Stacking the Deck

Location : Russia

Writer : CharlotteCarrendar

With the use of night vision binoculars, Wolf was again doing his nightly surveillance of Yuri’s compound from an adjacent property owned by an old farming couple that kept very much to themselves. Nikita had worked a deal to allow herself and Wolf to stay at the farm, working as farm hands, while at night they went on surveillance missions to see when it was the right time to go and make the break to free Lotus.

Hidden well from view with the night acting as a cloak, Wolf adjusted his binoculars, seeing into the compound and the usual parade of guards that were now patrolling the grounds 24/7. It seemed that Ayalah’s daring escape had only hardened Yuri’s resolve to ensure that the same thing did not happen again. Checking his watch, Wolf counted down and then peered through the green lens to see Yuri actually emerge from his house. A glass of whiskey in one hand a cigar in the other. He did this nightly, like a ritual. Over the course of the last two weeks, this was observed and noted. Tonight, he didn’t have his usual slave girl being dragged out and humiliated on the balcony. Creasing his brow, Wolf slowly adjusted the scope so he could get a better view. Yuri was talking to a tall blonde woman, who wore a distinct Russian military outfit; though he did think it appeared to be the type of clothing a dominatrix wore. ~She must be one of his lackeys~ Wolf thought to himself. The pair was in some sort of heated discussion; the woman raising her hands as though trying to convey her feelings. Watching with an increased interest, Wolf saw Yuri throw his glass of scotch on the floor of the balcony and then rounding on his guard. In one swift movement, he slapped her hard across the face. ~If only I could hear them~ Wolf thought again. The female guard held her face in shock, as the Russian tore strips off her, then thundered back inside. That was indeed unusual to see, for it meant that things were not exactly rosy in the compound. Maybe Yuri was losing his edge. He did lose a lot of guards when Ayalah was broken out.

Sadly there were no sightings of Lotus. This in itself was troubling, but it could mean she was being held in those dark dungeon cells that Wolf had seen himself inside the fortress like compound. Wolf’s thoughts turned to Lotus. The last time he saw her she was risking everything to save that bitch Ayalah, who demanded that the Japanese assassin be left behind. Setting down the night binoculars, Wolf sat himself up now that the night’s show was over. He cursed himself silently, as he did every night. Feeling he had no backbone, and that Lotus suffered now because of it. ~I will get you out of there.~ Wolf swore to himself, as he packed up his surveillance equipment and made a start back for the farm house, which was a two mile trek over the hills.

The Farmhouse.

Standing under the porch, there was a flicker of a red hue that came from the cigarette that Nikita was smoking. She didn’t go on the nightly surveillance runs, preferring to do her job by keeping the farming couple from getting in deep. Posing as farmhands, Nikita and Wolf had to hide their car in the barn so it would not be seen in a helicopter surveillance sweep that was done every other day by a firm that were contracted by Yuri to step up security in the area. Any trips made into the nearest township were done in the couple’s broken down car which was at least fifty years old. Dressed in traditional Russian country clothing, Nikita didn’t look at all like the stunning catwalk model that she used as a cover in Moscow. Instead her face was devoid of makeup, and her hair covered with a scarf; a long plait coursing down her back. Hearing the crunch of Wolf’s boots on the gravel road that led to the house, she stamped out her cigarette and blew a last smoke ring before venturing out from the veranda to meet him

“Zee anything unusual tonighzt?” Nikita asked in her husky Russian accent. Wolf swung the backpack down off his back and carried it in his right hand. Approaching Nikita he replied;

“I saw Yuri slap one of his guards, but aside from that, nothing out of the ordinary.”

“Any zign of Lotus?”

“None, they must have her locked up deep inside the dungeons. I know she can take care of herself, and she would be a danger to let out.”

Thinking for a moment, Nikita had an idea. “Tommorow, we go to market with the oldz couple. I know that they have business in the town. There is zomeone that might be ablez to ‘elp uz” This had Wolf stop in his tracks. “Who can help us?” This was the first time that Nikita had even mentioned having a contact in the market town close by.

“He…helped me once, and i know he haz no love for Yuri.” Nikita was being very mysterious about this man, and as she gestured for Wolf to follow her inside, she said simply. “I didn’t want to have to go to him again. I hate risking otherz, but I know what this Lotuz meanz to youz.” Taking two steps up, she looks back at Wolf and says. “He is the town priest. A good and decent man, one of the cloth.” She stopped and placed a hand on the door knob, about to turn it. The sound of the state TV station playing some music show playing faintly in the background. The old couple were sitting in their comfortable chairs, unaware of the danger that Wolf and Nikita posed for them.

“Yuri has amassed a lot of hatred from people in this town, but they are scared. I can’t zay I blame them. I know firsthand what he is capable of.” She stared back at Wolf with deep green eyes. “No more should die because of that man. And I don’t think I could live with myself if harm comes to the kind people of thiz farm. “ Nikita then reinforced her statement by saying. “We must be cautious.”

Wolf nodded in agreement, yet in his heart he could not let Lotus go. He had to save her, regardless.

The Market Place.

The farmer who was about seventy years old drove like a man of his age would – slowly. With his wife at his side, who was clutching a basket and with squawking chickens in the back – it was a noisy trip from the farm house into the town market. Wolf and Nikita, who were both wearing their country styled outfits, could barely see out of the grimy windows of the car as it chugged along the road towards the town. Anyone would think the engine was powered by hamsters and a shoe string. It had certainly seen better days and shuddered violently every time the farmer changed gears.

As the car chugged into town, Nikita spotted some of Yuri’s black BMW’s parked just near the bank. She cringed inwardly as the car putted past the line of cars. Someone was in town that day, obviously doing business, but this was the worst possibly scenario if they were spotted. Nikita leaned forward, her scarf covering much of her hair and shielding her face side on.

Spoken in Russian

(translation: Zieg, please drive us to the church and the boy and I get out and meet you at the markets.)

“Хорошо, ребенок. Но не займет слишком много времени. Мать хочет вернуться как раз к ее любимого шоу.”
(translation: Alright, child. But don’t take too long. Mother wants to get back in time for her favourite show.)

Nikita nodded, and then clung onto the seat in front of her, as the farmer increased the speed, changing gears harshly which caused the car to jerk violently in protest. Wolf was already tired of riding in the backseat. The seat itself had no springs or foam in it, so it was like riding on steel bars. They sure didn’t make cars like they used too. The old car pulled up outside the church steps with a loud bang and smoke pouring from the exhaust. The old farmer patted the dash and tried to sooth the worn out car, as his wife badgered on in Russia about how she didn’t want to be late.

Getting out of the car, Wolf pulled the top of his woollen Andy cap down low and dug his hands deep into the old coat that he had borrowed from the farmer. With Nikita alighting from the other side, the two stood on the steps, as the farmer took off again heading for the markets. Taking her hand, Wolf led the Russian agent up the stairs, and into the Church. Needless to say they were going to be in for a shock with what they would find inside.

The Church.

Inside the old style cathedral building, the Priest was serving communion to his small gathering of parishners. As the two entered from the main door, there was the scrapping sound of shoes on the tired floor boards. An elderly lady handing Wolf and Nikita prayer books, and gesturing for them to take their seats in the pews. There were a few rows to chose from as it seemed only a handful of the townsfolk were partaking. A few tired old faces looked back as Wolf and Nikita sat. Wolf taking off his hat after a stern look from one old nun. Up the front there was a row of nuns, all with their rosaries out and praying. As the two opened their books, to try and catch up one of the younger parisheners sat down beside them, and handed Wolf a flyer. It had a strange marking on it. A symbol of the number 7 with another 7 symbols marked through it. In a hushed voice he said.

”The flower has fallen and the bear walks beneath the New Moon on Monday.”

As quickly as he had spoke, he got up and took up a hymn book calling out a number as the congregation stood and started to sing. One of the nuns’s turned her head to look back. She had Asian eyes and blonde hair that showed through the top of her habit. Wolf took one look, and broke out in a grin.

It was Lotus.

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