Mark Spaid - Falcon Down

“What are we looking for?”

“Sir, using the satellite photos coupled with a few U2 pictures I see a pattern,” Jerry said.

“What pattern?”

“This car.”

“What about it?” Walter asked.

“Sir, I think they’re casing the joint.”

“You mean spying on the silo location?”

“Yes, sir. The car is always pointed in the direction of the entrance.”

“Surely, you don’t think they could enter somehow. Their security is tight, maybe not like here but it’s good and some mug in a car can’t waltz in there,” Walter said.

“I know, sir, but anything’s possible.”

“Like what for instance?”

“They could mock the electronic entrance code.”

“That’s possible?” Deke asked.

“In theory, sir. I don’t know how sophisticated their security is,” Jerry replied.

“Can ours be breached?” Walter asked.

“I doubt it, sir.”

“But you’re not absolutely certain.”

“No, sir, I’m not.”

“Wow,” Walter said.

“Could they have a guy on the inside?” Deke asked.

“I’ve thought about that too, sir.”

“Sergeant, what do you think it means, that car being there so many days?”

“Just conjecture, sir,” Jerry replied.

“What conjecture, sergeant. Speak your mind the General and I want to hear your theory,” Deke said. Jerry looked at Deke and the general then drew a long breath.

“Okay, sir, here goes. There are considerable Stalinist movements throughout Russia and they would like to expand Russia’s borders to match the old Soviet Union.”

“And The Ukraine would be the big prize,” Deke posed.

“Yes, sir.”

“So how do they get The Ukraine?” Walter asked.

“Sir, it would take an extreme situation,” Jerry said.

“Explain,” Walter said. Jerry was nervous and especially nervous about talking to General Zumwalt. He took a deep breath and sighed as preparation for his theory.

“Nuclear blackmail, sir.”

“A face off with Russia, is that what you’re suggesting, Sergeant?”

“Yes, sir, or at least the possibility.”

“You get this from those pictures of a car on a hill overlooking the silo entrance?” Deke asked.

“Not just that, sir. The President of the United States and Russia will be at the meeting in Kerch. Security is not as tight as it should be, sir. In my opinion, sir,” Jerry said.

“Are you suggesting an assassination attempt on both Presidents, Sergeant?” Walter asked.

“I’m not sure, sir, but I was actually thinking more of a kidnapping.” Walter and Deke looked at one another.

“You’re kidding I hope,” Deke said.

“No, sir, I’m serious. I don’t know if it’s possible but I think that may be their aim,” Jerry said.

“Boy, Sergeant, you don’t hold back do you?” Walter asked.

“No, sir.”

“Your concern is duly noted, Sergeant. You need to keep this to yourself. No one else can know about any of this,” Deke said.

“Yes, sir,” Jerry said then returned to his station.

“What do you think?” Walter asked.

“Sounds incredible but…”

“But what?”

“I don’t think we should dismiss what he said out of hand.” They looked at one another and Deke nodded.

“Colonel are you worried about an attack?” Lieutenant Igor Radinsky asked his commanding officer at the Kapustin Yar launch site that Jerry Fillmore was surveilling.

“No more than usual. Colonel Mikhail Azarov replied.

“You’re not worried, sir?”

“I’m always worried, Lieutenant. Our job is to worry every day. We’re on the edge of disaster every minute in this complex and our American counterparts are in the same fix. We have the power to destroy the Earth so, yes, I worry and so should we all.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Why did you ask?”

“We’ve picked up U.S. missile launches… tests only but it’s worrying.”

“I hope so, I shudder to think of the day when it doesn’t worry you.”

“The number of tests caught my attention.”

“How many?”

“Usually, it is around five a month but the last two months it’s been fourteen and twenty-one.” Azarov came to attention at that with a stern look.

“All over the pole I assume,” Azarov said.

“Yes, sir.”

“What do you make of it?”

“I’m not certain, sir. They could be testing a new device or a new tracking system and that’d require multiple launches.” Azarov nodded.

“Yes, I agree, well keep a very close eye on any future tests and keep me informed of any changes.”

“Yes, sir.” The lieutenant returned to his workplace and Colonel Azarov contemplated what he’d been told and slipped into deep thought trying to make sense out of it.

“Are we ready?” Justin asked.

“I think so.” Jozette said.

“The luggage is all on board,” Andy said. Ariel had charted a large passenger van to take them to the airport and contracted two men to carry everything. From the house to the van and from the van to the terminal. They were waiting by the front door to depart, all except… well you know.

“Does she know we have a flight to catch?” Jozette asked.

“I told her to step on it,” Justin said.

“And her response was,” Andy asked.

“Cram it Justin,” he said and they all laughed. The girls had said their good-byes an hour ago and left for the mall. Will drove them. They thought it was better to avoid a gushing scene and they were probably right.

“I’m ready,” Belinda said at the top of the stairs and they all stood watching as the princess made one of her legendary entrances.

“That’s nice,” Andy said under his breath and Jozette nudged him so he didn’t set Belinda off on a tirade. It didn’t take much to get her in a bad mood then everyone would suffer.

“Here I come,” Belinda announced then began the slow walk down the stairs. She was wearing the shortest shorts possible, a halter top that barely contained her up top wares, six-inch heels, large silver hoop earrings and large pink sunglasses. Her cleavage was sprinkled with red and silver glitter like always as she sashayed down the stairs with one hand on her hip. Lexi and Tatiana grinned while Jozette rolled her eyes. Belinda shook and wiggled all the way down and it was a sight to see because it wasn’t possible to explain it to someone. It had to be seen. At the bottom she let out a large sigh and smiled from ear to ear.

“What’s my name?” Warren whispered to Ariel and she poked him in the ribs and chuckled.

“I bet the Ukrainians have never seen anything like that before,” Dave said and there was laughter.

“I see you’re dressed for the occasion,” Tatiana said.

“What occasion?” Andy asked and got a look from Belinda.

“You look gorgeous,” Tatiana said and she and Belinda went to the van arm in arm.

“Do you think you might be a little over the top on your wardrobe, Lind?” Jozette asked.

“I think I look fine,” Belinda said then put her nose in the air.

“I know that, you’re always beautiful, no one would ever question that but it might be a matter of where we’re going and who we’re meeting,” Jozette added.

“Shouldn’t the President see how beautiful I am?”

“Lind, you look beautiful in jeans, sweatshirt and tennis shoes,” Jozette said, “but it might be a question of decorum.”

“Well, I like the way I look.” That was the end of the discussion as they pulled into the airport.

“Let’s get through security first, it might take some time,” Justin suggested and he was right. It was an hour then they waited in their section for boarding, which was another hour.