“So Ian, I assume this is about the mess you left on the motorway from Heathrow the other day.”
“Sort of.”
“You had better explain everything then.”
“Have you heard of Soteria?”
“Yes, they operate outside of the mainstream agencies but we both task them with jobs from time to time that we wouldn’t ordinarily be able to sanction.”
“And you remember our discussion about Alexa Blake?”
“Yes, we both agreed she would make a brilliant operative, but off the books and you were going to approach her.”
“Yes... there is a small problem. Soteria got to her first.”
“How is that a problem?”
Ian went on to explain all about Soteria, Alexa’s father and how Alexa had killed Giles when she had discovered the deception of Letitia and the fact that Giles had killed her father.
“I thought Alexa’s father had committed suicide after the death of Alexa’s sister, Sarah.”
“Thats how Giles wanted it to look and that’s the story he told us. We had no reason to doubt him.”
“I don’t understand why he killed her father though.”
Ian continued to explain about the experiment that Alexa’s father had carried out on his two girls, that he had wanted to come clean about what they had done and that is why Giles had killed him.
“Fuck... fuck... this is a mess.”
“It gets worse.”
“How can it get any worse.”
“The Heathrow mess was Soteria trying to abduct the scientist behind the experiment.”
“You have him I assume.”
“Yes, we had no idea who he was until after the abduction attempt. We had been tasked with babysitting a Russian scientist who was giving a talk at a conference. He just happens to be the same scientist behind the experiment.”
“Okay, you seem to have it all in hand. Not sure how it involves us. Baby sit the scientist and get him back on a plane to Russia. Job done.”
“I wish it were that easy.”
Ian paused and finally started to explain what they had uncovered about the Soteria plot to overthrow the Russian President and install their man. They would have control of Russian policy both internal and internationally.
“So let me get this straight. Soteria have hatched a plot to overthrow the Russian President by using the brother of Alexa... a brother that nobody knew anything about. Then they are going to kill him to cover their tracks.”
“Yes.”
“And you want to go into Russia and get him out.”
“Yes.”
“Not happening. I’m not committing any SiS resources to an operation in Russia that we don’t really need to get involved in.”
“I don’t need your resources. Alexa, myself and two other operatives will go in.”
“It’s a suicide mission. You’ll have no backup, no help.”
“I have a man on the inside who is in Russia, he will make contact with us and that should give us the advantage we need.”
“It’s still risky and you need to make sure there are no routes back to your involvement. You shouldn’t even be operating abroad, that’s my remit.”
“I know, but if we can get the brother out, crush Soteria in Russia and also find out who the man is that Letitia plans to install as President, we could have someone at the very top level of Russia, the President for fucks sake.”
Martin didn’t say anything, Ian could see he was thinking, he was working out all the scenarios. “I won’t commit any men to this but you can use safe houses and arms caches that we have in country.”
“Thank you Martin. If this goes to plan it will be one hell of a coup... for both of us.”
“And if it goes wrong your on your own.”
“I understand.”
“I hope you do. I’m not taking any flack for this if it goes wrong. I’ll share the kudos if it goes to plan but if not, your fucked.”
“No problem Martin,” said Ian as he rose from his seat. “I wouldn’t have expected anything else.”
The pair shook hands and Ian left the room. He walked back to the lift and waited for it to arrive. Once inside the lift doors closed and started it’s journey to the ground floor. Ian knew he was taking a big risk; professionally and personally. This one scheme could end not only his career but also his life.
* * *
Ian had explained to everyone that they were on their own in Russia, SiS would allow them to use safe houses and arms caches but no man power and if it went wrong they were completely on their own. They would be disavowed by the UK government and declared rogue elements. There would be no embassy help or deal with the Russians for their safe return. He asked them if they still wanted to go ahead.
“You have to,” pleaded Vladimir. “This is my son, your brother,” he continued as he turned to look at Alexa.
“I only have your word for that. This could just be a ploy to get the both of you out of Russia. Don’t play the brother angle, it won’t work.”
“You have to believe me.”
“I have no reason to,” she replied. “But... we can’t let Letitia get control of a Russian president. It would be an international disaster. She would be able to control large armies to her own ends under the guise of Russian action.”
“I agree,” said Ian. “We need to stop Letitia. Everyone agreed. That is going to prove difficult, we are a day behind,” he threw a newspaper onto the table in the middle of the lounge.
Russian corruption goes all the way to the top.
“The story broke in Russia yesterday and most national papers have picked it up. Its gone international and everyone is calling for the head of the Russian President. Especially the Minister of Finance. Which is not surprising as my source tells me that he is the stooge that Letitia plans to get installed as the new Russian President. We need to get in-country and hit the ground running or we may be too late.”
Ian looked around everyone in the room to ensure they understood the importance of the mission.
“Vladimir, your talk is this afternoon. My team will shadow you and get you back on a plane to Russia. Alexa, you will be on the same plane, along with two of my people. We will all travel separately and meet up at the safe house once you get to Russia. Vladimir, do not go back to your house, I have no doubt Letitia will have someone posted there waiting for your return. You must go to the same safe house as the rest of the team. Once we are all in-country my contact within Soteria will get in touch and we can work out a plan once we have his information. Everyone understand?”
“You said we... does that mean you are coming with us?”
“Yes.”
“One more question,” asked Alexa. “What about Jane and the girls.”
“They will stay here until this is all over. I will have guards posted twenty four hours a day.”
“Thank you. They will need more clothes.”
“No problem. They can go on a shopping trip. My treat,” Ian said with a smile.
“Great, if there are no more questions then everyone get their stuff together. The flight is at five-fifteen PM tonight.”
* * *
Alexa settled into her seat next to the window. She enjoyed flying, especially at night. All the lights from houses and cars travelling on the arteries around the body of the country mesmerised her. She looked around, she could see Vladimir and Ian. She thought the head of MI5 would have travelled first class. She scanned everyone already in their seats and all the boarding passengers. She didn’t expect to recognise anyone, why would she. She had no idea which passengers were the two MI5 operatives. It was then that she saw two familiar faces. They were acting like they were a couple but she recognised them as the two MI5 operatives she had worked with when she rescued Jane after she had been kidnapped by Rusudan; another of the relatives that had hunted her down after she had murdered the two contract killers that had been sent to eradicate her from existence. They ignored her and took their seats three row
s behind her. The air crew closed the doors once everyone had boarded and did the usual safety demonstration as the plane started to taxi. Alexa could never understand why they did the demonstration, no one was taking any notice. The plane reached the end of the runway, the engine noise increased and the passengers where pushed back into their seats as it raced down the runway.
Once the seatbelt light had been extinguished, Alexa undid hers and slipped a blanket over her before refastened it over the blanket. It was only a short four hour fight but she was shattered. She hadn’t slept the night before after all the revelations about her family, she needed some sleep. She pushed her seat back and settled into it. Her mind was still racing with all the detail of the revelations, a brother, her mother giving away a child. All she could do was her job, rescue her brother and get him out of Russia. She emptied her mind of everything and started breathing slowly, a technique she had used in the past that always seemed to work for her. Slowly she started to feel more relaxed and started to drift off to sleep.
Ten
Alexa was woken from her slumber by one of the cabin crew tapping her on the shoulder and asking her to put her seat upright. She was surprised how well she had slept, she felt refreshed and ready for whatever came next. They had all been briefed before they left, they were to arrive at Heathrow separately and also leave Moscow airport separately. Ian had told them that while he expected them to get through security without any issues he also expected that he would be stopped and questioned; he was the head of MI5 and would be arriving in Moscow unannounced, his name would be flagged. They all had the address of the safe house. The Soteria contact would make contact at the address tonight.
The aircraft hit the tarmac, slowed and turned off the runway. After a short taxi it found it’s parking berth and the passengers were allowed off. Alexa walked slowly through the arrivals lounge towards the passport control. She ensured that there was at least ten people between her and Ian in front of her. He was called forwards to the cubicle. The surly looking border control officer looked at him and then his passport. He had obviously scanned the passport as he looked at his computer screen and frowned. Ian stood quietly, Alexa knew that if it had been her she would have panicked at this point, she still had a lot to learn when working with the security services. Two men appeared from a door to the right of the cubicle and approached Ian. They spoke to him in Russian and he replied, Alexa had no idea what they had said, she was more surprised that Ian could speak Russian. He picked up his luggage and followed the two men back through the door they had emerged from only seconds ago.
The queue went quickly once Ian had been escorted away and Alexa now found herself in the baggage reclaim. She waited as different sizes and colours of luggage passed her by until she found hers. She dragged it from the conveyor belt, popped out the handle and wheeled it through customs. The plan was that the order of transport would be in the order they got off the plane. Alexa looked around the wide open space of the airport, she had been the first off the aircraft and she couldn’t see any other member of the team. She made her way towards the taxi rank and was guided into the first taxi in the row. Alexa had practised repeating the address of the safe house over and over again.
“Argunovskaya Ulitsa, 12 строение,” Alexa said in her best Russian accent. The taxi driver grunted, hit the accelerator and pulled the taxi out into traffic.
* * *
Ian had been shown to a room in the bowels of the airport. A single desk sat in the middle of the room with the chair he was sat in on one side and an identical chair on the opposite side. The room was windowless and painted a very sombre shade of grey. It was very utilitarian. He looked at his watch, he had been sat for thirty minutes, about the same time he would have left a suspect to sweat. As if on cue the door opened and a tall man in a dark grey suit entered the room. Ian had to control himself as he realised the man was of a similar age to him but his hair was greying and he had a very light grey moustache. Was everything in Russia just different shades of grey.
“Mr Monroe, welcome to Russia. May I ask the reason for your visit.”
“Business,” Ian replied.
“What would the nature of your business be.”
“Let’s cut the crap shall we. Your FSB, Russian Federal Security Service and you know full well I am the head of British Intelligence service, MI5. I need to talk to Pavel Kusnetsov.”
“Mr Kusnetsov is a very busy person.”
“I am sure he is, he will want to hear what I have to tell him. Get him here or take me to him.”
“Mr Monroe, I do not believe you are in a position to demand anything.”
“And what position am I in. As I see it you have detained a British subject without reason and as we both know I am not your ordinary tourist.”
“I think I will just put you on a flight home.”
“That is your prerogative, but once I am home you can explain to your superiors how your President was toppled and his replacement is just the puppet of an international crime syndicate.”
“This sounds...”
“Just fucking do it,” Ian shouted as he started to lose his temper.
The door to the room opened and another man stepped in. He was smaller than the greying man, wore a more expensive suit and claimed the space of the room for his own as he entered. The man who had been interviewing Ian stood once he saw who had entered.
“Ian, you causing trouble again?” the man said.
“You took your bloody time, Pavel,” Ian replied as he stood and the two embraced.
“Let’s get you somewhere more comfortable and then we can talk.”
Eleven
The taxi pulled up in front of an apartment block, she paid the driver and exited the car with her luggage. She stood and looked around. The apartment block was in a state of disrepair, paint flaked off every wall. The grounds around where she stood were no better. They were overgrown with litter strewn in every direction she looked. They had been given their instructions on how to get into the safe house, the first one there needed to find the apartment and then ask the next door neighbour for a cup of sugar. It sounded ridiculous, she hoped someone had already arrived.
She walked through the decaying wooden door into a stairwell, the stench of urine hit her, making her physically gag at the intensity of the smell. She took some deep breaths to control herself and climbed the stairs to the second floor, apartment 210. She pushed down on the handle, it didn’t move, the door was locked. She looked around and found flat number 211, she knocked on the door. It opened and an old lady stood in front of her.
“Could I borrow a cup of sugar?” Alexa asked in her best Russian.
“Of course my dear, please come in.”
Alexa followed the old lady through the hallway and into the kitchen.
“Will a small cup of sugar be enough my dear.”
“A large cup would be better,” Alexa replied, she was surprised that she had been asked the exact question Ian told her she would. She just hoped she could remember the rest of the response.
“A large cup, do you plan on baking my dear?”
“Yes, I have a very sweet tooth.”
“What’s your favourite cake then my dear?”
“I enjoy any cake but my favourite is strawberry roulade.”
“Here you are my dear, one large cup of sugar. Just remember sugar is bad for your teeth.”
The old lady handed Alexa a large cup brimming to the top with sugar. She looked down and saw the glint of the edge of a key sticking out from the sugar.
“Thank you,” Alexa replied as the old lady ushered her out of the kitchen, into the hallway and finally out onto the landing.
“Good luck my dear,” she said as she closed the door to her apartment.
Alexa walked the few steps back to the apartment. She plunged her hand into the cup of sugar and dug out the key, gave it a shake to free it of the remaining sugar crystals and pushed it into the lock on the door. The key turned, s
he pushed the handle down and opened the door. She grabbed her bag and walked into the hallway shutting the door behind her but not locking it. She wandered around the apartment checking out all the rooms, it was all very plainly decorated. It was very clean though, she imagined the old lady cleaned the house on a regular basis. She had just finished her tour and was trying to find anything to make a cup of tea when she heard the door open. She grabbed a knife from the drawer she had open looking for tea spoons and hid behind the kitchen door. She knew the rest of the team was due to arrive but she also had to be careful. She heard the door shut and then a voice shouted.
“Anyone here.”
Alexa recognised Ian’s voice. She moved from behind the door and walked into the hallway to meet Ian.
“And what were you planning on doing with that?” Ian asked as he pointed at the knife Alexa was still holding down by her side.”
“Sorry, you can’t be too careful.”
“Anyone else here?”
“No just us two.”
“Right. Let’s find something to drink in this place while we wait for the others to arrive.”
* * *
The final two members of the team had arrived followed by Vladimir. They had spent the evening working on scenarios of how they could extract Alexa’s brother while also ensuring Letitia’s plan to install her puppet President didn’t succeed. It was late when they finally all went to bed, Alexa hadn’t slept well at all, she had spent the night tossing and turning thinking about the brother she had just found out she had. Her thoughts had also turned to her mother, how could she have given up a child and then kept it secret for the rest of her life. She had finally given in on the hope of getting any sleep at six AM. No one else was up so she sat in the kitchen with a cup of tea waiting for everyone else to finally rise.
Alexa was on her second cup of tea as Ian entered the kitchen.
“Morning, you must have been up early.”
“Yeah couldn’t sleep, too many things going round my head.”
“I can only imagine. We should have a better idea of a plan this morning. I have someone coming to see us that will have information that should help us.”
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