Chapter Three: Negotiations

I reached my barge just as the first drops of rain started to fall. The sky was a dark, unwelcoming, steel grey and the wind had turned bitter. I pulled my hood up around my face, watching the streaks of lightning dance across the skyline. I would not reach the swamp before the imminent storm hit, and there was no way I wanted to be caught out in it. Storms here were savage, and as another bolt of lightning forked over the port, I caught sight of the Batwing and its cloud of minions. If that abomination was still around, I didn't want to be anywhere it could see me.

I turned away from the barge and started up the hill to the cinema. I would wait out the storm there, then head back to the swamp when it cleared, and hopefully think of some way to find the newcomer. I was fairly certain Tom wouldn't have him killed. He was a savvy man. The bastard would likely use the stranger to achieve whatever it was he wanted from the Captain. His thugs said they wanted him alive, but whether he'd stay that way once they were done with him, was a different thing. I still felt a sense of urgency though, I could not let this chance go. The man was something else. Something we could use.

The rain began falling in earnest as I passed the robust columns at the front of the cinema. I hurried inside, peeling off my soaked jacket. I snapped it in the air in front of me, to remove the water from its waterproof fabric, before draping it over the stack of bricks. Seraph shook herself, flinging water all over the floor and trotted over to the couch where she settled.

The spacious room had a terrible draft from the open doors and I was freezing from the rain. So, clenching and unclenching my fists to get blood back into my fingers, I walked to the fire drum. I slid it across the floor behind the brick stack, to create a windbreak. The fire had burned itself down to dull embers, while I was gone. I would need to find something to burn if I wanted to warm up.

I dragged some of the broken chairs out of the screening room to use as firewood, smashing them into small pieces to fit inside the drum. Some papers from the desk nearby would be effective as tinder. It burned quickly as I buried it into the glowing embers and as I piled the chair fragments on top, it was roaring in no time. I held my hands over its radiant heat, enjoying its embrace.

I piled the wood scraps nearby and pulled an old arm chair up to it so I could enjoy the warmth in relative comfort. I thought for a moment, glancing around. This place was not the greatest in terms of defence. With all of these doors open to the outside, anyone or anything could sneak in. I would not make the same mistake as those idiots I killed here.

I begun collecting tin cans for a make shift alarm system that I would erect around the perimeter. I was just wondering if I should use some of the furniture for barricades when my radio buzzed. The frequency was interrupted by static, but clear enough for me to make out what they were saying.

"Base, delivery here. Patch me through to Cat. I've got news for him," it sounded like one of the guys that took the American.
"He's not on the bridge stand by," came the reply. I guessed he was aboard the submarine in the port.
"Alright, standing by,"

The radio fell silent as the rain pummelled the roof and thunder boomed menacingly. I continued crafting my alarm while I listened. I was immediately interested, waiting eagerly for Tom Cat's voice.

"Delivery, the boss is back on the bridge, switching over,"
"Got it,"

Then I heard it. I paused, setting the tin can I was tethering to some fishing line, on the floor and snatched up the battered radio.

"So, what have you got? Did you deliver the offer to the Captain?"
"There you are Tom Cat, you smug asshole," I gritted my teeth upon hearing his arrogant voice. "What does a rat like you, want from the old man?"

"Nah, he got spooked by some small fry," the guy on the radio continued. "We nabbed the guy that was with him though. Turns out that he's an American,"

"Are you fucking with me?" Tom replied incredulously.
"Please boss, he swore like you on a bad day,"
Tom snickered and sighed from his end. "I see. Pass the radio to that... American will ya?"

There was another slight pause.

"Okay, I feel stupid for even considering this shit, but just in case, who are you?"
"Lance Corporal Samuel Taylor, US Marine Corps,"

Well, that certainly explained his fighting prowess. But why was an American Marine here in Russia?

"Wow! Just wow," Tom sounded equally impressed.
"Yeah, I have trouble believing it myself," the Marine replied.

His voice was deep and smooth. I found I liked the sound of it.

"I'll be damned. Listen up delivery," Tom commanded. "There's a change of plans. He is my guest. Do you get that? Bring him over quick!"
"Yes, boss,"
The radio fell silent again and stayed silent.

So, not an enemy then. That meant Tom might tell him his plans and that was useful to us. But it also meant he could be potentially dangerous. Tom could send him after us and give us a very bad day. I did not like the idea of having to fight a US Marine.

We would just have to make sure we convince him that we are better off as allies, rather than enemies. Or, failing that, show him we are definitely not to be messed with. How I would do that, was still something to be decided, but I knew we had to keep him close.

First, I had to find him. Who knew what would happen when he met with Tom Cat? What schemes they would come up with? I hoped he would have more sense than to go along with Tom, just because he was American. Although, I wasn't willing to bet on it. After being alone in a foreign country, for who knows how long, he would seek something that was familiar to him.

There wasn't much I could do at this point. I had no choice, but to listen out for broadcasts from them and somehow pin point where the Marine was, so I could arrange a meeting. I also knew, I didn't want to do that alone. I would have to persuade someone to come as back up. I would need all my charm for that one. I knew a few tricks and I knew exactly who I would get.

The radio was silent as I finished my tin can alarm system. I didn't expect to hear anything else, but I was hopeful more would come soon. The rain still hammered the roof, with no indication it would end. Thunder boomed overhead, and it was only an hour or so until nightfall. There was no getting back to the swamp tonight, so I busied myself with stringing up the can line. It was a curtain of metal that would make a loud clattering if anything was to disturb it. It would alert Seraph and I to any intruders that might try to sneak in. I piled some chairs in front of the side doors and erected more cans. Whatever tried to get in, would make one hell of a racket. No one was going to get the jump on us.

With that done, I returned to my couch and pulled some dried rat meat, mushroom tea and a small cooking pot, from my pack. I was suddenly ravenous. I chewed on the leathery meat, while I waited for the water for my tea to boil in the fire.

I was really getting sick of rat. I would need to go hunting for some game soon. I remembered seeing a few deer in the woods the other day. How I would love some fresh venison? I was certain the boys back at the swamp would as well. They were always moaning about how they hated rat and shrimp meat. Really, I didn't blame them. Mutants made for very poor eating, and rat meat was so boring after the one thousandth time. We could definitely do with some variety.

I dropped the tea leaves into my metal cup, as the radio chattered again. The abrupt sound cut through the calm crackling of the fire and made me jump. I had half a moment of excitement, thinking it would be from Tom's thugs, until my brother's gruff voice, growled at me through the receiver. I scowled at my tea, as I stirred it through the boiling water.

"Natasha, this is Yuri, respond,"

My brother was never one for niceties.

"I'm here and you don't need to say who you are. Your voice is like the Batwing screaming,"
"Where the hell are you?" I could hear his irritation and I could almost see his face redden in anger. I loved to torment him.

"We've had some idiots here causing trouble, yelling that we killed some of their guys at the cinema. We had to shoot them when they started making threats,"

Oh, how terrible for you. I rolled my eyes.

"You would not know anything about this, right?"Yuri pressed.
"Of course not," I replied innocently. "What could a little woman like me, do with those scoundrels, all alone?"
"Natasha! I have told you this before! You should not go looking for trouble," Yuri snapped, as usual.

He hated when I went looking for trouble. But what was I to do? Sit on my hands all day back at camp, surrounded by malodorous swamp and nothing to do? No chance of that. I needed trouble. I relished it.

So what if that meant ruffling the feathers of the other clans? Yuri always said we need to expand our boundary. I was really doing him a favour, doing us all a favor. This old cinema would be a perfect outpost. It was right on the edge of our turf; a perfect place to start our push into the adjacent territory. It even had a lake view, and it didn't stink like rotting fish, which was a win in my mind. He would get over it...eventually. I shrugged.

"I do not need you to watch me, like I am still ten years old. I can take care of myself," I grumbled, taking another bite of rat jerky.
"I know you can. That is not what I meant. We had a chance to unite with them, make ourselves stronger and larger. I made a deal with their boss,"

"You made a deal? Without telling me?" I spat at the radio.
"And now we have no chance. We have to kill them," Yuri went on as if he didn't hear me.
"Well, if you would tell me these things instead of doing it without me, then maybe...I could have killed a few less," I didn't care for being friends with the other clans.

"It's probably for the best, Yuri," I said in the irritated silence. "They probably would have stabbed someone in their sleep,"
"This is no joke, Natasha!" Yuri bellowed.
"Well, it's not much of a loss either," I shrugged, taking a sip of my tea. "We cannot trust them, so they are better off dead,"

There was silence on Yuri's end again. I knew he was brooding, but his lack of protest told me that he understood I was right.

"Where are you anyway? This is a bad storm," he finally said, controlling himself.
I chuckled and grinned to myself, immensely pleased with my activities. "At the cinema,"

Yuri sighed in exasperation again. "They are all dead, then?"
"Of course they are. Who are you talking to, brother?" I stretched out in my arm chair, glancing at Seraph, who was sound asleep on her couch.

"How many?"
"I don't know, I lost count,"
"You will walk into something you can't win, one of these days," Yuri grumbled.
"Yes, but I got us a cool new hideout. It needs some work, but there is plenty of space. We could make something of it. We should send some guys before some other jerks claim it,"
Yuri grunted through the static. I took that as agreement.

I briefly considered telling him about the Marine. What would he say? He would likely tell me not to get involved in things that didn't concern me, despite the potential benefits to us. He would see it as too risky.

No. He did not need to know about that yet.

"When will you be back?" Yuri asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
"Tomorrow, maybe. When this storm lets up, there is something I want to do,"
"And that is?"
"I want to go hunting,"
"What? You are asking my permission?"
"No, I would go even without your approval,"
"You don't need to tell me that," he huffed.
"I need someone to help me. I can shoot a deer better than anyone, but I can't drag a body back to camp by myself,"
"Then cut it up," Yuri suggested dispassionately.

I cringed. "Yuri, you know I hate doing that,"
"You can blast the brains from a man's head, but you can't gut a buck?"
"All that blood and...bits. And it smells terrible," I felt sick just thinking about it.
"It doesn't if you do it properly,"
"I don't want to do it properly. I want someone else to do it for me," I objected.
"Ah, fine, you can take Ivan then,"
I groaned. Anyone but him.

"What now?" Yuri snapped.
"I don't like Ivan. He's creepy,"
"You are like a spoiled child, do you know that?"
"He won't stop staring at my ass," I shuddered.
"They all do, Natasha. You use it as a commodity. What do you expect?"
"Yeah, but he is so obvious. He tried to grab it the other day," I groaned.
"And you punched him. I know. You gave him a broken nose,"Yuri replied stiffly.
"Good. He deserved it. He makes my skin crawl. I don't like him. If he tries it again, I will shoot him, or Seraph can have him as a snack,"

Yuri huffed again. "Well, who do you want then?"
"Viktor," I said without hesitation.
"Why Viktor?"
"Why not? He is the best at shooting, he will make a clean kill. He is not on reserve for something is he?"
"No,"
"Then what does it matter?"I shrugged, taking a sip of my tea.
"Fine, I'll let him know," he growled reluctantly.
"Good. He will do just fine," I smiled.
"Whatever. Get back here as soon as you can. There is something I need you to do and don't go looking for any more trouble on the way!"
"Would you expect me to do that, brother?"
"Always," he replied flatly, before the radio left me with the drumming of rain again.

Damn it. There was always something he wanted me to do, like I was his personal errand girl.

I placed the radio on the chair beside me and reached for my Kalash. It was filthy. The floodwaters, with their humidity and grime, wreaked havoc on gun components, making them more likely to jam up when I least wanted. I had gotten into trouble on several occasions for this reason, so I made a point of cleaning them regularly with solvents. The storm gave me a perfect opportunity.

After doing maintenance on my weapons and field stripping each of them in turn, checking them over, I paced impatiently around the large room. I hated being idle. It drove me crazy. I wandered over to the door, peering out at the rain, cursing its persistence.

The dim, grey light continued to darken further, as the late afternoon wore on. Nightfall was not far away. I walked back into the foyer with an impatient sigh. A gust of wind blew some leaf litter in through the door with a loud rustle and knocked the cans around. I spun, expecting trouble and Seraph raised her head in suspicion. I relaxed when I realized it was only the wind. So much for my alarm.

I pulled the cans down and cut them off the line, tossing them aside. I repurposed it by tying one end to a grenade I pulled from my pack, stretching it out, just inside the doorway at shin level. I secured the other end to a nail sticking out of the wall. My tripwire was ready. The wind would not affect this, but would definitely tell us if anything came through. It would also do our work for us, only I didn't have enough grenades to cover all of the entrances.

When I got tired of wandering around aimlessly, I returned to my chair and untied the violin from my pack. If I had to wait this storm out, I may as well see if I could still play the violin like I did when I was a child. I slid the bow out of my pack and studied it. It was well made and appeared to be in good condition, with crisp, white horsehair strung in a ribbon along its length.

I smiled. I touched it to the strings and gently started to play, my hands immediately remembering what to do. Melodies from my childhood came back to me like magic, shakily at first, but soon, I found a steady rhythm.

I don't know how long I played before the radio chattered again.

"Hey, you know that American our guys picked up?" I just caught the voice above the notes of the violin.

I set the instrument on the floor and threw another splinter of broken chair onto the fire.
"Well, boss made a deal with him. Turns out this guy wants to sail away back to America and is going to make the Captain get those fuel rods the sub needs to move,"

"Best friends now, huh?" I said out loud, staring at the radio.

"Ha! No way the old fool will listen," a second, rough voice, replied through the static.
"But, Boss said he can have the settlement when we leave,"
"Hmm, you think he will agree with that?"
"Who knows. I guess we will see how good this other American is at persuading him,"
"Yes, well. He will have to find him first. That old man is as slippery as a Shrimp,"
"The Boss gave him a map with some of his hideouts,"
"Hmm, good luck with that. He has so many places, and they're only the ones we know about. But, that's his problem. Glad it isn't me,"
"So am I. If it was you, then we would never get those fuel rods,"
"I would like to see you do it,"

I tuned out when I realized that all they were doing, was insulting one another.

I frowned. I couldn't let the Marine slip away. He knew things, he was in with our enemy, he was a danger to us, a potential asset. But how to find him?

I thought for a moment, then reached for the radio again.
"Port watch, come in,"

Static.

I repeated my call twice more, before my man at the port responded.

"Damn, can't a man take a piss in peace?" Grumbled a voice, scratchy from too many cigarettes.

"Thank you, for that information," I said flatly. "Is that you, Andrei?"
"The one and only,"
"Who's there with you?" I asked, walking over to Seraph and scratching her on her bristled head.
"Dima,"
"Well, why didn't he respond?"
"He got messed up on moonshine and passed out,"
"You are supposed to be watching those assholes at the port, and you are getting drunk?" I chided him.

"We are watching them, but they are so boring, standing around, gossiping like a pack of women. Hmm, I wish they were women. Might actually be worth watching. I could use a nice set of-"
"Andrei, focus!" I cut over him, before he could embarrass himself. "Have you seen anyone leave?"

"No, just some boats coming in, and the regular jerks. I did see the Cat come out to personally greet one of the boats, though,"

"Did you get a look at the guy they had with them? Dark hair, and he was probably tied up,"
"Yeah, I saw a guy like that. He looked like a soldier or something. Had all fancy body armour and the like,"

"That's him. I want you to keep an eye out for him, and if he leaves, let me know, as soon as he does. If you can, follow him,"
"Why? Who is he? I have never seen him before,"
"He's not from around here, but I think he can help us with our problem,"
"What? You know him?"
"Not exactly, just been observing," I continued pacing around the foyer.
"Does Yuri know about this?" Andrei asked.

I huffed, rolling my eyes. "I don't need Yuri's permission, Andrei. He will thank me for my initiative,"
"This is the same Yuri you are talking about, right?" Andrei coughed.
"It's a personal errand, he doesn't need to know right now,"
"That's because you know he will see it as trouble," he laughed.
"He sees everything I do, as trouble," I frowned. "This guy could help us, but I need to find him first,"

I paused. "I will make it worth your while,"
"Well, you'd better. Why do you think he can help us?"

"For starters, he took on eight guys and very nearly won. More importantly, he's been talking to Tom, so likely knows his plans. In fact, I'm fairly certain he does,"

"You think he will help us against Tom? Why would he, if he is working with him?"
"Oh, I can be very persuasive. I'll just give him a better offer,"

Andrei snickered through the receiver. "Oh, I am very aware of your persuasion," he said in a suggestive tone. "So, about that. You should do that thing you did last time. You know the one? You were very good at that,"

I pointedly blocked out the following, crass suggestions of things I could do for him.

Creep.

Well, I did put it out there and not for the first time. I wasn't exactly proud of using my body as an asset to get what I wanted, but I couldn't argue with the results. Being the only woman in a place full of men, had its advantages. Most of them were eager to help me and Andrei had been more than eager in the past. Unfortunately for me.

"Oh, yes. I will look forward to that," he breathed.
"Not until I find what I'm looking for, Andrei," I said, as if I was just conducting business.
"Of course, of course. Too easy. I will do it," I could hear the grin in his voice, even through the radio.
"See that you do," I clicked off the radio, before he could come up with anything else he wanted me to do.
I groaned.

You do it to yourself, Natasha.

Distracting myself, I picked up the violin and lay back in my chair. I had forgotten how good it felt to hear its soothing notes. I spent several hours playing, until I needed to sleep.

I woke early the next morning to Andrei's insistent voice on the radio. I shook off the remnants of sleep, as I reached for the device. Damn, I was more tired than I thought.

"Copy, Andrei. I'm here," I responded groggily, stifling a yawn.
"Ah, good, I thought I might have to come see if you were still alive over there,"
"As if I wouldn't be. Anyway, Seraph would have eaten you,"
"Oh, you still have that thing?" He asked nervously.
"You know I do," I grinned, remembering how the Watchman tried to attack him after he entered my private room at the swamp, unannounced. Needless to say, he never tried it again, and was now terrified of her.

"Yes, well, everyone wishes you didn't," he remarked nervously.
"I know and I don't care. No one gives me any trouble," I replied casually. "And show me a person who is better at tracking and ripping someone's face off,"

"Ah… yes. So, your guy just left the port," Andrei reported awkwardly, quickly changing the subject. "There's no point me following him though, he is in a boat,"
"Well, which direction was he heading?" I pressed insistently.
"Towards the old swimming pool complex,"

I considered that for a moment, mentally marking the location of the pool in relation to the port. It was a few kilometers North-East, down the canal that twisted between high-rises. He was going out to find the Captain, no doubt. His current heading would eventually take him past the cinema. It was the perfect time to meet him.

Fortunately for me, I knew where the Captain was. Coincidentally, the old man had been living in the apartment building opposite the cinema. It was one of his regular haunts, and had been there the whole time I had been at the cinema. I hadn't seen him leave. I doubted he would in last night's storm either.

I thought for a moment. Last I knew, another group of bandits had been camped at the pool for a while and might have left something behind. If this Lance Corporal was as smart as I thought, he would stop to investigate, perhaps the other buildings along the way as well. It gave me time to get Viktor down here and set up for his arrival.

While I boiled some water for my tea, I clicked on my radio, asking Yuri to tell Viktor to meet me here. After my brother's usual arguments, he finally agreed and relayed that Victor was on his way. Good. I just hoped he got here before the American did. I did not want to meet him without back up, in case he perceived me as hostile.

I finished a quick breakfast of rat jerky and tea and checked over my guns, making sure that they were fully loaded. They were now free of grime and ready for action.

I sent Seraph away to hunt. It would be better if she was far away from here for the meeting. I knew she would be hard to control with an unfamiliar man around and would probably want to attack him. I didn't want a repeat of what happened at the ticket office.

Once Seraph had disappeared into the ruins next to the cinema, I dropped my revolver into its holster, hiding it behind my jacket and stowed my Kalash and shotgun in my pack. I walked down the hill to the wrecked cars, sitting on the roof of a rusted out sedan. Time to wait.

I settled myself back, watching the water for any signs of a boat.

About half an hour later, I heard the sound of an engine. Looking up from where I was cleaning dirt from under my nails with my knife, I saw a small, faded red speed boat, pull up to the bank. The dark haired man driving the boat, eyed my anchored barge warily, as he tied off next to it.

Damn. "Where the hell are you, Viktor?" I breathed through gritted teeth.
"Right behind you," replied a rough voice behind the car.

I jumped and glanced over my shoulder at the brute of a man crouching behind me in the sparse shrubs. How had I not heard him approach? I shook my head. These Spetznaz guys were something else.

Viktor had short cropped, dark brown hair that was slightly streaked with grey. His plain, stubble dusted face was weathered from years of hard, outdoor living, with deep creases at the corners of his eyes. I judged he was in his mid to late forties.

The right side of his face was marred by a long scar that ran over his cheek and half way down his neck. He once told me it was from a knife fight he'd been in many years ago while on an operation, but didn't offer any detail. As usual, he didn't talk much about himself. Or much at all really. He preferred to let his skills do the talking for him.

He had a sawn-off shot gun in his hand and an SVD Draganov marksman rifle, slung over his broad shoulder. The rifle was his favourite, he never went anywhere without it, and for good reason. He was by far our best marksman, besides me of course.

His cold, steel blue eyes were fixed on the American as he turned towards us. Of course, the man had already seen me, but Viktor was hidden in the shrubs behind me.

"Who is that?" Victor asked, suspiciously in his deep voice.
"He is why I asked you to meet me here," I said, checking that my revolver was hidden.
"I take it we are not going hunting, then?"
"Correct, I want to have him as an ally,"
"Hmm, looks like he wants to shoot you,"

Indeed, the Lance Corporal had his Kalash raised to the firing position, reflex sight aimed at me.

"And that is why you are here. I want you to cover me. Now's not the time to explain. Just cover me,"
He nodded, in silence, pulling his Draganov over his shoulder and readying the weapon.
"Stay out of sight. I don't want him getting spooked,"

I turned my attention on the American, who had stopped a short way down the hill. I carefully slid down from the car, holding my arms out to the sides to show I was unarmed.
"Easy there, I'm not your enemy. I just want to talk to you,"

He took his eye away from the sight, but didn't lower his Kalash as he studied me. His frown deepened and in his smooth, foreign accent, he said, "You were at the train station. What the hell do you want with me?"

"I think we can help each other," I begun, as non-threatening as I could, while still holding my arms out.
"Why would you think that?"
"Just lower your gun, so we can talk, all civil like," I replied.

He paused for a long moment, then very slowly, lowered his gun. He held it tensely, ready to raise it again at any sign of trouble.
"Good," I exhaled the breath I had been holding.

"Who are you?" He barked. He didn't move, just continued staring at me intently, finger hovering around the trigger.

"My name is Natasha, I'm a local,"
"You're a bandit. I was warned about you people. Why the hell should I help you?"
"We can make it worth your while. We can give you guns, a place to hide and best of all, I'll tell my guys that you aren't to be messed with. You can handle yourself in a fight. I watched you take on all of Tom Cat's thugs. It was impressive. We could use talent like that,"
"Tom has already given me everything I need,"
"Except of course, what you are looking for," I smiled sweetly.

He narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about?"
"Your deal with Tom Cat. You convince the Captain to get you fuel rods and Tom Cat gives you passage home,"
"How the hell do you know about that?" He eyed me suspiciously.

I smiled, proud of our resourcefulness. "We can hear their radio communications. They were very chatty about you and your deal. Very chatty indeed. Basically told us everything,"
"How do you hear their communications?" He questioned, glaring at me. His hand tightened slightly around his rifle.
"Well, I'm glad you asked. We happen to have a very talented... 'communications officer', who was with Internal Security before the war. So, basically, he is a spy. We don't ask questions, we just let him work his magic."

"That's pretty resourceful for bandits," he admitted.
"Well, we also have Spetznaz guys. It is by no coincidence that we have most of the turf around here, next to your pals over at the port, of course. In any case, you do not want us as enemies. That is why I am extending to you the hand of...well, parley," I finally dropped my arms to my sides, confident that Victor had my back should something happen.

"Parley?" The Marine questioned.
"Yes, a truce. You do know what parley means, don't you?"
He ignored my comment, scowling at me.

"So, if you don't want our guns, in exchange for your assistance in killing the other bandits, I can give you the Captain, to make your deal. I know where he is. Right now, I mean. All you have to go on is some outdated information of his potential hide outs. Sure, you could find him that way, but it might take ages! I can show you right now. If you agree to help us,"

"Why can't you kill the other bandits on your own, if you're as good as you say?"
I shrugged nonchalantly. "Another gun can't hurt, especially one with such talent,"
He narrowed his eyes. Perhaps he was reading into my intentions more than I thought he would. Of course there was more to it than what I said, but I didn't want to scare him off.

He tapped the barrel of his Kalash with a finger in thought, but his dark, calculating gaze never left me. "Tell me where the Captain is, then I might consider it," he growled after a long moment.

"Oh, you think I'm a fool?" I replied, crossing my arms before me. "I give you what you want, then you disappear without helping us? No, I don't think so,"
"I'm a man of my word. You, I'm not so sure about,"
"Your word means nothing to me. I will show you where he is, so that I can make sure you don't disappear when you find him,"
"So then, why don't I just kill you now and be done with it?" He tensed his shoulders, raising the Kalash slightly. I watched his finger brush the trigger.

I flashed my teeth at him in a dangerous grin.
"I have no doubts that you could do that. No way an unarmed woman could take you in a fight, yeah? Well, sweetheart, I am not the one you need to worry about," I pointedly glanced behind me at Viktor and gestured for him to show himself.

The marksman emerged from the shrub, Draganov aimed at the American. I knew his sights would be trained on the man's forehead.

"How much does living actually mean to you?"

In a heartbeat, the Marine had his Kalash at the firing position. He glared between us.
"Hmm, I'm not sure you want to do that," I observed.

"He is one of our Spetznaz guys, that I mentioned earlier, so I don't need to tell you that he is a very good shot. You would be dead before you had a chance. How will you get home then, Sam?"

He finally turned his glare on me again.
"What? You didn't really think I would do this without back up? You are a dangerous man and I always come prepared,"
"Threatening me isn't a great look for a parley, bandit,"
"Well, we don't want it to backfire do we?" I smiled sweetly. "So, you agree, we have a deal then?"

He gritted his teeth, but I saw it in his eyes, he would acquiesce. He simply had no choice.
"Fine," he said sharply.
"Good. Now, that wasn't hard was it?" I waved a hand at Viktor, but as I knew he would, he held his position.

"The Captain?" Sam asked impatiently, watching the sniper closely.
"You don't mess around do you? I will show you. Follow me," I hefted my pack off the ground by the wreck where I had left it and started moving towards the apartment building to the right.

"And don't try anything, Viktor will be coming with us,"

He glowered at me. "I'm not going to attack you unless you do first," he replied lowering his weapon again.
"That would be best for you, I think. Well, looks like we are finally in agreement,"

I waved my hand at Victor again, and he followed, switching back to his sawn-off, as he did. He gave Sam a long, hard stare, which the American returned. Victor took up a position just behind him, his body language saying he would not hesitate to kill if he tried anything.

"Oh, if you rat us out to your new best friend over there," I said to Sam, who followed reluctantly. "I will make it my personal mission to hunt you down. I have the best tracker in Vladivostok,"

"Whatever trouble you have with him, I want nothing to do with. I'm just trying to get home," Sam growled.
"Do you think Tom Cat will make good on his word?"
"I have no reason to believe otherwise,"
"And you trust him? Because he is American?"
"What's it to you?" He spat.

I held up my hands. "So much for small talk,"
"You are up to something. Let's just get this over with," he glared at me.

I sighed. I wondered if my plan to get him on our side, would back fire after all. He was already questioning my motives and I knew trust would be hard won, if I could ever win it at all. Why should I bother with all of this? Why should I take the risk? I should just take Yuri's lead. Sit around and watch Senya's killers leave. Be a coward.

Let them get away with it.

As I glowered at the American, I knew I could not just sit back and watch. I knew what Senya would want me to do. He would not want me to be a coward. I needed this. I would have to make it work.