End Game

by Alex Lukeman

  "Tell…"

  "Tell who?"

  "I…"

  The man coughed blood into the air and died.

  The driver had died in the first volley of shots. Ronnie reached into the wrecked SUV and pulled the driver's body away from the wheel. The horn stopped .

  Nick straightened up and looked at Lamont.

  "You okay?"

  "It's just a scalp wound," Lamont said. "They always bleed like crazy. I'm fine."

  "Harker's hurt," Ronnie said.

  Elizabeth lay on the floor, a long splinter of wood sticking out of her chest. Selena and Stephanie knelt next to her. Selena had taken off her jacket and folded it up for a pillow. Elizabeth's face was white with pain.

  "Can you get it out?" she said.

  "Not a good idea, director," Nick said. "Don't move."

  "She needs a hospital," Selena said. "Call an ambulance."

  Chapter 41

  Nick looked around the emergency room and thought about all the times he'd been in a room like this. He was getting damn tired of waiting in hospitals to hear if someone he cared about was going to live or die. Sometimes he'd been the one people were waiting for.

  Lamont sported a white bandage on his head.

  "Who the hell were those people?" he said.

  "They all had passports," Nick said. "They came in to the country a couple of days ago. The last stamp is Switzerland. Langley is running them down now. We'll know more soon."

  "It has to be Kondor," Selena said. "He's in Switzerland."

  "I think you're right. But why bother? It's too late to stop us from screwing up his plan."

  "Maybe he's just pissed off at us," Ronnie said.

  "You think he's getting even?"

  "Wouldn't you, if you were him?"

  "It's as good a reason as any," Selena said. "The question is, what are we going to do about it?"

  "What we were going to do before," Nick said. "Go to Switzerland and have a nice quiet talk with him."

  "And then bring him back?"

  "Maybe. That's going to depend on him. Right now, I'm not feeling very friendly. He didn't send those thugs to talk to us."

  "The doctor said he'd never seen anything like Elizabeth's wound," Stephanie said.

  "It's the wrong century for that," Selena said.

  "What do you mean?"

  "Two hundred years ago wounds like that were common, if you served in one of the old wooden navies. A cannonball would throw big splinters everywhere when it hit. "

  Elizabeth's doctor came through the swinging doors that led to the rest of the hospital. He zeroed in on the group and came over.

  "How is she?" Nick asked.

  "She's in recovery," the doctor said. "She had a close call. We had to do some pretty extensive surgery to get that thing out of her. We were lucky it missed her lung. There's been some damage to the chest muscles. She'll need therapy to regain full use of her right arm."

  "But she'll be all right?" Stephanie asked.

  "Yes, but it's going to take time to heal. I want to keep her here for a few days. We need to watch for infection. Where did that splinter come from?"

  "An oak door," Nick said.

  "How did she get hit with a piece of a door?"

  "There was an explosion. It's a long story."

  He looked at the bandage on Lamont's head, then the aftermath of the firefight the others still wore on their clothes and faces.

  "Mmm," he said.

  "When can we see her?" Selena asked.

  "When she's out of recovery. About an hour or so. A short visit only, and only two of you. Be careful not to tire her."

  "Thanks, Doc," Nick said.

  "There's no point in all of us staying here," Stephanie said. "I'll wait. The rest of you should go home."

  "I'll stay with you," Selena said.

  "Let's meet later today," Nick said. "We'll talk about how we're going to go after Kondor."

  "How about at our place?" Selena said. "Virginia House is a mess."

  "Good idea. I'll make spaghetti."

  "Sounds good to me," Lamont said.

  "Any kind of food sounds good to you," Ronnie said.

  Chapter 42

  From Hungary, Aslan and Fariza entered Ukraine and drove straight through to Russia, taking turns behind the wheel. They crossed the border near the city of Kharkov and headed north toward Moscow.

  "We are getting close," Fariz said. "If we stay on the main road, maybe ten or eleven hours to Moscow."

  Aslan reached over and turned on the radio. A Ukrainian pop song was playing. Fariz began humming along. Suddenly the music stopped. An announcer began talking rapidly.

  "What's he saying?" Fariz said.

  "Shut up."

  Aslan turned up the volume.

  "…have today issued a terror alert. Citizens are advised to watch for two men traveling in a Mercedes van, possibly white in color, somewhere within the territory of Ukraine or the Federation. The terrorists are believed to have a large bomb in their truck. A similar vehicle has exploded in Germany, with many casualties. The two men are Chechen and are considered extremely dangerous. They both have full beards and are of average height. If you see a vehicle and people meeting this description, immediately contact your local authority. Under no circumstances should you attempt to confront them. We repeat, these men are extremely dangerous and should not be approached under any circumstances."

  "Shit," Fariz said.

  The announcer repeated what he had said. Aslan turned off the radio. He pointed at a junction up ahead.

  "Turn onto that road up there," Aslan said.

  Fariz made the turn.

  "Keep going until we find a spot to get out of sight. "

  They drove another three or four kilometers. Off to the right they saw a run down farmhouse and a small barn. The gate hung open. The place looked abandoned, with weeds growing everywhere. The fields were untilled.

  "Drive in there," Aslan said. "To the barn."

  They drove through the gate and stopped in front of the barn. Aslan got out and pushed open the wooden door. Fariz drove inside and turned off the engine. Aslan pulled the door shut behind him and got back into the truck.

  "What do we do?" Fariz asked.

  Aslan reached into the glove compartment and took out a map.

  "We can't stay on the main highway," he said. "They'll set up roadblocks. We have to find a back way."

  He studied the map.

  "If we go a few more kilometers on this road we can turn north and parallel the main highway for a while, but it's not a good road. It's peasant country, we'll be reported as soon as we pass through a village. A truck like this isn't something they see every day."

  "How will we reach Moscow?"

  Aslan looked up from the map.

  "I do not think we can, unless Allah wills it."

  "Then what shall we do?"

  Aslan tapped the map.

  "Perhaps we can reach Kursk. It's only a few hours from here. But I think they will block the road here, near Belgograd. It is less than an hour away."

  "How will we get through the roadblock?"

  "We won't, Fariz. There is no chance they will let us through. You heard the radio. They know what we look like. If one of the bombs went off in Germany, they know what we carry. They will do anything to stop us."

  "Then we have failed. "

  "Not entirely, my brother. We will go as far as we can. When they stop us, we will enter paradise. Even Belgograd is a worthy target. The bomb will kill many hundreds of thousands when it explodes. The radiation, hundreds of thousands more. We will be avenged."

  Aslan looked at the dirt floor of the barn.

  "We should pray. Get the rugs."

  The two men got out of the van. Fariz took their prayer rugs from behind the seat and handed one to Aslan.

  "Which way?" Fariz said.

  "I think that way." Aslan pointed. "If I am wrong, I do not think Allah will mind."

  They lai
d the rugs out on the floor and began to pray. When they were finished, they put the rugs back in the truck. Aslan opened the door. Fariz backed the truck out of the barn and turned it around. Aslan got in, and they headed back to the main highway.

  They reached the highway and turned north. After about forty minutes they entered the outskirts of Belgograd. Suddenly the flashing lights of a police car showed in the mirror, keeping a good distance behind. The cop made no effort to pull them over.

  "So," Aslan said. "It's Belgograd."

  He took out the detonation phone and entered all but one number.

  "Keep driving," he said. "We'll go as far as we can until they stop us."

  "I'm frightened," Fariz said.

  His hands were clenched on the wheel, the knuckles white.

  "It's all right, my brother," Aslan said. "We won't feel anything. Think. Soon we will see our families again. Our wives, our children. Think how glorious it will be to see the face of God. "

  Ahead, barricades stretched across the highway. Police cars with flashing lights lined the sides of the road. Grim faced men stood beside the cars, aiming automatic weapons. One of them held up his hand for them to stop.

  Aslan began murmuring the affirmation.

  " Lā ʾilāha ʾillā llāhu muḥammadun rasūlu llāhi…"

  He pressed the last number on the phone. This time, Butler's bomb worked.

  Chapter 43

  The sound of hammers pounding away in the background were making Nick's headache worse. Hood had sent people to make temporary repairs to the damage caused by the attack on the building. Nick was in Elizabeth's office, talking on her secured phone with DCI Hood. With Elizabeth in the hospital, command of the group had defaulted to him. It wasn't the first time he'd had to take over running things, but it was the first time he'd been told an American nuclear bomb had detonated in the Russian Federation.

  "Belgograd?"

  "That's right, Nick. Initial reports are bad."

  "How many casualties?"

  "The exact number isn't known yet. Belgograd isn't there anymore. Around four hundred thousand people lived in the city. The kill zone goes a long way past city limits."

  "What about fallout?"

  "That's another problem," Hood said. "The winds are blowing west, over the Ukraine and central Europe. It will reach all the way to the UK and beyond. Plutonium makes for a dirty bomb."

  "You really know how to make someone's day. What are the Russians doing?"

  "The Russians are royally pissed. Right now our sources tell us there's a serious argument going on in the Kremlin about how to respond. You know how paranoid they are. The hard-core faction thinks it's all a set up, a prelude to a sneak attack. They're arguing for a strike against us."

  "That's crazy," Nick said.

  "Not by their thinking. They were hiding an advanced biological weapons lab near the city. They think the Chechen terrorist story is a ruse and that we attacked the lab deliberately. "

  "What are we doing to convince them it wasn't us?"

  "Not surprisingly, they don't believe anything the president says. He's still the president for now, but the Joint Chiefs are the real players here, along with the intelligence agencies and the congressional leaders. The Russians have called an emergency meeting of the Security Council. That buys us a little time. There's a lot going on behind the scenes. Moscow and Washington are still talking, but things are close to getting out of control. War is inevitable, unless we can prove to the Russians we weren't behind it."

  "How are we going to do that?"

  "It's been decided at the highest levels that you and your team need to get proof Kondor set this up. Everyone agrees that you are our best option. You have to move fast. I don't think there's much time."

  "Why us? Why doesn't JSOC send in a strike team?"

  "Kondor's chalet is right in the middle of one of Switzerland's premium tourist areas. Joint Special Operations Command can't use the military without creating serious political and international complications."

  "Complications? Nuclear war seems a little more important than that."

  "It happens that I agree with you, Nick," Hood said, "but I don't get to make the call."

  "Damn it, Director…"

  "I'm only the messenger, Nick. I can't force you to do it, but you really are the best choice. You can go in without being noticed."

  "You mean we're deniable if something goes wrong."

  "There is that," Hood said. "For what it's worth, you're the victim of your own reputation."

  "I guess I don't have a choice."

  "I'm sorry, Nick."

  "Where is Kondor right now?"

  "Where he always is, at home. He never leaves the chalet."

  "All right. I'm going to need a lot of support. "

  "Whatever you need, ask for it. You'll get it."

  "I want a Gulfstream and diplomatic clearance into Switzerland. I don't want any problems at passport control. We'll take our weapons with us, but we'll need a good vehicle waiting when we get there. Also a safe house, not far from the target."

  "No problem. When can you go?"

  "How soon can you get everything ready?"

  "Right away. We keep a plane on standby at Andrews. The passports won't take long."

  "Then we'll leave tonight."

  After he'd hung up, Nick called in the others. An hour later they were all at Virginia House.

  "Always wanted to see Switzerland," Lamont said.

  "You're going to get your chance," Nick said. "Hood sent over some shots of the objective. Freddie, please put the satellite pictures of Kondor's chalet up on the monitor."

  Certainly, Nick. May I say that you're doing an excellent job in Elizabeth's absence.

  "Maybe you should save the flattery for when we get back," Nick said. "Just the pictures, Freddie."

  Up they came on the monitor.

  "Whoa, that's some little shack in the country," Lamont said.

  "Big," Selena said. "Lots of rooms in there."

  "What kind of security does he have?" Ronnie asked.

  Plans of the chalet indicate extensive surveillance technology on the property, including laser alarms and ground sensors.

  "Figures," Ronnie said.

  "What's that building in back of the house?" Lamont asked.

  That is a barracks for security personnel.

  "How many guards, Freddie?" Nick asked.

  I am uncertain as to the number.

  "That's a first," Stephanie said .

  "There's no way we can approach from the front, even at night," Ronnie said. "There's no cover, not to mention the ground sensors. Security would be on us right away."

  "It has to be from the back," Lamont said. "Through the trees."

  The rear of the chalet backed up to the mountainside. Thick forest rose a thousand feet from the building before thinning out.

  "I agree," Nick said. "Through the trees is the best bet."

  "There's another way," Selena said. "We could take a page from the ancient Greeks."

  "What do you have in mind?" Nick said.

  "We can't cross that field up to the house. Why don't we drive up to it?"

  "You don't think they'd stop us?"

  "Not if they want to let us in."

  "You're thinking Trojan horse," Ronnie said.

  "That's right. Am I right that Kondor never leaves the house?"

  "That's right," Nick said. "Hood told me he's always there. He avoids all physical contact with the outer world and manipulates everything from inside the house."

  "Like a spider in his web," Ronnie said.

  "If he never goes out, that means everything he needs has to come in," Selena said. "Food, for example."

  "Sister, I do not think we will all fit in grocery truck," Valentina said.

  Lamont laughed. "Maybe with Ronnie in there. Hell, he'd eat enough to make room for all of us."

  "I love your humor," Ronnie said. "You should be on TV."

  "
Okay, okay," Nick said. "Let's keep it serious. Selena, it's not a bad idea but Valentina's right. I don't see how we could pull it off. Maybe one or two, but not all of us. Remember, none of us speak the language except you."

  "Valentina speaks French and German," Selena said .

  "Okay, you and Valentina. Maybe the two of you could get to the front door, or even into the kitchen. What about the rest of us?"

  "You come in from the back, through the trees, like you said."

  "We can't go in during the day. Why would he be getting a food delivery at night? Besides, whoever's in that house knows all the local suppliers. Someone would smell a rat. It's a good idea, but it won't work."

  "We've got full backing on this, right?" Lamont said.

  "Yes. But they'll hang us out to dry if something goes wrong."

  "Why doesn't that surprise me?" Ronnie said.

  "Maybe Langley has technology that can help us," Selena said.

  "What kind of technology?"

  "How about something to knock out the alarms? He won't have forgotten the back of the chalet. If Kondor has lasers, we're not going to get close before all hell breaks loose."

  "I'll talk with Hood as soon as we're done here."

  Nick looked at his watch.

  "It's 1600 now. Let's figure 2100 for wheels up."

  Chapter 44

  Hood provided them with a Gulfstream G550, the kind of air travel experience available to those with unlimited funds or a government budget. They were wheels up from Andrews AFB a little after nine in the evening. The distance to Bern was something over four thousand miles. They'd be in the air for about eight and a half hours. They settled in.

  The main cabin could have doubled for someone's upscale living room. The seats were like armchairs, wide and comfortable, covered with premium leather in black and cream. Embroidered pillows lay on the chairs. Accents of polished, exotic wood were everywhere.

  There was a comfortable leather couch to lounge on, if someone was so inclined. A conference area featured several chairs grouped around a table. The floor was covered with premium carpet. Wide, portal windows gave a clear view of the night sky and banks of clouds passing underneath. If anyone got hungry, a full galley in the back of the plane was stocked with food and liquor.

  Comfortable beds could be set up if desired. A marble and wood bathroom in the rear completed the amenities.