Disclaimer: I do not own Jonny Quest. I am making no money off of this and it is purely for fun and enjoyment.
Chapter 13
Throwing open the French doors of his room's balcony, Vostok inhaled deeply, taking in the rich, pre-dawn country air. Closing his eyes as the cool breeze brushed against his cheeks, he enjoyed the moment of peaceful calm, thinking back to his days as a young boy. Growing up in a similar environment on the outskirts of Moscow, the tranquility of the country would spawn a calmness within him as he prepared for whatever obstacles he had chosen to face on a particular day.
A loud knock pulled the big Russian from his thoughts. Frowning he left the balcony and opened the door for Colonel Yasimov.
"Is everything ready, Colonel?" Vostok asked, instantly focused on the task at hand.
Nikolai nodded as he entered the room carrying an old, leather style suitcase., "Yes, General. All has been prepared."
"And the bodies?"
Setting the suitcase down on Vostok's bed, Yasimov smiled wickedly. "They have been properly disposed of. If they are discovered it will be too late, we will have already succeeded with our plan."
Lips curling upward into a thin line, Vostok grinned. "Good. Now let us prepare."
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Shielding his eyes against the intense glare of the morning sun, Race scanned the already growing crowd that filtered into Wenceslas Square. Sliding his sunglasses on, he titled his head upward to observe the rooftops of the buildings that enclosed the Square. He knew that there were both police and Garrison snipers positioned throughout the area and he smiled at the fact that they had concealed themselves well enough not to be seen.
Each member of the impromptu task force, whether a sniper, uniformed or plains-clothed officer was equipped with radio communication devices and armed. Race had even convinced Corbin to give Jade one of the I-1 earpieces so the three could maintain their own communication channel, separate from that of the Czech forces. Corbin acquiesced, but only after insisting that Jade return the device immediately upon the completion of the mission. With her seductively best smile, she agreed and grinned as Phil grumbled and headed off to check in with Major Horak before heading to his assigned position atop the most Northwestern building of the cordoned off celebration area. From his position, he'd have a clear view of the entire length of the Square all the way to the National Museum.
While the veteran agent had at first attempted to protest his duty, wanting to be on the ground near the stage, Race had to remind Corbin that the man's injuries were still fresh and that acting as both over-watch and an additional sniper added an additional set of eyes that could prove invaluable. Once the Czechs had handed Phil a modified M14 rifle with high powered sights and sound suppressor, he smiled and headed off to his position.
Grumbling, Race watched as the crowd seemed to grow larger and larger with each passing moment. He made his way towards the stage, shouldering past the throngs of locals and tourists alike. As he approached, he observed the celebration's organizers making a number of last minute preparations to the platform before the opening ceremonial speech, given by the Mayor of Prague, was scheduled to take place in just over an hour.
Meeting up with the third part of the ad hoc team, Race shot Jade a lop-sided grin. Arching an eyebrow, he said, "Are you ready for whatever might happen?"
"I'm right here by your side, handsome. I may play by my own rules, but one thing we agree on is that murdering innocent people is just wrong."
Race knew that Jade, flirtatious disposition and secretive nature aside, was an ally that he could rely on to watch his back even in such trying and dangerous situations that they were all currently facing.
"Just be ready for anything." Race stated.
"I'm planning to make it out of here in one piece, Bannon." Jade laughed, yet Race picked up on the subtle nervousness in her voice; she was scared. "And I'm hoping you do as well. I have so many things I fantasize about doing to you."
Blushing, Race got the conversation back on topic, "Agreed, sexy. But for now, let's get our heads focused."
"Alright, where do you need me?" Jade asked, slipping a switch from playful teasing to serious business in a blink of an eye.
Jerking a thumb over his shoulder he replied, "Head over towards the back of the stage, near the steps of the Museum and just keep your eyes and ears open. Any sign of suspicious activity or possible sighting of Vostok or Yasimov, immediately radio us. I'll be in the crowd near the stage."
"Got it, handsome." Jade gave Race a quick peck on the cheek and winked before heading off in the direction he had indicated.
After watching her go, he once again returned to scanning the crowd. "Alright, Vostok. Where the hell are you?" He mumbled under his breath.
Once Jade disappeared into the crowd he keyed his communication device to radio Phil, "Are you in position?"
"Affirmative." Corbin replied.
"See anything yet?"
"Negative." Corbin replied. "This crowd is huge. Finding Vostok will be like finding a needle in a haystack. Especially if he is in disguise."
"How's your line of sight?"
"I can see all the way from here to the stage. Our overlapping fields of fire cover all blind spots, to include the alleyways as they open up onto the Square." Phil reported.
Race appreciated his partner's professional report. Assimilating and assessing the information immediately, he ordered, "Concentrate your scans on and near the stage, it'll be his primary target if he wants to kill Prague's leaders."
"Understood."
Race heard the slight waver in the other agent's voice which Race chalked up to Phil's concern for Alena Stasny. As much as Corbin had tried to convince his friend to stay away from the ceremony she had refused, insisting that not only was it her duty to her people, but she would not allow Vostok force her into hiding through fear and terror. Race and Phil both knew that Alena would be on the stage during the Mayor's opening remarks.
Finding a spot just off to the left, Race settled in and began his own observation routine. If Vostok was going to strike, it would be here, Race felt it in his gut. He also knew that if they couldn't locate and stop the Russian from detonating his device, not only would it cause a massive catastrophic situation here, but it could launch the world powers into a potentially deadly conflict.
'Exactly what Vostok wants.' Race told himself.
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"You all know your instructions." Vostok stated with a militaristic tone that demanded obedience.
In unison, he was answered with a resounding and thunderous, "Yes, Sir!"
Gathered just on the outskirts of the city, Vostok had assembled a handful of loyalists that were ready to replace those that the Americans and Czechs had killed or arrested at the farmhouse. While he only had six men left, not including himself and Yasimov, he knew that these six men would die for him without hesitation or question, just like those he had lost the day before. The loss of those men angered the General, yet that anger fueled his determination to see his plans through to the end.
Colonel Yasimov had recommended cancelling the attack; instead taking the bio-agent and bomb and either attacking another location or waiting until the pressure from the Americans died down in order to strike unmolested. Vostok had bristled at the suggestion and if any other man beside Yasimov had made such statements, he would have throttled him to death under to auspice of cowardice. But Vostok knew Yasimov was no coward and had only suggested such action as a means to outsmart the American Intelligence agents.
Even though he didn't agree with Yasimov's suggestions, Vostok knew that on some level they had made sense. However, he was the type of man that, once a plan was set in motion, he was determined to see it through and backing out now would be, in Vostok's eyes, a win for the Americans and he would be damned if he was going to allow that to happen.
Looking at each man in turn, Vostok began his monologue. "Comrades, today we shall all bear witness to the power and might of Mother Russia. No longer will we sit in the shadows, subservient to the demands of the West. Today, those that were once our allies, but decided to run and form allegiances with the American scum, will feel what happens when they disavow the Motherland. Their flesh will burn from our wrath! Wrath brought about by the deaths of our brothers and sisters. Deaths brought about at the hands of the American dogs that even now try to stop us. No longer will we lie down with their boots upon our necks. No, Comrades! It is our boots that will be pressed against their weak and fragile throats! Prague will only be the beginning! After today the world will know that Russia remains strong and her sons do not take lightly the slight that America and its allies have bestowed upon us. We are strong, my brothers, and we will reclaim what is rightfully ours! The blood of our enemies will flow through the streets of Prague today as they celebrate the anniversary of their foolish Revolution. Kill any one that stands in our way. Should you survive, you can say that you were there at the beginning. You were there when Russia reclaimed what is hers! The streets run red with the blood of the traitors. Let them die painfully alongside their American friends. As they breathe their last, pitiful breaths, let them question their decision to insult the Motherland and ally themselves with the West. The weak and deplorable West! The plague, our new plague, shall bring the world to its knees, forcing it to bow down to the might of the Motherland! For Russia, by Brothers! For glory!"
A cacophony of shouts rang out from his loyal troupe. Synchronized shouts of "For Russia! For Glory!" echoed through the morning breeze as the men jammed balled up fists into the air, motivated by their General's illustrious speech. Even Colonel Yasimov, usually a stoic representative of the Soviet Officer Corps, joined in the motivational chant with their men.
Grinning with pride, Vostok motioned with his hands, bringing his men's exuberant cheers back down to a low rumble before they quieted down altogether. "Now, Comrades, your mission is to ensure that I have adequate time and space to emplace the device. Should any man or woman take an interest in me, you are to eliminate that person immediately. We do not wish to draw attention to ourselves until the moment of our revealed glory, so use the weaponry and skills you have perfected throughout your faithful service to the Motherland. Kill them quickly and swiftly, but silently and without prejudice. Show them no mercy as they will show you no mercy in return. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Sir." The men replied in absolute unison.
"Once I have placed the device we will have only minutes to fall back to a safe position. Ensure that you do so and do whatever is necessary to exfiltrate the Square quickly. Move to your pre-designated locations and you will be met by another comrade that will reward you for your service and return you to the Motherland or onward to the next mission if you so desire to continue within my service."
Nods of understanding from each man was enough to satisfy General Vostok that his group, while small, was devoted to the cause. He would ensure that each man was rewarded handsomely for his steadfast devotion to the restoration of Russia's might. If they did not survive, just like his other men, he would see to it that their families back in the homeland were well taken care of; loyalty deserved loyalty in return.
"I am proud to call you all my comrades; my brothers. The Motherland shall celebrate all of you for your actions today. Now, we move."
Turning to face his second in command, Vostok clasped the Colonel's shoulder with one hand while he snuggly fitted his stole Police cap onto his bald pate with the other. "It is time, Nikolai."
With a nod, Yasimov replied, "Yes, General. It is time."
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"I wish we could have gotten the police to prevent people from carrying bags into this thing."
Race heard the annoyance in his partner's voice as he walked casually through the crowd near the front of the stage. "I know what you mean, pal, but it was too late for that."
"One can always wish." Phil replied.
Race grinned. He imagined what his partner must look like, crouching behind his rifle, scanning the crowd through his scope, hoping that by nothing more than sheer luck he'd get a bead on Vostok so he could take the big Russian out with a single shot, ending the entire ordeal before it even started.
"Just let me know if you see anything suspicious, alright?" Race shot back.
"I know how to do my job, Race." Phil joked in return.
"Sure you do, Corbin," Race mocked lightly, "That's why you have a bruise roughly the size and shape of Wisconsin on the side of that ugly mug of yours right now."
"Piss off, Bannon," Phil retorted, "I'm not ugly."
"Would you two keep the chit chat down?" Jade interjected. "I feel like I'm listening in on a couple of teenage girls right now."
"I told you we shouldn't have given her a comm unit." Phil threw in.
Race laughed as his attention was drawn towards the stage. It appeared that the workers were making the final preparations for the Mayor's speech. "Stay alert." He commanded, shutting down the team's lighthearted banter and refocusing their attention to the task at hand. "It looks like they are about the start."
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Walking along the southern most street that ran perpendicular to the Square, Vostok strode purposefully towards the mouth of the closest alleyway, which was currently blocked off with a Police marked sawhorse and guarded by a single uniformed police officer. Vostok smirked at the incompetency of the Czechs; a single officer would be no match for his man.
As he approached the man, whose thumbs were currently tucked into the top of his utility belt, the General noted the man's bored stature and knew that bypassing the officer would be no problem.
Seeing Vostok approach, the officer straightened slightly, but kept his hands in front of him. Vostok's stolen Police Lieutenant's uniform was enough to keep the officer at ease just long enough for the General 's man to move in. Even the small, black gym bag that he carried did not set off any warning alarms with the young officer. Internally, Vostok scoffed at the man's incompetence.
"Report, officer." Vostok stated in Czech as he walked up to the man.
"Nothing to report as of yet, Sir." The officer replied. "All quiet here."
"Are you sure?" Vostok asked, toying with the man.
A strange look encroached upon the officer's face as he studied Vostok. Just as a flash of surprise betrayed the officer's sudden recognition of his foe, one of Vostok's men walked up from behind. In one fluid motion, the Russian loyalist reached up, wrapped his hand around the policeman's mouth, then slid a sharpened blade across the stunned man's throat, causing the young policeman to convulse and twitch as his life blood gushed out of his body. The entire episode had only taken seconds, the officer's shocked and terrified scream drowned out by the Russian soldier's tightened grip upon his mouth.
Keeping the policeman's dead body secure, Vostok's man moved behind the sawhorse, dragging the dead officer into the shadows along with him. Once the officer was concealed among the darkened corners, Vostok smiled at the man and said, "Now, comrade, ensure the rest of the alleyway, from here to the Square, is clear."
"Yes, Sir." The man's reply was devoid of emotion, as if having just murdered a police officer was no more of a concern than crossing the street or swatting at a troublesome mosquito.
As the pair entered the alley, Vostok unclipped the radio from his belt. Keying the mic, he called to Yasimov, "Nikolai, are you in position?"
"Yes, General." The reply was almost immediate. Yasimov had also donned a stolen police uniform. The rest of the men were dressed in civilian clothes to be disguised as tourists and locals, minus one other who also wore a police uniform.
"Do you see the Americans?"
"No, Sir, but I have no doubt they are here." Yasimov stated. "The rest of the men are intermingled with the crowd. If anyone approaches either you or myself they will see and strike."
"Good." Vostok said. "I am moving into position now. Once the Mayor takes the stage I will emplace the device then give the signal. We are only minutes away from our deserved glory and recognition, Nikolai."
"Make us proud, Sir."
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Jade kept her head moving as if on a swivel. Stationed to the rear of the stage, she was responsible for ensuring that no suspicious characters lurked about. Race had instructed that even the slightest hint of suspicious activity was to be reported immediately. However, up to this point, Jade had seen nobody more than the normal stage and sound crew members. However, every now and then a lost tourist wandered in her direction in search of either a port-a-john or vendor stand. Even the couple of local teenagers that crept behind the stage to make out and smoke a joint, but none of the incidents equated to a level of alarm for Jade; she knew the difference between reality and false agents masquerading as bumbling nobodies.
"Are we sure he's going to strike here?" Jade asked into the mic.
"If he doesn't then he's gone." Race replied. "Just stay vigilant, both of you."
With a sigh, Jade replied with just a hint of playful cynicism, "Yes, Sir."
"Nothing from my end." Phil reported. Jade frowned. It was as if she could hear the pretentious smirk in Corbin's response. Even with all they had been through during this ordeal she could tell the I-1 agent still did not trust her. And for some reason that bothered her.
Pinching the bridge of her nose, Jade shook her head, trying to shake the thoughts of frustration, annoyance, and anger from her mind. Opening her eyes a moment later, her gaze was drawn towards the teenage lovebirds. The young couple was engaged in what appeared to be a heated exchange with one of the uniformed police officers.
"Hold on," Jade said into the mic. "I might have something."
"What is it?" Race asked.
"I'm behind the stage. A couple of teens making out are arguing with a cop."
"I'm headed your way." Race reported.
"I don't have line of sight," Phil chimed in. "Let me check with the other teams. Standby."
As Jade approached, she heard raised voices arguing in a language she didn't quite understand. She didn't recognize the officer, but she also had not met every member of the task force either. Moving forward with caution, she kept her hands visible, not wanting to alarm the policeman.
"Is there a problem here?" She asked in English, knowing that most young people in Prague spoke, or at least understood, basic English.
The cop turned to look at her. He was young, with blonde hair and dark green eyes, strikingly similar to the colors of deep rich hues of a moss that blanketed a forest floor, rarely seeing the brightening rays of the sun.
"No problem, Ma'am." The officer reported. Turning his attention back to the teens, the officer barked at them in their native tongue, causing the kids to scurry off to the front of the stage. "I am sorry about that. Kids nowadays." The officer shrugged, then moved off in the same direction as the kids.
Exhaling, Jade realized that not only was she holding her breath, but she found her hand hovering behind her back, just over the concealed handgun that was tucked away at the small of her back. "Looks like a false alarm." She reported. Just as she finished speaking the words, the amps on the stage boomed, projected the Mayor's jovial and ecstatic voice out into the crowd of gathered onlookers and celebratory patrons.
"Damnit."
Jade jumped at the voice, not realizing that Race had moved alongside of her behind the stage. "You scared the living daylights out of me." She proclaimed, smacking him harmlessly in the chest. Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, she said, "I'm sorry, I thought it might be something, but it was just a couple of kids making out."
"Let's get back to our positions." Race stated.
"Heads up," Phil's voice announced with a tone of seriousness that made Race reach for his weapon.
"What is it?" Race probed as his feet instinctively carried him back towards his previous position with Jade directly on his heels.
"Possible identification," Phil said. "Standby."
"Damnit, Phil." Race growled. "What do you see?"
"Team Three thinks they may have sighted Yasimov. Standby for confirmation." Phil reported, unperturbed by Race's tone. Seconds later, "I think its him. However, one hundred percent positive identification not possible. No shot."
Race heard the disappointment in Phil's voice as he spoke the last two words. He knew his partner wanted his revenge on Yasimov and Vostok for what they had done to him, but he also knew Corbin was a professional and would adhere to the rules of engagement above all else. For that Race was thankful; the last thing he needed was a loose cannon on his team.
"Keep him in your sights." Race said. "Have your spotter watching."
"Got it, Bannon."
"What about the other teams? Any sightings of Vostok?" Race asked as he quickened his pace. Completely focused on his current task, he drowned out the Mayor's speech as it boomed through the speakers, encouraging and motivating the gathered crowd, recalling the key moments in the country's history that let them to the pivotal point in history that would become known as the Velvet Revolution.
"Negative." Phil said after a moment which Race assumed Corbin had taken to gather SPOT reports from the other sniper teams.
"Keep Yasimov in your crosshairs. Have your man walk me in." Race ordered.
"WILCO." Phil replied.
Looking at Jade, Race placed his hands on her shoulders, "Stay near the stage. They're here. It's happening."
With a curt nod, Jade signaled her understanding. "Stay safe, Race."
"You too, Jade." Race smiled then moved out, following the directions of his over-watch partner.
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Phil kept the butt of the M14 nestled comfortably in the pocket of his shoulder as he tracked the blonde haired man that lingered just a few paces from the horse statue. Without moving his head, he adjusted the knobs on his scope as he spoke, "You have Bannon?"
"Yes, Sir." The Garrison soldier replied. The trooper had set down his rifle and taken up a pair of sighting binoculars. He picked up Race in his sights and watched as the white-haired American waded through the crowd in the direction of the Russian suspect. "But you should just shoot him now."
"I can't positively ID him." Phil replied. "Believe me, Sergeant. I'd love nothing more than to put a round right between this bastard's eyes."
"He is dressed like a police officer." The Sergeant responded.
"I know." Phil agreed.
"He is a fraud. A fraud and a murderer."
"Trust me, Sergeant, if Bannon gives me a confirmation from the ground, he's dead within a second." Phil breathed, keeping his sights glued to the suspect on the ground, never allowing his crosshairs to wander off of the man. "But I cannot fire without one hundred percent confirmation."
"Sometimes rules are so frustrating." The man grumbled.
Phil let out an abrupt laugh. "No kidding, my friend. But rules are what separate us from them. Remember that."
"Yes, Sir." The Sergeant's reply sounded deflated, but he did as he was told and started walking Race in towards the man they suspected was Colonel Yasimov.
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Nikolai turned away from the stage as he saw the white-haired American approach. "One is coming my way, General." He spoke into his hidden mic as he briskly walked off in a roughly Northern direction, leading his adversary away from the stage.
"Good, Nikolai." Vostok stated. "Keep leading him away. What of the other? What of Agent Corbin?"
Yasimov huffed his displeasure as he walked away from the horse statue. "I have not seen him, General. Only his white haired confederate. He is the one currently following me."
"No matter," Vostok replied with a calm and cool voice. "Lead him away. If the other American has not succumbed to the injuries we've already inflicted upon him he will suffer the same fate as the rest of the traitors gathered here today. I am headed towards the stage."
"Yes, General." Nikolai replied. "I will take pleasure in seeing these American dogs die such painful deaths."
"That makes both of us, Colonel." Vostok growled. "Now go. As soon as you are the required distance away, I will drop the bomb. On my signal you will detonate the device. Understood?"
"Yes, Sir." Yasimov replied.
"For the Motherland." Vostok proclaimed.
"For the Motherland." Yasimov affirmed as he withdrew the detonation device and held it firmly in his grip.
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To Be Continued...