After showering and finding another change of clothes, Sarah busied herself with writing the report. The Corporal was standing guard outside her room, obviously meant to deter her from wandering around, or even find Marta. These comrades looked after each other and Marta needed to be one. Of course, Sarah wanted to seek her out and try and talk to her, but she decided to get the report out to her editor and make another Sat Phone call pleading for more time in the region.
"If Kirov is still in the area, it's worth another week. Come on Maxie, he's the holy grail of news reporting. He's like the discovery of Saddam Hussian in a tunnel!" Sarah's impassioned pleas were not falling on deaf ears, but even though she wanted the story of 'Killer Kirov's' capture, she had another motive. She felt a gnawing desire for Adam Chenyy, an ache, something she hadn't felt for a long time.
"All right, one more week, then out." Maxwell insisted and Sarah reluctantly agreed to his terms.
By 9:30, Sarah was being escorted down the hallway and up the stairs to the Colonel's rooms, which he'd taken since his arrival. The ever-present handsome Corporal had knocked on her door and relayed Chernyy's request for her to join him. Dressed simply in a khaki shirt, combat trousers and a pair of beaten-up combat boots she followed him. Upon arrival, the sounds from inside the room were unmistakeably a heated argument and finally a sullen silence, Sarah expected some subordinate to be reprimanded by the Colonel. However, as the door had been opened, Sarah was surprised to find Marta. The air was tense, and she was allowed in. The Corporal stood guard outside.
"Come in Miss Harding, I wanted you to know that we cannot send you out on any more patrols especially if Kirov's men are operating this area. It is just too much of a risk. You'd be safer here, but as compensation for restricting your freedom, I will arrange for you to interview anyone you wish within the hotel or in the refuges encamped outside, as long as you have an armed escort.
Sarah smiled, and looked to Marta, "So we shall be together again!" But Marta shook her head,
"No, I have asked for other duties," She glanced back to the Colonel. Sarah was immediately suspicious.
"What do you mean?" She looked at the Colonel and he looked back at Marta,
Marta picked up her rifle and looked back at the Colonel, "I thank you, Colonel. I will be back soon."
With that Marta opened the door and left, as the door closed, the handsome Corporal went with her.
"Where is she going, or should I ask who she is going for?" Sarah looked accusingly at the Colonel, who sighed and shrugged his shoulders,
"I cannot stop here. If I tried, she would desert. If I can support her on this hunt for Kirov, I will risk all. I have a good section for her to lead. She has the Corporal and I've given her as enough logistical support as I can and she is under strict orders to find and observe. She has sworn not to attempt an assault or capture of Kirov." The Colonel looked straight at Sarah, with a boyish look of haplessness.
"Will she comply with your orders?" Sarah quizzed, her look doubtful.
"I made her swear on the souls of her mother and sisters, but I fear for her." His words felt dry like autumn leaves. Now, the soldier had been stripped away, now he was the lone man in command, a lonely individual tasked with finding and neutralising an enemy renowned for his cruelty, cleverness, and guile. Sarah looked at a man who feared he would be out of his depth and a man who feared to fail those he led and those her cared for.
"La Naina "Adam Chenyy swore and sighed once againβthe man, not the Black Colonel.