outside once you are ready."
He felt much more warm and comfortable to finally be wearing something that suited the weather he was in. Dressed in light grey and white top and pants he pulled up the half mask he was given as he stepped outside the door and into the hallway.
"Lets walk." Perseus said. "Tell me what all did you endure during your time uphill?" The hallways themselves were dimly lit, a dark yellow tint filled the halls. The tiles were the same colours too.
"I couldn't feel my feet, or my hands. Sometimes it felt as if I had quit breathing. Almost like my lungs were frozen over. I began to stumble, it was a battle in its self to keep my balance. But I found a cave." Anthony continued to explain all the events that led up to the oddest thing that occured in his journey.
" I saw my mother..." he paused. "She helped me remember some important details in my life. Along with my sister, who encouraged me.
"Was she there?" He put an emphasis on she. Anthony had a guess at who he was talking about.
He hesitated before responding. "Yes."
"That agent is just that, an agent. She does not care about you, she, just like the rest of them wish to see us fail. We must not let the capitalists stop us from bringing about a better Russia."
"I can garuntee that they will all fall before the Soviet Union. And that nothing will allow me to be swayed." He looked over to Perseus, a new look in his eyes. One of determination and bloodshed.
"Those are the true words of a successful leader, which you will be someday." They began to approach the entrance of the base, which was the hangar filled with vehicles and the helicopter they arrived in. They walked near a group of men. One of which had their bavk turned and looked oddly familiar.
"Comerade Petrov I would like you reintroduce you to one of our finest assets, Viktor Kuzmin, Stitch." The man turned around, his black and gold, hooded attire had a small swaying cape.
Anthony held out his hand to Stitch. "I know who you are Petrov." Stitch replied acknowledging Anthony as he shook his hand.
"You two will be working very closely together for some time." Perseus said.
