SOON
By Kristine Zensky
ACT I
Cinnamon pulled her now brunette hair back as tightly as she could, creating a small bun with three plain bobby pins. Then she slid in a fourth containing a miniature transmitter allowing Barney to monitor her movements. She adjusted the black crescent shaped glasses and reached for the heavy black briefcase on the seat beside her. She took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly, replaying in her mind the key aeronautical navigation terms and concepts she had memorized over the last three days.
Rollin heard her sigh and glanced into the mirror, checking on his lone passenger. She noticed his head shift slightly and met his blue eyes in the mirror. She pursed her lips and smiled slightly. He nodded.
The gates to the Defense Ministry were only a hundred yards ahead. Cinnamon focused on the dirty snow plowed roughly to either side of the road. She felt the car brake steadily.
Rollin rolled down the window and the cold air was bracing. She pulled her coat closer as he leaned out, nonchalantly handing the guard his papers, and said in Russian, "Madame Kurnikova. She is expected for the conference."
A more senior officer stepped out of the warmth of the guard hut and made his way forward. "Yes, Captain, she was expected some time ago – you are two hours late, " he told Rollin, glancing at his papers as he returned them. "Explanation, Captain Vronsky?"
Rollin leaned conspiratorially toward the officer, "Yes, Major, I was waiting outside her laboratory for both those hours."
The major chuckled, "Your papers, Madame."
Cinnamon clicked open the large case and handed Rollin a tattered identity card which he passed to the guard, who reviewed it, then passed it to the officer with a nod.
The major waved the gate open. "You must park at Building Four. The minister and the other scientists are waiting."
He reached past Rollin to hand the papers back to Cinnamon. "Welcome to Gbrest, Madame Kurnikova."
"Thank you. I hope you will extend the same warm welcome to my assistants."
"I don’t understand, Vronsky." The major looked to Rollin for clarification.
"Two men – one very big, one black – students, they work in her lab – they are driving a truck which contains some heavy equipment." Rollin replied.
Cinnamon leaned forward, "It is my system prototype. Surely the Minister will wish –“
The major looked menacingly at Rollin, "There is security with this truck?”
“Yes, my own Colonel – Andreyev from DSS. He told me to go on. We are about 20 minutes ahead – the truck could not keep up on the snowy roads."
"No escort?"
"Andreyev’s decision. He did not want to attract undue attention, especially this far from… " Rollin let it hang ominously and the major nodded. The locals had a fierce loyalty to the republic and rebels had already formed an active resistance to the new regime.
"Building four – on the left."
Rollin waved and pulled the car into gear, chugging into the compound. Without turning his head he quietly said, "A major on the door – you must be some scientist." Cinnamon didn’t engage, preferring to stay focused on her role. Rollin continued softly, "Remember what Jim said, if it’s too tight, we come back later."
It was the first time the IMF had penetrated the new regional installation as the government had only recently tried to demonstrate that the newly annexed republic was completely part of the motherland again. If Jim, Barney and Willy could get the equipment in, they would plant a number of bugs and sensors deep within the structure. Rollin and Cinnamon were focused on creating an opportunity to photograph plans for the new warhead guidance system.
Jim had been clear – if the opportunity arose to get the bugs in place and photograph the plans, fine, but he would consider the mission successful if the team came away with intelligence on the lay-out of the new headquarters and a better idea of which functions would transfer there.
Rollin parked at building four and opened his door. As he stood he straightened his gray uniform and adjusted his peaked cap. He opened the passenger door for Cinnamon and guided her up the icy steps. They signed in at the reception desk.
The door from the conference room opened. A small gray-haired man with spectacles exited, followed by a tall blond man in a colonel’s uniform. Rollin snapped to attention, heels clicking.
The short man reached excitedly for Cinnamon’s hand, "Madame Kurnikova, it is such an honor to meet you. Thank you for coming on such short notice. I hope the roads have not been too treacherous."
Cinnamon held his hand in hers, "Deputy Premier Vorshka, it is I who am honored. First, that you and the minister should want to learn more about my work at the university; second, that you would send a car and driver for me."
Vorshka smiled and turned to the imposing colonel. "Well for that Madame I cannot take credit. You must thank Colonel Andreyev."
Rollin knew his heart skipped a beat and wondered if Cinnamon’s did too. All
intelligence reports had Andreyev en route to
"A pleasure, Madame Kurnikova."
The deputy premiere reached for her coat, "We are now having a short adjournment Madame Kurnikova. Perhaps you would like to freshen up after your long journey."
"Thank you, Excellency," and followed him down the hall.
Andreyev turned to glare at Rollin. "I assigned Captain Kalkov to this project."
"He’s sick, sir."
"You are?"
"Vronsky, sir."
"Does she suspect?"
"No sir." Rollin answered quickly, automatically.
"Good. Well as it’s a one way trip for her, she’ll have no more need of a driver. You can go."
"Yes, sir." Rollin saluted and walked toward the door, his mind racing, but dragging his heels. In less than twenty minutes, Jim would turn up at the gate as Andreyev. He must be warned off. More worrying, the real Andreyev clearly had no plans for Cinnamon to leave.
"Vronsky?"
Rollin stopped and turned, "Sir?"
"Does she have luggage?"
He nodded, "In the boot, sir."
"She seems fond of you. Go tell her you are taking it to the hotel in the village." Andreyev reached for the door and returned to the conference room.
Rollin sighed and started down the hallway looking for Cinnamon. He stopped outside the only room he thought might be a bathroom. He coughed twice.
Cinnamon opened the door slightly. Her eyes met Rollin’s and she moved back as he swiftly slid in to join her. He reached for her hands, but caught her wrists as he whispered, "There’s more. He’s just dismissed me - says you won’t be needing a driver because you won’t be leaving.”
Cinnamon took it all in but kept cool, "We need to warn the others."
Rollin nodded yes and added, "We need to get out of here."
"You can go – drive back and head them off. They won’t suspect anything, especially if you’ve been dismissed. Rollin, go – go now. It’s the only chance to save yourself and the others"
"Cinnamon, I’m not leaving without you." His fingers moved down her wrists to her hands.
"It’s the only way."
"I’m not leaving you." He didn’t raise his voice, but he brought to it an intensity she had rarely heard. He squeezed her hands. "We need to come up with something else."
She sighed, partly out of anger at his stubbornness, partly from knowing how much he cared for her. She started to protest when they heard a tap at the door. There wasn’t time to argue or to let the emotions sink in. Both froze, eyes meeting, then turning to the doorknob.
"Madame Kurnikova?"
"Yes?"
"Sorry to disturb you. The minister has asked that we begin."
"Of course, I’ll be right there, Excellency."
They remained frozen for a moment, then Rollin’s eyes turned to Cinnamon’s. He whispered, "The transmitter."
Cinnamon reached into her bun and pulled the hairpin out quickly, handing it to Rollin, "But it’s one way."
Rollin split the pin to expose the transmitter, then laid it on the floor and crushed it under his boot. "It was." They both sighed. He pushed it into a drain grill with the toe of his boot.
He reached for her shoulders, "You’re right – I can drive out of here. But I won’t do it unless you’re in the car."
Cinnamon nodded, unable to suggest a better plan. "They won’t search it leaving if they didn’t search it coming in."
"Give me two minutes, I’m going to turn on the engine and open the trunk. Come out front. If no one can see, climb into the trunk. If there are people around, get in the passenger seat."
"Okay, two minutes."
Impulsively, he leaned forward, held her cheeks, kissed her softly, then looked into her eyes. "Only two minutes – I’m not leaving if you’re not in the car."
Her eyes held his, then she moved closer and kissed him back, "Here, take my briefcase – if I’m stopped, I’ll say I left it in the car."
Rollin nodded and reached down for the black case. His other hand slowly turned the doorknob and opened the door a crack. He left quickly, retracing his steps. At reception, he purposefully deposited his identity badge and signed out.
Cinnamon opted for a fast pace and no eye contact until she reached the exterior door, "I’ll just collect my case from my driver," not stopping for a response from the guard on reception. The Deputy Premier had taken her coat and she realized it probably made her "quick errand" seem more realistic, but made for a shivery reaction to the arctic wind as she pushed through the exit.
Rollin had turned the car and stood by the open door to the trunk. It was then that she realized what she would have to do. She took a deep breath. There was no one around. Rollin moved closer and wrapped his arm around her waist. "It’s the only way. We need to hurry," he gently encouraged
"I know." Cinnamon said as she climbed in. He saw she had no coat, started to give his to her, but realized that leaving without his coat in the sub-zero temperatures would raise suspicion. He smiled sadly as he slammed the door. She shuddered and clenched her eyes closed. She felt her chest tighten and knew she needed to focus and breathe.
She could hear the tires, slick against the icy road and felt the speed bumps as they made their way to the gate. How long did they have before the alarm was raised? She tried to remember the number of speed bumps coming in, but hadn’t counted. The car stopped, but only briefly. She could not hear voices. Was it the gate? Was Rollin waved through?
She could feel the car pick up speed and the sounds of the road get louder in her ears. Her teeth chattered together from the cold. Still she was afraid to open her eyes.
She didn’t want to think about the tiny space. She knew that if she did, in the darkness, the walls would seem like they were closing in. Then that would make her breathing shallower. She would soon become light-headed and her toes and fingers would begin to tingle due to reduced oxygen in her bloodstream. No, she didn’t want to think about the tiny space. Instead, she would think about Rollin.
He’d been in her dreams since she first met him, excited by his looks and charmed by his manner. On her first few missions with Dan Briggs’ squad, Rollin had made it very clear he was interested. He was handsome, funny, warm and brave. It had been hard to feign disinterest. But it seemed the right thing to do.
She believed the things she had been taught in training – liaisons with team
members were a distraction and put the whole team into jeopardy. When
He’d been on her mind for weeks – now months – nearly a year - and she’d fought it. Until today. He’d kissed her. She’d kissed him back.
The car jerked right and the terrain became bumpier. Cinnamon felt the car come to a stop and heard the door open. Seconds later, the trunk opened and Rollin reached in and simultaneously embraced her and pulled her out. She clung to his neck as his eyes met hers.
"Okay?" he asked as he slipped off his heavy leather officers’ coat and wrapped it around her shoulders.
She could only nod and he led her to the passenger side of the car, opened the door, and helped her in before racing back to the driver’s side and throwing the car back into gear and back onto the road.
Cinnamon shivered, but was delighted to be out of the trunk and moving away from Gbrest. "Were we followed?"
Rollin shook his head no.
"Where are they?" She continued and Rollin knew she meant the rest of the team.
Rollin shook his head again. "We should have met them by now. They must have turned back when you stopped transmitting."
Soon, Cinnamon spotted the truck. "Look! There they are, by the tree line."
Rollin followed her finger to a logging road, partially obscured by the snow. The truck had backed down the road into the tree line, ready for a quick escape. Rollin pulled off the main road and parked next to it.
Barney and Jim jumped down from the truck bed in a flash. Rollin exited quickly,
"Andreyev – he’s here, not
Willy came down from the cab of the truck and opened Cinnamon’s door, helping her out of the car. The quintet gathered by the hood of the car.
Jim frowned, "The real Andreyev?"
Rollin nodded, "And he told me it was a one way trip for the good doctor – she wouldn’t be leaving."
Willy looked to the road Rollin and Cinnamon had come down. "Were you followed?"
"Not immediately, but it won’t take them long to realize she’s gone."
Barney turned to Jim, "Why keep Cinnamon?"
"Maybe it wasn’t just Cinnamon – maybe they intended to keep all the scientists." Jim speculated.
"They do have history of forced labor camps here," Cinnamon noted.
Jim nodded, "Maybe Andreyev is creating a forced think tank."
Rollin reminded them of the urgency, "Madame Kurnikova was definitely a high profile guest – they’ll be very upset when they learn she’s turned down the invitation."
The wheels were turning in Jim’s head. "Rollin, Cinnamon, you’re the only two of us who can be recognized. They’ll be looking for you at the borders. You need to get to Brausov. It’s 60 miles ahead, move east on the road to Orinsk. They won’t expect you to move east. Go to the bar in the village square. Valery will find you."
Barney frowned, "Jim, it’s Valery’s people who gave us the intelligence on Andreyev – how do we know this isn’t a set-up?"
Cinnamon volunteered, "They were definitely expecting Anna Kurnikova – I don’t think there was any tip-off."
"I agree," Rollin said. "If they knew everything, they could have easily trapped all five of us. But Jim, they do know about the truck – at least the major on the gate does."
Jim sighed, "I think it’s as simple as Andreyev deciding he’d been to enough air shows – especially if there is a plan to hold all the scientists at Gbrest. He may have decided the action was here.”
Barney nodded, satisfied, and shifted out of his blue wool coat. "Rollin, switch clothes with me," he said, indicating Rollin’s captain’s uniform.
Rollin nodded and began unbuttoning the heavy gray tunic. "Jim, what about the real Anna Kurnikova? Once they realize what’s happened she’s in real danger."
"I know, Rollin. This may be exactly what we need to convince her to defect. I think I need to make my way to the capital." Jim continued, turning to Cinnamon, "We need to get you and Rollin to Brausov and the truck is too valuable to leave here to fall into their hands. Barney, you and Willy need to get the equipment to the resistance or over the border. If not, you’ll need to destroy it."
"Driving all night, we could reach the nearest crossing point just after dawn." Willy suggested. "But that’s if the snow holds off."
Jim nodded agreement. "You shouldn’t have any trouble getting across at a point that remote. Assuming an alert has not gone out and they are still focused on finding Cinnamon and Rollin -"
Cinnamon smiled and turned to Rollin "Great – bait."
Jim was happy to see the team still positive, "Willy, radio Valery. Let him know what happened. Tell him to expect Rollin and Cinnamon in Brausov tonight. Tell him I’m headed for the capital and that you and Barney are headed for the border."
Barney and Rollin leaned side by side against the car to keep their feet dry as they traded trousers and shoes. Jim interjected, "Keep the gun, Rollin. And here’s more cash. Do you need anything else from the truck?"
"Yeah, just a few things from my kit. Cinnamon?" She shook her head no. Rollin turned to Barney and said, "Give her the coat," as he reached into the car for her black briefcase, quickly pulled out her identity card, then lifted the case into the truck bed, parting the curtains at the back.
Cinnamon shivered and wrapped the blue wool coat around her freezing hands, "Jim, what do you think Andreyev and Vorshka are up to?"
Jim shook his head, "I’m not sure and I don’t think we’re going to find out on this trip. The priority now is getting out."
"So we have a chance to try again?" Barney volunteered.
Jim nodded. Rollin jumped down from the truck bed with a small parcel and a blanket. Along with Willy, Barney and Cinnamon, he turned to Jim for instruction.
Jim looked at Rollin and Cinnamon. "Okay. You need to get going – Andreyev will be looking for you, especially if he still believes you’re Kurnikova."
Rollin held up his kit bag. "Hopefully I can change that."
"Good," Jim continued. "It may take Valery a little while to get you out. He’ll have to wait until the border cools and make sure there’s no chance of exposing his network - right now, it’s the best asset we have in the region." He turned to Willy, "Head for the border. When we cross the train tracks to the capital, I’ll leave you and Barney to get the truck out."
Everyone nodded, heads turning side to side to acknowledge the new plan. Cinnamon peeled off the leather coat and handed it to Barney, "You’ll be needing this, Captain."
"Stay warm," Barney said fondly as he watched her climb into the car.