Chapter 19

Hunter or Hunted

We landed in Moscow in time to have lunch as met with Brigadier General Ivan Averin Intel and Linguist Specialist, Lieutenant Tatiana Dorian a trauma nurse along with First Sergeant Class Gogi Durov a former Spetsnaz Instructor who would also be joining our team. General Averin ‘call me Ivan’ believed the missile was launched from Uzbekistan where there are many silos hidden throughout the land. Ivan had coordinated for fuel and ensured a runway to land on in Uzbekistan. Tatiana spoke with Earl and Emily about medical supplies and any needs. Master Sergeant Durov explained that the airfield had been secured but there were still survivors who did not want to be contacted and would react violently if disturbed. Our five new team members were surprised at the variety of vehicles we had brought with us. We chose to wear khaki tan clothes more civilian than military to decrease the appearance of being military, however, tactical is tactical and we would be on our guard regardless.

The flight to Uzbekistan was uneventful and the landing was quick and quiet. The airfield was in fact secured by close to a dozen armed vehicles surrounding the runway. There were a few helicopters circling around the perimeter adding to the security. We did one last check of all equipment and supplies, loaded our vehicles and were off just as the sun was starting to set.

Order of travel for the convoy was:

Fast Attack Vehicle (FAV) 1 carrying Al [Cdr], Tammy [Dvr] & Tia[Gun]

Hummer (Hum) 1 pulling a H2O trailer carrying Daryl[C], Jessica[D] & Helena[G]

MRAMP 1 (MRP) carrying Steve[C], Danny[G], Shirley[D], Mika, Dana & Meghan

RV 1 Medical (RVM) carrying Earl[C], Emily, Laura[D], Yvette & Mirell

RV 2 Command (RVC) towing FAV3 carrying Mike[D], Ivan, Gogi, Tatiana, Adrianna & Brianna {FAV3 Gogi[G], Brianna[D] & Adrianna[C]}

MRAMP2 (MRP) towing FAV4 carrying James[C], Kenneth, Riley, Lauren[G], Jasmine[D] & Katilina {FAV4 Riley[D], Kenneth[G] & Katilina[C]}

Hummer 2 pulling a Fuel trailer carrying Colette[G], Karmen[D] & Karen[C]

FAV2 Ben[D], Geof[C] & Jamie[G]

Call signs would be Foxtrot 1-2-3-4, Hotel 1&2, Mike 1&2, Romeo 1&2

MRP1 and RVM1 could tow FAVs 1&2 if we needed the break and all four of the FAVs had towbars attached to the front that could quickly be hooked up and unhooked {flipped up over the hood while driving}to a single tow hitch at the rear of the vehicle that would be towing it.

Everyone was carrying a M9 in a thigh holster for uniformity and ammo similarity but also carried a pistol they were most familiar with on the other thigh for reliability. We chose to carry AKs since we were in Soviet Countries and ammo would be easier to obtain, but we also brought rifles we were extremely comfortable with as well. The crew served weapons had plenty of ammo.

It was going to be close to nine hours of driving in order to reach the suspected missile site. We would be arriving around 03:00 and would establish a quick camp at the base provided we did not encounter any problems.

We stopped a kilometer outside of the base and used the FAVs to circle and then explore the base for any survivors or resistance. We found there to be signs of life as we circled the base and chose not to drive into the base. At sunrise we would walk in with a small foot patrol and establish the intent of the survivors.

Ivan, Tatiana, Mike, Karen, Tammy, and I would be the foot patrol with FAV 2-3-4 as QRF.

We were able to enter the base without incident and were greeted by COL Anatoly Zimin who was the base commander before the meteor showers. His second was a MAJ Dimitry Nikonov and he seemed to dislike our presence. The COL was glad to see cooperation among several countries after the serious disaster that had occurred. With Anatoly’s permission we brought the whole group onto the base. I saw the look in Dimitry’s eyes at the firepower our vehicles carried, and I did not like what I was seeing. I felt hate and death coming from Dimitry and was worried he might start something.

Brunch was the first order everyone agreed to. And combined supplies were used to make the meal. After everyone including the twenty soldiers with Anatoly and Dimitry had finished eating. Anatoly told his version of what happened.