Pretoria, South Africa
"As
you can see behind me, tanks, helicopters, and ground troops are invading South Africa. I have received confirmed reports of battleships off the coast. This looks like a full scale invasion with both Russian and Chinese militaries in the mix.
The whole country is in an uproar with the locals trying to get out of the country. This just coming in."
The reporter pauses and puts a hand to her ear and listens for a few moments.
"I have just received word that the same thing is happening in Madagascar. Both militaries seem to be pouring their efforts into both countries. No one really knows for sure what their intentions are and just how much of the countries they plan to take over.
When we receive more information, we'll report it back to you. I will try to stay in the country for as long as I can, but it seems the local police want everyone that can leave to do so.
This is Barbara Sandies reporting to you live from Pretoria."
——
Give
me some good news, Andy," the President says looking at the Secretary of Homeland Security Andy Petroff.
"There's not much I can give you sir. I spoke to Russia Prime Minister Chernoff and he tells me Russia has a claim in South Africa. He also assures me this has no bearing on any future attacks on the U.S. or any other country."
"We'd be fools to believe it too. What does China say?"
"I wasn't able to speak to the Prime Minister, but I was able to speak to China's Ambassador. He stated China was not involved in the conflict and does not intend to be."
"Nothing too surprising there either. We have a problem then. Do we send in our forces or wait and believe their stories?"
"Are we in the position to use our armed forces?" asks Secretary of Defense Henry Rylings.
"I agree with Henry. A new Vice President or Chief of Staff has not been selected yet and now we have possible terrorists running around. We're under attack and we cannot afford to stretch ourselves thin," states Attorney General Marsha Golding.
"What does our newly formed CATU have to say about any of this?" Rylings asks.
"I'll let Director Cornelius tell you himself," the President says waving to an aide.
The door opens and Roger Cornelius walks in. "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I'll get right to the point." He takes a seat and sets a folder down on the table. "As of right now I have CATU's Tactical Chief with a unit tracing these unknown
terrorists
. I use that term because that's what were treating them as. We are also tracking down the individuals responsible for the kidnappings of prominent figures. With the going conflict we believe both events are linked together. We hope once we find one, the other will fall in place shortly after."
"That's all fine and dandy Mr. President, but we are still faced with the problem of South Africa and countries surrounding it," Golding says.
"I'm well aware of that. If we let this combined force take control of the region, we will have trouble pushing them out once they're dug in," McKinsey fires back.
"Look, this is getting us nowhere. The President called us here to make a decision," Petroff said.
Looking at Roger, McKinsey asks, "How long before you can know something?"
"I don't know sir, maybe forty-eight hours," he replies.
"I need something accurate Roger, what we decide hinges on that."
"Give it forty-eight hours sir, if we don't have something by then," he lets the rest hang.
The President sits back, letting it all sink in. The rest of the room falls silent, each person trying to find a solution to offer. No matter what they chose to do, it would be bad politically for America. They now had a promise to fulfill, a promise McKinsey himself is responsible for making. McKinsey stands and looks each of the members in the eye before speaking. "Forty-eight hours. If we don't have any progress, we go to war."
——
Getting
into the
Rasputin
was normally not an easy task. The strip club was so popular, the line just to enter stretched around the building. Luckily the group had an invitation to get in.
Claude had explained how Stalockavich, with his vast wealth, either bought up many clubs like this or created his own. On the outside, Stalockavich looked like a legit business man and was almost able to pass as one.
They were directed to the back of the club into a private section. Stalockavich was easily recognizable. Besides the three strippers that were entertaining him, he had an air of importance about him.
As soon as he saw he had company, he sent the strippers away and offered the three a seat. "What can I do for you this evening? Care for a drink? Free of charge of course," he says in with smoothness.
"No thanks," Spencer says.
"I'll take that drink," Claude replies.
Sam gives him a look of disbelief and Claude responds with, "Hey, never turn down a free drink."
"Very well," Stalockavich says motioning for a waitress to take Claude's order.
"We need information," Spencer starts.
"Then you came to the right place, though it doesn't come cheap," Stalockavich replies.
"When does it?" Sam asks rhetorically.
This causes Stalockavich to laugh. "I like you guys, Americans are always comedians."
"How much?" Spencer asks. He didn't like dealing with gangsters when it wasn't on his turf.
"Two thousand American dollars."
Spencer produces a stack of hundred dollar bills and lays them on the table in front of Stalockavich.
"Now what would you like to know?"
"Two days ago four people from entirely different fields were kidnapped. Who would be interested in taking them?" Spencer asks.
"How would I know this? This is a big world and I'm just one small person trying to make a living," he replies.
"We know it was someone from Russia, a note was left behind," Sam offers.
"Well you are still talking to the wrong person. If anything bad happens in Russia, you should be looking to the KGB."
"Well I guess we're wasting our time," Spencer says reaching for the money Sam laid out.
Stalockavich's hand shot out to stop him from taking it. "I'll give you a name that's worth your money. There's a new organization called
Winter
. They are the ones with all the answers."
"How do you know of this group?" Claude inquires.
"Let's just say I know people," he says with a smirk.
Shouts start up and can easily be heard over the music. Patrons and staff begin to either scream or try to run for the various exits. Stalockavich pulls out a pistol and starts to make his way through to the exit behind him.
The three agents each pull guns, not sure exactly what was happening. Spencer doesn't have any feelings, but his gut said this isn't good.
Stalockavich half turns and says, "As a bonus I'll give you this piece of advice: stay out of
Winter's
way and you may just live."
He disappears through the doorway, shutting it tightly closed behind him..
Sam attempts to push on the section of wall Stalockavich went through, but it wouldn't budge. The door looks exactly like the wall; there isn't even a door knob to open it.
"Well, I guess we fight our way out," Spencer says.
"Looks like you got your trap after all," Claude says chuckling.
The three step out of the private room and into chaos. Police are filling in through every door. Patrons and staff are being forced to the ground and handcuffed. Before any of them are able to use their guns, the police have theirs trained on them.
"Hold it!" yells an officer. "Put your weapons down and where they can be seen."
Slowly the three place their guns on the floor and raise their hands.
"So much for cover," Spencer mutters.
——
It
