Disclaimer: I do not own Jonny Quest. I am making no money off of this and it is purely for fun and enjoyment.
Chapter 12
With nods and rounds of handshakes, Gregor and Alexander departed, having dropped Race, Jade, and Phil off at their hotel. It had taken the rest of the morning and into the afternoon before they were able to break away from the scene at the farmhouse and now found themselves back at the hotel at just before three in the afternoon.
Watching the crazy young Czech's depart Race looked at Jade and asked, "Where in the world did you link up with those two?"
Jade gave Race her best secretive smile, "I don't reveal all, remember? Just be thankful they're on our side in this fight."
Rolling his eyes, Race replied, "Yeah, definitely." Looking at Phil who had an ice pack pressed to the side of his head and looked like he wanted to nothing more than grab a drink and forget the entire ordeal, he asked, "How you feeling, partner?"
"How do I look?" Phil replied.
"Pretty shitty." Race grinned.
Smirking he answered, "That's how I feel."
"Don't worry, I'm sure those good looks of yours will come back soon enough." Jade winked. "You're just going to have to let those nasty bruises, scraps, and cuts heal first."
With a grunt Phil stated, "Let's get inside. My friend, as you keep calling her, is meeting us here at four. We need to work out a plan for tomorrow. Let's meet up in my room in thirty minutes."
Nodding their agreements, Race and Jade watched as Phil headed inside. "So, thirty minutes?" Race grinned at Jade once they were alone.
"Not enough time to shower separately." Jade purred.
"You want to know what I'm thinking?" Race asked, an ear to ear grin spreading across his face.
"I'd prefer that you show me." Jade winked, pulling Race's hand to guide him inside.
"My pleasure." Race muttered.
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Vostok snarled as he exited the vehicle. After escaping into the woods, he and Yasimov had fled to their fall back location where a second armored car waited, hidden under camouflage netting designed to interrupt and scatter radar scans. Then had switched vehicles and waited until the Czechs had called off their pursuit.
Once the area was clear, Yasimov had made a call and headed off to their previously designated contingency location.
Slamming the door to the vehicle, Vostok glowered as he strode purposefully to the doors of the lonely country house. Yasimov grabbed the backpack that the General had taken from Peter and followed his superior inside, not wanting to make the General's blackened mood any worse than it already was.
Vostok's imposing figure made the small lobby of the country house feel even smaller. Scanning the interior with a determined purpose, Vostok's gaze fell upon the old man behind the counter. While he could tell the man was a tad intimidated by the General, Vostok was thankful the old fellow didn't cower and run in fear of the big Russian.
"At least some of our allies still have their backbones." Vostok declared as he made his way over to the counter, Yasimov quickly falling in step.
"General," The old man stammered, but with a audible gulp quickly regained his composure, "you honor us with your presence."
"It is unfortunate that we had to meet like this, comrade." Vostok growled.
"All has been arranged for you. The inn is totally yours." The man replied. "I have contacted your reserve forces in this region and they are currently on their way here now."
"Good." Vostok replied, his voice deep and commanding. "Once they have all arrived I want them assembled in your dining area at twenty hundred hours this evening. Until then, I will not be disturbed. Is that clear, comrade?"
"Perfectly." The caretaker replied, handing Vostok the key to the best suite in the inn.
"Come, Nikolai." Vostok stated as he snatched the key from the old man's hand. "We have work to do."
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A little over thirty minutes later, Race and Jade made their way towards Phil's room. Upon arrival, Race found that Phil had also taken the time to clean up and change. He also had a fresh ice pack pressed to the side of his face, continuing to combat the swelling and bruising caused by Vostok's beating, but also to alleviate the slight concussion he was probably suffering from as well.
"Maybe you should go to a hospital." Race suggested as they sat down and partook in some of the coffee that Phil had made.
"What for? All they'll tell me is to do this and not go to sleep and I already took some painkillers." He waved at the himself with his free hand. "Besides, we don't have time for hospitals right now."
"If you aren't feeling one hundred percent, you need to tell me. You know that, right?" Race stated with a seriousness that caused Phil to smirk; Race interrupted the look as something akin to a pride, as if Phil was impressed that Race was taking charge.
Phil gave him a nod which Race took as the other man's acceptance of Race's position; thanks to Phil's blunder and resulting injuries, he was handing over command of the rest of the mission to Race.
A knock at the door interrupted them from further discussion of the topic. "I'll get it." Race said as he stood, keeping Phil off of his feet as much as possible to give him as much time as possible to recover.
Opening the door, Race was met by the brunette woman from the Symposium and INTERPOL Inspector Kovar. Stepping aside to let them enter, he introduced himself, "My name is Race Bannon, come in please."
The woman gave him a nod and stepped inside. Race felt the aura of confidence that she exuded, but she faltered momentarily when she saw Phil seated on the couch. Even after showering and changing he still looked beat to hell. "What happened to you? Lieutenant Martinek didn't mention you were hurt."
Phil smiled half-heartedly as the woman came over and sat at his side. "I was an idiot and this is the result."
"Vostok did this to you?" She asked with concern, taking his free hand in hers.
Phil nodded and Race saw the man's eyes shift slightly; he was obviously embarrassed. "Yes, but that doesn't matter right now."
With a comforting look, Alena squeezed his hand then turned her attention to the others in the room. "Where do we begin?"
"I'm sorry," Race started, "But Phil hasn't told us who you are." Then he added for his partner's benefit, "Given his condition, I'm sure it just slipped his mind."
Phil smiled at Race as Alena answered, "I am Alena Stasny, I work at Parliament here in Praha. I am also a junior member on the defense committee board."
"Is that how you were able to get military support so quickly?" Jade asked.
A short smile spread across the other woman's lips, "Well, not exactly. My father is a retired Army Colonel that served with the Castle Garrison as his last assignment. When Phil told me what happened the other night at the Garrison and then when he asked for help this morning, I contacted my father. Let's just say he remembers quite well what life was like under Communist rule and still has pull at the Castle."
Race nodded approvingly, "Nice work. We definitely appreciated the support."
"Vostok is a criminal and a murderer and he needs to be stopped." Alena stated with a fierceness that both Race and Jade approved of; after all the woman was trapped in the ball room at the Symposium just like the rest of them had been.
"He got away with the bomb." Phil said as he let go of Alena's hand so he could reposition his ice pack.
"Another dirty bomb?" Kovar asked, speaking up for the first time since entering the room. His behavior was reserved and Race assumed that the man had been given a stern ass chewing by his superiors, Alena, or more than likely both.
"We have to assume it is." Race stated. "We're pretty sure he plans to attack the opening ceremonies for your celebrations tomorrow morning. He's had to alter his original plans and this target seems the most likely as he can inflict a high number of causalities while also making his political statement as well."
"Attacking the celebrations of our country's freedom from Communist rule." Alena mumbled. "Sounds like a definite way to make a statement."
"It makes sense." Race stated forlornly. He could tell that the idea was upsetting to the woman as well as Kovar. "Lieutenant Martinek suggested, and I agree, that we do not stop the celebrations, but beef up security at the event. If the celebration is canceled Vostok will just go into hiding and we will lose him and the bomb."
"He doesn't know that we know the ceremony is his target which still leaves us with the upper hand." Phil said. Race had assumed that Phil had held out against his captors and his statement now confirmed it. Yet, Race did plan to have a private chat with the other man once the entire ordeal was over, just to make sure Vostok didn't do any long term damage to Corbin's psyche.
"So what do you gentlemen propose we do?" Kovar asked grimly.
"We need to get as many police and military personnel at that ceremony as possible, both uniformed and undercover." Race started. "Also, any preparations being made tonight need to be guarded as well. We know what Vostok and Yasimov look like, but they are both ex-KGB and masters of disguise."
"One thing we don't know is who else they may enlist to emplace and or detonate the bomb." Phil added. "All of Vostok's men were either killed or arrested at the farmhouse, to include his bomb maker, but we don't know if he had others in reserve at a secondary location or on standby, ready to be called upon when needed."
"It would seem plausible that he would." Alena added. "But if not, would he detonate the device himself?"
"Vostok is not the type that would sacrifice himself, so no, I don't think he would." Phil said. "He'd force someone else to do it and I doubt it'd be Yasimov either. Those two are too close."
"Which makes things even more difficult. He could use a suicide bomber or he could just emplace the device and detonate it remotely if his bomb maker wired it in such a way." Race stated.
"So we'll be looking for needles in the haystack." Jade quipped.
"Either way he'll want to get as close to as many people as possible as well as any government officials or event organizers. Will the ceremony be taking place on or near a stage?" Race continued on.
Alena nodded, "Yes. They are setting it up tonight. The entire celebration is spread out throughout the city over the course of the festival, however the opening and closing ceremonies will take place on a stage at Wenceslas Square."
"I'd say that's more than likely Vostok's primary target." Jade interjected.
Race nodded his agreement. "How many snipers are at your disposal, Ms. Stasny?"
"Please, call me Alena. Between the police and the Garrison I can probably have at least half a dozen positioned around the ceremony."
"If they can cover all fields of fire that should work." Race liked what he was hearing so far.
"On top of them, we should be able to get twenty to thirty undercover men and women as well. I cannot deplete the entire Garrison force as they still have their primary duties at the Castle."
"Understood. Inspector Kovar?"
"My office has ten INTERPOL agents available at the moment." Kovar responded.
"Just under fifty of us then." Race surmised. "I hate to ask this, but how many people are you anticipating being at this ceremony?"
"Thousands." Alena replied gravely.
"I was afraid that would be the answer." Race stroked his chin as he spoke. Looking up he realized, once again, that the rest of the group was looking to him for guidance. Glancing at Phil for help, he saw that his partner was still wavering in and out of focus, the effects of the concussion taking its toll on him. Race just hoped that Corbin would be well enough to be effective by the morning, but for now he knew his partner was no good for the rest of the night which meant Race was in the lead.
"Alright, well this is the plan." He started as the rest of the group turned their undivided attention to him. "Myself and Jade will head out this evening and check out the area near where the ceremony will be held. How quickly can you get people in place there, Alena?"
"Besides those that are already there, within the hour."
"Good." Race replied with a nod.
"I will get my people ready and meet you at the Square, Agent Bannon." Inspector Kovar stated.
"After we've determined that all is in place for the evening, I'll figure out the next course of action. Jade, can you have your contacts make inquiries as to where Vostok might be holed up for the night? He has to be close. Perhaps, if we can find him tonight, we can take him out before he even has a chance to implement his plan."
"Will do." Jade stood as she fished her phone from her pocket to get Gregor moving once again; if Gregor wanted to be paid Jade was going to ensure she got the most from the man as possible.
"What about me?" Phil asked, however by the look on his face, Race could tell Corbin already knew the answer.
"You need to stay here." Race said and before Phil could object Race raised his hand and continued, "You're in no condition to be out and about and you know it. However, do you think you can establish a computer link with the Garrison and the local police in order to tap into the CCTV footage at Wenceslas Square? That way we can monitor throughout the night."
Phil grumbled, but did not openly object; he knew Race was right, he hadn't thought his inability to focus was apparent to the others, but it was obvious at least to Race. "I'll see what I can do." He replied without protest.
"I can help with that." Alena offered, shooting a smile in Phil's direction. Her concern for him was evident and even with the throbbing pain in his head, Phil could tell she wanted to ensure he was okay and not leave him by himself. He was fine with the plan as well as he was hoping for some alone time with Alena.
"Thank you, Alena." Phil replied.
Standing Race made his statement. "Alright, let's get to work. The sooner we can get everything established the sooner we can regroup and figure out what to do next. I have a feeling Vostok isn't going to do anything tonight, but if he does we need to be ready. And even if he doesn't, we still need to be ready, but also get some rest for tomorrow. One way or the other, this ordeals ends tomorrow."
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Arm in arm, Race and Jade made their way down to Wenceslas Square. Inspector Kovar had ensured that the personnel working at the site knew that Race and Jade would be coming, however they still wanted to keep up appearances just in case Vostok or any of his people were watching the area.
"So you think we'll be able to stop this?" Jade asked.
Race heard the doubt in her voice. "We have to stay positive. Thousands of people are depending on us."
"I know," Jade sighed. "This has been a lot to digest in the last couple of days."
"You're telling me!" Race exclaimed. "Don't think I've forgotten that you did smack me in the head with a baton a few nights ago and now here we are, walking arm in arm, trying to stop an international terrorist from murdering thousands of innocent people."
"That's not all we've done." Jade replied slyly, which resulted in a low chuckle from Race. "Speaking of extracurricular activities, what do you think of Phil and Alena?"
"What do you mean?" Race questioned, but he knew what she meant.
"You know what I mean." Jade giggled.
"I really don't know Phil all that well." Race confessed. "I only met him just before this assignment. In fact you've technically known him longer than I have. But regardless, he and Alena are adults and if they're happy, then I'm happy for them."
"I think they're cute together." Jade stated.
"Cute is not a word I would have thought to hear from you." Race joked.
"Bannon, you should know by now that I'm full of surprises."
"Very true." Race mumbled. Jade's statement reminded him that she still hadn't been completely honest with him in regards to why she was in Prague to begin with. Cataloguing the information in the back of his mind, Race was determined, once Vostok was stopped, to find out just what Jade was really after.
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Alena handed Phil a mug of coffee as she sat back down on the couch. "Thanks." He smiled as he took a sip of the brew before setting it down on the end table.
"Of course," Alena replied. After the rest of the team had left she had decided to get a bit more comfortable. Having kicked off her heels she nestled up beside Phil as he concentrated on the laptop in front of him, working to make the connection with the local Prague police. "I just hope it helps."
Leaning back, he sighed, "I need to stay awake so it will definitely help."
Taking a chance, Alena tenderly ran a finger along the side of Phil's head, through his short, dark hair behind his ear and asked, "How did Vostok manage to do these horrible things to you?"
"I was stupid and reckless." Phil averted his eyes as he replied. He had only told her about the beating and the water torture. He couldn't bring himself to mention Vostok's other threats. "But I learned my lesson."
"How bad does it hurt?" Alena asked.
Smirking, Phil replied. "Vostok's fists felt like four-by-fours breaking against my face. Needless to say, it still hurts."
Placing a hand on his chest, Alena gently pushed him back against the couch. A smile spread across Phil's lips as Alena moved closer, straddling his legs so she sat on his lap, facing him. Leaning in and kissing him softly, she said, "Perhaps this will help alleviate the pain."
Running his hands along her thighs, he pushed her skirt slightly upward as they locked lips once again. As their kiss deepened, Phil moaned lowly, "I think it's helping."
Leaning back, Alena smiled and said, "Well then we should keep going." Then melted back into him, feeling his strong hands caressing her with desire.
With one hand still massaging her inner thigh, Phil reached up with the other and brushed a lone lock of hair back behind Alena' ear. Leaning forward, he grazed her neck with his lips, eliciting a moan of pleasure from Alena as her fingers worked to unbutton his shirt then push the garment from his shoulders, running her hands up and down his muscled chest and torso, grazing her nails ever so slightly against his skin.
Phil groaned as their lips met once again. "Let's keep going." Wrapping his arms around Alena, he rotated his hips and lifted so as to move on top of her as she pressed herself against him, "Let's definitely keep going." He breathed into her ear as his own hands worked to remove his lover's blouse.
"Yes." She exhaled, her breathing labored and heavy, her hands exploring his body, as his arousal made her yearn for him with heightened anticipation. "Oh yes."
The laptop dinged, indicating the downloaded link was complete, however neither Phil nor Alena took notice.
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As he inspected the stage, Race heard the heavy footfalls and distinct grumbles of Inspector Kovar approaching. Groaning inwardly, he had hoped that he wouldn't have to deal directly with the INTERPOL man, but with Phil back at the hotel and Race in charge, he had no choice.
Standing and stretching his weary muscles, Race put on his best smile and turned to meet the older man who was accompanied by a uniformed police officer named Major Horak. Race shook the man's hand then turned his attention to Kovar, who wore his customary frown as he also shook hands with the young I-1 Agent. "Any news, Inspector?"
Grunting Kovar wiped his brow, even on the cold November night, the big man was sweating. "I've been detailed seven personnel. I thought I could get more, but headquarters is already being a pain in my ass with seven. Without any evidence that shows Vostok has another bomb, they are hesitant of assigning all personnel to the ceremony tomorrow."
Race nodded; It appeared that INTERPOL suffered from the same bureaucratic red tape that did nothing put piss off agents on the ground that needed the support, just like in Intelligence One.
"It's better than none." Race responded, hoping he sounded encouraging. "With your personnel working alongside the local police and Garrison soldiers we should be able to keep this area under constant surveillance."
"At least Wenceslas Square is fairly well contained. It'll be hard for Vostok to make his way to the stage or near the National Museum without being noticed." Jade added as her eyes wandered to the alley where she had hidden to avoid Corbin when she had first arrived. "But come to think of it, we need to ensure there are people covering all the alleyways that lead in and out of the Square."
"Good thinking." Race nodded.
"That's shouldn't be a problem." Major Horak said. "We can have uniformed police blocking off those areas."
"Anything else we need to know?" Race asked the assembled group.
The police Major adjusted his weapon belt as he replied, "I will have personnel on site from now until the opening ceremony, but the evening shifts will be minimally manned. MP Stasny was quite convincing in regards to concentrating the bulk of our efforts at this location tomorrow. My Commander is fully committed to stopping this Vostok and bringing him to justice for his crimes."
The Major's words brought to Race's mind what Phil had said about killing Vostok on sight. Either way, his primary goal was to stop the bombing, whether Vostok lived or died as a result, well that was not as important to the determined Agent as the former.
With the plan in place, Inspector Kovar headed back his office while Major Horak left to check on the officers that were already on guard duty at the moment. Alone once again, Jade leaned in close to Race. Gazing into his crystal blue eyes, Jade hummed in a low, seductive tone, "You ready to get out of here for the evening?"
Smiling down at her, still mesmerized by the woman's mystifying aura, Race ran a finger under her chin, then tilted his head down to plant a warm, aching kiss upon her lips. Jade returned the kiss, moaning with delightful bliss, before Race pulled back and said, "I just want to check out a few more things."
Pushing back from him in feinted hurt, Jade shot him a look at said, "You're such a tease, Bannon."
Responding with a short chuckle, he replied, "Yeah, well, you're not the only one who gets to do all the taunting."
With a huff, Jade grinned, "Well, let's get going before I decide to start taunting some other tall, handsome and perfectly muscled man."
"Yeah, good luck finding another Race Bannon." Race laughed as they began walking up the steps of the National Museum.
"Oh, you're not vain at all," Jade threw her head back with a sarcastic laugh. "Just my type of man."
"Believe it, babe."
As the daunting reality of Vostok's plans loomed over the young couple like the tell-tale black clouds of an approaching storm, Race's thoughts took on a grim tone. Even though he had been successful at the Symposium with disarming the first bomb, there was always the knowledge of what he must do in the event that he could not perform the necessary tasks. Race Bannon knew, and more importantly, was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice if need be to not only stop General Vostok, but also save the lives of countless innocent civilians.
As they reached the top of the stairs, Race found himself staring at Jade, his mysterious and not always forthcoming companion, but also his newfound love interest.
"What?" She asked, her eyes shifting with a nervous mischievousness caused by his piercing gaze.
"Nothing," Race said before kissing her once again. As their lips once again separated he continued, "I was just thinking and no matter what happens, I'm very happy to be spending this evening with you."
Wanting to reply with a snarky comeback to the man's sudden romantic prose, Jade found that she was unable to do so. Her feelings for Race Bannon had flourished so quickly over the course of a few days; feelings that she had never felt for another man before. She only hoped that no matter what happened, Race Bannon would remain a constant in her life to come.
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To Be Continued...