Chapter 42

Flashback – Major M – Undisclosed base

I had some issues tonight with the report from Russia. It didn't seem like Sgt. Reynolds wrote his part since the style was different. But, there were bigger fish to fry right now because it looked like all hell was breaking loose in Russia. Troop transports were headed out of Moscow at an alarming rate.

I ordered, "Get me a news feed and a translator." It looked like a major deployment of troops was underway, I only hoped my two Sgts. were invited. I barked another order, "Plot the path of those transport planes."

The plots appeared on the monitors. I watched and wondered noticed they are headed slightly southeast into the Caucus region. Shit that's been a hotbed of contention forever in Russia.

The news feed was on and it looked like chaos. I rubbed my chin and yelled, "Where's that damn translator!"

Flashback – Jack – In Moscow

I was sleeping great until Masha yelled, "Jack honey, wake up!"

I wandered over, noticed Masha was shaking and crying and asked, "Masha is something wrong?"

Masha questioned, "Honey, you told me you were working with the Spetsnaz, what was the name of your team."

I replied, "Team Vympel, why do you ask?"

She turned, had a very sad look on her face and stated, "Jack my love, you might be in trouble..."

Not sure what I had done other than play hooky with her all day I shook my head to clear the cobwebs and asked, "Masha I don't know what has you all worked up so tell me..."

She states, "Oh Jack it's terrible. Your team has been sent into the field."

I exclaim, "What! Team Vympel has been deployed?"

Flashback – Masha – In Moscow

I needed to be strong to support my Jack and advised, "Jack we need to turn on the television and I will try to explain to you what happened. But first we must dress."

I turned on the television, found my clothes, Jack found his and we sat on the couch. Jack asked, "Masha, what are they talking about?"

I tried to explain, "My love, today is the first day of September. In Russia this is called 'First Bell' or 'Knowledge Day'. It is the start of the school year and all the children and many of the parents look forward to this day all summer long."

He interrupted me, "Masha are you telling me the children in Russia like to go to school?"

I patted his hand and continued, "Yes Jack, most of them do. In Russia education is very important for our future, now please do not interrupt. It looks like something very bad has happened in the small town of Beslan which is located in North Ossetia. We do not have any details yet however they are sending many troops there..."

Flashback – Jack – In Moscow

I remembered the maps of Russia I studied and realized that North Ossetia is in the Caucus region, I look at Masha and interrupted, "It must be the Chechens."

I'm shocked when she mocks spiting on the floor and declares, "Jack, your assumptions are probably correct. They have many Islamic suicide groups that have even attacked innocent people here in Moscow."

I look at Masha and state, "Dammit Masha, I need to find out if they took Banzai with them."

I pull out my mobile phone, call his phone but I don't get an answer...

Flashback – Ben – on flight

I finished my crappy dinner while completing my report to Major M (I thought I did a great job faking Jack's part). I hadn't cleaned up when there was a knock on my door, and Yuri (my Spetsnaz contact) yelled, "Ben! Come immediately! We have a mission."

I ran to the door, threw it open and he walked in. I went after my bug out bag and asked, "What's going on?"

He stated, "That is not for me to know, but it must be big. Where is Sgt. Reynolds?"

I lied through my teeth (damn him), "He's sick and I think he's at the hospital."

Yuri replied, "We do not have time to wait for him."

With my bag in hand we ran down the stairs to a waiting truck. The driver drove worse than the normal Moscow maniacs so I knew this had to be important. I glanced around: No one was talking and in typical Russian fashion, no one smiled. I followed their lead...

We arrived at the airfield, loaded into a transport and I was shocked at the sheer number of weapons and supplies aboard.

Finally the Captain stood up and gave a mission briefing. "Today at 0930 hours an armed group of unknown size from the Riyad-us Saliheen brigade of martyrs seized control and are occupying School Number One in Beslan, North Ossetia. Because today is the first day of school many parents were there with their children."

Yuri swore, "Bсэ заебало! Пиздэ'ц на кхуи бляд!"

Fuck it all! Fucking load of bullshit!"

The Captain continued, "There have already been casualties. Our job is to secure the perimeter while we try to negotiate with them."

What the FUCK! Negotiate with them? Who's fucking moronic idea was this? These were some of the worst fucking terrorists in the world and you don't fucking negotiate with terrorists - you kill the bastards! I stood up and shouted, "Excuse me! You can't negotiate with these fuckers! They are terrorists and we need to kill all the bastards we can as soon as we can before they kill all the hostages."

All the men shouted in agreement. It made me feel good!

The Captain, held up his hands, glared at me, realized who I was and ordered, "Sgt. Serikov (Yuri), sit our visitor down and inform him he is only here as an observer! Any further outbursts by him and he will be left on the aircraft!"