Vladivostok Hotel, Vladivostok
"This isn't necessary, Robin," said Robert. "Sweetheart, listen to me. We have enough evidence to expose Elena, Sinclair and the rest of 'em for the criminals that they are. We'll file charges for kidnapping and every statute I can find and sue for divorce at the same time."
"You don't understand," said Robin.
"You wanted to take his head off before. Why the change?" asked Anna.
"That was my temper talking not my head," said Robert taking his seat. "My head is telling me that to have Robin anywhere near that man is a bad idea. If she thinks that she can bargain with Sinclair, she's a fool."
"This is nothing like that. Robin wants to put this behind her. She wants closure," said Alex.
"You can get closure in court," added Mac.
"This isn't about winning or losing a case. I don't care about that!" said Robin.
"Explain then. Make us understand why you want to do this," said Robert.
"Despite everything that's happened in my life, I had always believed in happy endings, seeing the good in people and having faith that things will always work out for the good rather than the bad," said Robin. "It's a kind of … of innocence, I guess. Peter took that away from me along with the years. In return, he gave me fear and anger. I'm smothered by anger from the time I wake up to the time I sleep. In my dreams, I'm drowned in terror again and again. Will winning in court and watching him go to jail make me stop being angry and scared? Will it?"
"No," said Robert softly. He buried his face in his hands and rested his elbows on his knees. Anna rubbed his back. Robin's words on anger were hitting a particularly touchy nerve for him.
"The only way I can be free is to take back this … this power he has over me. I have to face him as an equal not as a captive," said Robin. "I'm here. I'm free. I won over him. I don't need a court to tell me that. But I need to show him that I know I've won. I took his formulas to hurt him and make him feel helpless. That was my revenge. Now, I don't want to have any part of it. Dad, I know this is hard to understand. It's something I feel I have to do."
Robert's voice was hoarse. "I understand better than you think. I do."
"I'm not forgiving him of anything. I never will. I'll help in whatever way I can to bring him to justice on behalf of his victims," said Robin. "But for me, he's not worth the energy of hating him. I want to start living again and I can once I've done this."
Robert rose to his feet. "All right, then. Let's head off and do this."
"Thank you," said Robin giving her father a quick hug.
Robert kissed the top of her head. "I really do understand, sweetheart."
Seven Feet Yacht Club, Vladivostok
Ice floes floated in the marina waters. Yachts and other marine vessels were moored to docks or up on pallets for the duration of the season. In the distance, the shadows and beacons of mega-yachts could be seen.
Nyssa indicated the yacht where Sinclair was confirmed on. The group broke up into two groups - the main group with Robin, Anna, Robert and Vincent and the second group with Dianara, Nyssa and Mac providing extra eyes, ears and hands.
As they got closer, they could see no lights or signs of movement from within. The second team spread out. This did not deter Robin who did not falter in her determined march up the gangplank and on to the deck.
"Peter! I know you're here!" yelled Robin.
There was a whimpering sound then a bark. Jack came running out of the salon and into Robin's arms.
"Oh, Jack! I missed you, too," said Robin cradling the dog in her arms.
Vincent signaled for Robin to stay put while he went into the salon with Robert right behind. Anna stayed with Robin. A few minutes later, the lights of the salon were flicked on.
"No one's here," said Robert.
"Where could he have gone to?" asked Anna. "Any ideas, Robin?"
Robin shook his head. "I knew about the boat because he would talk about it. I don't think he's got an apartment or house here. He was either in Paris or Vienna."
"He had company," said Vincent. He pointed at muddy footprints in different sizes and shapes on the floor. "These are maybe a few hours old and no more." He bent down to examine the floor more closely.
Anna looked around the salon. "I don't see any boxes anywhere."
Robert caught Anna's eye and minutely angled his head towards a point above her head. Anna looked up and spied a tiny camera tucked into the ceiling joists.
"Well, this looks like a bust," said Robert loudly for the benefit of the camera. "Nothing to see here."
Vincent held up his three fingers stained red with blood. "Looks like they had a party and, uh, departed."
"He's long gone then," said Anna.
"No use looking below," said Robert. "Let's get out of here. Boats not under my control make me nervous."
Anna ushered Robin out and off the boat with the men following. They kept up a stream of pretend conversation until they were all back at their cars. In hurried whispers, the rest of the team was told about the camera, Sinclair's visitors and the blood stains.
Once they were all in the relative safety and security of their cars, all pretense was ended. Robert, Anna, Robin and Vincent rode in the sedan while Mac, Dianara and Nyssa brought up the rear in the Range Rover.
"That was a setup if I'm not mistaken," said Anna on the video conference call. "We're not staying to find out what the fallout is. Agreed, Robert?"
"Agreed," said Robert. He took out his IPhone and updated Giles at Command and Control.
"I take it an orderly evacuation is called for?" asked Edgar at the hotel.
"This is not Europe or America. You want to stay around waiting for the ax to fall?" asked Dianara. "The DVX have no sense of humor when it comes to foreign operatives on their soil."
"Orders going out," said Edgar.
"The situation on the boat will be investigated by the DVX sooner rather than later," said Vincent. Beside him, Robin peered curiously at the IPhone's interface. "In fact, I would not be surprised if they are aware we've registered at the hotel."
"Some of us DID use our real names," said Anna. "Damn."
"Should we meet you at the airport?" asked Edgar.
"Yes, let's get-" began Robert.
BUZZ! All their IPhone's flashed as an intruder monitor in the hotel hallway was tripped.
"What the hell?" Edgar's image wavered as he moved. The image turned upside down and they could hear various sounds in the background - the familiar sound of silenced shots, shouts of alarm.
CRASH!
"Take cover!" shouted Edgar. This was followed by a volley of silenced gunfire.
Andrew's face appeared on the display. "Mum, we're a bit busy. We'll meet you at the airport within the hour."
"How busy?" asked Robert.
A babble of voices came over the command channel.
"No one hurt. Got the warning in time," said Andrew. He yawned. "Four inside."
"There goes my beauty sleep," said Alex. "Dimitri is checking on Jackie and Holly."
"Son, no fancy moves just get on with it," said Robert.
"Be right back," said Andrew before disappearing off the screen.
"Edgar, hold them in the suite. I see three in the hallway. Coming from the left, " said Felicia. "Maxie's with me. She's fine."
"Coming from the right," said Alex.
"Don't kill anyone!" yelled Anna.
In their cars, they followed the events at the hotel via the background noise.
"Could they be DVX?" asked Vincent.
"It's not their normal style unless it's a hostage rescue situation," said Dianara. "And it can't be them because of Andrew and SIMON. I'm going to check with SIMON."
"They could be the same group that left the boat," said Mac.
"Yeah, that theory has possibilities," said Anna. She made a hard u-turn and headed for the hotel. "Anyone remember if we brought a forensics kit with us?"
CRASH!
"He was mine!" came Nestor's voice.
"Um, question, why is everyone so calm?" asked Robin. "I hear an attack going on. People are getting hurt, maybe killed."
"After Vienna, nothing is beyond this team," said Robert with audible pride.
"Andrew alone could take them on and not break a sweat," said Mac.
Anna smiled. "So Uncle Mac is approving of his nephew. That's nice to hear."
"What can I say? The kid earned my respect," said Mac. "I saw him in action in the Cassadine stables."
Robert added, "He toyed with them for too long. He has to learn to finish them more efficiently."
Sounds of flesh hitting a hard object repeatedly came through loud and clear.
"My brother, who no one has explained yet to me, is a junior super spy?" asked Robin. "And what does the DVX have to do with him? Who's Simon? What do you mean by this team, Dad? Who are these people? Mom, are you in charge? What is going on?"
Anna burst out laughing, "I'm sorry, sweetheart. It all does sound ridiculous doesn't it?"
"You always hated not knowing secrets," said Robert from the passenger seat. "We will explain everything. I promise."
Giles' voice came over the channel overriding the background noise. "No assigned or reported DVX activity anywhere near your location. That's double confirmed via Ivan Korolev. He's also got to cover his end for letting Andrew slip through. What can I tell him?"
"Um, good question," said Robert. "Ideas?"
"Tell him and the WSB agent in charge back home, what's her name?" asked Anna.
"Tania," supplied Dianara.
"Tell Ivan and Tania that Andrew is on his way to Australia on vacation. That will be true within the next few hours," said Anna.
"Do you want Dani and Lars' teams to go ahead or go with fake Andrew?" asked Giles.
"Negative. I have adequate coverage at the ranch," said Robert. "I need Genji though. Have him and his team fly as escort."
"Do make a show of getting Andrew on a plane. Something hard to miss. Maybe a press release," said Anna. "Covers all bases."
"I see. Will do," said Giles. "I'll let Genji know to start packing."
Edgar, more than a little breathless, came on. "When are we going home? I've had it with foreign places and people who want to kill me. I'm retired, remember?"
"It should be quiet at the ranch," said Robert.
"I welcome boredom," said Edgar. He cleared his throat. "No one injured on our side. We have seven and one in the parking lot. All out and about to be restrained. We can't leave them here."
"I would love to dump them on the boat but I don't think that's a good idea," said Anna. "Edgar, get video and prints of their shoes. No, just take the shoes with us. Try for verified IDs later. How out of it are they?"
"No bleeders but minor head trauma. Head meets wall, that sort of thing," said Alex. "A few cracked ribs and broken bones I expect. All unconscious and unmoving."
"I don't believe our guests will want to be found by anyone especially the DVX," said Robert. "But we do need to leave an impression. They better think twice before trying again."
Anna's lips curled slightly. "Edgar, strip, tie up and leave on the roof. Bag all equipment and weapons. We will dispose on the way to the airport. We're entering the hotel parking lot now. Up there in a minute."
A night scope situated on a tripod in the main salon of the mega-yacht Callisto Star swiveled left then right. Nothing moved on the docks and slips of the yacht club. Arielle walked away from the scope.
"Still nothing," said Arielle.
Charlotte tapped her fingernails on the table top. "No word from my team. They're overdue. I regretfully must conclude failure."
"As much as I desire satisfaction, I thought any action was premature," said Helena. "Did either of you really think they would be easy marks?"
"It was worth a try," insisted Arielle. "They got lucky this time."
"And the next time?" asked Helena. "To be successful against them, we must be smarter, more subtle and patient. Target their weakest points - their honor and pride - and hit them hard the first time because a second time will be very difficult."
"We ARE proceeding with our plans, Helena," said Charlotte. She picked up her glass of pinot noir and sipped.
"But we have tipped them off. They have to be suspicious and on the alert. All of them," said Helena.
"Nothing will happen to them for quite a while. Not directly. It will lull them into a false sense of security," said Charlotte. "In the meantime, we continue with ongoing operations as they enjoy their family reunion."
Helena sighed. "Yes, quite probable. We will have the footage from the boat."
"And we have Peter," said Charlotte.
Arielle poured herself a drink at the bar. "I know that we're trying to honor Elena's wishes but I don't see his real value to us. Any assets he may have will be frozen. He'll be wanted all over the world. He's just another target that we have to shield. May I remind you both that our shield and resources are rather reduced at present."
"Poor Elena's affections may have been misplaced. I do not find him remotely attractive," said Helena. "But the Scorpios want him and for that reason alone we need him."
"I have many questions for Dr. Sinclair when he's slept off his hangover," said Charlotte.
"What do we tell Dino? We're close to gaining his trust, Helena. I'm not going to jeopardize that," said Arielle.
Helena smiled in appreciation. "Now, there's an attractive and capable man."
"A rare compliment, Helena? I cannot wait to meet him," added Charlotte.
"You can look but he's mine," said Arielle.
"Does he know that?" asked Charlotte.
"Not yet," answered Arielle with a calculating smile. Her voice changed to one that was soft and simpering. "I'm the marrying kind. I just don't know what I'll do without a man to guide me."